dining plan

[krn82259]

Can I get the dining plan through DVC for just part of my stay, rather than the entire lenght of stay?

 

[Disneycouple99]

Nope. Must be for entire length of stay, unless you do a split stay and only get the dining plan for one of the reservation.

 

[edk35]

No but a great way to do this is to SPLIT your stay over two resorts. You can do it that way.

I am still waiting for Disiney to come up with my plan of " DISNEY DINING DONE YOUR WAY" Wouldn't it be so nice to book 7 nights and say I would like to add 3 days of the regular dining plan, 2 of the counter and then you could just wing it the other 2 days. I would LOVE that .....then you could use it as you please over those 7 days. I think it would be great if they would allow it for people who book 1 and 2 bedrooms.

 

[DebbieB]

No but a great way to do this is to SPLIT your stay over two resorts. You can do it that way.

I am still waiting for Disiney to come up with my plan of " DISNEY DINING DONE YOUR WAY" Wouldn't it be so nice to book 7 nights and say I would like to add 3 days of the regular dining plan, 2 of the counter and then you could just wing it the other 2 days. I would LOVE that .....then you could use it as you please over those 7 days. I think it would be great if they would allow it for people who book 1 and 2 bedrooms.

I think the key to Disney's profits on the dining plan is requiring the plan for all nights and for all people in the room. Otherwise, people would choose the most expensive meals for the days they have the plan and cheaper meals for the days out of pocket.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Disney will get me for saying this but now the Dining Plans just aren't that great of a deal. We were able to use them when they first came out with the gratuities included but now you pay for the plan (unless you catch a good sale but with DVC that eliminates that!) then you have to pay another 18% for the tip at every table service.

I have kept the receipts and added up the differences and with just 2 adults and 1 child, most table services are $65 and up....18-20% of that and you add $13+ to each meal like that.

Also I have noticed that we order food that normally we would not otherwise and spend more time worrying about dining than just enjoying the parks. There are certain meals we make an exception for like Chef Mickey's (any meal) or Crystal Palace for breakfast with the earliest seating we can get.

Good Luck with your planning.

 

[Metsoskil]

I currently have a BCV ressie for 3 nights in March. I called MS yesterday to see if there was availability for adding another night. We are using the DXDP for our 3 night stay. When they told me there was availability, I asked if I would have to add the plan to my ressie if I added on the day. I was told that if the ressies were not linked, I would not have to get the plan for all 4 nights. The catch was that I would be forced to check out in the morning, and check back in after the first night. (I wouldn't have cared - I plan on being out until after 4 that day anyway). Ended up not doing it because I didn't want to spend the extra points for a Friday night.

I guess you could just make 2 ressies and not link them if you are OK with switching rooms.

 

[Sandisw]

No but a great way to do this is to SPLIT your stay over two resorts. You can do it that way.

I am still waiting for Disiney to come up with my plan of " DISNEY DINING DONE YOUR WAY" Wouldn't it be so nice to book 7 nights and say I would like to add 3 days of the regular dining plan, 2 of the counter and then you could just wing it the other 2 days. I would LOVE that .....then you could use it as you please over those 7 days. I think it would be great if they would allow it for people who book 1 and 2 bedrooms.

I have thought the same thing. I would even be willing to get something for each night but just customize it, like you said.

We only like to do 1 or 2 TS meals, so 2 nights of DDP and 5 of QSDP would be an ideal way to handle this. Of course, we will just have to do split stays (which we don't mind) to get the same result--at least until it comes a time when the cost of the plan outweighs its convenience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But the info that came out recently said that DVC would like all reservations, even if you booked different resorts or different accomodations. If they do that, it may make getting the DP for part of the trip more difficult. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Dean]

No but a great way to do this is to SPLIT your stay over two resorts. You can do it that way.

I am still waiting for Disiney to come up with my plan of " DISNEY DINING DONE YOUR WAY" Wouldn't it be so nice to book 7 nights and say I would like to add 3 days of the regular dining plan, 2 of the counter and then you could just wing it the other 2 days. I would LOVE that .....then you could use it as you please over those 7 days. I think it would be great if they would allow it for people who book 1 and 2 bedrooms.

As noted, the wasted credits are likely their profit margin. IMO the DDP does not match up well for DVC. I suspect we'll see something at some point like with the previous dining options where you could drop the first or last day or even both in some cases.

 

[brenalexacamp]

I enjoy the dining plan, we were spoiled when we went and had the app,entree,dessert, and gratuity all included. I look at it this way, I prepay my meals so it's like an all inclusive and I eat what I want. I do not look at the prices and order chicken or something less expensive. It's prepaid. I will have what I enjoy, it's vacation.

 

[RobPickles]

Disney will get me for saying this but now the Dining Plans just aren't that great of a deal. We were able to use them when they first came out with the gratuities included but now you pay for the plan (unless you catch a good sale but with DVC that eliminates that!) then you have to pay another 18% for the tip at every table service.

I have kept the receipts and added up the differences and with just 2 adults and 1 child, most table services are $65 and up....18-20% of that and you add $13+ to each meal like that.

I have gone thru several "calculations" about our upcoming 3 week vacation. I have to say first that apparently we DO arrange our trip around our dining. It is insane!

3 weeks of dining plan costs ~$1850 for the 2 of us. (DD will only be 8 months so she doesnt count!) Then i factored in any possible appetizers and drinks we might want to try and tips. That ended up putting it over $2400!!

I tried figureing out what it would cost with just the TiW discounts but then realized that doesn't include any counter service meanls we might do.

I think brenalexacamp is right in saying that you just have to go and enjoy it and not think about it. You are on vacation to enjoy yourself not stress over when and where and how much. (That is for after you get back home and get the credit card bill!)

 

[mopee3]

Oh boy another "lets compare the DDP to no DDP" thread.
Last Feb went for 10 days took 2 DD's who are over 30, my wonderful wife and me! We used the Deluxe DDP and kept all receipts and comparied with TIW card, love that card by the way...free valet!!

So the results are in, and DDDP wins but not by a whole lot, and that included wine/adult beverages and tips.
We ate 1 credit sit down breakfast, 2 credit sit down dinners, and no lunch. Dinner was planned at 5:30 pm ish. Saved most of the snacks for gifts, almost over weight at airline check in.

We love the convience of paying up front and planning, I love planning, all meals.

Now for rest of the story.... the meals after awhile are so rich... well you get use to them and you also get fatter.

Now we split the DDP and DDDP and that is much better for us.

I wish there was a DDP that was 2 credits, one snack, and refillable cup. That would be the best of both worlds for us.

ciao

Moe

 

[edk35]

Oh boy another "lets compare the DDP to no DDP" thread.
Last Feb went for 10 days took 2 DD's who are over 30, my wonderful wife and me! We used the Deluxe DDP and kept all receipts and comparied with TIW card, love that card by the way...free valet!!

So the results are in, and DDDP wins but not by a whole lot, and that included wine/adult beverages and tips.
We ate 1 credit sit down breakfast, 2 credit sit down dinners, and no lunch. Dinner was planned at 5:30 pm ish. Saved most of the snacks for gifts, almost over weight at airline check in.

We love the convience of paying up front and planning, I love planning, all meals.

Now for rest of the story.... the meals after awhile are so rich... well you get use to them and you also get fatter.

Now we split the DDP and DDDP and that is much better for us.

I wish there was a DDP that was 2 credits, one snack, and refillable cup. That would be the best of both worlds for us.

ciao

Moe

How do you split if all persons in the room have to be on the plan?

 

[AirGoofy]

Disney will get me for saying this but now the Dining Plans just aren't that great of a deal. We were able to use them when they first came out with the gratuities included but now you pay for the plan (unless you catch a good sale but with DVC that eliminates that!) then you have to pay another 18% for the tip at every table service.

I agree with you completely. Dining plan was worth it when they included the tips. Plus, you are limited a little by where you eat. Places like Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex were not on the dining plan. And, if you use the table service as character breakfast meals, you actually spend more money with the DP as opposed to OOP. And really, how many more of those chocolate cake deserts you get with your quick service meal can you eat?

 

[Tinker74]

Is Valet still free with a TIW card???...Didn't know that!

How much is it?

 

[Metsoskil]

Is Valet still free with a TIW card???...Didn't know that!

How much is it?

Yes, valet is still free when you use your TIW card at a resort that has valet service, but it's likely that you'll have to show your receipt when you pick up your car.

The TIW card is $75 for AP holders and $100 for Florida residents.