Disney Dining Plan

[kimis]

Does anyone here have an opinion on the dining plan? It seems like a pain to use. When I was in line behind anyone using it there were always a hundred questions ("is this considered a full meal, is the banana part of the breakfast or is it a snack,?" etc, etc) It just doesn't seem worth all that to me.

We always use it. It does take a bit to get used to but once you do you won't want to go without it. We feel we eat healthier and we get to eat at some of the finer places. It is a big part of the magic of disney. enjoy

 

[kimsuenew]

Hi! We LOVE the DDP and even with the changes they made, we will never go without it! When we booked our first trip online, I immediately printed the available brochure (it lists where/what you can redeem, at the parks, all resorts, and DD). We then looked up reviews for each place online (where available, otherwise we just went with our gut), and made our reservations based on where we wanted to go each day. Places do fill up, we could not get into the "Coral Reef" whatsoever. It takes a lot of planning, however, it is very simple when you are there, even for snacks because they will have the little DDP symbol by them. For two parents and one teen we truly had 2 different meals that were close to $140.00 (including tax and tip). We had lunches that ran $60.00+ for us (not always, but always at least $40.00 with the drink and desert included). We also had the included snacks daily. We personally feel that it is worth the money and the effort it takes to become informed! We had some delicious meals that we would not have ever had without it.

 

[byoung]

It's a great plan this year, next year not as good.

 

[ShellyShell]

Why is everyone saying next year the plan is not good? Because of the appetizers and the tip not being included? Well it wouldn't bother me because when we go in April this will be the first time ever using the DDP. I think it's a good deal though.
You have to really plan your trip so your meals will not inconvenience you. I'm scheduling to have most of my TS at breakfast so we can be up early and not worry about having to leave the park or keep on a schedule for a TS at night. The TS that I do plan to reserve for night will be in the park that we go to that day. So I won't have to worry again about leaving the park or rushing to make the reservation time on time. O yeah i'm a planning beast over here!!

 

[insoin]

The dining plan was great when I used it this year. I have the bounceback for next year. We are trying to decied if we should upgrade to the Delux Dining. We are going to try and do some of the dinner shows, which takes 2 TS credits, and some of the nicer places that also require 2 TS credits. So for only $30 more per day it may be cheaper to get the delux. But a big drawback to that is now having to leave a tip. I liked it when it was included.

I will also get it for the family trip I have in June of 08. It is worth it IMHO.

 

[themudd4]

I adored the DDP when we have used it...it does take a lil know how, but it is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. I imagine it will be a real pain come next year with the major changes. I don't plan on getting it after this year due to the changes...I just don't think we will be saving as much if anything.

 

[noahdove]

I agree with Legomom I will be using it for the first time next August and to me, it seems pretty easy. Go to allearsnet.com and they even give you menus and prices if you have concerns I am planning on 4 character meals and dinner at Hollywood and Vine before Fantasmic..that alone will cover the plan in my eyes... keep watching the boards and you will get more help..

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

We had the free dining plan when we went a few weeks ago, and found it really easy to use and would definite purchase it for our next trip (if no free dining plan is offered).

 

[jenseib]

I agree, I loved the dining plan.
The thing I don't like about the new paln is the tip not included. And honestly I think they (waiters/waitresses) will lose out on that. I think they were getting 18% with the paln. My DH is a low tipper. He leaves 5 bucks alot of times, no matter what the cost. I have to figure it out and tell him more, but he won't always leave more. But also alot of people won't tip more than 15%, period. So they will lose that extra 3% tip. We will still do the paln most likely again though. We loved the character meals as well!

 

[Creekermom]

We just got back and simply LOVED THE DDP. DD got a magical moment as well at the Main Street Bakery in MK. As we ordered she recieved a VERY LARGE Choc. Chip Cookie from Dave one of the CM and then we also had a great conversation with Tom from Utah who was also a CM.

The DDP was EASY to use. We brought our own water and saved most of the snack credits and used them at the confectionary on Main Street in MK.

The snacks are wonderful, I only wish I would have used one of them in France at the French Bakery in Epcot.

We had 4 out of 6 TS meals being Character Meals. We loved the ease of it all and it gave us a chance to add some magical experiences to our vacation.

Even if they change the DDP for next year 2008, by not including the GRAT you can't beat it. I have talked to many CM about the DDP changes and they aren't happy but what are they going to do?

Even if we personally have to pay for the GRAT it is well worth it from our personal opinion... WE as guests still win... and get our $'s worth, and after all you can chose where and when you want to eat.

 

[Hodder]

Just back a week now. We had the dining plan (for the second time) and would definitely get it again, even with the changes. It is easy to use once you get the swing of things. I agree with a pp, in that it is frustrating being behind someone in line when they are trying to figure out what is included in the plan, but I realize that it is confusing to some at first and after a couple of days they will get the hang of it. What bothered me was when someone was told by CM that item is not included people would say "Why?", or try to bargain it in,for example.. well if I put this back can I get (excluded item) included. This was bad at resort lines. A couple of times I spoke up and said the CM just told you it wasn't included, if you want to question it please speak to a manager because my food is getting cold. The other was people who once rang in and, then while I was getting rang in would ask will how much was my meal? I appreciate trying to find out you value of the plan but you should have asked while you were being served, not when I am then I have to wait while the CM digs out the receipt. Sorry to rant.

 

[SonicGuy]

Just back last night from our first time with the DDP. LOVED IT! Every CM we encountered walked us right through the process and even made sure we got a piece of our meal if we were missing something. The only thing to watch out for I found was the CS meals and the difference in what you get for a meal from location to location. That is where doing your homework really pays off.

As far as the tip I always left more than the 18% included anyway, so I do not think it will be a big deal next year.

Again - loved the DDP!

 

[Kaler131]

We love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!! Especially when it's "free dining".

 

[mickeymousemom]

We've used the DDP twice before (once free) and will be using it again in a few weeks. We love it. I find it very easy to use and the only minor trouble we've ever had with it was when the CM didn't know his/her hiney from adam. A CM at Akershus charged our 2yo a TS meal, then it took lots of wrangling(at POR) to get it back(another person who didn't know her hiney from adam ). The server at San Angel Inn could barely speak English and was absolutely clueless. These situations were all in the first year of the DP. We had no problems last year.
You can still find some discrepencies and differing "opinions" out there as far as CM's, restaurants, etc. but with that you just roll with it. For example, one restaurant might allow a smoothie as your drink while another one won't. The same goes with servers.
As far as us, we are well versed in the DP, and we have no problems with it. Snacks can be the most confusing, but most places have the DP insignia next to the item if you can use a snack credit for it. Easy Peasy.

 

[mrsnj91]

Does anyone here have an opinion on the dining plan? It seems like a pain to use. When I was in line behind anyone using it there were always a hundred questions ("is this considered a full meal, is the banana part of the breakfast or is it a snack,?" etc, etc) It just doesn't seem worth all that to me.

I hear ya! I would not want the job of a cashier there. I had a husband and wife get into a debait and hold up the morning line because the banana he wanted for breakfast was not included and he would have to use a snack. Wife did not want to do that. Finally he rang it up OOP. We often went through the same thing as DD would want fries and they weren't included or my youngest was 2 and I have to pay OOP for her and sometimes they would ring up her meal under middle DD or DS would want an extra drink, etc. All I would do it tell them to just ring it up under the plan and at the end of week, if we went over, we went over and just said to charge it. I was NOT going to haggle over a banana. BUT I would say I would get the meal plan again. Yes it can be a hassle if you do like the banana family but we just went with it and didn't have to pay till the end of the trip and that was nice. And then we just had the charge put on the same card and rang it up with that. It took no longer or shorter. So yes I would do it again. I have seen many on here do the haggle debait on how they do the meal plan. This is my vacation and I was not going to worry if I ran out of snack credits! I think if you have that kind of thinking the plan works. I just wish the others in front of me did that too cause standing there with a full tray and keeping a toddler in tow while they try and figure it all out is annoying.

 

[Nutty4Disney]

We have used it twice before and will use it again in December. My DH is not as "adventurous" as I am and this gives us an opportunity to try new things. It works great for us. We use the CS wherever we may be at the time and make ADRs for the TS meals - usually at the park we plan to be at or a nearby resort. I am a little upset about the changes for next year, not so much about the tip (that is only on one meal a day after all), but I am a diabetic and would rather have an appetizer than a dessert. Oh well, it will still be plenty of food. This December we are trying 3 new restaraunts (O'hana, Boma and Chef Mickey).

 

[Bubbley4Disney]

We've used the DDP twice before (once free) and will be using it again in a few weeks. We love it. I find it very easy to use and the only minor trouble we've ever had with it was when the CM didn't know his/her hiney from adam. A CM at Akershus charged our 2yo a TS meal, then it took lots of wrangling(at POR) to get it back(another person who didn't know her hiney from adam ). The server at San Angel Inn could barely speak English and was absolutely clueless. These situations were all in the first year of the DP. We had no problems last year.
You can still find some discrepencies and differing "opinions" out there as far as CM's, restaurants, etc. but with that you just roll with it. For example, one restaurant might allow a smoothie as your drink while another one won't. The same goes with servers.
As far as us, we are well versed in the DP, and we have no problems with it. Snacks can be the most confusing, but most places have the DP insignia next to the item if you can use a snack credit for it. Easy Peasy.

We just returned from Disney and although overall we had a great trip as a family-- I too ran into many "Guest Service" and cast members who barely spoke English. And certainly didn't understand it very well... As well as a dozen or so cast members who didn't know their brain from their bum... It was very frustrating and dissapointing as A admitted Disney Head. I mean this was our 4th trip in three years and we go for a minimum of ten nights each trip...

I know this thread is about the dining plan so let me just tie that in to the topic, If the staff at Disney was a bit more Customer Service oriented, and had that old Disney attitude like " hey I am here to make dreams come true" the dining plan would not be such a hassle IMHO

 

[mrsnj91]

I kinda disagree there. I think a lot of the problem isn't the cashier but those using the DP and not knowing what they are doing. It is a bit confusing when you 1st get there but by mid trip you should have the hang of it and I cannot tell you the times I had to stand in line listening to someone ask if "that" is on the plan. But I do have to agree on the no english. One man got mad and walked out because the CM who was serving him in the food court had no clue what he was asking. That isn't just Disney though. My opinion is if you work in the US and you deal with customers, you should speak the language. Or at least enough to understand it and answer back. It does add to the frustration when they aren't sure if you asked for the grapes or the cookie.

 

[Hodder]

We did the same thing with the credits. We used them if we needed them. I wasn't going to worry about paying. I figured if I started to pay oop for certain things them by the end of my trip I would be stuck w/credits. We ended up at the end with no snacks and 2 counter service.

When I mentioned to my hubby that next time the appys wouldn't be included he said great....LOL (he put on 8lbs this trip)

 

[misricsmith]

We loved it
would not travel to the world with out it