To Dining Plan or Not to dining plan.. that is the question..

[Main Street Matilda]

I have literally prepared a spreadsheet based on what our family would typically order and compared that to the cost of the plan, taking into account drinks, snacks and other extras. The DDP cost more but not that much more. However, if you're eligible for Tables in Wonderland discounts, that margin becomes wider.

To me, the benefit of the DDP is that there is no "sticker shock" when you get the bill. As one of the PP said, it is like going to an all-inclusive. (There is something nice about not having heart palpitations when you realize that the burger and fries you just bought the family cost more than a nice meal out at home.)

However, that being said, we decided against the DDP last trip and were happy with that decision. There is a lack of flexibility with the DDP. As a family - we prefer appetizers to desserts and that is not an option on the plan. Also, you don't feel compelled to order the expensive items on the menu to get the most bang-for-your-buck from the plan. Sometimes, soup or salad for dinner hits the spot - but you wouldn't do that on the plan.

So, for me, the decision to weigh is flexibility over the peace of knowing everything has already been paid for.

 

[sharonabe]

I don't know who the genius was that decided to add alcohol to the dining plans. Its almost impossible to make the dining plan worthwhile as some restaurants don't serve alcohol and then many people don't drink especially at a theme park with kids.

While I agree with you that this is probably not the best idea, the only place that you won't find alcoholic drinks is MK, and even MK has a couple places that do. In all the other parks, even the QS places have beer and usually one cocktail or wine.

 

[stickeymouse]

I love it ONLY for the in-park convenience and the ability to essentially prepay your food in installments (leading up to the final due date).

 

[robl45]

While I agree with you that this is probably not the best idea, the only place that you won't find alcoholic drinks is MK, and even MK has a couple places that do. In all the other parks, even the QS places have beer and usually one cocktail or wine.

Who wants to hunt around to find a place that has alcoholic beverages. Besides, you are basically alienating anyone who doesn't drink and I'll be that is well over half buying the dining plan. At least offer a separate dining plan. My favorite part and I don't know if they changed it was how your 12 year old kids get to pay extra and not be able to drink.

 

[Rich M]

Who wants to hunt around to find a place that has alcoholic beverages. Besides, you are basically alienating anyone who doesn't drink and I'll be that is well over half buying the dining plan. At least offer a separate dining plan. My favorite part and I don't know if they changed it was how your 12 year old kids get to pay extra and not be able to drink.

I wonder if adults could order more than one beer or glass of wine and use there kids credit for it and pay out of pocket for a soda?

 

[robl45]

Reading over the plan, you get an alcoholic beverage or if under 21 a non alcoholic specialty beverage, but they don't really specify that too well. Does that mean kids can get the speciality cups with the lights? It does mention milkshakes, but those were available already for years at whispering canyon on the dining plan and last month they were included on the dining plan at sci fi dine in as well.

 

[addiln]

we never do the dining plan. It is too expensive in my opinion. We tend not to have a full lunch and just mostly snack around the parks and then have dinner later in the day. Also we get a dvc discount so that helps. The one benefit I see with the dining plan is that you prepay everything for the most part so it will seem like less money out of your pocket.

 

[North of Mouse]

Not close to worth it for us. What I will never understand is folks that say they realize it isn't worth it, but they do it not to worry about prices! Say what?? The time to worry (if you need to) is 'before' your trip, not during. If you can afford it, go, if not, don't go. Seems simple to me. We always eat exactly what/when we want, charge it to the room and don't worry - pay our card off each month.
(and no, we aren't rich)

 

[Rich M]

Not close to worth it for us. What I will never understand is folks that say they realize it isn't worth it, but they do it not to worry about prices! Say what?? The time to worry (if you need to) is 'before' your trip, not during. If you can afford it, go, if not, don't go. Seems simple to me. We always eat exactly what/when we want, charge it to the room and don't worry - pay our card off each month.
(and no, we aren't rich)

I guess it just depends on what works for you. Interest on a credit card monthly or pay a little extra for your dining plan. We went with the dxDDP for this trip after upgrading from Free Dining QS. We are sharing with my son and his family so we are actually coming out ahead doing it that way.

 

[sharonabe]

Who wants to hunt around to find a place that has alcoholic beverages. Besides, you are basically alienating anyone who doesn't drink and I'll be that is well over half buying the dining plan. At least offer a separate dining plan. My favorite part and I don't know if they changed it was how your 12 year old kids get to pay extra and not be able to drink.

My point was, they won't have to hunt. Except for MK, every where the dining plan is accepted has an alcoholic beverage of some kind. But yes, your 12 yr old is paying for those alcoholic drinks.

I wonder if adults could order more than one beer or glass of wine and use there kids credit for it and pay out of pocket for a soda?

On the QSDP, there's nothing to stop this from happening since kids can still order adult QS meals. Even if they finally separate the QS credits and enforce their own rule of kids must order from a kid's menu, you still have those 10-21 yr olds. If just one adult is ordering all the meals, there is no way for the eatery to know how old everyone is, so there is no way to "police" the number of alcoholic drinks bought.

Reading over the plan, you get an alcoholic beverage or if under 21 a non alcoholic specialty beverage, but they don't really specify that too well. Does that mean kids can get the speciality cups with the lights? It does mention milkshakes, but those were available already for years at whispering canyon on the dining plan and last month they were included on the dining plan at sci fi dine in as well.

Exactly. Most of the specialty drinks, except for the glow cubes and such, have always been eligible on every plan, so those under 21 aren't really getting anything for the increased price.

 

[Hopefully]

Not close to worth it for us. What I will never understand is folks that say they realize it isn't worth it, but they do it not to worry about prices! Say what?? The time to worry (if you need to) is 'before' your trip, not during. If you can afford it, go, if not, don't go. Seems simple to me. We always eat exactly what/when we want, charge it to the room and don't worry - pay our card off each month.
(and no, we aren't rich)

We (3 adults) have had the DDP since it was introduced. We usually saved " a bit", but not enough to matter.
I get your point and I totally agree with you. We can afford our vacations ( and we are not rich) whether we have it or not. But DH was orphaned at 11. He was left with little. He has an incredible need to "save". If he looks at the prices on a menu he will order the cheapest item, no matter what he wants. He always agrees to my plan. And it works for those who have specific issues.

 

[Lilly0704]

Not close to worth it for us. What I will never understand is folks that say they realize it isn't worth it, but they do it not to worry about prices! Say what?? The time to worry (if you need to) is 'before' your trip, not during. If you can afford it, go, if not, don't go. Seems simple to me. We always eat exactly what/when we want, charge it to the room and don't worry - pay our card off each month.
(and no, we aren't rich)

I am one of those people- it doesn't save us money, but I will probably never go without a dining plan. Because if I'm paying out of pocket I won't buy snacks or desserts, and I will eat the overpriced hamburger instead of the slightly overpriced (buy not unreasonable) steak that I really want. I am willing to pay more in order to enjoy my vacation more.

 

[robl45]

I am one of those people- it doesn't save us money, but I will probably never go without a dining plan. Because if I'm paying out of pocket I won't buy snacks or desserts, and I will eat the overpriced hamburger instead of the slightly overpriced (buy not unreasonable) steak that I really want. I am willing to pay more in order to enjoy my vacation more.

Yes, that is why I do it exactly. Plus regardless of what people say, if you eat the right things and are going to character meals and such, you can at least break even or come out ahead.

 

[gillep]

We have only ever purchased the dining plan once, and will not be doing it again. We find the plans to be way too restrictive for how we prefer to eat, as it doesn't matter that we can order the most expensive entree on the menu with our dining plan credit if all we want is an appetizer for dinner.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have only ever purchased the dining plan once, and will not be doing it again. We find the plans to be way too restrictive for how we prefer to eat, as it doesn't matter that we can order the most expensive entree on the menu with our dining plan credit if all we want is an appetizer for dinner.

This is us! We enjoy what we want, when we want. We don't drink sodas with meals, nor do we eat dessert at most meals. We eat like we want, not worrying about prices, and still spend far less than the ddp.

 

[North of Mouse]

I guess it just depends on what works for you. Interest on a credit card monthly or pay a little extra for your dining plan.

If you reread my post, we 'do not' pay interest on a credit card - we pay it in full monthly - no interest, no debt.

 

[Liz Z]

When my adult daughter and i go for Christmas (shes a teacher) we always get the dining plan. Prices are higher and we usually go for a character breakfast (CRT 2TS) and eat at specialty restaurants at dinner that are 2TS. it works out in our favor.

It's just so much easier to not have to worry about it. It's all included. Yachtsman pays for one day of the plan in itself.

We usually save with TIW but there are too many block out dates during Christmas and New Years. So having the dining plan works great.

 

[supersnoop]

Yachtsman pays for one day of the plan in itself.

Yet costs you two days worth of table service credits. Unless you're on the deluxe plan, the signatures are almost always a poor value on the plan.

 

[Rich M]

If you reread my post, we 'do not' pay interest on a credit card - we pay it in full monthly - no interest, no debt.

Thats good. You will get so many opinions on this subject but the one thing we can all agree on is we are all very lucky that we get to go to our favorite place for vacation.

 

[Liz Z]

DxDP all the way