My Overall Thoughts About the Dining Plan

[shondad]

I believe the dining plan to be an excellent value. Though we have had it for free two times now, I would not hesitate to purchase it. I know that it is not for everyone, but it worked really well for our family. Even with some of the table service meals taking a big chunk out of our evening, that did not really interfere with our park plans. Especially Epcot as we ate in the WS one night 615pm ADR (kinda wished I would have made that one a little later as to get in more of the WS, as we had little time after dinner) and the other, we rescheduled dinner for 845pm, Epcot closed that night at 9pm, so no problem there. We did PF (dinner) 650pm ADR on our MK/EMH day and that worked out really well.

I will say that even though the plan is virtually the same (with the exception of the expanded snack options), we were far less "full" this trip with fewer leftover take-out. I'm not certain of why that is, but we were not overly full or uncomfortable, of course that is a good thing. A plus is that with most counter service it seems, fruit is an option, as well as the requisite cake or cookies. I love the expanded snacks, you could virtually go anywhere and most items under $4 were included and most of them fit into that category.

To those yet to try the plan, but intending too, I truly hope you enjoy it as much as we did, it was really great and quite easy to use. The count on your meal entitlements are clearly listed at the bottom of your receipt, you just need to make sure it is accurate at the time of each purchase, so that you know what you have available and aren't over charged.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We used DDP last year and loved it. We are using it again on our upcoming trip next week. My reasons for liking it is: I don't have to carry extra money with me because it's already paid for, i don't have to carry extra snacks with me for the kids because they get them, my family and I can eat at a variety of different restaurants that we may have not gone to before and yet we have still saved money.

 

[stacy347]

I agree completely! We will be paying for it on the next trip...we have 2 TS meals already planned for every future trip we take and to be honest, I really enjoyed having a full-service meal once a day while there.
Don't get me wrong, Disney CS is far better than any off-site fast food but with as much walking as we do at WDW, it was so nice to have someone bring us everything and have a leisurely meal.

 

[tracys2cents]

My 10 and 12 year old boys were in heaven. We paid $110 per night for our room at the All Stars and got 4 adult dining plans (value $38each) for free. Tax and tip included! This has to be one of the all time great deals that I've ever seen! At a place like Disney where deals are few and far between! I can't imagine them continuing to offer this much longer. In the high-end resorts, yes, but I can't imagine them offering this at the lower priced resorts.

Only caution I would have is to be sure to pick a VARIETY of restaurants. I looked at menus and decided which places were my-family-friendly, but when I made the reservations after changing this and that...we ended up eating 3 nights in a row at places that basically had the same 2 items on the menu that the boys liked....steak or salmon. Only appetizer they liked was the shrimp cocktail and only dessert was the chocolate so we did end up eating 3 nights in a row with the kids ordering basically the same meal 3 times.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

We came back on Sunday after enjoying a wonderful week of "Free DDP". OP was absolutely right on. The price of the package was unbelieveable for the 4 of us including 6 MMYT w/everything added-on. The food itself paid for the whole trip and then some. This morning we booked our summer 2007 WDW package already. Since we have 3-day MMYT w/5 waterpark tix left, we opt for the 1 day base ticket package w/DDP(yes, we are paying for it this time)
The CM @DTC told us that adjustment could be made if there should be any special "PROMO" such as this year's Free DDP. It was quite comforting to hear that there is a chance that we could save a few hundred $$$. :
Guess what? We are not unpacking our luggage as planned.