Disney Dining While at Offsite Hotel?

[JustBob]

Is Disney Dining only available to those staying on property? If I make reservations through the Disney website and stay at "good neighbor" type lodgings can I buy into the Disney Dining Plan?
I'm trying to plan our 25th anniversary and need to think budgetwise...

 

[bicker]

Yes, the Dining Plan is only available to Disney resort guests.

 

[majortom]

Is Disney Dining only available to those staying on property? If I make reservations through the Disney website and stay at "good neighbor" type lodgings can I buy into the Disney Dining Plan?
I'm trying to plan our 25th anniversary and need to think budgetwise...

It is only available for guests at Disney hotels. BTW, do you always eat every meal? Do you always have an appetizer and dessert? If not, it might not be worth it any way.

/carmi

 

[bicker]

I thought that way early-on, especially since my wife and I love the signature restaurants. But we figured for next year we'd not be visiting any of them, so financially it looks very much like Dining Plan will save us money. It doesn't really rely on you "eating every meal" -- rather you get only one counter-service meal per day, and one table-service meal per day (plus one snack per day).

 

[Lewisc]

DME will transport you for free from MCO. Stay offsite and you'll probably wind up with a rental care and will pay for theme park parking. You probably won't save as much as you think staying offsite.

The meal plan won't save you money if you're on a tight budget. People on a strict buget will eat more CS meals and less TS meals.

 

[JustBob]

I appreciate the quick clarification - the point made about transfer from the airport, etc. is a good one -
We did look at what the dining plan offers and feel like, for 38 dollars apiece a day, it would be a good deal for us.

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Or if you have or are considering, a WDW Annual Pass, there is the Disney Dining Experience (for additional $).