the new dinning plan good or bad?

[hrmom26]

i'm not sure if i should do the dinning thing or not i am called by my friends the clearance queen i like every thing at a discount i have two kids and i'm on a very strick budget if you use the dinning plan are you really saving and is it true if you book with the dinning plan its considered a package and you can't use any room discounts ? ie discount codes or AAA room discounts? if you can't use discounts on your room are really saving money in the end? also is the plan easy to use how does it work exacly. i would love to hear from any one with ideas on this also any other discounts you no of thanks

 

[disneyjunkie]

I used the plan last month with a pin code (discounted room rates). I'm planning to use it again this October with a AAA rate. The plan was only $70.00 per night, $35.00 for me and $35.00 for my 13-year-old son.

The plan is easy to use. When you check in you have X amount of counter service, snack and table service options in you account. Since my trip was for 8 nights I had 16 of each credit. When you use an option, it's taken from the pool. You'll get a receipt that has the number of options remaining listed on the bottom.

I love the plan because we were able to dine in a number of restaurants that we'd never visit without the plan.

The only thing I didn't like is the cost of the meal isn't listed on the receipt that you keep. You're given two receipts. The one that you sign has all the prices listed, but that one remains with CM. The one you keep only has $0.00 listed instead of prices. I always wrote the full price on the top of my receipt. For some reason, this seemed to annoy the CMs at the counter service and snack areas.

 

[hrmom26]

I used the plan last month with a pin code (discounted room rates). I'm planning to use it again this October with a AAA rate. The plan was only $70.00 per night, $35.00 for me and $35.00 for my 13-year-old son.

The plan is easy to use. When you check in you have X amount of counter service, snack and table service options in you account. Since my trip was for 8 nights I had 16 of each credit. When you use an option, it's taken from the pool. You'll get a receipt that has the number of options remaining listed on the bottom.

I love the plan because we were able to dine in a number of restaurants that we'd never visit without the plan.

The only thing I didn't like is the cost of the meal isn't listed on the receipt that you keep. You're given two receipts. The one that you sign has all the prices listed, but that one remains with CM. The one you keep only has $0.00 listed instead of prices. I always wrote the full price on the top of my receipt. For some reason, this seemed to annoy the CMs at the counter service and snack areas.

thanks for the info so you are able to use discount codes and/or AAA discounts with the dinning plan? that was one of my biggest worrys i also noticed you have been to pop century hotel in early april i am thinking of going in march or april 2006 and staying in pop century how was the hotel and weather? thanks agian

 

[disneyjunkie]

thanks for the info so you are able to use discount codes and/or AAA discounts with the dinning plan? that was one of my biggest worrys i also noticed you have been to pop century hotel in early april i am thinking of going in march or april 2006 and staying in pop century how was the hotel and weather? thanks agian

We love PC!

The bus service is much better than at the All Star Resorts, no sharing buses. However, they are crowded in the mornings and at park closings.

The rooms are small, but since we spend most of our time in the parks, I don't mind.

We've enjoyed every meal from the foodcourt, expect the pizza.

All of the CMs we've encountered have been very helpful and friendly.

During both of our April trips, the weather started out cool then got hot as the week went on.

 

[clombardi]

thanks for the info so you are able to use discount codes and/or AAA discounts with the dinning plan? that was one of my biggest worrys i also noticed you have been to pop century hotel in early april i am thinking of going in march or april 2006 and staying in pop century how was the hotel and weather? thanks agian

I booked my vacation through AAA, and had no problem adding the dining plan.

 

[jenndisney]

I just put together a FAQ about the dining plan on the Restaurant board.

Here is a link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=820709

There is some great discussion over there that may help you to decide.

Happy planning.