Would u say the dinning plan is worth it
Price it for yourself, but no.
Like all things Disney, things fluctuate. At one point, it was a super discount! Once they got folks to use it, then they raised the prices and limited the options. Now it is hard to break even. We do better just paying out of pocket. I dunno, we eat breakfast every day, but sometimes we are too busy for lunch. We also sometimes prefer drinking water with our meals over soda.
We also do well zigging when the crowd zags. Meaning, we (usually) try to avoid eating lunch at noon- when the CROWD eats lunch. If we can happily wait until 1:30pm or later, we avoid the lines and hold off eating. As a first timer, I think you will benefit from not being locked down too much.
I've used it, but now we don't. In some ways, if we went with extended family it was helpful. The pricing is a rough guide of Disney food costs. Though you can find menus online easily enough. the dining plan only comes out as a savings if you plan to eat MANY buffets/character meals. I don't suggest that approach. Though you might enjoy booking ONE character meal at Disney.
Then again....a dining option we sometimes use- if we get a good enough discount- and one that may appeal to you as an over seas guest- is concierge level. Concierge level = continental breakfast+beer+wine+appetizers 5-7pm, and desserts later at night. They also put out a few afternoon munchies and soft drinks.
The math won't work at Disney because you only have two people (like an extra $150 per night at AKL!) , but consider it if you end up at the Universal deluxe hotels. Universal is much more compact and the evening (5-7pm) offerings at Universal are better than what Disney CL offers. It is very easy to get back in time for the appetizers, and they = more like a light dinner than just snacks. Also, most of the year the Universal parks close at 9pm, so you can catch the end of the dessert offerings!
We thought Royal Pacific CL was super! The Universal CL was also heavily populated with overseas guests. You might really appreciate that aspect as well! The staff in the lounge was also super!
I've never really considered Universal's dining plan. We do love the Harry Potter dining places! Mythos is also good for lunch. Over at Universal, we only make (need?) a reservation for Mythos, and only one day in advance. At Disney, you kind of have to make dining reservations WAY in advance for the best options. Some get booked up just afer the 180 day mark, and that is crazy!
...and planning days like this gives you time to sleep in, plan a breakfast or lunch ADR around your mini-golf and get some relaxation and sight seeing before more park time - you can't go 100% for 14-15 days in a row
