Looking for info to sell DH on Dining Plan...

[Grendalynn]

I am looking for som "ammo" to sell my husbandon the whole dining plan idea... We are new to it and have never used it. Our first trip when it was available we were in our Motorhomes at FW and then we were on a Land and Sea packange which didn't give us the dining option... Now that we are fianlly in a spot to tap into this resourse, DH isn't sold on the idea....

What can readers out there give me for info either in support of or against the Disning Plan, and or Dininsg plan plus... Is it worth the money? I read before that the selected restaurants were often busy and over crowded - ressies were hard to get.... Thanks o so much!!

 

[mcco5543]

I wasn't sold either but i promised my wife i'd try it just for our honeymoon and if it didn't work out...never again...



it MORE than worked out.

As long as you eat at 1 table service per day and as many CS's per day as possible you'll be fine.

We are 2 adults and i'm a picky eater and it STILL worked out.

promise your DH you'll go to buffets , he can get his money's worth
promise him if it doesn't add up and you end up losing money you'll never make him do it again.

 

[kellyf2626]

I think the DDP is a great thing if you are the type of family that likes to eat at sit-down restaurants many of the days during your trip. For example, we usually eat at a sit-down place at least 1x per day. So....if you figure that you will probably pay about $25-$30/pp (at least for adults) at that sit-down meal, it is a no-brainer to spend the $39/pp for the DDP per day. Basically for about $9 more, you get a counter service meal, and also a snack.

Basically we figure we would spend way more than $40/pp each day for food - we love to eat at places like Teppanyaki, Le Cellier, etc... where just the sit-down meal (with app, meal, dessert) would be about the cost of the DDP per day - it just makes sense. Where it doesn't make sense is if you really only eat at a sit-down place a few times in your trip.

Good luck making your argument to DH! I think it's a great deal!!

 

[faindrops27]

I think the DDP is a great thing if you are the type of family that likes to eat at sit-down restaurants many of the days during your trip. For example, we usually eat at a sit-down place at least 1x per day. So....if you figure that you will probably pay about $25-$30/pp (at least for adults) at that sit-down meal, it is a no-brainer to spend the $39/pp for the DDP per day. Basically for about $9 more, you get a counter service meal, and also a snack.

Basically we figure we would spend way more than $40/pp each day for food - we love to eat at places like Teppanyaki, Le Cellier, etc... where just the sit-down meal (with app, meal, dessert) would be about the cost of the DDP per day - it just makes sense. Where it doesn't make sense is if you really only eat at a sit-down place a few times in your trip.

Good luck making your argument to DH! I think it's a great deal!!

I just want to say Congratulations, to you, an your family. On the precious little one who is coming!!

 

[kellyf2626]

I just want to say Congratulations, to you, an your family. On the precious little one who is coming!!

Thank you! Hopefully any day now!!

 

[TSM1993]

We kept track on the ddp what the meals would have cost.

We ate at Concourse, LeCellier and Spoodles.
Each of those meals for 2 people came to over $100.00 and they were one TS meals. Plus this year tip is included (next year 2008 it wont be) so you also of the convience of having your meals paid for in advance.

We ate at CS meal and it came to $25.00 for 2 people.

Also you each get a snack and they run about $4.00ea

Broken down per person.
Dining plan price 39.00 you get 1CS 1TS and 1 Snack per person

TS per person $50.00 (includes app, drink[non alcholic],entree, and dessert, 18% tip and tax

CS per person $12.50 (includes non alcholic drink, entree [may include side may not depending if you buy a combo meal, desert.

Snack About $4.00 per person sodas would of course be less ( was able to get chips and salsa for snack back at the room for 1 snack credit ea and also a box of dounuts for 1 snack credit this may vary based on the area you are at.

So add that up and you have $66.50 per person DDP Cost 39.00 you will have a savings of $27.50 per person or $55.00 for 2 people.

Plus not worrying about having to pay for your food and being able to have the freedom to order what you want.

Yes some reservations are hard to get but if you do it at the 180 day mark and first thing in the morning you may be able to get all the ADR's you want.

We love it and were completely sold on it the first time we used it. (last years free dining we added all the reciepts up and we would have spent almost $1000.00 for the food we ordered but we got it for free)

We have used it ever since. It is easy you get your room key card and they have everything attached to that (including your tickets) hand it to the server and they bring you back a receipt to sign give you your card back and the receipt they give you back keeps track of what meals you have left.

Only problem is sometimes they may take more credits away from you then they should of either by a glich in the system, or some other error. But just tell them back at your resort and they should be able to fix that problem. never had it happen to us but have read about it happening to other posters here on the boards.

 

[TSM1993]

Also one other thing the prices and savings will change depending on where you eat at.

Example buffets your savings will be lower. And if you use you CS for breakfast it will be lower.

 

[kellyf2626]

Plus this year tip is included (next year 2008 it wont be) so you also of the convience of having your meals paid for in advance.

Wow - did not know this! Our next trip spans 2007-2008 (we are checking in on 12/26/07 and checking out on 1/2/08). So for those last two days, will we have to pay tips for our meals on the DDP? Just curious....

 

[Alesia]

I think it depends on how you eat. If you eat 3 big meals a day, it is a great deal.

I can't eat like that. I can't eat an enormous amount of food at once. I probably eat about 10 to 15 bites per meal, but I have to eat every 2 to 3 hours.

 

[Grendalynn]

I think the DDP is a great thing if you are the type of family that likes to eat at sit-down restaurants many of the days during your trip. For example, we usually eat at a sit-down place at least 1x per day. So....if you figure that you will probably pay about $25-$30/pp (at least for adults) at that sit-down meal, it is a no-brainer to spend the $39/pp for the DDP per day. Basically for about $9 more, you get a counter service meal, and also a snack.

Basically we figure we would spend way more than $40/pp each day for food - we love to eat at places like Teppanyaki, Le Cellier, etc... where just the sit-down meal (with app, meal, dessert) would be about the cost of the DDP per day - it just makes sense. Where it doesn't make sense is if you really only eat at a sit-down place a few times in your trip.

Good luck making your argument to DH! I think it's a great deal!!

Congrats on your pregnancy! Best wishes and good luck with your little one that is soon (so soon!) to arrive! They grow so fast... Our little one is into EVERYTHING!! 10 months old and in Hi-speed!! But I wouldn't have it any other way!!!!

We kept track on the ddp what the meals would have cost.

We ate at Concourse, LeCellier and Spoodles.
Each of those meals for 2 people came to over $100.00 and they were one TS meals. Plus this year tip is included (next year 2008 it wont be) so you also of the convience of having your meals paid for in advance.

We ate at CS meal and it came to $25.00 for 2 people.

Also you each get a snack and they run about $4.00ea

Broken down per person.
Dining plan price 39.00 you get 1CS 1TS and 1 Snack per person

TS per person $50.00 (includes app, drink[non alcholic],entree, and dessert, 18% tip and tax

CS per person $12.50 (includes non alcholic drink, entree [may include side may not depending if you buy a combo meal, desert.

Snack About $4.00 per person sodas would of course be less ( was able to get chips and salsa for snack back at the room for 1 snack credit ea and also a box of dounuts for 1 snack credit this may vary based on the area you are at.

So add that up and you have $66.50 per person DDP Cost 39.00 you will have a savings of $27.50 per person or $55.00 for 2 people.

Plus not worrying about having to pay for your food and being able to have the freedom to order what you want.

Yes some reservations are hard to get but if you do it at the 180 day mark and first thing in the morning you may be able to get all the ADR's you want.

We love it and were completely sold on it the first time we used it. (last years free dining we added all the reciepts up and we would have spent almost $1000.00 for the food we ordered but we got it for free)

We have used it ever since. It is easy you get your room key card and they have everything attached to that (including your tickets) hand it to the server and they bring you back a receipt to sign give you your card back and the receipt they give you back keeps track of what meals you have left.

Only problem is sometimes they may take more credits away from you then they should of either by a glich in the system, or some other error. But just tell them back at your resort and they should be able to fix that problem. never had it happen to us but have read about it happening to other posters here on the boards.

Great info!! I will be sure to share this with my darling hubby tonight!! So - no tips included in 2008 - what is the reason for that? Did the dining plan price go down any from 2007 rates or maybe staythe same where everything else went up?? Just curious my the chnage... thanks for the info!! keep it comin!!

 

[jsmla]

My DH was sold when he found out he could have a great big honkin' steak every night. I decided we'd skip it this trip and I think he's a bit disappointed!

Jennifer