Is MYW Dining truly worth it???

[NYMom]

I am trying to plan our family's late August trip to WDW and am unsure of wheather to stay at the Dolphin 7n using the nurse discount or book the MYW package with dining through Disney. After staying at the Swan for our last vacation, DH doesn't want to stay anywhere but near the Boardwalk. DS's wanted to try the AKL but DH was unerved by the amount of people in the lobby and just walking around the AKL while we had dinner at Boma.
I have read many posts raving about the MYW Dining and a few that didn't think it was worth it. I question wheather there really is a true savings. I realize that Disney doesn't offer the room only discounts that they've had in the past, but has NE1 figured out their savings using the dining plan then compared it to what they spent last year using the room discount codes and their food /ticket budget OR compared it to buying an AP, using AP discounts and possibly DDE? I fear that this is just a way for Disney to camoflauge a substantial rate increase by charging rack rates on the room, figuring that some guests will not order all that their entitled to and paying for additional meals at resturaunts not on the plan. Will room only discount codes be a thing of the past?
As for my plans, staying at the S/D is magical for me, we love these hotels especially the grotto pool. I am able to use the Nurse discount and am a SPG gold member. I save money in a separate checking account so prepaying my food is not an issue. I loved staying at Disney hotels too, but in recent years have saved by staying at the S/D. Being a stay at home mom and power shopper, I'm always looking for a way to get the best value for my money, hence my question. Thanks

 

[SeattleMark]

I did our comparison and it will save us at least $350 during our 5 days/4 nights. We're two adults and 2 teens and we're planning on eating all of our meals at the restaurants on the list anyways (aside from Nine Dragons) More examples of saving scenarios can be found here: http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/discounts/myw.shtml

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think you'll save anything if signing up for the plan INCREASES your effective room rate.

Shop your best rate at S/D, remember to add in the resort fee and parking charge. Shop an AP rate and a AAA rate at the other EPCOT resorts. You can add dining with the AAA rate if you book it through a AAA office.

For many people the DDE will save as much as MYW Dining. DDE will discount alcoholic drinks. Everyone has to order appetizers and desserts with MYW Dining if you want to maximize your savings. Don't and your savings will savings but if you do your weight may grow.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

There are six of us . . . 4 "adults" and 2 children. We decided against it. It didn't seem worth it to me?!?!

 

[ktink]

We downgraded from WL and Poly to POR and added dining and saved over $700! So for us it was worth it. We can't eat at WDW and have all that the plan offers for $35 a day per adult, theres 2 of us and then $10 a day for the kids 2 of them. I love knowing that the meals are already paid for too! I love the dining option as you can see.

 

[denman007]

I did our comparison and it will save us at least $350 during our 5 days/4 nights. We're two adults and 2 teens and we're planning on eating all of our meals at the restaurants on the list anyways (aside from Nine Dragons) More examples of saving scenarios can be found here: http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/discounts/myw.shtml

How in the world can it save you $350 in 4 nights? I take it you're not eating at any restaurant that counts double.

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

thanks for the link SeattleMark!! DF and I figured we will save at least $200 with this plan, but we have no kids and intend on using the plan by banking for "Signature Dining" so we get more bang for our buck! Like the link below says it does take some planning and strategy to optimize your savings, but isn't planning part of the fun and build up to the trip? As with anything new people are hesitant and afraid, we don't like change. I myself was hesitant until DF & I sat down and did some math, and let me say that for us (let me say that again) for us, it is Disney Magic

Good luck & hope that helps

 

[Lewisc]

How in the world can it save you $350 in 4 nights? I take it you're not eating at any restaurant that counts double.

4 Adults 4 days is $560. The only way I can see them saving $350 is if they intentionally pick the most expensive restaurants and the most expensive items. Even that may be a reach. Most of the comparisions show people saving around 20%.

The very big savings come from using kids meals for adults but this poster only has 4 adults.

 

[christinou]

For us it was not worth it, as my 10 year old would be charged as an adult, and most of the restaurants that we like at EPCOT do not participate.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

For us it was not worth it, as my 10 year old would be charged as an adult, and most of the restaurants that we like at EPCOT do not participate.

It wouldn't be worth it for us either as our 3 teens/tweens wouldn't eat their money's worth. For us... we'd go with the DDE if we had APs...

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

The dining plan is definately worth it! It helps you calculate your total expense. If you just book the room or package..you have to then estimate how much to spend on food. My b/f and I went last Thanksgiving and stayed at the All Star Movies for 4 nights...and together we must have spent close to $450 on food...just going to the traditional character breakfasts like Chef Mickey...and Cinderella's and the like. This time..we opted for the dining because your meals and tips are already paid for when you get there. Plus...most of the most popular restaurants are are the list. It really does save you money!

 

[Debs1963]

Going to WDW in Mid-May and am happy we got the dining plan. We are first- timers with 4 and 6 yo and to date have booked 4 character meals for dinner. You are allowed to use sit-down meals on plan towards character meals. On many days the character meal alone has more than paid for the $90 spent on meal plan and in addition we still have counter service meal and a snack left for those days. I also liked knowing that 90% of food was paid for in advance and that I knew how much I was spending. I could see where the cost effectiveness would be more questionable if you had older children who you were paying $35 vs $10 per day for little ones. Also, for people who have been to WDW numerous times and may not be attending may character meals.

 

[BettyCv]

We are in the ideal situation. We have three 5-year-olds, so they only pay $10.99 each. We have several character meals planned, which we normally wouldn't consider doing! I am hoping this leaves a lot more time for seeing the parks, instead of chasing down characters.

On top of that, we received a PIN and are paying only $79 ($88 with tax) at POR.

Betty

 

[cocowum]

Mary over on Mousesavers wrote a really informative article click here about whether or not the package is a good deal. It was not a good deal for our family. HTH

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

I like the idea of it being paid for in advance. I also like that we will get a table service meal everyday (WITH appetizer and dessert included!!!!) Otherwise, we would be choosing the least expensive entree and nothing extra. I look at it as a way to splurge a little, both with calories and ordering whatever I want from the menu!!

 

[MomofKatie]

I like the idea of it being paid for in advance. I also like that we will get a table service meal everyday (WITH appetizer and dessert included!!!!) Otherwise, we would be choosing the least expensive entree and nothing extra. I look at it as a way to splurge a little, both with calories and ordering whatever I want from the menu!!

This is exactly why we decided to try the MYW Dining plan. I crunched the numbers, and we save around $250 based on ordering the same things on plan vs. off plan. Then I looked at cost of MYW vs. our 'usual' eating habits- one Table svc meal every other day, counter svc otherwise, and not ordering desserts or appetizers for every person at each meal, etc., and we still come out about even!

So for us, it's a win-win proposition. Our meals will be pre-paid, and we get to indulge in lots of restaurants and food that we normally wouldn't try.

 

[piglethappy]

I just thought I would add my 2 cents! Our family has been to disney multiple times and we always like to eat at the character meals or other nicer resturants like Boma's. Those meals start adding up

I have sat and crunched the numbers with every type of scenerio that I could come up with and it really is cheapest (for us) to book the package with AAA and get the MYD option. We were not lucky enough to get a pin code but we could have used SOG overflow for POR and even with the cheaper overflow rate we still make out better with the AAA package. I think what really makes it worth it is that tax and tip are included. Also like everyone else with kids 9 and under has said, feeding them for 10.00 is fantastic.

 

[disneyfan551]

I'm trying to figure out if the dining plan is worth it for our group as well. One quick question... Are AP rates available for room/packages? Granted there is no way to know for sure if we will even get an AP rate. I'm so confused!

 

[MomofKatie]

I'm trying to figure out if the dining plan is worth it for our group as well. One quick question... Are AP rates available for room/packages? Granted there is no way to know for sure if we will even get an AP rate. I'm so confused!

Unfortunately, no. The MYW Dining is only available as a room/park tickets/dining package. If you have an AP, you won't be purchasing tickets, so the package won't apply. Plus, the Dining add-on has to be purchased by EVERY member of the reservation, so it wouldn't work to have one person get the room with an AP. Sorry!

But AP holders can purchase the Disney Dining Experience card- it is $50, and you receive 20% off almost all sit down restaurants as well as some counter svc places- the card is good for up to 10 in your party.