DVC--Help Dining Plan?

[cpdwiz]

Hey all....We are going in December, for 8 full days at SSR. There are 2 adults and 2 kids, 13 and 11. We are thinking about the dining plan. Any thoughts? We have reservations at Chef Mickeys for breakfast, 50's primetime for dinner, Whispering Canyon for dinner and Ohana for breakfast. IS the DVC cost $38 per person, and, is it a good deal? Besides popcorn, icecream, what other snacks are offered? Candy? Cotton Candy?

And, do you need to do it for every day, or can we do it for 7 days since we arrive on a Monday in the afternoon?

I look forward to your thoughts....thanks!!!

 

[Chuck S]

The dining plan goes by the number of nights on the reservation. Are you staying 7 or 8 nights?

It must be purchased for all occupants of the room for the total number of nights on the reservation.

For 2008, it is $37.99 per night for every person over the age of 9 in the party. THe price increases slighty in 2009. The plan does not include appetizers or gratuity for the table service/buffet meals.

As to whether it is a "good deal" depends upon your individual family dining habits. For us, as two adults who normally do not eat dessert, but enjoy an appetizer...and we normally have table service at lunch rather tha dinner, it would cost us more to be on the DDP. If you normally eat table service for dinner, eat desserts, and are planning character meals anytime of day...it could save you a little money.

I suggest looking at menus, and adding up prices of what you think you'd probably order. Then compare that to the cost of the plan. Another possible disadvantage to the plan would be if someone in the party becomes ill and doesn't feel like eating for a day or two. You are not refunded those days, but you could possibile use it for a signature 2 credit meal for the well members of the party.

 

[Dean]

Hey all....We are going in December, for 8 full days at SSR. There are 2 adults and 2 kids, 13 and 11. We are thinking about the dining plan. Any thoughts? We have reservations at Chef Mickeys for breakfast, 50's primetime for dinner, Whispering Canyon for dinner and Ohana for breakfast. IS the DVC cost $38 per person, and, is it a good deal? Besides popcorn, icecream, what other snacks are offered? Candy? Cotton Candy?

And, do you need to do it for every day, or can we do it for 7 days since we arrive on a Monday in the afternoon?

I look forward to your thoughts....thanks!!!

I would concur with Chuck including looking at the menus with your usual habits in mind. I will point out that, as a rule, the places you listed are not the places to get a value out of the DDP. Ultimately I think it comes down to the easting habits of your teen and preteen. If they eat everything in site and you can pawn off the CS meals on them somewhat, you still may do well. If they are still kids meal type, there is no way you could justify the expense. Ultimately if they are in between, it's unlikely you can make the numbers work.

 

[flyingcat2003]

I'd suggest going to allears.net and looking at the menus. There is also a post on the disboards that lists other snack options. Do a search and you'll find it. We usually don't waste our TS on breakfast. Plan an early CS lunch (burger, fries, soda and dessert) for around 11am and then plan a TS dinner for about 6pm. We use our snacks as breakfast if we are really hungry that morning (danish or muffin at the MK bakery. The Goofy Candy Company at DTD has great rice krispy treats dipped in chocolate, m&m's or what ever you'd like. They are HUGE and wonderful to get and keep in the room as a quick breakfast. They are also a snack option). We don't waste snacks on drinks. Ask for a cup of ice water at any walk up service counter. It's FREE! Hope this helps!

 

[BCV23]

As for snacks, another DVCer maintains an excellent thread listing the zillion options that have been reported as options this year:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1683477

 

[cpdwiz]

Big question...We have a 1 br with studio lockoff for our room, and my mother and aunt are in the studio.....they wont do the dining plan, just me, jess and the 2 kids...Do they have to be included? Our plan was to eat Bfast in the room (except Chef Mickeys and Ohana) use the DP for lunch, snack and dinner (except mickeys and ohanas)....Are there certain items on the menus for DP? Or is it anything you want?

Again, thanks for all the help!

 

[Dean]

Big question...We have a 1 br with studio lockoff for our room, and my mother and aunt are in the studio.....they wont do the dining plan, just me, jess and the 2 kids...Do they have to be included? Our plan was to eat Bfast in the room (except Chef Mickeys and Ohana) use the DP for lunch, snack and dinner (except mickeys and ohanas)....Are there certain items on the menus for DP? Or is it anything you want?

Again, thanks for all the help!

If it's reserved as a 2 BR lockoff, yes you will have to get it for EVERYONE. You could plan it accordingly so you use the credits attributable to them but that's a lot of food and expense.

 

[cpdwiz]

I would concur with Chuck including looking at the menus with your usual habits in mind. I will point out that, as a rule, the places you listed are not the places to get a value out of the DDP. Ultimately I think it comes down to the easting habits of your teen and preteen. If they eat everything in site and you can pawn off the CS meals on them somewhat, you still may do well. If they are still kids meal type, there is no way you could justify the expense. Ultimately if they are in between, it's unlikely you can make the numbers work.

We plan on eating Bfast in the room.....On one day, we are using Sit Down meals at Chef Mickeys and 50's diner. Now, at the 50's, can we order anything off the menu for the DP? Then, to offset 2 sit down meals, the next day, we are doing flatbreads at SSR for lunch, then, like Flame Tree BBQ at AK for dinner. Again, can you order anything off the menu??

Thats our big question. Are there limitations on what you can order?

Thanks for all the help

 

[cpdwiz]

If it's reserved as a 2 BR lockoff, yes you will have to get it for EVERYONE. You could plan it accordingly so you use the credits attributable to them but that's a lot of food and expense.

Thats kind of a bad thing for Disney to do, isn't it? My 70yr old mom and aunt would not really benefit at all from the plan. They mostly eat in the room....Hmm....$640 more in snacks and food wont cut it....I would think Disney would add it on to those wishing it, esp DVC members....

Now my other question. Are menu items limited? Or can you select any entree off the menus for sit down dinners.

 

[Dean]

Thats kind of a bad thing for Disney to do, isn't it? My 70yr old mom and aunt would not really benefit at all from the plan. They mostly eat in the room....Hmm....$640 more in snacks and food wont cut it....I would think Disney would add it on to those wishing it, esp DVC members....

Now my other question. Are menu items limited? Or can you select any entree off the menus for sit down dinners.

It's the way most All Inclusive and Dining Plans work and how companies still make money overall on these options. It sounds like the DDP is not for you or you might be able to change to a 1 BR and separate studio which you might or might not be able to get linked up as a 2 BR, it's a few more points though. I'd say it's Disney's option but it does decrease the risk of them getting taken advantage of. Of course the DDP is designed with regular hotel guests in mind and DVC was only added as an afterthought.

We plan on eating Bfast in the room.....On one day, we are using Sit Down meals at Chef Mickeys and 50's diner. Now, at the 50's, can we order anything off the menu for the DP? Then, to offset 2 sit down meals, the next day, we are doing flatbreads at SSR for lunch, then, like Flame Tree BBQ at AK for dinner. Again, can you order anything off the menu??

Thats our big question. Are there limitations on what you can order?

Thanks for all the help

Even without the extra people issue it doesn't sound like the DDP is a major help for you with the places you plan to eat. I suspect if you go through the menu's and look at the options you'll find you'll be much cheaper without the DDP even ignoring the cost for the ones not interested. There aren't really many limitations unlike most AI plans and you can order the combo BBQ plates for example, you can also get the lobster or surf and Turf where applicable. The only limitations I've heard about are the ones aimed at two people such as at Yachtsman and apparently price fix options that include things not currently included in the DDP. Where an item is an add on such as lobster as an extra fee, you can't include that either. But it does depend on how you eat, what you order, etc. One can certainly generate a "savings" by getting the frozen drinks, ordering the most expensive option in each category, by eating at the more expensive locations for the TS and by doing TS for dinner instead of lunch. The lessor expensive restaurants and the signatures tend to be a lessor value. It can work if you order that way anyway or want to take the chance to try some new things. Some of the better CS values are those at the Land, Peppers and the combo BBQ plates. One of the better TS values is Le Cellier.

 

[cpdwiz]

It's the way most All Inclusive and Dining Plans work and how companies still make money overall on these options. It sounds like the DDP is not for you or you might be able to change to a 1 BR and separate studio which you might or might not be able to get linked up as a 2 BR, it's a few more points though. I'd say it's Disney's option but it does decrease the risk of them getting taken advantage of. Of course the DDP is designed with regular hotel guests in mind and DVC was only added as an afterthought.

Even without the extra people issue it doesn't sound like the DDP is a major help for you with the places you plan to eat. I suspect if you go through the menu's and look at the options you'll find you'll be much cheaper without the DDP even ignoring the cost for the ones not interested. There aren't really many limitations unlike most AI plans and you can order the combo BBQ plates for example, you can also get the lobster or surf and Turf where applicable. The only limitations I've heard about are the ones aimed at two people such as at Yachtsman and apparently price fix options that include things not currently included in the DDP. Where an item is an add on such as lobster as an extra fee, you can't include that either. But it does depend on how you eat, what you order, etc. One can certainly generate a "savings" by getting the frozen drinks, ordering the most expensive option in each category, by eating at the more expensive locations for the TS and by doing TS for dinner instead of lunch. The lessor expensive restaurants and the signatures tend to be a lessor value. It can work if you order that way anyway or want to take the chance to try some new things. Some of the better CS values are those at the Land, Peppers and the combo BBQ plates. One of the better TS values is Le Cellier.

Well....thanks for all the info....it does seem it would not be worth it....on our first full day, we have chef mickeys for bfast, and then 50's for dinner....that would be 2 table service. on wed night, we have whispering canyon.....friday ohana for bfast...and we wont be doing "nice" restaurants with the kids, so maybe its not a benefit. NOW, next year, when its just me, jess and our 7yr old, that sounds like it would be worth it....

THanks for all the help. I would have probably tried it if just the 4 of us could order it....OH, one other thing...Is there tax, or is it $38 per person total?

 

[Chuck S]

It is $38 per adult, $10 per child 9yo or younger per night of your reservation total for 2008, $40 adult and $11 child for 2009.

 

[Dean]

Well....thanks for all the info....it does seem it would not be worth it....on our first full day, we have chef mickeys for bfast, and then 50's for dinner....that would be 2 table service. on wed night, we have whispering canyon.....friday ohana for bfast...and we wont be doing "nice" restaurants with the kids, so maybe its not a benefit. NOW, next year, when its just me, jess and our 7yr old, that sounds like it would be worth it....

THanks for all the help. I would have probably tried it if just the 4 of us could order it....OH, one other thing...Is there tax, or is it $38 per person total?

Given those options are all losing propositions from a DDP standpoint, it seems you have made the best decision. IMO the DDP is a specialty option that only makes sense in certain situations that include the higher end single credit restaurants, when kids come in at kids prices, for shorter stays and for those that would normally eat TS every day and order the same types of things included in the DDP ($$$ entree, dessert, drink esp shakes or similar). Certainly one can build a plan that returns a very good value for some situations so just spend some time with the menus and see how it works for you. There are definitely certain options/locations that give you a great bang for the buck. Just don't let it take over your trip, use it but don't let it use you. To me over planning is part of the fun but it isn't to many so enjoy either way.

 

[DebbieB]

I used the DDP when I took my then 12 year old niece 2 years ago. She is very picky and eats like a bird. I planned a bunch of character dinners, so DDP was worth it compared to paying separately. But in retrospect, I would not have done it. I would have scheduled a couple character dinners for the experience and did counter service for the rest. She hardly ate anything, a couple of times at the pre-plated dinners I had to ask them to bring the kids meal because she did not want anything on the adult menu (mac & cheese, chicken fingers is about all she would eat).

My point is with 13 & 11 year olds, will they eat like adults? Because you are paying for them as adults.

 

[Dean]

My point is with 13 & 11 year olds, will they eat like adults? Because you are paying for them as adults.

Disney will almost always let you order a kids meals for any age child and often times even for adults. It does affect whether options like the DDP will be reasonable for a given family or not.