Dining Plan

[KateB]

Ok so I am taking my mom next summer to WDW and am trying to figure out if buying the regular DP is worth it. My DH and I usually do the deluxe but mom & I don't need that much food. We are trying to figure out if we should do the regular dining plan. Do you end up spending enough on food to make up the cost? I when I started looking it seemed like $56 a person would be easy but I am not sure if that is accurate.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am also getting the premium annual pass and we might eat at places that count for a discount but I am not sure where yet...

 

[Dean]

Ok so I am taking my mom next summer to WDW and am trying to figure out if buying the regular DP is worth it. My DH and I usually do the deluxe but mom & I don't need that much food. We are trying to figure out if we should do the regular dining plan. Do you end up spending enough on food to make up the cost? I when I started looking it seemed like $56 a person would be easy but I am not sure if that is accurate.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am also getting the premium annual pass and we might eat at places that count for a discount but I am not sure where yet...

In general, it's difficult to get a real value or any real savings with any of the DP options with the changes and price increases. You can get the best value with the deluxe plan and the worst with the quick service plan and the basic plan is in between. It really depends on where you eat and what you order. I'd suggest you decide where you're eating and look at the menus before you make a final decision. The QS options are a large part of the basic plan, you need to be comfortable with that portion as well. Good luck.

 

[tripletsmama]

Where are the prices for the plans for 2013?

 

[disneynutz]

Where are the prices for the plans for 2013?

On the internet, try Google.

Bill

 

[noname70]

Would someone (Dean) please explain why the QSDP is the worst value? I've tried the regular plan and with the tip it didn't really come out to much savings. I thought giving the QSDP a try might save because you wouldn't need to tip

 

[Chuck S]

I think the value of the DDP is affected by several variables.

1)The make up of your party. If you travel with Children the plans can save some money, if they don;t mind eating from the child menus. Also if the adults are extremely hearty eaters, it could be a value.

2)The type of dining you like. Character meals are a better buy on the plans than most regular table service venues.

3)The length of your Visit. Shorter trips generally are a better value with the plans than longer vacations. For more than 3 days, you'll likely get tired of eating so much food. For instance, I had a couple of $50 to $70 lunches, but those included an adult beverage, appetizer and dessert. But over all, on an eight night trip, I didn't spend enough to justify any of the dinning plans.

 

[Dean]

Where are the prices for the plans for 2013?

Try HERE

Would someone (Dean) please explain why the QSDP is the worst value? I've tried the regular plan and with the tip it didn't really come out to much savings. I thought giving the QSDP a try might save because you wouldn't need to tip

Financially speaking it's simply a numbers game. For the QS plan and speaking to adult prices, about the best you can do is break even at around $10 an entree even accounting for a drink, dessert and a $4 snack. There are only a handful of meals and locations that will give you the opportunity to get more dollar value, basically it's WPE, Pepper Market and the combo meal locations which are now generally only at dinner like Cosmic Ray's and the QS at FQ. AoA and a couple of others will give you some slightly higher priced options and a few places will let you get smoothie's as a drink including AoA. The same principles apply to all plan's. In my book, you need at least a 20% savings over what you would have paid OR a 20% increased value (what you got that you really WANTED). I would discount the mugs as not adding much value other than for a very short stay. Remember there are risks involved since it's non refundable.

KIds are a different ballgame and often determine whether getting the plan is reasonable or no. The bottom line is it's difficult to get value out of any of the plans but especially so the QS options. The deluxe is the easiest to show value but it requires planning. The basic plan falls in between partly because it incorporates the elements of both to a degree. I know some have been able to increase the value outside the rules but I won't address those issues here. One considering any dining plan should look at the menu for restaurant's they'll use and decide for themselves. It is my opinion that many proponents of the DP ignore the risks involved or discount them far too much. Personally I use the basic or deluxe plan when it fits my trip and choices but then I enjoy the game of trying to get a value out of it, many don't.