Disney Dinning Plan

[habq]

How does the disney dinning plan work? We are thinking of staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I read in some threads about issues with counter service not being readily available for DDP at this resort. Do you have to buy the plan where you get table service to get good use out of the DDP at Boardwalk Villas?

I would appreciate feedback on this.

 

[CraftyMouse]

There are a few different plans, but the standard version offers one table service meal (entree, dessert & non-alcholic beverage), one counter service meal (entree, dessert & non-alcoholic beverage) and one snack per day for $39.99/$10.99 (adult/child) per person. The gratuity is not included. You need not use the plan at your resort, it is good all over WDW property.

We do not find the DDP to be a good deal for our family, but others swear by it. We purchase a Tables in Wonderland card (available to FL residents and AP holders) instead and find that it saves us more money than the DDP does. We are able to get exactly what we want and not feel like we have to eat a certain amount to make it worth our while.

Again, that's just our opinion. If you like to eat a lot and plan your meals right the DDP can save you a bit of money.

 

[hakepb]

How does the disney dinning plan work? We are thinking of staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I read in some threads about issues with counter service not being readily available for DDP at this resort. Do you have to buy the plan where you get table service to get good use out of the DDP at Boardwalk Villas?

I would appreciate feedback on this.

Is this a 2008 stay or 2009? (I think, if available to DVC, the new CS only plan would only be available in 2009)

BWV, like most DVC's, have a very limited CS selection. I think BWV has an even more limited CS selection than most (I think just the Bakery and possibly cold sandwiches at the pool bar (if open)) This CS limitation is made up by many TS options at BWV.

If you can get many desirable dinner TS ADR's (Expensive dinners at places like LeCellier) and realize the BWV CS limitation (plan to use CS in parks) then the DDP could be a good option for you.
If you cannot get the desirable dinner ADR's and try to use a lot of CS at BWV, you may be very disapointed.

What always got to me at BWV on the DDP was flexibility:
There is a good "pizza to go" window at Spoodles (Actually decent pizza from the mouse), and food stands that sell hot dogs and funnel cakes, but neither of those options are on the DDP

If you plan right (do not plan more than one breakfast or dinner CS at BWV) you can do OK. If you find you love the limited, small Bakery, then change your plans to go more! EPCOT, the king of DDP CS and TS selection is a short walk/boat ride away from BWV. Take advantage of the proximity!

 

[JaxFLBear]

Here's links to the pdf brochures of the various dining plans available:

2008 Disney Dining Plan Guide
2008 Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Guide

2009 Disney Quick Service Dining Plan Guide
2009 Disney Dining Plan Guide
2009 Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Guide

 

[permavac]

We are able to get exactly what we want and not feel like we have to eat a certain amount to make it worth our while.

This is an excellent point. My husband and I have only gotten the DDP when it was offered free for September trips AND when it still included the appetizer for table service AND the free tip (talk about the good ole days - THAT plan was the deal of a lifetime - even if we had to pay for it!). 3 years of DDP in a row and busted waistlines later we realized it was WAY too much to eat every day and still we felt the pressure to gobble it all down. If we were paying for it ourselves, I imagine the pressure would double 2 desserts in one day might be a little overkill, especially since I also liked to use my "snack" for a carrot cake or cheesecake brownie at the Boardwalk bakery . They should take away the lunch dessert option and give another category that could be used for either a dessert or appetizer with dinner, but I digress. Point is, if you worry about overeating all of the delicious food then the dining plan might be your enemy. Moneywise, my husband and I found that it would only be economical to use the new plan - where you must pay the gratuity yourself - in a few select restaurants, so we may still do it if we ever have a split stay and just do 2 days and plan our restaurants meticulously (there is a lot of fun in the planning of the snacks and meals ). Other than that, we would spend about the same money or less as the DDP costs every day, but also not be limited in our choices by just paying the cash (and not feeling guilty about "wasting money" if we felt like McDonald's one day). Either way, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun trying it out for yourself and then you will know if it works for you or not. Good luck!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We are doing the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan in February, but 4 of our dinners are 2x meals. Thats the only way I found it worth it. Plus we all prefer appetizers over deserts. I'm going to attempt to track all food purchased, and see how it works out.

 

[Inkmahm]

We are doing the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan in February, but 4 of our dinners are 2x meals. Thats the only way I found it worth it. Plus we all prefer appetizers over deserts. I'm going to attempt to track all food purchased, and see how it works out.

I just did that same planning last night to figure out our meals for our March trip. I ended up switching two nights with each other so that the first 4 nights we are at AKV, our TS usage total for the days would be 6. The next 3 nights we are at VWL our total is 9. We will use our DDE card for the first 4 days and get the Deluxe Dining plan for the next 3 days (where we get 9 TS credits each, exactly what we need.) Our 6 snack credits each will likely go towards water in the parks, maybe a frozen coke here or there, and rice Krispie treats to take home for any extras.

 

[Lesley]

To know whether or not the plan is a good value for your family you need to look at what you would eat if you didn't use the dining plan vs. the cost of the dining plan (plus anything you'd require that isn't included). We find we come out about even once we add in tips, etc..., but the dining plan allows us more table service options plus it gives our teenager free choice from the menu. We might otherwise not go places with expensive entrees because it would get much more expensive. We wouldn't do that paying out of pocket, but the dining plan works for us.

It is a lot of food, but we haven't done the ddp since they removed the appetizers and I think that will make the amount of food much more manageable. With a DVC villa we were able to bring back leftovers, which made for some good nighttime snacking and interesting breakfasts, but I know there were things we just couldn't finish before heading home.

 

[Inkmahm]

With the Deluxe plan, you get appetizer AND dessert with lunch/dinner. Normally, if we order an appetizer at all, DH and I order one to share. Same with dessert. If I can get over the idea of wasting food, having the Deluxe plan for 3 days would give us a chance to try different appetizers and desserts that we normally wouldn't try. I'm under no illusion of being able to eat an appetizer and dessert with both lunch and dinner each day. We'd be stuffed!

Then add in the snacks that you get, too, and there's definitely no room in the stomach for all of that. Snacks will most likely be bottled water, which I normally bring from the villa with me into the parks. The treat for me will be carrying around less weight because when I want a water, we'll just stop to get one with the snack credits.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Like someone said - our snacks are mostly water, popcorn, rice crispy treats etc. Desserts, well we don't normally eat, but we can bring them back to the room with us if we desire. As for wasting, it's not wasting if you don't order it. No one is forcing you to order the dessert, so if it's not ordered its not wasted!

 

[jblrn2b]

Last trip we used the DDDP and actually did have meals left over. But we like to eat at California Grill and other "nicer" restaurants so we know that we are getting our monies worth. Plus for $70 a day - the way my oldest eats I know I couldn't feed him for that at WDW!!! Me - I could go on one meal a day but its not worth the grumpiness that the boys would have without eating all the time! I don't like to cook much on vacation - now that may change d/t being DVC members- so I don't usually plan breakfasts in the room or anything. We usually go out for breakfast either character or grab at the resort, grab a lunch, snacks throughout the day (my littlest can actually live on WDW popsicles), then out for a nice dinner - If you know you eat like this, than it is worth it.

I am sorry I can't help you about the CS at the resort. I hope it is better than everyone says. We always have stayed at the Poly and their CS is awesome. We bought DVC without visiting AKL. Oh well, Chef Mickey here we come.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are very few counter service options in the Boardwalk/Yacht/Beach resort area that accept the dining plan - but Epcot is a short walk away, and if you have a park ticket you can have access to a plethora of counter service restaurants that way.

 

[missy2217]

We do not find the DDP to be a good deal for our family, but others swear by it. We purchase a Tables in Wonderland card (available to FL residents and AP holders) instead and find that it saves us more money than the DDP does. We are able to get exactly what we want and not feel like we have to eat a certain amount to make it worth our while.

Where do you buy a Tables in Wonderland card?

 

[Inkmahm]

Like someone said - our snacks are mostly water, popcorn, rice crispy treats etc. Desserts, well we don't normally eat, but we can bring them back to the room with us if we desire. As for wasting, it's not wasting if you don't order it. No one is forcing you to order the dessert, so if it's not ordered its not wasted!

If it's not ordered, it isn't tried, either. Ordering things to try that you might not try otherwise is part of the advantage of having the Deluxe DP. Trying them and eating the whole thing are two different things though.

 

[Inkmahm]

Where do you buy a Tables in Wonderland card?

Customer Relations at the parks, at Epcot for example. I've always gotten mine in the mail but mine expires the end of December so I'll be getting a new one at WDW next March.

 

[princessvacg]

Customer Relations at the parks, at Epcot for example. I've always gotten mine in the mail but mine expires the end of December so I'll be getting a new one at WDW next March.

What is a tables in Wonderland card?

 

[JaxFLBear]

The new name for the Disney Dining Experience. It's a program that will get you a 20% discount at most table service locations and a few counter service locations. The discount is also available on adult beverages. It only available to FL Residents ($85) and Annual Passholders ($60). The card is good for approx. 13 months.

 

[bonnielynn]

We are going concierge, but would like to eat at some restaurants.. would the disney dinning plan (basic) be worth it? I am really thinking it wouldn't.. we are 4 adults (one only 11 which I find so funny Disney thinks an 11 yr old eats like an adult, but.. ) We can eat breakfast, and snakes, but am thinking one actual sit down would be nice..

Any thoughts.. ?

 

[ILIKEWDW]

Is Tables in Wonderland really cheaper than DDP? and where could I get more info on it (TIW)?

Is there any link to info about wich restaurants accepts the TIW card?

TIA

 

[allshookup]

Is Tables in Wonderland really cheaper than DDP? and where could I get more info on it (TIW)?

Is there any link to info about wich restaurants accepts the TIW card?

TIA

Link to participating restaurants:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

Is it cheaper? It depends on how you normally eat & drink. We hardly ever order dessert so I sat down & compared what we actually would order in one day (i.e. light breakfast in villa, sandwich or snack in parks & 1 TS meal) & since we like to drink alcohol, our savings was much greater with the TIW card. To find out if it's a savings for you, look at the menus & figure out what you would normally order over a few days & then take 20% off with the TIW card & compare to the price of the DDP.