questions about the disney dining plan!!

[shanna.lane]

we are going to disney world in august of 09 and I am very confused about the disney dining plan! for instance it says for use in the disney resorts, does that include the theme parks? where all can we eat with the plans? is it worth it to buy this plan? we are traveling with several other people who may not buy the plan, will we be able to eat with them on these plans? the plans will be for myself, 24 and my boyfriend, 27... please give me your opinion on whether or not this is worth it.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Here is a link the DIS Menus

Take a look at the menus, see where you would want to eat, what you would most likely order and decide if the plan is worth it to you

One of the things that makes it not worthwhile for us is htat dessert is included. I do not want a dessert at each meal. If we price it out without the dessert, the math doesn't work for us. It may for you

 

[PJAY]

We did the DDP for the first time in three visits this year and I thought it was worth every penny. I guess it depends on whether you want to eat counter service meals or table service. We ate counter service for lunch and table service for dinner every day of our stay so it was well worth it for myself, DW, DD7 and DS 3. Our previous visit we paid out of pocket and spent more than $1100 on meals for three of us in one week so buying the DDP for our 0 day stay actually cost us less than our las visit with an extra person.
If your friends are not on DDP you can still eat together, you will just have to ask for separate checks. Keep in mind groups of 6 or more are automatically charged an 18 % gratuity. Read the reviews on the restaurants too they are INVALUABLE. We followed many of the recommendations of DISers and were not disappointed at all!

 

[hematite153]

I'd also recommend reading the DDP FAQ.

 

[AARCLUKSCH]

The plan includes restaurants all over Disney World (including the parks). Most restaurants (almost all of them) participate in the plan. I have used it three times and got my monies worth always. You can eat with people who are not on the plan. Just tell your server ahead of time. Keep in mind that the plan may change in the new year. But - with that being said - the variety of restaurants has been generous always. When people ask me about the dining plan, I tell them to answer the following:

Do you plan on eating outside Disney World more than once?

Do you mind being on a schedule? (because you have to make ADR for the TS restaurants in advance which means you have to know ahead of time which parks you're going to be on which days of your vacation and you'll have to stick to that plan pretty much).

If your answer is "no" to both, you'll get your monies worth and enjoy the plan.