Part time guest and dining plan

[Trooper8286]

My mom is coming for part of our trip to BLT in June. She is on my DVC reservation but is only coming for about three full days of the six night trip. Probably flying down Thursday and staying thru Sunday. I have been back and forth on the dining plan. Part of me wants to ditch it since we will be in a 1 BR and can have breakfast and lunch there. However, I like the idea of food being budgeted in prior to coming..... We used the snack, QS, TS plan last visit. Here is the rub, as I understand it, I have to have dining plan for all, for the whole time. It's a waste if we have to use mom's credits for the four of us during the remainder of the trip. I have seen a post in a thread about his somewhere, but could not find it. Seems like it was tangentially related. Ideas, options and opinions, please? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[POTCfan]

As far as I know, you can not exclude people on the dining plan. If you have a separate reservation for the portion that your mom is there, then you can - but that involves possibly changing rooms for the separate reservation.

My advice would be to take the money you would spend on the dining plan and put it on a gift card (or prepay a visa card). We've spent less this way (though I did like the dining plan when we did it - we find going to the same restaurants and ordering whatever we want to be cheaper).

 

[Trooper8286]

My advice would be to take the money you would spend on the dining plan and put it on a gift card (or prepay a visa card). We've spent less this way (though I did like the dining plan when we did it - we find going to the same restaurants and ordering whatever we want to be cheaper).

Do you have any idea how much less you spent?

I was already planning on TIW, so the advice makes good sense......

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[bliscum]

The only time I have used the dining plan was on short trips and wanted to go to nice restaurant. I have found that it is way cheaper to just pay. You do not have to feel that use all the tickets if you are not hungry. I usually take cereal for breakfast and buy milk there. Then eat only a usually late lunch/ dinner and snack later.

 

[disneynutz]

If you really want the DDP you have only 2 choices. Take her off of your room reservation or use her extra credits for some signature meals.

Bill

 

[POTCfan]

Do you have any idea how much less you spent?

I was already planning on TIW, so the advice makes good sense......

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I was paying attention by days. Out of the 7 days we were there, 2 of the days we spent a little more than we would have on the dining plan, and 5 of the days we spent less.

We did not have the TIW card (though now I am eligible, I will get it). For the comparison, I was not including tip, but was including things not on the dining plan (ie. appetizers and alcohol). We didn't limit anything that we wanted - I figured if I was over the dining plan amount, it would be a learning experience and I would get the dining plan again next time. We rarely ordered more than one dessert (as we generally aren't that hungry, and prefer to share a dessert), and my wife sometimes ordered two appetizers for dinner (rather than an entree). So it was much more flexible the way we did it, but overall (for 2 adults and a child), I think we were about $100 cheaper than the dining plan. And again, that was including things that were not covered on the dining plan. I look forward to trying it again with the TIW card.

 

[Trooper8286]

Thanks POTC! That seems about what I would expect.

I had a friend point out that we normally would not do deserts, and despite my inclination to eat at signature restaurants, we would probably waste some credits.

Thanks for the advice! Looks like it is TIW !

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[holula]

Do you have any idea how much less you spent? I was already planning on TIW, so the advice makes good sense...... Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

For two adults in October for 6 nights, eating at The Wave, Kona Cafe, ESPN Zone, Applebee's, and Sci-Fi Dine In along with QS meals and snacks AND Food & Wine dishes, we spent $410 including tips. That is way less than the equivalent dining plan would have been.

 

[disneynutz]

The only way to compare plans is to look at the menus of where you want to eat and compare the cost of what you want to eat with the DDP.

In the beginning the DDP was a good deal but like all things Disney, they continue to modify the plans while increasing the price. My guess is that in the future they will include some extra FP+'s with the plans and you will see a lot more people buy the plan.

Bill

 

[Trooper8286]

When we visited in 2010, we did the dining plan. Looking back on it, and knowing what I know now, I think we could have done better without it. The QS meals tend to over do it ..... We had too much food.

We also did Royal Table and California Grill.

This time around we are looking at Le Celier and California Grill.....

Betting TIW will work better.

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[RPH]

Sorry I'm new to DVC and this site.TIW?

 

[disneynutz]

Sorry I'm new to DVC and this site.TIW?

Tables In Wonderland 20% off 1 year dining card. Costs $100 DVC discount and starts paying for itself after $500 in restaurant use.

You can Google for more info.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Tables In Wonderland 20% off 1 year dining card. Costs $100 DVC discount and starts paying for itself after $500 in restaurant use.

You can Google for more info.

Bill

TIW card is primarily good for most table service dining and a few counter service (mostly where table service isn't available).

 

[Dean]

My mom is coming for part of our trip to BLT in June. She is on my DVC reservation but is only coming for about three full days of the six night trip. Probably flying down Thursday and staying thru Sunday. I have been back and forth on the dining plan. Part of me wants to ditch it since we will be in a 1 BR and can have breakfast and lunch there. However, I like the idea of food being budgeted in prior to coming..... We used the snack, QS, TS plan last visit. Here is the rub, as I understand it, I have to have dining plan for all, for the whole time. It's a waste if we have to use mom's credits for the four of us during the remainder of the trip. I have seen a post in a thread about his somewhere, but could not find it. Seems like it was tangentially related. Ideas, options and opinions, please? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Remember there are other discounts besides the TIW including AP and DVC. Depending on your choices, you may have to exceed $600 in total dining AT TS OPTIONS to just break even. There are other ways to easily budget and even other ways to prepay if that's the issue.

 

[RPH]

Thank you for the info