Does anyone NOT get the Dining Plan?

[Tricia1972]

We've done it in twice in the past, but won't do it again. It does not fit our eating style. We didn't do it on our last trip, opted for the DDE card only. We saved by not doing it and ordering what we wanted where we wanted.

There was also a freedom to us to get whatever snack we wanted and not worry if it was included in the DDP or not.

 

[imwithgoofy]

I agree with ParrotBill, sometimes it is sooo crowded with the free dining that it's almost impossible to get a table unless you have booked way in advance.

We liked the free dining when everything was included, it can be a lot of food when you would get an appetizer and a dessert.
Like the previous folks, sometimes you just want a dessert later in the park. We have not tried it since the changes and may not try again anytime soon.

For us it is less expensive to pay as you go. Oh, on our last night we has about 4 snacks left over, we picked things that we could take with us on the plane...or enjoy on the way back.

 

[Katiebell]

I voted "yes, no matter what", but that's not entirely true just the closest answer for me.

We paid for the DDP last year, when appetizers and tips were included, and it was a great deal -- but honestly it really was too much food, and too often we ended up leaving a lot on the table. For that reason, I can't see ever doing the DxDP, unless it was seriously discounted during free dining, and then only because we'd get to try the signature restaurants -- they are just not a good deal on the standard DDP.

This year we are doing the DDP during free dining, and do have some misgivings about going during hurricane season, when it's so hot, the restaurants will be super crowded...just not sure if all that will be worth it. But our vacation time was already scheduled for September, way before DH told me to plan another trip to WDW We paid rack rate for POFQ, but didn't find any discounts before we booked anyway. The plan itself should actually work better for us this time -- we are dessert eaters, would usually share an appetizer if we order one at all, we like one TS a day, and we enjoyed all the 1 TS restaurants we tried last year. I called for ADR's at the 180+10 mark, so we got most of what we wanted. Definitely will miss the tips being included, but we'd be paying them anyway if we were going strictly OOP so that's not really a factor

The DDE sounds like a good deal, but not everyone qualifies. This is only our second trip to WDW and we live on the West Coast, so buying AP's would be a waste of money. We don't even have AP's for DL, and we go there about once a year.

 

[love__goofy]

We usually do, we have 2 adults and 3 children in our family. By the time we pay for character meals for the kids, usually around $13-15 each, then add a counter service at $5.00 and a snack at $3...we are coming out ahead about $40 per day, just in kids..since it is only $9.99 per kid per day. We usually pick and choose the good restaurants that may cost a little extra, and we almost always come ahead around $400 per 8 night vacation.

This time we have 5 character meals planned.

If we did not have children, I don't know if it would be worth it.

 

[dburg30]

My choice wasnt there.. Havent yet, but could in the future if our schedule works to get value out of it.

 

[rcraw45425]

We found that with our kids 10 & 12 at the time of the last visit, it was not worth it for us since they both had to order from the adult menu, when they would usually share either an entree between themselves or with DH and I. Of course now that the portions have shrunk so much while the price stayed the same...... But still, my girls don't eat $40 each a day in food!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

It just wouldn't work for us.

We never eat more than two meals a day -- brunch and dinner -- one in the room, one in a TS or CS.

We prefer to eat appetizers and have dessert (if any) later in the evening or as an afternoon snack.

We've used the DDE ever since it became available to AP holders and it has saved us a good sum of money each year.

And, I am amazed by people who do the DxDP. Do they do anything in the parks besides eat???

 

[patsal]

Used to be great when it was all inclusive. Since we shake things up and order only what we want, sometimes an appetizer, sometimes dessert, sometimes both with an entree no dining plan really works for us We really enjoyed not having the DDP in July and will not get it in 2009.

 

[TewEpcot]

Never have, never will. Too much structure! As previous posts have mentioned, I like to graze in whatever park I'm in. And who knows how I'll feel for breakfast (usually depends on how much I ate/drank the night before )! I don't even know if you can use the plan at Il Mulino & bluezoo, anyway... and those are 2 of my favorite places to eat!

 

[kadesha]

I was talking to a co-worker today about her Disney trip and I was so shocked that she didn't get the dining plan. She said that they eat onsite for lunch or dinner and go offsite for the other. I guess that isn't really strange to most people, but I was shocked! lol! They also don't make ADR's, they just wait for TS.

 

[Laura]

I only would if it were free, but I don't want to go during free dining, so I voted never have, never will.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think it's a rip-off now, honestly. We will never use it again, even if it's free.

We used it one time, last year during free dining. For what we wanted in a trip, it was a good deal but it was a one time deal evidently because they changed the plan and not for the better.

Financially, it's would lose us money.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

In the 7 trips that I have had to WDW, since 2001, I have only opted to do the DDP once. We used it last year. We don't tend to eat the way that the plan covers, so had it not been the F&W Fest, we would have done the trip OOP. We basically broke even on the food.

We don't always eat an appetizer, let alone 1 for each of us at TS meals. We don't always get a dessert, let alone 1 for each of us at TS meals. We don't eat high dollar snacks, as a general rule. In other words, I can feed us much cheaper and without guilt about possibly wasting our money. I do not like paying for a package 45 days in advance. I would rather keep my money for myself and earn interest on it during those 45 days. I also don't like the cancellation policy that goes along with booking a package.

I prefer to book a room only and pay OOP for our meals. We usually drive, so it's no big deal to fill a cooler with sodas/fluids and bring some breakfast/snack items to keep our costs down.

Having said all of this, I am looking forward to the new DDP Lite. I am hoping that there are good reviews on it in 2009. I can see this working for us, even if it does make us commit to a package deal in 2010. We don't think that there will be money for a trip in 2009, due to my health issues the last two years. But, that's another story. lol

 

[SarahInMN]

We never do the DDP because we eat primarily at table service restaurants and don't want to have to feel like we have to eat at certain places or feel pressed to use up credits. We stay on site and just make ADR's wherever we want. We do utilize the DDE because it is a straight discount plan.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Never have and never will. We eat very little, mostly fruit, veggies, salads, etc when we do.

 

[buckirj1]

The DDP isn't a real good match for the way I like to eat--I could never eat that much for an entire trip. I might consider using it for a shorter trip of 3 or 4 days.

 

[CamColt]

The dining plan doesnt really fit our dining style. When it was free during our stay, then yes, it was a great deal and we got it, but I don't think I would pay for it.

 

[oybolshoi]

We did do it back in fall 2006, but that was really because my parents were traveling with us and there was no way they'd be willing to eat at decent places without the DDP.

For just the hubby and me we do better using our DDE card for discounts - the DDP doesn't really fit our dining style.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We use the basic dining plan because it works well for us. We don't worry about getting the most out of it or anything like that, we just order what we want. There are 4 of us, but our 2 boys are still considered children, so that makes it hard not to get it.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Yes - no matter what.

I think the DDP is one of the best inventions of the Disney Corporation and am disappointed that DisneyLand doesn't offer a similar plan (since I'm going there in November).

We're usually 3 adults and I love that the plan puts us in a table service restaurant once a day, and offers us the flexibility of counter service once a day and provides us with a snack (whether water, pop or food).

Even when we have credits left at the end of the trip (and we often do so I use them up buying sandwiches and snacks for the way home) I still know that I got a good deal.

I have always been very pleased with the purchase of the DDP and plan on using it as long as it's offered. It's the best dining discount as far as I'm concerned.

As to the DDE for me it doesn't make any sense. I'm not a florida resident and there would be the extra cost of an annual pass (around $50 more than a 10 day no expiry ticket - which means that I can take my two trips any time - even if they end up being 13 months apart instead of 11 months) , and then buying the DDE for another $60 - I would end up having to spend at least $550 in select restaurants (i.e. generally just table service restaurants - very few counter service places) just to recoup the cost of the card before I would save a penny.