First trip not using dining plan???

[disneydaddy3]

Hello everyone,

We are a family of 5 (3 children are now considered adults on dining) and have been to WDW every year since 2004. We paid for the dining plan every year except for 8/2009. This year we chose the 35% off promotion at the Beach Club for 9 nights in June which was a pretty good price. However, decided not to pay for the dining plan this time. Still booked LeCellier, Chef Mickey's and a few others. Not every day with table service though. It seems that paying out of pocket gives our family more flexibility than having to take the offerings on the plan (not every restaurant/items are eligible). We don't always need as many beverages and desserts that come with some of the meals etc.

Has anyone else broken away from using the Dining Plan (unless free)?

Would love to hear from any of your experiences. Thanks!

 

[CleoPahd]

We prefer not to use the dining plan for 2 main reasons. 1. It's more food than we would typically eat & 2. It's too constricting as far as having to plan the days around reservation times.

We like the flexibility of eating where we want, when we want, for the majority of the trip. Yes, we do book a few sit down meals each trip for places we really enjoy or want to try, but for the most part we do a lot of counter service meals. We also tend to bring food from home for breakfast because we are not huge breakfast eaters and it saves us a fortune. For our eating style we have found that it is actually cheaper for us to not do the dining plan.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We tried the dining plan once and will never do so again. It was just a poor match for us - we prefer a more laid back vacation. We have never spent less when we used the plan, so it was a cost neutral thing for us.

In other words, cost is about equal for us, so we skip the plan to allow for more flexibility. In fact, I am not sure that I would go with the regular DDP again for free (would be willing to try the QSDP).

 

[zhazhazsu]

My upcoming trip is my first without the DP. I priced it out, and it is about even, but I want the choice to order an appetizer and no entree or an entree and no dessert.

I will check back in after the trip and let everyone know how it worked out.

 

[dizneechic]

We are AP holders and have the TiW card. We have never done the DP although we do at least 1 TS meal a day (typically character or signature). With the TiW card and our eating style (kids don't eat much so share where they can, adults usually do an app, split an entree, and split dessert) the DP doesn't work well for us. If it's free we won't turn it down, but much prefer a room discount over free dining.

 

[ElliBelle]

I'm glad to hear that TIW worked out. I just ordered mine and will have it before our May visit to the world. I think the flexibility will be much better for us. DS12 just doesn't want all the food and I don't want to pay adult prices for what he won't eat or that I have to cajole him into eating - not my idea of relaxing! It may not pay for itself in this short trip but since we are FL residents and go often I'm sure it will.

 

[bgohre]

We've never done the dining plans. If they offer it this we we may take it, but we'll see. We have a good discount on the room (I'm a travel agent). So I guess we'll see. I would like to try it once though.

 

[dd50]

We did the DDP last year for the first time and didn't like all the ressies. It seemed like it was always time to eat. If we had a dinner time ressie we had to eat lunch early enough so we would be hungry. By the second day I was tired of it. My two "adults" 15 and 12 hardly ate anything except for dessert so it cost me to much for the ice cream at Chef Mickey's.

I would rather do 2 or 3 table service instead of the whole trip.

 

[Simba22]

We have only used the Dining Plan once and we weren't all that fond of it to begin with. Then they made changes to it (taking out the tip) and we just decided it wasn't for us. We saved money in advance of our trip specifically as a "food fund" then used the Discover Card to pay for our meals while in WDW. Every quarter they offer an additional 5% cashback bonus on particular purchases. In October it just happened to be restaurant/food purchases! They already give you 1% cashback just for using it, we got the 5% cashback for the month of October, PLUS I was eligible for another promotion for an additional 20% cashback! We ended up earning almost $80 in cashback rewards, for money we were going to spend anyway! We just paid the whole thing off when we got home! You can eat where ever you want, get whatever you want off the menu, and leave the tip on the card!

 

[Wendy5055]

I the DlxDP!

However, if it were just myself and dd8 going to WDW...I would definately consider NOT using a different dining plan. I just feel we would be on a different schedule (than when my parents are with us...considering their meds). I also don't feel dd8 and I would feel the need to sit and eat as much.

The ONE thing I love about the DP's is that it is all paid for (except tips) in advance...being a single mom, I like that no worry factor in my vacation.

One thing you might think about is purchasing a Disney Gift Card (I know they are available in our local grocery store) for a set sum to be used particularly for food (or souvineers). I actually did this for dd8 to have souvineer money ($25) and I am glad I did because now I don't have to worry about her asking for something while I worry about spending oodles of money on senseless things.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We've never used the Dining Plan. We don't eat alot of TS meals while at WDW and we like flexibilty. Plus we never have to worry about "did we get our moneys worth?".

I love not using the Dining Plan so far. Every time I think of getting the QSDP, I change my mind and don't get it.