Should we bypass the dining plan

[roomthreeseventeen]

So far, for our trip, we have reservations at Victoria & Alberts, California Grille, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, and Captains Grille. We both (SO and I) enjoy cocktails with dinner. From what I'm reading, the dining plan doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Anyone think different?

Thanks!

 

[shellybaxter]

It sounds like you dine like Dh and I do - nicer restaurants - always a cocktail or wine - etc. We never do the DP - it doesn't work well for us. How long are you staying? Any chance of another trip within the year? If you are going anywhere close to 11 days within the year you should consider buying an annual pass and the Tables in Wonderland card. It is good at almost all of the sit down restuarants in Disney and a few counter service places - it is good at Victoria and Alberts. You save 20% on everything - including alcohol. They do add an automatic 18% gratuity - but if you were going to tip at least that anyway - its no big deal. It cost $75 for AP holders is it breaks even at around $375 I think. We go at least two weeks a year - so it is perfect for us

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It sounds like you dine like Dh and I do - nicer restaurants - always a cocktail or wine - etc. We never do the DP - it doesn't work well for us. How long are you staying? Any chance of another trip within the year? If you are going anywhere close to 11 days within the year you should consider buying an annual pass and the Tables in Wonderland card. It is good at almost all of the sit down restuarants in Disney and a few counter service places - it is good at Victoria and Alberts. You save 20% on everything - including alcohol. They do add an automatic 18% gratuity - but if you were going to tip at least that anyway - its no big deal. It cost $75 for AP holders is it breaks even at around $375 I think. We go at least two weeks a year - so it is perfect for us

We'll be there 5 days 4 nights in March... it's SO's first time in Orlando, so if we do go back in the next year (unlikely), it'll probably be to Universal, since this trip is ALL Disney.

 

[TDC Nala]

The dining plan isn't for everybody, it certainly doesn't fit the way I do dining at WDW.

 

[B-Ride]

So far, for our trip, we have reservations at Victoria & Alberts, California Grille, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, and Captains Grille. We both (SO and I) enjoy cocktails with dinner. From what I'm reading, the dining plan doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Anyone think different?

Thanks!

With two signature restaurants (2 TS credits) and one that isn't even on the DP, I would say it isn't for you.

 

[Pakey]

We've found that the dining plan doesn't work with our style of dining either.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[shellybaxter]

We'll be there 5 days 4 nights in March... it's SO's first time in Orlando, so if we do go back in the next year (unlikely), it'll probably be to Universal, since this trip is ALL Disney.

Awe - then I don't think Tables in Wonderland will work for you. You've chosen some great places. Enjoy your trip

 

[Pygoplites]

So far, for our trip, we have reservations at Victoria & Alberts, California Grille, Yachtsman, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, and Captains Grille. We both (SO and I) enjoy cocktails with dinner. From what I'm reading, the dining plan doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Anyone think different?

Thanks!

Have you considered doing the Platinum Dining Plan? I've done it a few times and you can get WAY more value from it than paying OOP. It includes Victoria & Albert's as well as all the other DDP restaurants, unlimited tours, watersports, a fireworks cruise, a spa treatment, Cirque du Soleil and on and on. The only drawback is that in order to get maximum value, you end up not spending as much time in the parks. For $200-ish per day, I've gotten $400+ in food and activities.

 

[Ginger Girl]

For us, we love the signature restaurants so we go with the deluxe dining, but if we are scaling back money-wise, we wouldn't think of going without using the regular dining plan. When calculating cost after the trip, we come out ahead by a huge amount. Granted, we always go with the more expensive items on the menu

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Have you considered doing the Platinum Dining Plan? I've done it a few times and you can get WAY more value from it than paying OOP. It includes Victoria & Albert's as well as all the other DDP restaurants, unlimited tours, watersports, a fireworks cruise, a spa treatment, Cirque du Soleil and on and on. The only drawback is that in order to get maximum value, you end up not spending as much time in the parks. For $200-ish per day, I've gotten $400+ in food and activities.

Yep, considered that, but we're really going to spend open-close in the parks.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

OOP here and we eat similarly except for the wine.However they often get almost as much for my Pelligrino as wine

For next trip I may configure it to see if Platinum works.

 

[Pugmalion1]

Your dining itinerary sounds a lot like ours, less the Victoria & Albert's reservation. We looked into our upcoming reservations and added up the points it would take to fulfill those reservations. Considering the amount of Signature Dining options we enjoy, that we also like getting a couple alcoholic beverages with our meals, not even the Deluxe plan makes sense for us. We also don't get an appetizer or dessert with every meal, and rarely buy snacks in the parks. It seems like, for us, the dining plan would simulataneously be a waste and not enough.

I can't presume to know your park going habits, but you sound as if you're in the same boat as us at least in the dining aspect of your trip. I'd recommend that you just pay out of pocket. With your current itinerary, the plan isn't going to save you much, if any, money, and it will only be a hassle as you begin to run out of points or buy items that don't fall within the plan.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

FWIW, I ended up switching Captains Grille for Whispering Canyon... menu looked more suited to my boyfriend's likes, and I want him to see more of the World, and not eat at YC twice.