I Did A Disney Dining Survey - Some Things They're Considering (Long)

[jdg345]

It seems to me that if your one to have a sit-down dinner every day (ie: Table Service), then the dining plan is probably right for you. If you just snack for dinner or would rather order in Pizza or something, then it probably doesn't add up. We found that for the money, the DDP is well worth it, assuming that you normally do a TS per day. Of course, it's well worth it if you force yourself to do a TS per day, but then you're "using it to use it" so it would be more costly to you, overall, than if you didn't have it.

Basically, we're fine with sandwiches or pizza or making something in the room for dinner ... it's what we would do normally ... so it doesn't really work for us as well as it might for someone who is used to having that sit down meal every day. For example, consider your average Sit-Down / Table-Service Meal ... and I'll even use pricing at the lower end of the spectrum:

$05.00 : Appetizer
$18.00 : Entree
$05.00 : Desert
$02.00 : Soda/Beverage
$30.00 : Subtotal
$05.40 : 18% Gratuity
$35.40 : Total Cost

So ... one table service pretty much covers the cost of the plan for the entire day. That leaves your Counter-Service and Snacks as 'Free'.

And, there are many restaurants you can go to on the plan where the entree is a lot more than $18.00 ...

 

[jodifla]

It seems to me that if your one to have a sit-down dinner every day (ie: Table Service), then the dining plan is probably right for you. If you just snack for dinner or would rather order in Pizza or something, then it probably doesn't add up. We found that for the money, the DDP is well worth it, assuming that you normally do a TS per day. Of course, it's well worth it if you force yourself to do a TS per day, but then you're "using it to use it" so it would be more costly to you, overall, than if you didn't have it.

Basically, we're fine with sandwiches or pizza or making something in the room for dinner ... it's what we would do normally ... so it doesn't really work for us as well as it might for someone who is used to having that sit down meal every day. For example, consider your average Sit-Down / Table-Service Meal ... and I'll even use pricing at the lower end of the spectrum:

$05.00 : Appetizer
$18.00 : Entree
$05.00 : Desert
$02.00 : Soda/Beverage
$30.00 : Subtotal
$05.40 : 18% Gratuity
$35.40 : Total Cost

So ... one table service pretty much covers the cost of the plan for the entire day. That leaves your Counter-Service and Snacks as 'Free'.

And, there are many restaurants you can go to on the plan where the entree is a lot more than $18.00 ...

I think the flaw with this reasoning is figuring in what you get, instead of what you'd normally order. For us, we normally share a dessert, and we often share an appetizer. We'd almost never get separate desserts and appetizers....Also, when we dine out, we prefer the 2 credit places, so again, it's less of a savings.

Since we like drinks with dinner, we get the DDE. That way, we can order EXACTLY what we'd like, and not what the plan pays for.

It's WAY WAAY WAY too many desserts for us.

 

[ZekeKelso]

Thanks for the info. Of all the oppulance in the plan (and, hey, if that's what you want, go for it) the thing that gets me most is the 2 snack credits a day. Like many folks, we were spending snack credits like crazy on our trip, and still had 10 left over to buy stuff for the drive home at the end. I can't imagine what the heck we would have been left with if given 2 a day.

 

[Lewisc]

Thanks for the info. Of all the oppulance in the plan (and, hey, if that's what you want, go for it) the thing that gets me most is the 2 snack credits a day. Like many folks, we were spending snack credits like crazy on our trip, and still had 10 left over to buy stuff for the drive home at the end. I can't imagine what the heck we would have been left with if given 2 a day.

The dining plan, particularly the premium plan, is priced assuming guests won't use all of the meals/snacks allowed. Many of us don't want to "waste" a snack credit on bottled water. We'll sometimes pay out of pocket for water or even buy a bottled water at the Hess mini-mart. During the summer two bottles of water a day isn't oppulant. I'll certainly agree dessert with lunch, dinner and two dessert type of snacks a day isn't very diet friendly.

 

[honeymo78]

I agree LewisC. However, we do "waste" a snack on bottled water. I certainly prefer the 2 snack credit idea so I can get a snack item (pretzel) and a beverage to go with it. On the platinum plan your snack actually does include food item and beverage so it seems that the survey option comes close but with more flexibility (get 2 beverages, or 2 food items). Maybe with kids it would be hard to use up 2 credits but as adults we tend to get at least one soda or water before lunch and another before dinner plus we like to get a snack item sometime during the day. I hope they offer the 2 snacks so I don't have to pull out cash or charge so I can get a beverage with my snack.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We have had the Premium Plan for the past two trips (the most recent being last week). This is NOTHING new at all. Instead, it is a modification of the current plan. From what I see here, it is taking away small things like an extra item (appetizer or side item) if you eat at a CS. It also is taking away UNLIMITED recreation and tours and Cirque du Soleil tickets. I do not like these changes at all and now need to investigate the Platinum Plan.

On the flip side, you now have separate snack credits which really are not that needed, but nice to have. I hope these changes are not made.

 

[mamaprincess]

We used the DDP this December and found it worked for us with the research and adr's however, we would prefer a sit down twice a day and a snack instead of CS. Hopefully there will be more options.

I wouldn't mind having an add-on option of the kid clubs.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I would be interested in seeing more on these new options. We loved the DDP and have gone three times using it and are going again tomorrow with it. For us it works out and I think the new offerings sound pretty interesting.

 

[phisigprincess]

I like some of the premium options they're considering, but oh my gosh 3 TS a day!?!??!?! DH and I were so stuffed by the constant eating that we could barely eat on our last day with only 1 TS a day. I can't imagine if you ate even more food!!!

 

[kstgelais4]

The one thing I keep thinking, is that I can't imagine having any time in the parks if you actually use 3 TS meals a day. Heck, I felt like our time was crunched trying to fit 1 ADR in per day. And that is a TON of food.

 

[disneymom06]

The DDP works great for our family. I would like them to just give children more kid friendly meal options but I do believe that they are working on it. Too many complaints. Even if it remains the same, I will continue to purchase the DDP. One TS meal per day is sometimes tough to fit into the schedule, it just requires prior planning, which for our family is neccesary. Overall it is a good option for us in both convenience and finances.

The premium plan, too much to do, too much food to eat, and too costly. If I want to purchase a few extras better to do on an as needed basis, then pay for the plan feeling that I need to make sure I use services so that I feel that the plan would "pay for itself " for our family.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

It looks like it's saying 3 TS or 3 CS a day, mix and match.