Disney needs more dining plan options

[Texas Barbie]

That makes a lot of sense???

You're taking things out of context. We're just not big on snacks, but not having to pull cash out of my husband's wallet for meals is priceless. We usually end up gathering bottled water "snacks" and taking them home.

 

[Fire14]

I am one that would love the build your own plan type, but understand why they don't offer it. Yes I'd do the just pay oop plan but Dh won't and I can't convince him otherwise. I plan/order my meals to point I "cost" disney money but what they "lose" on me they make on someone else. I don't use my TS credit for say brfst at Ohana, I use it at Boatwrights or CP dinner. I can't tell you number of times I've gotten dessert because I paid for it where as if I was OOP Bff and I would spilt dessert or a CS meal. I also personally refuse to "waste" 2 TS on LeCellar when I can eat at yachtman for same cost.

I know during last trip I told DH if he even mentioned chocolate cake to me, I was going to puke. I was never so happy to have choice of carrot cake One lil pet peeve of mine is why can't I sub. chips for salad, it made me think real hard on my entree choice a few times and yes I asked.

 

[eliza61]

Well sure, but then you get guests like my husband and me who don't really see any of these dining options as right for us, so we just don't get one. Seems to me, if they would have some more options, more people would end up getting them.

They do have an option is called paying out of pocket.

The dining plans really are not a huge money saver that they use to be so if the options available don't fit your life style simply pay oop.

 

[DPCummerbund]

They do have an option is called paying out of pocket.

The dining plans really are not a huge money saver that they use to be so if the options available don't fit your life style simply pay oop.

We always pay OOP. To me, the math just doesn't work - it's a plan specifically for people whose "lifestyle" is "always get dessert!"

For example, the QS Dining plan is currently $38 per day. Very few QS meals are over $10 each, with most in the $8-$10 range; say $9 per entree, plus $3 for a drink. $12 per meal x 2 meals per day = $24. That leaves $14 more they're charging me for snacks and desserts. That's a lot of dessert!

 

[Shir Kahn]

I personally don't care if it costs more to have the dining plan, I love it for one big reason. When I'm paying OOP, when I look at a menu, the first thing I see are the $$$. Then, even though I've got no problems affording whatever I want to eat, I still won't order the pricier items, just because I have trouble spending that kind of money out of pocket on food. With the dining plan, I'm still paying that amount, but I just lump it all into the entire cost of the vacation which doesn't bother me nearly as much. I can relax, look at the menu and order what I want. I can order an appetizer if I want because it's still going to end up being a much easier to stomach final cost.

 

[nkereina]

You're still paying the price for a table service meal, even if you choose to use it as a counter service. With Plus Dining, you can use your table service meals as counter service meals, as well - you are just going to be losing money on the deal.

Yes, which is why I said in the post that using Deluxe credits on QS is not the best value, but it is an option. The Deluxe is advertised as getting "3 credits per night" and does not differentiate between QS and TS. It's worth noting this since it's a distinguishable difference from the other plans where they DO differentiate. You don't have a pool of credits you can use how you want like on Deluxe, you have X amount of QS credits and X amounts of TS credits. So it is different, and to say there are "no QS credits" on the deluxe plan is really a misrepresentation.

For the people who are saying they wish they could pick and choose what they want and the people responding "then why not pay OOP", you're forgetting what is the main reason many people do the DDP - the convenience factor. The DDP is a minimal savings at best, and in many cases, not a savings at all. Some people aren't aware, but many (including myself) are aware but we choose to do it anyway because of the convenience. Those of us who are bad at budgeting, don't want to hassle with it, don't want to watch what we order because of cost, etc. do the dining plan because of the ease of it. I would like to make a customized plan if available, not even with a discount as others have stated. I would pay the exact price as I would OOP if it were available, just for the ease of it while I'm on vacation and the convenience of being able to pay for it ahead of time.

 

[Texas Barbie]

I personally don't care if it costs more to have the dining plan, I love it for one big reason. When I'm paying OOP, when I look at a menu, the first thing I see are the $$$. Then, even though I've got no problems affording whatever I want to eat, I still won't order the pricier items, just because I have trouble spending that kind of money out of pocket on food. With the dining plan, I'm still paying that amount, but I just lump it all into the entire cost of the vacation which doesn't bother me nearly as much. I can relax, look at the menu and order what I want. I can order an appetizer if I want because it's still going to end up being a much easier to stomach final cost.

Well said! A vacation is better, to us, if it is basically all-inclusive.

 

[DanInMN]

What if the dining plan worked more like a cruise ship or all-inclusive... the plan includes whatever you want to eat, non-alcoholic drinks, and there could be an upcharge for some items like signature restaurants? It simplify's things. Some people will eat like pigs, just like on a cruise ship, but after a couple days of feeling sick they will be eating normally again

 

[DanInMN]

I suspect that Disney offers dining plans mostly to add perceived value to staying on-site, along with ME, EMH, and free parking. The package allows them to compete with off-site hotels, condos, townhomes, and rental homes - without having to lower prices, which would reduce the perceived value of their brand. The approach seems to work pretty well.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I personally don't care if it costs more to have the dining plan, I love it for one big reason. When I'm paying OOP, when I look at a menu, the first thing I see are the $$$.

Funny, I feel just the opposite! One of my objections to the DDP is my confusion over what gets counted! You only get so many TS and QS credits, which don't include all restaurants, & include some but they count for two; and what if I don't like any of the entrees, or if I'm not terribly hungry, and just want an appetizer? Will it throw off my whole plan? I've read dozens of posts from people who pay out-of-pocket at certain restaurants because it's financially a better option than using one of their credits.

I don't think about the budget while I'm at the park either. I already know going in how much everything is going to cost - about $10 for a QS entree and $3 for a drink. So, for the 2 of us, about $25 per meal, or $50 per day X 2 meals per day X number of days = budget. We just put it all on the KTTW card, and know within a few dollars how much it's going to be when we get the bill. No planning, no counting credits, no worrying about whether we're "breaking even" or not.

We can't afford to go to WDW very often, but when we do, we know pretty well what it's going to cost us. To me, they may be charging me at the QS counter, but the money was already spent before we got on the plane.

I know not everyone looks at it that way, but it's what makes the trip the most enjoyable for me. Everyone makes their own decision based on what makes sense, financially and for peace of mind.

 

[tjevans]

And if you lose the debit card? Then what?

I guess I should specify that I usually use a "travelers cheque" card, and it has provisions for a rapid replacement if lost. This last trip, I just used my bank debit card like with all my other purchases. Considering I get to keep any unused money, unlike the dining plan, I consider it worth the risk.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[CaliBear]

Also, having the option to choose an appetizer OR a dessert, rather than just having the dessert option would be nice.

This is why we didn't purchase the dining plan. We love appetizers and rarely have dessert after an entree. Sometimes we have appetizers and dessert and skip the entree though. Some people are just savory people. Disney should give us savories an option too.

 

[maxiesmom]

Actually, there is. See quote below.


This. Total cost equals the same as the DP, so one cannot debate price. Diner gets to choose whatever s/he wants with total flexibility. Appetizers are back in play and one is not confined to two desserts and snacks everyday. The unused "credits" never expire.

You don't think that Disney would then try to account for the flexibility by raising the cost even more? I do.

Lets look at the wanting of appetizers instead of dessert. When we were on the plan this past week there were many times we just refused dessert because we were full. If people could order an appetizer instead of dessert they seem more likely to pick at both. How many people would say the appetizer filled them up so they didn't need a main course? No one. More of a cost for Disney there.

I also think having to many choices would confuse people. Look how confused people are by the different ticket choices. It would be much worse if you could pay for individual dining plan components the way you can pay for ticket components.

Sometimes simple is better.