Free Dining Plan or not???

[DW2010]

I see that it's opened up at AoA and would cost us $1359.40 for 4 nights with 3 day tickets but we lose our FL res discount. This includes the upgrade to plus dining so we can eat at TS places. Without the DDP, we're looking at $901.82 for 4 nights, 3 day Fl res tickets but no food.

I'm not sure if paying $457 extra is worth getting 'free' dining. It just doesn't seem like a deal as I believe we can budget enough and pay less than $457 for our food. Opinions?

 

[AKL LOVER]

Have you looked at the menus of the places you will eat and estimated what you think you will spend on food? That would give you a better idea.

Whether or not free dining or a room/package discount is better, will depend on the family. For example, room discounts are often better if you are staying deluxe since it's based off a % of the room and deluxe rooms cost more. So many times if you are staying at a value, then free dining or some other discount will be better. But you really have to run the numbers to see.

In your case, I think it sounds like free dining would be the better deal. I feel like you would spend more than that for the 3 of you on food for 5 days/4 nights. Don't forget that the dining plan includes snacks and mugs to fill at the resort!

Something else to consider is the fact that the dining plan is paid for ahead of time. We like that fact so we don't have to budget for food once we are on our trip. But again, that's just us.

 

[sharonabe]

I see that it's opened up at AoA and would cost us $1359.40 for 4 nights with 3 day tickets but we lose our FL res discount. This includes the upgrade to plus dining so we can eat at TS places. Without the DDP, we're looking at $901.82 for 4 nights, 3 day Fl res tickets but no food.

I'm not sure if paying $457 extra is worth getting 'free' dining. It just doesn't seem like a deal as I believe we can budget enough and pay less than $457 for our food. Opinions?

The only way to really know for sure is to check menus. "Order" what you really WANT to eat....don't think about prices, don't think about what the DDP entitlements are....just what do you really WANT to eat. Remember to include any and all drinks, desserts, and snacks and your 6.5% tax. That's the only way to see if the free dining is a better deal.

 

[robinb]

Free Dining is about $10 less per night than your FL Discount plus paying for the DDP. If you would pay for the DDP anyway, you should go with the Free Dining and save $40.

 

[ironpig70]

As stated look at menus and add up what you think you would order.

Another point to consider is how many trips have you been/see yourself doing over the years. For myself and my family our next trip is a big deal and years of planning and saving so it's a big deal. So with it being a huge deal we will be eating more character meals, eating more and doing the desserts as this is not something we do when we eat out.

For us food is a part of the experience.

 

[DW2010]

I should also add that we'd have to change our dates or hope free dining is extended to our arrival date of 10/1.

 

[buffettgirl]

I look at it simply as this - would you pay $457 for 4 days of food? 114 each day including your arrival and leaving day? Look at the menus, see what you'd reasonably order. Even though the dining includes deserts if that's not something you'd REASONABLY order at every meal, then don't include it in your calculations. Also, if you like a salad at meals (or a beer or something) and it doesn't come with your dining then you also have to add that OOP to whatever you're "saving" on the DDP.

Personally, I'd take that 457 and put it away until your trip.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I agree with everyone else's ideas. We always look at menus and see what we would order. We base our tipping plan off of what we think we will eat so we have a rough idea of how much money to take. For us, free dining is always worth it. We have 7 in our immediate family, but take a total of 12 people with us. We easily spend hundreds of dollars a day just on food for this group, so it works out for us. You just have to decide what will work for you. I also like having all expenses paid for the most part. I only have to worry about tips, but I just charge them to my room and pay them off with gift cards, so it is super easy. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ChristineOH]

I should also add that we'd have to change our dates or hope free dining is extended to our arrival date of 10/1.

What are you planning to do for dining? Do you think you would do CS restaurants or TS? Do you plan on doing character meals with your daughter? Or would you bring your own food?

You could certainly spend less than $457 on food, but maybe you take this as an opportunity to do some really great character meals with your daughter. A princess breakfast at Akershus would run you $103 plus tax. Do three more of those, and you almost get your 4 CS meals and snacks for free, based upon your savings of $457 by option not to get DP.

Edit: Most of the character meals aren't THAT expensive... but they ARE expensive. Definitely look at the menus!!

 

[DW2010]

What are you planning to do for dining? Do you think you would do CS restaurants or TS? Do you plan on doing character meals with your daughter? Or would you bring your own food?

You could certainly spend less than $457 on food, but maybe you take this as an opportunity to do some really great character meals with your daughter. A princess breakfast at Akershus would run you $103 plus tax. Do three more of those, and you almost get your 4 CS meals and snacks for free, based upon your savings of $457 by option not to get DP.

Edit: Most of the character meals aren't THAT expensive... but they ARE expensive. Definitely look at the menus!!

We're definitely doing 1900 Park Fare for DD's 6th birthday. We want to try Via Napoli pizza and feel it's a more reasonable option as far as TS goes. Dh wants to try Kona breakfast, and I want Sanaa lunch. We do have Le Cellier lunch and 'Ohana dinner booked as well but we're going to eliminate a couple of restaurants closer to our arrival date. My parents are probably going to give us a gift card for mine and DD's birthday .

 

[robinb]

We're definitely doing 1900 Park Fare for DD's 6th birthday. We want to try Via Napoli pizza and feel it's a more reasonable option as far as TS goes. Dh wants to try Kona breakfast, and I want Sanaa lunch. We do have Le Cellier lunch and 'Ohana dinner booked as well but we're going to eliminate a couple of restaurants closer to our arrival date. My parents are probably going to give us a gift card for mine and DD's birthday .

I would say that your meal choices are not the best use of the DDP. Since "Free Dining" will only save you $10 per day over paying for the DDP, I think you will do better getting a good room only discount and paying out of pocket for your meals.

 

[DW2010]

I would say that your meal choices are not the best use of the DDP. Since "Free Dining" will only save you $10 per day over paying for the DDP, I think you will do better getting a good room only discount and paying out of pocket for your meals.

That's what I was thinking. I received a PIN but AoA isn't included. I could switch to All Star Music for $66.50 a night or POP for $70 a night, but not sure I want to since I'm excited to try AoA. Regarding the DDP, we also rarely order desserts with our meals, and I know DD and I could share meals. I also didn't take into account that tips aren't included so that's additional money we'd be paying anyways.

Anyone think the TIW is a good deal for $100? Also, is it only good for a year and need to be renewed or is it once you pay, you have it for life? I tried to find this out online but it didn't seem to state that it has to be renewed each year.

 

[Aurora D]

I'm contemplating the same thing OP. I know we can go far cheaper using a PIN code and YES tix. Free dining is a convenience, however, having 5 or more TS meals adds about $120-150 in tip expenses. Also, the last time we had free dining I gained 7 pounds in a week. I felt like I had to eat everything included. Ordinarily I don't eat dessert after lunch, or even after dinner most time.
I almost see it as a fun challenge to save as much as I can and eating out of pocket allows me to be more budget minded.

 

[DW2010]

I'm contemplating the same thing OP. I know we can go far cheaper using a PIN code and YES tix. Free dining is a convenience, however, having 5 or more TS meals adds about $120-150 in tip expenses. Also, the last time we had free dining I gained 7 pounds in a week. I felt like I had to eat everything included. Ordinarily I don't eat dessert after lunch, or even after dinner most time.
I almost see it as a fun challenge to save as much as I can and eating out of pocket allows me to be more budget minded.

So are tips included with the DDP? I thought I read that they once were but aren't now?

 

[Aurora D]

They used to be...5+ years ago, but not anymore, so don't forget to budget for 15-20% of your sit down meals.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

They used to be...5+ years ago, but not anymore, so don't forget to budget for 15-20% of your sit down meals.

also ask yourself "would you be doing those sit down meals / spending that money on tips if you were not on the dining plan"?

Last time tips were included was 2007 as I recall.

 

[robinb]

Anyone think the TIW is a good deal for $100? Also, is it only good for a year and need to be renewed or is it once you pay, you have it for life? I tried to find this out online but it didn't seem to state that it has to be renewed each year.

The TiW card may be worth it for you. It is supposed to be good for 1 year after purchase, but they usually add another month to it. For instance, I bought mine in December 2011 and it expires in January 2013. I'll get 3 trips on it. The card will save you 20% on most TS restaurants and some CS restaurants (the food court in the value resorts for instance) on food and alcohol. Here is a good description of the program: http://allears.net/din/dde.htm ... it includes a list of restaurants that participate.

Since it costs $100 for FL residents and you save 20% you would need to spend $500 pre-tax before you break even. My guess is that you would not be able to do it on only one trip, but you might on 2-3 trips. Note: an 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill when you use the TiW card.