DVC Dining Plan

[cgcruz]

I'm thinking of renting points again for a trip in December 2006. However, I really want the dining plan. We had it last august for free and loved it. I just don't want to book through a DVC rental and have the dining plan option gone by december. I loved staying at the boardwalk villas, but really want the Dining plan.

 

[Chuck S]

Since the plan doesn't even start for DVC until April 1st, I doubt seriously it will disappear before December 2006. I imagine as long as a similar plan is available to regular WDW resort guests, it will be available to DVC. However, if they make substantial changes to the WDW plan (like they did when they changed from the previous silver/gold/platinum plans to the current MYW plan), DVC may drop it or have to renegotiate with WDW Dining/Travel.

 

[Anewman]

I imagine that since DVC members can book their own resort 11 months out, Disney should know to give us 11 months notice of the last date of use.

 

[Disneymaniacs]

We added it to our May trip also...since that one is just DH and I, it's a good chance to try the plan out. We usually do at least one sit down a day - whether it's a big lunch, or a dinner. And since the plan is per night, but can be used anyway you want, you can do a big lunch on your last day (if your departure time allows it), instead of one of your "dinners".

And also, there are a few restaurants that are 2 dinners...so I don't think I'll have any problem maximizing our meal credits. Actually, I have ADR's in place for all my sit downs already!

We are going to try it in May. We are staying 4 nights- so we will get credits for 4 counter service, 4 snacks, and 4 sit down meals per guest. Our plan is to have dinner on the night of arrival and a counter, sit down, and snack each day we are there. This will leave only one counter service and one snack for the day we check out so the big meal on the last day will not work in this situation, but a counter service breakfast or lunch and a snack will. I just wanted to say this so that someone doesn't misinterpret this and plan for all meals on the day of arrival, each day you stay, and the day you depart.

 

[bicker]

I wouldn't count on that, Anewman. There is no such guarantee expressed or implied. Disney can end the offering without notice, by simply no longer offering it to new bookings. For example, I recently booked a DVC vacation for early next year. I was not able to "book" the Dining Plan along with it. (That's not to say that I won't be able to book it later, but currently they're not accepting Dining Plan bookings on DVC reservations in 2007.)

My guess is that the offering will be reviewed each year, probably over the summer, and the decision will be made then whether or not to offer it for the next year. I'm also guessing that it will be offered in 2007. There isn't much reason for them not to offer it, though perhaps at a higher price.

 

[bicker]

A lot will depend on our plans for 2008. If we're definitely going back in 2008, then we probably will consider Annual Passes for 2007-2008, and then will consider DDE. Otherwise, we'll surely do the Dining Plan in 2007. I figured that it would cost us what we would have paid for one CS and one TS meal each day, plus give us a "free" appetizer and a "free" snack each day.

 

[Mazz519]

I also have a ressie in December and I already booked the dining plan, I would assume that it will probably be around for at least a year and the DVC will re-evaluate it.

 

[sleepydog25]

We are still undecided. Our usual eating habits while at Disney are to have a light breakfast in the room, then one main meal about early evening.

Very seldom would be eat Full service meals everyday that require ADRs. I have concerns about the about of time that will be required to that.

If one eats this type of meal daily, it is definitely a savings. We just don't want to filled pressured into eating too much, too often because we paid for it.

I'm with you, Sammie. We're not huge eaters, and when we do splurge, we may choose several options off a menu that wouldn't be covered. Plus, though I know the particulars of the dining plan aren't that hard to master, it's just one more thing I'd rather not have to focus on when I'm on vacation. We also tend to eat breakfast in the room, take a lunch with us into the parks (most of the CS is still just fast food), and then perhaps take in a nice dinner at night. Like you, I'm afraid we'd feel pressured to eat more simply to make the dining plan economically beneficial. I ran the figures once, and the savings just weren't appreciable for our eating habits. I do think it's a good program for those who choose to use it. Now, if they'd only come up with a park ticket plan that offered substantial savings to those of us for whom the AP won't help. . .

 

[bicker]

I look at it differently: What would I be eating otherwise? My biggest concern about the Dining Plan is that it will force us to eat too many counter-service meals -- too much junk food like hot dogs and hamburgers and french fries. For our health, I almost feel that we'd be better off with two TS meals per day, because with the TS meals you can always find healthy options, or talk with the chef about preparing something in a more healthy manner.

I'm leaning towards the Dining Plan now, though, because, as most folks here know, there are more and more healthy choices available at CS these days. Tusker House, Seasons, and some of the others offer far better choices than were generally available at CS ten years ago.

 

[Daitcher]

This is a good thread. My take is that I won't use it for a variety of reasons. I don't like feeling obligated to eat out all the time. They say variety is the spice of life and I like variety. Sometimes we eat out, sometimes we cook in, sometimes we eat off site. I don't like be limited where I can eat either. It very well depends on your families habits.

This is where I have a problem with this new plan. I have already seen the negative affects of this. They eliminated to go orders at OKW from Olivias. The Goods menu has been scaled down to reflect this. I can't help but think this was done with an eye on the dining plan in April for DVC members. Also at Beaches and Cream at BC no more food from the to go side until 6:00 p.m. This also I feel was done becuase of the dining plan. People getting more sit down type food with the counter service coupons.

We have to ask ourselves, Is the dining plan worth it, if it means even more limited choices? I say no, and I'm sorry the plan was ever added for DVC members. It has already affected this family. For many it will save them money, but is it really all about saving money? You are on vacation after all.

DAVE

 

[browniemtb]

I definitely think its worth it...especially if you have the little ones and do some character dining. Figure that the cost per adult is $38 a day and child is $11. One character meal cost over $100 at the Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree. On top of this you get 1 counter service.....and a snack. But now if you are traveling adults only the DDE card may be a better choice. Because some of the restaurants that take the DDE card will not take the DDP. We were down last week and never used our DDE card....and we also weren't able to take advantage of the DDP plan either. So to sum it up I would say if you have young kids and do not plan on many real sit down dinners the DDP is the way to go. If your planning on a lot of nice sit down dinners than the DDE is the way to go. Just my opinion...
Brownie

 

[duels23]

maybe i've missed this along the way, however, we are looking into renting points for a stay this summer. we already have our theme park tix and a ressie at pop century, but if we can find a good deal on points we're going to change that.

my quandry is this: under my current ressie (room only-planning to use ap discount. bought park tix seperately), i am not eligible for the ddp b/c i did not buy everything as part of a package, can't return park tix and start over, so we're going with the dde instead. did the math works out about the same. however, dw and dmil like the idea of the ddp much better-for convenience sake, so if i could get it that would be better for us anyway.

question is this: if i drop the pop century ressie, rent points at dvc, can i purchase the ddp even though i'm not buying a package and already have park tix?

thanks.

 

[bicker]

I believe the answer is yes.

 

[zalansky]

Good morning fellow DVCR's....
We are taking my DH's family to BWV Labor Day weekend and using our points for the rooms - 3 studios for his family for only 2 nights and we have a one bedroom for ourselves 4 nights (i'll need to recover once they checkout then I can relax!)
Anyway, I have finally convinced them to add on the dining plan. Problem is, there will be 10 of us all together - 8 adults and 2 children. Does anyone know which better sit downs can accomodate a party this size for ADR's? Because we'll have the dining plan, of course we'd like to eat at the better restaurants to get the most bang for the buck, if you will.
And, off topic, I want to try and book an Illuminations cruise (AKA specialty cruise) for one of the nights we'll be there. The trip is to celebrate the in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. We want to surprise the group with this. Has anyone done this?
Thanks in advance!

 

[pbharris4]

question is this: if i drop the pop century ressie, rent points at dvc, can i purchase the ddp even though i'm not buying a package and already have park tix?

thanks.

Yes, you can get the DP if you rent points from a DVC member. Make sure to tell the person you are renting from that you'd like to add the DP so when they make the reservation (or if they already have one) that they tell Member Services to add it on for you. You will pay for hte DP when you check in. You can cancel the DP up to 3 days before your trip, but not after that. You do not need tickets or packages or anything else.

We're DVC members and bought 10 day non expire tickets to spread out over a few years and we added the DP this trip. I would strongly suggest though to keep the Pop Century reservations until you find DVC to rent and have paid your deposit. After then you can cancel Pop Century..just to be safe. HTH

 

[Donna]

Good morning fellow DVCR's....
We are taking my DH's family to BWV Labor Day weekend and using our points for the rooms - 3 studios for his family for only 2 nights and we have a one bedroom for ourselves 4 nights (i'll need to recover once they checkout then I can relax!)
Anyway, I have finally convinced them to add on the dining plan. Problem is, there will be 10 of us all together - 8 adults and 2 children. Does anyone know which better sit downs can accomodate a party this size for ADR's? Because we'll have the dining plan, of course we'd like to eat at the better restaurants to get the most bang for the buck, if you will.
And, off topic, I want to try and book an Illuminations cruise (AKA specialty cruise) for one of the nights we'll be there. The trip is to celebrate the in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. We want to surprise the group with this. Has anyone done this?
Thanks in advance!

You might want to get a grand gathering Cm to help you. You can get all kinds of special rates on fireworks cruises and specialty get-togethers and they will also help you with ADRs. I have a group of 10 going in august and if grand gatherings does your ADRs, you get priority treatment at your sit down meals as far as seating and not waiting. There are some restaurants where you will have no choice but to eat at different tables near each other. I know Coral Reef comes to mind. The disney website has the grand gathering contact info and all the details of the events you are eligible for (any party of 8 or more is eligible).

 

[Sherri]

I think I almost have DH convinced to go with the dining plan. Are there an TS places that you you only need to use one sit down credit for instead of two? Is there a list or a link somewhere that I can find out about that. Also what is considered a snack? Is it drink and popcorn or ice cream and a drink?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[patsal]

I think I almost have DH convinced to go with the dining plan. Are there an TS places that you you only need to use one sit down credit for instead of two? Is there a list or a link somewhere that I can find out about that. Also what is considered a snack? Is it drink and popcorn or ice cream and a drink?
Thanks in advance for the help.

Many TS only require one credit--only signature dining (CG, Jiko, Flying Fish, CRT, etc) require two. Most restaurants only require one. As for the snack it is one item a water, a soda, a popcorn, an ice cream, a big grab bag of chips, a rice crispy treat. Basically if you spend more than 40 per adult on food and you only eat one TS and CS per day it works out well. We usually never eat out for brakfast, grab CS in the parks and plan a dinner out most evenings so it works out fine.

 

[Sherri]

Thank you so much for the information. Is it too late for us to add it for our July trip? Did we have to add it when we made our reservations?
We usually only eat twice a day when we are in the parks also so it does make it worth it for us. We have breakfast before we leave our room. Are you able to make reservations while using the dining plan?
Thanks-

 

[patsal]

Thank you so much for the information. Is it too late for us to add it for our July trip? Did we have to add it when we made our reservations?
We usually only eat twice a day when we are in the parks also so it does make it worth it for us. We have breakfast before we leave our room. Are you able to make reservations while using the dining plan?
Thanks-

Call MS and ask them to add it to your reservation. You don't pay until you arrive. Yes, you can make your advanced dining reservations while you are on the phone with MS. This year was the first time I used MS to make my ADR's and it was very quick and easy--I doubt I'll ever do tham any other way again!