Dining plan

[NikNaknJack]

I'd like to hear some pro's and con's on the Dining plan. I've never used it before and am considering it. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Destination Disney]

Pros:

To my family, the DDP gave us the opportunity to experience many resturants in WDW that we would of never tried. I hate to spend a lot of money on food, especially while I am in vacation, so with the DDP we were able to have the great meals and not break the bank. (Example: for the 3 of us to eat at Le Cellier, our bill totaled over $160, but since we were on the DDP it didn't matter. We were up for a qucik two day stay and the entire DDP only cost us $175 total!)

Another Pro is you just CANNOT beat the value! $37.99 per adult per day and you get a snack, counter service with drink, entree and dessert, plus your dinner with a drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert!


Con:
It is a lot of food. But not everyone thinks this is bad. I'm O.K. with it. I just don't finish it all!

Another would be making ADR's. When they have a DDP "special" going on at certain times of teh year like."Free dining" it can be a bit harder to make an ADR. But then again, you have 180 days prior to your visit to make them!

 

[The Sweetness]

Here are the *cons* that I know of~
Its only available to onsite guests who paid rack rate for their rooms ( or rented DVC points) this means no discounts on the room rate, and you have to have at least a 1 day base ticket to the parks with your package as well

A lot of people may not want to do a table service meal every day. The plan wouldnt be worth it then

Some TS are *signature restaurants or shows, and are 2 TS credits each (not worth it, IMO)

If you don't make your ADRs in advance, you may have a hard time getting into the places you wanted to eat, or eating *anywhere* that will accept a walk- in, or has ADRs available on short notice (ADRs can be made 180 days before you travel to WDW)

I have heard that some people arent happy with the kids CS options, or the dessert CS options. Some people have no problem eating what they want, and throwing away the rest, and other people just cant stand being wastefull

Some people feel *tied down* because they have an ADR to be at a particualr restaurant, at a certain time

 

[loveshak22]

I'd like to hear some pro's and con's on the Dining plan. I've never used it before and am considering it. Thanks in advance!!

I'm going to tail onto this thread. I'm thinking of getting the DDP as well. I wasn't going to at first because I thought it would be too restrictive. But I just made reservations for 3 of the table service restaurants that are on the plan and even if it covers just our dinners it's well worth it. I feel like I am missing some sort of "catch." Can you order anything off the menu?

For example, one night I made reservations for the Concourse. The prime rib I believe is over $20. I know my husband will order that. Plus with a drink and tip it will be $30.00. So why not pay $38 and get a quick service meal, a snack, and appetizer and dessert at dinner???

I really feel like I am missing something??

 

[Destination Disney]

You're not missing anything!

I was skeptical at first, but decided to give it a try on Sept. when we went. I think it cost the three of us $260 for the amount of time we were goingto be there. Best thing I ever did!

I added up all of our expenses on food and it totaled over $400. However I NEVER would of ordered the amount of food that we had.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Its only available to onsite guests who paid rack rate for their rooms ( or rented DVC points) this means no discounts on the room rate, and you have to have at least a 1 day base ticket to the parks with your package as well

Just a clarification - if you're a AAA member, you can get a AAA discount of 10-20% off the room portion of a package (hotel, at least 1 day MYW tickets & dining) if you book directly through AAA (not just the room discount through Disney). I hate seeing people pay rack rate if they don't have to!

Discounts are subject to availability - so certain resorts and room types may only be available.

The DDP is all PROs for us - great to pay most of our food costs ahead of time and a wonderful savings on it! There's no catch in my book and no cons IMO.

Hope this helps!

 

[mommy3]

We are a family of 5 (3 kids - 9,7,4). The pros of the DDP for us was the cost - we booked 4 character meals, plus a meal at Tappanyaki, LeCellier and Sci Fi. Most came in well over $100, with LeCellier being the highest around $155. Since the DDP cost only $111 per day for us, it was like getting the counter service and snack for free. Normally, we would never have spent that much money to go to these restaurants, and probably rely on a counter service and a snack at the parks.

It was fun getting to try all of the new foods. Plus, when the kids didn't exactly like what they had, I didn't feel frustrated that I was wasting money. It was also great having the entire thing paid for before we left (we went the AAA discount, which was pretty good price). It was even fun getting to pick out the snacks - my kids liked scoping out where they would be getting their snacks.

It also let us have some downtime at the parks each day. The dinners usually took about 1.5 hours, which slowed us down, but that was OK since we get to go to Disney every 2 years and don't need to see everything.

Cons - it was way too much food - I'm one of those that had to waste too much food. Plus - it wasn't good for my hips!!! But we learned early on that we just had to refuse some items and take some back to the room for breakfast (we used some desserts for this purpose). It did tie us down a bit - had to make sure we hit those ADR's.

I have all girls and don't think it would be worth it for me to pay the adult price for them in a few years - they are very picky eaters and probably wouldn't find much appealing on the adult menu. But for us this time, it worked out great.

As much as I was worried about the kids menu - we really didn't have a problem - most servers were good at allowing substitutions - not all, but most. And with that about of food - we simply shared between the five of us.

 

[CJsMom]

"Here are the *cons* that I know of~
Its only available to onsite guests who paid rack rate for their rooms "


Is this true? I just added the DDP to our package for December. I was hoping some discounts would come out for Dec - but can I not take advantage of the discounts because I have the DDP?

Thanks!

 

[ransom]

"Here are the *cons* that I know of~
Its only available to onsite guests who paid rack rate for their rooms "


Is this true? I just added the DDP to our package for December. I was hoping some discounts would come out for Dec - but can I not take advantage of the discounts because I have the DDP?

Thanks!

As mentioned previously, AAA members who book through AAA have room discounts of 10-20% available even if they are booking a package. As always, it's subject to availability, but at least it's possible! (We just booked that way for the first time.)

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have not used the DDP either, as we are locals, don't stay on-site often, have AP's, use the DDE, etc.

I think overall the DDP is a win-win for Disney and guests.

Those who may not like the DDP:
* those with "young" adults or choosy eaters, meaning kids who like adult food or adults who like kid's menu items.
* AP-ers, ostly because they can buy the DDE and get 20% off most foods and berverages. And they probably really don't want to have to buy even 1 day park tickets for everyone.
* those who rather get a discounted room rate over buying an AAA or WDW package
* those who want no restictions on how much, where and what they eat or if they buy meals for others

The DDP is not for everyone, just as no particular plan, ticket or resort is right for everyone.

 

[CJsMom]

As mentioned previously, AAA members who book through AAA have room discounts of 10-20% available even if they are booking a package. As always, it's subject to availability, but at least it's possible! (We just booked that way for the first time.)

So I guess it's possible that I may be able to get a discount if they are offered in Dec. - and I do realize that there's no guarantee of that anyway. I'd just hate to think that I missed out on a good discount!

 

[saffy]

For example, one night I made reservations for the Concourse. The prime rib I believe is over $20. I know my husband will order that. Plus with a drink and tip it will be $30.00. So why not pay $38 and get a quick service meal, a snack, and appetizer and dessert at dinner???

I really feel like I am missing something??

You're right, it's a great deal. BUT, just wnated to point out that alcoholic beverages aren't included in the DDP - so if the drink you refer to is anything other than coke or iced tea, you would still be paying OOP for that.

Otherwise, I've heard reports from many people that the 1 TS meal a covers the cost of the plan for the day, then you add in CS and snack too, and you've got a good deal!

 

[ransom]

So I guess it's possible that I may be able to get a discount if they are offered in Dec. - and I do realize that there's no guarantee of that anyway. I'd just hate to think that I missed out on a good discount!

If you think you might want a room for December through AAA, I'd check into it now. I just booked for December, and we got the discount. I was told the AAA discounted rooms go fast. Whether that was a sales tactic or the truth, I don't know.

 

[CJsMom]

If you think you might want a room for December through AAA, I'd check into it now. I just booked for December, and we got the discount. I was told the AAA discounted rooms go fast. Whether that was a sales tactic or the truth, I don't know.

Thanks - actually I already booked through The Mouse for Less travel. I was referring to discounts that WDW may offer for December. I spent a lot of time number crunching to figure out whether the DDP would be a good choice for us. So when I saw the post about not getting discounts I thought, oh no, now I have to start all over again! If we get a discount does it work, if we don't get one does it work - talk about over-analyzing!!

 

[MagicMe]

We are a group of five adults that went to WDW in SEP05 and again in NOV06. First, we tend to split up and go our own way during the day so a sit down dinner is a must every night. It gets us back together and gives us time to relax and share our adventures. In SEP05 we did not have the dining plan. We had to budget our money carefully to ensure the $$ were available for those restaurants. This became a little more difficult at the end of the trip. In Nov06, we had the DDP. It was the absolute best thing we ever did and will not go back again without using it. It was great having food paid for ahead of time. We definitely got more than our money's worth just by using it straight up (the way it is intended to be used). The best thing was that we saved Le Cellier for our last night and we were able to totally enjoy it without worrying about the $$.

Best thing we ever did!

 

[ransom]

Thanks - actually I already booked through The Mouse for Less travel. I was referring to discounts that WDW may offer for December. I spent a lot of time number crunching to figure out whether the DDP would be a good choice for us. So when I saw the post about not getting discounts I thought, oh no, now I have to start all over again! If we get a discount does it work, if we don't get one does it work - talk about over-analyzing!!

You, too, huh? I thought I was the only one who tied himself in knots over vacation options. Then I joined the DIS!

Have a wonderful vacation! Woo hoo!

 

[mambrose]

Hello. My family is going to Disney world over Christmas 2007. There will be 7 adults and 7 kids- and we got the DDP. However I believe our passes are not the park hoppers- i think it is the one park per day option. I was wondering how that worked with the character dining. We wnat to do alot of the character dining- that is one of the main reasons we did this plan- but i am wondering will we only be able to go to the dining places that are in the park that we chose for that day. For example if we are doing magic kingdom that day but we are goign to eat breakfast in epcot- are we going to be able to do that? Again there are 7 children-so i think we need to eat breakfast somewhere close to our resort- the Caribbean Beach Club-. Do I need to change my plan? Please help.

 

[loveshak22]

You're right, it's a great deal. BUT, just wnated to point out that alcoholic beverages aren't included in the DDP - so if the drink you refer to is anything other than coke or iced tea, you would still be paying OOP for that.

Otherwise, I've heard reports from many people that the 1 TS meal a covers the cost of the plan for the day, then you add in CS and snack too, and you've got a good deal!

Thanks for the tip about the alcoholic drinks. My husband and I do like a good drink!

I made ADR's for dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse, Coral Reef, 50's Primetime Cafe and breakfast at Whispering Canyon. When I added up what I would guess we would eat at each restaurant it came out to be almost the price of the cost of the DDP each day. Not quite as much but only a few dollars less. So I considered it about a draw and like you said throw in a CS and snack and I think it's a great deal for us. Although I know we will be spending more on food for breakfast. I wish they had a couples plan that was: 2 CS (breakfast and lunch), 1 QS, and 1 TS that included only 1 app, 2 entrees and 1 dessert per couple. Because I would rather have more food spread out during the day as opposed to having to pay for breakfast, CS for lunch, a snack, and then a TON of food at dinner.

I'm just rambling now

I am so excited that I could barely sleep last night! We are leaving on Saturday and I hope the next 4 days F-L-Y by!

 

[Ellester]

Hello. My family is going to Disney world over Christmas 2007. There will be 7 adults and 7 kids- and we got the DDP. However I believe our passes are not the park hoppers- i think it is the one park per day option. I was wondering how that worked with the character dining. We wnat to do alot of the character dining- that is one of the main reasons we did this plan- but i am wondering will we only be able to go to the dining places that are in the park that we chose for that day. For example if we are doing magic kingdom that day but we are goign to eat breakfast in epcot- are we going to be able to do that? Again there are 7 children-so i think we need to eat breakfast somewhere close to our resort- the Caribbean Beach Club-. Do I need to change my plan? Please help.

If you do not have hoppers, you will have to eat in the park you choose for that day or in a resort restaraunt. You will not be able to go to eat breakfast at Epcot and then go to MK for the day unless you have hoppers. But, there are plenty of character options both in and out of the parks. For dinner, I think Chef Mickey's (at the Contemporary) or 1900 Park Faire (at Grand Floridian) are your only non-park options. For breakfast, there is also O'Hana or Cape May in addition to the above choices. If you plan well, you can have plenty of character meals without hopping.

We let our kids have a light breakfast in the room (poptarts/ceral bars) to tide them over until our character breakfasts.

 

[Ellester]

We just got back from 8 days on the DDP. We did enjoy it, but we're not sure we'll do it again. Our issue was the stomach bug my 2yo son showed up with on day 4. We had to skip our ADR at SciFi for dinner that night. We rescheduled it for lunch two days later, but my son had a relapse so my dh missed that meal as well. Then my mom caught it and she missed our breakfast at CP. So suddenly, we had lots of extra TS's at the end of the trip. We used our final dinner ADR at Kona Cafe, but the kids were so tired (6:20 ADR, so not real late) that they literally ate two bites of soup and that was it. I had their dessert of a fruit cup packed to go and they ate it yesterday at lunch! If we were not on the dining plan, I would have just headed back to the room and gotten CS take out. We ended up with a last breakfast at Boma to use the remaining credits.

I also would have prefered eating an icecream snack in the afternoon instead of having the dessert at lunch. We used our snacks up pretty quickly, mostly with drinks. I know I could have thrown the dessert away and paid OOP for icecream later, but I'm not the type to EVER throw away chocolate!

To sum up, I'm not sorry we did the dining plan. I liked not stressing about the cost of each thing on the menu. But, we'll think twice before doing it again. Especially since next time my oldest dd will be an adult and she is an exceptionally light and picky eater.