Dining plan vs paying out of pocket

[tami82]

we went to Disney the last time 5'and 6 years ago when free dining was offered for mid August. We would like to stay at poly in august of,2016 but unsure we would want to book the last week of August to possibly get free dining as its so close to the time kids go back to school. Since the last few years trend FD starts last week of August so going by that. This year also got a bunch of 30% pins in the mail and thinking if we do the 30% off so,we can stay earlier in August and pay out of pocket for meals how that would work out. There would be 4'adults (two of which are kids). I was looking at prices for counter service meals and didn't seem to bad but then when I took a look at the table service was very expensive especially for Ohara. All in all not sure it is worth the $245 per day to include a,plan, even counter service at 40 pp seemed more money. has anyone taken the 30% discount and dined a different way and all worked out without breaking the bank.

 

[MillauFr]

check into the magical travel agent. They were offering rooms at the Poly last August for $189 per night, 55% off.

 

[tami82]

Ok thanks I will take a look although this is for next August.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

Our last trip we went with the % off room rate and did not do the dining plan. We had used the dining plan on our first two trips. We don't eat dessert at every meal, etc, so we enjoyed being able to order whatever. In the end it came out $200 cheaper for us than had we gone with the dining plan, and we got to order an appetizer or alcohol here and there. So, for the flexibility I enjoyed the non-dp route, and the added $200 savings was a nice bonus.

 

[Bree]

The special rate for that magical agency is $199 at the Poly for a standard room this year.

I don't know how old your kids are, but once they hit 10yo we are slammed with adult prices for buffets for them. It is a sore spot for me. No way do I want to pay $30+ dollars for a meal for my soon to be 10yo DD to eat 1 meatball, a piece of cheese and a dinner roll.

 

[tami82]

I know what you mean now 6 years later my two kids will be charged the adult price, its crazy. Strongly considering going the other route like you did.

 

[tami82]

I have a question about purchasing the Disney gift cards. I see some people buy them and is it to pay for their out of pocket dining so they aren't carrying around cash and so its paid ahead of time. Also can these be tied into the magical bands so you don't have to carry them around? Im trying to figure out this mess so I'm prepared way ahead of time.

 

[JimmyBean42]

It always depends on a few factors: where you are staying, what type of meal plan you would get, what the room discount would be, and how many people are going. Do the math on all the factors and that will help you decide.

 

[tami82]

Yes I know. I forgot to mention I may be going another booking route as we'd like to stay at Poly and without a dining plan which is why I asked. Back in the day FD was earlier in August and was able to take advantage of that, not so much anymore since they do it so late in August over the past few years. We stay that late with the kids going back to school early September.

 

[DisneyBride2014]

I have a question about purchasing the Disney gift cards. I see some people buy them and is it to pay for their out of pocket dining so they aren't carrying around cash and so its paid ahead of time. Also can these be tied into the magical bands so you don't have to carry them around? Im trying to figure out this mess so I'm prepared way ahead of time.

You cannot link the gift cards to the magic bands, however you can charge to your magic band and then go down to the front desk and pay off your balance with your gift cards. We do this every trip and as long as you don't mind stopping at the front desk every couple days it works out really well.

 

[tami82]

Ok thanks

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We are 4 Disney adults, with two being teenaged boys. We still come up short when paying for the DDP vs paying out of pocket. We are annual pass holders, so also get a discount on food with the Tables in Wonderland card, but we would still be better off without the DDP even without that discount because we love counter service meals and never eat breakfast or the provided DDP snacks.

My advice - do a few quick days of potential meals, looking at menu prices. Don't forget to add taxes and gratuities to figure out your total OOP costs. Then compare that cost to the price to purchase the DDP. The math will answer the question for you.

 

[Bree]

Don't forget you still have to pay gratuities when using the DDP. I think a lot of people forget that.