Is the dining package worth it?

[Z28KatCar]

We did the DDP for the first time on our last trip and would never go to WDW w/o it again. We took our desserts to go many times and ate them later out side during an outside show or waiting for an attraction. If you plan to do Character dining they add up quick. I also liked it because it allowed us to eat at place we wouldn't have without it, Le Cellier, Japan's Teppan Edo. We also liked it because it was prepaid and we didn't have to keep track of food spending. Just remember on buffet & sit down meals you still have to tip because it is no longer included. Good luck and have fun.

 

[WAHMto5]

We have found it to be for our family. Not only a good value but for us, alot less to worry about when we are there My husband won't go without it!

 

[lucyem]

It depends on how you eat and where you eat. There are ways to maximize the value. Sit down and write up where you want to eat and what you will eat and figure it out.

There is a whole forum devoted to the dining plan and peoples experiences. You will want to check that out.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

You need to do research to decide. Figure out how much it will cost for each person in your family, and check the restaurants you want to go to and look at the prices of the meals you will most likely buy. Include prices for drinks and desserts (and appetizers for children under 10).

Add those prices together, along with average snack price, and see if that costs more or less than the dining plan.

For example, in July 2009, a group of 11 of us (one under 3, so she didn't count) went together on the dining plan. We ended up getting about $1,000 more in food than we paid for on the dining plan.

 

[mrodgers]

We love TIW as we are charge of how we eat, and the best reason is that the kids can share adult meals! Love that!

This is the 2nd thread today that I've seen "TIW" and don't know what that is. What is TIW? Never saw that one before.

 

[lucyem]

This is the 2nd thread today that I've seen "TIW" and don't know what that is. What is TIW? Never saw that one before.

Tables in Wonderland. Allears has a good description. They are available to annual pass holders for $75 and Florida residents who are not AP holders for $100. Basically you get 20% off a number of places including a couple not available on the DDP. Depending on how you eat they can save you more then the DDP, or less. Once again it depends on your eating habits. We will be getting one for our next trip since we will also be getting an AP.

 

[SFD998]

We always go with some form of the dining plan. We usually only get the deluxe when it is just my wife and I. The regular plan works pretty well for the 4 of us and we have managed to tweek to get the most out of it we can. The deluxe ends up being a lot of food and takes up a lot of time eating so this is a better option without the kids IMO. We like having it all prepaid too.

 

[VAN]

Besides the factors listed above, I would also consider if this is your first time at WDW. If you are fairly new to WDW, you will want to spend your time touring the attractions and may not want/need to take lots of time out for TS restaurants.

For those that have been to WDW before, you may enjoy the added dimension of the restaurants.

My DH and I enjoy the FD; however, I don't think we would pay for it as our FD trips are spent trying to make sure we use all of our credits. Normally we only eat lightly during the day and then have a sit-down (or even CS) for the dinner. We also don't necessarily go to the parks everyday as we tend to enjoy the time at our resort just as much. But, we have been to WDW numerous times.

So agree, the answer to whether or not the dining plan is "worth it" just "depends" upon your individual circumstances.

 

[mnmhouston]

We have never really "done the math" to see if it would be cheaper for us going with or without the DP. For us, it's about convenience and not having to budget and worry about what we are spending/eating. We love it!

 

[Hopefully]

I agaree with the previous 2 posters. 1) the Dining Plan is not for everyone and 2) there are very few exclusions. The only one I encountered was the sushi appetizer at Teppan Edo. There may be others but they are few and far between. Almost universally, you can order anything on the menu.
In researching my last trip I read in the Unofficial Guide that the average person saves $7/person/day on the dining plan. Not huge, but a savings. That would be our experience too. There is no question we have saved money.
Our dining style is to eat a light breakfast in the room, a CS lunch most days and a TS dinner each evening. This is how we would eat with or without the plan. So the plan fits our style. We also go durning the F & W festival and we have been able to use our snack credits at the Food booths - a bonus for us.
Look at menus. Decide what you would like to order and add up the cost of those items. Be sure to include tax. Then compare to see if it works for you.

 

[summerneu]

We have purchased it since they started the dining plan, and if you do alot of character meals (we do) then it is worth it.

 

[LisaInNc]

every vacation is different.

I ran numnbers for mine.

I would have to stay at a moderate to get the dining plan that I like. I am fine with the Pop. So I had to factor in that.

The tickets we don't need, but we can use them in the future.

We don't eaty dessert and we are wine drinker so don't need the beverage included with the meals.

I went and looked up the menus and picked the most expensive thing on the menu. I added that up ith tax.

For us it didn't make sense. It's going to cost us.

There is no one answer but I would say look honestly at how your family eats. I was able to figure it out for my family in about 45 minutes.

Lisa