Should we try the Dining Plan this trip??

[edk35]

We are going to WDW for 5 park days. My friend says we should do the dining plan because we already have 4 ADR's for our trip. Our kids are 16, 13 and 8. What do you all think? I would have to buy a ticket in order to get it though right? We already have 5 day passes to use from our previous trip when we bought 10 day passes. Any dining info. would be appreciated. Out of all our trips we have never tried this before. Is it complicated to use throughout the parks. Are they all loaded onto one card? We are staying at SOG so where would be buy the plan?

Thanks

 

[Angelrider]

I can't imagine doing Disney w/o the dining plan (DDP)now.

I think you only have to be staying at Disney to be eligible for the DDP --it's not ticket related.

You get dining credits for each night of your stay for each person in the plan. You get 1 counter service and 1 table service meal per day. The dining credits are loaded onto everyone's room key. You present it when paying for your meal then sign, that's it. Note the DDP includes the tip as well.

I love the DDP because it means we don't have to carry $. Also, we get to pretend we're rich (hehe)and eat an appetizer AND dessert. It's so nice not to have to think, "ooh that looks good, but it's really too much to spend." For me, the DDP is another factor that makes us feel like we're on vacation --it gives us the freedom to try new food and not worry about the $ part.

You get a snack credit for each night's stay, too.

Hope that helps you decide.

 

[jmskinner]

I thought it was attached to the resort, but just tried to book the hotel to try it and it never offered the Dining Plan. I would call reservations and check.

I highly recommend the DDP though. We never worried about the cost of the meal and it was nice to sit down and relax. We planned our sit downs for lunch most of the time so it gave us a break in the middle of the day.

There is no way we would have eaten at all of those sit downs otherwise. It would have been a whole week of fast food otherwise.

Yes, you do get a lot of food. The nice thing about that you can share with everyone and try different things. Every meal we ate, everyone ordered a different appetizer and we would put them in the middle of the table and try them all. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[bicker]

Shades of Green guests are not eligible for the Dining Plan. The Dining Plan is a perq for guests of Disney resorts, only. Sorry.

The Dining Plan is indeed attached to your hotel reservation.

 

[disneymomej]

I am not sure if SOG offers the DDP or not. You could call to find out. All Disney Resort guests have the option, I just can't remember if SOG is an "official" WDW resort, I know it's on property, so just check.

I will tell you that we will never go to WDW without the DDP! It takes all the guess work out. DH is notoriously "El Cheapo", this gives him peace of mind. He does not need to watch over, preventing anyone from ordering an appetizer, or desserts. Everyone is happy, isn't that what vacationing is all about? I love that I can ask the kiddos if they want a snack! The kids just love being able to have the mickey ice cream once a day! Besides when the waiter asks you what you will have to drink, you do not say water!, you say, "I'll have a Lemonade, thank you, and keep em comin'!"
It really is the best way to experience Disney Dining! I say book it!
good luck!

 

[bicker]

I just can't remember if SOG is an "official" WDW resort

The term "official WDW resort" typically includes the Swan, Dolphin, SOG and the Downtown Disney resorts, such as the Grosvenor. However, none of these hotels participate in the Dining Plan. Only actual Disney hotels offer the Dining Plan.

 

[edk35]

Oh Pooh. I think you are right. I don't think we can get the dining plan either. I wonder why we can't get it. That stinks.

 

[TDC Nala]

It also is ticket-related. It is available to those booking a room/ticket package at WDW. You must purchase a room and some form of ticket for everyone in the room to be eligible for the dining plan. You do not have to purchase tickets for the length of your stay, but you must purchase at least one-day base tickets.

Bicker is correct, Shades of Green is not eligible. Only Disney-owned resorts are eligible. While SOG and the Swolphin share some of the same amenities, they are not owned by Disney and do not offer dining plan packages.

 

[edk35]

I guess because SOG is not technically a WDW resort and we already get discounts on rooms and tickets maybe too. After researching it.....that DINING PLAN IS A GREAT DEAL.

 

[bicker]

I wonder why we can't get it.

It is a benefit of staying at a Disney resort -- something Disney offers to make staying at one of their own resorts more attractive, like package delivery.

 

[edk35]

It is a benefit of staying at a Disney resort -- something Disney offers to make staying at one of their own resorts more attractive, like package delivery.

Yeah I guess I have to give up staying at SOG if I want to try the dining plan. SO maybe that is food for thought next time. LOL I guess last time when we stayed a few days at CS we could have tried it.