Regret not using Dining Plan

[Marimar]

We didn't get the plan, but then DD and I split meals a lot..We ususally skip breakfast or just split a bagel or have a muffin. Lunch is counter in the parks, as is dinner. We usually only eat one or two sit down meals in a 7 or 8 day trip. Rather than taking long for dinner with a sit down, we would rather grab and run and do attractions.

Great strategy!

 

[Dustmouse]

Is there a Dining Plan FAQ somewhere? Is it hard keeping track of what you have used and what you have left?

***Nevermind...I see it on the first page of the forum. Duh!

 

[PaulaSB12]

I'm sorry I don't have a firm answer to your problem, but the dining plan is sold as part of a package, so I dare say Disney would be correct. When we purchased the dining plan for our upcoming trip, we purchased it directly from Disney. But we purchased our whole vacation package directly through Disney as well. In order to get dining, you have to stay at the resorts--it's tied together, so Disney isn't going to directly sell you dining plan without directly selling the resort stay to go with it.

If you're buying your trip through a travel company, you should be able to purchase the whole package (room/dining plan/tickets). If your travel company is claiming they can't sell you part of a package (i.e. the dining plan), I'd start looking for a different travel company. I obviously don't know for sure, but being in the UK shouldn't make a difference when booking the dining plan.

Someone with more knowledge feel free to step in here!

P.S. You might get more responses if you posted this as its own thread.

The trouble with this is I will lose about $280 that has been paid in deposit and insurance, so I am complaing to the head of the entire company via the head office address and his home address.

 

[DeterminedOne]

I respectfully disagree with the idea that the dining plans are too much food. It's all about eating sensibly. Limit portion size, limit high-fat food, limit sugar and three meals is doable. Instead of bacon, eggs and pancakes for breakfast try a bowl of oatmeal and a piece of fruit. Instead of the cheeseburger and fries for lunch, try a small lean meat sandwich and a salad. And instead of a ten-ounce steak for dinner try eating half that size or a piece of fish. It's been nearly two years since I lost weight and I've kept it off. One of the first things I had to do was change the way I look at food. I used to think there was nothing wrong with skipping meals and the thought of eating three meals a day was like YUCK. But nowadays I eat four, sometimes five meals a day. And I love the package meal plans at Disney! Most restaurants offer plenty of sensible options and if you plan accordingly three meals a day is a good thing. JMTC

 

[disneyjunkie]

I respectfully disagree with the idea that the dining plans are too much food. It's all about eating sensibly. Limit portion size, limit high-fat food, limit sugar and three meals is doable. Instead of bacon, eggs and pancakes for breakfast try a bowl of oatmeal and a piece of fruit. Instead of the cheeseburger and fries for lunch, try a small lean meat sandwich and a salad. And instead of a ten-ounce steak for dinner try eating half that size or a piece of fish. It's been nearly two years since I lost weight and I've kept it off. One of the first things I had to do was change the way I look at food. I used to think there was nothing wrong with skipping meals and the thought of eating three meals a day was like YUCK. But nowadays I eat four, sometimes five meals a day. And I love the package meal plans at Disney! Most restaurants offer plenty of sensible options and if you plan accordingly three meals a day is a good thing. JMTC

I think that's great for day to day, but when on vacation most of us want to enjoy ourselves.

For me the meals are just as important as the rides, shows, parades.

 

[DeterminedOne]

I think that's great for day to day, but when on vacation most of us want to enjoy ourselves.

For me the meals are just as important as the rides, shows, parades.

So eating isn't an enjoyable experience for most people? Guess I'm out of the ordinary then 'cause I need fuel in order to have an enjoyable experience on the rides, shows and parades. But I can understand what you're saying.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I cannot rave enough about the Dining Plan! Used it for 6 days in June and it saved us a ton of money. Dinner at Spoodles alone was over $100 and we only paid a combined $70 for food for that whole day! What a bargain. I tried to add it to this upcoming trip, but since we have leftover days on our tickets, we have room only and they wouldn't let me. What a disappointment!

I originally had my reservations as room only too, because I already own two five-day hoppers. Since there are a total of four people, I just figured we were stuck.

Someone suggested to me that I just order four one-day base tickets and then purchase two five-day hoppers when we get there. By doing this, our total days increased by one, which is such torture.

Anyway, I cancelled my original reservation, rebooked it with the four one-day base tickets and was able to get the dining plan.

Some people have done this and have basically wasted the one-day tickets, but still came out ahead using the dining plan. Something to think about...

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

Our experience with the dining plan Dec 18 to 23rd.
2 adults - cost $350
I recorded on every receipt the cost of the meal and bills for all counter service, snacks and table service meals came to over $600.

We didn't go for the most value for our money but ate what we wanted. A couple of times we would order 1 counter service meal and split it and a couple of hours later order another one and split it. Nice break!

If we didn't LOVE the dessert - we didn't eat all of it. This happened several times and the same for appetizers.
For us the dining plan was great - we would definitely do it again if it is still available.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I must admit that hubby and I can eat quite a bit, but absolutely loved the plan. The best part was trying different places. We actually discovered that we enjoyed the food at Tony's town square more than the food a CRT.

 

[Marimar]

I thought you only needed to buy a one day pass to get the ddp?
If so, it might be worth it. Don't get the "no expire" option and use that ticket this trip...
A suggestion...

Yup! That is what we are doing. The first leg of the trip will be at AKL and 10 tix. Then we move to the GF where we are buying a single one day base (for each person in our party) to be eligible for dining plan.

 

[patsal]

Our experience with the dining plan Dec 18 to 23rd.
2 adults - cost $350
I recorded on every receipt the cost of the meal and bills for all counter service, snacks and table service meals came to over $600.

We didn't go for the most value for our money but ate what we wanted. A couple of times we would order 1 counter service meal and split it and a couple of hours later order another one and split it. Nice break!

If we didn't LOVE the dessert - we didn't eat all of it. This happened several times and the same for appetizers.
For us the dining plan was great - we would definitely do it again if it is still available.

We had a similliar experience. I bought the plan just to have everything all inclusive (and when I heard that I would be able to get it with DVC next year) I wanted to experiment with the savings vs. the DDE. I just let everyone order what the would have without the plan. Often a dessert or two would be skipped as well as an app or two. No big deal to me, the last thing I want is overstuffed tired kids who don't feel well on a vacation. When all was said and done there were a total of 3 alcoholic drinks that we used DDE on and nothing else. My overall savings was well into the hundreds per day, somtimes as high as $150 per day. I will purchase it for my next vacation in July without question. Even though DD will be adult prices, if she wants a child's meal she can have it, I know she will not want kid's CS meals, but she may want them at TS. The plan will also allow us to eat at character meals occasionally since we were going to cut that out after the age change based on the amount of food DS does not consume.

 

[lsteadman]

this dining plan is the only way to go..

I am still kicking myself for purchasing an AP. I didn't save nearly as much with the DDE card that I would have with the dining plan.

I sure hope they add the dining plan to the AP like the have for DVC.

 

[tommygirl79]

We are leaving in 6 days for WDW and we decided to go for the dining plan because we thought it was a great deal for us (DH, myself, DD4 and DD4). Since we can share meals with DD2 (and DD4 depending on the meal) the plan allows us to try a few dining experiences we would NEVER have spent the money on if we were paying OOP. In prior trips we have done like 2 ADRs per trip because we just couldn't justify the cost. With the DP, however, it affords our young family the ability to try Le Cellier, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, CRT, Whispering Canyon, and Chef Mickey's. It is also SOOO nice not to have to stress about bringing as much cash and having to balance food money along with the girls while we're there. I have a feeling we are going to LOVE the DP.

 

[lustergirl]

My family of 4 enjoyed the free Dining Plan this past September and now I am hooked on it. For our next that I have booked we also purchased the DP this time around. I like the convenience of knowing our food will be paid for upfront with the rest of our package. My 2 sons, ages 12 and 16 can easily eat more than the cost of the meal plan per day- 35 dollars. I would never go to Disney without the plan.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Our family has used the DP twice now. First time in January 2005 (paid for it) and last time Sept. 2005 (free!). I love it! It allowed us to try out different restaurants. We now love Kona for dinner! My 6 yr. DD absolutely loved the sticky wings appetizer. She's still talking about them. Also, since she is a small eater, we normally used 2 TS per meal, without a problem, and she shared our meals. We got to try California Grill Sept. for my Mom's birthday. It was very good. The fireworks view from the outside deck was awesome! The only disappointment was they didn't do anything special for her birthday even though I mentioned to everyone I spoke to, beginning with ADR.

I definitely plan on using it on our next trip, I just have to convince my mom that even though we end up with more food than we can eat (I can't tell you how many desserts we took back to our room!) that the freedom of eating pretty much where ever you want, along with being able to order whatever you want, and all for only $80/day for our family, is great. Maybe they'll bring back the free plan this fall? If so, we'll plan on a trip then.

No trip currently planned but always working on it!

 

[DisneyFreak35]

we used the dining plan a few weeks ago and loved it. There wasnt a single day that we didnt come out WAY ahead.