Paid Dining Plan - is my math right?

[PoohJen]

Hi All!
I know there is a lot of discussion about whether or not dining plans are economical, each time I've done the math, it does not work out for my family.

But, I wanted to see if my current math is right. Mom and I are staying one night next week. The offered plan is (total for the two of us):
Cost is $100
4 QS meals = $45 (I estimate worth $10 each, plus a little, am I off?)
2 Snacks = $10
2 drink mugs = $20 (we will barely be at the room to sleep; will get almost no use from the mugs)

Total value: $75

what the ??? What am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[aaarcher86]

Drink mugs are closer to $16 each I think. They don't do shorter stay pricing anymore.

I also estimate closer to $15 for QS meals unless you're drinking water.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks Aaarcher.

Are the drink mugs only good for that trip's stay? I expect we'll be back a few times this year for one nighters.

 

[borgthe]

It will probably be better for you to pay out of pocket. The only way the dining plan makes sense is if you really want the drink and dessert at each QS meal. You could save money by paying out of pocket.

 

[sharonabe]

The cost of the QS plan is $41.99, so that's $84, not $100.

If you both want drinks and desserts with both meals, the cost of those meals will be closer to $17 each. (You have to remember to add the tax on the menu prices.)

So 4QS meals = $68
2 snacks $10
You're at $78, so if you can maximize one of those meals to the $20 mark, you break even and get a free souvenir mug. If you use the mug just one time, you break even and get a souvenir mug.

However, if you don't get/want dessert or drinks with even one meal, then you begin to lose money.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks Sharon,
I don't know how/why, but the QS plan offered when I booked my room was just over $100 than the room by itself; that's where I got the $100 from. At the time, I was fairly certain that included room tax; I will have to double check that. Drinks? Dessert? I'm all for it!

EDITED: I double checked. After taxes, the CS dining plan add on for we two adults is $102.00.

 

[aaarcher86]

Thanks Aaarcher.

Are the drink mugs only good for that trip's stay? I expect we'll be back a few times this year for one nighters.

Yeah. It's good for 14 days.

 

[sharonabe]

Thanks Sharon,
I don't know how/why, but the QS plan offered when I booked my room was just over $100 than the room by itself; that's where I got the $100 from. At the time, I was fairly certain that included room tax; I will have to double check that. Drinks? Dessert? I'm all for it!

EDITED: I double checked. After taxes, the CS dining plan add on for we two adults is $102.00.

That is really strange unless prices have gone up and no one else has noticed. I'm going to go book some "dummy" trips to see. It shouldn't be that much.

 

[sharonabe]

I did two different "reservations." One for July and one for Aug. Value resort, two adults, one night. Both times I got the $84 difference for the dining plan. That $102 you're getting just doesn't make sense.