Does anyone else dislike the Dining Plan?

[Nicole786]

My understanding it is available to all resort guests, you must pay rack rate and purchase at least a one day ticket for all in your room.

The problem is that i'm a season passholder. If i wasn't, i believe that the money i would save buying the tickets elsewhere would equate to purchasing the tix through disney and getting the DDP. I would have loved to have the DDP, it's just that i can't.

 

[lillygator]

The problem is that i'm a season passholder. If i wasn't, i believe that the money i would save buying the tickets elsewhere would equate to purchasing the tix through disney and getting the DDP. I would have loved to have the DDP, it's just that i can't.

we're passholders as well...we've never been on the DDP although in May we are renting DVC points (for less than what the AP rates are for mod's and deluxes!!) and have the ability to purchase the dining plan that way. You could always buy a one day ticket for each party and use that to renew your passes as long as you don't use the ticket (some CM's say you can I had one tell me you couldn't)

I, for one, do not like what has happened to the menus and overall dining experience at WDW - which I am sure is related to the DDP as well as a majority of other things. Will it stop me from dining there? Probably not.

 

[december]

I love it. I already have all of my plans in order for a 10 day trip, and I can't make reservations until May 19! It makes me feel better to prepay everything. Last July, I didn't spend $100 out of pocket for the 6 days I was in WDW. I love to plan, and no stress on the trip!

 

[2BusyPlanning]

I love it. I already have all of my plans in order for a 10 day trip, and I can't make reservations until May 19! It makes me feel better to prepay everything. Last July, I didn't spend $100 out of pocket for the 6 days I was in WDW. I love to plan, and no stress on the trip!

OK.... I've read this whole thread and I have a few comments.

1) I don't think people can really say that they "dislike/hate" the dining plan. For some people, it's just not a good buy for them and they choose not to use it. For AP holders, I think the DDP is more for people that vacation and would use a whole package together. And maybe that's why they came out with the DDE cards instead. I think I would benefit from the DDE if I lived close by.

2) I always have to laugh a little when people say they don't know where they will want to eat on a particular day/time. I have always made ADRs (PSs, and whatever) since they have been available. We will wake up in the morning and say "oooooh, today we go to Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier" or where ever and look forward to it all day. Never once have I gotten out of bed and said "you know what? I don't feel like Mickey waffles or steak/beef today".

I don't know. Disney comes up with new programs all the time. And I guess they can't please everyone all the time. I like to just roll with it. I take what is offered, or not, and always have a wonderful time.

December: I am just like you! I love to plan it all out. And I have to wait until March 25th to call them all in. And hello from North Mississippi!

 

[chrismb22]

I have a question about it -- and I apologize if this is the wrong place. We are going in a group of 4 (well, one infant and 4 adults).We like table service restaurants just to get away from the crowds sometimes and sit and split an appetizer or two (or desserts) with a couple sodas/drinks.

Provided we had reservations, could 2 of our party order off the plan and the rest just order drinks or pay without the plan?

 

[bicker]

Currently, there aren't any restrictions that would preclude that.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Sure could, some of our party last month ate with DDP and some without. The only issue were to be if your card said 2 on DDP and you tried to pay for 3 or 4 with DDP. That may be an issue.

 

[chrismb22]

Cool beans!! IF we even do that it will be because we -- legitimately -- aren't that hungry. We are not HUGE eaters and (like I said) might want to get away from the crowds for a little bit. Personally, I can see all my snacks going on (I love the popcorn at Disney for some reason LOL)

 

[Nicole786]

OK.... I've read this whole thread and I have a few comments.

1) I don't think people can really say that they "dislike/hate" the dining plan. For some people, it's just not a good buy for them and they choose not to use it. For AP holders, I think the DDP is more for people that vacation and would use a whole package together. And maybe that's why they came out with the DDE cards instead. I think I would benefit from the DDE if I lived close by.

2) I always have to laugh a little when people say they don't know where they will want to eat on a particular day/time. I have always made ADRs (PSs, and whatever) since they have been available. We will wake up in the morning and say "oooooh, today we go to Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier" or where ever and look forward to it all day. Never once have I gotten out of bed and said "you know what? I don't feel like Mickey waffles or steak/beef today".

I don't know. Disney comes up with new programs all the time. And I guess they can't please everyone all the time. I like to just roll with it. I take what is offered, or not, and always have a wonderful time.

December: I am just like you! I love to plan it all out. And I have to wait until March 25th to call them all in. And hello from North Mississippi!

I too enjoy the planning aspect of it. (my family thinks im nuts with the itineraries and meticulousness, ill just point them to the DIS ) However, without the DDP, i can't tell if my finances will allow a third TS dinner even at a week out (like today) Right now, we have ADRs for 3 of the nights we're there because we're unsure if we will either want to go offsite for dinner or add another TS. The problem is, if we decide we want to go TS we are basically SOL. It was never an issue years ago to walk into a casual WDW restaurant and now it is. I think like i said earlier, they should restrict a certain time frame for ADR and allow for walk-ins.

I think the DDP is a great concept, I just wish it was available to more people. I love how they make it affordable , when i move back home to NY and i go to disney i guess i can look forward to the DDP

Also, i just had to comment on when you mentioned "its for people who vacation" I'm an AP myself and just because i live 3 hours away doesn't mean it isn't a vacation. The only reason I have an AP is because the FL discount totals to what it would cost for a 5 day park hopper so it just makes sense to buy the AP. I only go about once a year, twice if finances allow.

 

[chrismb22]

The problem is, if we decide we want to go TS we are basically SOL. It was never an issue years ago to walk into a casual WDW restaurant and now it is. I think like i said earlier, they should restrict a certain time frame for ADR and allow for walk-ins.

That's a great idea. Sort of like they do for fast passes. You're not SOL if you don't get a fast pass -- you just have a little bit of a longer wait.

 

[PortieOwner]

While you should make reservations well in advance, last trip I made reservations only a month or two in advance, and I also made a bunch of changes while there, including cancelling a meal a couple of hours and rebooking elsewhere. Plenty of places seemed to have last-minute openings. However, I was not trying to book the "hottest" places like LeCellier (which we really did not like much at all).

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

I have to ask...I'm new...what is ADR and SOL?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I have to ask...I'm new...what is ADR and SOL?

ADR - advanced dining reservation

SOL - Shoot out of luck

 

[Nicole786]

I have to ask...I'm new...what is ADR and SOL?

As mentioned above SOL=Sh**t out of luck, and ADR is advance dining reservation.

I used this the first couple of weeks I was here (and still do!) it's really helpful: Board Abbreviations

and Welcome!

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Thanks guys....still getting the "lay of the land" around here - but LOVING it! You guys are getting me so hyped up for my trip!

 

[december]

Cool beans!! IF we even do that it will be because we -- legitimately -- aren't that hungry. We are not HUGE eaters and (like I said) might want to get away from the crowds for a little bit. Personally, I can see all my snacks going on (I love the popcorn at Disney for some reason LOL)

Just keep in mind that at TS places you will be charged 18% gratuity on those oop items!

 

[chrismb22]

OK, now I have another question -- sorry -- what's OOP?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Out Of Pocket

 

[chrismb22]

DUH! Sorry, I had 2 glasses of wine with dinner

 

[Scornelius]

Wow. We absolutely LOVE planning out our TS ADRs, and we think the DDP is the best thing since sliced bread. We have so much fun printing out the menus and finding the best-looking meals, the totally decadent desserts, the fun restaurants. And being on DDP, we find a sick pleasure in couting up our receipts and seeing how much it would have cost us OOP. Of course, we never would eat so much food if we were paying OOP, but it's fun to be extravagent once in a while.
I feel the same way as an above poster who said they wake up and think 'yay, we get to eat at (insert restaurant here) today! Woohoo!'. For us, it's all part of the fun of a Disney World vacation.