opinions on dining plan...worth it or not?

[CampbellScot]

I'm sure this has been asked 84,000 times before...but I'm attempting to be budget minded for our trip this year. Perhaps I'm more thinking aloud...(i'm in the early planning stages for our August trip). My family has never done Disney without the meal plan. I got to wondering why this is...my step daughter will be 11 this year. She would be on the adult plan and would never eat that much food...let alone the type of food offered for adults. She is a plane jane, very bland food kind of girl. It doesn't seem to make much sense to pay for her to eat adult meals and then spend the whole trip asking if she can order off the children's menu.

Aside from that issue, every year I marvel at how much food we are truly eating in general...and are we even hungry as each scheduled meal comes along? both my step kids are very light eaters...they don't care about food all that much in general. At 11 and 8 they are growing out of character meals...

So...the question is, would we eat as much if we hadn't already paid for it up front?

has anyone ever done the math on this? Or made any general observations?

Just wondering.

Of course if free dining is offered for our dates in August then it doesn't really matter all that much! fingers crossed! I really love planning ADR's!!!

 

[wendypooh]

NO Offense.......... but, it always amazes me at how many times I do see this exact question asked.............. and all the SAME reasons given as to why it would be a good idea to NOT get the DP - and then at the end, they always say.................. BUT, if free dining is offered we'll take it!!!! LOL

If you aren't going to eat ALL that food when you have to pay - then why on earth would you eat if it you don't have to pay??? It just cracks me up.

Either one wants to fork out the money or not! I think it depends on where you'll be eating - can you eat at disney for less than the plan cost.....ABSOLUTELY - but lets compare apples to apples - IF you are still going to eat at 2 sit down places (counter and TS) then do the math for one day............... for us, typically we come out WAY ahead by using the DP. We like doing the character meals and would do them regardless.... so, again, for us, the DP is a better deal.

Obviously, if you are going to only do counter or snacks - to be budget friendly, then that would be cheaper.......... and if you get the DP for free......... then by all means - eat till you just can't eat anymore!!!!!


** I know this probably sounds sarcastic - and it kind of is............ but, TRUELY - it isn't directed at you - this entire topic is just funny to me is all. NO hard feelings PLEASE!!!

 

[branv]

I've done the math on it in the past, and it's never made sense for us. Even though DH and I are pooh size, we still don't eat as much food as is included on any of the Dining Plans. I wrote up our ADR's and plans for CS, took menu items we'd likely order, used that cost to compare to the daily cost of each of the plans, and it just was never a cost savings for us. I even figured out where we'd eat if we had the freedom of the deluxe plan, and it still wasn't a savings (and no WAY could I eat that much food every day!) I suppose if we were people who ate desserts with every meal (and with the DDP, appetizer), and had three large meals a day, it would be savings (I can only imagine how much parents of teenage boys can end up saving ), but it wasn't for us.

I did check when I came home, adding up all the costs of our snacks, meals, drinks, etc, and even eating at a combo of CS & TS we did save money vs. using the dining plan.

But really, anyone can do this using the menus out there. If you're a nerd like me, it's kind of fun.

 

[wendypooh]

branv - we did/do the same thing...... we go to allears and look at the menu's of the places we've made (or want to make) ADR's for....... then we choose what we'd likely order............. then we look at what CS meals we'd eat - then add up the total - including the snack/drinks/taxes, etc.... and it has ALWAYS worked out to our advantage. Again, it all depends on WHERE you'll be eating and what you are likely to order.

I want to stress again, you can absolutely eat cheaper than the plan............ but, when doing a comparison - make sure to compare apples to apples - as you and I both have done! It works out for some and not for others!!

 

[Rosiekins]

I am a really picky eater and one of the things that really helped me learn to branch out (and how to deal with getting things the way I want in dining establishments) was eating out with my Dad and Step Mom. They would help me review the menu so I could see if their were sides I liked that might be substituded etc. They tought me to ask questions and say things like can I have the sauce on the side. They never expected I would order off the kids but seemed to have faith I would be able to make the adult one work for me and maybe try something new. This has really helped me even as an adult and because of it I have tried many foods I proubly would not have touched if people had said well your just a picky eater etc. Maybe this is your DSD chance to learn to branch out and try new things! I bet she would surprise you.

 

[3boymthr]

So I did the math. both before and after.

We saved $254. Subtract $60 for desserts we would not have otherwise eaten (some of our QS desserts were saved for snacks). And We would have saved almost $200. Not too bad.

 

[KirstenB]

We are a family of 4. We're all about the rides, so we prefer counter service, as it's a lot faster. None of us order dessert (too full after big portions). Don't get me wrong, in the middle of the afternoon, we get some kind of ice cream or something, just not with the meal. So for us, the DP has never made sense.

 

[Ka' eo]

We are a family of 4. We're all about the rides, so we prefer counter service, as it's a lot faster. None of us order dessert (too full after big portions). Don't get me wrong, in the middle of the afternoon, we get some kind of ice cream or something, just not with the meal. So for us, the DP has never made sense.

We're the same way. But I've enjoyed free dining a few times. I would rather have the room discount. Better savings for our kids. You really do have to eat alot on the DP to make it worth it.

 

[moongirl]

For me, the biggest problem with the dining plan is planning for the dining reservation and sticking to it. I like the flexibility of grabbing something when we're hungry wherever we are and being able to eat on the fly as each of us becomes hungry. That way eating does not disrupt our touring plans. If we get tired, we don't have to stay longer to make the ADR or drag ourselves to that ADR. We can change plans as we go depending on how we feel. Having at least a mini-fridge makes this flexibility possible although a full kitchen (on or offsite) gives us the most dining flexibility. We have breakfast in the room. We pack enough food/snacks to serve as a lunch, and we make some easy dinners in the room - I'm talking like a microwavable roast with gravy and pre-made mashed potatoes here. It is very easy on the budget doing it this way. My whole family carries the lunch/snacks in our own hip packs so we can eat/snack whenever we feel like it. We may occasionally grab some CS food or treats but we are not tied down by any ADRs. I love to plan and always know what parks on which days, and what rides in which order, we are doing but there is no way I want to force a tired kid to sit through a sit-down meal if he'd be happier vegging in the room while mom microwaves some dinner!

 

[KELLY]

Honestly we are on the FD plan for September but if a room only discount comes up we are staying at the AKL and ditching the FD. I would rather do a QSDP and pay out of pocket for the one or 2 TS meals we would like to do. I hate being tied down to adr's. But I would rather have FD than no discount.

 

[angelmav]

Apples to Apples is a good way to look at it. I dont know that either the QS or regular DDP are set up to save money unless you are working to maximize them (really, really working) and that means you would have eaten an equivalent meal without it. For us the DDP is a splurge, cant imagine going to the extreme of the type of splurge the DXDP would be (for us that plan is just shy of $500 a day!). Last year we spent (for 7) 200-240 a day on food and snacks (even some souveniers) while still having some TS meals (just not every day). The regular DDP for this summer would run us $315 a day (seasonal upcharge). I dont mind the splurge since it saves from having to cringe at the prices, but it would be easy enough to cut that back if its not in the budget.

 

[poohs_hunny]

NO Offense.......... but, it always amazes me at how many times I do see this exact question asked.............. and all the SAME reasons given as to why it would be a good idea to NOT get the DP - and then at the end, they always say.................. BUT, if free dining is offered we'll take it!!!! LOL

If you aren't going to eat ALL that food when you have to pay - then why on earth would you eat if it you don't have to pay??? It just cracks me up.

You mean that if you weren't planning on getting the dining plan, but it was offered free, you wouldn't take it?? To me, that makes no sense. Even if you didn't want to do any TS meals, you'd still come out ahead by getting a free QS and a snack.

 

[wendypooh]

You really do have to do the math.

Let's say this is a typical day, there are 3 of you 2 A / 1 C - so, you go to Mara and get an oatmeal and 2 muffins - $2.49 and $2.29 x 2, 2 coffees $3.19 each ($6.38) and OJ $2.50 - total $16.15

then for lunch you hit Cosmic Rays and order the bbq rib meal, pork sandwich, and ceasar sald with chicken - that is $10.49, $8.69 and $7.19 and 3 drinks at $2.49 each ($7.47) - total $33.84

now it's later and you are thirsty and your kiddo wants an ice cream -
soda or water $2.50 - ice cream $2.75 - total $5.25

Now it's dinner time and you decide on Le Cellier - you and DH get steaks -
$34.99 x 2 = 69.98 and your kiddo gets whatever - it's $8.99 - you and DH get dessert (you don't get an app. on the reg. DP) Whisky Cake $7.99 and Creme Brulee $6.99 and drinks at $2.50 each - Your total - $98.95

I'm using this "formula" as to stay within the DP guidelines - in actuality for us - the price for dinner would be more, as DH would prob. get a beer and I'd get something as well......... we'd pay OOP for those either way - so it's not included.



So, your total for this day would be $154.19

The DP cost is $41.99 A / 11.99 C - a day - total $95.97

This would SAVE you - $58.22

and this is just for 1 day!

** Please note - these prices are from Allears - I don't know if they include tax - AND this is just a rough idea of how to use the plan. Again, this will work for some and not others.............

Also, if I'm wrong on my numbers - PLEASE feel free to correct this - again, I used prices from allears and mousesavers.

 

[Mathfailure]

I am in the not wanting to spend so much time eating camp, I go to
Disney to play not eat! Now for some the eating is playing, so for them yeah, for me - give me a room discount and I am a contented woman.

Breakfast in the room, counter service where ever we happen to be, that is our dining plan! The time not the money is the object.

We also often just get children's meals for everyone. Cheaper, quick and not so much we feel stuffed and uncomfortable.

 

[wendypooh]

You mean that if you weren't planning on getting the dining plan, but it was offered free, you wouldn't take it?? To me, that makes no sense. Even if you didn't want to do any TS meals, you'd still come out ahead by getting a free QS and a snack.

I was replying to the OP's question - and the fact that so many feel like it's just way too expensive to get it - BECAUSE they wouldn't eat all that food!!! That was one of the OP's reasons for not wanting to PAY for it............ My comment was based on that. I thought I'd made that clear - guess not! Obviously, if were offered for FREE - anyone would be dumb to not get it. That wasn't my point.


** Edited to add - I sincerely wasn't trying to cause an arguement or anything.............. I simply find this subject and the "reasons" not to PAY for the DP amusing, esp. when those reasons are because "we just wouldn't eat that much" - then they turn right around and say, but if it's free - we'll take it. It makes me laugh, because, I guess if it's free they'll find a way to eat all that food. It's just funny........... Julia Goolia

I'm not attacking or being mean to the OP - this is just my general opinion - to each his own!!!

 

[poohs_hunny]

I was replying to the OP's question - and the fact that so many feel like it's just way too expensive to get it - BECAUSE they wouldn't eat all that food!!! That was one of the OP's reasons for not wanting to PAY for it............ My comment was based on that. I thought I'd made that clear - guess not! Obviously, if were offered for FREE - anyone would be dumb to not get it. That wasn't my point.

And my point was you don't HAVE to eat it all. I didn't think you were attacking anyone. I guess I didn't understand why you thought it was funny that people would take the plan for free...

 

[maggiew]

For my family, it has never made sense to get the dining plan. It is me, DH, and two teen DDs. My girls eat like birds, yet we would have to pay full adult prices for them. I can never finish an entree, let alone dessert. So when we go out as a family, we usually share meals. Or one gets an appetizer. Or one gets an "add on shrimp or ribs" etc. with someone else's meal. That is how we eat out at home and that is how we eat at Disney. We usually do one table service a day and pick places that are ala carte and not buffet or fixed price places.

When the dining plan first came out, I really struggled with "should we get it or not". We didn't get it that first year and I compared the cost of where we ate to what the dining plan would have cost. We were slightly cheaper than the dining plan. We obviously would have gotten more food on the dining plan for just a little bit more. But we normally wouldn't have gotten that. And that was when the appetizer and tip were included! So after that we never got the dining plan - especially after they took away the appetizer and tip.

So, I think the answer to the question is really dependent on your family. Would you scrimp and save to get as cheap as you could? Would the dining plan allow you to splurge on food for just a little bit more? Would you be able to eat all that food if you got the dining plan? It also depends on the age of your kids. If my kids had been considered "children" on the plan at the time, it would have been a no brainer to get the plan. But my kids were considered "adults" so it made it less attractive.

We are also never able to go during free dining since I am a teacher. Or else it would have been a bigger savings (for 4 adult dining plans) vs. room only code. I would have done the dining plan in that case.
Maggie

 

[wendypooh]

And my point was you don't HAVE to eat it all. I didn't think you were attacking anyone. I guess I didn't understand why you thought it was funny that people would take the plan for free...

I got your point - No Worries - just saying that was not what I meant!

Anyway, I hope I explained it better. As taking the free plan isn't what I find funny!

Anyway - Good Luck OP - whatever you decide! Here's hoping you get FREE dining!!!

 

[dd50]

We purchased the DDP last year and I got tired on the TS by the second day. It seemed that it was always time to eat. I am not a big eater and neither are two of my kids (considered adults) but the other one is. I felt so full that I didn't even buy a snack and didn't eat the desserts that you got with the meal either.

When we went to character meals they put a few things on their plate and filled up with ice cream. It wasn't the best value for them.

When I go to the parks I don't want to be tied down to all the TS. I do like one or two but that is all. I also like to schedule them on the day that we don't go to any parks.

I don't even think that I would get the QS because at times I will get a kids meal when not that hungry. Not to save money because I always budget more than enough but sometimes I don't want that much food.

 

[wdhinn89]

Personally for us, no.

If they would give you an appetizer instead of a dessert then we would probably get the plan, but they don't.

We enjoy certain appetizers at our favorite restraunts and we would have to pay out of pocket for them.

We hardly ever order dessert and we would wind up eating it because we paid for it.

Also alot of times we would order 3 CS meals and 4 of us would share it because we already had our big meal of the day (lunch)and we are not hungry enough to eat a full one by ourselves.(except maybe my 15 year old son).