Florida Resident Disney Dining Plan Question

[techtony]

I am a Florida Resident. I am 7 hours from Disney, so we will be staying on property during our vacation.
This is what I have done so far:

Bought Florida Resident Tickets (4 day park hopper)
Reserved (and paid in full) 5 nights at CBR using the Florida Resident Discount offered.

Looking at our food budget - we are planning on $950.00 for our stay (this includes tax and tips and two signature dining experiences).

Looking at the Disney Dining Plan, it would be about $600 for the two of us.

The dining plan would obviously be a better deal. Can Florida Residents in this situation get on the Disney Dining Plan? I know it usually says that you have to pay for a magic your way package, but holy jeezus, that is double what I am paying at the moment. Anyone know if fl residents can get on the plan?

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I believe the dining plan is only offered if your purchase a magic your way package. I know I have heard of people not being able to get the dining plan when they book a room only reservation so I am assuming its only available if you have the magic your way package. I know you said if you wanted the dining plan and need to get the package it would be double what you are paying now and I don't think thats a better deal than saving the $350 on the dining, so if I was you I would just pay out of pocket for your food.

 

[techtony]

Oh I would not switch to a package just to get the dining plan. It is so confusing, because when I read about the plan - it does say a package is required, but when I ask in Disney Reservations chat, they say it is possible and to call. Then I read that there are florida resident packages available, but I can't seem to find it. I guess I will have to just bite the bullet and call to confirm.

I just wish that Disney would make things a bit more affordable. Although I must say - I love the florida resident discounts!

 

[sharonabe]

With two signatures planned, are you sure the DDP is going to be better? You only get ONE TS credit per night of stay. With 5 nights, that means 5 credits. Your two signature meals will take 4 of those credits. That means you still have to pay OOP for some meals. Please make sure you add in all the costs.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You can only get a dining plan if you have booked a package reservation. If you don't have a package reservation you will have to cancel it and change it into a package. It could be a ticketless package. You would have to call WDW and ask them about changing your reservation to a ticketless package and retaining your discount. If they can do that, it would be a new reservation basically - you have to make a new deposit, and whatever you have already paid toward the room only reservation cannot be transferred to the package.

 

[techtony]

Just found the best tool ever!!!! OK I was not aware that signature dining cost 2 table credits. So that right there hurt. But the kicker for me was that it did not include tips. That is an extra 18 to 25% right there. Couple that with the fact that to get a nice breakfast, you had to use a QS credit - it did not add up.

What convinced me to Pay Out of Pocket was this handy dandy little tool:

http://www.distripplanner.com/

For all the over-planners out there - this tool can help you budget for food as well

Oh BTW - I called - you can add the DDP to any resort reservation - I did not go into details with them so I have no clue how it works, but my suggestion to anyone in this predicament is to just bite the bullet and call WDW Rez, but use that ool first to see if it is even worth it. In my case - even without a signature dining option, it was not worth it (mainly because we like bigger breakfasts like a QS style). It would have been 2QS and 1TS average per day, and that plan was way over the top expensive considering what you get.

Lesson learned- Disney Dining Plan is NOT always the best solution.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Actually you can't ADD it to any resort reservation - it has to be a package. they may not tell you, but they have to convert a room only to a package by cancelling and rebooking. Once that is done, your reservation rules change to package rules - full payment at 45 days out, cancellation and change penalties past that.

 

[coluk003]

be careful, as that is wrong. The DDP is for the nights staying not days so when you do a two night stay its giving you the plan for three days which is not correct.

 

[crystaltink]

My family has annual passes and we usually book the dining plan along with our annual pass room discount. I've never booked a package with tickets. If you go to Disney twice within a year your annual pass will pay for itself, and Florida residents have 12 months to pay it off. That may be an idea for you.