Dining plan?

[Kim Gillihan]

In general I am not for it, I love having it but I know we can eat for less.. but this trip we will be doing several expensive dinners, character breakfast etc.. and it adds up fast. Since we are doing those things.. I think it may not be a bad idea this trip... I am about 300 over using DP vs. cash by my estimation, but I am sure I am underestimating!

Breakfast still be mostly in room but even with that, the other meals, snacks, drinks and those dinners etc..

What do you think? Do you get it if you plan to do lots of dinners etc?

Thanks! KIM

 

[athunter]

In general I am not for it, I love having it but I know we can eat for less.. but this trip we will be doing several expensive dinners, character breakfast etc..

If you love having it, then get it How much is the emotional aspect of having the dining plan worth to you? Especially if you plan on doing lots of expensive dinners and characters breakfasts, then I would think it's worth it. I also like that it forces us to slow down and take the time to eat and connect with each other while at WDW. The character meals are a blast and part of the experience for us when we're at Disney.

This dining plan calculator may be helpful for number crunching:
http://www.distripplanner.com/

What do you think? Do you get it if you plan to do lots of dinners etc?

Yes and now with the 2018 plan including alcohol, it's a no brainer for us

Thanks! KIM

 

[disneynutz]

It's all about the numbers and what extra you are willing to pay to be on a plan. If the dining plans didn't make Disney more money, they would not offer them.

Bill

 

[kniquy]

Have you factored in your DVC dining discounts? Anyone in the party with an AP? I priced out our upcoming trip with and without the dining plan. I came out better paying cash and that was not even factoring in the DVC or AP discount.

When you figure:
you wouldn't normally get the mugs (these only are a benefit if you will have a lot of resort time planned)
you might not always get dessert
you might just want a few apps and dessert

-- then the dining plan makes less sense.

Work the numbers -- the dining plan isn't really designed to save you money, it is a convenience that if you don't utilize all your credits -- is just money in Disney's pocket.

One way to save $$ is to buy discounted Disney gift cards (ex with target red card you can save 5%, some times discounted at BJ's) load up on gift cards with the same amount as you would spend on the dining plan -- at the end of your trip see how you make out.

then you will know for future trips how you will make out.

 

[CarolMN]

In general I am not for it, I love having it but I know we can eat for less.. but this trip we will be doing several expensive dinners, character breakfast etc.. and it adds up fast. Since we are doing those things.. I think it may not be a bad idea this trip... I am about 300 over using DP vs. cash by my estimation, but I am sure I am underestimating!

Breakfast still be mostly in room but even with that, the other meals, snacks, drinks and those dinners etc..

What do you think? Do you get it if you plan to do lots of dinners etc?

Thanks! KIM

For me, convenience (and the fact that it would be pre-paid) would be important if the cost difference was reasonable. Reasonable would depend on party make up - if you have children, those character buffets are outrageous (IMO) if you have to pay out of pocket for them. It would also depend on the length of the trip. Don't think I personally would do ia dining plan if it were more than 5 nights. Too much food for me as I don't like to eat a lot at one time.

Good luck deciding - it won't be easy!

 

[Dean]

In general I am not for it, I love having it but I know we can eat for less.. but this trip we will be doing several expensive dinners, character breakfast etc.. and it adds up fast. Since we are doing those things.. I think it may not be a bad idea this trip... I am about 300 over using DP vs. cash by my estimation, but I am sure I am underestimating!

Breakfast still be mostly in room but even with that, the other meals, snacks, drinks and those dinners etc..

What do you think? Do you get it if you plan to do lots of dinners etc?

Thanks! KIM

We often get the DP but it's because our current situation takes advantages of many of the issues with the DP (shorter stays, grandkids 9 & under, multiple rooms to share credits). We were there for 5 nights returning a week ago. Most (all but 2) arriving a day later (4 nights). We got the Dlx Plan for one group but not the other. We came in about 55% cost compared to OOP for the same items. While I didn't track as closely what we would have spent without the DP and realizing the tip on a larger # is also larger, I estimated we were about break even eating at the same restaurants and using DVC and AP discounts. Our restaurants were Paddlefish, Liberty Tree, HDDR, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Tusker house Rivers of Light pkg, Tiffins, 50's PT, Flying Fish and 1900 PF. So 5 Signatures (2 credit per) and 2 Buffet's. We routinely share meals so the appetizer, entree and dessert plus drink between 2 people (or 2 between 3) works out great for us for those where it's possible. We also often use the dessert credit for appetizer type options where possible (salad, cheese tray, fruit). Unfortunately they don't have a perfect plan for us since the deluxe is 3 credits per day and we don't routinely do CS. Sometimes when we've had multiple rooms we've gotten different plans for different rooms though.

I'd say though that often the expensive meals are a lower value due to the fact they're often not twice as much but use 2 credits. I'd suggest you look at the menus and count through the credits, if you will having trouble using the credits or if you won't order around the most expensive options most places on the DP, it may not be a good choice depending on the other parameters (LOS, arrive early/leave late, kids 3-9). If you're over by your estimates comparing the same meals, I wouldn't get the DP. If you're around break even (considering discounts) of what you would spend but it gives you a chance to do more expensive meals or try new things, it may be worth it.

IMO it doesn't make sense to do it for the convenience without really savings or added value. Remember it's use or lose to there is real risk in getting the DP.

 

[BillPA]

If the DP saved you money, Disney would not offer it. So check your prices, all your discounts, DVC, AP... before you sign up.

 

[Matty B13]

If you utilize the snacks on the DP's and split adult meals for kids then it can be worth it. It takes a little research of the menu's, especially at the resort that your staying at but you can make a nice meal out of 1 adult lunch and a snack or two for 2 to 3 people.

 

[kniquy]

We got the Dlx Plan for one group but not the other. We came in about 55% cost compared to OOP for the same items.

This is an interesting way to do it. Not that we travel often with others in a different room, but i guess the deluxe plan credits split with 2 rooms and a number of people could really work out better.

 

[kristenrice]

I planned out our meals for our 5-night trip next month. It is just my friend and I and we are planning to split our dining costs 50/50, but we will probably pay for our CS meals individually. We have lunch at Sanaa, dinner at Jiko, lunch at 50's PTC, and breakfast at Boma, as well as a lunch at BOG. I have a $500 Disney gift card and the TIW that I am going to use for my dining. To make the DDP worth it, we would have to alter our dining preferences. For example, at 50's PTC, we'd share 2 appetizers, one entree and one dessert. If we were to use the DDP, we'd need to drop the apps and add an entree and dessert. After factoring in the cost of the DDP and the tips, it would almost be a wash between ordering what we want and paying OOP vs. buying the DDP. Our current projected costs for our TS meals is about $175 each, including discount and tip. With the DDP costing $330 and another $50 in tips, I would have to eat $180 in CS meals and snacks by myself over 5 days just to break even. That's too much work. With my gift card, my dining is "pre-paid" already and I don't have to worry about getting my money's worth. I already know that it will be enough money and if I have any leftovers, I can either buy some souvenirs or simply roll it over to my next trip.

Personally, I prefer to keep my options open. If we don't feel like eating an entire meal, we can share. If I want a $16 burger, I can get it without feeling like I am not getting my money's worth by not getting the $30 steak. Whether or not the DDP is a value is solely based on each individual's situation. You have to run the numbers and see if you can get a value out of it. Once my kids became "adults", I didn't even consider the DP. They don't eat nearly enough food to justify it. On the other hand, if you are a family of big eaters and you routinely eat entrees and desserts at every meal, then the DP may work out great!

 

[disneynutz]

The only time that the numbers work for us is for a short split stay, 2 nights on the deluxe plan gives you 3 nights of signature meals with appetizers, deserts and a mug.

Bill

 

[Dean]

This is an interesting way to do it. Not that we travel often with others in a different room, but i guess the deluxe plan credits split with 2 rooms and a number of people could really work out better.

And it's really the only way it works for us. We rarely do QS meals and prefer to eat our way through the World. It gives us a chance to enjoy our favorite pastime, sit & relax in AC. So the DLX plan is the only one that works for us and even only for this type of approach. If they had an in between option that gave us less credits for TS adults than DLX but with fewer QS compared to TS credits that could be a good choice but then it'd depend on price. I'm reminded to the program (forget it's name) that replace the Food n Fun where you basically prepaid like a savings account. You got 10% more than you put in but you lost any applicable discounts. At best it was break even compared to discounts but in reality is was actually more expensive than just paying cash and using discounts in almost every case.

The reality is we've been able to share the DP credits or pay for others meals for years even before it was formally listed as OK a couple of years ago. We'd only been told no once, at T Rex but I know the Italy restaurants have been reported to be difficult in this area. I figured it was their rule and their choice, just like if the CC or bank waives a fee in a situation. But we asked respectfully, let them know up front, and if they had said no to paying for other meals, we'd have graciously thanked them for the response.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

So true regarding the alcohol! I just learned that last night.. Thanks for the calculator... I will check that out for sure. I just think for this trip it may be worth it! And make it more enjoyable too! thanks for your opinion!

 

[DVC Sue]

We book a split stay and use the dining plan for the 1st 1/2. We take the leftovers back to our room and eat them during the second 1/2 of our stay. This probably doesn't work for everyone, but we like it.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

If the DP saved you money, Disney would not offer it. So check your prices, all your discounts, DVC, AP... before you sign up.

I hear ya! We don't get any discounts if we bought resale, right?

 

[Kim Gillihan]

For me, convenience (and the fact that it would be pre-paid) would be important if the cost difference was reasonable. Reasonable would depend on party make up - if you have children, those character buffets are outrageous (IMO) if you have to pay out of pocket for them. It would also depend on the length of the trip. Don't think I personally would do ia dining plan if it were more than 5 nights. Too much food for me as I don't like to eat a lot at one time.

Good luck deciding - it won't be easy!

we are there 6 nights.. so far booked hoop de doo, cinderella castle lunch and tusker house breakfast. so for 3 days of the trip those meal pay for the kids dining plan for sure and ours pretty much!

 

[kboo]

we are there 6 nights.. so far booked hoop de doo, cinderella castle lunch and tusker house breakfast. so for 3 days of the trip those meal pay for the kids dining plan for sure and ours pretty much!

Just so you know - Hoop do doo and Cinderella castle are 2 credits each.

I just looked at the list and most of my favorite restaurants are 2 credits, not 1. (another reason TiW is a better deal for me than DxDP)

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/disney-dining-plan/participating-restaurants

I just used distripplanner to figure out whether we would have saved $ on a dining plan on our last 3-day stay at BCV. Using DDP we would have been 3-12 credits OVER, and spent about $300 more. The $300 savings was all from TiW - the DDP saved us about $8-13 over the whole trip, but that was undiscounted from TiW, and didn't include our adult beverages. I didn't even count having to pay OOP for the extra 3-12 credits.

In short, TiW still saves us about $300+ based on our current eating habits.

 

[mustinjourney]

Just so you know - Hoop do doo and Cinderella castle are 2 credits each.

I just looked at the list and most of my favorite restaurants are 2 credits, not 1. (another reason TiW is a better deal for me than DxDP)

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/disney-dining-plan/participating-restaurants

I just used distripplanner to figure out whether we would have saved $ on a dining plan on our last 3-day stay at BCV. Using DDP we would have been 3-12 credits OVER, and spent about $300 more. The $300 savings was all from TiW - the DDP saved us about $8-13 over the whole trip, but that was undiscounted from TiW, and didn't include our adult beverages. I didn't even count having to pay OOP for the extra 3-12 credits.

In short, TiW still saves us about $300+ based on our current eating habits.

I like the TiW b/c it frees you from trying to order the most expensive thing for every meal.

I find with the DDP I'm often adjusting my vacation to maximize the plan. I have the personality where I have to maximize value out of things, so getting the DDP becomes way too much of a chore. My wife and kids don't eat that much, so at dinners with the DDP I feel like we're "wasting" money. TiW keeps it simple for me.

Plus the alcohol gets discounted.

 

[kboo]

I like the TiW b/c it frees you from trying to order the most expensive thing for every meal.

I find with the DDP I'm often adjusting my vacation to maximize the plan. I have the personality where I have to maximize value out of things, so getting the DDP becomes way too much of a chore. My wife and kids don't eat that much, so at dinners with the DDP I feel like we're "wasting" money. TiW keeps it simple for me.

Plus the alcohol gets discounted.

Yup, this is us too. I'm trying to be mostly vegetarian and keep somewhat in shape, but I would also feel like I'd have to order the steak at every meal and make the most of my beverage cup when I don't even really like soda. TiW works well for us - we do more TS and signature restaurants than the DxDP would cover, but don't get much in the way of snacks and tend to eat light for other meals. We also totally lucked out at Flying Fish with their 30% discount last month. That was the single best deal of the whole trip.

 

[kniquy]

I hear ya! We don't get any discounts if we bought resale, right?

If you purchased after they changed the restrictions April 2016 then you are correct in saying that you do not get the discount benefits. If you have yearly trips and can benefit from an AP and the dining/shopping/party discounts it might make sense to buy a small 25 pt contract at some point. I'm sure you have heard this before in your resale process.