Disney Dining Plan Two Thumbs Up!

[jblb1020]

Just got back from Disney and we got the Disney Dining Plan it was so worth it! Anyone who is debating getting the DDP I say do it! We held on to our receipts to compare the $37.99 price to what it actually would have cost us per day and we saved money doing the plan. As long as you are going to do a sit down meal every day that is where it paid off!

 

[Deemarch]

No one really seems to believe me!! If you are going to eat chicken fingers, forget it! But if you are going to go to Le Cellier, Tepannyaki, Mama Melrose, etc., GO FOR IT!! And at $11 per child...It's really a no-brainer.

Good for you, jblb, glad you enjoyed the savings.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

I totally agree with having the Dinning Plan. We were so excited when they started offering it to DVC members. We can't wait to use it on our November trip. We like to eat at a table service, rather then just quick food for dinner. We've booked out some great resturants for this trip too!!!

 

[MinMouse]

I know you have to reserve in advance with MS for the DDP. How far in advance must this be done? We're still on the fence for our upcoming trip (12 days!) We have DDP booked for Nov but this is a short trip and we're going on DCL (major eating event!) right after. We do have ADRs for June though: Brown Derby, Cape May Cafe for breakfast and Prime Time. The more I think about it the more I think I should do it . . . can I still reserve it?

 

[2giddy4wdw]

I know you have to reserve in advance with MS for the DDP. How far in advance must this be done? We're still on the fence for our upcoming trip (12 days!) We have DDP booked for Nov but this is a short trip and we're going on DCL (major eating event!) right after. We do have ADRs for June though: Brown Derby, Cape May Cafe for breakfast and Prime Time. The more I think about it the more I think I should do it . . . can I still reserve it?

From what I was told by a CM, you just have to let them know before you arrive. Because you pay for it when you arrive.

 

[Dean]

I know you have to reserve in advance with MS for the DDP. How far in advance must this be done? We're still on the fence for our upcoming trip (12 days!) We have DDP booked for Nov but this is a short trip and we're going on DCL (major eating event!) right after. We do have ADRs for June though: Brown Derby, Cape May Cafe for breakfast and Prime Time. The more I think about it the more I think I should do it . . . can I still reserve it?

Must be done prior to arrival through MS. Can't do it at the resort even for weekend or holidays. You can change it wit MS prior, but you cannot make ANY changes on arrival including the number getting the plan. You cannot even cancel on arrival per MS. But like all things DVC and Disney, expect your mileage to vary.

 

[brivers222]

We just got back and after only paying 1519.60 for 5 adults for 8 nights we made out like bandits...

With all the resturants we went to we saved $1483.00 (after looking over receipts) above and beyond what we paid for the DDP.

We even gave away 5 snack credits the last night (yeah I know, I was the one who couldn't imagine having left over snack credits to waste when we left)... I was glad to make a family of 5 VERY HAPPY and save them a lot of money on snacks.

 

[thelionqueen]

We too are loyal DDP lovers. We got it free last year and saved over $2000.00. If we had paid for it, we still would've saved over $1100.00.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Used DDP last week for our trip. Dinner at Le Cellier itself was $120 (with tip) (2 adults, 1 child). Italian restaurant (Italy) was $111 (without tip). It more than paid for itself.

I definitely noticed a difference in service though. If the waiters knew we had the DDP (most of them did b/c they would ask), they seemed to ignore us. (Didn't ask for refills most of the time, didn't check on us "how is everything"). This happened almost every restaurant. It's a guaranteed tip, so I guess most waiters don't work harder for the tip. Just seemed that way and I noticed it last year when we traveled with friends who were on the "free" dining plan.

 

[MinMouse]

I definitely noticed a difference in service though. If the waiters knew we had the DDP (most of them did b/c they would ask), they seemed to ignore us. (Didn't ask for refills most of the time, didn't check on us "how is everything"). This happened almost every restaurant. It's a guaranteed tip, so I guess most waiters don't work harder for the tip. Just seemed that way and I noticed it last year when we traveled with friends who were on the "free" dining plan.

I could see how this could be an issue --- their level of service to you in no way affects how much $$$ they get.

 

[Lenc324]

My son and I used the DDP last yr during F & W and it was great. It paid off the we ate Going back to WDW in Nov and will use it again. Great meals at a great price.

 

[poohj80]

We are trying to decide whether to go with the DDP or DDE next trip. We currently have DDE but it's coming up for renewal. We don't drink much alcohol so the fact that DDE includes alcohol isn't that big of a plus for us. Maybe some of you who have used DDP can address some of our concerns since we're not completely sure how everything now works.

In the past we have heard servers explaining to guests eating on the DDP that they can only order items with a particular symbol on the menu. Is this still the case? We wouldn't want to be limited in our choices (we know we can't order the lobster) just because we're using the plan.

Are resort restaurants included on the plan?

How many TS restaurants count as two meals?

Thanks for the help!

 

[wingkng]

We just recently got back from out honeymoon, stayed at BWV with the Dining Plan after a 4 day cruise.

I believe that it was a great deal, but it did force us to eat more than we would have otherwise. Mind you, we did just get off a Disney cruise where we stuffed ourselves too much already. By the end of our stay at BWV, I was feeling a little sick from eating all that food for the week and gained some weight.

We went to Wolfgang Puck for one of the sit-down, and I thought it was well worth the 1 Table Service per person. We then went to Artist Point at WL, using two Table Services per person, but we didn't think it was worth it. I think using two TS at California Grill would have been worth it.

We spent a day at Epcot and used the Counter services to try out the various restaurants in World Showcase. I think that was worth it too.

We even had leftover Snack Service, and we were able to get some wonderful muffins and coffee at the Boardwalk Bakery.

I would use the Dining Plan again, but maybe not after a Disney cruise.

 

[momsgoofy]

Having used the old Dining Disney Style (the precursor to the dining plans...had XX number of dollars credited to the KKTK card and when the monetary amount was gone so was the dining and you had to start paying OOP), the old WDW Gold Plan (gave us 3 meals a day no matter where we ate), the DDE card, and now the DDP will be used on my July trip, I think the DDP is gonna be great.

As for the lack of service once a CM finds out we are on any of the dining plans, well, DH has (in the past) mentioned to the CM if service is good, he likes to give an additional tip and we've had no problem. DH thinks that WDW isn't figuring in a proper tip anyway. I feel blessed that he is a kind person and understands the hard work that restaurant servers do and is a good tipper. (My ex was a tightwad about those things...and another story there...)

I do agree though that if you only plan to eat chicken strips and fries (or CS), then it may not be a bargain, but we, like many, enjoy eating at TS locations because it gives us a bit of a rest. And, heck, now that I can get my Dole Whip and all those yummy baked goods as my snack...may not even have to do breakfast in the room anymore except for the coffee.

 

[Deemarch]

And, heck, now that I can get my Dole Whip and all those yummy baked goods as my snack...may not even have to do breakfast in the room anymore except for the coffee.

Is this written somewhere? I actually saw it on another website and called WDW. They said that nothing about the DDP has changed...I'd love to hear more good news about including more items...

 

[wingkng]

I forgot to mention. While I was dining at Artist Point on my trip a couple of weeks ago, they had a flyer mentioning that they were doing a trial run of allowing use of DDP Table service for room service at WL. It was a limited trial run, and I didn't get any details on it. It said they would charge 2 Table Services for Room Service, but it didn't spell out for how many people.

 

[byoung]

I agree totally it's well worth it.

 

[slk537]

Is this written somewhere? I actually saw it on another website and called WDW. They said that nothing about the DDP has changed...I'd love to hear more good news about including more items...

I don't know if it's written anywhere, but I can tell you that we used a snack credit last week for a Dole Whip Float and absolutely everything on the menu under $4 had the DDP sticker next to it.

Not sure why they told you nothing changed... Apparently on 5-1-06 the snack variety increased dramatically.

We got:

Dole whip float
Cappucino Float
Ice cream cookie sandwich
Itzakadoozie
Roaring Fork Brownie
Box of Entemanns doughnuts
Mickey ice cream sandwich
$3.95 bouquet of Princess suckers (got two of these to take home for my nieces)
Huge Mickey jawbreakers - one for DS and one to take home for nephew
$4.00 bag of Chip and Dale snack mix
$4.00 bag of Chip and Dale spicy mix
box of popcorn

I know we got other things too since we had 18 total and used them all, but I can't remember...I was told by CM's at the Beach Club Marketplace that nearly every snack item under $4 was included (no gelato or bakery items there though.)

My two cents? We LOVED the DDP!!! We would never order all the food if we paid OOP for it, but we had a blast splurging. Our DDP was paid for after two dinners at Spoodles, dinner at Yachtsman, and dinner at Le Cellier alone. This doesn't include Mama Melrose Fantasmic, Boma, Cape May Cafe, 18 CS meals and all the snacks. I think this is a fabulous DVC perk...we get the discount on our AP's, can use points for our lodging, and still get the DDP without shelling out for rack rate rooms and MYW tickets.

The word we kept using to describe the DDP? Fun!!

 

[BWVNUT]

Check out this thread - this lady has done a fabulous job of collecting information on the snack credits at various locations - she keeps updating page 1 when folks send in information from recent trips. . .

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1109080&page=1&pp=15

 

[pickles]

In the past we have heard servers explaining to guests eating on the DDP that they can only order items with a particular symbol on the menu. Is this still the case? We wouldn't want to be limited in our choices (we know we can't order the lobster) just because we're using the plan.

QUOTE]

Yes you can order the lobster! The only service that has a limit is the snack and now they have changed that to include things under $4. It use to be more limiting.
The counter meals include a drink, meal and desert..anything at the restaurant you are standing in that is a CS restaurant.
The table service meals are just 1 TS unless it is a signature or like the shows(hoopdedoo) is 2 TS You can order any of it off the menu at the TS restaurant you are in! If memory serves it is drink, appetizer, meal and then desert
The only other limit is the kids meals. If the restaurant offers kids meals, then your 9yr and under crowd must order from that menu
You won't regret the DDP, unless you are trying to lose weight while at Disney!