Segmenting dining plan

[rutgers1]

I had never heard of DVC members being able to segment the dining plan until I read about it in another thread. That seems like a GREAT perk.

Can someone explain how it works? Am I able to look at my reservations and pick the days where the dining plan would be a better deal and simply sign up for those days? In other words, on a 7 day trip, can I sign up for it on days 2, 4 and 7?

Lastly, I was wondering if people could help me figure out which restaurants are the best bet to use for the dining plan. Off the top of my head, I was thinking that it would be great for the Biergarten and Liberty Tree Tavern. Any others where it would make great economic sense?

 

[Sandisw]

This is something new since the new system came in to place in October. Yes, you can segement your reservation and then add the plan for the nights you want.

The credits are only good for that night and up to midnight the next day (as they would normally) but you don't need to get them each night.

You do have to get new keys (as of now) on the morning you have a plan so that you have access to the credits.

We are doing this in August--we have 2 nights at BWV and doing DxDDP on night 2. We then go to BLT for 3 nights and will be getting the DDP for the last two nights.

It works out great this way based on the meals we choose. When we are on the DxDDP, we are going lunch at Sci Fi, lunch at Le Cellier and then using the other credit for CS. My Aunt, cousin and her DD are using one of the credits to do the Norway princess breakfast while we do Le Cellier.

We are doing the dinner at 1900 Park Fare as well.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I just did it for our August trip, I emailed MS with how I wanted it segmented. Within 2 days I had a email with it segmented. Now I have to call and add the dining plan, and pay for it. We are just doing 1 day of Deluxe Dining Plan. We have 3 table credits to use over two days, two snacks and refillable mugs. We are using it for Mama Melrose(Fantasmic Dining pkg), Trails End Buffet, and Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[rutgers1]

I just did a research and, unless I am missing something, the dining plan is no longer the good deal it once seemed like.

Our youngest will just be turning 10, and after researching the prices, I am pretty bummed out at what Disney is doing. Here is the price for when we will be there in July:

For 2011 (peak season):
* Adults (Ages 10+) : $47.99 per day (peak season)
* Children: (Ages 3-9): $12.99 per day (peak season)

A few years ago, I remember researching this and seeing that the Biergarten was a great deal if you had the dining plan. Not anymore. Here are the prices for the Biergarten:

Lunch - Adult $25.99; Child 3-9 $13.99
Dinner - Adult $34.99; Child 3-9 $16.99

So, even if you eat a dinner there, you still have $13 to spend on your quick service and lunch (if comparing out of pocket expense). That doesn't seem like I am saving much. If you do your table service at the Biergarten for lunch, then you basically have TWENTY ONE dollars to spend for a quick service dinner and lunch. Once again, not saving me anything, as I can easily get a quick service meal and a snack for $21.

Dinner at the Garden Grille is $30.99 for an adult, which would leave $17 for break even (if you were comparing out of pocket expense).

If you go to Rose and Crown, you can get several meals for less than $20.

All of these situations are even LESS in your favor if you do your table service meals at lunch.

My conclusion -------------> The only reason to get this is for convenience. And considering it doesn't take any more time/hassle to hand them a credit card as it does my room key, I am not sure what the benefit is.

 

[disneyfam27]

DVC members do not pay the peak price for this year. I am going in April 18-22 and the the DDP is 45.99. I am actually doing 2 days on the DDP and 2 days QSDP. I am going to LeCeiler for lunch (1 credit for lunch) on one day the Fantasmic dinner package on the other day using TS credits. The rest of the time we will be dinining at QS resturants.

 

[rutgers1]

But is it really a "deal" for your Le Cellier lunch? Here are the lunch entres:

Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle and herb butter sauce $26.99

Sauteed Potato Gnocchi - topped grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes, pesto broth, and parmesan $18.99

New York Strip Steak - with bercy butter, served with Gruyere-Yukon Gold potato gratin $31.99

Walnut-Crusted Salmon - with sweet creamed corn, pickled mushrooms and whiskey-maple glaze $20.99

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I agree with you, for an extended length of time the DDP makes no sense when your kids become adults. We are only doing it one day to pay for the Fantasmic Dining Pkg, and a buffet. If we upgrade to deluxe we can add one more table service, two snacks and the refillable mugs for all. I priced out what each person would eat and we should break even or come out ahead with the snacks and the mugs. I would never do it for more then day.

 

[Sandisw]

But is it really a "deal" for your Le Cellier lunch? Here are the lunch entres:

Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle and herb butter sauce $26.99

Sauteed Potato Gnocchi - topped grilled eggplant, cherry tomatoes, pesto broth, and parmesan $18.99

New York Strip Steak - with bercy butter, served with Gruyere-Yukon Gold potato gratin $31.99

Walnut-Crusted Salmon - with sweet creamed corn, pickled mushrooms and whiskey-maple glaze $20.99

Well, in my case, I am paying $78.99 for a night of deluxe. The mugs cost $14 so that brings my price down to $65.00. The meal at Le Cellier, with drink and dessert and tax at $35.00, dropping it down to $30.00. The meal at Sci Fi will be around $30.00. That means I am getting a CS meal and 2 snacks for free. And, if I decided to do another TS meal, the deal would be even better but I don't want to eat two TS meals in one day.

My meal at 1900 Park Fare, the buffet is around $36.00. So, I basically I will be paying $10 for a CS meal and a snack for that night. Again, not that that my savings are huge but enough to make it worth it to get them for certain nights.

If I had to get it every night, then no, I would probably forgo it as some of the lunches we have planned make it close to break even but there are ways to make it work. Plus, for me, its not about trying to get huge savings but rather a way to keep costs affordable and in all cases, it saves us a little bit. For our family this time, we will have 6 Disney adults so every little bit helps.

 

[DebbieB]

A few years ago, I remember researching this and seeing that the Biergarten was a great deal if you had the dining plan. Not anymore. Here are the prices for the Biergarten:

Lunch - Adult $25.99; Child 3-9 $13.99
Dinner - Adult $34.99; Child 3-9 $16.99

Don't forget to add tax. 6.5%

 

[palaemon]

Well, in my case, I am paying $78.99 for a night of deluxe. The mugs cost $14 so that brings my price down to $65.00. The meal at Le Cellier, with drink and dessert and tax at $35.00, dropping it down to $30.00. The meal at Sci Fi will be around $30.00. That means I am getting a CS meal and 2 snacks for free. And, if I decided to do another TS meal, the deal would be even better but I don't want to eat two TS meals in one day.

Don't forget w DxDDP you also get an appetizer.

I think getting the DxDDP for Days 1, 3, 5, & 7 of a 7-night 8 day stay is pretty cost effective.

But even if it were every day:

TS - $20 entree; $3 Drink; $4 Dessert; $4 appetizer x 3
Snack $2.50 x 2

Total: $98 (not including refillable mug)

Okay, technically you don't get a dessert for breakfast, but still.