Vegetarian and just returned from using Dining Plan

[Elmo888]

I'm not sure that I would do the Dining Plan again, as a vegetarian. I haven't crunched the numbers, but it seems like your main course at a TS place needs to be around $20 to break even or come out ahead (someone correct me if I'm wrong) before appetizer and dessert, and most veg main courses seemed to be around $16 max (I think that the Fett. Alfredo at Alfredos was $19, but that seemed to be an exception). Any thoughts?

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I've done the dining plan and I don't eat any meat. I will eat seafood though. I think the dining plan is so worth it. I always find plenty to eat at buffets, and usually there is a vegetarian dish on the menu. Ohana was great with plenty to eat with the shrimp. Counter service usually has a vegetarian sandwich or burger. The vegetable sandwich at Backlot Express in MGM was delicious. I had it this past December. Also, it's great to have it all paid upfront, tip and tax included. I usually leave extra tip if the server is really good.

 

[thunderbird1]

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian (eggs and dairy okay, no meat, poultry or seafood) who did 10 days on the DDP last year, and I agree that the DDP is not as big a financial windfall for vegetarians as it for the carnivores. But it's still a good deal, IMHO.

For example, one of my favorite meals was at R & C. I had a fruit and cheese plate: $9; vegetarian entree: $13; and the sticky toffee pudding: $5. So far, only $27, but then you factor in the soft drink and tea they included (can't remember the prices, but let's be conservative and say $5 for those) and now we're up to $32 ($40 after tax and tip). Toss in a CS meal from CHH (1/2 sand & soup, soda & cake + tax =~ $13) and a dole whip float ($4), and my total for the day was 2 pounds. I mean, $57 (I don't do that other equation until after I get home ). So the savings was only $18. Like you said, not as great a deal, but still a deal.

Could I save a little more by skipping the DDP? Yes, if I order less food, but the real savings to me with the DDP is in knowing that everything is already prepaid, I won't come home to any big bills (except the one I can only pay off on the treadmill), and I can enjoy the indulgence of having appetizers, desserts and snacks, since it's the same price either way.

 

[pezpam]

I'm with Thunderbird..... I've done the DDP as a vegetarian and it was a great deal. The DDP cost a LOT less than the food I ordered using it. The DDP also cost less than the food I would have ordered if I wasn't on the plan. I'm not going to give up my savings just because someone else's savings are larger.

 

[LizinSTL]

I'm not sure that I would do the Dining Plan again, as a vegetarian. I haven't crunched the numbers, but it seems like your main course at a TS place needs to be around $20 to break even or come out ahead (someone correct me if I'm wrong) before appetizer and dessert, and most veg main courses seemed to be around $16 max (I think that the Fett. Alfredo at Alfredos was $19, but that seemed to be an exception). Any thoughts?

If you aren't ordering an appetizer, dessert and beverage, maybe. But in order to "break-even" on the ddp, your ts credit should be about $26..tax and tip included. If you are traveling with others who do eat meat/seafood, etc or especially with children, you are absolutely saving money.

 

[ZekeKelso]

$16 entree + app + dessert + tax + tip + CS meal + snack is still going to come out well over $38

 

[Fibbersfan]

Did 18 nights on the DDP this past august. I don't eat any meat...including fish! The plan was definitely worth it for me. I researched the restaurants ahead of time and tried to pick places that offered a lot of veggie selections. Also, I could recommend that the chef come up with something in most restaurants. When I added it all up...I came out well ahead!

 

[thunderbird1]

Did 18 nights on the DDP this past august. I don't eat any meat...including fish!

We did 10 nights last August, hoping for 14 this next August. But 18 nights--I'm so jealous! I think that makes you the resident expert. Not to hijack this thread, but what were your favorite TS's? I liked R&C, Le Cellier (much to my surprise) & WCC, but am looking for suggestions for our next trip.