Dining Plan

[Chrissy_Stogner]

We are making our first trip to Universal this October. (Followed by our second trip to Disney.) I'm just wondering if the dining plan is worth it or not...

 

[macraven]

counter service plan can work out to your benefit depending how you use it.
if you know the prices at the counter service, that will be to your advantage.
at the most, $6 is about what i come out ahead when i buy them.

i don't book packages therefore don't use the higher priced dining plan

 

[horse11]

Is that $6 per person? if so times that by 7 which is how many are in our group that could be a great deal!!!

 

[macraven]

the savings depends on what you buy.

i usually hit the 3B's for an early lunch at 10:30.
think the chicken rib combo is about $18 for that.

cashier usually will ask if you want to buy the meal deal as it is about $22 /tax (or something in that amount)
buy the meal deal and get that meal and a free beverage and also two coupons.
one for a snack, one for a beverage which has to be redeemed within the next 14 days.

pick a snack that is over $4.
butterbeer is on the snack list.
use the beverage coupon for tea, soda or bottled water.

should come out ahead by $6.

if you buy the meal deal at a counter service when that total meal is $11, you won't come out ahead at the end.
even with the 2 coupons for later use, you still will be short of the total cost.

i buy the meal deal at 3 B's and Louie's
but i like the food at those places and would be eating there no matter what.

 

[Chrissy_Stogner]

Thanks macraven! I want to eat at the 3 Broomsticks for sure and I read you can't use the dining plan there so that's why I started researching if it was worth it.

 

[macraven]

i have used the counter service dining plan at the 3 B's 3 times now.
when my order was rang up, the TM asked if i wanted to buy the plan there and save some money with it.

she didn't have to sell me on it as i knew it was a good deal for that place.

you'll like the 3 B's.
breakfast ends at 11:00.
lunch begins at 10:30.
i go during that switch off time and it is never crowded then.
i prefer the lunch menu...