No....yes.....no....yes.....NO!

[ChristusG]

We started off with no dining plan, then we added the dining plan, then we got to thinking we didnt need it. Then we got to thinking it would be nice to have. Now.....we've finally made our decision. No dining plan. Ugh, the decisions LOL!!!!!

We just decided that some days we dont want to be "tied down" since you pretty much have to make all of your reservations for table service or you wont get any. Plus, I'm a pretty light eater, and so is DD4. And we also want to eat at the new TRex restaurant, which is not on the plan. I'm not sure I can handle so many full meals per day.

So alas, no dining plan for us.

 

[ransom]

Sounds like you made the right decision for your family!

 

[Tricia1972]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing for your group. It's always good to hear when the plan works and when it doesn't.

Every group is different, but I am sure that we can all see ourselves in someone else's shoes. The more stories we hear about how it works (and doesn't work) the more we help everyone make a decision. (Even lurkers who aren't comfortable posting - but still research their trip by reading here)

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We too keep going back and forth. We just can't seem to decide. As soon as we decide to pass on doing it we start adding up all of our meals and start thinking it might make better sense to just do it. We've never done DDP before and I think we're just a little gun shy of getting confused and making a big mess of it.

 

[ChristusG]

We too keep going back and forth. We just can't seem to decide. As soon as we decide to pass on doing it we start adding up all of our meals and start thinking it might make better sense to just do it. We've never done DDP before and I think we're just a little gun shy of getting confused and making a big mess of it.

See, we've never done it either. Out of all the many times we've done Disney....no dining plan. So maybe we're a bit gun shy too. But also, I just really dont think I can eat that much food LOL.

 

[pooch]

DD and I go every year for free dining and love it. We avoid the "too much food" issue (and it can be an issue!) by sharing all our CS meals. It spreads them out a little more and we're not stuffed by the time we have our TS meal at dinner. For example, you could order 1 adult CS and 1 child's CS and feed all four of you pretty easily.

Whatever decision you make, have a great trip!!!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

DD and I go every year for free dining and love it. We avoid the "too much food" issue (and it can be an issue!) by sharing all our CS meals. It spreads them out a little more and we're not stuffed by the time we have our TS meal at dinner. For example, you could order 1 adult CS and 1 child's CS and feed all four of you pretty easily.
Whatever decision you make, have a great trip!!!

Good idea! Honestly though we do love to eat at least one TS meal a day just for the chance to sit and relax. I don't think it would be too much food for our family but then again you never know I guess. I just find the whole plan a little confusing and intimidating. I'm especially worried that if the parks are crowded it will be difficult to get the CS and I don't want to end up with a bunch of unused credits.

 

[pooch]

Good idea! Honestly though we do love to eat at least one TS meal a day just for the chance to sit and relax. I don't think it would be too much food for our family but then again you never know I guess. I just find the whole plan a little confusing and intimidating. I'm especially worried that if the parks are crowded it will be difficult to get the CS and I don't want to end up with a bunch of unused credits.

Our 3rd trip w/DDP and truly its not rocket science. Once I convinced DH (the 1st trip) that he REALLY didn't have to pay for that ice cream he just bought , we were fine. I agree, the DDP isn't for everyone but if you do like a TS each day, as we do, don't be intimidated by the plan. Ask questions and we'll talk you through it. I'm leaving for WDW in 12 HOURS!!!! But feel free to PM me after next week if you want any help!!

 

[twinklebug]

See, we've never done it either. Out of all the many times we've done Disney....no dining plan. So maybe we're a bit gun shy too. But also, I just really dont think I can eat that much food LOL.

Ditto, but we always book a room with a kitchenette or kitchen as we like to sit back, eat light, and enjoy what we want to eat, when we want to eat it. Even with just one meal out per day & the kids were SO happy when I offered 'real food' when we got home.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Our 3rd trip w/DDP and truly its not rocket science. Once I convinced DH (the 1st trip) that he REALLY didn't have to pay for that ice cream he just bought , we were fine. I agree, the DDP isn't for everyone but if you do like a TS each day, as we do, don't be intimidated by the plan. Ask questions and we'll talk you through it. I'm leaving for WDW in 12 HOURS!!!! But feel free to PM me after next week if you want any help!!

How sweet of you pooch. Thanks so much. I may just be doing that. LoL Have a wonderful trip. I am so envious. I wish we were leaving soon.

 

[blackjackmark]

Have you called to see if you can downgrade your package this close to our trip? I was under the impression that once you're within 45 days of your trip, you can UPgrade with no extra fee beyond the additional price of the upgrade, but downgrading would cost some sort of penalty?

 

[Tricia1972]

Have you called to see if you can downgrade your package this close to our trip? I was under the impression that once you're within 45 days of your trip, you can UPgrade with no extra fee beyond the additional price of the upgrade, but downgrading would cost some sort of penalty?

If you're asking if the OP can downgrade at this point they still could. They're beyond 45 days at 1 month, 2 weeks and 6 days (according to their ticker) It looks like they have about 50 days to go yet.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

We did the Disney Dinning Plan for the first time back in 06' (out of pocket) and found it very confusing! We didn't make very good use of our credits at all. So for "free Dinning" in 07' I did lots of disboard surfing and found out how to really get the most for the plan and boy did we! We didn't spend any extra money on food at all in 07'. (except my DH cokes, he is addicted)

This year, I am looking forward to it again because we have lots of children in our Grandgathering party that have never been to Disney before. I scheduled lots of Character Meals so they could get their signatures while the adults relax with the sit down meal. For us it saves time from standing in long lines to meet the Characters AND it gives us a good break from the hussle bussle!

So for our family, and friends, it works!

 

[hill6]

Worked great last Christmas for us with four adults. We used two table meals for Hoop Dee Doo and the combo meal at Nine Dragons. I paid for one dinner out of pocket (was the cheapest dinner reservation we had). The counter service meals for lunch were great and we made the most of the snacks. The Dole Whip is the best. Paid for cheap snacks out of pocket.

 

[danceintherain]

I really want to use it, but the package restrictions really get to me. It's my honeymoon, and I plan to register. If I have to pay for the whole thing at 45 days then people contributing won't really help as much as I want. If I wait and add the plan later, then I won't be able to properly utilize any discounts I might be able to get, considering the codes will probably be listed before the 45 day mark.

Other than that, I've figured out that the plan will work for us. We'll save some money, and I really want all my ADRs. I like the idea of having it all paid for in advance, and if for some reason we don't use all our meals, we can just order in-room delivery some night, and it'll be all good.