dining plan versus pay per meal...

[Paul in TX]

Our two reasons for not using the dining plan---which does seem like a great value for what you get---is one we don't usually do appetizers and desserts with each meal and two the planning i.e.adrs for the TS dinners

as we have gone more we tend to plan fewer ADRs than before---prefring to just get a couple for each visit

but if you wanted a full table dinner each night it would be the way to go

jmho

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

that is my concern- if i want the dining plan, is the saving worth more than the discount on rooms i would have gotten? that is the part i still can't quite figure out-which way is best- dining plan for family of 6 or room discounts??

Well what room discounts are you getting? You don't have to give up AAA discounts to get the dining plan. That was only for the free offer that ended last October.
You can get a full package with the same AAA discount on the hotel portion you get with a hotel only booking. You just have to go book through a triple A agent instead of on the phone with Disney. For some reason, only AAA agents can get you the full package with the discount, and Disney can only give AAA discounts booked over the phone for hotel only reservations.
Those aren't quite what the AP discounts are, but they are substantial.

 

[blueroses]

but if you wanted a full table dinner each night it would be the way to go

This is true unless the places you want to eat are signature experiences (2 TS). I haven't taken my trip yet, but I priced out my plans (CRT, CA Grill, Brown Derby, Artist Point, and Le Cellier) and it was cheaper to pay per meal. Of course this is only because I won't change my tastes to match the dining plan. The fact that I'm using the DDE card makes it even cheaper. Add to this my AP room savings (significant) and I'm doing way better NOT doing the dining plan while eating where and how much I want and not having to stress over 2 TS v. 1 TS restaurants.

So there are 2 groups who don't benefit from the dining plan: those who mostly want to eat counter service and those whose dining choices tend to include the 2 TS venues.

 

[3dog2kidmom]

IMO, the dining plan is worth it especially if you are on a budget. No worries about what you are spending on food or having to tell the kids that they have to share with you or each other because it's expensive. The look on their faces when they find out they get to order dessert at nearly every meal is priceless! Can it be done cheaper? Yes, but unless you really plan well, eat mostly counter service and share, have breakfast in your room, it is well worth it for us not to have to worry about how much we are spending to eat.