DL Dining Plan

[SyracuseWolvrine]

WDW local here, headed out to the opposite coast in September. I noticed on DL's webpage something about a dining plan, but couldn't find any details of what all is included with it. Has anyone done it? Is it worthwhile?

 

[bumbershoot]

I've heard rumors of it changing, but as far as I know, right now it's basically vouchers. And unless you work to maximize it by choosing the most expensive character meals in your package/plan, it's basically just paying up front for the food.

And the vouchers won't necessarily save you money, so you'll lose money or spend over it. If you use a $5 voucher for a $4 item, you don't get change. If you use a 5 for a $6 item, you pay $1 out of pocket.

There are many people who like the convenience of having pre-paid, though! I personally just like buying giftcards and working off of those, thereby pre-paying, rather than buying vouchers.


If you go into the booking process with disneyland.com, Costco travel, AAA, and getawaytoday dot com, you'll get to a point where you can click to find out a bit more, and see the cost per person for the vouchers you get with each number of days in a package.

 

[DeterminedOne]

The only way I was able to get details of the dining plan was by plugging in the info as if to book a trip. The DL plan is nothing like WDW's and really stinks in comparison. As mentioned, most of it is just vouchers but do include a character meal and snack. We're thinking about staying concierge instead and exploring dining choices on our own.

 

[pixiewings71]

They are talking about doing a dining plan at DL like they offer at WDW but it has yet to be implemented. Bottom line, the dining choices at DL are not like at WDW so a dining plan isn't as necessary or desirable. I don't like the vouchers myself and do as Bumber suggested, getting a gift card or Disney Dollars set aside just for dining seems to work ok for us.

 

[Canyon girl]

I agree with Bumbershoot! I have done both the normal DLR dining plan and the trial plan that is like WDW, but I don't like either one. There are not near as many dining choices as WDW. The normal DLR plan is just vouchers labeled with dollar amounts (ie lunch is $15, but if your total is $20...you pay $5 out of pocket). The plan like WDW that was trialed in Oct-Dec didn't work well. They charged 2 table service meals for Goofy's without the picture package; whereas, the restaurant in Cinderella's castle at WDW would have charged 2 table service meals and include the picture package (from what I read). I don't think that you get as much for your money at DLR with the dining plan as you do at WDW. My advice is to skip it. Get the gift cards as Bumbershoot suggested, or charge it to your room (if on resort).

 

[Lostgirlz]

We have done DL, and WDW plan. It is NOTHING like wdw you get a better deal at wdw. even with 5 people we had unused vouchers. You get no cash back if you don't spend exact amount, or end up owing if you go over, and they are not good for DTD dining venues. We are not booking a package this time as I have a AP. Honestly unless you will be dining only in the resorts, or parks it's not worth it as they expire fast, and are not useable in the candy shops on main street, or poohs corner.

 

[glendalais]

And, in addition to everything else. They're by no means anywhere near an efficient form of payment.

Each voucher has to be entered by itself. And even those cashiers who've done it for a long time and have developed a rythym can take a while, let alone if you get a new hire.

When I worked in Restaurants, I had a guest pay for her ~$120.00 total completely in meal vouchers. Poor thing, you could see the daggers coming out of the eyes of the guests behind her .

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

ok, you all have convinced me, the DL "Dining Plan" is a waste of time.

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

There are many people who like the convenience of having pre-paid, though! I personally just like buying giftcards and working off of those, thereby pre-paying, rather than buying vouchers.
QUOTE]

Bumbershoot - do you just buy Disney GC's & then use those everywhere? Do they work at all restaurants, including in DTD? Never thought of this, but what a great idea...

And where do you get the GC's .... several of our Disney Store's closed! I think there's 1 nearby...not sure.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Can get them online at disneyland.com. We had a few when we went in december. They are good at all stores and restaurants on disney...not sure about DTD though (someone will know!) but not at food carts. When we got our cherry coke we asked who took them and she said anywhere they have a register you can use it. So not the food carts for churros and whatnot. Enjoy!

 

[glendalais]

Can get them online at disneyland.com. We had a few when we went in december. They are good at all stores and restaurants on disney...not sure about DTD though (someone will know!) but not at food carts. When we got our cherry coke we asked who took them and she said anywhere they have a register you can use it. So not the food carts for churros and whatnot. Enjoy!

Disney Gift Cards are valid in the Downtown Disney District at World of Disney, Disney Vault 28 and Marceline's Confectionary. They are not valid at non-Disney owned and operated locations.

In addition, they are not valid inside the parks at any non-Disney owned and operated location. Going off the top of my head, this includes the Glass/Crystal stores, the Jewlery store and Parasol stand in New Orleans Square, and the various face painters, caricature artists and name printers around the park.

 

[fairykin]

That's the one thing i miss about WDW...the great dining plan and yummy resturants.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I love Disney GC's ~ I used them and only them earlier this month. I purchased a $50 GC each time I got paid ~ I had $300 in Disney GC's and didn't spend all of the $ on the cards ~ I'll just save 'em for March. It would be a good idea to have some cash for tips & churros