Reply from DVC re Dining Plans

[magicmouse2]

I sent an email to member services asking if they are considering dining plans for DVC members staying at a DVC resort. This is the reply I got. Sounds hopeful.

Thank you for contacting Member Services.

You have been able to add dining plans on to cash reservations at
Disney Resorts for quite some time
now. As you may know, this unfortunately does not apply to Disney
Vacation Club Member Reservations.
Currently, there are several system issues that do not allow us to add
dining plans to our
reservations, but we are working to remedy the situation, and hopefully
we will be able to offer
dining options to our Members once we resolve the internal system
issues.

 

[KelNottAt]

hmmm. interesting. thanks for the info.

 

[magicmouse2]

I hope they sort out the system issues before our next trip end of December. It would make meal planning so much easier.

 

[pumpkinboy]

In my experience, the new DDE perk beats the pants of dining plans any day of the week. I have never found the dining plans to be that much better a deal than paying for it ourselves, plus you feel this obligation to get your money's worth, so you end up eating far more than you ordinarily would.

Your milage may vary, of course, but the AP deal on the DDE card (20% off everything, even wine) works far better for us than any meal plan.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I thought about the DDE, was ready to buy this week, but found that we would be doing the sit down thing too often to suit us.

With Breakfast in the room and then a counter, a sitdown and a snack the MYW meal plan would be perfect for us.

Would love if this plan could be ready for purchase for the busy summer season, therefore I could do this on my solo in the fall!!!!

Penny

 

[fkj2]

I figured the DDE would just about pay for itself during one week long visit and then the benefit would really begin during a second visit during the year, esp. if more than 2 are in the party.

 

[manning]

The dining plans cost more than individual dinners.

This is one time you PAY for the convenience!!

Go with the DDE!!!

 

[JodyTG]

I don't have nor want an AP, though. That's why I was hoping for a meal plan of some sort. But if not...I'll just pay cash as I go.

 

[pentex]

Sorry for being out of the loop, but what's DDE?

 

[crisi]

In my experience, the new DDE perk beats the pants of dining plans any day of the week. I have never found the dining plans to be that much better a deal than paying for it ourselves, plus you feel this obligation to get your money's worth, so you end up eating far more than you ordinarily would.

Your milage may vary, of course, but the AP deal on the DDE card (20% off everything, even wine) works far better for us than any meal plan.

As long as you are an AP holder.

APs aren't cost effective for us - even with the discount. The ten day no expiry or seven day expires are a MUCH better financial deal. And I figure we'd need to spend about $600 on food in order to break even on the DDE - the difference between the hopper and the AP, plus the $50 for the DDE. I'm thinking about it - its close math and depends on how much we drink!

Although I'm unconvinced the dining plan would save us enough money to make it worth our while. A lot of our favorite restaurants either aren't on the plan or are "signature."

 

[DebbieB]

Sorry for being out of the loop, but what's DDE?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

The card costs $50 for AP Holders, $65 for Florida Resident (non-AP).

 

[lisareniff]

- its close math and depends on how much we drink!

Yep! the more you drink the closer those number look!!

 

[Chuck S]

As long as you are an AP holder.

APs aren't cost effective for us - even with the discount. The ten day no expiry or seven day expires are a MUCH better financial deal. And I figure we'd need to spend about $600 on food in order to break even on the DDE - the difference between the hopper and the AP, plus the $50 for the DDE. I'm thinking about it - its close math and depends on how much we drink!

Although I'm unconvinced the dining plan would save us enough money to make it worth our while. A lot of our favorite restaurants either aren't on the plan or are "signature."

You know, not everyone in your party needs an AP. One person can buy an AP and the DDE and use the DDE for up to 10 people. So if the 7 day or 20 day are a better buy for your family, all but one person in your party can still purchase and use those.

 

[Alexander]

The dining plans cost more than individual dinners.

This is one time you PAY for the convenience!!

Go with the DDE!!!

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. There are few places you can get a sit down dinner, dessert and drink for less than $35. In addition with the meal plan you get a counter lunch and beverage, and another snack. This includes taxes and tips. If you know how to come out ahead of this please share!

The meal plan would be great for us, and I do recognize that it would not be for others, especially those with children over 10 y/o.

Please don't assume that you know what will work best for all parties.

 

[Dean]

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. There are few places you can get a sit down dinner, dessert and drink for less than $35. In addition with the meal plan you get a counter lunch and beverage, and another snack. This includes taxes and tips. If you know how to come out ahead of this please share!

The meal plan would be great for us, and I do recognize that it would not be for others, especially those with children over 10 y/o.

Please don't assume that you know what will work best for all parties.

It will vary how you use it of course. But since it must be purchased for every person in the party (even kids) and for every day of your stay, I suspect there are few situations where it will save you money compared to say the 20% DDE discount or even compared to just a cash price. And that's doubly true if you use it for the signature restaurants. The times when it would likely represent a savings include short trips and BIG eaters. And I suspect if you are very careful with your restaurant and entree choices you could come out ahead. Also it depends on whether the group usually orders appetizers, a drink (non alcoholic) and dessert.

We did this with the Food n Fun card a few years ago and did get good value but it was the recreation options that provided that value. And we ate ourselves silly, something we prefer not to do. We only got it for 3 days and by the end no one even wanted to talk about desert. The truth is we would have spent less without the FnF though we would have had less as well.

 

[NMW]

The dining plans cost more than individual dinners.

This is one time you PAY for the convenience!!

Go with the DDE!!!

We plan to get the DDE but, I don't see how the 35$ the meal plan would not be cost effective. EVERY restaurant we ate dinner at last trip cost us more than 35$ a person (for an adult meal). Plus, that was only an appetizer and dinner, not even desert. The meal plan covers all three. Also, doesn't the $35 cover a counter service lunch and some sort of snack? I can't see how this wouldn't be a good deal for non-AP holders and maybe even some AP holders.
I'm really thinking and maybe the only places we ate dinner that was under $35 a person were Ohana and Cape May Clam bake. Our drink purchases put us over that, of course. This is why we are so looking forward to the DDE card-20% off food and alcohol!

 

[magicmouse2]

Mabe the DVC dining plan will be different to the resort dining plan. Maybe it will be cheaper, as DVC members have cooking facilities, so there needs to be some incentive to get us out of their kitchens and into their restaurants!!! (not that it takes much incentive for me not to cook when I am on vacation)

 

[crisi]

You know, not everyone in your party needs an AP. One person can buy an AP and the DDE and use the DDE for up to 10 people. So if the 7 day or 20 day are a better buy for your family, all but one person in your party can still purchase and use those.

Yep, I know. I'm doing the numbers on ONE AP, and I need to spend $500 on food to break even (I think, I don't have the numbers in front of me). I'm leaning towards getting one currently.

As to people asking how the plan cannot be cost effective - if you don't normally eat three courses per meal, normally order the lower priced dishes, it might not make sense. Or if your normal dining is "signature" or not included dining. Its a great deal - a lot of food for the money. It isn't as great a deal if your a vegetarian, vegetarian meals are usually pretty cheap to start with. But it isn't a good deal if you don't want the food or wouldn't spend that money anyway.

 

[JimMIA]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

The card costs $50 for AP Holders, $65 for Florida Resident (non-AP).

I believe the Florida resident price is $75 without AP.

 

[CarolMN]

Yep, I know. I'm doing the numbers on ONE AP, and I need to spend $500 on food to break even (I think, I don't have the numbers in front of me). I'm leaning towards getting one currently.

The break even for the DDE card is $250 (20% of 250 is $50, which is what the card costs AP holders), so the difference between an AP and the ticket you were originally planning on buying must be $250, then, right?

As to people asking how the plan cannot be cost effective - if you don't normally eat three courses per meal, normally order the lower priced dishes, it might not make sense. Or if your normal dining is "signature" or not included dining. Its a great deal - a lot of food for the money. It isn't as great a deal if your a vegetarian, vegetarian meals are usually pretty cheap to start with. But it isn't a good deal if you don't want the food or wouldn't spend that money anyway.

ITA with this. IMHO, it's not a good deal for diabetics, or anyone with a special diet or anyone who is watching their weight, either.

Based on previous experience (with the CP & Fantasmic dinner packages), the dining plan would encourage me to overeat to "get my $$ worth". Since I seldom eat that much at one sitting (and it is very bad for me to do so anyway, let alone for several days in a row), the DDE card is the way to go. My only regret is that it isn't valid for the CP dinner package (I can live without the Fantasmic package, LOL).

I'm very happy that the DDE card is available to AP/PAP passholders since I can't move to Florida, right now, LOL.

Best wishes -