TIW users need convincing to go to a DDP. Help Us.

[dzneelvr]

We've always used the Tables In Wonderland plan (straight 20% off ticket including alcohol and no menu restrictions or requirements).
both DS-24 and DD-22 want us to try a Dining Plan in 2012, but I would like to understand what that would mean as far as menu choices and requirements. And do you pay ahead of the trip or can you get a plan on day 1 like the TIW card option? Any help is greatly appreciated. BTW: we like to eat, but we're not dessert lovers nor can we usually finish both an appetizer and entree per person per meal. We stay at the ASMo and do TS only using a mix of park and resort locations. Thank you

 

[GAGirlInVA]

You have to have the dining plan added before you arrive.

You'd have to look at the menus and see if it is worth it for you. If you aren't interested in dessert, it may be hard to get the numbers to come out saying that DDP is worth it.

You'd be looking at Deluxe Dining Plan since you don't use counter services.

 

[patsal]

As a TIW user who has used the DDP I can tell you, don't do it! Just use your TIW--eat what, when and where you want and save $$. The other plans have too many specifics to deal with and if you do not eat exactly like the plan is set up and at the most expensive places you will barely break even!

 

[ancestry]

Adding the dining plan turns your trip into a package and the entire amount is due 45 days prior to your arrival date even if you are AP holders.

There are three different dining plans. Quick Service, Basic, and Deluxe. You can find the differences between these and their offerings on many different websites so I'm not going to retype all of that information as I'm sure the websites are more comprehensive that I can be in a post.

I have found that when traveling with adults I prefer to use the TIW. My biggest savings on the dining plan has come in when traveling with kids under the age of 9 or if we are going to eat at a lot of buffet/character meals. We personally prefer many of the signature restaurants and some of the DTD restaurants and found that TIW offers us a greater discount and more flexibility.

I don't like having to order according to the guidelines of the dining plans. I ususally prefer appetizers and no desserts and the basic dining plan doesn't allow me to eat that way.

The one advantage of the dining plans with young adults is that they can go off on their own and eat without have the TIW card hold there with them.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I'm on the side of those who say don't do it! Stick with the TIW. Way more flexibility and may more of a deal, if you ask me.

 

[LJSquishy]

If your party is only interested in TS meals, your only option would be to do the Deluxe dining plan. However, you stated you don't typically eat desserts with meals, nor do you finish an appetizer plus an entree. The DxDDP allows each person an appetizer, entree, beverage, and dessert with each lunch/dinner. There is no way it will be worth it if you aren't going to eat dessert twice per day or take advantage of two appetizers daily. You are much better off with your current meal setup!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I don't know if the deluxe plan would be better for you or not...but I'll share why it is great for us.

I love having it paid ahead of time.

We come out way ahead pricewise as we use all our credits & some of those meals are very very expensive. Like Calif Grill & Flying Fish & Artist Point.

I love getting an appt. with each meal. Some of the salads are so good.

Getting a dessert is a huge plus for me. When we pay out of pocket I rarely get one & I love desserts!

I love being able to order whatever I want. I often get steak or fish. I do not try & order the most expensive thing on the menu but w/o the plan I'd be ordering one of the cheaper things for sure not a $45. steak!

We don't like CS as we enjoy sitting down & relaxing at lunch & especially at supper. Going to resorts & eating signature meals is part of the fun of the trip to us.

I also enjoy the 2 snacks each a day. We use these to buy candy to bring back to our kiddos & grandkiddos.

If we were traveling with kids we'd not do the deluxe. Would be too much sitting at meals & not enough park time. For us it is perfect though.

 

[Jing]

We are doing the DxDP for the first time this trip. At home, we are tapas people or we order entrees while splitting one app and one dessert. On vacation, we usually over-order and try to sample rather then stuff in apps and desserts. The counter service and regular dining plans would be a total waste for us, especially since we really enjoy apps and will likely use up both daily snack credits on vitamin water and espresso! That said, if we has any need to purchase an annual pass or move to Florida, we would join TIW in favor of DxDP - the alcohol discount alone makes it a no-brainer!

But since you asked for convincing, DxDP allows you to load up on 2-credit restaurants for late dinners after building up a large appetite walking through the parks. Later dinners can also help you lessen (not eliminate) the amount of exposure to rowdy toddlers and allow a leisure time for digestion of all of those things you would not normally order. Several new restaurants have been added to the plan, so the only big foodie limitations that come to mind are V&A and the "special" dining/tasting experiences.

In my cynical reality, these are just 2 different psychological marketing tactics to entice the consumer pay up front (loosing 45+ days of interest or the money in membership/passholder fees) and spend more then they might if they were not thinking to themselves "why not? It's 20% off" or "we would spend it anyway, let go for the dining plan!" And I love it!

 

[TDC Nala]

Might be helpful to know why your adult kids want a dining plan. These days, it is more difficult to make a dining plan save money, especially if you already have TIW. If you're in the market for a deluxe dining plan (if you get the regular plan, it sounds like all your CS credits will go to waste) and you don't eat desserts generally and can't finish an appetizer and entree, not sure why you would get that plan as it would result in EACH member of your party prepaying for all three courses.

The only way I can think of it working is if you want to do a lot of fixed price restaurants (like character meals or family style or buffets). There are some calculations about the DxDDP being a good deal for those who want signature restaurants daily, but that is if you want all three courses at every meal.

 

[dzneelvr]

Thanks! I knew I could count on youDS and DD just wondered what the dining plans were since we're always asked if we have one....I'd done alot of listening over the years (on the dis.boards of course) and knew TIW fit our family. This last Christmas trip proved it: we cancelled a TS ADR because we were too full and couldn't justify forcing a second mult-course meal in one day AND DS said next trip, not as many buffets, please
Since our current TIW will carry us through our 2012 trip, we're good to go!
BTW, we thoroughly enjoyed Artist Point, Ohanas, Mama's, Tony's, WISHes Dessert Party, Biergarten, San Angel Inn, NorwaY CS during Illuminations, Sci Fi, food court at ASMo, Yak & Yeti, BOMA, 2 frozen bananas, and 2 Snowballs this past week We'll be trying France's TS next trip instead of Biergarten in 2012--they disappointed me as the only ADR to refuse our TIW card due to "holiday scheduling""
Again, thanks so much for the feedback

 

[TDC Nala]

TIW is blacked out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It depends a little when you go - maybe free dining promo is an option.

It likely also depends in part if you get alcohol with your meals. TiW is likleya better deal if you do.

You also have to understand the rules of how DDP works.

For us, I find it's a bit of a toss up. But that factors getting TiW into my calculations. If you already have Tiw, then likley the DDP is not going to be a better deal.