Does anyone NOT get the Dining Plan?

[Maine_Belle]

I did a cost analysis based on what I thought we'd eat and it made more sense for us to not do a plan. While we were there for a week we ate breakfast in the room all but one day, had a mixed bag of where we ate lunch (TS, CS, and in room with our own food), had booze regularly with dinner and some lunches, chose to purchase dessert (when it wasn't included in our princess meal) only 4 out of 7 nights with one being a special order cake for a birthday, and had 3 snacks between us.

Although we'd have used the TS credits, we'd still have paid for appetizers at a number of places as well as alcohol and tip. We wouldn't have wanted all that dessert. Then we only ate at 3 CS places (4 if the Tambu Lounge counts) and had 3 snacks. And that's all we wanted. I would have felt like we were force-feeding ourselves food.

The amount we paid out of pocket would have covered a dining plan, but the dining plan alone wouldn't have covered everything we ate, so we would have paid more with the plan and wasted it.

If the cost issue weren't enough, I would have been too stressed to keep track of the credits and make sure I crammed more food in to make it worth the money. Food is supposed to make you happy, not stressed!

 

[Luv4Disney]

We did it twice and it was great but waaayy too much food. Now with no appetizer and gratuity included, it doesn't seem like that great of a deal anymore. FREE dining? Sure...but we just pay OOP and use the DDE now.

 

[Katiebell]

Every family is different, so each family can experience savings at a different rate with the DDE card. It really depends on how you travel and what you use the card for. Food discounts only, or adult beverage discounts, or Fine Dining, or valet parking.

For us:
April 2007 (4 days 2Adults), Sept/October 2007 (14 days 5Adults/1Child/1Infant), Late October 2007 (4 days 1Adult) and March 2008 (8 days 5Adults/1Child/1Infant)

*AP's were the best ticket option for us. No extra AP Cost.
*We dined at Victoria & Albert's - $250 meal-practically took care of our card cost here. No DDP at V&A's.
*Discounts on Alcoholic Beverages
*Free Valet Parking ($10 savings each time you use it)
*Multiple trips to maximize our AP's and our DDE card

You also mention how it can look like you're saving more than your actually saving. I totally agree! Though the same can be said of any of the dining discounts/plans that Disney offers. The DDP loses a lot of real value if you are not eating the way you want to eat. Yeah it can look like you're saving a lot of money, but if you don't eat the food that you're ordering then are you really saving?

Yes, I agree with you too. The DDE makes total sense for your family. Wow, 4 Disney trips in one year? I can't even fathom that For one thing, neither DH nor I could get that much time off work Usually we are limited to one Disney trip a year, and that's DL since we are on the West Coast. But with 4 trips in a year so you'd get an AP anyway, and taking advantage of the discounts on alcohol, valet parking, and non-DDP restaurants, it's obviously the best choice for your family.

For us -- this is only our second trip ever to WDW, not sure when we'll be back vs. just going to DL (since we can drive down in a day). We fly in and don't rent a car so valet parking wouldn't be a benefit we'd use. And silly as it seems we really love the character meals and theme restaurants -- you can get elegant, gourmet meals in any major city, but only at Disney can you share a meal with Snow White or Eeyore I know the signatures are supposed to be fabulous, and we may get around to trying a couple on our next trip, but this year I'm actually lamenting that we are only doing one character meal

The standard DDP isn't really any different than what we would order OOP -- we are going to CP, Boma, and TH, and those are all fixed price. For our other meals (LC, PT50's, The Wave, RR, R&C), we'd likely order entree and dessert (we indulge our sweet tooth on vacation -- sometimes I'll leave some of my dinner to make sure I have room for dessert ) and beverage. We don't mind paying OOP for the occasional appetizer to share. We aren't bringing food to eat in our room (although we are ordering bottled water, sodas, and coffee from Garden Grocer). The only thing we might not order if we were paying OOP would be CS desserts -- and if they don't look good, we'll see if we can get a bottle of water or piece of fruit. Some CS desserts are definitely worthwhile, like the pastries in France, or at Sunshine Seasons, or at Main St Bakery, and it's like getting an extra snack credit for the day.

 

[Ms. WDW]

We did it twice, when everything was included. But we found ourselves spending way to much time planning where to eat and it seemed everything we did revolved around food. While we were disapointed with the new plan, we had already decided not to use it again. Actually, on our last trip this past June we didn't have the plan and it was just fine.

 

[secretpantssam]

I'm trying it for the first time this september because it was free. I'm not sure if I'm going to like it. It's already stressing me out because of all the reservations and planning my days out months in advance.

I'd rather just do what I want when I get to disney and not be tied down by all these reservations.

I'm also not a big dessert person so I'd rather not have to worry about force feeding myself cake at every meal just to get my money's worth.

 

[shyjade]

Enjoyed free dining in 2006 (first time on the plan or staying onsite).

Enjoyed the DDP in 2007 when it included the app & tip.

This year, I can't come close to saving money with the DDP so we will not be using it. I wanted to make it work, I really did...it would be so much easier to convince my parents to enjoy themselves and get what they want, when they want it, if it was all covered under the dining plan instead of coming out of my pocket (which it would be either way, but I know they'd be more comfortable with it if we were on the plan).

This is why the plan has no value to us this year:

1) My 10 year old who eats like a bird (and is super picky) does not want adult meals at Disney. If I buy the DDP and she still eats of the kids menu, I've lost enough money right from the start to make it a foolish choice for us. At Disney, she wants those lame kids meals for each and every meal. They cost $7.59. The daily rate for her to be in the DDP is $40+.

2) I prefer apps over dessert...dessert is something we'll usually get one of and share. This was a great way for Disney to make those on the dining plan pay more OOP, but it sure doesn't show "value" to me.

3) Then the tips...I have mixed reacations about this because although it was nice to not have to worry about the tip, I think service was seriously lacking. At least now (whether on the DDP or paying OOP) I know I can control the tip based on whether or not the server actually earns it. Yes, I always tip, and usually way too much, but maybe this year I'll tip based on the actual performance for once!

I would be TRHILLED to use the DDP again if it was similar to last year. But with the 2008 changes, it lost it's value to us. Disney's loss...we will give them less of our money now and look for alternative food options (including offsite and Gardengrocer).

 

[rcraw45425]

Our one experience with the DDP was a bust for us. I booked it because two of our meals had the holiday surcharge added on and this gave us an opportunity to book YS without feeling the "burn" to our wallet. The DDP made us feel obligated to eat more to justify $160 a day on food for myself, DH and our two girls. The amount of food we wastsed at CS places was obscene. We were forced to get four adult meals at Flame tree when two or even three would have sufficed. Same thing with the CS place at DisneyQuest, tons of food uneaten. Our YS meal came to over $200 of which we added a $45 tip for our server and his assistant. Granted the food was divine but we all left some on our plates.

 

[Tiffany]

Does anyone not go to WDW, stay onsite and not get the DDP? It seems like almost everything I read lately is about the DDP in some form. I am just curious to see what the split is between DDP and not.

We personally are not DDP'ers. We generally eat a light breakfast in the room, TS for lunch (entree only) and TS or 'grazing' for dinner (we like to do progressive eating, think around the Monorail, around the WS, or around DTD). We will either share an app or get one each, and an entree each at a 'traditional' TS meal. We rarely eat dessert with a meal, but will have some kind of sweets later in the evening (think make your own dessert from Goofy's Candy Co!).

So, do you DDP or do you not DDP?

Once they got rid of the app. and tip being included in the price it no longer makes sense for us. We strickly use the DDE Card we also eat at Il Mulino's and Shula's and you cannot get any sort of discounts there but it is well worth the experiance.

 

[Tess]

Every family is different, so each family can experience savings at a different rate with the DDE card. It really depends on how you travel and what you use the card for. Food discounts only, or adult beverage discounts, or Fine Dining, or valet parking.

For us:
April 2007 (4 days 2Adults), Sept/October 2007 (14 days 5Adults/1Child/1Infant), Late October 2007 (4 days 1Adult) and March 2008 (8 days 5Adults/1Child/1Infant)

*AP's were the best ticket option for us. No extra AP Cost.
*We dined at Victoria & Albert's - $250 meal-practically took care of our card cost here. No DDP at V&A's.
*Discounts on Alcoholic Beverages
*Free Valet Parking ($10 savings each time you use it)
*Multiple trips to maximize our AP's and our DDE card

You also mention how it can look like you're saving more than your actually saving. I totally agree! Though the same can be said of any of the dining discounts/plans that Disney offers. The DDP loses a lot of real value if you are not eating the way you want to eat. Yeah it can look like you're saving a lot of money, but if you don't eat the food that you're ordering then are you really saving?

Not to mention the cost of paying rack rate on a room--may work out well if you are staying value, but at deluxe, not such a great deal.

We have APs and get the DDE card too. With four adults it pays for itself quickly especially when you add in the adult beverages for two of those adults who like to visit the pub and other drinks locations at resorts and parks!

I guess we have just never seen the value in any of the dining plans whether it is the latest incarnation or the old "Food & Fun" plans Disney used to offer back in the early 90s. We just don't eat that much at one time AND I wouldn't want to be tied to a TS every day of the vacation. Just not a fan I guess, but to each his own.

 

[Jenvenza]

We were planning on buying it for our upcoming trip, but then I found the DIS and found out about Free Dining! So, we were able to get the free dining and I am so excited about it. I dont see why anyone wouldnt get the free dining if it is offered. Even if you dont use it all, it is free. You arent losing anything. I will see how it goes after this trip, but I think I would probably use it again. even if we had to pay for it. Though I wish appetizer and tip was still included.

 

[DisFlan]

We've used the DDE card for our last three trips and we're very happy with it. We're usually not there for free dining, and we don't really see the DDP as a great value.

The DDE gives us a 20% discount and includes alcohol. The DDP is about a 30% discount on food, but we'd still have to pay OOP for tip and and an appy if we wanted one - and no discount on Disney's pricey drinks or wine. We don't do many CS meals, so those are mostly a waste for us with DDP. We also like being able to pay for EXACTLY what we want to eat, and not what the DDP would force us to pay for. If I want just a glass of wine, a salad and dessert at a TS meal, that's what I get and I don't feel like I've "wasted" anything.

DisFlan

 

[mom of princessx2]

We got DDP last year and loved it especially with all that the TS
included (app and tip). While I do not think it is as much of a value
now, we are still getting next year. Our DD5 and DD3 love the
character dinners and it is worth it for those TS's. We will do 4 in 6 days
but the older they get the less value it will be and we will probably
drop it in the future. Unless it goes back to include everything.

 

[davinakb]

We've used the DDE card for our last three trips and we're very happy with it. We're usually not there for free dining, and we don't really see the DDP as a great value. ... The DDP is about a 30% discount on food ... and no discount on Disney's pricey drinks or wine. We don't do many CS meals, so those are a mostly a waste for us with DDP. We also like being able to pay for EXACTLY what we want to eat, and not what the DDP would force us to pay for. If I want just a glass of wine, a salad and dessert at a TS meal, that's what I get and I don't feel like I've "wasted" anything.

Same here. Never done the DDP, too much food we don't eat (counter) and not enough savings for what we do (signature); now that the app/tip are gone, its "value" is too, IMO. We stick to our DDE card and have saved big every year. We order only what we want, nothing goes to waste, without spending too much time planning on how to use snack/CS credits. That $60 investment has been earned back just in valet parking savings, so every meal puts us in the black. We enjoy our favorite places, foods and wine, with a nice savings too. FWIW.

 

[jamieT]

Ok I read ALL the posts before I responded so I would'nt repeat someone else. The person above me said if it's free why wouldn't you do it? That was my exact feeling. Also the DDP that includes 3 TS meals is crazy! If you want to eat that much, then a much better plan for you is a cruise! And The Disney cruise is supposed to be amazing..we are planning for 2010.

For me I really like the dining plan because I knew we would be making one reservation per night and we would do one counter service. I am not sure if we will exactly come out ahead money wise, but the value for me is having a paid trip. I just lost my job, and I would have been FREAKING out if I had to budget for food. It really would have made me crazy. I love that I can go and all I have to worry about is BBB and souvineers. I am the penny pincher of this family. I really hate spending money everytime I turn around. It's what I love about cruising. I love that Disney offers a plan where I can pick it all out, pay for it and FAGET-ABOUT-IT! It helps me relax so much. This year we are going during free dining, so obviously it was a no brainer, but next year I might use the new plan with the counter service meals, because we will probably be going for a shorter time.

I appriciate that Disney knows they cost a fortune and I appriciate that they take some of the sting out of it for me by letting me pay for it before I come, so I don't feel so bad about buying souvineers. Do I know it is smart business on their part? Yes Do I know that they know it helps me part with my money a little easier? YES, but it takes my stress level down and just let me be fun mommy and that is worth any uneaten food or desert and uneaten snacks...believe me!

 

[Tess]

Ok I read ALL the posts before I responded so I would'nt repeat someone else. The person above me said if it's free why wouldn't you do it? That was my exact feeling. Also the DDP that includes 3 TS meals is crazy! If you want to eat that much, then a much better plan for you is a cruise! And The Disney cruise is supposed to be amazing..we are planning for 2010.

For me I really like the dining plan because I knew we would be making one reservation per night and we would do one counter service. I am not sure if we will exactly come out ahead money wise, but the value for me is having a paid trip. I just lost my job, and I would have been FREAKING out if I had to budget for food. It really would have made me crazy. I love that I can go and all I have to worry about is BBB and souvineers. I am the penny pincher of this family. I really hate spending money everytime I turn around. It's what I love about cruising. I love that Disney offers a plan where I can pick it all out, pay for it and FAGET-ABOUT-IT! It helps me relax so much. This year we are going during free dining, so obviously it was a no brainer, but next year I might use the new plan with the counter service meals, because we will probably be going for a shorter time.

I appriciate that Disney knows they cost a fortune and I appriciate that they take some of the sting out of it for me by letting me pay for it before I come, so I don't feel so bad about buying souvineers. Do I know it is smart business on their part? Yes Do I know that they know it helps me part with my money a little easier? YES, but it takes my stress level down and just let me be fun mommy and that is worth any uneaten food or desert and uneaten snacks...believe me!

With regard to your question in bold. A reason for not taking it if it is "free" is that you get no room discount. Sometimes you are better off getting a great room discount than the "free" dining plan with a rack rate. Other than that reason, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

I think some people enjoy parting with their money early and knowing that the plan is in place and they are paid in full. That's great for you and people like you who find security in doing likewise. As we all say so frequently here on all the boards, Disney does offer something that appeals to everyone!

 

[Hollymom1229]

We've done the DDP twice and will probably never do it again. There are a few reasons. The first was too much food, and a failure to match our eating style. We don't always get a snack per person per day, and we never get dessert with our CS. Also we are more likely to get an appetizer with a TS than a dessert, and even that is usually shared. It's a great deal if we actually ate that much normally, but we just don't. Also, as an AP holder the DDE just makes more sense. I always schedule two trips within the course of one year. And one good pricey meal alone, pays for the cost of the card. That will be Bistro de Paris this time, a restaurant that is not on the DDP.

 

[Golf4food]

Your choices are incomplete. We do it for longer trips when we are taking our time and want to enjoy eating. For shorter trips we do not generally do the DDP.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love the Dinning plan. I did the math it says us money

 

[TDC Nala]

No. Never again.

I got it twice in 2007. I have no further need of it. It isn't a deal and I don't like the restrictions (some very good restaurants don't take it and you have to order certain courses).

 

[chinarider]

We used it 3 years ago and thought that it was advantageous. My only drawback was having reservations somewhere and trying to get there thru parades and crowds etc. We are going again in May and plan to use the dining plan again. This way we splurge and will go to nicer placers and it's all paid for before we leave ( we will be there for 11 days so, we can take our time )-