DVC Dining Plan

[DebbieB]

For 2013 arrival dates:
$37.58 per night, per guest ages 10+
$14.32 per night, per guest ages 3-9

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...ngplan/2013DVCQuickServiceDining-12-13-12.pdf

I really can't figure how you save much on this. My counter service is typically around $10-$12 and you figure a snack around $4 or $5. I don't usually get dessert so add that on but I can't figure how it would be more then $37.58. I know you get the mug but that's not alot.

Hi
I am still trying to understand since joining DVC (Oct 2012).
Let me see if I understand this :
I can call MS and ask for the DDP to be added to my reservation prior to check in? ( I check in Sept 2013).
And I do not have to pay for it today, but on check in??
Do I still need to give a CC # or can I just tell them I'm using my Disney Gift Card( not not have it on file)?.
Please let me know. TIA

tigger2ntinkerbell

You have to pay for it when you add it and it has to be at least 48 hours before check-in. You can't wait until check-in.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

DebbieB,
Got it , thank you!.

 

[Chuck S]

Hi
I am still trying to understand since joining DVC (Oct 2012).
Let me see if I understand this :
I can call MS and ask for the DDP to be added to my reservation prior to check in? ( I check in Sept 2013).
And I do not have to pay for it today, but on check in??
Do I still need to give a CC # or can I just tell them I'm using my Disney Gift Card( not not have it on file)?.
Please let me know. TIA

tigger2ntinkerbell

You must now pay for the dining plan at the time you call to have it added to the reservation. You may pay with gift cards or credit cards. You may no longer pay at check-in. That changed a couple years ago with one of the system upgrades to make the DVC Reservation system more compatible with the cash reservation system. The DDPs, IMO, rarely actually saves money, unless you are traveling with several children under 10 years old.

 

[mercydisney]

Please check carefully because for most situations it's difficult to get any savings now days using the QS plan and there is risk.

Why do you think it is a risk? Do you think I am better off not purchasing? I keep going back and forth about the whole dining plan.
It will be me, not that much of a big eater, my DD17 who loves to eat, nd DD12 sometimes she eats sometimes she don't crazy2.

All suggestions wanted.

Thanks

 

[Dean]

Why do you think it is a risk? Do you think I am better off not purchasing? I keep going back and forth about the whole dining plan.
It will be me, not that much of a big eater, my DD17 who loves to eat, nd DD12 sometimes she eats sometimes she don't crazy2.

All suggestions wanted.

Thanks

There are two types of risk. One that something may happen after your cancellation date to prevent or cut the trip short and other that if there is any type of illness or injury during the trip you may have credits unused or that you would have used otherwise for a better value. This happened on our last time getting the DP, we arrived late and had dinner, I was then ill for the rest of the trip and did not eat a regular meal. I sat there while my wife ate meals (or part of each) that we normally would have shared.

As for value, it's VERY difficult to do much more than break even with the QS plan without doing the combo meals, WPE & PM and that's even with the mugs (which are certainly not worth the retail price for most) and the fact that some snacks are now upwards of $5. Too much risk, too little benefit for most. But there are special situations such as very short stays, kids 3-9 that eat better than most. Personally I think it's far too large a risk unless you're getting a REAL savings.

 

[mercydisney]

There are two types of risk. One that something may happen after your cancellation date to prevent or cut the trip short and other that if there is any type of illness or injury during the trip you may have credits unused or that you would have used otherwise for a better value. This happened on our last time getting the DP, we arrived late and had dinner, I was then ill for the rest of the trip and did not eat a regular meal. I sat there while my wife ate meals (or part of each) that we normally would have shared.

As for value, it's VERY difficult to do much more than break even with the QS plan without doing the combo meals, WPE & PM and that's even with the mugs (which are certainly not worth the retail price for most) and the fact that some snacks are now upwards of $5. Too much risk, too little benefit for most. But there are special situations such as very short stays, kids 3-9 that eat better than most. Personally I think it's far too large a risk unless you're getting a REAL savings.

Thank You! I actually went on AllEars and priced what we would most likely eat in one day and it turned out I would be paying more on the DP.

I really apreciated your input. THANKS!!!

MORE MONEY IN MY POCKET!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

Thank You! I actually went on AllEars and priced what we would most likely eat in one day and it turned out I would be paying more on the DP.

I really apreciated your input. THANKS!!!

MORE MONEY IN MY POCKET!!!!!!

Great and you're welcome. IMO, the approach you took is how most people should make their final decision on most things in life, use facts and take as much emotion out of it as possible. I do feel that one needs to get either around a 20% discount on what they would NORMALLY buy and/or a 20% extra value for things they actually want. It's possible to do but generally only if you target the entree's that are north of around $11 but even then you have to get value on the snacks, drinks and dessert including around $4 average for snacks and put value on the mugs as well. I know some look at it as a way to prepay but IMO, that's a very risky and potentially expensive budgeting tool.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think it depends on how/where you eat. We don't own DVC but have rented points a few times. Last time was only a 2 nt stay, pre-cruise last April but our travel mates booked us all at Crystal Palace. That's now up to $60 pp. For our family of 4 that's $240 + tax & tip! The DP was $200/day for our family so that one dinner alone would have exceeded the DP cost for the whole day. So basically our counter service meal & snack were free.

 

[Dean]

I think it depends on how/where you eat. We don't own DVC but have rented points a few times. Last time was only a 2 nt stay, pre-cruise last April but our travel mates booked us all at Crystal Palace. That's now up to $60 pp. For our family of 4 that's $240 + tax & tip! The DP was $200/day for our family so that one dinner alone would have exceeded the DP cost for the whole day. So basically our counter service meal & snack were free.

The references directly above were related to the QS plan. For other plans the possibilities are different though the same principles apply. CP is one of the more expensive character meals and does tend to lead to an exception for some situations though it's not $60, more in the $45 range with tax. I wouldn't include tip because you have to pay that either way. But it does represent the issue that we reference above, that of actually looking at the costs for what you're pay without the DP and comparing. Remember there are also some other discounts that may apply to many situations.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The references directly above were related to the QS plan. For other plans the possibilities are different though the same principles apply. CP is one of the more expensive character meals and does tend to lead to an exception for some situations though it's not $60, more in the $45 range with tax. I wouldn't include tip because you have to pay that either way. But it does represent the issue that we reference above, that of actually looking at the costs for what you're pay without the DP and comparing. Remember there are also some other discounts that may apply to many situations.

On Easter Sunday, it was $59.99.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/crystal-palace/
You're right though, tipping is same for either method of payment.

 

[Dean]

On Easter Sunday, it was $59.99.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/crystal-palace/
You're right though, tipping is same for either method of payment.

Yes there are 2 or 3 days that might be that high and one should look at the real costs to compare.

 

[DebbieB]

The regular dining plan is worth it if you eat character meals, they are ridiculously expensive. The last time I used it was when I took my then 12 year old niece in 2006. Problem was she ate like a bird. I would have been better off scheduling 1 or 2 character meals for the experience, no dining plan and paid out of pocket for kids meals for the rest. We ate at The Land and she would not eat anything on the preplated dish, the cm ended up bringing her mac & cheese. Ugh!

 

[brertoad]

I am still in the planning phase and have another question, we haven't used any dining plans yet, please forgive my inexperience.

I'm wondering if me and my husband booked 1 night on the Deluxe Dining Plan, that give us 6 credits, between us (3 meals + 3 meals). If we eat at 1 signature restaurant (at the cost of 2 pts per meal), that leaves us with 2 credits, would that mean that if we went to another signature restaurant, one of us can use the DDP and the other pay OOP with TIW? For instance, I could use the DDP for my app, entree, dessert and drink, and my husband can order a la carte and use his TiW card?

 

[disneynutz]

I am still in the planning phase and have another question, we haven't used any dining plans yet, please forgive my inexperience.

I'm wondering if me and my husband booked 1 night on the Deluxe Dining Plan, that give us 6 credits, between us (3 meals + 3 meals). If we eat at 1 signature restaurant (at the cost of 2 pts per meal), that leaves us with 2 credits, would that mean that if we went to another signature restaurant, one of us can use the DDP and the other pay OOP with TIW? For instance, I could use the DDP for my app, entree, dessert and drink, and my husband can order a la carte and use his TiW card?

Yes it can be done but the increase in price for the dining plans has lowered it's value. You should compare the cost using TiW.

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

I am still in the planning phase and have another question, we haven't used any dining plans yet, please forgive my inexperience.

I'm wondering if me and my husband booked 1 night on the Deluxe Dining Plan, that give us 6 credits, between us (3 meals + 3 meals). If we eat at 1 signature restaurant (at the cost of 2 pts per meal), that leaves us with 2 credits, would that mean that if we went to another signature restaurant, one of us can use the DDP and the other pay OOP with TIW? For instance, I could use the DDP for my app, entree, dessert and drink, and my husband can order a la carte and use his TiW card?

Yes, but tell your server when you order so that s/he can create two separate pay tickets. But two great big meals on two consecutive nights would be a bit too much food for many people.

 

[Dean]

I am still in the planning phase and have another question, we haven't used any dining plans yet, please forgive my inexperience.

I'm wondering if me and my husband booked 1 night on the Deluxe Dining Plan, that give us 6 credits, between us (3 meals + 3 meals). If we eat at 1 signature restaurant (at the cost of 2 pts per meal), that leaves us with 2 credits, would that mean that if we went to another signature restaurant, one of us can use the DDP and the other pay OOP with TIW? For instance, I could use the DDP for my app, entree, dessert and drink, and my husband can order a la carte and use his TiW card?

As noted, yes you can. You'd have to book a single night then change room types or resorts if actually staying longer, in order to do what you propose. I'd agree with looking at TIW savings since it sounds like you have that already. As a rule, signature's give you a lower value per credit compared to many of the single credit options. For the 1 night, 2 day, 6 credit situation I would not do 2 signature's or if I did, I would only do 1 entree per meal and pay OOP for anything else saving the 2 additional credits for a character meal or higher end single credit lunch. Your choice of course, just trying to get you to think about your options and what you're potentially giving up.

 

[lilpooh108]

I am still in the planning phase and have another question, we haven't used any dining plans yet, please forgive my inexperience.

I'm wondering if me and my husband booked 1 night on the Deluxe Dining Plan, that give us 6 credits, between us (3 meals + 3 meals). If we eat at 1 signature restaurant (at the cost of 2 pts per meal), that leaves us with 2 credits, would that mean that if we went to another signature restaurant, one of us can use the DDP and the other pay OOP with TIW? For instance, I could use the DDP for my app, entree, dessert and drink, and my husband can order a la carte and use his TiW card?

We do this often for 1 night stays and depending on the signature restaurant and what you order, you may or may not "save" money this way over paying in cash or using the TIW card (which we don't buy, since it's not worth it to us).

Look at the menu for where you want to dine. Do you really want 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 desserts?

Will your 2nd meal (using 1TC) be expensive enough to justify the dining plan?

If not, then you will most likely come out ahead paying cash for all of those meals.

And don't forget the tip. For Narcoossee's, our tip comes out to be $60-75 per meal easily when we order apps, steak & lobster, drinks, dessert.

 

[MoreTravels]

As noted, yes you can. You'd have to book a single night then change room types or resorts if actually staying longer, in order to do what you propose. I'd agree with looking at TIW savings since it sounds like you have that already. As a rule, signature's give you a lower value per credit compared to many of the single credit options. For the 1 night, 2 day, 6 credit situation I would not do 2 signature's or if I did, I would only do 1 entree per meal and pay OOP for anything else saving the 2 additional credits for a character meal or higher end single credit lunch. Your choice of course, just trying to get you to think about your options and what you're potentially giving up.

Once upon a time, DVC members were breaking their reservation to everyday, buy DDP on every second day, then link all them together. You can have all kinds of plan combination as you wish... I don't think Member Services allow that any more.

 

[Dean]

Once upon a time, DVC members were breaking their reservation to everyday, buy DDP on every second day, then link all them together. You can have all kinds of plan combination as you wish... I don't think Member Services allow that any more.

As a rule no but there are potential ways to still do it though you'd be orphaned every changeover day.

 

[twinklebug]

Yes it can be done but the increase in price for the dining plans has lowered it's value. You should compare the cost using TiW.

Bill

I'm big on trying to get the most for the buck and have to agree that TIW is well worth looking into.

Many Disney guests will jump on the DDP simply because they don't want the bother of paying for meals on vacation. They're looking for an all expenses pre-paid experience. You can't get that even with the DDP as tips are not included.

If the idea is to get the money out of the way in advance and not worry, the best bet is really to sock money away in gift cards and then use those. I like to put it on room charge and then I have the funds stored away in savings to pay that cc bill off as soon as it posts.