Feeling torn between taking the dining plan or just pay out of pocket because....

[despina]

other family we are traveling with doesnt want to to do dining plan...they are a family of 4 and eat like birds and we are family of 5 and enjoy our sit down ADR's and such. We are traveling together but do we have to always eat together??? lol We will eat quick service when they order counter service and snacks...they say, "dont let us stop you from doing it, do what you want" arrghhh advice

 

[disneychic2]

other family we are traveling with doesnt want to to do dining plan...they are a family of 4 and eat like birds and we are family of 5 and enjoy our sit down ADR's and such. We are traveling together but do we have to always eat together??? lol We will eat quick service when they order counter service and snacks...they say, "dont let us stop you from doing it, do what you want" arrghhh advice

I would do as the other family has said and do what you want. You can eat the CS meals together and just part company for the TS. I don't think that will be a problem since they are so understanding about it. My advice: get the dining plan and enjoy!

 

[JimmyV]

Unless you are weighing the option of Free Dining, I wouldn't lose any sleep over the decision. As has been shown many times on these boards, it is possible to save money on the DDP, but the current pricing of the DDP makes it very close to a break even proposition for most people. Especially if you prefer appetizers to desserts and don't go to too many (or any) character meals. Don't feel as if you have to follow your friends' lead, but also don't waste too much energy trying to make a "perfect" choice. From a money standpoint, you can't really go wrong either way.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Regardless of which avenue you choose, don't let the other family influence your dining plans. They have stated that they don't care what you do or if you do it without them. Splitting up at meal times isn't going to kill them.

Go ahead and do what you want. I'm sure both families will have a great time, you doing your thing and them theirs.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree that you should do what you want to do, after all they are.

One thing I have learned is no matter how good the friendship, you always need time apart while vacationing together. Use this as a good excuse to do just that. Eat apart.

And for those times you do eat together, it is so easy to tell the server who is on the plan and who isn't. They seperate the bill...easy peasy!!
And your side will be much easier to handle then them paying oop.

 

[bangzoom6877]

We went last summer for 10 nights, and for 4 of those nights, my parents, sister and nieces also came. We separated one full day because they wanted to go to Sea World on that trip but we didn't. We thought about meeting up for dinner, but they wanted to go to Medieval Times and we didn't. No one's feelings were hurt, we were just into doing different things sometimes. And other times, we were together and enjoyed it very much! Next summer we're doing the same thing, and my sister knows that my boys are no longer interested in eating at CRT (we did last year and they specified no princesses this time when I asked them!), and if she decides to take her girls there again, we will be dining separately.

It sounds like your travel companions will not be insulted or offended if you part ways here and there to go someplace different to eat. So, if you really feel you want to get the dining plan, get it and enjoy yourself. Remember, all of you are on vacation, and everyone should be able to enjoy themselves!

 

[despina]

Thanks everyone....I dont qualify for free dining, so after adding up ADR's and some character meals, I feel its a good decision for my family to purchase the Disney Dining. I guess everyone is right ..its my vacation too, they know I love them Just feel kinda bad because I know their kids are going to be like...how come we can't eat with them, or if they find out we went to like Chef Mickeys and they dont...oh Im feeling bad again . Hopefully they can squeeze in a few Table Service meals with us, like Chef Mickeys

 

[carrie1626]

I would never sacrifice anything about my WDW vacation.
Trust me, you do not want to be together 24/7.
If you really, really want to do the FD option- do it!!! Why should you give that up

**update - glad you went with what makes you happy!!

 

[sissy_ib]

Thanks everyone....I dont qualify for free dining, so after adding up ADR's and some character meals, I feel its a good decision for my family to purchase the Disney Dining. I guess everyone is right ..its my vacation too, they know I love them Just feel kinda bad because I know their kids are going to be like...how come we can't eat with them, or if they find out we went to like Chef Mickeys and they dont...oh Im feeling bad again . Hopefully they can squeeze in a few Table Service meals with us, like Chef Mickeys

No reason to feel guilty. Maybe talk to the other parents and ask if they would like to do a few key meals like Chef Mickey together. But remember you are not in charge of their good time. Thousands of people go to WDW and have no TS meals and enjoy their vacation. Maybe their kids would rather spend that time in the parks then in a restaurant? Their family is going to have the kind of vacation they want and your family is going to have the vacation you want.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

The trip we are planning is with another family. We sat down and planned out or days and ADRs but we also discussed that we will all be free to do what we want as well. I think they are visiting Universal and we aren't, and they have other family and friends coming down so we may split up.

Enjoy your melas wherever you decide to eat

 

[bluejasmine]

Back in 2005 we went with a family who ate CS the whole time and we enjoy our TS, ended up we split up several times so I suggest you get the DDP, do your CS meals with them and your TS meals seperate.. Just b/c you go on vacation with them doesnt mean you have to eat where they do each time.

You may tell them you are making some TS reservations, tell them where you are going and give them the option to join and them make the ADR for the whole group..

 

[jen42002]

Thanks everyone....I dont qualify for free dining, so after adding up ADR's and some character meals, I feel its a good decision for my family to purchase the Disney Dining. I guess everyone is right ..its my vacation too, they know I love them Just feel kinda bad because I know their kids are going to be like...how come we can't eat with them, or if they find out we went to like Chef Mickeys and they dont...oh Im feeling bad again . Hopefully they can squeeze in a few Table Service meals with us, like Chef Mickeys

Just to be safe, maybe ask them if there are any reservations they would like to join your family at? They might surprise you and want one or two TS dinners together.

 

[Diegosmom]

I would give them a list (and maybe even prices) of the places that you are going to eat at and tell them on such and such date I am going to book my ADRs let me know before then if you want to go with us and I will make the ADR for all of us. So at least they hae a chance to go. Then they are going to have to be the ones to explain to the kids why they dont get to go...which might be easy as it will probably take you guys 2 hours (maybe longer if you have to leave the park for you ADR) to eat in that time they could easily eat at CS and do a show or a ride (or a few) which you are going so they will also end up doing something that you dont get to go so I think it all evens out.

 

[kappyfamily]

Maybe I missed this but are you all staying together? I noticed you are staying at the AK villas. We are staying in a two bedroom with another family and we have to all get the dining plan or don't, we can't split it up. Just wanted to make sure you weren't all staying together.

Have fun!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I notice you have DVC in your signature. If you are members, just one adult can buy a DVC-priced AP ($446.24 including tax) and then purchase a Tables in Wonderland card for $75 which will give a 20% discount on food and beverages in a very wide choice of locations for up to ten people at a time (includes alcoholic beverages).

 

[patsal]

Did OOP with TIW in July and found we saved money and time. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, did not cut any corners and still made out much better than any form of the DDP. I kept a spread sheet where I separated what would not have been covered on the DDP. All meals plus the items that would not have been included (apps/alcohol/tips/non participating venues) added up to less than the DDP would have been.
It is important to note we do not do any character or buffet style dining.

 

[alcie27]

We went with my parents and sister to WDW a couple of years ago and had a similar problem. They love their sit down meals so they went with the DxDP and had reservations for almost all of their meals. For us we would have preferred a couple of TS meals, a couple of character meals and the rest CS. We went with what they wanted because we were all staying at the AKV together (same villa). I don't feel like we got our money worth from the DxDP because there were many times that they would leave the park to go eat and we would stay with our DD and end up just grabbing a CS meal.

I agree with everyone else, you have to select the plan that makes you and your family happy. If you go with what another family wants you'll end up unhappy or wishing you had done something different. I don't think anyone will have any regrets if everyone does their research and figures out what's going to work best for them. I would invite the other family to a character meal in advance though since kids tend to love them. That way if they decide not to go they still know it's coming up.

 

[lukenick1]

Hi all,
I am the other family and I told Despina to go ahead and do what she wants. My family of 4 are not big eaters and most of the time hubby and I share meals. I just cannot justify the price of the DDP for us. No hard feelings if you do it Despina, I will join you at some of the table services but prefer to pay out of pocket. Please don't worry about how we feel I am grateful to even be travelling with you .

 

[despina]

Hi all,
I am the other family and I told Despina to go ahead and do what she wants. My family of 4 are not big eaters and most of the time hubby and I share meals. I just cannot justify the price of the DDP for us. No hard feelings if you do it Despina, I will join you at some of the table services but prefer to pay out of pocket. Please don't worry about how we feel I am grateful to even be travelling with you .

Okay, my bff found my post and I just called her and she said what everyone else is saying...do it if you want to and enjoy..so Im feeling better I guess. We are a group of 9 and always have a great time together on our Disney trips and this one will the the best yet Thanks all!!!

 

[DCDisney]

We traveled with friends once (and will again this Fall) who are somewhat the opposite of us. We did regular DDP they did QSDP. We get up early and they do evening EMH. We are commandos and they hop around wily nily. We had an AWESOME time with them though. We'd get there early and do our thing. We met for a QS lunch each day and then toured around somewhat wily nily in the afternoons. IN the evening we'd do a sit down and then met up for an evening activity. After that we'd hit the bed and they'd hit an EMH. It was really a great balance of individual family time and group family time. This year we are doing 7 days and they are doing 4 so we are doing deluxe ddp on our days without them and may only do 1 or 2 sitdown meals while they are with us. We've gotten closer over the years and my tween daughter is dating their son...... We also go to WDW frequently enough that our must do's per trip are less and less and it's more about the fun than the commando must do everything experience