Our first time without the DP

[GC&S]

We have used the DP for years. This year we enrolled DD in the YES program and got tickets through them so we could not use the DP. We also stayed at the Swan so wasn't using a Disney package.

We were at WDW 10-11 through 10-17.

Our dd is 10 so is a disney adult. She eats very little and tends to be picky. We were concerned when first planning our trip that if we did purchase the dp (before we found out about the YES program) that it would be a waste of money. Before she became a disney adult it was a no brainer for the DP as we did a lot of the character dining.

We ate at:
Garden Grill
Prime Time Cafe - lunch
Le Cellier - lunch
Cape May - lunch
Liberty Town Tavern - lunch
TRex
Rainforest Cafe
Cosmic Ray
Columbia Harbour House
CS at Typhoon lagoon - we also bought a refillable mug
Seasons
Tangerine Cafe
We had at least 2-3 snacks a day (not per person). We bought 3 souvenir mugs in the parks and 2 of the light up tinkerbell and ariel drinks for dd.
We ate breakfast in the room (which we have always done)

Our total was $853 (including tips). We actually had $800 on our Disney Visa rewards card so used that for our dining.

Pros - dd could order off the kids menu where ever she wanted which was much cheaper than the DP.

We didn't feel stuffed all day as we never ordered dessert at lunch and dinner.

We were able to enjoy more snack food since we didnt have dessert.

If the kids menu was lacking (like at Le Cellier) - dd was able to order an appetizer or a side dish if she didnt like anything on the adult menu.

Staff almost seemed relieved when we told them we weren't on the dining plan.

We weren't tied to ADR's everyday which made our park days more enjoyable.

We didn't have a ton of snack credits to use up at the end of the trip. Usually I ended up buying a bunch of stuff the gift shop before boarding the ME to leave. Then ended up throwing it away after it sat in our pantry for 3 months.

Cons - Making ADRS everday when we used the DP assured us we had a place to eat. Sometimes we found ourselves wandering around looking for CS (especially when Columbia Harbor House closed early a couple nights) and we didnt want to at the same CS we did the night before.

We realized we tend to eat at more buffets when we used the DP. This was not a good choice when paying out of pocket for dd as an adult. Like at Cape May. Where she ate probably two pieces of shrimp and some mashed potatoes.

We tended to look more closely at the prices and tried not to feel guilty about ordering the more expensive item.

We seemed more organized when we were on the DP. Our days were planned better. Sometimes just winging it didnt work for us (especially when we were all hungry and couldnt agree on a place to eat). Eating at CS in Epcot was not fun during the Food and wine festival.

Our final verdict was that we would probably do the DP if we went during the free DP period. If we were lucky to get a good room discount or a pin code (we have never ever had a pin code) we probably would not buy the DP. We would just make a better effort of planning ahead with dining and not trying to wing it. It did make us realize we would not like the quick service plan - we do like the sit down restaurants at least once a day.

 

[AmyLand98]

Thank you for your post! We are going in February and for the first time not using the dining plan. We have used it on all 5 of our previous trips. We are DVC members so this year we are trying the Tables in Wonderland card.

I did still do the ADRs and still have a plan just because I do better with that

On the dining plan at the table service restaurants I always felt like I had to get the most expensive thing just to "get my money's worth". It will be nice to get what I want even if it is the most expensive thing