Is The Disney Dining Plan Worth It To You?

[mom2aredhead]

We did make plans for more TS, but we just felt like we were wasting so much time waiting to be seated, waiting to be served, waiting for the characters, waiting for the bill, etc---you get the picture---that we cancelled.

Nope. Disney dining no longer offers us anything we can't usually find at home for half the price. Plus the headache of having to determine where we want to eat months in advance makes the whole deal very un-appetizing.

I completely agree with both of you. It just doesn't suit our vacation to have to drop everything and run to a TS restaurant because it's already paid for. We talked about it, and my husband gave me the "reality check" - He made some kind of comment about dragging my son off Small World kicking and screaming to go to Canada for steak dinner at 4:30 in the afternoon and it just sounded silly. We'll be there for 6 nights, and have reservations at CM for dinner arrival night, CM breakfast departure morning, Mickey's Backyard BBQ and Garden Grill during the course of the week. Rainforest Cafe is also a must do for us and is not on the plan. We'll have a rental car, so we'll have lots of options. Would we save money on the plan? Probably. Not a ton. Not enough to make it worth it.

Yes, I know if you add up the price of GG for the 3 of us it would cost what the plan cost for the day and I would still have a CS and snack credit for that day and I could eat steak every day blah blah blah. But if I want to cancel GG and go to Margaritaville instead, I can. If my son wants pizza at Pizza Planet, he can get it. I still plan to eat whatever I want and I don't stress over menu prices on vacation. It's only 7 days out of my life. I'll eat a yogurt for lunch for 3 days when I get home instead of a sandwich and it'll all even out.

I live in NY - Disney prices do not shock me. I look forward to enjoying the parks and our time together as a family. We'll do filet mignon and a bottle of Merlot at home.

 

[bigskyernurse]

Not only because we saved $ (but I know we did) but it was so much easier having it all prepaid for and not having to worry about it. No stress about what to order and you can not worry about the bill. Really relaxing and a true feel of vacation.

 

[reeeoga]

I did a little test last night. I went through the menus and added up the cost of items we would order if we had to pay out of pocket. I did this eating only at CS places. The difference between that and the DDP was $60 . So the plan is well worth it for us.

For the choices I had everyone choose 1 main item, 1 side, 1 drink. I then add 2 desserts for at night, and 1 to split at lunch.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

Yes.
We've never had it free, yet!
We like having the convenience of it being paid ahead of time, one less thing to think about when we're out for the day. We always eat table service for dinner at least three nights while we are there, so it's worth it for us.
AND... we get to be piggies and try all different desserts, etc.

 

[clownfish1452]

Just made my trip so easy no worries on planning money for food.

Sarah

 

[sadjak]

Unfortunately for us, our boys will be turning 10 in May. With our trip in July they will be charged as adults. It won't work out on this trip because they don't eat enough.

It would be good if only my wife and I could get the plan but my understanding is that the entire party must be signed up. I knew we should have went last fall!!

 

[Helpmate]

I can see depending on one's preferences for enjoying WDW that the DDP could easily get in the way. We have very young children and they often need a break from the heat and/or walking. Honestly, we often need a break too! So, these prepaid snacks, lunches and dinners work really well for us. So, I guess I see how what works for some doesn't always work well for all. It's a good thing we have choices!

 

[amygirl27]

We have used the DDP on our last 2 trips and paid for it both times. We are going again in 3 weeks with the Free dining plan.

With my 2 kids, my husband and I, I like the DDP for several reasons. First, I love not having to worry about how much $$ we are spending. It is nice to have everything paid for and not have to worry about budgeting for meals. Secondly, I believe that it is a break even for us. We stay on site and we do not have a car so we are at the mercy of WDW for our meals. I have considered "what if we didnt' have the DDP" on prior trips and I think that we'd end up spending about the same amount of money - but we would spend it on counter service and snack type foods. With the DDP at least we get to try the best resturants and really splurge while we are there. The third reason I love the plan is it really makes for a happy family. With the plan we get to yes to the snack requests. The kids can order what they want with no concern for budget or cost. That is a bonus for us. We do NOT spoil our kids in the real world but at WDW I really try not to have to say no. Our kids are well behaved and respectful and they typically make good choices from how they behave to how they eat. If they want a ice cream or another treat I want them to enjoy it on vacation. The final reason - all those table service meals are wonderful and I'd be sad if we had to skip them due to the cost. Le Cellier is a fav or ours. Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace are great for the kids. Having that time in the middle of our crazy hectic day means alot of our family. Be it the expereince that a particular resturant offers or simply having the chance to have some quiet time to relax and talk about what we have liked best so far We really love it.

 

[Pamjr]

Honestly, I can't find anything wrong with the DDP. We can't eat all the food but we are trying. We had our reservations for dinner every night this week and absolutely nothing went wrong at any restaurant.

We arrived early and every time we were seated within 5 min. Even when we got to GFC and there were dozens and dozens of people waiting, we got in within 5 min. I was certain that was going to be a 20 min. wait. I've been very pleased with everything.

We've been calculating and there's no doubt we would be spending much more. We always order whatever we want and I think this is a perfect system.

Works for us anyway.
Pam

 

[tinkerbelluk]

When I went in January my family took out the DDP, and we found it to be excellent value for money.

I think however you need to weigh up whether your eating habits make DDP value for money for you. For example if you intend to eat at WDW for every evening meal of your vacation then its worth every cent. (when we reflected back at the end of our holiday we found the cost of buying the main (table service) meal of the day on nearly all occasions would have been more than the cost of the dining plan for the whole day).

However, if you have a light appetite, have children who are faddy eaters, or plan to spend alot of time away from WDW, I'd certainly consider very carefully whether to use DDP.

If you do decide to go for it - and overall I would definitely recommend it - my biggest tip is BOOK EARLY. The dawn of the DDP has meant that Full service restaurants book up earlier than ever, especially the popular ones.

Our special recommendations include the Whispering Canyon, Chefs de France, and the Cape May Cafe for table service, and the Earl of Sandwich, Flame Tree Barbeque and the food court at the Caribbean Beach Resort for counter service.

 

[leanne2255]

We are trying DDp for this first time next week. $40 PP per day seemed like a good deal to me. Since we're going the week-end after Labor Day, I'm not making any advance reservations. We have never had diffilculty getting into a restaurant, nor too long of a wait. I am one that cannot commit months in advance to arrive at a certain place at a certain time. I'd rather go with the flow.

We'll see how it works out.