Is it worth it?

[Vremfar]

We're planning our first trip to WWD in 20 years, (the kids 11 & 13 have never been) for next December. Trying to decide if the dining plan is worth purchasing. I should point out the oldest is a teen boy! I'd love to hear opinions for and against.

Thanks!

 

[JJsmama]

I always have enjoyed the dining plan in the past. This year I am reconsidering it. Now that my oldest two are charged as adults but eat like birds, I'm not sure whether I will do it or not. If they were big eaters, I would definitely do it. Mainly, I love having it included and feeling like it is already paid for. Also, the regular only includes two meals a day, so you might still need to pay for a third, FYI, depending on your eating habits.

We eat 3-4 times a day but in smaller amounts, so this year I am thinking of paying out of pocket.

 

[lovndisney12]

We have used the dining plan on our last two trips - basic plan (1 TS, 1CS, 1 Snack). Before the first trip I did all this figuring to make sure it was worth it and it seemed it would be. We ended up getting free dining so it didn't really matter - BUT we decided we would never go without it - even if we had to pay.

I figured we got more "quality" food and more "quality" dining experiences by being on the dining plan than we would have if we paid out of pocket. In other words, we would have only eaten at a couple sit down restaurants and primarily used counter service if we weren't on the dining plan. Now, the TS meals are as much of the experience as the rest of the trip.


The food at Disney is over priced (to be expected) so sit down meals will run you around $130 to $180 for a family of 4 (all considered Disney adults). We would never pay this for dinner so I like the idea that the meal is paid for and everyone can order what they want and I'm not "freaking" out at the prices.

You may end up feeling some food is wasted since you do get a drink and dessert with the CS and TS meals. You also may not normally purchase these items so it may seem like extra money that you wouldn't have paid for if you went out of pocket.

And don't forget tips. We spend about $180 on tips for our last trip - 6 nights (6 TS).

But, even with the tips - it is worth it.

 

[texasdisneygal]

DH says he read somewhere that the DDP averages out to be about a 20% savings. HTH.

 

[Nadjalu]

The only real way to know if it is a right fit for your family is to do the hard math.

Meaning, pick out the restaurants you think you will dine at, choose an meal for everyone in your party (as to what they may choose), total everything up for the entire trip and see if it comes out more or less for your family.

Honestly it is the only way to know. With so many different opinions, eating styles, likes and dislikes, only you know your family and how/what they eat.

Sorry this really isn't an easy answer but it is the best to really know.

 

[stitchlover]

Every year I sit down and do the "hard math". I pull the menus for the restaurants we are going to and decide is it worth it or not. Every year it is worth it. In fact this year we upgraded to DxDDP. This one I am on the fence about mainly because I'm afraid I can't eat that much. I'm sure DH can but I don't generally eat three meals and two snacks a day while I'm there. But our daughter pointed out to me that those snacks don't have to be food. It can be a bottle of water or a glass of soda in the late afternoon. We shall see.

But I think the DDP is definitely worth it. Just wish all the plans still included tips.

 

[ccgirl]

They are both considered "adults" for WDW dining plan purposes. That being said; are they big eaters? WHenever we have stayed on site we have gotten the dining plans. My children love the characters and I can't stand waiting in line for their autographs so I book character meals. My DH really likes one sit down meal a day to compress. So, for us it is a savings. The dining plan is approx $45 per adult per night. Look at the menus and figure out how much money you would spend otherwise. Not everyone likes 1 sit down meal so it may not be worth it. This is for the regular dining plan. There is also the counter service dining plan if you are staying at a value resort. That is 2 counter service meals/2 snacks/1refillable mug. The mug is normally $13 by itself. It really all depends on how your family eats. I love allears.net for the menus.

Good luck.