Disney Dining Plan Two Thumbs Up!

[YoMickey]

We did the DDP and it was worth it. We ate way too much food! My only complaint is that you have to do it for every person staying with you and you have to do it for the entire duration of your stay. Ideally, if we had 7 nights scheduled we'd want to maybe only do a 5 day park hopper with 5 days of dining. The other 2 days would be spent hanging around the resort/pool and eating in. There were many times where my 2 toddlers could have split a meal and my wife and I could've split a meal. It's just too much food and we felt obligated to eat it since it was included and who wants to walk around the park with a doggie bag?

 

[patsal]

Used the DDP in December (staying at a regular Disney resort) with extended family. This is a plan that works for the way we eat, and with the teenaged son it was so much easier to deal with! We have used the DDE and for us it expired in February. We used the DDE in combination with the DDP in December and found it saved a little, but we really only enjoy a few drinks when on vacation and we only had drinks with one meal in December. It was ok in the food court for some fruit as well since it was before the change to a broader range of snacks. After careful deliberation and knowing that with DDE I need to spend $300 to break even from the cost of the card, we are choosing to skip DDE and go with DDP. We saved about 40% in December and will more than likely save at least that in July. Even in December we did not "max" out the plan--with everyone just ordering what they wanted and skipping a dessert or app a few times each we still saved the 40%. With the broad range of salads available as apps and fruits/cheeses available as desserts, it isn't difficult to eat somewhat healthy and still enjoy the flexibility of the plan.

 

[momsgoofy]

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...

Well, I think you've gotten all the answers on this that I could have stated...don't cha love the DIS for that reason?

I haven't used my DDP yet since the trip isn't till July, but based on what I've read here and at Mousesavers (thanks to Sue of Small World Vacations)...yes, what slk537 said...basically most snacks under $4.00 (pre tax) are eligible for the snack credit. It is my understanding that there are some things that are NOT eligible though and that at some locations you may find a CM who isn't as "up" on the snack poriton of the DDP. The thread link that BWVNUT listed is a good start of information on what folks have been able to get so far.

Hope this helps!

 

[poohj80]

Quick question for you DVCers who have used the dining plan. Can we add the DDP without also purchasing park passes as is required with Magic You Way packages?

Thanks again!

 

[Deemarch]

All you need, as a DVCer, is a reservation with points. They never asked for any type of tickets. We don't have our APs yet and the rest of our group is buying MYW tickets closer to our vacation date.

 

[castleri]

Quick question for you DVCers who have used the dining plan. Can we add the DDP without also purchasing park passes as is required with Magic You Way packages?

Thanks again!

YES- We did it in April and will be doing it again in September. You do have to purchase for the entire length of stay and for everyone on the reservation.

 

[jblb1020]

You do not have to purchase park tickets to have the Dining Plan. You have to buy the dining plan for the total number of nights that you are staying in Disney. You do have to let them know before you arrive if you want the dining plan and you have to pay for it at check in.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We used the DDP & DDE for our 5 nights 6 days a few weeks ago. Having itemized everything we've saved approximately $70/person for the trip. Overall, we thought it was well worth it and would probably purchase it again.

One thing we did not do was use 2 TS credits for one restaurant. The place we could have done that at was Jiko, but we didn't think we'd get our money's worth since we usually just load up on appetizers, salads, soups, etc. instead of entrees. We were able to use our DDE card, though.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks to all!

 

[BCV23]

Just wanted to say that we had no difference in service with the DDP this month.

Now the DDE does slow service down a bit at the end of the meal because a manager has to sign off on it. At some restaurants that happens quickl, at others there is a bit of down time. But the wait is worth it.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Dole whip float
$4.00 bag of Chip and Dale snack mix
$4.00 bag of Chip and Dale spicy mix

We purchased these, too, on several occasions as snack credits between May 6 - 12th.