Disney Dining Plan

[Adventurous Grandmom]

Is the dining plan offered by Disney always the best option? We are bringing two year olds and a five year old and staying at Wilderness Lodge. Will we be limited to eating at the lodge since the two year olds will need naps and this is where we will be at lunch time ?

 

[delmar411]

no it is not always the best option but you don't have to have the 2yr old nap at the lodge either. Many toddlers just crash out in their strollers and will take very nice long naps while the other ppl explore the parks or take turns on height restricted rides.

 

[Dean]

Is the dining plan offered by Disney always the best option? We are bringing two year olds and a five year old and staying at Wilderness Lodge. Will we be limited to eating at the lodge since the two year olds will need naps and this is where we will be at lunch time ?

Actually the DDP is often not the best option for a large group of visitors. In your case it depends on how/where you'll eat but more importantly, how the 5 y/o eats. For lunch at Whispering Canyon the DDP often doesn't return a good value unless you get the AYCE skillet. Same for artist point using 2 credits per meal.

 

[Chellymouse]

DDP has really seem to have lost its value and unless you spend most of your TS meals in pricier restaurants and order more of the expensive items on the menu, it's really not worth it. There are several grocery services (garden grocer and we go shop) that you could use to order breakfast, lunch and snack staples (don't forget you are permitted a small, soft sided cooler in the parks). Also, if you have an AP or are a FL resident, you can purchase the TIW card, which offers a 20% discount and includes gratuity and alcohol. Then plan to eat the TS meals that you wanted. DH and I did DDP for quite a few years and when we did the math for our upcoming trip, the DDP was going to be a waste of $$.

 

[mybabesuz]

We have decided not to use the DDP for the first time our next trip...

We decided that we end up just about breaking even.
And we end up planning our trip around our meals
and stressing over how many CS or Snack Credits we have to use,
And having to plan so many CS meals and so many TS meals.

We also hate having dessert forced on up at every meal.
I am much more of an appetizer girl...

 

[DenLo]

Disney doesn't require that two year old be part of the dining plan. Even they realize that one chlldren's meal could feed more than one two year (unless you really have a really good eater). So if your family wants to have the dining plan (DP) for every one the can. Many of the restaurants at WDW accept the DP but not all.

The Tables in Wonderland (TIW) card mentioned earlier is good for table service (TS) meals only but drinks (alcohol) are discounted as well as the meals, appetizers or desserts. Not all of the restaurants at WDW accept TIW, but many do.

Many people don't like the DP as it restricts what you can order. Some like to have an appetizer for their entree, others want a salad or appetizer and no dessert. But the regular DP restricts you to one TS per day which includes, an nonalcoholic drink, entree and dessert, one quick service (CS) meal and one snack. Many think that is just too much food. Some like that the dining is pretty prepaid. Maybe buy cereal and milk and some drinks for in the room will be the only added expense.

I would agree with delmar411 that many 2 year olds sleep in strollers at the parks. However, my DSIL does the parks this way. In the morning they go to the parks early, usually at the morning rope drop. Then by noon they have sit down lunch. They dine somewhere that breaks the routine of doing rides. Often they will do a character meal. Then they return to the room for naps for the whole family. And then after dinner (either at the hotel or at a park) they return to the parks for the evening. Or instead of returning to the parks they might go to the pool after the nap.

 

[Sandisw]

I think it depends on when they need to go back for naps as well. We always do our CS lunch around 11:30 am (for breakfast, we use a snack credit to get a muffin, bagel, danish, etc) since the restaurants open then and are not yet crowded.

We then head back to the resort after that for the afternoon to either swim or just relax (no toddlers left in our group!).

So, if you plan your lunches at the times prior to needing to take the little ones back, you will have the flexibility to eat at other CS places, either in the parks or at some of the other resorts near the VWL. We ate a few times over at the CR in the Contempo Cafe. We did early morning at MK, left around 11:30 am, walked over to CR, ate lunch, and then took the boat from CR back to VWL. By 1:00 pm, we were back at the resort swimming.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards

 

[TDC Nala]

The dining plan is not always the best option. You need to be aware of what you are entitled to with the plan, how many credits you are allotted, and how you may use them. There is a sticky thread at the top of this dining plan board "Everything you always wanted to know" with basic information about all three Disney dining plans.

 

[Rosiekins]

I LIKE the dinning plan. I think I save money and I love love love that everything is already paid for. It is so relaxing to know that the food is taken care of and all I have to do is tip! I don't think you would be tied to the lodge at all, have your lunch where you would like then head back to your hotel. To use the dinning plan most effectivly you would eat your sit down meals at dinner anyway, so you can just get counter service while you are out. I found counter service at the hotels to be varried so I am sure you can find something yummy and different if you do need to eat there a few times. I have noticed that many families with children point out that they like the rest that a sit down meal lets them take. Plus with little ones you can really enjoy those Character Meals. You don't need the plan for under 3's, they eat off your plate or off thier own at Buffets. You can pay OOP for a meal for them if you want.