To Dine or Not To Dine - that is the question!

[Grendalynn]

Ok, so we are scheduled to visit WDW in April. While we still have a littl bit left to pay on our vacation, I am second guessig our plan to do the Disey Dining Plan... Friends of our just got bck and said they did not use it and are glad they didn't. They were so wiped out after the parks all day that they couldnt imagine having a sit down meal ina restaurant everyight. nd their youngest is 6... I am not sre that our boys could handle it either. Our boys wil be almost 9, a fresh 5 and 18 mths at the time o our vacation... What have you all out there found works best? Is it a good fit for a young family, or is it not? We are def doing character meals, and couple of nice sit downs, I like the idea of having all of our meals paid for, but I guess we could accomplish the same thing by setting that $$ aside....??? Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[HelenePA]

We did it with a 6,4 and 11m old last time (may 2007) and we'll do it again this year (may 2008) I sat down and looked at the prices of the places I wanted to sit down (mostly buffets this way as soon as we get seated we get our food no waiting!! saves for crankiness!!) and eat at figured in tip ect ect (since you have to pay oop for that now) and its still a great deal for us! Its like getting the snack and quick service meal for free. So that saves us some money! Who says you have to sit down to eat at night?? You can do a sit down breakfast, sit down lunch (we mostly did sit down lunches last time) it wasn't a big deal for me. Our latest sit down was at 7pm. I knew the kids would be cranky so I based our meals on that... plus in the middle of the day when its HOT HOT HOT its nice to sit and eat in a cool place!

 

[trivial]

When traveling with kids, it's a very good idea to have a mid-day break to let their batteries recharge, otherwise they'll be burnt out by dinner. Up until 2007, the dining plan is a fantastic deal, and for me, an absolute no-brainer. Once we hit 2008, however, savings with the dining plan will be very small on average, so it probably won't make a big difference if you use the dining plan or not. Unless you know you'll that you'll be spending your dining plan tokens at the more-expensive restaurants, you may very well find that you'd save more money without the plan.

 

[Aliceacc]

This is my first time going in 17 years, but I chose the meal plan. Here's my reasoning.

It's not going to COST us money. If all we do is break even, I can live with that for the convenience of having it pre-paid.

I'm booking meals that we probably wouldn't do if we were paying out of pocket. Character meals, The Coral Reef, Le Cellier-- these simply wouldn't be on our vacation budget if they weren't on the meal plan. I'm not playing the "get every nickel's worth" game, but these sound like restaurants we would love if they were affordable. Thanks to the meal plan, they will be.

To be honest, my girls will be eating chicken nuggets and/or pizza just about everywhere we go anyway.But for my husband and I, along with our son, the meal plan presents us with another thing to love about this vacation: some wonderful meals we wouldn't spend vacation money on otherwise.

 

[Grendalynn]

Some very great and valid points to consider. I am really on the fence - 50% i think its a good thing, the other part of me things maybe not... I like the fact that its all paid for and all you have to do is swipe the card and go. No worries about keeping that runningtally in my head. But the very $$ concience part of me thinks we may not spend as much if we were going w/o the DDP.... I guess you have to try everything at least once, and withthat being said, we may go for it this time. But maybe not next time around?? Can anyone steer me more in one diection than another??

 

[mom0299]

In a few weeks we'll have our fourth trip with a dining plan. We have always found it to be worth it and enjoy the time to get to sit down and relax for a little while. The first time was actually in 2004 and was called Magical Wishes. We could use our wishes for lots of things, including food. Our kids were 5 and 7 and we had two sit down meals every day. We did a lot of character meals. I loved these because then we didn't have to wait in line to see a character. I would recommend a buffet. The choices are good - something for everyone- and usually there are characters involved. Chef Mickeys, Princess Storybook, and Liberty Tree tavern are some of our favorites.
With that said, DS is 10 now so is an "adult" according to Disney. He is looking forward to being able to order of the big people menu this time. The next time we got (probably two more years) both of our kids will be 10 or older and I don't know that we'll get the meal plan then. We don't mind counter service and could still plan a special meal or two.
With younger kids, I would definitely get the dining plan. Make your ADRs in advance. Otherwise, you'll be spending your time waiting in line at a CS two or three times a day and you won't get the nicer atmosphere and time to relax at a TS. With the DDP at least you get one meal a day to relax.

 

[Grendalynn]

Make your ADRs in advance. Otherwise, you'll be spending your time waiting in line at a CS two or three times a day and you won't get the nicer atmosphere and time to relax at a TS. With the DDP at least you get one meal a day to relax.

Now what happens if you have made ressies and then you dont end up going to that ressie? Are you docked meals or are there no reprecussions? I am worried that our kids would be maxed out we would feel obligated to do a TS when a CS would be far better all around!? Thanks!

 

[HelenePA]

Now what happens if you have made ressies and then you dont end up going to that ressie? Are you docked meals or are there no reprecussions? I am worried that our kids would be maxed out we would feel obligated to do a TS when a CS would be far better all around!? Thanks!

if ya dont go ya dont go...no docking meals no reprecussions. We missed ours night first night because OMG we were drained... we had been up since 2am we had reservations at boma for 6pm.. it just didn't happen.. we were asleep we didn't even call to cancel (my bad sorry!)

 

[Grendalynn]

if ya dont go ya dont go...no docking meals no reprecussions. We missed ours night first night because OMG we were drained... we had been up since 2am we had reservations at boma for 6pm.. it just didn't happen.. we were asleep we didn't even call to cancel (my bad sorry!)

Sooo good to know!! I hate the feeling of HAVING to be somewhere when its just not in the cards. This wil be our first "big/busy" vacation with our boys. The last time we did Disney/DCL DS#3 was not here and the other boys were 3 and 6 and at managable ages. Throw in an 18 month old and I am not quite sure what to expect....

 

[trivial]

A few reservations require your credit card when you book, and for those you must cancel within a 24 or 48 hour period to avoid being charged (and I think Cinderella's Royal Table actually changes your card at the time you make the reservation, because it's so insanely popular). There is no effect on your dining credits though.

To be honest, I would say go ahead and get the plan. As I said, on average, you will only save a few dollars per day, but you're still saving nonetheless, so you're not getting a bad deal... just not as good of one as the pre-2008 plan.

Looking at your sig, you're no WDW newbie, but I would again emphasize the importance of having a mid-afternoon break, so that dinner-time burn out is would be much less likely with the kids.

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

We bought the DDP in April when we went (DDs almost 4 and 7 at the time) but we will not buy it again - it wasn't a good fit for us.

I hated the feeling like we always needed to be going somewhere. Don't get me wrong - I'm a planner to the hilt and I love organization, but when we'd already had a busy and fun day, one kid is happily playing in the pool and the other just went down for a nap, the last thing I wanted to do was get everyone ready to be at a TS dinner by a certain time. Yes, I could've canceled, but then if we wouldn't have been able to use all of our TS credits what would be the point in having the DDP?

I hated how limited the kids' food was. My kids were often bored to tears with their selections. Overall, we were reminded that our Disney experience is not about having stellar food, and atmosphere in a restaurant is only worth so much. The character meals were great, but they were so because of the characters, not because of the cuisine!

I hated the wait times at TS restaurants. I don't mean the wait to be seated, although a few of those were terrible. I mean the wait for the food after we ordered. Our kids are very good at eating in restaurants and are pretty go-with-the-flow. The 2.5 hour total meal time at Le Cellier just about killed us all. It really reduced our enjoyment of the evening.

I hated how there was ambiguity at times about what was included on the plan. I did my research ahead of time. That didn't stop cashiers from telling me that the items I was trying to buy as snacks were not included when they really were. Seriously. I don't need that hassle.

The main reason we bought it was for the convenience of not needing to whip out cash after every meal and because on paper there was a cost savings. But in reality, food is not why we go to Disney and it was a detriment to have it play such a big role in our trip. We could've eaten better and had less inconvenience doing it OOP. It makes much more sense for us to budget money for food, make a few key ADRs, and have more freedom. Yes, we threw a lot of food away, as we aren't big eaters either. We could've shared meals, but that's not always an option. My DH and I don't always want to eat the exact same thing. Again, flexibility!

I know plenty of families buy it and love it, but obviously that was not our experience.

 

[Grendalynn]

I hated the feeling like we always needed to be going somewhere. Don't get me wrong - I'm a planner to the hilt and I love organization, but when we'd already had a busy and fun day, one kid is happily playing in the pool and the other just went down for a nap, the last thing I wanted to do was get everyone ready to be at a TS dinner by a certain time. Yes, I could've canceled, but then if we wouldn't have been able to use all of our TS credits what would be the point in having the DDP?

Do you have to have ADR in order to use your DDP or can you just show up and hope there is a table available? Regardless of the wait?

ALooking at your sig, you're no WDW newbie, but I would again emphasize the importance of having a mid-afternoon break, so that dinner-time burn out is would be much less likely with the kids.

Yes, we are very aware of the nap/rest ritual! It is easier to go commando through the parks and get it all done and then have an easy night... But should we want a fun and active evening, we will be sure to split the day up. This is something my mother, who was/is a travel and planning queen of (then) 5 girls, toaught me very early. We always took a break mid afternoon and took a snooze or read, weather we needed it or not! I have followed her in tracks. Dinner is that much more bearable!! I still followed that schedule when we went to Mexico with my sisters and parenst when I was 5+ months pregnant! I never enjoyed an afternoon nap soo much! Even my oldest sho moaned and groaned everyday - "I'M NOT EVEN TIRED!!" and he wa out with a few minutes!

 

[twooley2]

I am divided as we have reservations in June with the meal plan for 5 of us at pop century. Here is my dilemma. I am getting 2 rooms tickets and basic meal plan for 4090.00. Still have to pay tips and any extra eating that will come about from the one meal not covered each day. I feel as if that cost warrants staying in a deluxe or moderate setting. I Would be willing to do one room but how in the world does disney equate 2 rooms at a value cheaper than one room at moderate or deluxe room. I even thought I should stay offsite just to veto their complete illogical pricing and tipping system. Sorry to wine but this is our third trip paying more and going down in resorts because kids are becoming teens.

 

[Ilovefozzie]

We have used the DDP the last two times we went and are using it again when we go in May. LOVED IT! That is not an expense we have to worry about. It's paid for. And for us....there was NO EXTRA meals/food to pay for. The DDP filled us up. In May we are using the DDP for Cindy's for breakfast, the coral reef, Crystal Palace, Mama Melrose/fantasmic dinner show package, Sci Fi, Akershus, and Teppanyaki. And we still get one counter and one snack everyday. If we didn't have the DDP we wouldn't eat at most of those restuarants, just because there is a cost there and wouldn't make sense OOP. Do we eat everything on our plates at every meal? No! But that's ok, because the experience is far more valuable.

And in regards to Cindy's they take your card info, but don't charge until you don't show. We don't have any credit cards, just debit and that is something I verified.

Just my .02

 

[trivial]

Do you have to have ADR in order to use your DDP or can you just show up and hope there is a table available? Regardless of the wait?

You do not require ADR in order to use DDP. The only time DDP ever necessarily comes into play at a table-service restaurant is when the cheque arrives (although it can be helpful to tell your server right off the bat that you're on the DDP, just on the off chance something isn't covered by it).

I am divided as we have reservations in June with the meal plan for 5 of us at pop century. Here is my dilemma. I am getting 2 rooms tickets and basic meal plan for 4090.00. Still have to pay tips and any extra eating that will come about from the one meal not covered each day. I feel as if that cost warrants staying in a deluxe or moderate setting. I Would be willing to do one room but how in the world does disney equate 2 rooms at a value cheaper than one room at moderate or deluxe room. I even thought I should stay offsite just to veto their complete illogical pricing and tipping system. Sorry to wine but this is our third trip paying more and going down in resorts because kids are becoming teens.

Have you looked into renting DVC points? Going that route can save a ton of money, and perhaps let you stay at a deluxe villa. This could potentially be less expensive (or around the same price) as purchasing a package. You are also eligible for the dining plan in this scenario, for the same rate (the DVC owner just has to let DVC know that your group wants it; you'd pay for it upon check-in).

And in regards to Cindy's they take your card info, but don't charge until you don't show.

Whoops, thanks for correcting me!

 

[irene_dsc]

I keep going back and forth on it, even though we've already paid for it! Ok, I'm committed to doing it - I just don't know for certain if it's the best plan, iykwim. We are doing mainly buffets for our TS dinners, plus Marrakesh, so we probably aren't saving much, if at all, for the adults. But, I think that for the kids, we are saving somewhat, just by doing all those buffets. Plus, I have a tendency to go crazy when I have to constantly keep paying for stuff, so I'd rather have it all paid for in one fell swoop, than to have to keep shelling out. Yes, we'll have to pay tips, but that shouldn't be too bad.

I have to admit, the one thing that I am annoyed about is the idea of having to negotiate which snacks are included, and which ones aren't.

I also have mixed feelings about having so many ADR's, fwiw. (We do have one night without any - planning to order pizza in.) I need to make sure the kids understand that the dinners are all planned out, and really aren't up for negotiation, since these are kids who negotiate *everything.* Tho I suppose I need to have some backup plans, just in case.

 

[trivial]

Irene, it's hard to go wrong and lose a significant amount of money on the 2008+ DDP. It is certainly nice to pay for it in advance and not have to worry about the prices on the menus. ADRs are a good idea... if you don't go, in a sense there's nothing to lose (as long as you cancel within the time frame for a few specific restaurants/shows) since the DDP is paid for in advance. If you skip a table-service meal, you could always try to change an upcoming table-service meal to a Signature restaurant or show.

 

[irene_dsc]

Irene, it's hard to go wrong and lose a significant amount of money on the 2008+ DDP. It is certainly nice to pay for it in advance and not have to worry about the prices on the menus. ADRs are a good idea... if you don't go, in a sense there's nothing to lose (as long as you cancel within the time frame for a few specific restaurants/shows) since the DDP is paid for in advance. If you skip a table-service meal, you could always try to change an upcoming table-service meal to a Signature restaurant or show.

I've already got my ADR's set - I just wonder in the back of my head, y'know? And since we are mainly doing buffets or all-you-can-eat, those are fixed prices, anyhow. (Garden Grill, Boma, 1900 Park Fare, and 'Ohana, fwiw) (And I already know what I want to eat at Marrakesh!)

That's a point about trying to change a TS to a signature or show - I hadn't thought of that! But, most of the shows didn't really appeal to me, and the signature places seemed more like date night places rather than for with little kids. I'd been thinking of doing an ADR for either breakfast or lunch on the last day, as a way to use up any last TS credits if necessary, actually.

 

[Kim1964]

We used the DDP for the first time in August. The main reason was that, during our '06 trip, DH was pretty cranky paying those prices for meals, especially when the kids didn't eat it all OR fell asleep at the table. Paying for it all upfront removed that particular souce of trip-stress. We did eat at some restaurants we might not otherwise have tried, and for the most part enjoyed that. The 2 big drawbacks for us were:

1.) DD#2 is 5 years old, so she had to order from the children's menu. She can only eat so much mac and cheese or chicken nuggets before she rebels, and I don't blame her. The children's menu is WAY too limited for a 7 night trip.

2.) This one is my own darned fault, and I know that. Because the DDP costs so much, I was determined to get as much bang for our buck as possible. This meant dinner TS meals since they typically are more expensive than breakfasts or lunches. The problem for us was mentioned already in this thread....it was tough to be having a great time at the pool and have to haul everyone out to get ready for a dinner ADR. If I had it to do over again, I would book lunch ADRs at that day's park and save the CS meals for dinner. We tend to leave the parks by lunchtime anyway, so having a nice meal on the way out, then heading back to the pool would work better for us.

All of that said, we're not buying the DDP for our next trip. I think it's a total ripoff that they removed the gratuity, and the kid's menu just doesn't cut it for DD#2. The kids really don't give 2 hoots about where we eat, anyway. Both times they were given the choice of ANYWHERE in WDW to eat last trip, they chose the POR food court.....and we weren't even staying at POR. We'll do a couple of sitdown meals but most of our meals will be CS.

 

[Ilovefozzie]

Irene,

Have you looked into Akershus? That's in norway and it's eating with the princess. Crystal palace in MK is winnie the pooh and gang. Libertry Tree tavern at MK has minnie, goofy, chip and dale.

There is some great dinning that you can get as part of your regualr table service meals. And the kids will have a blast. LOL Forget the kids, I turn into a 5 year old whenever I see chip and dale.