Does DVC offer a meal plan?

[Degli]

I see that Disney has a dining plan option with their packages? Does DVC have anything similar? MS is closed today for the holiday so I couldn't get an answer. Thanks.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I see that Disney has a dining plan option with their packages? Does DVC have anything similar?

No they don't at this time.

HBC

 

[CarolMN]

No, DVC does not offer any kind of meal plan for point stays.

Many members have requested such a plan, though. It's been reported that DVC is considering making something available for members - we'll just have to wait and see.

FWIW, many DVC members are buying APs/PAPs now that DVC offers members a discount of $100/$125 towards their purchase. All AP/PAP passholders can now purchase the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) cards for $50. The DDE card gives you a 20% discount off meals and beverages (including the alcoholic kind) at the participating restaurants (of which there are many). You only need to spend $250 before the card pays for itself.

I mention it, because the DDE option works for many of us - the MYW dining plan encourages overeating (IMHO) and you must purchase it for the length of your stay. We don't want to eat out as often as the MYW dining plan requires.

Best wishes -

 

[Degli]

It's just not fair that Disney doesn't offer a dining plan to DVC members. As a DVC member, we should get these perks "before" nonmembers. What's up with that? We are going to Disney in May with another family. They are staying at WL and are able to take advantage of the Dining plan option on their package. We on the other hand being members have no such option. This just stinks in my opinion.

 

[Chuck S]

Degli,

The MYW dining plan is available ONLY to people purchasing full rack rate non-discounted rooms. It is not available to FL residents, AP holders or any other "room only" discounted reservation. They are not treating DVCers any differently than any other WDW guest. The Silver and Gold dining packages (which the MYW plan replaced) worked the same way, and were not available to DVCers.

That being said, you have every right to be treated like any other WDW guest...you have the option to purchase a full price plan and room ressie package and not use your DVC points.

Personally, I'd much rather use my points and save a lot of money on my accomodations than pay full price for a resort stay to help cover the costs of what is really a "convenience" package with limited meal choices. Most travel destinations that offer an "all inclusive" type plan do so for customer convenience and marketing, NOT to save the customer any money...you pay for the convenience one way or another.

The DDE/AP plan is much more flexible and suits the needs of MANY DVC owners.

 

[spiceycat]

over the years DVC has tried lots of plans - none meet with great succeed.

the first one disney dinning was (in my opinion) very expensive $75 per day.

the second and third was great - the second one you paid for a set amount like $40 per day and Disney added $5 - but the really nice thing was all the activities were free.....

then they changed it to $50 per day and still added $5 - but they took away the free activities - that was another plan and cost $35.

there might have been around one - between the $75 and $40???

 

[canwegosoon]

I hear you, and perhaps Disney will do something, and perhaps not...but the DDE is at least a big help.

I just wanted to clarify that you do not have to purchase rooms at full rack rates to get the meal plan...AAA members can qualify for a discount and still get the meal plan at this time. So depending on your situation, different things could work for you (don't rule out your options) Have fun planning your trip.

 

[Chuck S]

Except that those AAA discounted packages MUST be booked throgh a AAA travel rep.

 

[Jamesbyr]

I for one am still bewildered by the new tickets and dining plans, but we have 3 months to figure it out. DVC members can save on one or two meals a day, and spend the savings on a nice restaurant. You CAN eat out on vacation three times a day (or more, if some of these reports are to be believed) but it will catch up with you.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

You CAN eat out on vacation three times a day (or more, if some of these reports are to be believed) but it will catch up with you.

Financially as well as in the waist line.

HBC

 

[Alexander]

When we are on vacation, I refuse to cook. So even though we stay with DVC accomodations, we eat out. I cook at home, and really don't feel that spending my time shopping for food, cooking, and cleaning up is how I want to spend my vacation. Just my opinion of course.

Also I don't think the DDE would not really be a benefit to us as we wouldn't likely spend enough on meals to justify the cost of joining. We do not have AP's and would not qualify for the discount. We are 2 adults and a 6 y/o so for $80/day, we would definately benefit from the new meal plan. It would allow us to eat at restaurants (mostly sit-down) that we normally don't go to because of the cost.

With all of that said, how much is the DDE without the discount? Can non-AP, non-FL residents even get it? What restaurants is it good at?

 

[lilstint]

Spoke to a DVC CM today and he told me that the meal plan for DVC members was "being contracted" right now and would be available soon. He would not commit to an exact date.

 

[sarhenty]

oh man, I hope its true!

 

[Alexander]

Spoke to a DVC CM today and he told me that the meal plan for DVC members was "being contracted" right now and would be available soon. He would not commit to an exact date.

This would be wonderful for us! Thanx for sharing!

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....With all of that said, how much is the DDE without the discount? Can non-AP, non-FL residents even get it? What restaurants is it good at?

You must be an AP/PAP passholder or a Florida resident to purchase the DDE. Passholders get a discount. Fl residents do not.

Sounds like there will be a meal plan available to DVC members soon.

Best wishes -

 

[megrod74]

Do you have to have the AP activated to buy the DDE? I will have an AP for our Sept trip but haven't bought it yet.
Does anyone know how this would work?

 

[Dean]

You must be an AP/PAP passholder or a Florida resident to purchase the DDE. Passholders get a discount. Fl residents do not.

Sounds like there will be a meal plan available to DVC members soon.

Best wishes -

Carol, I haven't checked myself, but it is being reported that anyone can now buy DDE for the $75 fee. Several have said they called and confirmed this to be true.

 

[CarolMN]

Carol, I haven't checked myself, but it is being reported that anyone can now buy DDE for the $75 fee. Several have said they called and confirmed this to be true.

Good to know. Thanks. Now I can quit worrying about getting it with the AP. If the discount goes away, it goes away (but I still think the earliest it would go away would be 1/1/2006).

 

[sarhenty]

So do you get the discount on the DDE for being an AP Holder or for being a DVC Member or both?

 

[athenna]

An AP holder.