Need Some Opinions about Dining Plan

[lovinwdw]

I need some help here. We are going to WDW from 10/1/06 to 10/8/06. I am trying to decide whether or not to get the package with the Disney Dining. We went in September of 2005 and had the free dining (which of course was great because nothing came out of out pockets). Magical Vacations has checked out some prices for me. The room only rate for CBR is $866 for the week and the passes for the 2 of us are going to be about $475.00 (total $1,341.00). Now, the package with the dining is going to run us $2100.00. Now...we also have to pay for our flight out. So...I need to know, what do you guys think? Should I get the dining or just pay for our food.

We definitely like eating at sit down restaurants. That is what we enjoy most about our vacations at Disney. We plan on eating at Le Cellier, which is very expensive and is part of the dining plan.

HELP!!!

 

[mjkaferle5]

We definitely like eating at sit down restaurants. That is what we enjoy most about our vacations at Disney. We plan on eating at Le Cellier, which is very expensive and is part of the dining plan.

HELP!!!

I think you answered your own question right here. You will definitely save a lot of money by the end of your trip by being on the dining plan and eating at sit-down restaurants.

 

[robinb]

We definitely like eating at sit down restaurants. That is what we enjoy most about our vacations at Disney. We plan on eating at Le Cellier, which is very expensive and is part of the dining plan.

I agree with mjkaferle5. You answered your own question, LOL. I used the free dining plan in August and I know that if I have the opportunity to pay for the plan, I would.

 

[eblack0409]

If you pull up menus on www.allearsnet.com and get a rough idea of where you will be eating and what you will eat, then add up the cost of paying out of pocket vs. paying for the dining plan......whichever one is cheaper, that's the one I would go with!

 

[Mulan'sMom]

It saved us a ton of money. We ate a sit-down meal every day, which would usually come to between $60 - $90 for 2 adults and one child, had we paid out of pocket. We used our daily counter service meal for breakfast, which would have come to about $10 - $12 each. We would each have a snack in the park - usually ice cream, which was $2.50 each if I remember correctly. I haven't added what I paid out of pocket for alcohol or for extra snacks (usually water, if you can believe it - it was so hot, that I was willing to spend $2.50 for water.) So for a flat $80 per day we ate between $73 and $107 worth of food - usually closer to the $107 mark, I'm afraid - we enjoy our meals! Not only do you save money, you don't have the aggravation of being nickled-and-dimed all day long, or of worrying about carrying a wad of cash or about having to pay off a credit card later on. It's vacation! Eat, enjoy!

 

[Bete]

If I don't take the plan, I'll feel like I should go out of Disney premises to eat to save more money. To me that wastes park time which I think is so precious.

For us, it was a good break in the day to do counter service and and a sitdown meal at the parks. We were more refreshed.

We saved enough to dictate the plan based on our free dining experience.

Now, if you get by normally with one meal a day, this plan may not be for you. We eat two meals a day and snack; so, this works out perfect for us.

If you can lock in on pricing now for the dining plan that will probably save a few bucks each later. I would believe with almost a year away prices will go up before your trip. I believe, if you change you mind you can cancel that portion of your trip.

We tip well and having a gratuity and tax included was a nice feature with the plan. We added a little cash, too but I liked that being included. Now, if someone only tipped 10% or less then the plan may not be for you.

I think the plan is meant for someone who wants to enjoy dining at Disney. I think I will get it until I've been to all the Disney restaurants.

 

[bopper]

If you are going to do a Sitdown meal and a Counter service meal everyday, the dining plan can save you money. If you aren't planning to have that many sit down meals, I think you are spending more than you need to.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Add up how much it will approximately cost you for all the sit down meals you want to do (whether you are on the dining plan or not). Then see how much more the dining plan is than your room only.

For our October 4 day trip- we wanted to eat at 3 sit down restaurants which would total about $200. It was $200 for us to add the dining plan. So it was like having our counter service and snacks for free!

On longer trips, we usually don't eat a sit down meal every day. Maybe 3 or 4 for an 8-10 day trip. So maybe in that case, the dining plan wouldn't be best.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

As much as I loved the (free) dining plan...when you are factoring in costs, remember that you will be paying rack rate for your room if you purchse the dining plan. We are going to use the dining plan in August unless there is a room only code.

 

[phisigprincess]

There's also a sticky on the restaurant board with all kinds of advice on the dining plan as well.