No Dining Plan after years of using QS plan results

[cavepig]

So, it was 2 adults with no dining plan this trip for 7 nights. In the past few years we've done the quick serve plan and I also did the Deluxe plan just last November.

The results were: We came out about $30.00 less per person paying out of pocket versus the Quick plan. This also inlcuded Crystal Palace bfast and Trail's End dinner, which we would have done even if we had the plan.

The reason we didn't do the plan was the 1 less snack in the quick plan and last year we did have to use a few CS for bfast and without the extra drink/dessert it seemed like a poor use.

The other reason is we didn't need or want the dessert at every CS meal, and we didn't need a soda at the meals either.

Instead we brought water bottles and got water at the CS places, which is what we wanted. We used our mugs at POP for soda and coffee. I did buy a few bottled pops or special drinks.

We also bought snacks whenever and wherever we wanted, which is easier when you haven't had dessert with every CS meal. At the CS places we ordered whatever we wanted to, which sometimes was just the sandwich or whatever without the fries/side because we didn't want them.

In the past we always ended up bringing back 15 plus snack items we didn't use, which was just to use them up not that we needed them.

So, in case anyway cares this was our results of no plan after years with a plan. Maybe if we get free dining in the future ( we never get pin codes though) we'd use a plan otherwise not if we have to pay for it.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Thanks for posting! Very interesting. I think they did make a mistake removing one SC per day form the QSDP.

 

[archdandy]

I've done the regular dining plan and DDxP twice. If I had to pay for either OOP I wouldn't use them. I would rather pay OOP for all of our food and just eat when we want and what we want. I think it would actually be freeing to do that but every time we go we get free dining, so I guess I shouldn't complain!

 

[POOHsie]

We go to WDW during Epcot F&W and use our snack credits for food plates. That makes QSDP worth it for us. If not for that, we would seriously consider visiting with no DP.

 

[Bete]

Free dining is the only time we will consider a dining plan now and
that's not a guarantee for us to stay on Disney property. I've taken it even further now by going offsite with most of our trips to Disney World. I just love the extra room at an off site resort for less money and an included hot, good breakfast. We get a 2 bedroom suite with 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette for less than a Disney moderate. This includes the consideration of paying for Disney parking. We don't need that much room (3 adults) but we like it. We can relax better in our opinion. We drive there; so, getting to the parks is a non issue. I even like getting to my car rather than standing in the lines for Disney tansportation from the parks. We are sitting in our car right a way and we have air conditioning and we don' t have to deal with the crowds. Many times we get back and forth quicker than using Disney tansportation comparing to the moderate and value resorts.

I love the Disney parks, but I don't care for the rest anymore. We don't even take advantage of the extra hours any more if we stay on site. We like getting up later and leaving the parks earlier; so, for us it's not a perk. I think you can tell I've fallen out of love with on site Disney. I like saving money on dinners, too by eating off site.

I was a diehard with Disney on site for over 30 years, but Disney has lost it for me, now.

 

[patsal]

We go to WDW during Epcot F&W and use our snack credits for food plates. That makes QSDP worth it for us. If not for that, we would seriously consider visiting with no DP.

However with the snack credits cut, to one per person per day now, that value really is deminished as well.

 

[XGrumpy1]

Thanks for doing this. I have felt this way for years, but have never run the numbers to be sure. We usually just drink water in the parks anyway.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

We too loved QSDP (ate WPX several times /trip) but DD turned 10 so we just returned & DIDN"T do QSDP nor DDP. WE bought ice cream when we wanted (even Ghiradelli which wouldn't do on DDP & discovered the ice cream sandwiche at Earl, yum!). We too took water (&mix ins) & had mugs. Also got Giordiano's pizza ($25) ate for 2 meals. Still ate at Earl (AAA discount) & WPX (DVC discount) & we definitely came out ahead. Didn't run #s like you but I know we too came out ahead...we did get 4 brownies from Earl (those are our usual "use up snacks" for the road which are in the freezer. Enjoy those for months after by splitting & adding ice cream!

 

[kerri0616]

We can't go during free dining, so on our last 4-5 trips, we've paid for the DDP...I believe we did the QSDP once too. I'm seriously thinking about just doing OOP on our next trip. We also prefer to drink water at meals. Who really needs/wants one of those CS desserts! I sure wouldn't order and pay for one! I only get it because it's "included." There are restaurants we've never tried because they aren't a "good value" on the DDP--Beaches and Cream, The Plaza, Sci-Fi.

I think I'd like to just put a hunk of cash on a Pre-Paid Visa and then just enjoy what we want to eat when we want to eat it. Maybe just order an appetizer and dessert sometimes! Skip the CS dessert and get an ice cream sundae later.

I'm really considering the OOP plan!

K

 

[wyonative78]

I was so happy to find this thread! DH and I did the DDP our first trip (and ran out of credits), then did the DxDP our last two trips and ended up with either too much food or credits leftover. I'm trying to convince DH to go OOP for our next trip, so I thank all of you for the good points you've brought up. I like the PP's idea of loading up a gift card or prepaid Visa with the money you would have spent on the dining plan. Your meals are already paid for and you're free to eat whatever and whenever you want!

 

[thelionqueen]

We have done the DP in many ways..we even did it the first year it was announced..including tip! Now THAT was an amazing value and something I wouldn't hesitate to do again (obviously free and a better deal) but isn't going to happen.

I got a discounted dining plan as a CM and that was ALMOST worth the value at a very discounted price.

We also payed "full price" for 3 days of a split stay and that almost made it worth it as well as we were able to spread out all those meals over 2 extra days.

Our experience is such that paying OOP is a much better deal and is leaves much more freedom to get the things you really want. I agree with PP..who would pay for the CS desserts? Even with the dining plan we would ask them not to include them as they wouldn't get eaten.

I too like the idea of the gift card. Just put what you want to spend on it and spend it! For us, the dining plan isn't a value at all, but everyone vacations differently and some like the convenience and prepayment more than the value