Dining Plan worth it for 11 people?

[HDJA]

My family of four loved using DDP our past two trips. Next year, we are going on a family trip with a total of 11 people. It's gonna be crazy deciding which parks to visit on what days, etc. and the guys are wanting to plan a golf trip. My point is, when we decide to book our trip, we will not have our dining schedule in place. Some of us may end up not even being in the parks one or two days of our stay (7 nights/8 days-the 4/3 deal). Would you recommend just not getting the dining plan? I'm talking strictly from a budget stand point. We'll still have the option of adding it to our ressie before check-in, correct? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[katieam1]

you can add the dining plan 72 hours before check in. I have heard they charge a fee for adding it with in the 45 day window though. I think it would still be a good idea I mean you could always use your TS for a breakfast together then all go your different ways during the day. Your family liked it before so I think it would work for you again. Even if some go to a dinner somewhere and some go some where else. I guess I would talk it over with the other members of your party and I know it might be hard but come up with a small plan of who will do what and then decide if then it is worth it for all of you to get the plan.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a very magical vacation!!

 

[disneyin2008]

you can add the dining plan 72 hours before check in. I have heard they charge a fee for adding it with in the 45 day window though. I think it would still be a good idea I mean you could always use your TS for a breakfast together then all go your different ways during the day. Your family liked it before so I think it would work for you again. Even if some go to a dinner somewhere and some go some where else. I guess I would talk it over with the other members of your party and I know it might be hard but come up with a small plan of who will do what and then decide if then it is worth it for all of you to get the plan.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a very magical vacation!!

I had three room only reservations for this trip......one I converted to free dining (Disney VISA code) about 2 months before we arrived and of course the balance was due 45 days out. The other resort stays weren't in the free dining dates, so I left them as room only until 5 days before each started and then called and added the dining plan. I did this for two reasons...first I wanted to be sure that we enjoyed the dining plan before committing.....but also because I didn't want to pay 45 days out and have Disney have my money already, lol.....and just in case something happened and we had to make changes or cancel, I wanted to be very very close to our dates before committing to the dining plan.

Neither time that I added dining 5 days before arrival was I charged any extra fee.

I would sit your group down and try to make them understand how the dining plan works. If they aren't willing to plan ahead, it could prove to be an expensive option for them if they aren't able to get reservations on short notice or walk up. Most places we were at were turning folks without reservations away....not just ...we'll see if we can fit you in....or it might be a bit of a wait....but outright saying we are all booked for tonight, and giving out the ADR phone number suggesting they make a reservation for a different night. The places I saw walk ups happening were the less popular resort restaurants...Boatwrights, Cape May, and surprisingly Tokyo Dining. If your party is willing to call around (or have concierge do so) and take whatever they can get each night, then it would work for them....but if they are the type that would say we're at this park/resort so we're eating here or we'll just grab a CS.....it could be quite an expensive plan.

I found that most people don't understand the process and think they can walk up and just have a bit of a wait but still eat......once they realize that doesn't work at WDW very well (and probably even less so than I'm seeing if you're travelling at a busy time!).....they come around to seeing the value of planning their TS meals. If not, then the dining plan may not be right for them.

Remember, though, that the dining plan is based on those in the same room.....just because you're travelling together doesn't mean that all 11 of you have to be on the dining plan. Your family can get it for your room....and let each other room decide for themselves. You can all still eat together if you choose......you just let the server know that your family's meals will be covered by the plan, and the rest won't. I saw that happen quite often and we actually did it once when we met some friends unexpectedly in the waiting area and had our tables combined....we had the plan, they didn't, and the server actually used our plan to pay for the 3 most expensive entree/dessert/drink combos at the table, instead of what WE specifically ate. I seriously doubt she was supposed to do it that way, so don't expect that of course.

Remember too, that there are a lot of threads on DIS about the frustrations of planning your vacation with other family members who aren't planners or don't "get" the process. So work hard to keep yourself out of that situation by thoughtfully and carefully considering if you really want to be involved in planning someone else's vacation!! I'd love to go with a group that large....but I think I'd plan my own little family's schedule and offer it up to the rest for their wanting to join us....but I definitely wouldn't want to schedule their days.....only offer advice based on my past experiences with being here. It would be hard for me as a type A planner, but from the threads I've read I think I'd be much happier offering advice and shrugging if they choose to ignore me, lol.

I hope your trip is magical and special for all of you!

 

[HDJA]

Thanks, disneyin2008! I am very much a type A planner-as soon as we decided on dates a couple of days ago (if we can keep them firm), I've been on the computer doing my research. The others? Nothing! They totally don't understand how much planning needs to go into this and since they haven't been at all or in 30 years, it's difficult to get them to understand. My mother in law is still thinking we could be able to pack lunches and go back and forth to the room during the day to save money on food! SHE might want to do that, but not for my family with two kids who love to stay at the parks from open to close!

Now we just have to decide how many days we will not be at the parks. I'm thinking out of the 7 days, we may be at a water park one day and possibly Sea World another. Basically, the day of Sea World would be the only day we wouldn't use the DDP. What would we do with those credits? I know we could book something that would use 2 TS, I guess. Otherwise, they'd be wasted and I don't want to waste money. Really, that one day is the reason why I'm debating whether to get the DDP or not.

 

[enchantingodin]

Basically, the day of Sea World would be the only day we wouldn't use the DDP. What would we do with those credits? I know we could book something that would use 2 TS, I guess. Otherwise, they'd be wasted and I don't want to waste money. Really, that one day is the reason why I'm debating whether to get the DDP or not.

They won't be wasted! Use them! You have from check in until midnight of the day you check out to use your credits. No rules on how you use them.

Example: We went for the Free Dinning Promo last Sept. Since I knew it was gonna be WAY hot I planned an 'off' day in the middle of our trip. We had a TS for breakfast (Cape May) and a TS for Dinner (Boma). Played mini golf, hung out at the pool, and went to DTD to use up some SC at Goofy's. It was a great day! We DID however end up having left over CS credits, so we went to Earl of Sandwich in DTD and got some goodies for the drive home. Sure beat fast 'food' on the turnpike.

As for other family members... I say give a good try on explaining it to them. After that - just let it go. Some people just don't get it. I'd make sure everyone has at least ONE TS meal together (character breakfast maybe) and let them do their own planning. They know where to find you for info....

PLUS you can also suggest they get the Quick Service DP to them.