Just received a Free Dining pin!

[disneymom0104]

I didn't even know Disneyland did Free Dining offers. We were tentatively planning a trip sometime in the spring, but now this has me wondering- it has to be used by 10/8. It is for a 4 night trip and a stay in one of the 3 Disneyland hotels. I know the dining plan at DL doesn't compare to the plan at WDW and that it really isn't worth paying for- but I wonder if it is a good deal to get it free? (But pay rack rate for the room) I guess there are are enough restaurant options? If this was our one DL trip for a few years would we rather stay for 4 nights at a Disney property with free dining or 7 nights off property with only a couple on property meals? This would be a Disney only trip- no other theme parks this time around.

I think I need to check around and see the refurb list for early Oct.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I would try to price compare and see if its worth it. Have fun with whatever you decide.

 

[scion5220]

What do they include as the "free" dining option?

 

[disneymom0104]

What do they include as the "free" dining option?

4 day "Dine in the Magic" plan, which would include 1 character meal, one regular meal and 1 snack per day- and 1 character meal is a premium meal. Looks like tax and gratuity are included in the vouchers. I am still reading the fine print and it looks like you can stay up to 5 nights with travel completed by 10/12/11.

It says the savings is $773 for a family of 4 (with one child being a junior- I would have 2 children and a baby- so a little less savings than that)

 

[scion5220]

4 day "Dine in the Magic" plan, which would include 1 character meal, one regular meal and 1 snack per day- and 1 character meal is a premium meal. Looks like tax and gratuity are included in the vouchers. I am still reading the fine print and it looks like you can stay up to 5 nights with travel completed by 10/12/11.

It says the savings is $773 for a family of 4 (with one child being a junior- I would have 2 children and a baby- so a little less savings than that)

Thanks. I haven't quite figured out the Disneyland dining plan options.

 

[DizNee Luver]

You're sure it's for Disneyland??? We've done the dining plan once before & the "Dine in the Magic" is a WDW thing.....DL plans are character names.

 

[scion5220]

You're sure it's for Disneyland??? We've done the dining plan once before & the "Dine in the Magic" is a WDW thing.....DL plans are character names.

At WDW it is called the Disney Dining Plan "DDP", just checked the DL site and the dining is now referred to as "Dine in the Magic".

http://bookdlr.reservations.disney....strPageName=2011_Guest_STD_DiningOption_PopUp

 

[scion5220]

The DL plan is so confusing...can the "character meal" be used at a non-character table service restaurant? And what does it get you?

 

[disneymom0104]

This is copied from the e-mail:
Enjoy a FREE Dine In The Magic Plan*
with the purchase of a non-discounted
4-Night/2-Day Vacation Package at the
Disneyland® Resort.
Now's a great time for your family to enjoy a magical Disneyland® Resort stay with a FREE Dining Plan, too!

That's a savings of $773** for a family of four.

Valid for arrivals 8/22–10/8/11.


I need to call them to find out exactly- but my kids are good with character meals. I would also like more than a 2 day pass- so I wonder what the flexibility on that is. I know at WDW it is just a "guideline" but they are flexible with the way you set up the nights in the hotel and days in the parks.

 

[disneymom0104]

The DL plan is so confusing...can the "character meal" be used at a non-character table service restaurant? And what does it get you?

From everything I have learned here, purchasing the dining plan at Disneyland is not a great deal. It is dollar for dollar, there is no savings. They give you vouchers instead of it just being on your room key. Your voucher for counter service meals is $15, but if you decide you want a $12 meal they do not give you change and you basically lose $3 that you have already paid. I think if you wanted to prepay for meals people suggest buying Disney giftcards- that way you are able to spend what you want and not lose any money.

 

[sonnyjane]

From everything I have learned here, purchasing the dining plan at Disneyland is not a great deal. It is dollar for dollar, there is no savings. They give you vouchers instead of it just being on your room key. Your voucher for counter service meals is $15, but if you decide you want a $12 meal they do not give you change and you basically lose $3 that you have already paid. I think if you wanted to prepay for meals people suggest buying Disney giftcards- that way you are able to spend what you want and not lose any money.

You understand it correctly. In that case, compare the special deals with the current rack rates and then factor in how many members are in your family and how many days you'll be staying. Let's say a character meal is about $40, the "meal" is $15, and the snack is $5. That means $60 per person, per day. If the difference between the room rates is less than the total value of food vouchers, than go with the free dining. The dining plan is not something I'd ever pay for, but if it was free, I'd certainly use it.

ETA: I just read the details of the vacation that it must be 4 nights but only 2 days in the parks. You can still compare, but I would imagine that the package price with "free dining" won't be much of a savings if any at all compared to booking the sale rate separately.

 

[M4travels]

This is copied from the e-mail:
Enjoy a FREE Dine In The Magic Plan*
with the purchase of a non-discounted
4-Night/2-Day Vacation Package at the
Disneyland® Resort.
Now's a great time for your family to enjoy a magical Disneyland® Resort stay with a FREE Dining Plan, too!

How does one do a 4-night/2-day vacation?

Michael

 

[sonnyjane]

How does one do a 4-night/2-day vacation?

Michael

Lol weird!

 

[disneymom0104]

I called Disney and they let you do any combo up to a 5 night stay- so we will likely do a 5 day hopper with it. She said this was the first time they have ever offered free dining. Seems like a pretty good deal to me! We are thinking of doing Paradise Pier.

 

[Eeee-va]

I called Disney and they let you do any combo up to a 5 night stay- so we will likely do a 5 day hopper with it. She said this was the first time they have ever offered free dining. Seems like a pretty good deal to me! We are thinking of doing Paradise Pier.

Fascinating! It sounds like it's probably a good deal for you, and honestly, if I were in your shoes, I think I'd give it a try!

If you're feeling analytical, you could run the numbers by putting your dates in at Disney's hotel site to see the "rack rate" price. Take 35% off--that is probably the lowest rate you'd be likely to see (though there's absolutely no guarantee of a PIN code). Then you could try to estimate out the value of your dining plan and compare. If you're not that into character meals or your family isn't big eaters, then if the savings is similar, a trip WITHOUT the dining plan might actually be cheaper. But of course it's not 100% that you'll get a regular PIN code for dates you can use.

If free dining becomes more widespread, Disneyland dining reservations MIGHT become more competitive. I don't think it'll be like how I hear WDW is, but it may be harder to just book a meal a week in advance.

 

[disneychrista]

The savings they quote is only true savings IF you would have spent that money to begin with. Would you really do a $30 character breakfast/meal every day?

 

[disneymom0104]

The savings they quote is only true savings IF you would have spent that money to begin with. Would you really do a $30 character breakfast/meal every day?

Right. I totally get that. But we would have for sure done a couple of the character meals, and the CM said the vouchers don't have to be used for character meals- they can be used at any sit down restaurant that accepts them. So instead of staying off site, and paying for a few meals on property and filling in with meals other places- we will stay on property and have all our meals included for a little bit less. It isn't totally an $800 savings, but it still is a pretty good deal IMO! Especially since tax and gratuity are included in the vouchers!