To do the dining plan or not?

[sweetiee]

I'm still undecided about adding on the DDP. We are getting the buy 3/get3 deal so we will be getting the $200 gift card. I figured that we could save money by not doing the DDP and just pay out of pocket and do mainly CS meals. Since we are going a whole week, we felt we could be more flexible. But now that I'm looking at actual menu prices, I'm wondering if this food bill is going to add up!
We really don't eat much breakfast, but I was thinking if we did the DDP with the 1 TS adn 1 CS meal, we could do a character meal this trip. THe problem is...we leave in 5 days. And I don't know if we could get ADR or if we would be lucky enough to just go up and see if there is a seat where we want to go. When we used the DDP before I felt like we had to plan all our days and meals way ahead of time and I just didn't want to be on a schedule for food. But if most restaurants would take us without an ADR, I might think about adding the plan on.
We are two adults, one 4 year old who sometimes doesn't eat much. I just didn't want to waste food when I know sometimes all she wants is fries....
DH wants the plan so he doesn't have to worry about money that we are spending. Me, I had wanted to see how cheap we could go!
Thanks in advance!

 

[septbaby]

I am a big fan of the Basic DP, though it isn't for everyone every time.

If you want to eat just a few TS meals during the trip, then use the card for those, but purchase the QS plan and still get 2 CS meals, 2 snacks and resort refillable mug. That will allow you to pre pay for meals, something DH wants.

Now if you want a TS meal just about everyday, get the Basic DP. It is a really steal for the 4yo. You pay $10.99 a night for the 4yo, every characer meal cost more than that, so the CS meal and snacks are "free" for the child.

Here is an example of a line up for the Gift card/QS plan:

1900 Park Fare Dinner $80 (Cinderella meal)
Crystal Palace Lunch $57 (a good break if you're spending the day in MK)
Prime Time Dinner $63
The first two are character buffets and PT is fun and good comfort food.

On the days when you have the TS meals you may only want to use one of your CS meal credits. Then on those other days you can have 3 meals (CS breakfasts are really good and come with 2 drinks, we would get water as the second and take those to the park).

 

[sweetiee]

But do you think we can get reservations, or will we luck out and get one just by walking up or the day we get to the park?
What I had thought of was the basic plan with one TS so we could use those for character dining. And use the gift card for tips and souveniers.
I don't want meals wasted and we are leaving to go home on the last day there (no park), so if we did a plan, I thought the basic plan where we can use them for character meals.
Is the 1900 Park one available for the dining plan?

 

[KimKamMom]

Since we did not book through Disney, is it true that we can now not add the Dining Plan on to our package? Has anyone ever tried to do this?

 

[Tricia1972]

But do you think we can get reservations, or will we luck out and get one just by walking up or the day we get to the park?
What I had thought of was the basic plan with one TS so we could use those for character dining. And use the gift card for tips and souveniers.
I don't want meals wasted and we are leaving to go home on the last day there (no park), so if we did a plan, I thought the basic plan where we can use them for character meals.
Is the 1900 Park one available for the dining plan?

I would call and see if you can get reservations BEFORE purchasing a dining plan. You're right that being 5 days from departure can make reservations a challenge.

1900 is available on the DDP, and a great way to see Cinderella using only one credit.

 

[Alesia]

Since we did not book through Disney, is it true that we can now not add the Dining Plan on to our package? Has anyone ever tried to do this?

Not true.

As long as you booked a package, you can add the dining plan.

 

[septbaby]

Well, if you are going to do the QS plan ADRs are not needed.

If you want to use the $200 gift card for some TS meals call and add those TODAY.

Good Luck and please let us know what TS ADRs you were able to get. I think you'll have good luck. In speaking with a CM recently the park hasn't been too crowded.

 

[sweetiee]

Would we be better off with the CS plan and then use the gift card to purchase a character meal? I would like to do the 1900 one.
Or be better off getting the regular DDP with 1 TS a day and use those for character meals and use the gift card for tips and other things?
I'm going to call today to see if there are any reservations open. ANyone had luck just walking in and getting a table without a reservation?

Thanks for all the good advice.

 

[zstyles]

We just booked the Dining plan, I was calculated our meals if bought with cash and it really did come out to a bit more than going in on the plan. I found it was a good deal with 2 adults and 1 child (6)....just my take!

 

[huskies90]

Would we be better off with the CS plan and then use the gift card to purchase a character meal? I would like to do the 1900 one.
Or be better off getting the regular DDP with 1 TS a day and use those for character meals and use the gift card for tips and other things?
I'm going to call today to see if there are any reservations open. ANyone had luck just walking in and getting a table without a reservation?

Thanks for all the good advice.

Personally, I don't think the CS plan makes much sense. The problem with all the dining plans is that everyone looks at per meal or per day. Don't think of the CS plan as costing $70/day, think of it as spending $490 for the week. While I am sure you COULD easily spend that much on CS meals, I am sure it would be pretty easy to stay within that budget without too much effort especially if you are not a big dessert eater (two cs meals on the plan = at least two desserts). In turn, it opens up alot more flexibility of when, where and what you eat.

As for the Basic Plan DDP, we love TS meals but when I added up 7 nights for our family (2 adults, 1 jr, 1 child) on the plan plus paying the tips at the TS meal, it totaled almost $1,100 for the week. I started plugging in each ADR and even with some very expensive ones (where the DDP would pay off) some lesser expensive ones offset the value. Then throw in the whole dessert appetizer argument (we'd much prefere an appetizer over a dessert or some combo of sharing them), and the DDP was at best a wash or only going save me a few bucks. That is just not worth it to be tied to my ADR's and not have the flexibilty to change up what, when and where we eat. I plan to spend the same $1,100 during my week at WDW and trust me, we are not gonna be eating pb&j sandwiches in our rooms, we'll be eating some awesome meals every day!!!

IMO, the best part of the dining plan is the convienence of paying for the meals upfront then not worrying about it. If you can get past that, I wouldn't worry about it if you are doing it soley to save $$...Many people report tremendous savings on the plan. But you really have to 'max out' to get it those savings...

 

[septbaby]

I am not a fan of the CS plan, but in this case it might be the right choice. The gift card alone won't feed this family for a week. DH wants pre paid meals. So using the gift card for those TS meals and using the CS/Snacks for everything else should work for this family. Now if they prefer TS everyday, then the TS plan is best and the gift card can be used for something else.

The CS plan cost $69 per day for this family. Substract out the 6 snacks per day, that leaves $50 for CS meals, meaning this family would spend $25 to eat a CS meal that include entree, drink, dessert item and taxes. I don't think its hard to get that value on a daily basis. In most cases an entree and drink is $10 at CS. I have added NO value for the resort refillable mugs, so if they use those its an even better deal.

By the way if DD only wants fries, use a snack credit for them or let her have the ones that come with your meal. You may find using a child CS credit at breakfast is a smart move too. Kids usually do well eating breakfast and are in much better "spirits" having had a good breakfast. Sharing one of your meals will probably work and then you still have her second CS for when she wants her "own". In 2007 pizza was an adult CS meal and not a child meal. Several times we ordered the pizza combo meal, nephew ate the pizza and I had the side salad. Sometimes he even shared the pizza with me.

If you decide to do another TS meal I highly suggest Coral Reef, but that can be a hard ADR to get. We were able to grab one for lunch and loved our meal. The aquarium will entertain your daughter and you and DH will be "served" a lovely meal.

 

[sweetiee]

We were counting on $200 gift card, about $125 in Disney Visa card rewards and a few little extras here and there that were bonus (online surveys and such). So we have about $400 of "free" money to use, although the $200 gift card can not pay for the dining plan.

DH does enjoy a nice TS every once in a while but I'm worried we won't get in. That was the most stressful part of planning our vacation, make the reservations.

I would like Coral Reef, but DH will not eat seafood and didn't like their menu. We have dined at 9 dragons before and liked it.
We had thought about going to some resorts and doing TS instead of the parks thinking that they might have more openings....
I"m going to call tonight...

 

[septbaby]

I would like Coral Reef, but DH will not eat seafood and didn't like their menu.

I'm going to call tonight...[/QUOTE]

Best thing you can do. Once you have ADRs then you can decide on the dining plan, though it seems you have enough "money" to feed your family for a week without the plan.

Sorry to hear that DH doesn't like anything on the CR menu. The steak gets prety high marks and of course there is always chicken.

 

[sweetiee]

We did it! I had DH sit down and decide what days we would go to each park. Then we plotted out what restaurants we would try for. He had a very patient person taking our reservations and we ended up with using all 7 TS..

Park=TS that day
AK=Trails End
HS=Brown Derby (2 TS)
MK=1900 Park Fare (breakfast, but I'm going to keep calling about dinner)
off day=Grand Floridian Cafe
EPC=Garden Grill (My DD request)
MK=Liberty Tree Tavern

I really wanted the dinner at 1900 for DD to see Cinderella. We have yet to meet her in person. But maybe something will open up. Now I'M the one that is excited knowing we have our week mapped out to some sort.

We added the DDP on after we made reservations.

For CS meals so far we want to do:

Arrivel night-CS at hotel
AK- Flame Tree (heard BBQ is awesome)
HS-
MK-
off day- might do Pepper Market
EPC-
MK-

Anyone have suggestions for good CS meals at HS, MK and EPC?

Thanks again for everyone's input. I really thought it would be a hassle but it took less than 2 hours for us to put it all together.

 

[DisneyDancin7]

at MK i LOVE columbia harbour house, and cosmic rays is really really good too! i also like backlot express at DHS

 

[septbaby]

We did it! I had DH sit down and decide what days we would go to each park. Then we plotted out what restaurants we would try for. He had a very patient person taking our reservations and we ended up with using all 7 TS..

Park=TS that day
AK=Trails End
HS=Brown Derby (2 TS)
MK=1900 Park Fare (breakfast, but I'm going to keep calling about dinner)
off day=Grand Floridian Cafe
EPC=Garden Grill (My DD request)
MK=Liberty Tree Tavern

I really wanted the dinner at 1900 for DD to see Cinderella. We have yet to meet her in person. But maybe something will open up. Now I'M the one that is excited knowing we have our week mapped out to some sort.

We added the DDP on after we made reservations.

For CS meals so far we want to do:

Arrivel night-CS at hotel
AK- Flame Tree (heard BBQ is awesome)
HS-
MK-
off day- might do Pepper Market
EPC-
MK-

Anyone have suggestions for good CS meals at HS, MK and EPC?

Thanks again for everyone's input. I really thought it would be a hassle but it took less than 2 hours for us to put it all together.

Congrats! Now you've got the hang of things and I hope your Cinderella wish comes true. Try for that meal either on that MK day or the off day. Moving an ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe usually isn't too much of a problem.

Are you planning to see Fantasmic? If so and its showing the night you're in DHS call back and see if you can get the HBD booked as the Fantasmic Dinner package there. That will give your reserved seating privledges and minmize the time you spend waiting in line for entry. Its possible that its all booked and you will just keep what you have. Maybe you already booked it as dinner package.

CS suggestions:

MK- Main Street Bakery. The sandwiches are pre made, and the desserts are eye popping, huge and delicious. Our 6yo chose an Uncrustable PB&J here. Take a peek in as you walk down Main St and you'll know what I mean.

MK - Cosmic Rays may appeal to your DH

Epcot - Sunshine Seasons is a food court so it will have the widest variety. If you want to try something different, just try any of the CS places in the World Showcase area.

DHS - We didn't try any of these places, but had Toy Story Pizza Planet on our list. We simply weren't hungry for a CS meal while in DHS. My nephew gave me the puppy dog eyes and had an Itzakadoozie popsicle for breakfast there. We had lunch back at the resort that day.

 

[gobo2]

Congrats! My fave part of the DDP is not even thinking about how much meals cost.
Good luck on 1900 Park Fair dinner. We go every trip. My advice. Keep calling. I called 6 times a day on one of our trips to get the ADR I wanted. You just never know and it was definately worth it.

 

[sweetiee]

Are you planning to see Fantasmic? If so and its showing the night you're in DHS call back and see if you can get the HBD booked as the Fantasmic Dinner package there. That will give your reserved seating privledges and minmize the time you spend waiting in line for entry. Its possible that its all booked and you will just keep what you have. Maybe you already booked it as dinner package.

We asked about the fantasmic package. They said they are not having it the night we go (Sunday). It surprised us since that is the extended hours day at HS.

I've always had a hard time finding "good" CS food at HS. We have eaten at Mama Melroses twice and used it last time for the fantasmic package. I've wanted to eat at the Brown Derby forever and now I will get to!!

We do like Cosmic Rays. And I'm sure we will go there for a CS one of the two days we go.

We are looking forward to the Flaming Tree at AK as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions. So much more fun to plan when I hear what other's opinions are. Our DD4 is SO excited. She loves Disney and the characters.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love the Dinning Plan

 

[septbaby]

Love the Dinning Plan

I second that emotion! Hey neighbor I'm a Philly native and spent many a weekends at the Cherry Hill Mall.

OP - Nice job now just go and have a great trip. Tell DH we are all very proud of his patience.