Dining Plan . . .

[cruzin2paradise]

is it worth it?

We're used to cruising and I know that meals at Disney can be pretty pricey - so I'm curious if the dining plan is worth the money or will I do better on my own?

Thank you!!!

 

[zdad]

If your are talking MYW plus Dining.....you can't beat it. I have run the numbers left, right, up & down. At worst we'll save $150 . Best estimate is ~$300 (family of 4, 6 night stay)

 

[cruzin2paradise]

Thanks for your input Zdad! I am wondering where I can see a list of the "over 100 restaurants" that Disney says you can eat at.

Does anyone know of a list?

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Here is a list of the places that are on the dining plan
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages05a.htm

Be advised that these are subject to change and they have already added a few more restaurants to the list

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

The answer is, it depends. Dependent upon your normal eating style that is. Do you usually get the extras (like the snacks) each day that are included? Do you normally get an appetizer and dessert with each dinner each day? If you don't, then the meal plan is a rip off. If you do, then it's a good deal.

For my husband and I, the meal plan would have cost us about $300 more. This is simply b/c we allotted ourselfs $100/day for food, and chances are we won't even spend that much on the 2 of us, but even with that much allotted per day for ourselves, it was still a cheaper option than the meal plan. Try looking at www.allearsnet.com to get an idea of how much different meals cost. In their dining section they have different prices for different restaurants. Have a blast on vacation!

 

[DanaHesson]

My husband and I decided to go with the dining plan this time because:

1) it is prepaid, allowing for easier budgeting and more extras
2) because it is prepaid and includes table service daily, we will experience restaurants that we ordinarily would not have "sprung" for
3) we discovered just how excellent disney restaurants were last trip, and I personally get tired of fast food

Our trip is in November, and with a counter service, snack, and table service daily, our food budget outside the plan will be almost nil. Hubby is not much of a breakfast eater, and I usually just want something small like a bagel to tide me over ( I usually wake long before he does on vacation). So we figure we will actually enjoy the vacation more because we wont have to worry about money so much, and the plan will effectively force us to try more new things!

 

[disneyjunkie]

My husband and I decided to go with the dining plan this time because:

1) it is prepaid, allowing for easier budgeting and more extras
2) because it is prepaid and includes table service daily, we will experience restaurants that we ordinarily would not have "sprung" for

I went with the dining plan for the same reasons. The plan will give my son and I a chance to try many great restaurants that we wouldn't try other wise. I won't spend my time looking for the cheapest thing on the menu instead of ordering what we want.

My son will be in heaven when he finds out he can order a dessert with each meal.

For $70.00 a day including all taxes and tips, the dining plan was a no brainer for us.

Just 17 more days to go!

 

[DWorldObsessed]

When i got the dining plan I had been told the fantasmic dinner package was included in the plan and now am told no? Does it take two dinners is it all the way out? Anyone know?

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

When i got the dining plan I had been told the fantasmic dinner package was included in the plan and now am told no? Does it take two dinners is it all the way out? Anyone know?

The FDP and the dining plan seems to be one of those questions that does not have a yes/no answer. It seems to fall into the gray area. If you call Disney Dining they will tell you no, you can not do it. However there have been several posts on this board where people have been able to do the package. Some have been charged an extra fee ($10 I think) some have not, they just asked the server and were given a slip for Fantasmic. So that is the answer so far. If you want to take the chance just book a dinner at one of the restaurants and then ask the server. If you don't want to take the chance, go to the second show. I plan on doing the latter.

********Edited to add:

I am planning on the second show in hopes that we will not have to be there so early. My DS7 would drive me nuts waiting for the first one. You can still do the first show, you just have to plan on getting there very early without the FDP.

 

[cruzin2paradise]

Thank you all so much for your input. We've booked our hotel (Pop Century) for next summer, but cannot get the packages yet. We will, however, be getting the basic dining plan along with our hopper.

Thank you again for you opinions -- it's very much appreciated!