No Dining Plan = no stress!

[KathyK]

For us, the dining plan = no stress. I usually decide what meals we want to eat (I've been doing this since long before they offered the MYW dining plans), and then we decide which dining plan works bestfor us. It is almost always the deluxe plan (except when they only offered the basic plan - and then we did a combination of basic dining plan + the DDE card (now TIW)).

I just did an analysis - what if, instead of the DxDDP, we did TIW and paid cash? I set up meals w/o appetizers or desserts (both of which we'll be getting on the deluxe plan), and calculated the tax and the discount, and with DxDDP we came out about $200 ahead for the 5 nights that I looked at. And I didn't figure in the cost of the card - $75 as an AP holder. So, with DxDDP we are actually $275 ahead. Of course, we still have to pay tips in either case, but I feel a lot less stressed knowing that we'll be able to enjoy all of our favorite WDW restaurants and still save some money. And we get more snacks than we can possibly use, so when the kids ask for something, I can just use a snack credit rather than stressing about how much more money we're spending on snacks.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I can see both points.

I love ddp b/c I don't have to think about how much things cost (b/c I've already paid for them!) but on the flipside, the ADRS really do give an additional stressor b/c of the time/location issue.

I'm re-thinking doing TIW for our upcoming trip....I think I will crunch the numbers based on the ADRs that I really want and see how we come out.

 

[ChefMickey123]

For me, I have been to the world with the deluxe plan (2009), no plan and no adr’s (in the time of the dinosaur-1993), and now am going again this fall in Nov 2010 with the Deluxe Dining plan.


The question I asked myself and my GF was-is dining a serious part of the vacation or not? For us, it is, just as much as our hotel theme, the Monorail, Space Mountain, and Mickey are. We can both eat an appetizer (remember, you don’t have to get a huge appetizer, soup and salad will do too), our entrees and a dessert. If you have already purchased the dining plan, you have already succumbed to the Mouse. Doing little things like ordering the most expensive or largest this or that will only get you to eat what you don’t really want to, and the Mouse already plans on this. With the dining plan, especially the Deluxe, I understand the temptation to “GO BIG or GO HOME”, but our beloved cartoon characters are already laughing their way to Scrooge McDuck’s bank at that point anyway, and you'll have had scallops and filet 7 nights in a row and enough smoothies to open your own concession stand.


I learned last time on the DX plan to just order what sounds yummy to me.
Getting back to my original point, we both feel that the dining is part of enjoying the vacation-part of the “magic” if you will. I don’t feel cheated out of my park time or rushed because of the dining plan. In fact, it is the only structure we planned for. We have park hoppers, and if we want to see something in another park before lunch or whatever, we hop on the monorail, bus, or boat and go.


GF & I also made a “date” out of picking out our restaurants and it was a fun, romantic time for us-not stress at all. We have signature, 2 credit ressies every night, plus either one lunch or breakfast planned. We’ll be paying some cash too, as we will be at Universal for 2 days, and our first night is room only at Disney. There is plenty of room for flexibility to sleep inn, stay out late, grab a snack, whatever. Three courses, is a very heavy lunch, and so our dinner plans are usually later in the evening to allow adequate digestion and calorie burn-off.


So, with so many words-the DX dining plan works for us for now. It may or may not fit our needs or wallet in the future. We enjoy quick service too, and one day, we may try that plan, especially if we end up with kids or need to make a cut to make ends meet.


I so like not carrying cash. I also like having a couple of drinks with my meal and not having to drive, and that makes eating on property all that much more convenient.



At any rate, take advantage of some kind of dining discount, whether it be a Plan or TIW card, or save up with gift cards like so many do. I personally won’t let eating cause me any stress on vacation.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I will NEVER do the regular DDP again. It was way too stressful for my family. Too MUCH preplaning had to happen. Don't get me wrong. I love to plan, but it was excessive. And life (especially vacations) never seem to go as plan. Almost daily we had to leave somewhere early just to make our reservations. AND, the food wasn't that good. We all had just as good (if not better) meals on counter service. So, the following year when the new QSDP was offered, we jumped aboard. WE ALL LOVED IT!! Besides one of my favorite places to eat (Crystal Palace) isn't on the plan. We all LOVED the Quick DP. We all loved the 2 snacks and we had some really great meals in the resorts. We visited many different resorts for lunch/dinner too. I wish we were staying onsite this year, we would get the QSDP again.

I agree with all of your post. We are trying the QSDP for the first time and are very excited for the reasons you stated. But Crystal Palace is, and always has been, on the Dining Plan.

 

[fairestoneofall]

we recently got back and used the QSDP. i will admit that i loved it. we did have one TS at Crystal Palace. other than that, we just ate where and when we felt like it. really, with it so hot, none of us were super hungry anyway. for us, the regular DDP would've been too much food. it was the first trip in a long time that we haven't done DDP.

 

[Amber Leigh]

I'm gonna have to agree AND disagree.

I will admit, we got stressed towards the end of our last trip using the dining plan (out first time using it). At least I did with my family trying to shove all the leftover snacks we had by the last day into their suitcases. And while I was fine keeping track of my own credits I was using, the rest of my family was not that attentive with it and they kept loosing track. I went off on my own most the time so while that stressed them, not so much me.

And yes we had to plan a LOT before we went there, but honestly, I would do that with our without the dining plan. I like to know before I get there what park I am going to what day because that means I will get to see this parade or that fireworks and so on and so forth. Planning ahead of time is not a stress for me. It's actually kinda fun. And if I change my plans when I am there, I change them. No big deal.

But honestly, as stressed as I got, I found it WAY worth the extra stress because we got to eat in so many different places that I would otherwise likely not have had the chance to eat at cus we could never in a million years afford a lot of the sit downs we got to try with the dining plan. I mean, the time before I think we did maybe two real sit downs and a ton of quick service in the week and a half we were there. There are only so many times I can stand eating a cheeseburger before I wanna gag.

But with the dining plan we got to try a sit down every single day and most of them were ones I had never gotten to go to before, including a character meal.

Yeah, it's a lot of food, but I'm a huge fan on trying new things. Especially cuisines I don't get the chance to have any place else. And if you are there during food and wine you can just your snack credits towards select dishes at the stands. This past trip was the first time we ever used the dining plan and I know now my family will NEVER go back to before. We will keep on using the dining plan every single time to get the chance to try all the different restaurants.

I would say that the Dining plan is not really the best idea for folks that are going for the first time or ever the first few times. Especially those with smaller children. They will wanna focus more on going and doing and seeing things for the first time. Where you are eating is not that important then. But once you have gone there enough times and you have narrowed down what you wanna see again or you are going without the kids or the kids are older etc., you have the time to focus on taking some time to sit down to a dinner and just relax for a bit.

 

[blanq]

We have done the DDP on several of our trips, but regardless of whether or not we have the plan, I feel ADRs are needed if we want to eat at certain restaurants. There is no way I am going to try and walk up to CG. To me, going to WDW without ADRs is stressful, so I guess my opinion is different than that of the OP.

 

[Julia Says]

We are making our first trip to WDW next month. I am super excited and have been planning like a mad woman.

I was torn on the dining plan. So I worked up a rough park schedule, then went through all the restaurant menus I could find, chose the meals I figured we would each most likely choose, and added everything up. I worked up a DDP total (including tips), a QSDP total, and a total without a dining plan. The no dining plan scenario was best for us. Neither of the dining plans would really function that well for how we normally eat as a family. I have a hyperactive, autistic 5 year old who does not do sit-down meals very well, but we did want to do some character meals.

So we decided to do two character meals and the rest will be CS. I can see how the DDP is a good deal for people whose dining style matches that of the plan, it just doesn't for us.

 

[aussietravellers]

We did the dining plan last time and did like it, but at the end we had about 10 snack credits left so felt we had to go and spend them. Also we are big TS eaters so the regular dining plan didn't really work, so if we were to go with a plan it would be DxDDP. This trip my DS is now a "Disney Adult" so just don't think it will be good value for us any more. Also having nut allergies we can not really eat many desserts so they go to waste. I do love the idea of the dining plan and did like it when we had it but it just doesn't suit us.

So this trip we have opted for no dining plan and will be purchasing TIW. I've still made all of our ADR's but now don't feel like we are losing money by not eating the dessert we have technically paid for and also we can have an appertizer if we wish. I have purchased a gift card too that we will use for our food, so that's sort of taken care of the prepaid part that we will miss with the DDP. I'm really excited.

 

[jojomoore]

I agree! I don't necessarily find stress in planning my meals ahead of time. But I do find stress in trying to make the types of food my family likes to eat fit the restrictions of the dining plan. The plan is not a good fit for my family. My children are at the 9 and 10 year old range, so the dining plan does not please them because they can only eat from adult menu or kids menu at QS and TS Restaurants depending on which one we prepay for. And For me, Sometimes the best thing on the menu is an appetizer. But if I order and appetizer, then I pay OOP and do not use my credit. When you plan a TS and CS for every day, then this TS credit will most likely go wasted. Also, we left unused QS credits last trip and had to use our remainng snack credits in the gift shop before we left the last day of our trip. We would not have normally wanted or bought these snacks.

Also, the cost of the food we would actually eat compared to the cost of the dining plan is close to breakeven- it is actually less to pay OOP.

The only thing hthe DDP does for my family is equal to sacrafice and hassle.

 

[donipan]

I am relieved to read this post! I booked my vacation without dining plan and on coming to this forum, I was wondering whether it had been the right decision, as everybody seem to be doing it...
We want to do some character dining, so I would have needed the TS plan (sorry, don't remember the names of the different categories) and that just seems to involve too much food, too many options and credits... I have 4 ADRss for 5 days for breakfast or diner, and the rest would be light snaking, sandwich by the pool, a bite downtown... I don't think the dining plan would have made much difference, price wise, and I definitely felt it would have added a lot of stress!

 

[*Meagan*]

I have been to disney more times than I can count and we have never once did the disney dining plan! It just has never been something we were interested in, I guess. We always had a cast member friend with us on the trip (CM discount) or another good discount or disney dollars and never thought to do it. This december will be the first time I am are doing it, the rest of my family that I am going with has done it before and really likes it so Ill do whatever works for them. I usually eat kids meals for my meals and or just a small side salad or a piece of chicken. never a full meal.. so I feel like it will be a waste for me. But will see!!!

 

[kimbo0569]

On our last trip in Sept 08, we got the free dining deal and for us, that was worth it. That being said, if we had to pay for it, I don't think we'd do it. We're not big counter service people so the only thing we really used to our advantage on the dining plan was the table service credits and the snack credits. We still had half of our counter service credits left on the last day.
If we got the free dining deal again, Okay but I don't know if it would be worth it for us to pay for it.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I apologize to the OP for using this thread for my own agenda, but I hope that you will accommodate me as I am sure that I am not the only one wondering what I am since the counter service option for DDP has been mentioned a couple of times already.

It is my understanding that we have two counter-service meals per day on our dining plan because we want to see more of WDW than we did last time, when we were off site. We feel that counter service will get us around much faster as on-site guests. Am I correct that all counter service restaurants are included in the QSDP? Which do you all think are the best of the counter service establishments?

 

[chottsy]

dining plan = no stress for us..pre-planning means not having to plan while on vacation! we ♥ the dining plan...but that's us!

 

[djm99]

Am I correct that all counter service restaurants are included in the QSDP? Which do you all think are the best of the counter service establishments?

No, not all counter service places are included. Here is the link:
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...ific/eng/nontheme/tickets/DiningLocations.pdf

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

We always do the dining plan. We do a LOT of character meals, so I have to book ADRs and plan my park days out anyway.

I honestly just like the fact that all our meals are paid for ahead of time. I love how Disney lets you book so far out and make payments on your trip. I like knowing that I can put $100 or $200 towards our vacation each month, and when we get there, it's all paid for, and all I have to worry about is paying for our souvenirs.

I'm not doing the DDP to try and save money, so I don't find it stressful. If we want to order the cheapest thing on the menu, we order it. I'm not all about ordering something just because it's the most expensive thing to try and get our money worth. I think if you take all the time to do that, it could get stressful!

Do we sometimes have a couple extra credits left? Yes! Is Disney probably making money off us? Yep! But for me, having DDP is one less stressor while traveling with a small child!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

I would say that the Dining plan is not really the best idea for folks that are going for the first time or ever the first few times. Especially those with smaller children. They will wanna focus more on going and doing and seeing things for the first time. Where you are eating is not that important then. But once you have gone there enough times and you have narrowed down what you wanna see again or you are going without the kids or the kids are older etc., you have the time to focus on taking some time to sit down to a dinner and just relax for a bit.

See, I have to disagree with this (No offense! ) I have a 4 year old who has been to Disney 3X already, and I LOVED having a TS each day! It gave us a nice break in the air conditioning! Haha! After being in the park all morning, it was nice to be able to go sit down for an hour or so inside out of the heat and just relax and eat. No rushing or anything!

Also, the character meals are TS, and we all know how expensive the character meals are! My son LOVES the characters so much! We usually do about 1 a day on our trips, so that covers most of the DDP right there!

 

[djm99]

I agree with all of your post. We are trying the QSDP for the first time and are very excited for the reasons you stated. But Crystal Palace is, and always has been, on the Dining Plan.

I know I meant to type, Besides Crystal Palace (the only place we all loved as table service) - and they are NOT offered on QSDP. Sorry. My fingers were typing way faster than I was my thinking. LOL

 

[bangzoom6877]

We have been doing the DDP for a while now. This last trip we tried going without and purchased the TIW card instead. We loved it!

This is exactly what we are doing! For the ADRs we wanted to make, the basic DDP was not enough TS meals and had too many CS credits that we would have had leftover. The deluxe plan was too many credits because we're not buying 3 meals a day and we're not going to any signatures (except CRT, which would be our only 2-credit meal). I made 17 ADRs for our 10-night trip, plus we will do a few CS here and there for a couple of lunches (we have several TS lunches planned). So we decided to upgrade my ticket to an AP and purchase the TIW card. We get $100 off the AP, as one of the DVC member perks, and then the TIW card costs $75...to us it was a much better deal and costs the same as or less than doing the basic DDP plus extra meals OOP, and less than the deluxe plan. And we can get whatever we want...I can order a couple of appetizers as my entree and not have to worry if they will allow that on the DDP. And the 20% discount also applies to alcohol...we're not heavy drinkers but we do enjoy wine with dinner sometimes, and definitely a margarita at San Angel!