gift cards vs. dining plan

[mickeysbutler]

What my husband and I liked about the dining plan was the fact that it was paid for in advance and we didn't have to worry about extra cash for food, tip etc. This year I am eating healthier, not stuffing myself. My DH still wants the dining plan. I don't feel it would be a good deal *for us* because

1)cutting back on food for health reasons -obviously DDP is a large amount of food-who really needs 2 deserts/day

2)DS who is a very small 10yo, picky eater, is charged as adult and would never order off adult menu

3)DD who is 4 does not eat a lot anyway-last year we had several unused meal tickets for her because she was not hungery.

So, I am trying to decide if buying gift cards would be a wise choice for our situation. That way we all eat what we want, I don't have to feel like I have to overeat because it is paid for, son can order off kids menu without being charged as an adult, daugher can share with me or w/ her brother if neither are that hungery and it still be *legal*, and we don't have to carry around loose cash etc.

What do you think?

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We kind of do the same thing with Disney Dollars....I bet you'll save a substantial amount of money, and by eating when your hungry, only how much you need, you'll be healthier too!!!

Sometimes we only say need a snack for lunch, I know if we got the dining plan we would be eating counter service everyday-just because we have it available......and you are certainly right about the 2-desserts a day!!

Have a good trip!

 

[mickeysbutler]

Thanks Mad4Dizne!

My DH just seems to think it is the only way to go, so I am just trying to justify it all!

 

[madthemouse]

Like yourself, we've done the DDP the last 2 years. This year we're using a Disney Gift Card, withe the exception for the ony two ADR's we have for the HDDR & Luau.

For us, I just don't like to be locked in, to a certain time to eat and park. I would say the previous 12 trips to WDW prior to using the DDP we're mucj more relaxed, IMHO.

I also have a gift card from Landry's that we plan on using at the Yak & Yeti and one of two Rainforest Cafe's. I also have a gift card for Red Lobster (Off Site).

This allows us more freedom for our dining, without the concern of where we need to be at a particular time of the day.

Good luck!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you will be staying at a Disney Resort (and therefore would be eligible for DDP) why not just use your room key to charge the meals to your room. This way you don't have to carry around the Gift Cards.

And if you have Gift Cards, these can be applied to your room bill (even in advance if you so desire).

 

[Pakey]

Before we leave on our trip, we prepay on our credit card (we charge everything to get airline miles). We do not do DDP, too much food for us plus so restrictive with the schedule) so we have done the prepayment for several years now.