Someone PLEASE explain the Dining Plan to me!

[love2teach]

I've never done the dining plan. Can someone please explain to me (in detail) just how exactly it works? I know there are snacks involved and meals and whatever but I would like to know more of what to expect. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[maggiew]

If you get the regular DDP, you get one table service meal (sit down place) and one counter service meal and one snack per night, per person. You can use them any way you want, e.g. character meal sit down for breakfast, counter service for dinner and snack in between.

Most sitdown restaurants count for one table service credits, but a few count as 2 credits (signature places.)

Most but not all of the restaurants are available on the plan.

There is a sticky thread at the top of this board that has lots of information.

Maggie

 

[Faldred]

Yeah, I think you'll need to be a bit more specific on questions.

In general, each plan offers a certain number of various types of entitlements per person, per night of your stay. You must book the same plan for all members of the party, and it must be for the entire reservation length. All entitlements are granted as a lump sum to the party (accessible from any key card) at check-in, and are valid for use until midnight of the day you check out. They may be used at any time, in any order, for any member of the party. No entitlement may be used for anyone outside your party.

Entitlements consist of:

Snacks - Typically any single-serving, non-entree item valued at less than $4 (some exceptions exist). For example, corn dog nuggets (an entree item) at Casey's are not a snack, but a side of chili would be. Most cart-type items (popcorn [box], ice cream, drinks, chips, etc.) qualify, and many items from bakeries, candy stores, and counter service restaurants may also qualify.

Counter Service (CS) - As the name indicates, you go up to a counter, order, pay, and take your food with you. (Think McDonald's, only hopefully with better food.) You may get an entree or combo, a drink, and a dessert. (At breakfast, you get juice instead of dessert).

Table Service (TS) - Any "waitered" meal, including buffets and "all you can eat" meals. This includes an entree, beverage, and dessert. Tips are not included, except when noted.

Meal Credit - On deluxe, premium, and platinum plans, you receive "meal credits" instead of counter service and/or table service credits. They may be used for counter service or table service meals. When used for table service, an appetizer is also included.​

The various plan packages are:

Quick Service Dining Plan (QSDP) - You receive 2 CS and 2 snack entitlements per person per night of your stay.

[Basic/Regular] Disney Dining Plan (DDP) - You receive 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack entitlement per person per night of your stay.

Deluxe Dining Plan (DxDP) - You receive 3 meal credit and 2 snack entitlements per person per night of your stay.

Premium and Platinum Dining Plans: As DxDP, with additional resort amenities included, such as golf, tennis, boating, fishing, etc.​

All packages except the basic DDP include one resort refillable mug per member of the party.

Note that under basic DDP and DxDP, certain restaurants and dinner shows require 2 TS/meal credits per person.

 

[love2teach]

Okay, stupid question, forgive me--if I purchased one of the dining plans, would my room key card be scanned when I went to eat? Say, for example, I ate dinner at Pinocchio Haus. I wouldn't have to pay for my meal with cash? Again, I know this is a stupid question but I'm still not sure! Here's another question--is the dining plan worth the money?

 

[Faldred]

Okay, stupid question, forgive me--if I purchased one of the dining plans, would my room key card be scanned when I went to eat? Say, for example, I ate dinner at Pinocchio Haus. I wouldn't have to pay for my meal with cash?

That's the point, yes. Your entitlements are tracked on your resort key card (KTTW: Key To The World).

Again, I know this is a stupid question but I'm still not sure! Here's another question--is the dining plan worth the money?

Short answer: Maybe.

Long answer: As with most things in life, it depends. Taking the basic DDP as an example, if you want a counter service meal and a table service meal every day, then you'd have to work pretty hard to not at least "break even" on the plan over the course of a week, especially if you (like me) like your desserts.

In general, spending credits on dinner over lunch over breakfast results in the best "value" (from a strictly numerical standpoint), but you wouldn't have to do that every day to get "good value" (s opposed to "optimal value").

The DDP has a few non-obvious advantages over just paying out-of-pocket, even if the price was close enough to be a wash:

1) Price protection. If Disney raises food prices, out-of-pocket becomes more expensive, but DDP still remains the same price for the calendar year. Also, you are free from "holiday surcharges" on certain meals (buffets, typically).

2) Tax. The DDP costs are tax-inclusive -- that is, all relevant sales taxes are built into the quote price. Out-of-pocket prices need to have a 6.5% sales tax added (some value resorts have a 7% sales tax because they're in a different tax jurisdiction).

3) Convenience of having things (minus tips) pre-paid.

The disadvantages are:

1) Low flexibility. If you don't use the credits, you lose them, so you're "forced" into eating a set number of meals, and (especially under basic DDP) of specific types, or wind up paying for unused meals.

2) Inclusions. The plan's best value is if you use everything you're entitled to. But you may not want two desserts a day, for example.

 

[geenerbell]

Okay, stupid question, forgive me--if I purchased one of the dining plans, would my room key card be scanned when I went to eat? Say, for example, I ate dinner at Pinocchio Haus. I wouldn't have to pay for my meal with cash? Again, I know this is a stupid question but I'm still not sure! Here's another question--is the dining plan worth the money?

You will use your KTTW card to pay for meals. You will have to pay out of pocket for tips on table service dining. IMHO it is a good deal. One table service almost covers the daily charge alone. I used it in March for the first time and liked it a lot. We did the basic. I paid out of pocket for one lunch at Plaza Rest. because the meals are so inexpensive and didn't want to use a table service credit. I would say ADR's are a must if you are doing the DDP so you can really get your money's worth. I even schedule a few extra meals to allow for flexibility. I always cancel if we don't intend to use the extra ADRs.

 

[love2teach]

Thanks, ya'll! I think I may just try it. It sounds like it may be money-saving in the long run.

 

[MinnieTink]

We found it to be a good deal. We went last year without it and spent over $1300 on food for our family of 5. This year we are getting the dining plan. I priced it online and I think it was $915 for us. So even if you are not getting it for free, it seems like a good deal to me.