Found This Rant on the Dining Plan

[Jaime4004]

We are frequent visitors of WDW because we live less than an hour away and have AP. However, we are staying for a long weekend at the end of the month and doing the DDP for the first time for the fun. Living so close I don't feel like we can justify paying the outrageous prices for snacks and desserts, so we often bring snacks and split QS on our trips. This is our chance to play tourist and do all of the things we usually skip without having to look at the bill afterward. It also makes sense for us because we have a 4 year old who insists on having her own food even though she eats like a bird, and we are doing a lot of character meals this trip. We also plan on spending lots of time at the resort, so we are going to get our money's worth on those mugs. The DDP not only works out financially this trip, but it also does give us the psychological benefit of not caring that the child only ate 5 bites of her $20+ character meal, and it gives us an excuse to get the snacks we always skip because we can get a cupcake at the bakery near our house later, etc. Will it make sense for every trip? No. But it's definitely a good deal this time around, especially now that a mediocre burger at Cosmic Rays is $13!

We're sort of similar in that my parents have a vacation home 15 mins from WDW so we've been a million times, with free housing. Usually pack a meal and snacks and maybe eat one meal onsite. Last Nov we (really I, DH just goes with the flow) decided to splurge and try staying onsite for the first time with FD. Loved it. Definitely worked out with our family of 5. My two lightest eaters were disney adults and my big eater is a child. We did a bunch of character meals, which normally I wouldn't bother paying for because they don't eat enough to justify the cost. They got to experience so many more restaurants/snacks than usual. So when DD (12) had a few bites of mac and cheese for the adult buffet price, we didn't sweat it, that would have killed me otherwise. Anyway, we're totally hooked now and hoping to go back next Aug or Nov with the DDP. I'm taking DD for her 13th birthday for a long weekend in Sept. I had a FD room booked but cancelled it because it doesn't make sense for just the 2 of us.

Edited to add that they LOVE the mugs. Because I usually make them get milk or water otherwise.

 

[Shellbells]

The DP works for us for a few reasons, my DH and my DSS15 are huge eaters. I'm actually worried the meals won't be big enough for them. My DSS9 isn't a huge eater unless he's going through a growth spert, so we'll probably pay out pocket for some of his meals and use the credits for DSS15 and DH.

We would never be able to pay the ridiculous price they charge for food if we didn't get the plan and make payments.
I don't want to have any of us to have to choose what we order based on price (really just me and DH) This a vacation and we should be able to order what we want.

With the dp, we can do character meals, something that my DH wouldn't pay for if oop. Again, it's just too expensive.

We got free dining for our upcoming December trip and we're actually thinking about upgrading to the deluxe plan so we can do a dinner show or two and the kids can get all the snacks they want.

 

[speeb]

It's definitely going to work to our advantage. 3 adults, 3 kids under 10, no idea when/if we might do another trip. One character meal each day plus snacks and knowing that the adults will at least get use of the mugs... I figure we need to make sure each of our QS credits holds a value of $1.18. I believe I can make that work.

 

[glvsav37]

It's definitely going to work to our advantage. 3 adults, 3 kids under 10, no idea when/if we might do another trip. One character meal each day plus snacks and knowing that the adults will at least get use of the mugs... I figure we need to make sure each of our QS credits holds a value of $1.18. I believe I can make that work.

don't forget that there is no Kid/Adult designation for credits at QS locations. So if one of the kids wants a burger, but its not on the 'kids menu' go ahead and order it for them.

Also, snack credits can be used for a bagel or muffin in the morning as a super quick breakfast vs using a QS credit.