How many of you do the dining plan....

[loveDmouse]

when you are there in your trailer or motorhome? I was curious. We usually have breakfast in our motorhome and fix maybe a lunch or dinner here or there then eat out the rest of the time. (I really don't want to have to cook while on vacation so we just do a little bit) The food is so expensive it seems to me it might be worth it to go with the dining plan. The plan for adults is like $37.99 per day per person which includes tax but not gratuity this year. I have debated this every trip and have not done it yet.

 

[terri01p]

We do the dining plan, I don't like to cook on vacation...cooking is work to me and while I'm on vacation I'm not working, I do that every other day of the year .

 

[auntie]

Good question ..I've wondered that myself.
When we stayed in FW we were in the cabins and didn't have a dining plan added at that time. We have visited many times since the early 90's and last May was the first visit where we added the Dining Plan. We didn't stay in the campground..we were at the WL. We LOVED the dining plan. I do think it really depends on the ages of those in the party as to whether it's a good value. All our "kids" are adult..at least in size!..The youngest being 16. So feeding a growing teenage boy for 37.00 a day was a bargain. My husband really liked the idea of not having to take his wallet out all the time! He kept saying "this dining thing you got us is great!"...as if I invented it!

We ate in places we might not have, and we do enjoy a least one sit down meal a day,so we found it to be a good value. You're not going to eat a any sit down restaurant for lesss than $25.00 a person. For only twelve dollars more, you have a full course sit down meal, and then a counter service meal, which included desert and a beverage..plus a snack credit for the day. It was great! That being said, I'm not sure if we'd use if we were camping. I guess it would depend on who was with us..if it was just us..or if the kids came also I know we'd still be looking to have one table service meal a day, so it would be something we'd definetly consider either way. I am not thrilled that they have changed the plan for 2008. The gratuity is no longer included and they have removed the appetizer. Frankly..we really enjoyed that part of the plan. I would have personally prefered they just increase the price, and keep the plan as it was. The convenience factor was especially nice. Not having to worry about a tip..unless you wanted to leave something in addition to the 18% that was included. If we were to stay in our camper, I guess I'd try to estimate how much we'd be spending on meals and then balance that against the price of the plan as it is now..and adding the gratuity of course.
I too am curious as to what many of the campers do. I don't think I'd be wanting to cook too much either. Definetly coffee..and perhaps breakfast, but it's my vacation too...and I'll be looking to enjoy the restaurants...especially LeCellier!

 

[Shannone1]

We did the dining plan last time and plan on our next time as well. It is really expensive for the 5 of us, and lots more food than we usually eat. But it's so much more convienant. FW isn't like other campgrounds we usually go to. We aren't hanging out at our site most of the time and I hate going all the way back to the site to make meals. It's not really camping to us...it's a Disney vacation which is in a league all to itself

Last time we got the regular dining plan. We would eat breakfast in the motorhome and have lunch and dinner out.

For our upcoming trip I am torn between deluxe and regular. Tips are no longer included either way. Regular is one counter service, one table service and one snack per day. On the deluxe, it is 3 meals a day (all of which can be TS) and two snacks. The deluxe it ALOT more money, but I am worried that it will be hard to find decent counter service meals at the parks over Christmas, which I've been reading is the busiest time of the year. I would rather know I have a reservation for a sit down meal and spend 1.5 hours there than spend the same amount of time waiting it line and searching for a table for so-so food.

If we didn't do the dining plan at all, we would probably be stuck with counter service all the time since they don't except walk ins during peak times at the popular table service restaurants. I can only eat so many cheeseburgers and fries

 

[clkelley]

Not me. I'm an Annual Passholder, so use the Disney Dining Experience for 20% off sit down.

I have yogurt, a bagel, juice, and a breakfast bar at the camper, then eat out for everything else.

We used the free dining plan in 07 at Pop Century, but losing the appetizer and the gratuity won't even make that worthwhile in 2008. (We much prefer appetizers than deserts). We wasted so many deserts on the 07 dining plan cause we couldn't eat them, but then a couple hours later we were craving something and used snack credits or paid OOP.

 

[auntie]

It does seem to make sense that if you are going to be eating table service meals, the dining plan would be a good idea. I know some folks are at a crossroads with it when it comes to kids who are at that point where they are paying the adult price for the plan but the child doesn't eat an adult amount. I suppose at that point you might be better paying out of pocket. Only in just a short time they are teens and the plan is a good value.
I have read that a good deal of those who are contemplating the Deluxe plan are using those credits for some of the restaurants that require two dining credits per meal. Seems like a good idea.
The gratuity is not included in the Deluxe plan either?..hmm..didn't realize that. I guess it's just that the appetizer is still included in that plan.
If you plan to eat table service meals, I would certainly give the plan a try. We found we really enjoyed it..and we have NEVER used a dining plan in all the years we've been visiting. Just because one is camping doesn't mean they don't want to eat out. It's nice to have the option of eating something in the camper, but does make for more of a vacation to visit the restaurants.
Also..haven't I read that some folks here even bring their meal from Trails End back to the camper?

 

[Shannone1]

I have read that a good deal of those who are contemplating the Deluxe plan are using those credits for some of the restaurants that require two dining credits per meal. Seems like a good idea.
The gratuity is not included in the Deluxe plan either?..hmm..didn't realize that. I guess it's just that the appetizer is still included in that plan.
If you plan to eat table service meals, I would certainly give the plan a try. We found we really enjoyed it..and we have NEVER used a dining plan in all the years we've been visiting. Just because one is camping doesn't mean they don't want to eat out. It's nice to have the option of eating something in the camper, but does make for more of a vacation to visit the restaurants.
Also..haven't I read that some folks here even bring their meal from Trails End back to the camper?

If we did the deluxe plan, we would eat at Trail's End some mornings, maybe at the parks other mornings, and then eat in the motorhome some mornings and bank those credits for the 2 TS credit meals.

You used to be able to get a carry out meal from T.E but I believe that has been discontinued. I don't think the pizza is included as credits, but I'm not sure.

For us, we will be paying for 4 adults and one child since we only have 1 under 9. My oldest dd eats like an adult, but our 11 yr old is between a child and adult. If only that had a "jr" meal plan I believe it is $70 a day for the deluxe and about $35 for a child. So 12 nights times about $300 and it adds up to a crazy amount of money to spend on food!! Add in the almost $600 for a golf cart, $100 a night for the campsite and of course park tickets and you can see why we only go once every couple of years !!

 

[lawnspecialties]

Not me. I'm an Annual Passholder, so use the Disney Dining Experience for 20% off sit down.

I have yogurt, a bagel, juice, and a breakfast bar at the camper, then eat out for everything else.

We used the free dining plan in 07 at Pop Century, but losing the appetizer and the gratuity won't even make that worthwhile in 2008. (We much prefer appetizers than deserts). We wasted so many deserts on the 07 dining plan cause we couldn't eat them, but then a couple hours later we were craving something and used snack credits or paid OOP.

We have APs starting when we arrive later this month. Does the 20% off work at all restaurants at DW?

 

[We4mickey]

We don't use it. We are fly by the seat of our pants kind of people. I don't want to have to stop whatever I'm doing (especially if we're really having fun) to go to a reservation to eat. Whatever we feel like doing and eating that day is what we do. No rhyme or reason, it's just more fun for us that way.

 

[dtum]

we don't use it. We feel that's alot to spend on food and we don't go to Disney to eat. We eat breakfast at fiver and off to the park. Come back around lunch time, have a light meal (crockpot or george foreman are great and, really, cooking isn't that much trouble) and rest for a while. Go back to the park later for the rest of the day. We carry snacks in our backpacks, but find that we don't want to stop and eat while we're seeing everything-imho

 

[clkelley]

We have APs starting when we arrive later this month. Does the 20% off work at all restaurants at DW?

It works at most sit downs at WDW and at a few counter service where no sit down exists (All-Stars, Pop Century, Port Orleans French Quarter, and a couple of counter service at Animal Kingdom).

You can find a list of participating restaurants at:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm#list

 

[Shannone1]

We don't use it. We are fly by the seat of our pants kind of people. I don't want to have to stop whatever I'm doing (especially if we're really having fun) to go to a reservation to eat. Whatever we feel like doing and eating that day is what we do. No rhyme or reason, it's just more fun for us that way.

I would love to be able to not have to worry about meals and just stop and eat when we feel like it. Maybe if we ever go during a slow time we can do that. Unfortunately, we always seems to go during holidays when the parks are packed and all you can get is counter service. Wouldn't be so bad if just for a day or two...but we are going for almost 2 weeks and I want to make sure we have some nice meals.

It works for my family. We are all happier if we know we can sit down and relax for awhile and have a nice meal. I also like the sit down character meals...great way to see characters without having to wait in lines.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

We used it in early December, and thouroghly enjoyed the heck out of it, the added on 18% doesnt bother me, as we usually left a 20 anyway if the server earned it, and all but 1 did. But I agree....I would have much rather them discontinue the desert over the appetizer.
We wont be using it on our next trip, because I have no plans of visiting any of the Disney parks, We'll be doing Universal and Islands of Adventure this time, and this will be our first TENTING AS A FAMILY adventure...so I plan on firing up the grill just about everynight...but I sure am gonna miss that dinner at the Royal Table.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I'm an Annual Passholder, so use the Disney Dining Experience for 20% off sit down.

That's what we do too.

 

[lawnspecialties]

It works at most sit downs at WDW and at a few counter service where no sit down exists (All-Stars, Pop Century, Port Orleans French Quarter, and a couple of counter service at Animal Kingdom).

You can find a list of participating restaurants at:

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm#list

Thanks. That was perfect. I printed it and it's headin' down with us.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks guys for the responses.

We only get to come once a year for 7 days so we don't do APs. Doesn't make sense for us so of course we can't get the DDE. (we aren't Florida residents or I would be at the Fort all the time)

It would be nice if they would let you choose appetizer or dessert. But I do LOVE dessert.

You really need to make ADRs anyway for table service so it is no big deal there.

It is just my husband and I so it won't be too bad. If I can talk him into it then I won't have to cook at all. YEAH!!!! Although I must admit he does help some with the cooking while there. Not much but some.

 

[mamaloya]

We did the dining plan in Feb 06 and loved it. If they had not removed the tip, we would be doing it this time as well. Taking the gratuity out removes the usefulness for us. I liked it being prepaid and not having to deal with it. This way, I would have to give my KTTW, then figure the tip and pull out my visa. It is just easier to just pay with the visa from the beginning.

I do eat almost all of our meals out though. We eat breakfast at camp unless we have a character meal, but all other meals are eaten out. I do bring some snacks with us though. I am on vacation and want to relax.

Happy Camping!

 

[auntie]

I would love to be able to not have to worry about meals and just stop and eat when we feel like it. Maybe if we ever go during a slow time we can do that. Unfortunately, we always seems to go during holidays when the parks are packed and all you can get is counter service. Wouldn't be so bad if just for a day or two...but we are going for almost 2 weeks and I want to make sure we have some nice meals.

It works for my family. We are all happier if we know we can sit down and relax for awhile and have a nice meal. I also like the sit down character meals...great way to see characters without having to wait in lines.

The character meals are the best way to go...no waiting on long lines in hot weather for two seconds with a character. The meals are much more relaxing, and I like that they come to you. We've always found them to be
very enjoyable. Still schedule one or two for our trips..and we don't have little ones. It's Disney...and everyone becomes a kid again!

If I remember correctly they used to have a character breakfast featuring Chip and Dale in FW at the Trails End..."Way back in the Day". They then moved it to the WL...and they don't have it there anymore either.

I do wish they'd bring it back to FW...or the Lodge for that matter.

 

[Escape Artist]

Well, I'm the lonely one who chose "sometimes" in the poll, because having the dining plan for a whole trip would be too much for me. We get it for 4 days or so, so we can enjoy a few dining experiences, but then cut it out for the rest of the trip because it's soooo much food, soooo much money, and soooo inflexible with all the ADR's and coordinating meal times for 5 people. I do this by getting 2 back-to-back reservations, the first one with MYW tickets and the dining plan for 4 days, and the second one is "room-only" (but the MYW tickets are still good until we leave WDW). It's a little complex, but it works for us.

Ironically, when we camp anywhere other than FW, I cook almost every meal, but when we're at WDW, I want to play, not cook!

I'm in a quandry for our next FW trip, because I'm not sure we're even going to do Disney parks! We haven't been to Universal yet, and we'll probably try to go to Holy Land Experience (if it's still open) and Gatorland with my in-laws. This is going to be a totally different kind of trip for us! And there will be no dining plan for us, if we don't have MYW tickets! I've got a lot more planning to do on this one!

Sue in Texas
FW bound in 08-08

 

[loveDmouse]

I just checked out receipts from this last trip and for $69 more we could have purchased the dinning plan and had more meals. We ate at 50's Prime Time, Liberty Tree Tavern, Garden Grill and Concourse Steakhouse for our sit down meals. Plus snacks which I might not even have all the receipts to and the pizza we got at Pizza Planet in MGM. Seems to me we would have been better to get it.
Of course this year you don't get the appetizer and tip isn't included and the plan is only $1 less a day. I just don't know.

This is our one camping trip that I don't want to cook. All our other camping trips we cook. Disney is special. Isn't like any other camping we do.