The Dining Plan - Why don't some people like it?

[mjkacmom]

When it first came out, we did it and loved it. It was I think $35 adult and $9 or $10 child. Tax and tip were included and the dinners had apps as well as desserts. We did alot of character dining and saved alot. The way it is now seems very pricey (especially with the recent increase), apps and tips are not included anymore. DS is 13 now and an adult in Disney's eyes and just doesn't eat enough to justify that price. We generally now just do a couple of table service dinners and the rest are lighter meals or counter service. I wouldn't pay for it again, think I'd even rather a room discount rather than free dining too.

I added the DDP for our last trip, only after I realized I made an ADR each day, about half were buffets, 4 of my kids were under 10, and therefore about $10 per day, appetizers were included, as was the gratuity.

Now it's more expensive, most of my kids would be charged as adults, no apps (which we never order anyway, but they were a nice treat), we rarely get dessert when we eat out, and DH and I either get water as a beverage, or beer/wine. So, the desserts/beverages would be a waste, plus we'd have to tip on them.

I'd still make an ADR every day, just for a chance to sit and relax, but I'm sure it would be cheaper to pay OOP, and get just what we want. I would also pick TS we really want, instead of subconsciously picking the most expensive, to get the most bang for our buck.

 

[macraven]

1. too much food for me.
usually end up skipping the desert.

2. it cost me more to go with a package.
i lose my room discount when i book w/package.
i buy my tickets from UT at a discount.

3. last year was the first time i went with room only discount.
40% pin off my room rate. I ended up paying less for the food i ordered
only what i wanted to eat.
I only ate when I was hungry and not because I had to
use 'food credits'.

4. i had more flexibility with my time.
only made adrs for some meals, not once a day though.

5. i have certain places i always have dinner.
i can order a few appetizers and desert and be happy with that type of
meal. i could not do that on the meal plan unless i paid opp for the items
i wanted included for that meal.

I did buy packages from '05 to '10. the packages the first few years included appetizer, gratuity and taxes.
it was a 'deal' then but still too much food for me.

it changed over the years and for some families, they love it.
i loved it too in the beginning of the program but not anymore.
you have to decide on what is best for your families.

now that i have decided to do the room only with the discounts, i have no interest in paying more for my trip for things i will never use.

 

[bumbershoot]

I
3. The tips end up being more since it's based on what you buy. I wouldn't get a soda, entree and dessert always necessarily, but on the DP I do and therefore end up tipping more.

There are some people who can avoid this being a problem by simply ordering what they would get, but many of us feel that this would be a waste of what we're paying for. I think that many people have a hard time leaving things behind when they are part of the entitlements (not using that word in a negative way, but in the way that with the dining plan you are entitled to xyz at TS and CS each day per person).

I know that it would be a BIG problem with my husband, and with me to a lesser extent, even though we absolutely do not drink normal American sodas and rarely eat disney desserts.

We've never done it before because:

We don't drink soda. I drink only water (free) or alcoholic beverages (not included).

We rarely order dessert with a meal.

Since I eat vegetarian, I'm usually ordering the cheapest thing on the menu anyway.

We're not big eaters and we're often splitting plates between us -- usually with the kids, who are not impressed by the meager kids menu option. (Really, why can't those be more interesting?)

Whoa, are you me? That's my list for why we haven't done it as well.

For our two trips we had Tables in Wonderland, which was great. Order EXACTLY what you want from the participating restaurants (most table service, the counter services at AK, and food courts), get a discount on all of it.

We also like to eat at Sweet Tomatoes more than one time per trip, and since we stay primarily in a villa, we also cook.

I don't want to decide where, when and what I'll feel like eating six months from now.

That's not necessarily solely because of a dining plan; I do make ADRs when my window opens, and we don't do the dining plan. But I like to have table service meals, so...we figure it out and either change things or just be where we're supposed to be for our ADRs!

 

[pmaurer74]

Some people do not like being tired down to ADRs especially on DxDP or they feel it is not worthwhile. We have done it twice. the first time we had the regular DP and stayed club level and it was great... we figured we got the desserts and the snacks free. Last year we did DxDP and it was a lot of fun... had 17 out of 21 ADRS we made all but 3. We did breakfast and dinner every day at restaurants and ate CS for most lunches. DH did not like being tied to the ADRS and we had to cancel a few due to illness. This time we are doing the regular dining plan and already figures out that where we eat and the cost per day we are getting the CS and snacks free every day so for us it is worth it.

 

[Cin]

It costs me less to pay OOP than to pay for the plan. I do not order desserts. I like lots of salads and they are usually inexpensive. I don't dislike the plan, but it simply costs me more to use it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The dining plans, and the 'free' dining promotions have raised the non plan prices astronomically. And, they have severely dumbed down the dining experience at Disney World. The plans are not good.

 

[MoonFaerie]

There are some people who can avoid this being a problem by simply ordering what they would get, but many of us feel that this would be a waste of what we're paying for. I think that many people have a hard time leaving things behind when they are part of the entitlements (not using that word in a negative way, but in the way that with the dining plan you are entitled to xyz at TS and CS each day per person).

It's not even about wasting entitlements for me; I still drank water and skipped desserts on the plan.

On our trip a few weeks ago, over our 6 nights at the Dolphin, we only spent about $150 on meals that the dining plan would have covered. 6 nights x 2 adults on the regular plan is way more than that!

 

[kaybird]

A word in favor of the DDP; it is nice not to have the sticker shock of the TS restaurants. (and QS too, if it comes to it) No, we do not always eat a dessert at home, but it is a nice way to finish on vacation. We would have to have an ADR for a TS whether we were on the DP or not. It is the ONLY way to feed Teen age boys (grown now, but the point remains

We also like to have an idea of the cost of the trip already paid. The stuff adds up quicker than you think. We have done OOP as well, and prefer what we consider the ease of the DDP.

 

[cluvsdisney]

It doesn't suit our dining style. We don't always get desserts with dinner. We would normally never get one with a counter service meal ever. We like to go off site for a few meals. We are DVC so we would never have a free dining promotion available to us. We don't want to be locked into making ADRs. There's nothing really convenient about it. I would rather not give Disney my money in advance for meals we may or may not have.

 

[rt2dz]

The dining plan(s) simply does not work for my family.

1) It only saves money if you would buy those items anyhow. If we're not going to be eating all those snacks/appetizers/desserts/whatever comes with the plan, then it isn't a cost-saving measure at all. I always plan out my ideal dining (not taking into consideration OOP costs, except to note it for comparison) to see how it compares.

I follow the Evaluating Disney Dining Plans theory. Not the actual numbers in the article (it's old), but how to decide if it's a good deal or not. For us, it never has been. We do a lot of sit-down--more than the standard plan--but not enough to justify deluxe. We would never eat all those snacks, appetizers and/or desserts anyhow. I also have one that is under 3 and requires purchases outside of the plan anyhow, and then have the TiW card (AP holders).

2) I hate the rigidness of the plan. You have to plan your trip around dining and not just eat. It's not to say I don't want sit-down restaurants, but I'd like that to come as a second to my vacation. Besides, we live in a very culinary-rich area. I can dine much better (and cheaper) at home than I can at Disney. I like flexibility.

3) Being on the dining plan means having a package. I don't need tickets because I'm an AP holder. Yes, I know that means I can purchase the dining plan without tickets, but I much prefer to get a discount on the room. Or, possibly stay offsite. We had a really good experience with that last time.

 

[tjmw2727]

I don't dislike the dining plan but it doesn't work for us. We have tried the dining plan and the quick serve plan and neither fit our need or saved us any money. In fact they probably cost us money and we didn't use all or meals or snacks on either.

We like to split an appetizer between the 3 of us - no longer lincluded.

Mu dd's are teens and often order salad or soup or instead of a big meal.

We often do our table service meal as late lunch when the prices are less expensive anyway. We find this gives us a much needed break between 1 and 3pm and we are ready to go again.

Dinner is often at Epcot and there are so many great counter serve places we often get just one meal at two different places and split. Often something from Mexico or China and then a fish & chips !

None of us likes carbonation so we drink mostly water - and for me the occasaional "beverage" which of course is not included.

If we have dessert it is rarely with or just after a meal.

So it may be great for some but not for us ~

 

[Pakey]

I have done the dining plan 3 times since inception and I don't like because:

1. Too much food. The deluxe was crazy how much food even doing signatures rather than 3 meals a day.

2. The best places aren't on the plan.

3. I don't eat desserts. Maybe one in a week but I don't want one at every meal.

4. It makes the vacation too structured.

5. I don't want to have to order certain foods to come out ahead.

6. Prepaying and then trying to use all of those credits does not make financial sense.

 

[Mrsjvb]

no matter which way you slice it, it is too expensive for us.

we share Counter Service meals. Also appetizers and desserts( when we even eat either) we also do NOT do character dining or buffets, which is where most people realize the greatest savings.

1: Free dining: pay rack rate for the room. no way do we eat enough to make sacrificing our military or AP discount worth it.

2: DDP: to much organization. we don't always want 3 melas of various configuration a day, let alone a snack. we always had leftover credits which was wasted money.

3: alcohol not included with DP. . with TiW we get 20% everything, including booze and we can hit more 2 TS places if we want.

 

[Kakikomori]

I'm a bit different since I'm going on this trip solo, but I'm getting such a good deal with the Free Dining and upgrade to the DxDP.

I really planned my trip out this time using the suggestion of DISers, TP and even easyWDW. I specifically wanted to eat at all Table Service restaurants onsite and I was able to schedule my ADRs which allowed me to schedule even better. I don't mind the rigidity that may be added, but that's a personal preference.

I adore just being able to order what I want without considering price and then pay with my KTW.

 

[Disney_Jill]

When the dining plan was about $36 a day per adult (as it was in 2009, no app included) it was a pretty good deal. I like 1 sit down meal a day and we do drink a lot of soda. I would rather have an appetizer instead of desert though. Now, the plan is like $46-47 a day and that is not such a good deal. I added up how we eat and the we pretty much break even or maybe save about $50. Its just not worth it anymore to me, I'd rather not have to stress out about making a reservation every day. Now I just make 1 or 2 that I really really want and pay OOP.
I agree that the restaurants have gone downhill over the past few years. Whether that is because of the dining plan or not I do not know. This last trip (2 weeks ago) I got the noodle/chicken dish at Kona that I had 1 1/2 years ago and it was not nearly as good. The noodles were thicker, the chicken wasn't very good and the whole dish was just so-so. The last time I LOVED it. This time, not so much. Plus, my crap cakes were mushy and as good as last time.
If I could save money with the free dining plan then I would take it. But for us, with our AP and TIW, its cheaper to pay OOP.

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our dining plan board.

 

[LynneyPooh]

I really believe that the DDP is personal preference. I've done it for all my trips and figured what works best for us. The first time it included apps, desserts and tips and was great, but I was a newbie an underestimated how important those ADR's were!

The next trip (jan 11) DH and I did the reg DDP and lost money, as we left with unused credits due to an early (unplanned) departure. In addition we wanted salads and not necessarily desserts with every meal so we had OOP costs. Our other issue was DH loves breakfast and I'm happy with just a yogart or bagel. More OOP. The OOP added up fast. We do drink water with all our meals, but learned to ask for ice water with the meal and a bottle of water which we saved for the parks.(QS)

Now in june and nov we went deluxe and came out ahead. Planning out meals around the parks wasn't so bad in june because:
1. We used park hoppers (another personal choice)
2. We did a split stay and only did the plan 5 out of 10 days, so we still had plenty of flexiblilty. (the other meals were crockpot meals that were ready to eat when we got back)
3. We ate breakfast (usually character meals for DD) snacked for lunch and then a sig TS for dinner.

In oct it was more of a hassle as we were there only for halloween weekend. We ended up cancelling a few ADRs, but still came out ahead because of the signature meals.

DD9 isn't yet a disney adult, however I think I'll be very careful deciding on the plan for our next trip, as by then she will be.

The best part of the plan for us is the following:
1) prepaying everything but those pesky tips (I thought I was prepared in june, but still had a little sticker shock ).
2) we ate at restaurants we'd normally skip due to price

However, if i could only do DDP or QS plan, i'd probally take poptarts, ceareal, etc for breakfast. sandwhiches for lunch and pay OOP for TS or use my crockpot. On the DDP there are too many QS for us, and eating the QS is harder to plan for me, as we just aren't the type to enjoy meals that have fries with everything. We end up wandering around the different parks saying when we get close to .... will eat there because their menu is better...Then we're all grumpy and hungry....not happy

so the dining plan is like everything else, what works for some, stresses/or doesn't work others... think AP's, park hoppers, TTW card, etc...

What i think some people forget is that while we all love going to disney, we all do it a different way...Our own and enjoy what we do.
(The only people that don't enjoy it are those that go unprepared IMHO).

Our family looks as each trip as a new adventure and tries to stay somewhere different, and eat at different restaurants, and do different things each time.
My bother and his family will only go @ Christmas time (I personally think they're crazy for that one), stay at the same place and eat at nearly all the same places...
My friend has only gone where they stay off property...
To each their own as DH says...

 

[nkereina]

We like to eat two TS meals with a snack in between. There isn't really a dining plan that accommodates that - it's either too much with DxDP or too little with regular dining. However we LOVE the convenience of the prepaid meals with the dining plan so we will usually get it and up paying OOP for some things. We do usually travel during free dining times, though.

 

[Aunt Bee]

The dining plan just doesn't fit the way we eat or "play" at Disney. We really aren't there for the food; we are there to ride, see the shows, the parades and to shop.

Unless we visit at really uncrowded times, we always manage to end up with conflicting ADR's and Fast Passes and show times.

We'd rather do CS, snacks (there are some WONDERFUL snacks to be had) with maybe one or two ADR's for the whole time we are there That's what works for us.

 

[tinacaplan]

We've done the deluxe plan twice, no DDP in July, and we're doing the regular DDP on our upcoming trip. I think it depends quite a bit on how you eat. If you'd like to do a bunch of character buffets and places like 'Ohana, you'll probably better off on the DDP. I don't expect it to be a better value for us, as I know I"m going to order appetizers at some restaurants, and that's an extra cost. You've also got to factor in tips and possibly alchohol if you're on the plan. I also don't love ordering dessert at every meal. I'd prefer a sweet treat later on.

We're doing it because I wanted to keep a package deal when I booked with AP this time. We'll probably come out about even to what we spent in July, but in July we had the flexibility to eat what we wanted, when we wanted. I changed our ADRs on the fly quite a bit.