DVC Dining Plan

[MrShiny]

Note you could do the counter service as breakfast, and the 'snack" could just be a bottle of water.

For us, it makes a lot of sense.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

We got the Dining Plan for free in August, before we were DVC members, went in Jan as DVC without the plan and we REALLY missed it. It was nice not having to worry about how much we were going to spend on a meal, all of us could get whatever we wanted. We are going in October and have already started planning our meals since we will be getting the dining plan for this trip.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I have not kept up on the dining plan. But got a letter now saying DVC can book. $37.99 day pp for 1 main meal, 1 counter meal, etc.

$78 per day for food/snacks SEEMS good.

but we don't eat counter service at all though...thats my concern.

has anyone else signed up to do it? is it a good deal? really?

we already have the DDE card and that saved us $100++ last yr for the week.

just curious....Kim

If you DO eat an appetizer and snack at each TS meal, then it is a good deal, as I believe you can save over 20% of the cost of the TS meal. You would have to do the math.

We are planning on staying at SSR next trip and are planning on getting a DDE to go along with our DP. The main reason for the DDE is to save at V and A when we go this time with a party of 6 (pays for itself). We also don't use our TS credits at any Buffet (as it doesn't maximize value to me). We are planning on using our CS at the place at SSR (don't remember the name) for Breakfast. We will then use the TS for dinner and the DDE and OOP for the cheaper lunch meals. We get the best of both worlds and maxmize our dollars since we will take advatage of dessert and appetizer at dinner, but maybe not for lunch.

We used the DP in June at All Star and I had one of those Small travel fridges good for chilling beer and pop. We got soda bottles for a lot of our snacks at the food court and put them in the fridge to enjoy. Plus getting a water in summer in the parks is nice too. We rarely used our snacks for food.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Note you could do the counter service as breakfast, and the 'snack" could just be a bottle of water.

For us, it makes a lot of sense.

That is our plan next trip. And in the middle of summer, that Snack as a bottle of water gets USED let me tell you.

 

[Boardwalk33]

What is the DDE card?

 

[jacksmom]

When does this start for DVC members??? We are going in March, but I thought I had heard it doesn't start till April?? Does anyone know for sure?

 

[JimMIA]

Depends on the composition of your party and your grazing habits. Remember that the dining plan must be purchased for all members of your party for the entire length of your stay.

With two adults, if you normally eat in nicer Disney restaurants, you'd probably do fine.

We have two adults (although DW questions that occasionally) and DD3goingon23. We NEVER cook, and we ALWAYS eat dinner at a nice place, so for us the DP is a no-brainer...I think. We haven't tried it yet, but I think it works great for us. If we were taking a different mix of folks (like a bunch of adults at $37.99 per day, every day, per person), it might not work as well. If we had four kids under 10, it would be "magical."

We also have the Disney Dining Experience card, which is explained fully on Disney's website, and we'll use that for those weird places that are included in DDE, but not the dining plan...and also for adult beverages, which we consume in modest amounts (but hey -- 20% is 20%!).

 

[Disneyhappy]

I read through almost half of the posts and didn't find the answer to my question. My eyes are just too tired to keep reading at this point. Hopefully, someone will know the answer.

I am renting on points from Sunday - Thursday in August and paying cash for Friday and Saturday nights. Our reservations are linked. I want to get the DP for our whole stay. On Sunday-Thursday it will be DH, DS DF and me. My niece from Tampa is going to join us for the weekend. Can we get the DP for the 4 of us for the first 5 nights and then get it for the 5 of us on the weekend? I have two separate reservation numbers. I know that if we were staying on all points we could not do this.
TIA

 

[Dean]

I read through almost half of the posts and didn't find the answer to my question. My eyes are just too tired to keep reading at this point. Hopefully, someone will know the answer.

I am renting on points from Sunday - Thursday in August and paying cash for Friday and Saturday nights. Our reservations are linked. I want to get the DP for our whole stay. On Sunday-Thursday it will be DH, DS DF and me. My niece from Tampa is going to join us for the weekend. Can we get the DP for the 4 of us for the first 5 nights and then get it for the 5 of us on the weekend? I have two separate reservation numbers. I know that if we were staying on all points we could not do this.
TIA

If you have a cash reservation through CRO and a points reservation, they are not truly linked. My understanding is you will have to check out then back in again. You may be able to stay in the same unit, or may not depending on specifics and how lucky you are. Current indications are you could get it for either portion or for the entire time. But the rules may be different for the cash portion. You'd have to go through Disney directly to add the plan for your cash portion and they may require you to buy a days pass for each person on the reservation as well as a min stay of 3 days from their direction. You should call them and get the info though remember that the answer could change the next time you called.

 

[CarolMN]

I read through almost half of the posts and didn't find the answer to my question. My eyes are just too tired to keep reading at this point. Hopefully, someone will know the answer.

I am renting on points from Sunday - Thursday in August and paying cash for Friday and Saturday nights. Our reservations are linked. I want to get the DP for our whole stay. On Sunday-Thursday it will be DH, DS DF and me. My niece from Tampa is going to join us for the weekend. Can we get the DP for the 4 of us for the first 5 nights and then get it for the 5 of us on the weekend? I have two separate reservation numbers. I know that if we were staying on all points we could not do this.
TIA

If you are a member and booked both the points and cash reservations through MS, it will be treated as though it were one continuous 7 night reservation (assume you are checking out on Sunday). You need to call MS and find out if you can add our neice to the DP for the days she is there. I don't believe anyone has posted an "official" answer to our question. Please let us know what you find out.

If the cash reservation is through CRO/WDWTC, my understanding is the same as Dean's - add to room & ticket package, minimum 3 night stay, etc.

Best wishes -

 

[RichieGraciemom]

question for you of you who have used the dining plan. Does the plan start from checkin. We are staying at pop century our first night, and then going over to bwv on Saturday morning. I assume we have to check in to start using our dining credits. We were not planning on going over ,but did not realize that this might have to happen. We are hoping that we can use them that day, and not the next morning after your first night spend there. Can someone please post your expereiences. Thanks.

 

[keishashadow]

We're doing the same thing in June.

No your Dining Plan will not start until you check-in @ DVC (dining plan will be on your room card)...of course, it's good until midnight the day you check out.

You cannot add on extra days (prior or after) DVC unless you purchase a package @ the resorts.

interestingly enough, I was able to make ADR's for the day before & 2 days after our DVC check-out using the DVC res. number; even though I had my other pre & post res. #'s in hand.

When I made res. for DS's trip in 1/07; the MS CM indicated that by that time, DVC hoped to have the Dining Option set up as pre-pay, as opposed to paying after you check in...of course, then you'd have to make your mind up earlier whether you want the plan or not .

question for you of you who have used the dining plan. Does the plan start from checkin. We are staying at pop century our first night, and then going over to bwv on Saturday morning. I assume we have to check in to start using our dining credits. We were not planning on going over ,but did not realize that this might have to happen. We are hoping that we can use them that day, and not the next morning after your first night spend there. Can someone please post your expereiences. Thanks.

 

[d-r]

We stayed two weeks over the Christmas holiday period.

The first week, which included Christmas and New Year's day (we arrived the 23rd) we stayed at OKW on cash instead of points. There was a nice AP discount, and compared to the holiday point costs, cash made more sense. The second week we stayed on points.

We decided to try out th dining plan that first week since we were paying cash anyway. So we had two weeks right next to each other to compare.

That said, I'm still not sure if we would do it again or not. In some ways I'm thinking it would be good to add it for our trip in May, in other ways not. Our DDE runs out in Feb., and we are thinking of taking our Fall trip to Disneyland instead, then not going back to WDW until the week before Christmas, so in some ways it might make sense to get it for the week in May instead of renewing the DDE card. Its hard to say.

In general, overall, I don't think I like the plan, because of the subtle differences it makes at restaurants. Like the changes in menus, that sort of thing. However, it can be a good deal.

It worked out really well for us on the holiday, because it included our Christmas and New Year's dinners. So we saved a ton on those fixed-price kinds of meals. We also went to coral reef on Jan. 1 (our check out day for the cash reservation) when it had changed down to one credit, so that worked out well.

But it made things seem sort of regimented. Because of the holiday crowds, and because of this plan, we had to have reservations everyday for a long time. It made it feel like we were on a schedule. We are dvc members, not park newbie commandos. So that was sort of weird, but OK.

But here is the other thing. I cold swept through our party that first week. I think we kept most of our meal PS's, but I guess we missed some. Luckily, we had the next week on points. The rule is, you have to use all the credits by midnight the day you check out. Now, I am going to tell the truth here, during the week we used some of our credits for people who weren't on the plan sometimes. We figured it was a paid for meal, and no harm no fouls. What I mean is, our Aunt joined us mid-week that first week for the rest of the trip. So we didnt get her the dining plan, but when she checked in she had a room key, so we used some of the credits for her.

That said, on the check out day, after having lunch at coral reef, we had two table service, I think 6 counter service, and like 18 snacks left. So we for dinner we got counter service for everbody we could, on the plan or not. We went to the mercantile and got 18 snacks - ice creams, stuff like that. We had friends checking in at WLV that same night, and my name was on their reservation, so I got their key and stuffed their freezer full of mickey premium bars before they got there. I also went to artist point and got a buffalo steak to go (which reheats beautiflly under the broiler, btw, if you ever need to burn two sit down credits). Everybody at the restaurants and stuff was really cool about us burning up all the credits at the last minute and helping us to do that.

So there is the whole issue to me about the possibility of not using all the credits. I hate to pay for somethng and not use it. And I don't mind a little bit of schedule, but I don't want to be over-regulated, if that makes sense.

The other thing is, the plan is a little rediculous. They keep throwing deserts at you. Morning, noon, and night, have a desert. Here, have a slice of pie. How about a cake? Throw in some begniets. And some were really good and impossible (for me at least) to pass up (Kona cafe, chocalate wave at coral reef). Amazingly, we didn't gain any weight over the trip - all that walking for sure - but the desert thing was sort of over the top. I mean, do people really eat deserts for every meal, and then a snack on top of that? We'd go to some food court like artist palate and come home with a stack of deserts to stick in the fridge. I don't know how people in regular hotel rooms store it all. We ate at the pizza place in AK and kept trying to give people our deserts but nobody wanted them, they all had the dining plan, too. You can use the snacks for bottle water, which is a pretty good use.

That said, especially considering the holiday, we saved a ton of money on the thing (well, I don't think I'd have brought home an artist point steak for the next day with out, so I don't know how much money we really saved, if you know what I mean). But for certain meals and certain days we surely did.

You are kind of relegated by the counter service thing. We ate at artist palate once for that, which was pretty much a mistake (its a nuthouse, imho), and we ate at the port orleans food court (short drive) which was actually pretty good (I hate the goods to go place). We at once at earl of sandwhich for that, which was pretty good, but that place is crazy busy (and a ton of people are there to use that counter service credit). Our other ones we probably just grabbed a burger or whatever at the parks. The harbor house is pretty good. They have some pretty good counter services that have stuf besides burgers.

I think if people are curious about it and think it might work for them they should try it out once and see. But repared for deserts out the wazoo. After trying it, I'm still not really sure. I think there is a 50-50 chance we will do it in May. In some ways it can be a great deal.

 

[bounceliketigger]

It starts April 1st. HOWEVER, I joined under F & F 2-1. My guide misinformed me & said the plan was already in effect for DVC so we booked a ressie for 8 & everyone wanted "the plan". When I went back to MS to do so, they said "not till April 1". HOWEVER, in ongoing discussions w/ our guide, supervisors, quality assurance, etc. We have learned that the EARLIEST date the "system" will accept "the plan" for DVC is March 26th. We are still in negotiations with them to resolve our issue, but our guide assures us we will have our meals taken care of one way or another. So, if your trip coincides with the 26th & you want to engage in a bit of a battle, you might be successful in getting the plan.

 

[dianeschlicht]

d-r, you just made a good explanation of why the dining plan would NOT be a good idea for us. We rarely order desserts at the sit downs (no room for them), and we would have way too much food available for what we would want to eat. I too hate to "waste" things that I've paid for, so I'd rather get the 20% discount with the DDE card and not feel like I have to gorge myself!

 

[bounceliketigger]

You make an excellent point--it's the drawback we discuss most. However, now that we will have a kitchen, maybe some of that stuff (particularly the late dinners) will make it back for leftovers!

By the by, if that's your home, it's absolutely lovely.

 

[BCV23]

I really don't understand the "too much food" argument. If it is more than you want, don't order it. To me, it is like going to a buffet. Yes, you've paid to eat whatever you want but you don't have to try everything much less eat yourself silly.

But of course you do want to make sure you would eat enough to cover your costs.

For those of us who like to plan, it is easy to plan TS meals, make ARs and check what would likely be ordered. Then choose the plan or not accordingly.

My problem continues to be finding counter service restaurants we would like. That is a whole part of Disney Dining that we know little about. Any good hints out there?

 

[LakeAriel]

Tusker House in Animal Kingdom is a good counter service restaurant, Columbia Harbor House in MK also. How is Pecos Bills? We used the rest room there and ithe dining area was so huge and much nicer inside then I would have thought. Any opinions? I hated the ABC commissary.

 

[lisaviolet]

I really don't understand the "too much food" argument. If it is more than you want, don't order it. To me, it is like going to a buffet. Yes, you've paid to eat whatever you want but you don't have to try everything much less eat yourself silly.

But of course you do want to make sure you would eat enough to cover your costs.

For those of us who like to plan, it is easy to plan TS meals, make ARs and check what would likely be ordered. Then choose the plan or not accordingly.

My problem continues to be finding counter service restaurants we would like. That is a whole part of Disney Dining that we know little about. Any good hints out there?

I think that the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs is a steal for a CS. I mean steak, fajitas and the atmosphere hardly feels like a CS.

Also, I enjoy both Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck's Cafe express. However, since they are not run by Disney they have a lot of "rules" about ordering. At WPC Express they did not allow bottled water or milk as a beverage. I phoned and asked DD about it and they said, "no milk....no water...impossible....you can order them as your beverage...it even states it in our brochure" and then they said after some thought, "oh yeah they are independent of Disney they have their own rules". BTW, the Pepper Market is independent as well...but they only have strict rules for dessert.

But I still think all are great CS options. The food, in my opinion, is very good for a "fast food" place.

The Tusker House, a good choice stated above, has a great grilled salmon.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the hints Lake Ariel and lisaviolet. Too bad about the water and milk at WPC. Do they allow ice tea do you know? We love the Cafe and the ice tea there is wonderful. We did try Earl once shortly after it opened. What's good at Tusker House?

The new place in the Land looks interesting as well. Has anyone tried it? Could be handy since it is right by Soarin.