Dining Plan Questions and Free Dining

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

We haven't been to Disney in almost 3 years.....last time we went our two sons were on the child dining plan and we should have opted to get them the adult plan because it wasn't enough food for them and they really wanted to have the option we had....they are both over 12 now so it's not an issue.

So we are planning a trip for this Jan.....all new dining options and I am very confused as to which would be best. If Free Dining is offered when we go which plan does it include? If it is the 2 quick service plan can you pay for an upgrade?

Any info would be much appreciated....we are choosing btwn the 2 quick servvice and the 1 seated 1 quick service.....which is the best deal? Is the second option a good deal at this point?


Are character meals 1 or 2 points now?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Tanyabeth8]

I believe if you're staying at a value resort it is free quick service, but you can pay extra to upgrade. I think moderate and deluxe resorts are free regular dining plan, but this can also be upgraded to the deluxe dining plan (I think you can even pay and upgrade the free quick service at value resorts to deluxe dining). Most character meals are 1 credit such as Garden Grill, Crystal Palace and Tusker House.

 

[PictureJumpr]

There really haven't been that many big changes for 2013 - character meals (except the castle, of course) are still 1TS.

As for upgrading a free package to the next level, yes you can - you are charged the difference in price between what you got free and what you want to have for each person, for each night. The type you get free is generally based on which "level" of resort you book - value resorts get the QS plan, and moderates and deluxes get the regular plan (1TS 1 CS).

As for what any of the plans is worth, as always that depends on your particular needs, habits, and preferences versus the cost of the plan, or the cost to upgrade if that is part of your plans.

 

[Cafeen]

We haven't been to Disney in almost 3 years.....last time we went our two sons were on the child dining plan and we should have opted to get them the adult plan because it wasn't enough food for them and they really wanted to have the option we had....they are both over 12 now so it's not an issue.

So we are planning a trip for this Jan.....all new dining options and I am very confused as to which would be best. If Free Dining is offered when we go which plan does it include? If it is the 2 quick service plan can you pay for an upgrade?

This depends on the promotion when it gets released. No one can tell you for certain what it'll be. However, historically over the past several years the Quick Service Dining Plan (QSDP, 2 Quick Service meals per night) has been offered to those staying at the value resorts (Pop, all the All-Stars, and AoA). The Disney Dining Plan (DDP, 1 Quick Service, 1 Table Service meal per night) has been offered to those staying at moderate and above.

Any info would be much appreciated....we are choosing btwn the 2 quick servvice and the 1 seated 1 quick service.....which is the best deal? Is the second option a good deal at this point?


Are character meals 1 or 2 points now?

Thanks in advance for any help!

As far as what's the "best" deal? It depends on what you'd like to do. The QSDP isn't as good a value as the DDP, which isn't as good a value as the DxDDP (Deluxe Disney Dining Plan, 3 Table Service per night), but choosing a plan you're not likely to utilize just because it has a higher theoretical value isn't a very good idea either.

If you want to do a sit down per night, and you're staying at a value or moderate with a party of 4, then the DDP is going to be your best bet. If you're staying at a value and you're not interested in the table service meals, than keeping QSDP will likely be the better choice (you don't have a choice to downgrade, assuming moderates continue to get DDP).

Now, that's all taking the Free Dining Plan promotions into account. Outside of these free dining plan promotions, the value of the plans when purchased are far, far lower than they were a few years ago. The potential for savings, while still present, is much smaller than they used to be. It's to the point where I don't even recommend the QSDP to anyone but those really planning to take advantage of it and figure out what's the best use for their credits.

 

[TDC Nala]

Cinderella's Royal Table remains the only 2 credit character meal.

 

[havoc315]

Just to echo what Cafeen was saying, free dining remains an excellent value.
Paying for any dining plan, is very questionable for most families.
The price of the ddp has risen dramatically in the last few years, while the benefits have been cut.
The best value is for children (under 10), doing a lot of character meals. For a family of 4 "adults," the value varies significantly, as you can easily feed your family for less than $220 per night (cost of the plan in 2013).