Poll: Do you use the DIning Plan when staying DVC?

[Chuck S]

Just curious, as almost all of my traveling parties are adults, or at least 9 years old, and I've never been able to justify it vs. paying cash and using DVC/AP discounts. Even mixing in a 2 credit signature location every trip.

But I also don't have an adult beverage with every table service meal, though I do occassionaly imbibe.

 

[Smilelea]

Now with both kids being Disney Adults, we can’t make the math work.

 

[juliebee]

We've tried to pencil it out and it never is worth it. It's just my husband and I traveling, I often don't want to order the most expensive thing on the menu, and we don't drink alcohol so the math just doesn't make it favorable.

 

[Newsies]

When I'm traveling with my parents/family, yes. My mom just likes having as many vacation expenses paid off as possible before we travel and the "all inclusive" feel she gets from using credits instead of cash or card.

When I'm traveling solo, no. Have never done the math but I doubt it would be worth it because I so rarely have alcohol.

 

[Tumnus]

My family is two adults and two kids in the 'kids eat free' ages. The savings are there considering coffee is a snack. I don't see a world where I get it full priced though.

 

[Hubalorian]

I have a one night studio stay coming up before transitioning to a two bedroom for the rest of the trip. I am getting the dining plan for the one night so we get the refillable mug (2 adults and 1 child), probably will use the table service at 1900 park fare because we have not experienced it yet. Also, like that it’s a buffet so my two twin daughters eat for free, they’ll be around 18 months. Once they are over 3, I can see justifying the dining plan if my wife and I buy it to get three free kid plans.

 

[Chuck S]

I have a one night studio stay coming up before transitioning to a two bedroom for the rest of the trip. I am getting the dining plan for the one night so we get the refillable mug (2 adults and 1 child), probably will use the table service at 1900 park fare because we have not experienced it yet. Also, like that it’s a buffet so my two twin daughters eat for free, they’ll be around 18 months. Once they are over 3, I can see justifying the dining plan if my wife and I buy it to get three free kid plans.

I can certainly understand getting it with kids, at least during the current Kids Eat Free promo.

 

[Genie+]

We have a cash stay first night and just adding dining plan to that, not the rest of the trip booked on DVC points.

It’s been fun using DDP in the past but this current version takes alot of planning to make worthwhile. This trip we’re prefer to keep things more spontaneous. If we want to hop to an unplanned park or the mood strikes to hit a lounge, no being tied to a meal schedule mapped out to optimize DDP.

But I wouldn’t mind doing that for one day of credits over 2 days. Then we’ll get the resort mug, and we’ll use the snack credit at EP food booths, pick a good value TS for Day 1 or 2, same for the QS. That’s pretty easy since there’s 2 days to use the 1 night credit. We’ll do one of the park character buffets or Via Napoli for the TS, and Docking Bay or Primo Piatto for the QS. Then we still have out of pocket meals both days where we can do whatever.

So 1 or 2 nights with a split stay I might do DDP 2026, but would not for an entire stay.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We haven't used DDP in decades. It took us a couple of trips before I could convince my wife that it was more trouble than it was worth and it obligated us to sit down to expensive meals far more often than we would like. You also find yourself having to constantly monitor your meals and snacks so you don't either run out before the end of the trip or end up with a handful (or more) of snacks you will never eat. It wouldn't be so bad to eat fewer snacks, but you have already paid for it.

 

[GGGT]

We've never used it for our DVC or cash trips.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Nope. Since my kid is an adult in Disneys eyes.

 

[reddog21]

People who whip out a spreadsheet always make me laugh—it’s such a waste of time and effort. Just ballpark it! If you’re forcing yourself to order the most expensive meal on the menu just to beat the system, then the dining plan isn’t for you. To each is own but I couldn't fathom eating a steak(not much of a seafood person) every meal, I would feel like John Candy in the great outdoors after eater the old 96er.

For me, it is and always be just a convenience to prepay your meals, that's it.