new blog: Is the Universal Dining Plan worth the cost?

[LeahZ]

http://universal.wdwinfo.com/univer.../is-the-universal-dining-plan-worth-the-cost/

 

[glocon]

No need to pre-purchase the UDP. When we went to restaurants last trip, we purchased the UDP at the register when paying for our meal if we decided it was worth it. Pre-purchasing is a mistake I think... depending on what you are ordering makes the plan either worth it or not. No need to purchase in advance and get confused juggling multiple cards.

 

[macraven]

have to agree with glocon.


i only buy the quick service meal at the eateries when i am there.
based on the cost of that meal will determine if i can make this plan work out to my advantage.

 

[DPCummerbund]

Both of you are in agreement with the author of the blog, and you are all correct - if you do the math, the dining plan (especially the QS plan) just isn't worth it under most circumstances.

As far as I can tell, it's worth it only you don't have a refillable mug (in either the "classic" or Freestyle program).

If you don't have a refillable mug, it's pretty easy to calculate the costs. The plan includes one QS entree, one snack, and two fountain drinks. Each drink currently costs $3.19, and the snacks that qualify for the program cost no more than $3-4. So, if you decide that you're going to buy the 2 drinks and a snack anyway, the value of those items is $9-$10. So, that means that the entree needs to cost more than $11 for the dining plan to be a money saver. Outside of the two WWoHP restaurants, items that expensive can be hard to find.

Personally, I plan on buying the meal plan at Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks, where most of the entrees I am interested in are $13 or $14, and avoiding it everywhere else.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

That's what I'm thinking, too. But it will actually have to be a really expensive entree, since we both have AAA cards that save us 10% in the restaurants (not at the carts, but it's easy enough to go through the QS lines). I am assuming the AAA discount does not apply to the meal plan.

 

[macraven]

the quick service can be worth it if you know how to play it but i can't see the full dining plan, sit down, having any advantage for me.