Should i cancel the dining plan???

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I thought 1900 Park Fare was a table service and not a counter service. Did you use your counter service for 1900?

It is a table service. Character meal.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

you can use your cs credits anywhere

we used our cs credits at Captain Cooks at the Poly for our breakfast on the last day....

we still left WDW with 12 unused credits!! Even after taking lunch to the airport!!!

Thank Goodness for Rice Crispy Mickey Heads or we would have had 8 snack credits left too!!


dining plan was great!! I am doing it again, even though we will have a villa with kitchen...


the savings is great if you plan on doing buffets or character meals!! Esp if you have kids under 10 IMO!!


my kids are spoiled and can not imagine WDW without everything they had last time...brats~~~ Deluxe accomodations, character meals daily, lunch in the castle, blah blah blah...

good thing I forgot to mention the tea or the cruise

 

[wilderness01]

my kids are spoiled and can not imagine WDW without everything they had last time...brats~~~ Deluxe accomodations, character meals daily, lunch in the castle, blah blah blah...



This is how we have always done WDW and now my kids know no different. My husband just looks at me and says "hello Dr. Frankenstein!" Well he went along with my plans so he is Dr. and I am Mrs.!!!

Anyway, I will have to go over the counter services more to see where we can eat breakfast using them. I would rather this I think then a big lunch and then big dinner. We go to a table service everyday anyway so we are trying the plan. I'm sure we'll like it.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

my kids are spoiled and can not imagine WDW without everything they had last time...brats~~~ Deluxe accomodations, character meals daily, lunch in the castle, blah blah blah...



This is how we have always done WDW and now my kids know no different. My husband just looks at me and says "hello Dr. Frankenstein!" Well he went along with my plans so he is Dr. and I am Mrs.!!!

Anyway, I will have to go over the counter services more to see where we can eat breakfast using them. I would rather this I think then a big lunch and then big dinner. We go to a table service everyday anyway so we are trying the plan. I'm sure we'll like it.

LOLOLOL my family does not even know value resorts exist!!!

they think they are going to be upset going to BCV instead of Poly this year!!!

good gracious I have created a monster!!

 

[G. Fite]

you can use your cs credits anywhere

we used our cs credits at Captain Cooks at the Poly for our breakfast on the last day....

we still left WDW with 12 unused credits!! Even after taking lunch to the airport!!!

Thank Goodness for Rice Crispy Mickey Heads or we would have had 8 snack credits left too!!


dining plan was great!! I am doing it again, even though we will have a villa with kitchen...


the savings is great if you plan on doing buffets or character meals!! Esp if you have kids under 10 IMO!!


Hi!! Did you share any table service meals with your family? We are still on the fence regarding the DP and I want to be positive we can share 3 TS credits between the 5 of us and then go somewhere else a few hours later and do the same thing. We want to try all the restaurants in EPCOT without eating a huge meal each time!

Thanks for any info!
Gina-3 girls (10, 7 & 5)

 

[MOMOFMNM]

you can use your cs credits anywhere

we used our cs credits at Captain Cooks at the Poly for our breakfast on the last day....

we still left WDW with 12 unused credits!! Even after taking lunch to the airport!!!

Thank Goodness for Rice Crispy Mickey Heads or we would have had 8 snack credits left too!!


dining plan was great!! I am doing it again, even though we will have a villa with kitchen...


the savings is great if you plan on doing buffets or character meals!! Esp if you have kids under 10 IMO!!


Hi!! Did you share any table service meals with your family? We are still on the fence regarding the DP and I want to be positive we can share 3 TS credits between the 5 of us and then go somewhere else a few hours later and do the same thing. We want to try all the restaurants in EPCOT without eating a huge meal each time!

Thanks for any info!
Gina-3 girls (10, 7 & 5)

yes but remember you can not share character meals or buffets...we shared several meals...
my dh got a meal to share then the kids would get two kids meals and share between the three of them...
the servers had no problems splitting the drinks or bringing extra plates to share food..
we are not big eaters but we were not little eaters at WDW either!! There is just toooo much food with a desert, appatizer and main course usually with a side and a drink that could even be a shake or smoothie!!

Then if you need to get an extra drink or desert for your kids, pay for that oop...get a kids sized drink or a kids sundae, they are less expensive...

save up those credits for breakfast or a signature meal somewhere...if you'd like...
remember even at a CS breakfast you can get like an egg sandwhich or waffles WITH a donut or muffin as a desert!! Then a drink!!

get the refillable mugs and share that too!! We would get the hot chocolate for the girls every night in the mug, bring it back for bedtime and use the in room coffee mugs for splitting the drinks!!

We would also have a light breakfast in our room, then have a snack later and that would carry us to our early dinner ressies, usually around 5 or 6...

one time we bought snacks not OP, one pretzel HUGE and two churros...we split these and were FULL the whole day...

Are you big eaters or do you usually not eat big meals? Do your girls eat a lot of their food?? Ours are not BIRD eaters but they are not BIG eaters either so it worked well for us...

woops GINA!! I see you have a10 yr old...

she will be full price you know...that may make the difference for us when dd9 is dd10!!! This would have to be carefully weighed to see if we should really pay that much for food...that is 25 more a day...and will your dd10 eat regular adult meals? Either way she would get to order an adult meal and then the kids would have no problem sharing those!!! I can see how that might still work for you!!

 

[Zim]

This is what we're on the fence about when we book. It's myself my 8 year old daughter and her dad. It seems like it'd be a good deal for us, but her dad is nervouse about paying up front for somethingwe might not wholly use - even though we'll be stuck car-less on Disney property for 6 days. I guess his thinking is that we'd be doing for CS than anything else, so why pay for 6 nights of fine dining... I just don't know...

 

[G. Fite]

yes but remember you can not share character meals or buffets...we shared several meals...
my dh got a meal to share then the kids would get two kids meals and share between the three of them...
the servers had no problems splitting the drinks or bringing extra plates to share food..
we are not big eaters but we were not little eaters at WDW either!! There is just toooo much food with a desert, appatizer and main course usually with a side and a drink that could even be a shake or smoothie!!

Then if you need to get an extra drink or desert for your kids, pay for that oop...get a kids sized drink or a kids sundae, they are less expensive...

save up those credits for breakfast or a signature meal somewhere...if you'd like...
remember even at a CS breakfast you can get like an egg sandwhich or waffles WITH a donut or muffin as a desert!! Then a drink!!

get the refillable mugs and share that too!! We would get the hot chocolate for the girls every night in the mug, bring it back for bedtime and use the in room coffee mugs for splitting the drinks!!

We would also have a light breakfast in our room, then have a snack later and that would carry us to our early dinner ressies, usually around 5 or 6...

one time we bought snacks not OP, one pretzel HUGE and two churros...we split these and were FULL the whole day...

Are you big eaters or do you usually not eat big meals? Do your girls eat a lot of their food?? Ours are not BIRD eaters but they are not BIG eaters either so it worked well for us...

woops GINA!! I see you have a10 yr old...

she will be full price you know...that may make the difference for us when dd9 is dd10!!! This would have to be carefully weighed to see if we should really pay that much for food...that is 25 more a day...and will your dd10 eat regular adult meals? Either way she would get to order an adult meal and then the kids would have no problem sharing those!!! I can see how that might still work for you!!

This is why we want to share so many meals! We figured we could let dad have his own meal and then me and the 3 girls could share 2 adult meals or one adult meal and then order a kid meal and either use a credit or pay for it. I am not trying to take advantage (well not too much anyway) but I want to make sure it is worth it to spend over one thousand dollars on food when that is way over what we spent last time we went! We went 2 years ago when youngest DD was 2 ( 3 weeks before being 3 so she was free) and spent $1100.00 on room and tickets for 6 days, 7 nights (In January 2004). This trip is soooo much more expensive! We have to have 2 connecting rooms and DD who is ten is now a disney ADULT!
thanks for the info! We are excited about eating at so many different restaurants...4 or 5 buffets/character meals and lots of other treats!

Thanks to all who are helping me plan all of this!! DH thinks I am crazy

 

[MOMOFMNM]

This is what we're on the fence about when we book. It's myself my 8 year old daughter and her dad. It seems like it'd be a good deal for us, but her dad is nervouse about paying up front for somethingwe might not wholly use - even though we'll be stuck car-less on Disney property for 6 days. I guess his thinking is that we'd be doing for CS than anything else, so why pay for 6 nights of fine dining... I just don't know...

if you are doing CS only, probably not...

do you guys think you can eat for 80 dollars a day?? Sounds like a lot but it really is not, esp if you are doing any sit downs or character meals...

I'd say if you are only doing CS then skip it..but expect to spend around 25 to 30 dollars each meal, if not sharing food, even on CS meals...

then add another 3 dollars per person, 10 dollars total, for each snack or drink stop you might take...

it really does add up in a snap

 

[fivefordisney]

We loved the dining plan! We only noticed a "change in attitude" at Teppanyaki when we were at WDW in August. The plan was free then so we shrugged it off. (The kids really didn't enjoy the food anyway!) In December, we purchased the dining plan, avoided Teppenyaki, and had NO problems. In fact, we used one of our TS to do a Candlelight Processional Dinner package at the Rose and Crown, which we never would have done if we weren't on the plan.

Also, although they are so fun, I would not do more than one character meal if we were not on the plan. They are just pretty expensive, a little time-consuming, and not very "top-of-the-line" in terms of the food. However, with the dining plan my kids got to go to Chef Mickey's for a very late breakfast (11:30 more like lunch for my gang-after hitting the MK), Ohanas for breakfast (unplanned, but wonderful before our flight home) and a breakfast at the Crystal Palace (before MK). The plan gives you freedom to NOT calculate the cost, which is lovely.

I think it will be tough for us to go back to WDW without the dining plan. Although, when my daugher, who is a VERY picky eater, turns 10, the plan becomes WAY more expensive. I am not sure we could justify the cost as she eats a grilled cheese or pasta with butter at every restaurant.

I don't think you should cancel the DP if you normally like to have one sit down meal each day. If something is not included (a special dessert or drink), just pay OOP. It will still be cheaper in the end (even the table service bills get up there!)

Good luck and have a great trip!

I edited this to add that you can be flexible with the sit down meals. In August, we payed OOP for some of the kids meals to save credits for another meal. We didn't realize this could be done until a CM informed us. So on some days we actually sat down twice to eat which was just wonderful after running around through the parks. On one REALLY hot day, we spent an hour eating lunch at CRT in the air conditioning which energized us, and then had a lovely late sit down dinner. It was just something we would not normally do, but was so wonderful! We always paid OOP for a cocktail at dinner!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

This is why we want to share so many meals! We figured we could let dad have his own meal and then me and the 3 girls could share 2 adult meals or one adult meal and then order a kid meal and either use a credit or pay for it. I am not trying to take advantage (well not too much anyway) but I want to make sure it is worth it to spend over one thousand dollars on food when that is way over what we spent last time we went! We went 2 years ago when youngest DD was 2 ( 3 weeks before being 3 so she was free) and spent $1100.00 on room and tickets for 6 days, 7 nights (In January 2004). This trip is soooo much more expensive! We have to have 2 connecting rooms and DD who is ten is now a disney ADULT!
thanks for the info! We are excited about eating at so many different restaurants...4 or 5 buffets/character meals and lots of other treats!

Thanks to all who are helping me plan all of this!! DH thinks I am crazy

I know that 5th person just seems to sky rocket the price at Disney, doesn't it???
have you considered POR AB trundle bed? Personally I think it is cheaper than 2 rooms at value..

this time we rented DVC points...look into that...I am getting the BCV for abotu 260 a night...WITH a kitchen and laundry...just do not rent weekends SUPER HIGH!!!

I think 10 as an adult is CRAZY...I know a lot may agree or disagree but GEESH!!!

 

[fivefordisney]

I know that 5th person just seems to sky rocket the price at Disney, doesn't it???
have you considered POR AB trundle bed? Personally I think it is cheaper than 2 rooms at value..

this time we rented DVC points...look into that...I am getting the BCV for abotu 260 a night...WITH a kitchen and laundry...just do not rent weekends SUPER HIGH!!!

I think 10 as an adult is CRAZY...I know a lot may agree or disagree but GEESH!!!

OMG! I totally agree...my nine year old daughter eats like a bird and is so picky! I am sure that there are some kids out there who eat like adults, but I haven't run into them yet. Seriously, my daughter and her friends just don't eat enough to justify the cost. But, as I mentioned in my last post, you can work it out so that you end up with more TS meals by paying for the kids meals at some point in your trip. Before I get flamed, I just want to say that a CM suggested that during our first trip in August and it worked beautifully. We ended eating at more TS places, paying for kids meals--so we ended up spending a bit more money in the end. It was wonderful, though! We always end up with extra CS meals--we get stuff "to go" for our flights.. It still works out...

However, the "10 as an adult" thing is still nuts in my humble opinion!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I second that Teppanyaki review BTW!!

 

[G. Fite]

I know that 5th person just seems to sky rocket the price at Disney, doesn't it???
have you considered POR AB trundle bed? Personally I think it is cheaper than 2 rooms at value..


I think 10 as an adult is CRAZY...I know a lot may agree or disagree but GEESH!!!

We looked into the room at POR but we decided to go for the rooms with 4 beds and 2 bathrooms! Our room only reservation through AAA for 8 nights is 1500.00. That is without the dining package of course but we are still waiting to figure that out. We want to eat at all the nice places but know we won't without the DP.

I don't mind paying extra for her ticket but the increase in the DP is crazy! she does not eat like an adult which is why if we do the DP we will share lots!

97 days to go!

Gina

 

[fivefordisney]

I second that Teppanyaki review BTW!!

Yes, very over-rated IMHO--the chef was okay. The food was all seasoned exactly the same so I wasn't impressed. The server, an older woman, was not pleasant and kept trying to tell me what was NOT on the plan. I just don't care when I am in WDW, I want what I want and will pay for it. She would have just ignored us if we let her! Oh, well!

Oh a good note, on our way out, the hostess made my six year old daughter an origami frog which she still has. So I guess it was not all bad--just not something I care to repeat!

 

[SarahKate]

By all means, DON'T cancel the dining plan!!!

It is definitely a cost savings, and I didn't notice ANY less quality of service. Like others posted, we didn't have great service at Sci-Fi. But I think every other place we went to the service was just fine.

Why would they treat you like a lesser person on the dining plan? For one, they are GUARANTEED a tip of 18%....that is included. Also, your ticket total is going to be MUCH more than usual because each person in the party gets app, drink, entree AND a dessert!!! So they are really getting a good tip by the time it's all said and done. There are plenty of folks out there who tip 15 percent or less, so if I were a waitress I'd be thrilled to get folks who are on the DP!

We just got back from WDW 2 days ago and LOVED it. Yes, it is a TON of food and some of it just doesn't get eaten. But the flip side is you get to try SO many different things.

If we had our druthers, we'd have preferred having more TS than we did. But we definitely made the most of what we had. When we were at Epcot we would share some counter service meals from the different countries. If you do your research in advance you can find some CS places that are just as good if not BETTER than some TS places!!!

We will most definitely use the dining plan in the future. I haven't tallied all our receipts, but I know we paid far less for the plan than what we spent! I know one day we spent about $140 in meals....the plan cost us about $106 a day (2 adults and one 3 year old). We ended up w/ one TS left over...it was one evening when our DD was asleep and didn't eat anythig. We managed to use up all our CS and Snacks - like another poster said, we used the snacks to get some of the yummy rice krispie treat mickey's. Yummmmm.

 

[wilderness01]

What counter services did you like?

I agree with the others, my child who is now 10 will never eat like an adult. Oh well, they are making me pay more anyway.

 

[disneyjunkie]

What counter services did you like?

I agree with the others, my child who is now 10 will never eat like an adult. Oh well, they are making me pay more anyway.

We used the dining plan last April.

Here are few of the counter service places we enjoyed the most.

Tuskers House
Columbia Harbour House
Liberty Inn?? (I think that's the name of the place at the American pavillion in Epcot)
Pecos Bills

 

[MOMOFMNM]

we liked

Seasons at EPCOT!! Awesome but there is a lot of choice at EPCOT so beware!!!

Flame Tree BBQ for AK!!

those were the only two we had in 5 days

see why we left with 12 CS credits?? TOO MUCH FOOD!!