Universal Dining Plan - Worth it?

[dc1969]

Is it worth buying this for $20/adult? That seems awfully high for one meal and a snack but then I'm clueless as to how expensive food is in the park. I remember choking on DisneyLand prices way back. We plan on spending an entire day at both parks so we won't be leaving for meals.

 

[Metro West]

Is it worth buying this for $20/adult? That seems awfully high for one meal and a snack but then I'm clueless as to how expensive food is in the park. I remember choking on DisneyLand prices way back. We plan on spending an entire day at both parks so we won't be leaving for meals.

You'll need to check the menu prices before you decide. Some places won't be worth it but other places that charge a little more, might be worth it.

For example...I used to get two slices of garden pizza and a large Coke at Louie's and with my AP discount it was around $10. BUT...the other weekend I got the same thing and it was $15 with my discount. Prices have gone up because of the dining plan...my opinion only...so it may be worth it.

That said...there are plenty of entrees that are large enough to share so that would keep your costs down some. Thunder Falls Terrace has delicious meals that are large enough to split. Just keep that in mind.

 

[rowan555]

It's disappointing to learn they've raised prices - I thought the prices were pretty crazy already! My daughter would just as soon eat at Panda Express in City Walk, so we may plan on doing that mid-day on our two full park days.

We did the "old" meal deal in August on one of our park days, and my daughter ended up eating so much she was sick the next day. I'm not sad they got rid of the all you can eat plan, but I wish they'd figure out another way to go about things that didn't result in two pieces of pizza and a soda costing $15. That's INSANE.

 

[mum of two pirates]

that some of the restaurant's were not participating in the plan. Like the New Harry potter restaurant. So you should check into that also.

 

[macraven]

we bought the counter dining plan at the 3 B's, parry hotter main restaurant.

the plan is only good if you know what the prices are for other places.


the rib/chicken plate at the 3 B's was $14.99 and it included a drink.

you get one snack and beverage credit left on your dining plan card that must be used within 14 days from the date you first used it.

frozen butterbeer was about $5.
this is considered a snack.
soda is about $2.50.

using the dp the way we did, we came out ahead by about $5.00 as the entree includes a drink.


my ap allows a 10% discount so the dp was a better savings that day.

my past trip i bought the counter dining plan three times and did come out ahead each time.
check damo's thread about the food/meals to see some of the prices.

don't remember if allears has UO food prices.

check the UO website for participating places in the park and city walk.

 

[Thetechguy4you]

We think it was.

 

[schumigirl]

Is it worth buying this for $20/adult? That seems awfully high for one meal and a snack but then I'm clueless as to how expensive food is in the park. I remember choking on DisneyLand prices way back. We plan on spending an entire day at both parks so we won't be leaving for meals.

I will say we would never be interested in doing any meal plan.......just doesn't appeal to us.......so I'm not much help to you there.

But I will disagree that prices are too expensive in the parks. They're certainly not crazy!!

We find prices very reasonable in the parks and we eat well when we're there. Confisco Grill, Thunder falls, Louie's, Blondies and Mythos just as an example all have excellent food at very reasonable prices in our opinion of course.

Have a look at damo's thread and check some prices there of places you may like to eat.

Also I know you said you don't want to leave the park during the day, but it's very close to walk out to Citywalk, plenty of choice there to eat too

Hope you have a great time

 

[damo]

When you check the meal sticky, unfortunately many of the counter service prices have recently been raised, so use that with caution.

I'm not going to the parks until September, so I can't personally do any updates but if anyone else is there and can take some photos of the counter service menus, it would be a big help for us all.

 

[wiigirl]

that some of the restaurant's were not participating in the plan. Like the New Harry potter restaurant. So you should check into that also.

Thats a good point.

 

[macraven]

that some of the restaurant's were not participating in the plan. Like the New Harry potter restaurant. So you should check into that also.

they accept the dining program at the 3 B's.
that is where i bought mine last month.

 

[tweak89]

The new meal plan shares quite a bit of similarity to Disney's plans. We tried their version once (for the wife and I). Frankly, it was just too much work to try and get the most out of it. If I remember correctly, we broke even. Looking back we would have saved money by paying as we went.

Think about it this way, they designed the meal plan to MAKE money. They know most people won't take the time to research to make sure they come our ahead. No major corporation it out to give anything away, especially money!

 

[SCannon75]

What does AP stand for??? Sorry I'm new at this...

 

[damo]

What does AP stand for??? Sorry I'm new at this...

annual pass

Here's a good reference sheet for you: http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[SCannon75]

Thanks so much!!