Poll: How do DVCers pay for dining?

[christianweecare]

I was wondering how fellow DVCers pay for meals while at WDW. Do you pay OOP, use the dining plan, or use TIW? And you might add why you chose your particular way of payment. TIA!

 

[bwvBound]

We pay out of pocket - usually charging the meal to a credit card that offers extra rewards on dining. We will take advantage of available discounts for DVC, AP or related affiliations.

Reason? We eat too few meals at Disney restaurants to make good use of TIW. In a typical 10-night WDW stay we'll eat perhaps 3 meals at a Disney restaurant. Also consider that we frequent DLR, Vero and now Aulani -- so TIW really doesn't help us!

 

[christianweecare]

I thought I had seen the restaurants at VB were on the TIW list???

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DH likes the convenience of the dining plan. I think it would come out better for our pocket books if we paid out of pocket. I know it would be better for our waistlines!

We can't seem to justify TiW because we don't drink.

 

[etemplet]

Dining plan is too easy and is more than enough food for us. Eating at Disney restaurants is as much a part of a Disney Vacation as the Parks and Properties. Besides, I don't see where anything saves a whole lot of money over the Dining plan for our lifestyle. YMMV

 

[bwvBound]

I thought I had seen the restaurants at VB were on the TIW list???

Ah, I hadn't looked. But still, we wouldn't make good use of it? At Vero we'll have a car for grocery runs, outings and dining. Not likely to eat "on property" for more than 1 meal during that week's stay.

 

[christianweecare]

Ah, I hadn't looked. But still, we wouldn't make good use of it? At Vero we'll have a car for grocery runs, outings and dining. Not likely to eat "on property" for more than 1 meal during that week's stay.

Same here.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We seem to enjoy Disney's dining options more than some here. We had the CP at Tutto Italia, and our diners were excellent!

Usually we use TIW, and also DVC discounts, at Fulton's, for instance.

Bobbi

 

[SusieBea]

TIW works well for us. We don't eat enough to justify the dining plan, plus we usually have one casual meal in our room each day. When we travel with our adult children and their spouses, as my daughter would say, "Wow, Dad, you really saved a lot on that one!"

 

[dmoore22]

We use TIW and take advantage of the DVC & AP discounts at those locations that are not part of TIW. We use our Disney Visa to pay at all venues to earn more Disney Rewards to contribute to the costs of each visit. Many times, since portions are generous, my DW and I split an entree along with an appetizer and dessert. We no longer have the hollow legs of our youth.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

Currently we use the DDP but we have 2 kids ( twins) 9 or under. We usually book buffets so they don't have to choose from a kids menu. This summer will be the last year we can get the kids rate on the DDP so I will probably switch or at least try the TIW card for the summer of 2013.

 

[aan1701]

We do Tables In Wonderland. For us this is the most cost effective way for us to dine when at WDW.

 

[Chellymouse]

We used to do DDP, however, after all of the changes, it was no longer a good value for us. We were also tired of being tethered to too many dining ressies and feeling we had to eat the more expensive items on the menu to get our $$ worth. We have had TIW for the past 2 years now and we do much better on TIW. DH and I both like to have an adult beverage with our meals and we often will split and appetizer and a dessert.

 

[quirty30]

I chose TiW because we prefer it. But our AP's expired in Sept. and TiW in November. So this coming trip (in 4 days) we are doing the dining plan. Very happy that soon TiW will be available to DVC members without AP's - just wish the announcement (and subsequent implementation) had been announced a little sooner!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

We use TIW it works out best for our family

 

[DVCconvert]

Definately TIW...or OP

 

[JimC]

We use TIW. Being local it is even easier to get good value from this discount. We also enjoy some of TIW's special dinner events, which are generally well done.

I wonder if Disney has modified its cash prices to account for an increasing number of discounts offered (AP, DVC, TIW) and the meal plans (sometimes free with certain vacation packages). When I look at our net meal cost with TIW; it often seems equivalent to what I would spend off property for a similar type of meal with tip.

 

[GeorgeAndDiana]

We don't quite eat enough on property (or have enough meals) to usually get enough value from the Dining Plan. When we're there enough times per year we'll get Tables in Wonderland, but lately we've been floating a non-expiring 10 Day rather than annual pass as it gives us the flexibility to vacation at WDW a little more spread out.

 

[ajf1007]

As many previous posters, we don't do the DDP. It's just the two of us way too much food! We pay out of pocket and eat some in our villa. Though we're doing the AP this year and will also utilize the TIW card too!

 

[a742246]

I put down out of pocket, but now that TIW is available to DVC members I will be using that.