DVC and Dining Plan - Is it worth it?

[DavidRoss]

Hi All,
I am looking for some feedback on if any of you think the dining plan is a good deal still or if you prefer Tables in Wonderland or no plan at all.

One of the highlights of our trips have always been enjoying good meals. But, we have noticed the price of the dining plan keeps increasing. We usually get the plan that included 1 CS - 1 TS and 1 snack per day. I remember not to long ago that plan was $39.99 and it included gratuities. Now the plan is $51.54 and doesn't include gratuities.

We are planning a week at Saratoga in May. I am also wondering, how many of you opt for TIW over the dining plan now.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We use the TIW card now...since we enjoy appetizers and rarely get dessert ......we're 4 adults so it saves us 20% on adult beverages as well....I "think" the last time we got the dining plan and it had the tip included was in 2007

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have abandoned the DDP. We don't like being forced to have dessert with every meal (particularly the CS meals). In order to "win" with the DDP, you almost have to order the most expensive thing on the menu at every meal. We like some of the less expensive items at some of the restaurants. If you have children under 10 and do several character buffets, the DDP may be a good option, although with our DS5 and 3 character meals per trip, we still don't do it anymore.

We have been using the TIW card. We have AP's, so we can get it for $75/yr. For DVC members, the TIW is $100. In order to recoup the cost, you would need to spend a minimum of $400 during the year to make it worth it. It gives you more flexibility, as you get 20% off all menu items, including alcoholic beverages. It allows us to get appetizers on occasion and share desserts if we want. There is a mandatory 18% gratuity on the bill, but we generally leave that anyway. You can use it for you and up to 9 other guests. It does not work for CS meals, other than a few at AK (Flame-Tree BBQ and a couple of others).

 

[Chuck S]

I could never make the DDP match our preferred dining choices. I've used the TiW since it became available to AP holders and have been very happy with it.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We too use TIW because I prefer water with my meals and an appetizer over a dessert. However over our NYE stay, there are black out days for TIW and we do use the dining plan that you mention, and we do the Fantasmic package, and last time we did Hoop Dee Doo as well with it. When we have the dining plan, I generally go to buffets so I can get appetizers. We especially enjoy the Trails End. We also like the Pepper Market at CSR for some of our counter service meals.

Bobbi

 

[TDC Nala]

Here's when I think it might be worth it to pay for the regular dining plan.

1) You plan on eating a one-credit table service dinner (not breakfast or lunch) every day of your trip.

2) Most of those dinners will be at buffets, character meals or all you can eat family style restaurants OR

3) If most of those dinners are at a la carte restaurants, the majority of your party is likely to choose the more expensive entrees on the menu, and each of you wants your own dessert every night.

Otherwise, with the exception of those who have several kids under 10 (who should probably get the plan anyway because the price for kids is much less than the price for adults), you're likely going to about break even, so if you don't fit the categories above I would say just get the plan if you like the prepayment aspect.

I use TIW, it's more flexible and I don't eat the way the dining plan requires one to eat. TIW won't be much help to those who prefer counter service meals, though.

 

[psac]

We generally eat breakfast in the room and then either one or two table service meals a day, no (or very little) counter service, and often signatures. For us, TIW is PERFECT. Regular dining plan wouldn't be enough credits with the sigs, and the Deluxe plan is way too much food, been there done that. TIW is the way to go for us.

 

[permavac]

We don't do the DDP anymore (not since they got rid of the appetizer at table service restaurants and included the tip) and we don't use TIW. I agree with all of the statements re: sometimes we want an appetizer, usually we don't get dessert, our "favorite" restaurants and meals aren't the most expensive ones and 95% of the time we only drink water with our meals. So, we would not make our money back by paying for the dining plan.

Not sure if this will help but I did a calculation for us that our TS dining credits need to be used every day to purchase a meal (including tax but not tip) of $70 or more (for both of us) to justify the cost of $103.00 per day for 2 adults for the regular dining plan. There are only 2 restaurants that we eat at that we would be spending that much: Cape May Cafe Dinner Buffet and Boma dinner buffet ($85 and $78 for 2 adults). We don't usually go to the signature restaurants (and at 2 TS credits these are definitely not worth being on the regular dining plan for us) and the only other "more expensive" meal we enjoy would be borderline getting the value for: O'Hana dinner buffet $65.98 for 2 adults leaving a "balance" of $37.10 left to spend for the day via 2 QS credits and 2 snacks (which on the surface might not seem that bad). Well, when we eat at O'Hana we typically only split a QS credit that day since we are so stuffed and will maybe use our snacks but if we paid out of pocket we would pay the $65.98 for O'Hana, maybe $12 for one quick service meal to share, and $9 for 2 Dole Whips. That's only a total of $86.98 for the day so we would have "lost" $16 by buying the dining plan. After that, ALL of the other places we like to eat would be far less than $70 for 2 adult meals so we would just be throwing our money away at that point.

All that said, if you are big eaters and always order a soda and dessert at every meal then the DDP may work great for you. I will say this, if we ever do a really short trip (like 3 or 4 nights) and plan on eating at Cape May, Boma and O'Hana then we would definitely do it. Good luck with your decision.

Terri

 

[DiznyDi]

We also use TiW for all of the reasons listed above by previous posters. Even with only 2 adults, we generally make 2 trips per year / 9-14 days each, the card more than pays for itself. We occasionally get a third trip in during the length of the card.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I ALWAYS run the numbers for our specific situation. For us it ALWAYS turns out that TIW is our best deal (if have APs and can get it!) Otherwise the DDP is more expensive vs. what we would order and pay cash for at the same restaurants. If fit is close...I'll usually go for the DDP anyway because it makes me more willing to say "yes" to the kids' snack requests. The other time we opt for the DDP is when we travel with people. It's just easier to split the bill that way (and ensure we get to eat at some TS restaurants...where they may opt for all CS otherwise.)

The DDP is less and less desirable to me every year! Now with the higher cost (including the refillable mugs which are virtually useless to me and the kids) it almost certainly makes it cheaper to just pay cash. I would only get the DDP now out of convenience of use (like traveling with other families.)

 

[lucyem]

I could never make the DDP plan work out for us. People have covered most of the reasons why. Plus I have a 10 yr old "adult" who likes kids meals.

We have had the TIW card for the past year and I just renewed it. So far it has saved us money, not a ton but enough to be worth it. This fall we are taking some friends and we will certainly come out ahead. Next year I am not sure if we will get it again. It will depend on how many sit down meals we have planned etc.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We have been mostly using the DDP until just recently. We always eat at a sitdown for dinner so I thought it was worth it. I hadn't crunched the numbers in a while, so our most recent trip in Feb we didn't do the DDP and I wrote down every penny that we spent. We saved over $300 on a 4 night trip!

We ate at 6 sitdown restaurants, had hardly any CS meals and I do tend to eat more apps than entrees so it isn't an apples for apples comparison. But, we saved alot of money and I actually enjoyed my food more since I could order whatever I wanted on the menu. We also only had water instead of sodas because the cost is ridiculous, and an added bonus was we didn't gain as much weight on the trip!

BTW we are a family of 2A/2C if that helps and we did purchase the TiW card, I didn't factor that into my savings because I probably would have bought that anyway for DH's beer and his nightly visits to ESPN

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We tried the DDP several times. It just isn't for us. We're sold on TIW. Not looking back.

 

[disneynutz]

Hi All,
I am looking for some feedback on if any of you think the dining plan is a good deal still or if you prefer Tables in Wonderland or no plan at all.

One of the highlights of our trips have always been enjoying good meals. But, we have noticed the price of the dining plan keeps increasing. We usually get the plan that included 1 CS - 1 TS and 1 snack per day. I remember not to long ago that plan was $39.99 and it included gratuities. Now the plan is $51.54 and doesn't include gratuities.

We are planning a week at Saratoga in May. I am also wondering, how many of you opt for TIW over the dining plan now.

IMO every year the DDP has less value and the food gets more mediocre. We find ourselves eating more in our villa or eating off site.

Our one exception next month is the deluxe DDP for one day to cover our Narcoossee's dinner.

Bill

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

ITS NOT FOR US SO NO I DONT THINK SO

 

[Dean]

Hi All,
I am looking for some feedback on if any of you think the dining plan is a good deal still or if you prefer Tables in Wonderland or no plan at all.

One of the highlights of our trips have always been enjoying good meals. But, we have noticed the price of the dining plan keeps increasing. We usually get the plan that included 1 CS - 1 TS and 1 snack per day. I remember not to long ago that plan was $39.99 and it included gratuities. Now the plan is $51.54 and doesn't include gratuities.

We are planning a week at Saratoga in May. I am also wondering, how many of you opt for TIW over the dining plan now.

You should run the numbers to see how it fits for you. The group that the DDP variations work for is getting smaller but for many, it's still a great choice. Remember TIW has an up front cost and mostly covers TS only but does include ETOH. We still get around a 50% bonus with the DDP when we get it but our actual cost is about these same with or without. We just take the opportunity to try things we couldn't normally and get dessert's and snacks we normally would pass on. Shorter stays, kids 3-9 and more expensive single credits options/locations are going to give you the best value.

 

[Leshaface]

Didn't want to start a new thread but have a slightly OT question.

We're brand new to DVC and our trips have always consisted of the Dining plans. I noticed, Bill, that you mentioned you'll have the Deluxe dining for one day of your trip for Narcoossee's. Do you not have to have the dining plan for every night of your trip? For example, if I have a 6 night reservation at AKV, can I just add 4 days of the Deluxe dining for some of the Table Service restaurants we would like to do?

Also, for the TiW card. Can you just be a DVC member or do you have to have an AP to purchase this?

Thanks everyone and I hope you don't mind the question OP

 

[DebbieB]

DDP used to include appetizers too.

We don't do any plan. It's me and a couple of friends. We usually eat breakfast in the room, have a table service late lunch and then grab a counter service.

 

[Sammie]

Didn't want to start a new thread but have a slightly OT question.

We're brand new to DVC and our trips have always consisted of the Dining plans. I noticed, Bill, that you mentioned you'll have the Deluxe dining for one day of your trip for Narcoossee's. Do you not have to have the dining plan for every night of your trip? For example, if I have a 6 night reservation at AKV, can I just add 4 days of the Deluxe dining for some of the Table Service restaurants we would like to do?

Also, for the TiW card. Can you just be a DVC member or do you have to have an AP to purchase this?

Thanks everyone and I hope you don't mind the question OP

You do not have to have an AP to get the TIW but it cost more.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Do you not have to have the dining plan for every night of your trip?

Also, for the TiW card. Can you just be a DVC member or do you have to have an AP to purchase this?

There was a time when DVC members could segment their stay by having a different room reservation number for different days of the same visit, but still stay in the same room the whole time. DVC eliminated that last year; it was some sort of computer loophole that was closed.

Now, the only way to "segment" your stay and have DDP on only certain days of your visit is to change room types within a resort or change resorts entirely, such as a split stay. For example, we have a trip coming up with 4 nights at AKV followed by 5 nights at BLT. We could have the dining plan for either one of those stays without having to do it for the other. But, it would have to be for the entire length of the 4 nights at AKV or 5 nights at BLT.

As a PP noted, the TIW can be purchased as a DVC member without having an AP. It is $75 for AP holders and $100 for DVC members. You can purchase it upon arrival at any of the guest services windows at the parks. You will need your DVC membership card and a picture ID to make the purchase.