DVC and the Dining Plan

[Tara]

I wasn't disagreeing with the cost based on the number of nights, as that's a fact. I was disagreeing with the analysis that it makes a huge difference in cost - which was implying you'd be using a table service on your final day - however, you've already checked out prior to needing a table service/dinner on the final day. For most people, they are already on the road, in transit, or home already for dinner.

While the PP had it a bit backwards, I believe arrival and departure CAN make a big difference in the usefulness of credits. If you arrive late and leave early, you have less time to use credits on both ends of the trip. This can make it easier to balance out using a signature TS meal, but can also lead to unused credits.

 

[crisi]

So, you have to spend between $375 and $500 on food before you break even for the cost of it and actually get any payback with your 20% discount. On top of that it is an annual cost.

No thank you.

We had ten people last trip. Two signature meals. Wine and other alcoholic drinks. Saved us about $1000.

Not necessarily worth it when its just the four of us. But with a large party, definately worth it.

 

[Tara]

We had ten people last trip. Two signature meals. Wine and other alcoholic drinks. Saved us about $1000.

Ours paid for itself in 1 meal at Jiko and 1 meal at CA Grill in November 2008. In 46 days we're taking trip #3 using the card - needless to say we're getting our money's worth! I so prefer the flat discount on our whole meal versus what's included, what isn't, separate checks for things that aren't, figuring the smartest way to use our credits, having all the left-over CS credits (we rarely eat CS), etc.

On our trip in November we'll have my sister and her husband and son with us, so we'll save even more. I didn't keep close tabs on what we've saved to date but I think I will track it this time.

 

[mnra]

Ok can dvc members staying on points buy the dinning plan. And what is the cost of the different dinning plans

thank you

 

[Debbie Jean]

Ours paid for itself in 1 meal at Jiko and 1 meal at CA Grill in November 2008. In 46 days we're taking trip #3 using the card - needless to say we're getting our money's worth! I so prefer the flat discount on our whole meal versus what's included, what isn't, separate checks for things that aren't, figuring the smartest way to use our credits, having all the left-over CS credits (we rarely eat CS), etc.

On our trip in November we'll have my sister and her husband and son with us, so we'll save even more. I didn't keep close tabs on what we've saved to date but I think I will track it this time.

Also, with the TIW, valet parking is free... if you have a car and are dining at various resorts, this can add up fast

 

[southern_belle21]

I was wondering about how you add the DDP. Also, I thought I had read that someone had done a few days of the Deluxe DDP, and then had the regular DDP for the rest of their stay. Is this possible since you pay for it per day? Just wondering.

 

[Tara]

I was wondering about how you add the DDP. Also, I thought I had read that someone had done a few days of the Deluxe DDP, and then had the regular DDP for the rest of their stay. Is this possible since you pay for it per day? Just wondering.

You can call Member Services and add it to your reservation, but it must be done more than 48 hours prior to check in. It is paid for at check in.

You can split the dining plan only if you have a split reservation, such as a split stay between 2 resorts, or a move from 1 room category to another in the same resort.

 

[saturndb]

The DDP savings will vary depending on what you like to eat. The DW and I save on average 300.00 per stay and we just order whatever we want, money not being a object. We prefer deserts over apps anytime. factoring the cost of the tip for the DDP, TIW or OOP does not factor in since the tip amount would be the same, based of the dollar amount before the discount.

The nice thing about the DDP or TIW is each one fills a different need. We do not drink, so the TIW would most likely not be our biggest savings, those who do can save a good amount with the TIW plan vs the DDP.

Dave

 

[Dean]

While the PP had it a bit backwards, I believe arrival and departure CAN make a big difference in the usefulness of credits. If you arrive late and leave early, you have less time to use credits on both ends of the trip. This can make it easier to balance out using a signature TS meal, but can also lead to unused credits.

I would agree but go a step further. IMO, the options on the first and last day of a trip are often make or break for the reasonableness of getting the plan. We often stay off property on the first night and go check in early AM. Of course the room is often not ready but sometimes it is. This gives us all day including breakfast to use it day 1. We generally plan for lunch the last day but haven't made it as late as dinner on the last day due to a 4 hour drive ahead of us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We paid rack rate of $82 per night at All Stars and received $120 worth of daily dining for our family. Not worth it to use DVC points for that trip in my mind.

Look at it however you like.

But you had to stay in a Value Resort. Not even close to a DVC resort. I guess some people buy DVC to stay in nicer accomodations and some buy DVC to ??

 

[rentayenta]

After dissecting the DDP to death, it is just not worth it for our family. We bought into DVC knowing that "free" dining would no longer be an option as well. I have had friends rent their points and stay Moderate in order to take advantage of "free" dining. No thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was wondering about how you add the DDP. Also, I thought I had read that someone had done a few days of the Deluxe DDP, and then had the regular DDP for the rest of their stay. Is this possible since you pay for it per day? Just wondering.

If you are a DVC member staying on a DVC reservation, you call Member Services to add the DDP to your reservation at least two or three days ahead of time and pay for it when you arrive.

If you are not a DVC member and rented a reservation from a member, the member will have to add the dining plan to your reservation and you still pay for it when you check in.

If you are not staying on a DVC reservation and made your reservation through a travel agent or directly through Disney, dining must be part of a package that includes tickets for all guests on the reservation.

The dining plan is an all or none deal. You get the plan for every night of your stay and everyone on the reservation must also get it. You can't pick and choose the days you want the dining plan and you can't switch between the different plans without checking out and checking in again.

 

[Dean]

The dining plan is an all or none deal. You get the plan for every night of your stay and everyone on the reservation must also get it. You can't pick and choose the days you want the dining plan and you can't switch between the different plans without checking out and checking in again.

In general yes, however, if you have multiple villas or split reservations the all or none issue does break down and you can pick and choose.

 

[jennypenny]

We have used both the DDP and TIW. In general I prefer the freedom of the TIW plan, but it depends on the situation. When we travel with our extended family we prefer the DDP because it's much easier to split the check. I personally hate the drama involved with splitting the check (some families less drama, our family more drama). But, for our family alone we like the TIW card. Especially since we have a 10yo picky eater who would never take full advantage of his adult plan. It depends on your children--our now 13yo ate anything and everything so it was a no-brainer for her.

If you only travel once per year you can still get your money's worth. If you travel one week earlier the following year you can use your APs and TIW for two trips. That's the best way financially if you can do that.

Something in my gut tells me that the DDP can't be a great deal if Disney is giving it away for half of the year now...

 

[mjh8955]

Can you purchase a dining plan if your are not a DVC owner but have traded exchange points through RCI and are staying at a DVC resort, AND if you already have tickets??

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can you purchase a dining plan if your are not a DVC owner but have traded exchange points through RCI and are staying at a DVC resort, AND if you already have tickets??

Yes, you should have a contact number for DVC on your reservation. Just add it by calling Member Services at least 48 hours before the start of your trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

We paid rack rate of $82 per night at All Stars and received $120 worth of daily dining for our family. Not worth it to use DVC points for that trip in my mind.

Look at it however you like.

You got an extremely good rate...I am paying about $93, and adding $10 a day pp (for two people) to upgrade to the regular DDP vs QSDP.

So, you have to spend between $375 and $500 on food before you break even for the cost of it and actually get any payback with your 20% discount. On top of that it is an annual cost.

No thank you.

Not an issue when you spend about 2-3 weeks in WDW each year.

We received one table service a day, plus one counter service a day, plus a snack a day. For our table service we ate at Ohana, Coral Reef, The Wave, Les Chefs, 1900 Park Fare, Cape May, and Sci Fi.

Again...you got a great rate..mine is much more. But, that's in Dec so maybe that's the difference.

I own DVC at BWV. Sometimes I get the DDP, sometimes I don't. I do sit down before each trip and figure out how it is going to work better...DDP or TiW. Last month, we did TiW for our weeklong stay, and it was cheaper than going with the DDP. But, in Dec, it makes more sense to use the DDP for our BWV stay. Then, my friend goes home and I stay. I move to POP and get free dining, with another friend. For my meals, if I'm not using DDP credits, I can use my TiW card and get that 20% off...it really is a good thing.
But you do have to sit down and do your homework to see what is going to work out better for each trip.

 

[bevis]

Incorrect.

You will generally arrive on your first day in time to use your table service/dinner - as official check-in is 4PM.

If you think about it, it does make sense...check in time is 4PM and check out time is 11 AM - so the number of dinners/table service is going to be the number of nights you stay.

It is based on the number of 24 hour periods you are there. On your last day, though you checkout at 11AM, you still have your counter service and snack available.

Been away from the boards a couple days.
I kind of get what you're saying but my point was, depending upon one's understanding of the DDP, the number of credits one receives is based upon NIGHTS, not DAYS, and CAN (should have highlighted can) make a huge difference. We get to Disney early on our arrival day and from discussions on the boards about the ability or not to get a room early, before 4pm, I believe many others do as well. If one leaves later on their departure day, well after 11am, one MAY be short a meal credit or two. If one expects credits totaling the number of DAYS, and happens to be in the described situation, he/she could be in for a rude awakening. I actually happened to overhear a family that had already checked out and seemed to expect counter service credits were there when they were'nt. They held up a line at Roaring Forks for 15 minutes arguing the point to the cashier, only to find out that they used credits on their arrival day EARLY and thought they had credits PER DAY.

 

[disneynutz]

The value for any of the dining plans is dependent upon how you use it. I would guess that most don't seek out the best deals, otherwise Disney wouldn't offer it.

People don't think of the dining credits as money so it's easy to waste them. Some have posted that they were so excited that a CS location let them use a TS credit to buy a hamburger. That's like paying $55 for a $12 hamburger, not a good deal in my opinion, but the OP was happy and that's all that matters.

 

[rsinj]

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