Meal Plan not worth it anymore.

[DisneyBamaFan]

We are not big eaters. We are all pretty small and live at a healthy weight. We tried the DDP last August, since it was free. We booked all the nice restaurants and had a blast - but we were full all day long, and that was leaving half servings on the plate most of the time.

If you normally eat that much food, I guess it would be worth it. For us, we wouldn't do it again for free. I am glad that we tried it once, but never again...

 

[dd50]

I tried the dining last year and it was way to much food and my kids didn't hardly eat any thing. So paying the $40 a day each was a waste. I also found that it took so much time away from the parks and I was so full that we never had a snack until the day we were leaving. We used most on soda's. I was thinking about doing the QS this time but decided not to as sometimes I will split a meal or sometimes the kids just want a side of fries.

 

[harpinjean]

I'm going to Disney with DH, son who is graduating from college, and his girlfriend. I think I am going to get the plan because I want everyone to feel free to get what they want at the TS meals. DS hasn't been in 7 years and his girlfriend has only been once to one park. I want this to be a special trip and want to have a TS every day so it will work good for us. It doesn't save a ton, but I still think it is a good deal for us.

 

[Belle5]

I remember the threads before the DDP removed appys...everyone complained about all the wasted food-it was just too much food. So, Disney removes the appy's and now everyone says it's not as a good a deal--and it's not especially since the tip is not included, there is less food and the price keeps climbing.


If we were a young family again--we would probably do the QS plan and then pay OOP for a few TS meals. However, we have passed that era. Because we have been to WDW so many times, the food (rather than attractions) has evolved to a place of importance to our sons. Dining at new and interesting places is what keeps WDW "fresh" for us. To be able to say to our college and high school aged sons, "Order whatever entree, beverage and dessert you want" is such a treat for them! I love that I don't have to nudge them toward ordering the chicken if they want steak or salmon. I love that they can order a French press of coffee without me raising an eyebrow. Same with the desserts. Food is very important to older boys--it's the way to their heart!

Oh, yes--at their ages--they would want at least one snack each day so that is a plus. (When they were little it was a granola bar while waiting in line for a ride)

 

[harpinjean]

I remember the threads before the DDP removed appys...everyone complained about all the wasted food-it was just too much food. So, Disney removes the appy's and now everyone says it's not as a good a deal--and it's not especially since the tip is not included, there is less food and the price keeps climbing.


If we were a young family again--we would probably do the QS plan and then pay OOP for a few TS meals. However, we have passed that era. Because we have been to WDW so many times, the food (rather than attractions) has evolved to a place of importance to our sons. Dining at new and interesting places is what keeps WDW "fresh" for us. To be able to say to our college and high school aged sons, "Order whatever entree, beverage and dessert you want" is such a treat for them! I love that I don't have to nudge them toward ordering the chicken if they want steak or salmon. I love that they can order a French press of coffee without me raising an eyebrow. Same with the desserts. Food is very important to older boys--it's the way to their heart!

Oh, yes--at their ages--they would want at least one snack each day so that is a plus. (When they were little it was a granola bar while waiting in line for a ride)

Well said!!

 

[suse66]

We really like the dining plan. When we went down last year we did the deluxe plan and that was a LOT of food. Just too much for us, even with several signature dinners. I think it's because American portion sizes are very large. This year we are trying the basic plan. I am ordering water and some small snack items from Garden Grocer. We are doing 2 character breakfasts, 5 TS dinners and 1 signature dinner. We are paying OOP for catergory 1 seating at Spirit of Olaha and dinner at Victoria and Albert's.

We tend to have an early breakfast and spend time in the parks until 1 or 2 pm. Then we like to head back to the resort to swim and relax for a few hours. I find the resorts so beautiful, with lovely amenities. We are then refreshed to enjoy a nice meal and some more park time in the evening. Our total per day is $132.95 or $26.59 per person. This covers our expenses for dinner alone, so the snacks and CS are a bonus for us. Now things may change next trip when my oldest is 10. I do really enjoy having everything paid up front.

It's great to have all the options to choose from, that way each family can decide what works best for them.

Susan

 

[DisneyFamily123]

There is little difference in price between the regular (Plus) DDP and the deluxe DDP. We also do a lot of table service because...

(1) we like dining, especially at the fun restaurants with music, characters, entertainment, and

(2) at table service, the chefs meet with us about our DS's food allergies and prepare special items so we know it is safe. Counter service offers fewer options with the food allergies and is more difficult to figure out.

(3) compared to using the regular DDP, the additional cost of a 2 or 3 non-covered TS meals, some appetizers, additional snacks, the refillable mugs... about equals the cost of going deluxe. The only way I can imagine not saving money on the DDP is if we were just eating counter service all the time but there's even a DDP for that.

and most important...
(4) It's vacation, so let's pig out and enjoy appetizers and desserts with every meal!!!!! I don't want counter service hot dogs, nuggets, burgers and the like... I want some really good food and the fun stuff like belly dancing at Marrakesh, breakfast with the characters, biergarten music and dancing, etc...

 

[Cookie Princess]

Just read that they plan has different prices now, and that the prices are also different based on season. Wow:

• 1/01/10 - 2/11/10, 4/11/10 - 6/03/10, 8/15/10 -12/16/10 is $41.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $11.99 per night for children (ages 3-9).
  
• 2/12/10 - 4/10/10, 6/04/10 - 8/14/10, 12/17/10 - 12/31/10 is $46.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $12.99 per night for children (ages 3-9).

This price "uptick" during our stay for the basic DDP just makes me feel even better about upgrading to the DXDDP. We love the DXDDP and I was glad that they didn't add a "summer surcharge" to that plan.

 

[palavra]

I have never done the dining plan but am all signed up for it for March. I'm starting to rethink it a little over the last few days, because of reading threads like this. Both of my kids are under ten though... I'm hoping that makes it worth it. If I paid out of pocket, I'm not sure I'd spend 46.99 every day per adult, but I'm pretty sure I'd spend more than 12.99 per day per child. Maybe I should do the math more carefully and really price out what I think we'd spend if not on the plan.

Unless you guys are really light eaters, you can easily spend $46.00 at ONE TS meal per person. Food prices are outrageous at Disney. If you are planning on eating in the room or off site, you could significantly reduce your food budget, but the DDS actually still makes sense for many people eating three meals a day (some CS and one TS) on Disney property.

 

[coconutprincess]

Now... I typically go during free dining. But the cost is what gets us. I know we pay for tips, and we are okay with that. When we go, we truly eat at nicer places. I rarely eat steak at home, there, I get it practically every other night!


If we were to go during a regular time, as long as we planned to eat at our standard places, we'll get it because its well worth it (Okay, maybe try to add in 2 trips to Le Cellier if we had to pay for the DDP).

We are big water drinkers, and we have no kids yet so we just buy bottled water for the room (I hate florida water), and we always use up our snack credits. No problem with that here! I LOVE MY SNACKS!

 

[disneymom06]

We are all booked for another great trip in June. As we always have, we booked the meal plan. After thinking about it and looking at menus/prices, we realized that it is not the great deal it once was.
We will end up paying less for our food if we just pay out of pocket. We would never buy a chocolate cake at every lunch, we never use up all those snacks.

When the plan first came out it was great. As they have increased prices and removed things, it is simply not worth it. Does anyone else feel this way or am I just crazy? HaHa

I have to agree that for my family, the DDP has lost its value. I do look at the monetary value as priority. But I am first to acknowledge, that I LOVE the convenience. To have the meals prepaid with no limits on what everyone can order is HUGE but I look at the money.

We have 4 kids, 3 of whom are over 9. Thats $249 or $221 a day for food depending on the season. I look to make sure that we get what we have paid for because it is easy to not meet those numbers with children. They like steak and can order it when on the plan but then really aren't hungry for a dessert at every meal. I allow them to splurge with soda at meals but would normally include water a few times, if we were OOP. One is picky, so its chicken strips, FF and water, every meal. (Or waffles!)

I find that on every trip, there is a point on vacation, that everyone needs a down day at the resort, no running, no TS that day so now we need to do 2 in one day to use the credit.

The last trip, I tried not to keep track and just "let it all happen" . With leaving one dinner not taken, we had breakfast as a replacement and we just about broke even on the plan. I expect that to use the plan that there has to be a financial benefit for me to have to prepay everything, especially 45 days in advance.

This does not even address tips that we paid on desserts and higher priced entrees, that we wouldn't have ordered. So our tips were more that they would have been had we paid OOP. (And I have a TIW card, which would have saved me money on the bill)

I loved the plan when apps and tips were included. I didn't worry about getting my moneys worth because the plan was terrific in that category. I did. I like the convenience of the plan. I will take FD over a room discount when given the option. But this next vacation, we will use my TIW card and not pay for the plan as we did last year .

 

[Hockey Mom KQ]

Unless you plan on eating hot dogs and potato chips, I don't know how you would dine for any less. The implication that overweight people or people who over eat use the plan is ridiculous! If you plan on attending any character dining or dinner shows, you will be spending a fortune. Also, you don't have to order everything just because it is included. Of course, each person should make the best choice for their family.

 

[ReneeA]

We've done the DDP 4 times now. My kids are still considered kids on the plan now, so for us, it's still worth it.

I've used all the tools and menus to add up what we would be likely to order if we were paying OOP, and it consistently comes up to about $80 a day. That's not eating a TS everyday, and not buying dessert or drinks for everyone individually. The DDP only costs us $25 more a day, we get to eat a TS meal for that price everyday, and everyone gets their own meals and don't have to share drinks, etc.

Talk to me in 2 years when DS8 is a "disney adult" and I'll probably be singing a different tune. Of course, he's already an adventurous & big eater at his age, so I often lose my adult meals to him...so it may be worth it when he's an adult. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[jacksmom]

We have done the DDP on our last few trips and liked it! Though, it was a lot to eat! But with the price increase for our Easter trip, we have decided not to do a plan this time. We are DVC members and eat breakfast in the room, and bring plenty of snacks! We also really prefer to have our larger meal at lunch for a nice break! So, for us I don't think we will spend near as much paying oop! We really don't want all those deserts anyway! And, may not eat at a TS everyday anyway!

 

[TDC Nala]

No, you don'thave to order anything just because it is included. For example, you do not have to order the included desserts. But every included item you don't order knocks down the value of the plan for you, if you purchased it with a view to saving money on meals.

 

[Virtucomp]

This is our first time using the DDP. In the past we did not include it since the price for a family of four seemed excessive. Also when we went in June and August our interest in eating was low. Many times we would split CS meals since it was so hot and humid.

Now we are going without he kids so we only have to pay for two. No picky eaters to waste table service orders on. We want to have more TS meals since we will be "just the two of us".

We did the math and I agree it is a lot of money on food but we would probably go over the price if we paid OOP. I also REALLY like the idea of ordering whatever I want without first looking at the price. DW and I would definately be limiting our meal choices if we did not do the DDP. Thats jsut what we do.

 

[GOOFYsince71]

x

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I agree that vacations, especially Disney, are not the best place to save money. I'd rather save money on other things like driving my used car another year or packing my lunch instead of buying.

Maybe Disney is giving out more substantial discounts now than in the past? I agree that we don't want to let discounts determine where we stay. But I also would never pay for a deluxe resort without some major discount.

There are differences with the package discounts. For our next trip, 40% off the deluxe room only rate saves $1800 over 9 nights. But if we stayed at a value resort, the discount is only 30% off and saves only $233 because the cost is less. At the deluxe resort, if free dining were offered, that would save $768, much less than the room discount of $1800. If the buy 4 nights, get 3 free were offered, it would save $1500, still less than $1800.

On our 2009 trip, we had the free dining offer. But a discounted room rate was later offered so we changed to that offer and saved a few more hundred dollars.

 

[mmorrison]

We have done the DDP on our last few trips and liked it! Though, it was a lot to eat! But with the price increase for our Easter trip, we have decided not to do a plan this time. We are DVC members and eat breakfast in the room, and bring plenty of snacks! We also really prefer to have our larger meal at lunch for a nice break! So, for us I don't think we will spend near as much paying oop! We really don't want all those deserts anyway! And, may not eat at a TS everyday anyway!

I do not believe that DVC members are charged the usual surcharge. We are not being charged one and we will be going during the summer. Good Luck and call DVC member services!

 

[Tammy296]

this is why currently we are considering a free dining only vacation. Otherwise Im not sure

Disney has gone backwards on their DDP. Took away the free tip and appetizer (and the appetizer option was our fav!) plus they changed their food options greatly. John is a light eater and we would not eat the way we do if we were paying OOP anyway. And we never get dessert anwyay. If we did not DDP we would probably eat a lot of SNACKS. which is something we seem to enjoy the most while at Disney!!

So this time if no REAL GOOD DEAL we might just skip the DDP altogether and pay OOP.