Free Disney dining plan.

[Peteypoo]

Does having the free dining plan really save you any money or is it a bit of a swindle to entice you in?

 

[Tonyz]

Last year it was just two of us going, so the deluxe hotel discount was a better value than the free dining. This year we have five people going, so free dining is a little better value. It all depends on how many people are going and what hotel you want to stay in.

 

[BudgieMama]

Depends on which offer you are getting too. You don't say where you're from.

We priced up the first release of 2017 packages, and the free dining package saved nearly £1000 for us. Can't complain about that!

 

[Kelly Anne]

Usually the free dining comes out cheaper for us, hubby and I. I got priced for both the free dining and the room discount for a mod and the free dining was cheaper for the package plus the free dining... The room discount was actually more expensive because of the room type they had available. I personally like the free dining only because you really don't have to worry about paying out of pocket for most of your meals. But everyone is different and Disney is expensive so I would go with what would be good for you and your family.

 

[Accident]

Never for us especially with these 30 and 35 percent off room rates. We also have a variety of discounts on food being ap and tiw card holders.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Pete always stressed you have to price the options out to see what's best for your family. And - as others have mentioned - not all room categories (or resorts even) will be eligible for all promotions.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i've gotten it in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and now in 2016.
each time it has worked out that FD saves us WAAAAAAAAY more than a room rate discount.

for example a room rate discount would have saved us $200 total.
the FD discount saves us about $250 PER PERSON so a total savings of r$500!!!
we were getting the dining plan regardless so it really did save us a bundle!

 

[drp4video]

Last year it was just two of us going, so the deluxe hotel discount was a better value than the free dining. This year we have five people going, so free dining is a little better value. It all depends on how many people are going and what hotel you want to stay in.

This is correct. My daughter and I have never done the dining plan as it is just the two of us, and the room discount works out much better in our case. We are not big eaters, only do one or two table service meals if we are there for a week, and we share meals many times. Best way to see if it works for you is to do the math. Figure out how much it would be with the plan, and then how much it would be purchasing the room with a discount, about how much you spend on meals per day, how many people, and you will have your answer.

 

[Peteypoo]

Usually the free dining comes out cheaper for us, hubby and I. I got priced for both the free dining and the room discount for a mod and the free dining was cheaper for the package plus the free dining... The room discount was actually more expensive because of the room type they had available. I personally like the free dining only because you really don't have to worry about paying out of pocket for most of your meals. But everyone is different and Disney is expensive so I would go with what would be good for you an

 

[Peteypoo]

We are staying at AKL next year, there's four of us and we're from the UK. I like the idea of not having to worry about whether or not you can afford certain restaurant options. Thanks for some good advice.
I understand that you have to tip whether its free dining or not, is this correct and what is s the expected amount?

 

[Kelly Anne]

Yes you do have to tip and for us it's usually 15-20% sometimes more depending on the service but I do at least give the min if it was crappy service.... And that's on the entire bill. Then again everyone is different and not everyone will tip like i do, heck my husband doesn't....

 

[Minniesgal]

It depends, it wouldn't sac us money as we would never ever eat that much food.

If you would eat the way the credits are then it might save you money

 

[samsteele]

We are staying at AKL next year, there's four of us and we're from the UK. I like the idea of not having to worry about whether or not you can afford certain restaurant options. Thanks for some good advice.
I understand that you have to tip whether its free dining or not, is this correct and what is s the expected amount?

You are correct, tips are not covered with the free dining promo. 15%-20% is the suggested amount on the bill. However, that should reflect very good to excellent service. I have had incredible and wonderful service & tipped much more. I have also had terrible to the point of rude service (fortunately, rare) and have tipped very little. Most often, I have a split of good service at some dinners and mediocre service. I tip accordingly based on that waiter & the circumstances. For OK service (not good but passable), I usually tip in the 12% range. I understand that is not popular with everyone on the Boards, esp those who have worked as waiters. I have worked in restaurants as well and that is my experience. WDW's suggested amount is a guideline. WDW has some incredible CM waiters. But not all are incredible.

 

[BookGirl305]

q.

 

[Lavitz]

Generally if doesn't work out if you are only 2 people staying at a deluxe. Room discount is better. 3 people almost always better getting FD, and 4+ there is no question, free dining saves you TONS. I'm staying at CBR with free dining. Paying $200 for a room, getting $277 worth of food per day with FD. Or I could pay $150 per day with the room only discount and pay for food myself for 5 people. Think you can squeeze in an ADR, QS and snacks for 5 people for $50 a day?

 

[BudgieMama]

@Peteypoo - if you're looking at booking for 2017 you might want to post this in the UK Trip Planning forum. Our Free Dining offer is different to that offered to American guests, and some resorts allow a discount plus free dining. Lots of experience over there too!

 

[Accident]

This is correct. My daughter and I have never done the dining plan as it is just the two of us, and the room discount works out much better in our case. We are not big eaters, only do one or two table service meals if we are there for a week, and we share meals many times. Best way to see if it works for you is to do the math. Figure out how much it would be with the plan, and then how much it would be purchasing the room with a discount, about how much you spend on meals per day, how many people, and you will have your answer.

I just wanted to add when you do the math, also figure out gratuity in the table service meals. More food as part of the plan just raises up gratuity and that's when the cost of 1 to the other really changes... Also if you do this, save your receipts and really look at what the trip costed you so you know what to do for next time.

 

[lelder]

Not for us! I took the money we would have saved on the DDP and bumped us up to deluxe!