New to Disney Dining - recommend plan?

[kam0202]

Sorry if this has been asked before; I'm new to this DIS board and am struggling to understand all of the acronyns you share. I just need the breakdown of cost of 5 adults; 2 3 year olds on the Disney Dining (basic plan) versus Deluxe plan.

I also understand you can't use this for all restaurants (we like Shula's and Kimono's but not on a true Disney property) so we are trying to figure out of pocket costs vs being on any dining plan.

Appreciate your help in advance or linking me to previous posts.

 

[sarcasticblonde]

Disney Dining Plan
$37.99/adult
$9.99/child

1 TS credit per person/per day
1 CS credit per person/per day
1 snack credit per person/per day

With each TS, you only get an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
$69.99/adult
$19.99/child

3 credits per person/per day that can be used at either TS or CS
2 snack credits per person/per day
1 Refillable resort mug per person
With each TS, you get an appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage



**Gratuity is NOT included on either plan
For a list of what constitutes a TS or CS restaurant, go to http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/packages/2008restaurants.html

Signature Dining Restaurants and Dinner Shows require 2 TS credits per person.


So on the DDP, the total cost would be $209.93 for all 7 of you per day.
And on the DxDP, the total cost would be $398.93 for all 7 of you per day.

The DxDP seems more expensive, but it all depends on how frequently you plan to eat and if you plan on going to a lot of signature restaurants. You have to weigh the cost of the dining plans vs. how much you would pay out of pocket.

Hope that helped some.

 

[septbaby]

Base Plan is actually only $9.99 per Child age 3-9 Daily Total: $209.93

Deluxe Total is $389.93

If you pay OOP add 6.5% for tax, on the DP the taxes are included

Sample Day: $257.23
TS - Dinner at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge $171.39 if paid OOP
CS - Shared Lunches and Breakfasts 64.84 if paid OOP
Snacks - 7 @$3 $21 if paid OOP

If you added as Chef Mickey's breakfast to the day and a second snack (ie. the Deluxe Day): $150.09 plus $21 for Snacks $171.09
Daily OOP Total to match a Deluxe Day: $428.32

This assumed a mid range buffet for Dinner and popular character breakfast. In other words I think this is a lower end estimate of a day's OOP costs. Your numbers could be even higher if you selected an off the menu type place (ie. Coral Reef).

Though it looks like you'd save a lot more money by going Deluxe, try to first determine what you really need to eat and how much time you're willing to spend doing that. If you want 2-3 full meals a day with a couple of snacks thrown in, go Deluxe. However if one bigger meal and a lighter meal is enough, stick with the Basic plan. Seems you could save $ either way.

 

[kam0202]

Thanks so much - that was a quick and helpful summary!

Disney Dining Plan
$37.99/adult
$10.99/child

1 TS credit per person/per day
1 CS credit per person/per day
1 snack credit per person/per day

With each TS, you only get an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
$69.99/adult
$19.99/child

3 credits per person/per day that can be used at either TS or CS
2 snack credits per person/per day
1 Refillable resort mug per person
With each TS, you get an appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage



**Gratuity is NOT included on either plan
For a list of what constitutes a TS or CS restaurant, go to http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/packages/2008restaurants.html

Signature Dining Restaurants and Dinner Shows require 2 TS credits per person.


So on the DDP, the total cost would be $211.93 for all 7 of you per day.
And on the DxDP, the total cost would be $398.93 for all 7 of you per day.

The DxDP seems more expensive, but it all depends on how frequently you plan to eat and if you plan on going to a lot of signature restaurants. You have to weigh the cost of the dining plans vs. how much you would pay out of pocket.

Hope that helped some.