torn between dining plan/no dining plan

[sweetdana]

we often use the snack credits for breakfast. It helps to get rid of some of them as well on the DP.

bagle and cream cheese is DD6s daily.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We did the dining plan the first few years after it was introduced. (We were one of the first to use it, because I can remember none of the restaurant cast members knew how to process it on that trip.)

We've since converted to the TIW card, and have never looked back.

At the beginning of the plan, our problem with it was keeping up with all the food. That was back when every person got an appetizer, entree, and dessert. As the restrictions and reductions started to change the dining plan (and the restaurant menus), it reached the point where it was no longer a value to us. By being on the plan, we'd lost flexibility. Meals became more about "what do I have to eat (to use all my credits)" or "what am I allowed to eat (because of the restrictions)" instead of "what do I want to eat."

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

LOL, that's what I get for not reading the entire thread. The vacation's already over and I'm still giving advice.

 

[Suger Mag]

We do not like it, so much food, and now that my daughter is 10 she is an adult, even though she eats very little, so the cost is not worth it to us now.

 

[Serkazong]

Check the menus for your restaurants and figure what you might spend.

Do the same using the TIW discount.

The dining plan can at times save you money if you are going to eat one QS and one full service per day.

It works for some and not for others and sometimes it comes out even and it does then become about convenience.

There are quite a few items at Food and Wine that will be covered as snacks.

When we get it, I don't worry about too much or the dessert. I look at it like a buffet, I eat what I want.

Do this ^

We tried a trip without the DDP and I'll never do it again. It drove me nuts spending $330.00 on one meal when we could've paid $240 for the DDP for that entire day including a counter service and a snack.

But a counter service + a sit down meal per day is perfect for my family. When I make a spreadsheet of what we would possibly order for the day and compare it to TIW, the DDP works out in our favor. Maybe it will for you, or maybe it wont.

 

[Golden Rose]

We almost never do CS, maybe one or twice in a week long trip, and we do a lot of signature restaurants. For us, the best value is almost always the TiW, occasionally the DxDDP, and on our recent vacation, we had actually had both for 2 nights. We actually had to explain to our waiter at Jiko how to charge the meal to the DxDDP, and the alcohol and extra flatbread to the TiW. It worked out in the end, and saved us a lot of money, but it took a lot of time explaining how to do it to the waiter.

Anyway, the TiW can be a great value, and gives a lot of flexibility, as the OP learned. But using the different dining plans can make a lot of sense, particularly if you are traveling with young kids. We'll probably quit using anything other than the TiW when our DS turns 10, but for now, it is an extremely good bargain for him.

 

[lovin'fl]

I'd say get the TIW card and scrap the DDP. That's what we are doing in Dec and we'll even be there 12/24 and 12/25 which are dates the TIW cannot be used. That way everyone can order what they want...a salad or just apps...no dessert...etc. The DDP doesn't save any $$ really...it's more a break even thing. I miss when apps and tips were included.

 

[BrerNashville]

I've found that when I'm not doing character meals, the TIW card is by far the best deal. By deal, I mean not only the cost, but also the freedom to order what you want from the menu rather than what will give you the best "value". When we would do the dining plan, I would think, "since i've bought a meal, why should I eat at the Plaza in MK rather than the GF Cafe, b/c I'm getting a better "deal" eating at GF Cafe."? Even though on that day, I may want just a salad at the Plaza. No way I'm eating "just a salad" at my table service meal. Not to mention feeling like you have to eat those cardboard brownies at the counter service stations b/c it's paid for. I can't tell you how many unopened, melted brownies we've thrown away at the end of a trip, b/c we never got around to eating them all -- but by golly we were going to save them b/c we paid for them.

With the TiW card, I order what I want and only what I want, and if I feel like Surf and Turf at Narcoosee's, I know (1) it's 20% discounted, and (2) I had an $8.00 salad the night before, so a little splurge won't hurt.

If you (and each member of your family) are one of those people who has an appetite to eat the most expensive thing on the menu at each restaurant every day of your trip, the DDP may make sense. The other situation where it makes some sense is if you are doing a lot of character meals. Better to get the $25 buffet for a 4 year old on a meal plan rather than out of pocket. Otherwise -- save yourself the hassle.

 

[dizfan]

I may be mistaken, but I don't think Teppan Edo honors TIW.

 

[leanne2255]

It would be great if the TIW card was available to everyone, but it's not. You either have to be a Florida resident or an annual passholder. Neither applies to us. We buy multi-day, no expiration, park hoppers, and may get 3 years of trips on those, so the annual pass is not for us.

Just back, and the DDP is too much food. You feel like you are forced to eat it all because you paid for it. I used 4 credits at Brown Derby for lunch, and only wanted the Cobb Salad, which is an appetizer. Server agreed to count it as an entree. This was not a good use of the plan, but it was our last day, and we risked losing 4 TS. I didn't mind using them for something I really wanted at a restaurant we love.

I think the DDP decision is a personal one. Saving money should not be the over riding consideration, but whether or not you like the convenience of pre-paid meals.

 

[LattNJ]

I may be mistaken, but I don't think Teppan Edo honors TIW.

It doesn't, and I don't think Yak and Yeti did either. We ended up canceling Teppan Edo to do food and wine, and I think Yak and Yeti took the annual pass or the dvc member card for a 10% discount

 

[rocketriter]

Some years ago we tried the dining plan with our two elementary-school-aged children, when the plan was structured a bit differently than it is now. Yes, we did not like gorging ourselves at every meal to make sure we got our money's worth. But there was another funny side-effect that we never anticipated. On this trip, our kids discovered lobster, crab, prime rib and filet mignon. It was all covered by the plan and seemed like a fun treat. But then we came home and the little oinkers started demanding those foods in the house and at restaurants. Yikes! We do say "no" all the time, but to this day the kids still have an expensive tooth for the good stuff!

 

[quinnc19]

I agree with Dean that it really depends on the details. I will consider in the DDP in the future for a short or split stay (more flexibility/value per day), especially during F&W (because the snack credits are so worthwhile) and if I'm staying at BWV (because I find the CS meals there tasty, convenient, and a good value).

 

[emmababy]

We have done the ddp every trip but not anymore. 6 years ago, it was 36.99 and included tip and appetizer. Now it is $52 and 15 for kids, which is a huge increase.

Next trip we are not eating ts everyday and will pack some more to eat in room.

 

[lovin'fl]

We have done the ddp every trip but not anymore. 6 years ago, it was 36.99 and included tip and appetizer. Now it is $52 and 15 for kids, which is a huge increase.

Next trip we are not eating ts everyday and will pack some more to eat in room.

Our 1st time with the DDP was 4/2005 and it was a great deal...apps, entre, dessert, drink and tips for your TS and app, entre, dessert and drink for your CS plus another snack to boot...all for $36.99/day and our 3 kids were under 10 then...so we paid like $10 for each of them. I could...maybe...stomach $47/day, but $52.... And I don't care if it comes with the re-fillable mug now...we have 10 of those dang mugs already, don't need anymore. And it's not all that convenient to go get a soda.

 

[Dean]

I agree with Dean that it really depends on the details. I will consider in the DDP in the future for a short or split stay (more flexibility/value per day), especially during F&W (because the snack credits are so worthwhile) and if I'm staying at BWV (because I find the CS meals there tasty, convenient, and a good value).

The previous versions with the appy and tip included were certainly a better deal for us, as they would be for most people, but we are still able to get a real value from all plans for the right situation. Everyone should look at their specifics but one of the mistakes I see people make is to look at what they would have pain OOP and use that as their level of saving. This is a false impression unless one would have order the same things without the DP.

 

[majortom1981]

Its still a good deal if you do a table service meal every night. I was hoping to avoid getting the dining plan in January but once you add a couple of table service meals for your vaca it makes the dining plan worth it.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

It doesn't, and I don't think Yak and Yeti did either. We ended up canceling Teppan Edo to do food and wine, and I think Yak and Yeti took the annual pass or the dvc member card for a 10% discount

Confirming this - we just got back 10 days ago, and Yak and Yeti did not take TIW.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I am leaving for Christmas and what I estimated, its $100.00 less if I do not do the Regular Dining plan. That is because I am doing TS for both Breakfast and Dinner. I don't want to do Deluxe and its a waste to do Dining plan and pay OOP for other table service meals.

It was much better when the appetizers, desserts were included.

$45.99 is still a good deal for DVC but I think OOP is the way to go now.

 

[limace]

For me, one of the biggest perks of DVC is not having to ear out three meals a day. I don't like to do that without kids-with small kids, eating in a restaurant three times a day is misery. My 2 year old is starving immediately when he wakes up, and would have a very hard time waiting for us to get ready. Plus, he's 2=restaurant hell. I love good food, but I also like to cook-so grocery delivery+ eating out when we wanted to (not because we had to) worked really well for us-plus saved a buttload of money.