Dining Plans Advice from the Experts (that's you!)

[MsMagical]

I need dining plan advice. My family has owned DVC since 2006 and have been on several vacations (before and since) (we're west coast so every other year alternate between WDW and DL). We have always used the Disney Dining Plan when at WDW. It was a good value for us because we had only one older child and we were fairly young parents (read: we could eat anything we wanted without repercussions). Fast forward 10ish years or so from that first DDP trip and we have two little ones (4 and 1) and dietary restrictions that seem to come with age...sigh.

We always get souvenir mugs. I am an at least three meals a day girl. I try to eat less food more often as does my husband. The littles eat a lot throughout the day and the 19 year old eats about what we do.

We are interested in the TIW card and may get it since we currently have 7 TS reservations. We will break even at worst and will probably save a bit between it and our DVC and AAA discounts on our TS.

Whew! Sorry for the novel. So, my question is: Is there any value in a 7 night vacation getting the QS DDP and paying OOP for TS?

Thanks for your help!

 

[hakepb]

You can try to put all your meals (just select " where")into the spreadsheet here and see if the math works:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3050182

 

[Dean]

I need dining plan advice. My family has owned DVC since 2006 and have been on several vacations (before and since) (we're west coast so every other year alternate between WDW and DL). We have always used the Disney Dining Plan when at WDW. It was a good value for us because we had only one older child and we were fairly young parents (read: we could eat anything we wanted without repercussions). Fast forward 10ish years or so from that first DDP trip and we have two little ones (4 and 1) and dietary restrictions that seem to come with age...sigh.

We always get souvenir mugs. I am an at least three meals a day girl. I try to eat less food more often as does my husband. The littles eat a lot throughout the day and the 19 year old eats about what we do.

We are interested in the TIW card and may get it since we currently have 7 TS reservations. We will break even at worst and will probably save a bit between it and our DVC and AAA discounts on our TS.

Whew! Sorry for the novel. So, my question is: Is there any value in a 7 night vacation getting the QS DDP and paying OOP for TS?

Thanks for your help!

I agree that you should run your own numbers but my initial thought is it's unlikely a DP will work well for you. It's very difficult to get a value from the QS plan period. For adults bout the only way to do so is to include the value of the mugs AND to find entree's that are consistently north of $10. Usually places like value and moderate food courts for dinner (esp AoA), Cosmic Ray's for dinner and WPE have the more expensive meals. I can't imagine getting the QS and paying OOP for a 7 day stay is a good value even with the one child price.

It also depends on your TS meals. IF you're doing buffet's or character meals, you MAY be able to get value out of the Basic Plan. The Dlx has the most potential savings but not at 1 TS and 2 QS per day. Remember you don't have to use each person's credit at each meal. Given your stated meals you could get the Basic Plan and use that for the TS options then spread the QS credits over the remaining meals. You can also supplement meals with the Snack credits, this works esp well for breakfast and for QS where you don't want to get additional dessert's. QS locations will also often let you swap dessert's for other options on the snack list, like fruit for the kids.

 

[MerriH807]

The dining plan for your 4 year old is worth it. Your 1 year old would be free. If dietary restrictions are holding you back, I can't begin to tell you how wonderful Disney is with accommodating special diets. I traveled with my sister who was gluten free and the chef always came out and prepared something she could eat, even if it was not on the 'normal menu" for that place....

 

[AirGoofy]

I need dining plan advice. My family has owned DVC since 2006 and have been on several vacations (before and since) (we're west coast so every other year alternate between WDW and DL). We have always used the Disney Dining Plan when at WDW. It was a good value for us because we had only one older child and we were fairly young parents (read: we could eat anything we wanted without repercussions). Fast forward 10ish years or so from that first DDP trip and we have two little ones (4 and 1) and dietary restrictions that seem to come with age...sigh.

We always get souvenir mugs. I am an at least three meals a day girl. I try to eat less food more often as does my husband. The littles eat a lot throughout the day and the 19 year old eats about what we do.

We are interested in the TIW card and may get it since we currently have 7 TS reservations. We will break even at worst and will probably save a bit between it and our DVC and AAA discounts on our TS.

Whew! Sorry for the novel. So, my question is: Is there any value in a 7 night vacation getting the QS DDP and paying OOP for TS?

Thanks for your help!

You will not be able to use your multiple discounts simultaneously. So, you either get the 10% DVC discount or 20% TiW discount, but not 30% off the meal. Your 1 year old does not get a DP (children under 3).

We have done the DDP and DxDP. When you figure the DDP per OOP comparison with item to item, then the DDP will always win. But, would you routinely eat one of those little desserts with every QS without the DDP? I just didn't want to eat that way. Our family of four would prefer to split an appetizer, order an entree, and split a dessert. Neither my oldest dd nor I really like carbonated beverages. But, on the DP, I paid for it so I was eating it. I would like to have a beer or dw would like a glass of wine. Plus, I just got tired of keeping up with how many more meal plan credits and snack credits I have to use.

Ultimately, you have to figure out the math to see what works best for you. And, while TiW is accepted at most restaurants, it is not at many QS locations. Their website has the list of restaurants where it is accepted. For me, it is easier and preferred to just show the TiW card as opposed to the DDP.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I always leave a 15% tip. TIW has an automatic 18% tip. So I am only saving 17% not 20%. And my break even is not $500 but $590.

 

[Dean]

When you figure the DDP per OOP comparison with item to item, then the DDP will always win.

That's part of my point, it isn't always "cheaper" for the DP even if you would have ordered those exact items. There are many scenarios where you're lucky to break even, esp for the QS plan.

 

[AirGoofy]

That's part of my point, it isn't always "cheaper" for the DP even if you would have ordered those exact items. There are many scenarios where you're lucky to break even, esp for the QS plan.

I see your point, although, I think one would have to really try. Drinking water, skipping dinner buffets, and consistently ordering cheapest thing on menu might get you there. I've never done QS dining plan, but I imagine the same would apply.

Didn't the dining plan include gratuity at one point? Or, was I just dreaming.

 

[Dean]

I see your point, although, I think one would have to really try. Drinking waterI've never done QS dining plan, but I imagine the same would apply.

That's just it, it's actually somewhat difficult to break even with the QS plan for adults. Assuming a stay that's not short where the mugs overpower the price, you really have work at it to break even for most restaurant options. It can be done and there are ways to save somewhat even with the QS plan. When you look at shorter stays and kids 3-9 the numbers start to look better.

 

[sweetdana]

I'd think there is a really good chance with 7 ts meals the reg do will work out.

The ddp may also be a drop more, but with more (even smaller meals) you get 3 meals and 2 snacks as well as mugs. It maybe more food than you need, but also more flexible. I have shared a meal as well (giving another credit elsewhere). 1 ddp gives you an appetizer a dessert as well as dinner so dh and I (or even dd and I) have shared n then got an order of sushi and a lemon icey with the additional credit as a snack for the movie on the beach. (BCV)

 

[Kidanifan08]

I always leave a 15% tip. TIW has an automatic 18% tip. So I am only saving 17% not 20%. And my break even is not $500 but $590.

You're actually saving a little more, since tax is figured on the discounted price. So for a $100 dollar tab, you are only paying tax on $80 with the TIW.

Regardless, it is fairly easy to hit $590 in meal costs if you like to do a daily TS Obviously, that depends on how long your typical stay is, but for a week, it is fairly easy to do, particularly if you do 1-2 character meals. And like the AP's, one can usually work it out to use the TIW for more than one trip over 12 months, which will more than cover the cost of the card.

I think 15% is still a reasonable tipping level, particularly if there is nothing spectacular about the level of service provided, but we really like the flexibility that the TIW offers, so we don't mind the 3% extra in order to have that flexibility.

 

[MsMagical]

Thanks all! After thinking on it and reading your thoughts, I think we'll skip the plan this time. We did use the regular dining plan in 2011 but I think this time we just don't need all that food. I'm pretty sure our 4yo survives on pixie dust she eats so,little.

I was aware that discounts can't be combined but appreciate the heads up anyway since it is good info for anyone else reading this and considering their options.

Thanks again!

 

[newct]

Thanks for the good info everybody!