My evolution of thought about the dining plans

[Masonmj84]

When I first looked at these, I wasn't wowed over by any of them.

The quick service and regular plans didn't seem like a great deal versus paying out of pocket. The deluxe plan seemed like a better deal on paper, but who has the time and appetite for 3 big meals every day? And the plans more expensive than the deluxe plan involve paying a huge premium for a bunch of stuff I'm not particularly interested in.

Then I warmed up to the idea of eating 1 TS breakfast or lunch and 1 signature dinner per day. All of the sudden, the deluxe dining plan looked much more appealing.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if you're a fan of the 1TS and 1 signature meal per day strategy, the deluxe plan is one of Disney's better deals (at least if used to its fullest). So much so that I'm worried as to how they might erode its value going forward (like they have with so many other things that were once good deals).

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

The value will erode each year as they raise the price without injecting any new elements into the plans. Next year, the DxDP price goes from $78.99 to $84.99, though I may be wrong on that. So what do you get for $6 more per day? Nothing, really. Maybe Disney has plans to raise menu prices at which point that $6 may cover the differential. As it stands right now, the DxDP is a great deal if you plan to use it exactly the way you've mentioned. You have figured it out. But once you throw on a CS meal or do breakfasts, then forget it. You've lost.

 

[havoc315]

Your logic is spot-on. In fact, the DxDP is the only plan with enough built-in savings, that you don't necessarily need to maximize every entitlement.

I'm certain the value will be eroded in the future. As with the other 2 plans, it will become necessary to squeeze our more value from each entitlement, to realize savings.

As far as I'm concerned.. when used in the way that you mention, the 2011 pricing was a "great deal." The 2012 price increase was significant enough, that it has already gone from a great deal to a "fair deal." If there is another 10-15% price increase in 2012 (without a similar corresponding price increase in non-buffet restaurants), then the value will start to get very tight.

As it stands, the regular DDP is now really only a good value for families with young children who are doing character meals, and for adults who really squeeze out high value from every entitlement.

 

[bobrex]

As it stands, the regular DDP is now really only a good value for families with young children who are doing character meals, and for adults who really squeeze out high value from every entitlement.

I guess I fall into the latter group. I like doing a CS for breakfast and then a TS for dinner every night. We've been doing the regular plan for about 5 years (10-12 trips) and every time I've checked, we've saved about 30% off of the straight menu costs.

It has decreased lately to just under 30% due to the drink changes with the breakfast CS, but the plan is still a value. I (like everybody else) wish the plans still covered tax and gratuity (and from what I remember, the CMs preferred that too), but such is life.

 

[havoc315]

I guess I fall into the latter group. I like doing a CS for breakfast and then a TS for dinner every night. We've been doing the regular plan for about 5 years (10-12 trips) and every time I've checked, we've saved about 30% off of the straight menu costs.

It has decreased lately to just under 30% due to the drink changes with the breakfast CS, but the plan is still a value. I (like everybody else) wish the plans still covered tax and gratuity (and from what I remember, the CMs preferred that too), but such is life.

They do still cover tax. But I'm not sure how you are getting a savings of 30%.. or any savings.. when doing CS breakfast.
A CS breakfast ranges from $7-$12.
To save 30% on 2011 pricing, that means... even with a $4 snack... Your dinners would need to average $45-$50. There aren't too many $45-$50 dinners available for 1 credit on the dining plan. For example, the maximum value you can get from lunch at Les Cellier (dinner is 2 credits) would still be under $45. And that's 1 of the most expensive 1-credit meals in the entire park.
Using a more typical average dinner price -- of around $30-$35 for dinner, $10 for a CS breakfast, and $3 for an average snack... The savings under the DDP is miniscule at best, non-existent at worst.

 

[jedi jen]

I am similar to OP. I like the DxDP so I can do a signature restaurant each night and a regular TS during the day, usually lunch. It works out great for me.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

We've always done the DDP but with the decreased "value" we're going with the DxDDP. On paper we will save a pretty good chunk of change - we are mostly using it for 1 TS lunch and a signature dinner every night. We are good with using a snack credit for a breakfast pastry and our refillable mugs for coffee for breakfast and then an early TS lunch.

I'm looking forward to the appetizers being included too!

 

[heatherwillmom]

We are fans of the dining plans. We have done the regular & deluxe. we prefer the deluxe. It's nice having meals pre-payed plus we do save money. We probably wouldn't do some of the signiture places if we were paying out of pocket for them. We usually do some character meals too although my "kids" are now teenagers. We really like the fact that we can eat anywhere with the deluxe plan. We do eat some CS places but we usually do mostly TS

 

[Montegut]

I like the freedom of the Deluxe. It's our 30th Anniversary for our trip next year, and if I wasn't on the meal plan, it would cost us big bucks out of pocket. Of course, I have a package, and I'm saving for a year for the trip, so the cost is a lot less painful. I don't want to have to eat CS for days so I can get in my special occasion Signature meals. And I don't want to get nickel and dimed on sodas and bottled water as I walk the park. Add to that, we'll be there during F&W, and I'm really happy we'll have all those snacks. H and I eat out a lot, and I can tell you, even a neighborhood restaurant costs big bucks nowadays. I live in New Orleans, and friends who celebrate special occasions at our nice restaurants spend a bundle on their meals. I'd rather prepay for a nice meal and not worry about it, than come home to a huge credit card bill containing mostly meals. The interest on the credit card alone discounts any savings you think you're getting by paying OOP.