Dvc and adding dining plan...

[Bertie131]

This will be our first time as DVC and our first time not having free dining. We just can't decide if it is a good idea to buy the dining plan or pay OOP. Do most of you buy the dining plan or just pay as you go? TIA!

 

[vicki_c]

Tables in Wonderland dining discount card.


Www.tablesinwonderland.com

 

[Bertie131]

Tables in Wonderland dining discount card.


Www.tablesinwonderland.com

I have heard of this. Isn't it only good for one year? Would the price to purchase it be worth the savings if we are only going to be able to use the card for one stay?

 

[CdnKayDee]

Overall I am a big no on the dinning plan. Here is why. Lets say you go to Crown and Hand for dinner. You think the fish for $19 looks good but there are 3 entrees for more money and one is $27. Now you think well I did pay $56 dollars for this meal credit but I do have a QS and snack also and how much is the dessert hmmm am I going to lose money if I get my 19 dollar fish if I get the $27 steak how much am I ahead.
That's why I don't like the dining plan it makes you think about other things rather then just what you want. I know I know even if you ordered the $19 fish and the cheapest dessert and so on so on you may actually still break even but still people think about what is most expensive item that I think I will like and do really need the dessert. And yes Tables in Wonderland and a banana and muffin for breakfast.

 

[disneynutz]

We eat in our villa and out of pocket when we eat out. Usually just a couple of restaurants on property per vacation. We go so often, we find the food just okay for the most part and the service the same. Not worth the premium price that Disney charges IMO.

Bill

 

[Bertie131]

I assume even with DVC we would have to buy a dining plan for each person on the room reservation, right?

 

[DebbieB]

I assume even with DVC we would have to buy a dining plan for each person on the room reservation, right?

Yes, each person for every night. No pick & choose.

I haven't bought the dining plan for 7 years. Pay as we go.

 

[rmcildw2m]

I have been doing the Q/S dinning plan for me and my group for about 3 yrs now . It has worked well for us . It may not have saved us a lot of money but I did not have to reach for my wallet each time either when going to eat and that was nice . you per pay and you know what your food cost are .

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I:
Pay OOP
Eat in
Get a discount of some kind at an offsite location.
Get family to give us gift cards to offsite locations for birthday/anniversary/holidays.

 

[FlipHipster]

I think its a nice incentive when booking through Disney if they are offering the "free" DDP, but I would never pay OOP for it with no discounts. Basically you are taking cash, which is good anywhere for anything, and giving it to Disney so they can put restrictions on it and give it back to you under the guise that you are getting a deal.

We are planning our fall trip and we are budgeting basically the same amount as buying the standard plan. The difference is our itinerary is heavy on TS, character meals and a few Sigs. On the DDP, we would be out of TS credits by the 3rd day of a 10 day trip and paying OOP for the remainder.

I know some people think its a deal but I haven't been able to see the light yet

 

[Bertie131]

I think its a nice incentive when booking through Disney if they are offering the "free" DDP, but I would never pay OOP for it with no discounts. Basically you are taking cash, which is good anywhere for anything, and giving it to Disney so they can put restrictions on it and give it back to you under the guise that you are getting a deal.

We are planning our fall trip and we are budgeting basically the same amount as buying the standard plan. The difference is our itinerary is heavy on TS, character meals and a few Sigs. On the DDP, we would be out of TS credits by the 3rd day of a 10 day trip and paying OOP for the remainder.

I know some people think its a deal but I haven't been able to see the light yet

Very good point.

 

[DisneyNurse19]

We have only had the DDP once and have decided unless we are given it free never to have it again. For one thing is was far too much food for us and we also had the stress of trying to get reservations to use it on.

 

[Dean]

This will be our first time as DVC and our first time not having free dining. We just can't decide if it is a good idea to buy the dining plan or pay OOP. Do most of you buy the dining plan or just pay as you go? TIA!

It depends on your group esp kids 3-9, length of stay, reservations and dining style. It's almost impossible to get any real savings out of the QS plan unless you rate the mugs as a significant value AND hit a % of the options that are in the $15 a meal range like WPE & combo meals AoA/Cosmic Ray's. The Dlx is the easiest to show value but it's hard to eat that much for most situations. The Basic plan depends on where you're eating and the group but it currently difficult to see much or any savings with. This assumes legal usage of the credits.

I have been doing the Q/S dinning plan for me and my group for about 3 yrs now . It has worked well for us . It may not have saved us a lot of money but I did not have to reach for my wallet each time either when going to eat and that was nice . you per pay and you know what your food cost are .

With the current prices you may want to look at the comparison's, you may very well be paying more for the QS than OOP AND assuming the included risks.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

We love the dining plan and TIW. We actually use both. Also, we buy discounted Disney gift cards from BJ's to use on our OOP dining costs such as drinks, non-dining plan food and tips.

I always check out the menus and add up the costs beforehand to ensure we are saving money with the dining plan. It really depends on how you use it.