Dining Plan, Yes or No and your thoughts

[jformica]

I am only posting this question as I have learned a great deal from all of you folks over the years. We are going in early August and have not yet added the dining plan (staying at WLV and AKV). This year we are struggling with the decision, in short here's the deal: Family of 5 (my wife and I, 16 DS, 10 DD and 9 DS). To get the dining plan (1 snack, 1 counter and 1 table) would cost us roughly $207 day (without tip for table service and alcohol) which would probably cost us $250 day. My 16 year old and I eat a bit but my wife and two younger children don't eat all that much. We love the convenience of the dining plan but sometimes can't eat everything (desserts) etc.

We're a little tighter on money this year so if you were me would you get the dining plan or not? I would likely budget $200 a day for food and snacks (which would be the only reason that we would consider it cuz we will be there 7 nights and will be eating at a Table service restaurant each night).

 

[twokids0204]

I am only posting this question as I have learned a great deal from all of you folks over the years. We are going in early August and have not yet added the dining plan (staying at WLV and AKV). This year we are struggling with the decision, in short here's the deal: Family of 5 (my wife and I, 16 DS, 10 DD and 9 DS). To get the dining plan (1 snack, 1 counter and 1 table) would cost us roughly $207 day (without tip for table service and alcohol) which would probably cost us $250 day. My 16 year old and I eat a bit but my wife and two younger children don't eat all that much. We love the convenience of the dining plan but sometimes can't eat everything (desserts) etc.

We're a little tighter on money this year so if you were me would you get the dining plan or not? I would likely budget $200 a day for food and snacks (which would be the only reason that we would consider it cuz we will be there 7 nights and will be eating at a Table service restaurant each night).

If you can add it free... I would think it's a great value.

If you have to pay, it seems to break even - you may even be paying a bit more in the long run.

You only get good value out of it, if you always order the most expensive thing on the menu. But do you really want to always feel compelled to have the steak, when some days you just feel like chicken?

 

[chartle]

I am only posting this question as I have learned a great deal from all of you folks over the years. We are going in early August and have not yet added the dining plan (staying at WLV and AKV). This year we are struggling with the decision, in short here's the deal: Family of 5 (my wife and I, 16 DS, 10 DD and 9 DS). To get the dining plan (1 snack, 1 counter and 1 table) would cost us roughly $207 day (without tip for table service and alcohol) which would probably cost us $250 day. My 16 year old and I eat a bit but my wife and two younger children don't eat all that much. We love the convenience of the dining plan but sometimes can't eat everything (desserts) etc.

We're a little tighter on money this year so if you were me would you get the dining plan or not? I would likely budget $200 a day for food and snacks (which would be the only reason that we would consider it cuz we will be there 7 nights and will be eating at a Table service restaurant each night).

If you know its going to cost you $350 more why are really asking?

I don't think its worth that much money for the convenience of paying up front and not having to use a CC or money.

It looks like you are in the same situation that a lot of families are in when they have kids who are now adults and they still eat like kids.

Its easier the other way, 9 years olds that want to eat like adults. You can upgrade them.

For my family, which are all adults including 3 men, even the QsDP doesn't work for us. If you include that we wouldn't eat dessert really at all it would probably cost a little more for the QsDP.

Regular DDP would be out since we don't like spending that much time eating and we don't go to WDW to eat. Also since my oldest only eats chicken fingers, hamburgers and pizza, we would have trouble finding TS places to eat.

 

[wildcatfan]

I agree if you can get it for free then it is certainly worth it. However, I am thinking that you can probably pay oop for it and come out better. On the flip side it makes me feel better to have it paid for upfront. (you may have some that split a meal and that would save money) Last year, and again this year, we have decided to go with the counter service and we really like it. It gives us more time and I am not paying the tip everyday.

 

[jformica]

If you know its going to cost you $350 more why are really asking?

I don't think its worth that much money for the convenience of paying up front and not having to use a CC or money.

It looks like you are in the same situation that a lot of families are in when they have kids who are now adults and they still eat like kids.

Its easier the other way, 9 years olds that want to eat like adults. You can upgrade them.

For my family, which are all adults including 3 men, even the QsDP doesn't work for us. If you include that we wouldn't eat dessert really at all it would probably cost a little more for the QsDP.

Regular DDP would be out since we don't like spending that much time eating and we don't go to WDW to eat. Also since my oldest only eats chicken fingers, hamburgers and pizza, we would have trouble finding TS places to eat.

It's actually going to cost us like $250 a day not $350. However, the dilemma is we are definately going to eat at a TS restaurant each night and that bill with tip will likely be around $125-$150 but lunches and snacks won't cost us more than $50 day so we are walking a tight line so it's a tough call.

 

[jformica]

I agree if you can get it for free then it is certainly worth it. However, I am thinking that you can probably pay oop for it and come out better. On the flip side it makes me feel better to have it paid for upfront. (you may have some that split a meal and that would save money) Last year, and again this year, we have decided to go with the counter service and we really like it. It gives us more time and I am not paying the tip everyday.

If we could get the dining plan for free it would obviously be a no brainer but it's not available (7/30-8/9)

 

[wdwthreethiels]

If we could get the dining plan for free it would obviously be a no brainer but it's not available (7/30-8/9)

we are a family of 3, Me, DH & DD(21), we have never paid for the plan, the one and only time we had the plan for free we ended up giving the balance away to friends staying longer....

http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/9mwwcowtkz6m2tsx.png

 

[twokids0204]

It's actually going to cost us like $250 a day not $350. However, the dilemma is we are definately going to eat at a TS restaurant each night and that bill with tip will likely be around $125-$150 but lunches and snacks won't cost us more than $50 day so we are walking a tight line so it's a tough call.

I think what chartle meant was seeing as you budgeted $200 per day, and the DDP would be $250 per day @ an extra $50 per day, over the 7 day trip, it would be $50 x 7 days = $350.

 

[RMulieri]

We always do the dining plan, because 1 ) we always eat a CS meal and a TS meal daily ANYWAY and 2) That part of the trip is paid ahead of time except for tipping, which makes budgeting for us easier.We usually come out ahead with the dining plan, but we pretty much have it down to a science at this point.Getting it Free is even better, but that generally does not save my family as much money as a room discount since we stay in Deluxe or higher( dvc)

 

[momabaarjo]

If it seems like it is too close to call ($50 seems pretty low for 2 meals...breakfast and QS, and snacks...plus did you figure in drinks) , then I would go with the dining plan...just for convience (not having to carry money or cc into the park and having it all paid for before the trip even starts). I like the dining plan, because it makes us not look at the menu price while on vacation and enjoy meals at places that we would consider above our budget!

 

[chartle]

It's actually going to cost us like $250 a day not $350. However, the dilemma is we are definately going to eat at a TS restaurant each night and that bill with tip will likely be around $125-$150 but lunches and snacks won't cost us more than $50 day so we are walking a tight line so it's a tough call.

At least you are doing the math and are ahead of the game.

A lot of people get free dining because ITS FREE and don't take into consideration that a room discount and paying OOP may be cheaper.

Also I'm not sure if Disney still does this, but are they still advertising that it can save you up to 30%* on food. Not telling them that the saving only works if you always buy the most expensive item every time you order.

One other option. Do you have to do TS everyday? Many people post how the QsDP gives them freedom from ADRs and that they never dreamt how liberating it would be not always looking at their watch all day.

Two and half years ago we saw this first hand as a family had to leave the queue for RnRC right before they were to load. They said they had to make their ADR. Probably wasted 30 minutes.

 

[chartle]

I like the dining plan, because it makes us not look at the menu price while on vacation

But for some its the exact opposite, they look at the prices and feel like if they or everyone in their family doesn't order the most expensive item that are losing money.

 

[sharonabe]

Over on the Restaurant board, there is a thread called $40 a day. It will give you some ideas of how you can eat at a TS and TWO QS every day for under $40 including tax and tip. However, this only works if you're not buffet people.

Perhaps the only way you'll know if it's really worth it is to go ahead and plan where you want to eat, and I do mean where you WANT to eat with no regard to the cost. Then look at the menus to see what you might order. This should tell you if the DDP will work for you.

 

[cvjw]

I say get the dining plan. For only a $350 difference, you can order exactly what you want from the menu at TS restaurants without having to worry that your bill is going to be over what you budgeted. We are a family of 4 disney adults (kids are 11 and 15), and we can't eat lunch and snacks for $50 a day. That figure just seems very low to me (5 snacks could easily be $20 or more per day)- and could easily make up your $350 difference. We are DVC and always buy the dining plan because dining at TS restaurants is a big part of our disney enjoyment. I would rather pay up front and tell my boys to get exactly what they want to eat than sitting at LeCellier fretting over the $40 filet!

 

[wildcatfan]

If you think you can do it on $200 a day then I would set that money aside and pay out of pocket. Also, I have known a family that put the money they would pay for the dining plan on a prepaid credit card and pay for meals. They had money left over in the end. Basically it will come down to what is conveinent for you. If you will feel better having it all paid up front then it is worth it. If you are trying to save then pay out of pocket.

 

[Karebear]

I think that it depends on where you eat and what you order. We like to have at least 1 TS meal per day. I sat down with the menus and figured out what we would most likely order and the cost. For us, the dining plan will save us money (about $150) but that is because my children want to do a lot of the character meals (and those can be pricey). If we were using our TS credit to eat at The Plaza all week long, then it would not be a good deal. Also, my kids are under 10, so that helps with the price too. Have a great trip!

 

[Granfan]

We Have had dining plan for the last 2 years and it was great. But this year we went with the room only discount. I am really looking forward to being more in control of my choices such as ordering appetizers and no dessert. Since it's a close call I'd choose whatever fits your family better. Have fun!

 

[nooneshome]

To me the dining plans only make sense if you would normally buy all the stuff you get on the plan. After a while those desserts start to take a toll and we get tired of TS quickly. In the past we have done the FD and enjoyed splurging but in no way would we get all those snacks and desserts. We split meals sometimes.

 

[rie'smom]

The DDP doesn't save us money but I purchase it because I don't have to keep pulling out my wallet at every meal. It's a convenience thing for me.

 

[stm61]

It's actually going to cost us like $250 a day not $350. However, the dilemma is we are definately going to eat at a TS restaurant each night and that bill with tip will likely be around $125-$150 but lunches and snacks won't cost us more than $50 day so we are walking a tight line so it's a tough call.

For my family it's worth the price. I have a ds17 that eats anything that anyone else doesn't want, so I figure he makes up for my smaller appetite. My dd12 doesn't want kid's food anymore, she prefers adult choices. Her twin wants burgers, but not the kid's sides that come with them. My younger kids, who are under 10, will order the kid's meals, but usually ask to sample the adult meals. We're not big on deserts either, after the first couple days the kids are tired of chocolate cake. When I priced out the table service meals that we wanted, we still came out ahead with the DDP. We usually end up with extra CS meals at the end, so we hit up Main St. Bakery right before we start the drive home. We get sandwiches and drinks for the ride home, then the kids use the snacks at the candy store.