MYW Dining Plan - Thoughts & Questions

[ehagerty]

I haven't committed to either program yet, but my initial plan was to:

1. Use the MYW dining for the first three nights (weekend +1 before checking into DVC) to (a) check it out and (b) enjoy signature meals which would normally be out of our dining budgets.

I even thought I could live with the arbitrary purchase of a park pass to supplement the annual pass (that is, I would use the MYW pass for the beginning of our trip and start the AP after a few days - this would allow my AP to go a few days longer in 2006 which has value for our plans, since we cannot get a perfect "Last two weeks of June 2005 and first two weeks of June 2006" scenario going, due to schools letting out the end of the first week of June, 2006).

However, lentesta's point about transpotation should still be considered carefully. Although Disney transportation from resort to resort has improved dramatically (by using the resort-park-resort or comparable method), there are still a couple of points to consider:

(1) Ten year ago, it used to take me 60-120 minutes to get from one resort to another using Disney transportation, depending on the resorts. Today, I find it takes usually around 40 minutes, on average. That is not bad - and is certainly an improvement, BUT you can get from any Point A to any Point B on Disney property with a car in 10-15 minutes. On vacation, time is money AND money is money. Each family determines the VALUE of both and the solution to the equation may vary.

(2) For those who are NOT annual visitors, time is definitely money for a MYW offering, in that the time you spend getting to slightly out of the way signature meal venues is time you are not spending in the park - which you have also paid for by virtue of the package park pass. Of course, you can minimize this "loss" by focusing on restaurants which are readily accessible to the parks, such as California Grill, Narcoosie, Citricos, etc. Or, you can elect to visit a remote restaurant on a non-park day. However, my observation on the MYW park pass is this:
- there is definite incentive to buy a 7 day pass over a 3 day pass
- the cost of converting a 7 day pass to "non expiring" pass puts the cost in close enough range that an annual pass makes WAY more sense - and then you don't need a MYW park pass at all.

As the program stands today, I am unlikely to participate in MYW dining, although I will recommend it heartily to prospective visitors who are not DVC members and / or not AP holders.

I WILL sign up for the MYW dining plan if they offer it without the park pass portion of the package (that is, if they change the rules so you don't need MYW park pass).

2. DDE - I will almost certainly sign up for this in early May, based on all the guidelines for effective start / renewal dates. I just haven't decided whether to view it as a judicious reduction of normal dining expenses or a license to indulge (which is how I ALWAYS viewed my voucher dining) and try new restaurants.

Please keep the reports from the field coming in so those who are strategizing day to day can continue to have fun making plans!

Thanks!

(lentesta - have you noticed how much we think alike?)

 

[lanicastro]

We are planning a trip in October with myself, DH, DS 4, and DS 2. We called Disney to find out if our 2 year old will be included in the dining plan, and we found out that he won't. Also, we were not able to buy the meal plan separate for him. He eats as much as his 4 year old brother, so I guess that we will be paying for his meals (non-buffet) while we are there. We are still going to do it, though.

Lynn

 

[ehagerty]

Even with two teenagers in the party, we usually have enough food (appetizers, entrees, desserts, etc) to split 3 meals 4 ways. I wouldn't order a meal for the 2 year old unless your original order for the three of you doesn't suffice - and / or the team isn't into sharing.

Way back when - when my kids were 2 and 4 (1992), they used to feed the 2 year old for free as long as adults were ordering / eating.

My recommendation:
Order your first meal without ordering anything for the 2 year old. See what happens on the "sharing approach" - you can always order more.

 

[lmhall2000]

Is this statements true?

1. You can not apply an AP or discount room rate to your package and still get the MYW dining plan.

If there are not codes available for the room when you're travelling then the MYW would save you money..but I've never travelled to Disney without a substantial discount on my room (AKL for $129, OKW 2BR for $200, Poly GV for $180) and we always stay 7 nights. So even buying an AP for me to qualify for the AP discount codes I still come out ahead doing everything a la carte...I get the AP, dh and 3 dc get the MYW park tickets...and with the discount on our lodging we save $1500...we usually spend $100 a day on food so I don't see MYW dining being a savings unless I had 3 teenagers and they ate like wolves.

Can anyone confirm that you can not use MYW dining in conjunction with an AP discounted room rate?

Thanks!
Tara

 

[lmhall2000]

Is this statements true?

1. You can not apply an AP or discount room rate to your package and still get the MYW dining plan.

If there are not codes available for the room when you're travelling then the MYW would save you money..but I've never travelled to Disney without a substantial discount on my room (AKL for $129, OKW 2BR for $200, Poly GV for $180) and we always stay 7 nights. So even buying an AP for me to qualify for the AP discount codes I still come out ahead doing everything a la carte...I get the AP, dh and 3 dc get the MYW park tickets...and with the discount on our lodging we save $1500...we usually spend $100 a day on food so I don't see MYW dining being a savings unless I had 3 teenagers and they ate like wolves.

Can anyone confirm that you can not use MYW dining in conjunction with an AP discounted room rate?

Thanks!
Tara

 

[WDWBetsy]

Is this statements true?

1. You can not apply an AP or discount room rate to your package and still get the MYW dining plan.

If there are not codes available for the room when you're travelling then the MYW would save you money..but I've never travelled to Disney without a substantial discount on my room (AKL for $129, OKW 2BR for $200, Poly GV for $180) and we always stay 7 nights. So even buying an AP for me to qualify for the AP discount codes I still come out ahead doing everything a la carte...I get the AP, dh and 3 dc get the MYW park tickets...and with the discount on our lodging we save $1500...we usually spend $100 a day on food so I don't see MYW dining being a savings unless I had 3 teenagers and they ate like wolves.

Can anyone confirm that you can not use MYW dining in conjunction with an AP discounted room rate?

Thanks!
Tara

Unfortunately, you cannot add the MYW Dining to an AP discounted room rate. I have read where some people have received either postcard or email codes which allowed them to add on the tickets and dining, but it is my understanding that they are special 2005 codes that allow them to do so. You can book a AAA package (discounted room portion + tickets + dining) through a AAA travel agency.

We have selected restaurants from the participating list and we will definitely save money. I don't like having to eat counter service for every meal, and the dining plan will allow us to eat at table service restaurants without worrying about the cost - plus it will be prepaid which I like.

Hope this helps!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We are planning a trip in October with myself, DH, DS 4, and DS 2. We called Disney to find out if our 2 year old will be included in the dining plan, and we found out that he won't. Also, we were not able to buy the meal plan separate for him. He eats as much as his 4 year old brother, so I guess that we will be paying for his meals (non-buffet) while we are there. We are still going to do it, though.

Lynn

We took our almost 4-yo and 15 mo old last fall, and there was enough food at the sit-down (non-buffet of course) and counter service meals for our boys to split, and they both eat quite a bit of food. We did mostly buffet meals for our sit downs, but the one that sicks out as non-buffet was 50's PTC at MGM, and both boys split and child's pot roast and there was enough for both of them plus some left over. Before I ordered his food separate, I'd ask the server how much food comes with the child's meal. Our kids never share meals when we're at home eating out, but at Disney there was plenty of food. Might be something to look into!

 

[lmermaid]

My DH, DD (7), DS (5), DSis, her boyfriend, DMom and DDad are going together. We have 3 rooms and had to book 6 reservations. Two for each room because we will be staying 9 nights and they only do 7 nights for the package. We are considering the MYW dining package, but had a few questions. I understand that the number of dinners goes into a pool. So, if my DH, DD, DS and myself got the dining package, we'd have 28 sit downs, 28 snacks and 28 counter service meals. I read on the touringplans.com site, that a family of 3 adults and 1 child went to dinner and paid for the kids meals and then saved the child's meal tickets (or whatever you want to call it) to use on the adults other days. Has anyone done this? If only my family buys the plan and the 6 adults go to dinner together and are paid together, can we just say we want to use 6 meal tickets that night, since they are in a pool and pay for the kids? I hope that is clear. Thanks.

 

[jenr812]

Those who asked about MYW with dining only being available with rack rate rooms - I am getting MYW with dining and used the postcard rate for POR Just an FYI!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I thought someone else had said on another thread that they DO let you do 10 day packages w/dining???

If they don't, this is really going to throw a wrench into my plans.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I thought someone else had said on another thread that they DO let you do 10 day packages w/dining???

If they don't, this is really going to throw a wrench into my plans.

Imermaid may have booked her trip before the change.

 

[drenkey]

My husband, son (2 years old by the trip), and I are planning a December 2005 trip and are planning to book the My Way Dining Plan too.

We have read the "official" Disney Dining document circulating around but still have some questions.

If anyone can answer these questions, please help!

1. We understand that the MYW dining plan expects children under 3 to share off the adults' plates and we don't have a problem with that. However, when reading the character dining section (which we'd like to do at least once during the trip), the document claims "every person" in the dining party will be charged a table service meal on the plan. Does this include children under 3? The wording contains quite a bit of contradiction.

2. While perusing the list of restaurants in the official dining document, my husband and I noticed that neither Restaurant Marrakesh nor the Tangierine Cafe (both in EPCOT WS's Morocco for those who aren't familiar with the names) are included on the list. Does anyone know if they are simply not participating in the plan or did the publisher neglect to include them?

3. Regarding the snack portion of each day's meal allocations, are there healthy alternatives to the ice cream and popcorn food choices? We'd rather get something like fruit.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[jenr812]

1. We understand that the MYW dining plan expects children under 3 to share off the adults' plates and we don't have a problem with that. However, when reading the character dining section (which we'd like to do at least once during the trip), the document claims "every person" in the dining party will be charged a table service meal on the plan. Does this include children under 3? The wording contains quite a bit of contradiction.

Great question

 

[Sheaboys]

We are also considering the dining plan for our family of 5. I think it will be worth it to us, since we eat a sit down meal at home every night, and enjoy different foods and character dining. I plan to use our table service for character dinners or other sit down places, such as concourse, not breakfast. We hardly ever eat breakfast. Save the counter service for lunch and snack whenever. We also have 3 boys that will be 2, 5, and 7, so the 2 yr old we will not buy a ticket or dining for and he can just share with us or them. I can venture to bet that they all could share a counter service meal.

 

[MomofKatie]

My husband, son (2 years old by the trip), and I are planning a December 2005 trip and are planning to book the My Way Dining Plan too.

We have read the "official" Disney Dining document circulating around but still have some questions.

If anyone can answer these questions, please help!

1. We understand that the MYW dining plan expects children under 3 to share off the adults' plates and we don't have a problem with that. However, when reading the character dining section (which we'd like to do at least once during the trip), the document claims "every person" in the dining party will be charged a table service meal on the plan. Does this include children under 3? The wording contains quite a bit of contradiction.

2. While perusing the list of restaurants in the official dining document, my husband and I noticed that neither Restaurant Marrakesh nor the Tangierine Cafe (both in EPCOT WS's Morocco for those who aren't familiar with the names) are included on the list. Does anyone know if they are simply not participating in the plan or did the publisher neglect to include them?

3. Regarding the snack portion of each day's meal allocations, are there healthy alternatives to the ice cream and popcorn food choices? We'd rather get something like fruit.

Thanks again for your help!

1) Children under age 3 are not charged at buffets. This includes Character meals. Consider your 2 year old a freebie!

2) It is my understanding that the reason so many of the Epcot World Showcase and DTD restaurants aren't participating is because they aren't owned by Disney. They aren't obligated to join in the Dining plan, and most have opted not to. Hopefully, this will change as the plan is used more and more- I suspect the non-participating restaurants might look at the number of PSs lost, and decide to join in. At least, I hope so... we are using Dining plan in Oct- Nov!

3) For now, the listed snack items (popcorn, ice cream novelty, fountain drink, or bottled drink/bottled H2O) are the only ones allowed. They might change this, but I wouldn't hold my breath!

Have a great trip!

 

[geetey]

We are in the same sticky situation of having a dd that eats off the kids menu but would be counted as an adult by WDW dining. I can't imagine we will be able to break even with her as an adult.

Does anyone know if the desserts are limited at Beaches & Cream? We want to get a Kitchen Sink again this trip.

 

[WeemanMom]

I thought someone else had said on another thread that they DO let you do 10 day packages w/dining???

If they don't, this is really going to throw a wrench into my plans.

Originally they were only allowing seven days, then it went to eight. Currently they are allowing ten. I suspect that will change. At least I hope so. I have two back to back reservations to accommodate my 16 night stay. I have been working with a coordinator due to other problems with my reservations and he said the move to ten days was rather recent.

 

[Tanya]

I am so confused!!!! The more I read, the more confused I think I get. We have never done the dining package and I wanted to look into it to see if it's worth the money. Only time will tell I guess.....

 

[jenr812]

Someone just posted a thread about her experience with the plan - it was great according to her. She was also wonderful about answering various questions. Look for it in this forum HTH

 

[Julia M]

I looked into the possibility of using the dining plan. Currently, our plan is to spend 2 nights at PO, followed by 8 nights at the Poly. To have the plan be worth anything to us, we'd need to spend all 10 nights at the Poly, which adds $334 right off the top. But, barring that, I decided to look at where I wanted to eat, and what I think it would cost (from Deb's website) and compare.

BTW, we area family of five, and my kids will be 13, 11 and 8 at the time of the trip. So, the dining would cost us $1500.

First of all, with where we wanted to eat, there are 14 sit downs, and 6 counter. So, that's my first problem.

Also, since we will be there at the VERY busy Xmas season (Dec. 17-17), I plan to purchase a Candlelight Processional dinner and Fantasmic meal. Fantasmic at H and V will run us about $110, and the CP dinner at Biergarten (because ds LOVES the place) will be about $120.

Then I looked at dinners at: Whispering Canyon, Ohana, Rose and Crown, Boma, Chef Mickeys, counter service at MGM and EPCOT, and then one more meal I couldn't decide (just budgeted at $100)

For lunch I looked at Cindy's, Chef's de France, Le Cellier, counter at MGM, MK, EPCOT and AK.

For two days, I planned a late breakfast, rather than lunch, at Trails End Buffet and Grand Floridian Cafe, and then a final breakfast at Kona Cafe.

The total for these are: $1304.

So, For my room at the Poly, $1500 for dining plan and $230 for extra meals, my total is $4600. My current total is $4070.

EDITED TO ADD: I just read that the MYW plan is taxed, so the totals are more like $39 per adult and $11 per child. So it would cost me $170 more than the $4600....a total of $4770, instead of my current $4070 (I did add in tax and tip for the meals I calculated)

Obviously, the dining plan gives us more food (appetizers and desserts). But we don't need the extra food, and would probably end up wasting it. I've lost alot of weight, and don't need the temptation of all that extra food. The other intangible is that while I have planned for these nicer sit down meals, we probably won't use them all. On our last two trips, we "bailed" on some of our nicer sit down meals, just because we were tired. So, some of more meal costs will be lower.

The dining plan does include a snack, but we frequently carry our own bottle of water (each person) and don't eat alot of snacks. Even adding in a snack each day for us still puts below what our cost would be with the dining plan.

I think for some people, it can work well. Our "problem" is we have a 13 year old who is more likely to want a kids meal (but we're paying adult prices for) and an 11 year old who we can pay kids prices for if she's not on the plan. I see it being great for a family with younger kids, especially if they want to do alot of character meals, for example, or for a family with teenagers who will consume a great deal of food!

Julia