dining plan

[jenwebber]

I need everyone's opinion. We have the dining plan, but I keep hearing negative things about it from people I talk with. We also are not having any luck getting reservations at the places we want for our table service meals. We are planning on being at Disney July 7 - 13. We haven't fully paid for our trip yet, so we can still cancel the dining plan. What is everyones experience with the dining plan? We are getting really disappointed.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

This is my person opinion. We had the dining plan in 2005 (tips were included and appetizers) and paid OOP this April when we went with daughters school.

I would do the dining plan even if I only break even. I enjoy the fact that we can share a CS meal a few times and use 2TS to see a dinner show. I would have a hard time dishing out the money for the show... When I see myself spending, I stop short of a good meal. This trip we only did 2 TS and the rest was CS. We skipped meals. I was always worried that I would not have enough money. (Needless to say I came home with more than I expected, but I couldn't shake that feeling that I would run out). The dining plan is not a way to make money in my opinion. It is a great way to budget and eat at restaurants that you would normally never even consider. Even with the changes (no appetizer and having to pay your tips) I am very excited about our upcoming trip in September. I will not miss the extra food (appetizer) as it was a lot of food. I am looking at the tip situation just like a would any meal we eat out. Disney gives suggestions for a family size (4) and we can leave a tip we feel is appropriate. I have no problem with this...

Just a final thought... My kids DD15 and DS12 are very happy for the dining plan. They really enjoy the character interaction and being able to eat at restaurants than Mom and Dad would usually say no to. They had tons of fun picking out the restaurants for our upcoming trip. They told me to tell you 2 thumbs up..(Okay they are a bit odd for kids)

Just saw that you were not getting the restaurants you wanted. Please post what you want and maybe we can help you adjust times and places so that you can have a good experience... My kids are not adventurous and this time they picked out Ohana's which I was very surprised. I still haven't been able to get an ADR, but I am trying every few days. If push comes to shove, there are so many other choices that I am sure we will not be disappointed.

 

[TDC Nala]

You may want to check this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1539177

for a discussion of the 2008 dining plans.

The dining plan is not a slam dunk value like it was in 2007, but depending on your party, your length of stay at Disney and your eating habits, it can still be a good deal.

Whether you had the dining plan or not, you would probably still have difficulty at this point making specific reservations for that week in July.

 

[wiskband]

I think it really all depends on your family size and ages. For me years ago a dining plan was not worth it when my kids were young, they would share meals etc. My kids now range from 6-15, and I probably still would not get it for I am usually on a budget. We manage to eat alot cheaper than the plan would cost us. I have however gotten the dining plan free the past four years during promotionally months. And we would not have eaten at many of those places with out the plan. It is truely a nice experience to have prepaid (free or not free) to just go not worry about costs etc. In the past years the plan included an app., dinner and dessert for all adults. We, if we were paying would not order all that food. SO then may have been worth to pay for cause you get alot for your money. Now the basic plan does not include the app (nor the tip) so, I don;t think it is worth it. I am sure others will disagree but, it really all comes down to how old everyone your party is and how much they eat. When the money is coming out of your pocket right then and there at the restaurant you'll probably be looking at prices. I just got back from disneyland no dining plan. We ended up only eating in the parks once a day (free breakfast at hotel) so my family in 5 days at parks spent about $300 on snacks and counter service. It costs us about 50 bucks for counter service meals each time. You truely have to do the math check out the menus and decided whether you want to budget,look at prices or just prepay and not have to worry! Hope I helped and not confused you more.lol

renee