No dining plan for DVC members?

[dtndfamily]

We just got back from our trip with the FREE dining plan, and it was excellent. Way too much food, but being able to order what you want and not have to check the price on the menu was a nice treat for us. If we didn't get it for free, I doubt I would have paid for it. Now that DW has been spoiled, not sure if we can go to WDW without it. Of course now that we are DVC members, I think the DDE will work better for us. IMO, the DDE is a much better value, assuming you will take advantage of the AP required for purchase.

 

[andriade]

I would love the dining plan too. that way I could sell the WDW vacations even more by saying, "All we need to pay for now is airfare."

 

[d-r]

We are going to wdw Dec.23-Jan. 9. For the first week, with the holiday weekend points, it was much cheaper to just rent the villa for cash than to use points (I am not going to use points if they are less value than the annual dues). So we added the dining plan that first week. You also have to buy park tickets, so DVC isn't the only group left out. AP holders are also left out. This was OK for us this trip because our old APs expire, so we just put one day tickets for each person on the "package" and then we will upgrade that one day to an AP when we get there. We also have the DDE, which I really like. But we are doing well by getting the dining plan during that holiday week, because christmas and new years eve and new years meals will be paid for, so that works out. I don't know if I'd want to do it every trip. We don't typically cook in the room or anything, or go off property regularly for that matter, but it seems like the dining plan sort of locks you in to certain meals at certain restaurants. In a way, I feel like this is the sort of package to offer to causual visiters - tickets, room, dining all in one, rather than the sort of thing for more regular visiters - DVC+AP+DDE seems to be the best plan for that group to me. That said, I think it will work out well for us that week.

 

[Deemarch]

In our past 3 trips (those taken as DVC members) DH & I spent anywhere from $75 to $100 per day for food and drink. If the meal plan comes to about $38 per person per day I'd definitely go for it. We have an AP right now and have the DDE card which saved us about $50 - $60 per trip. Not bad if it's all that we can get. But just once, I'd like to try the dining plan and decide for myself, if it's worth it or not.

 

[NMW]

I don't want any dining plan thanks. Just keep offering us the ability to get the DDE and we'll be happy thanks. We eat out 2 of 3 meals a day when there, sometimes all 3, and I sure as heck don't want to be constrained by the rules of any dining plan. We do enough planning already for our WDW vacations; I don't want to add another layer of complexity onto it.

No Dining Plan is a Good Thing, IMO. I am hoping Disney is not going to the trouble to put in somethig that is not going to be as good a deal as we've already got (well, maybe as a stockholder I'd like to see that, but not as a frequent visitor). I am happy with the great benefits we get as DVC Members, and don't want anyone monkeying with it, thank you very much.

Why do you think "no dining plan is a good idea"??? DVC members do not get ANYTHING for dining, except a few small discounts at certain restaurants. Only AP holders can get DDE and that's ALL AP holders, not just DVC members. I bet there are a lot of DVC members who do not get AP's and then the DDE card does nothing for them. Even if you don't plan to use it, why would a dining plan for DVC members not be a "good thing."

BTW, we don't cook on vacation, ever. We did not buy DVC for the kitchen. We eat out all 3 meals and are PAP holders with the DDE card. However, if the meal plan were available we would try it. It seems like a very good deal. At some future date we may decide not to get PAP's and just go with the MYW tickets. That means no DDE card. In that case I would LOVE the meal plan!

 

[Deemarch]

I'd even be happy if they gave DVC members the opportunity for the $50 DDE without the AP. Sometimes we are pass-less! It depends on how our vacation plans fall. If I don't plan to be in WDW for two whole weeks in a calendar year, I won't get an AP.

p.s. I never cook on vacation, either...Maybe I'll make a pot of coffee but that's the limit!! LOL