MAGIC YOUR WAY Package Plus Dining...Worth It?

[huey578]

I'm wondering if buying the dining option is worth the cost? Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

Huey578

 

[Bluenoser]

IMO it is but if you want more go the Restaurant thread there are a quite a few discussions threads on it.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

You really need to horse around with the numbers and see if it will work for you. In my case, I'd be getting the package for 2 adults (DD is 10) and one child, at a cost of $80 per day for the package. I went to the menus at allearsnet.com and wrote down every sit-down and counter-service restaurant we'd be likely to eat at and then added up the approximate cost of the food we'd order at each one. Keeping in mind the length of our stay, I chose the same number of each (sit-down, CS, snacks) to match the number we'd have under the dining plan. When all was said and done, for my family the cost of the plan was almost the same as what we'd spend in cash - that is not true for many, but it was for us. For example, we would not typically order appetizers, and while this would be an added bonus, I shudder at the thought of the food we'd waste - and the kids would not want it to begin with? This made the cost of the package NOT a deal, and since I'd rather book room-only for the better payment and cancellation policies, I know I can go ahead and do what I really want without worrying about saving money. It took me quite some time to get all the info last night and curnch the numbers (not a math person at all), but I'm glad I made the effort.

 

[simzac]

Based on our last 2 trips, no. But that's us, you will have to figure yourself how much you will eat, and what type of resturants you will want to eat at.

 

[JJsmama]

It was definitely worth it for us. We had 4 kids with us. $10 per day? You can NOT beat that for all you get. We also did nicer restaurants at night. If you are only adults and only want counter service, maybe skip it. Otherwise, it is a good deal.

 

[txgirl]

Remember, you can't book a "Room-only" res and get the dining package. Quite often your savings on your room discount alone will wipe out any savings you may have had with the dining package. I think it is Disney's way of trying to get you to buy the MYW package without doing the math of room-only. If not, then why can't you buy the dining package by itself? hmmm..........

 

[shelby2001]

MickeyMonstersMom since your daughter is 10 she is considered and adult under the dining package so it is really 105.00 a day just thought I'd let you know that.

 

[blueberry22]

We just got back and traveled with 4 teens. We found it saved about $25 per person per day. Heading back in June and wrestling with whether to use the ap rate on rooms or get the dining plan with the AAA rate. The room savings at a moderate is only about 18 per day ap over aaa. However we're also very close to gooking a group which would let us do AKL for 119 per night- and then I'd give up the dining plan in a heartbeat!!

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

It seems worth it for adults and kids under 9. Kids over are charged the same as adults. I have two kids 10 and 12 who still use the children's menu. They will not be eating $35 worth of food a day so it is not worth it for us. The person who answered above said her 10 year old whould be $10 but that is not true. Ten year olds also cost $35 a day.

 

[MomofKatie]

For us it is worth the $$$. Me, DH, and DD7 will cost $80 per day. I looked on Deb's website and added up the cost of meals at the restaurants we want to go to. We ended up saving around $175 for the week.

But, the biggest reason I decided to try out the Dining plan this time is the convenience factor. With the plan, we are ensured a nice break each day when we sit down to eat at a Table Service restaurant. We can order what we want, without worrying about the cost of each item (I am a big "order what is less expensive and not what looks the best" type- too cheap, I guess). And it will all be prepaid, so there won't be any nasty suprises at the end of the vacation!

It's up to you to decide if the plan is worth it- for us, it definitely is!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

MickeyMonstersMom since your daughter is 10 she is considered and adult under the dining package so it is really 105.00 a day just thought I'd let you know that.

Sorry about the lack of clarity. My $80 figure included DD and myself as adults, and DS as the child - no other adults.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

It seems worth it for adults and kids under 9. Kids over are charged the same as adults. I have two kids 10 and 12 who still use the children's menu. They will not be eating $35 worth of food a day so it is not worth it for us. The person who answered above said her 10 year old whould be $10 but that is not true. Ten year olds also cost $35 a day.

Again with the apologies. I had meant that DD was indeed charged as an adult, but I guess I wasn't clear about that. Yikes! I'd hate to give out misinformation!! It's my 7 y/o DS who would be charged as a child.

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

Just wanted to add:

The tax and tip are included in the cost of the dining plan. This will definitely make a difference at the more expensive sit downs.

We will be using the dining plan in June. My DS13 can really eat so the fact that he will be able to order an appetizer and a dessert(without us worrying about the cost) is awesome. Also at the non buffet sit downs my husband and I are thinking about sharing. Not so much to save the credits, but because of the amount of food they give you.

 

[LSUDis]

It seems worth it for adults and kids under 9. Kids over are charged the same as adults. I have two kids 10 and 12 who still use the children's menu. They will not be eating $35 worth of food a day so it is not worth it for us. The person who answered above said her 10 year old whould be $10 but that is not true. Ten year olds also cost $35 a day.

I agree. My oldest is 9 this year, so we are using it b/c it will be the only time that we would consider using it until he's much older. He does not eat much at all and to be charged $35 for 2 chicken strips and a half a pizza (which is about all he would eat in a day) is crazy (for us). If I had children over 9 who were big eaters, I'd have to reconsider, but for us, this year will be the only time we use the dining plan until 4-5 more years in the future(I've heard 15 & 16 year old boys eat a lot!)

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Agree w/ most. I have a 9 Y.O., so this year it is a deal, but next year- Not so sure.

We were able to get the AAA discount on the room portion, so that did help a little. A lot have reported that they were able to add dining onto E-mail or postcard rates, so if you are a lucky one who recieves one of those, it is QUITE a bargain.

We have usually spent around $125/day on meals. Sometimes less, but sometimes more. So the meal plan at 90/day for the 4 of us, is a savings. However it occurred to me the other night, that with that $125, it often included an alcoholic beverage with our sit-down meal, for DH, and I, so it might not be as big of a savings as I thought.

Either way- It is VERY NICE to have everything paid for in advance, and not have to budget once we are there.

 

[luvsgrumpy]

But, the biggest reason I decided to try out the Dining plan this time is the convenience factor. With the plan, we are ensured a nice break each day when we sit down to eat at a Table Service restaurant. We can order what we want, without worrying about the cost of each item (I am a big "order what is less expensive and not what looks the best" type- too cheap, I guess). And it will all be prepaid, so there won't be any nasty suprises at the end of the vacation!

It's up to you to decide if the plan is worth it- for us, it definitely is!

This is one of the reasons we are going with the dining plan too, CONVENIENCE! I too always order the least expensive and never any appetizers or desserts. The way we figure, the money will probably be close, but not having to worry about everything all the time is well worth it. After all, we saved a long time for this and want to do it right. Plus, DS10 is really excited about not having to eat off the kids menu!! He will turn 11 in WDW and is a big eater!

Only 24 more days!!