I LOVE the Disney Dining Plan!!

[KMLOVESWDW]

The best part of the DDP to me is that I can sign my name & go. I don't have to worry about cash or paying the bill when I get home if we charge everything to the room. We have also tried some places that we might not have tried-not 'all the expensive places' either. Just stuff that we are not sure that we will like. Doesnt' feel as bad when you don't like something & then have to pay the bill-does that make sence? I also like to plan & have ADRs-gives me something to look forward too. Only downside for me GAINING 10 LBS IN 8 DAYS THIS YEAR!!!! Now I just have to loose it plus a few more to make room for next years trip-more eatting to do.

 

[SavvyMom]

We leave next Friday - so it's not free - but I'm looking forward to it. No worries.

 

[mommyaof2]

We also love the DDP! We saved about $500 and we loved all of our meals. It was so nice not having to think about how much our meal was going to cost. I don't understand post that make such a big difference on paying oop and doing the ddp. People on the ddp are paying oop too, just ahead of time! Sure we save money, but that is the beauty of it. But we are still paying customers! Okay, I feel better now that I have that off of my chest. WE LOVE THE DDP!

 

[Cyrano]

Great to read about this, thanks

 

[momto2inKC]

We LOVE the DDP!!! This trip will be our 3rd time using it. The first 2 times we paid for and this time, lucky us, it's FREE yay

 

[farynaed]

I have never used DDP before but I am already in love. I have been to WDW 6 times in my life and have only eaten TS once. It was in Epcot in Japan when I was 7 and Dad went one way, Mom and us kids went the other and mom only had a CC that could only be used at a sit down (if I remember correctly). Every trip I have taken to WDW has been on a strict budget. The only trip I've take as a adult was 2 years ago and we had breakfast & lunch in our room and did CS for dinner in the parks to save money.

This Septemer, we've got DDP free and I get to eat anywhere I want (well anywhere that we're able to get ADRs-still working on that). It's like a dream come true! It won't matter if I'm eating in THE restaurants everyone must have, I just get to experience some of the magic that each one of Disney's eateries has to offer. I'm always very watchful of what things cost but I won't have to look at the menu price and cringe, because it's already taken care of. I won't have to tell my 5 year old that she can't have the mickey ice cream because SHE CAN!!! It's just so exciting to know that I'll get to experience part of Disney that I've never been able to before!

Emily

 

[alldiz]

I love the DDP....

I like having most of my vacation....prepaid....
Including Tax and Tips....
Kerri

 

[ktink]

We love DDP too!

 

[3crazymice]

Why i love the DDP

Le Celliar

Kona Cafe

Chef Mickey's

Dole Whips

Made to Order Ice Cream Sandwiches

Never once saying to DH let's not eat a TS today to save some money

I'm eating for free again!!!!!

 

[MrsB1228]

Count us in as another family who loves the DDP! We got it for the first time on our last trip in December '06 and it worked beautifully for us! We have two teenagers (DD18 and DS15) and the DP really saved $$. It was lovely knowing our meals were paid for in advance, and the kids thought it was awesome that they could choose anything on the menu that appealed to them instead of "settling" for something else due to the cost. My husband didn't really understand the concept of it at first (I'm the obsessive planner in the family ) but after the first day, he told me I was a genius for getting the plan. Hehehe! I don't mind making ADR's in advance, I just plan which parks we're going to be visiting on each day and make our reservations accordingly. To me, it's all part of the fun. I have our ADR's all set for our upcoming trip in Aug/Sept when we'll be enjoying the DDP for free!

 

[tiggrsbride]

Love DDP!!! Got it for free in '05, and it was the best thing ever! It spoiled us, and now we won't go back without it! Pre-DDP, we would budget for food, try to eat mostly CS, and eat a few TS, usually for lunch. I would always try to order cheap to avoid sticker shock when the bill came.

Now the DDP allows us to plan TS everyday of our trip. We love sitting down to a great meal together. The kids love choosing restaurants, and checking out menus. We are planning our trip together, which contributes to the excitement. The kids have gotten bigger, and have acquired adult palates. No more chicken fingers and fries. My DD 10 can't wait for escargot and filet at one of her choices, Chef's de France! DDP allows our family to indulge during our trips. Paying for it this trip, but think it is worth it!!! We don't eat like that at home! Last time I gained 2lbs, DH lost 1 1/2 .

 

[LWcalif]

We love the DDP! First used it for "free dining" in 2005 and were "hooked". I'm one of those people that looked at the menu prices before I decided if we would dine there. We had a wonderful time choosing where we would eat based on menu choices rather than prices. Decided that we would gladly pay for it for all future visits. Weren't planning on going back in '06' but when the free dining came out.....we booked. Well, we are going back again in Sept. Yes, free dining again. I'm sure we are the "target" family that they want to lure back with free dining. Yup, we keep coming back. We're spoiled now. The family won't travel now without the dining plan.

 

[Eventer98]

Last trip we paid OOP for all our meals b/c we stayed at SOG. We are going to be able to use the DDP for 5 days on our upcoming trip and we can't wait!! Making ADRs doesn't bother us at all..we thrive on it!! I am sure we will love the plan. Thanks for starting this positive thread!

 

[goinback]

The DDP makes your vacation really all-inclusive! I love not worrying about how much I am spending per meal. Love having details worked out ahead of time so we can just relax!!!!

 

[kimberh]

We love the DDP!!!! It's a no Brainer. To those that don't.... What can be said? It helps to actually be on a vacation, just like a cruise. Pay at check in and off to your vacation, you go! The food is good, the restaurants are good, if you plan ahead, our service has been good.

 

[Albertan mom]

So glad to see all the positive posts here!

I am glad you all love it as much as I do!!

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I got it for free in 2005 and I was hooked too. Now I own DVC so I have to pay for it but it is still a great deal! Not having to worry about $$. I am cheap and will never order what I want if it is more expensive, so I actually get what I want without worrying about it. Yes you have to plan, but I LOVE to plan! The dining plan is great!!

 

[rotlex]

Why do we love it? It saved us over $500 dollars on our last trip, LOL!

Seriously though, I think it is perhaps the best deal going whether you are paying for it or not! We bought it for the first time on our past April trip, and could not believe how much we saved on meals. I was very hesitant initially in forking out over $700 for meals before hand, but afterwards, I realized just what a deal it was. Especially when I added up the days totals for food for my family.

Will I buy it again. Absolutely! I STILL can't believe we are getting it for free when we head down again in August. I love it!

 

[Mom of 3]

Love it!
Getting it for free.
Like to know where I'm eating in advance.
Get to try restaurants I wouldn't normally be able to afford.
Have 3 hungry boys and a husband to feed.
Don't have to worry about the cost, usually I'm really cheap.

 

[Albertan mom]

I love that we were there for 10 days, and got $1715.00 worth of food....for free!!!

(yes, I kept all my receipts!)