WDW Dining Plan

[JessNewbs]

I am looking at booking our package for WDW next week for May/June 13. I want some aussie opinions on the dining plans and whether they are worth while? DH is a big eater, I am a "regular" aussie eater and the kids are quite fussy and picky. I am wondering if we are likely to be paying more using the dining plan than what we would just paying for our own meals. Day time we would get quick service meals and probably most nights try out some restaurants!

 

[Andona]

Jess, I had the same questions as you a few months ago. We've been to WDW before but stayed offsite so we didn't have access to the dining plan that time.

This time I worked out where we would probably be eating and then used the menus at Allears ( http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm) to get an estimation of what we'd be likely to spend. When I compared that cost to the dining plan, the dining plan came out only slightly cheaper. However, it also includes the refillable mug which adds to its value.

I also factored in our families eating habits - DH doesnt eat dessert but our 15 year old DS always seems to want to order the most expensive thing on the menu!

I decided to go ahead and book the plan because I thought the convenience was worthwhile and it's nice to have our food paid for up-front. ( unfortunately we dont qualify for free dining as we're only staying for 2 nights this trip )

Maybe you could do something similar - if you know what ADRs you'll make and then have a look at the likely quick service restaurant menus for your lunches you should be able to get a good idea of what your food costs will be?

Andona

 

[Travel Mum]

I did luckily end up getting free dining on our trip but, when I first booked it, I booked the QS dining plan and had planned to do a couple of character meals and pay for the extra. For me it was a no brainer because, as long as I was going to break even, the peace of mind I got from knowing our meals were prepaid was worth it. I would have had a lot less fun if I'd had to pay for each meal and be worrying about how many $$ we were spending.

 

[Melbourne5]

We took a 40% off room rate at the grand Floridian in 2011 and paid for the dining plan. Benefits are peace of mind of an upfront price, better than break even on the deal when we added up all the costs. I think the psychological affect of not having to reach for a $20 every time you want a churro, bottle of drink, ice cream was also very satisfying. Downside if any is it doesn't include tips so this added up when you dined at TS venues....all in all I would do it again no worries for my melb 5!

 

[battymum]

Yep - Dining plan all the way ! You have to eat right? And Disney doesnt make it easy to eat outside of their property.

We had a "free" QS dining plan - and paid to upgrade to the regular. At the end of the week we had 1 TS 17 QS credits and 6 snacks left over - -

I dont know how this happened - we missed a couple of meals on our first couple of days as we were extremely jetlagged - DH couldnt get his head around it at first, so paid OOP.

Anyway if I crunched the numbers we probably would be better off paying OOP. (had we paid for it) but I would definitely opt for having the dinging plan again - even if we had to pay. Loved being able to say to the kids, if you want a drink or icecream - just swipe your card. We decided to have what we want and should the credits run out - then we would just start paying.

For me, I am quite miserly when planning a trip - just so I dont have to be when I am there. I loved not having to think about it and eating at beautiful restaurants was all part of the experience .

 

[ColinA]

How long are you staying at WDW.

 

[JessNewbs]

We will be staying for ten nights. I can't seem to find any room discounts anywhere and know we probably wont be getting the dining plan for free because we will be there in May. How did all of you that mentioned get the 15-40% off accomodation? I would love to find something cheaper.


Pretty sure from what everyone is saying that we will be going with the dining plan!

 

[Andona]

We will be staying for ten nights. I can't seem to find any room discounts anywhere and know we probably wont be getting the dining plan for free because we will be there in May. How did all of you that mentioned get the 15-40% off accomodation? I would love to find something cheaper.

For the last several years Disney have announced room only discount rates a few months in advance for several times of the year. You can find the historical info on the discounts that were offered this year ( and previous years) here.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#2012

The discounts have varied from 5% to 40% depending on the resort and the room standard in the resort. I was able to get 30% off our room rates at the YC this year. After booking the room I was able to add tickets and the Dining plan. They do have discounts for May-June this year so its possible they'll have them next year too, although there are no guarantees.

You could also look into renting DVC points to stay at a Vacation Club resort, that might be cheaper for you too. ( ColinA would be able to advise you about this I'm sure )

I suggest you take a look at the Mousesavers.com website - lots of info about saving money at WDW there!

Andona

 

[PrincessInOz]

I haven't personally tried it myself, but I understand that Allan's (cafeen) spreadsheet is a cracker for working out the benefits of a dining plan. I was going to take a look at it over the next couple of weeks to roadtest it.

If you're interested, the link is here.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2957235

 

[JessNewbs]

Thanks for all your help. I think what will let me down is that I get anxious if everything is not booked well ahead of time.

 

[Andona]

Thanks for all your help. I think what will let me down is that I get anxious if everything is not booked well ahead of time.

With the discounts that's not a problem. You can book your room now and if a discount comes out for your dates next year you can ring Disney and see if you can have the discount applied to your room.

Andona

 

[JessNewbs]

Wow thanks, I have never heard of them applying discounts before! Makes it hard to choose which resort when you're not sure if you will get a discount or what kind of a discount it may be though doesn't it? We were 100% sure on POR because we wanted to visit New Orleans and didn't have time. Now it turns out we have time because we dropped Hawaii from the trip (it was going to cost $4000 extra in flights) that New Orleans is now included in our trip!

I am now torn between AOA LM room or POR Royal Guest Room, hmmm another decision.....there are far too many!!

 

[Andona]

Wow thanks, I have never heard of them applying discounts before! Makes it hard to choose which resort when you're not sure if you will get a discount or what kind of a discount it may be though doesn't it? We were 100% sure on POR because we wanted to visit New Orleans and didn't have time. Now it turns out we have time because we dropped Hawaii from the trip (it was going to cost $4000 extra in flights) that New Orleans is now included in our trip!

I am now torn between AOA LM room or POR Royal Guest Room, hmmm another decision.....there are far too many!!

Have you seen this page on the WDW site? http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....mo&promotionCode=fy12q4room&market=fy12q4room

It gives a guide of the discounts that were offered for the Late summer/Fall discounts. They usually offer higher discount on the Deluxe and Moderate resorts than on the value resorts, and the really popular resorts ( like POFQ) may not get a discount at all. I somehow doubt they will be discounting AOA as it's new and is going to be hugely popular for a while.

I know a lot of people book the room/resort combo they want and when the discounts come out , if the discount on their room isnt available ( or is very small) they can then decide if they're happy to switch to another resort. We originally planned to stay at WL but the discount on WL was very small so we switched to YC instead.

I know what you mean about decisions! But they're all fun things to think about

Andona

 

[ColinA]

We will be staying for ten nights. I can't seem to find any room discounts anywhere and know we probably wont be getting the dining plan for free because we will be there in May. How did all of you that mentioned get the 15-40% off accomodation? I would love to find something cheaper.


Pretty sure from what everyone is saying that we will be going with the dining plan!

For a 10 day stay it is not worthwhile getting at least 1 annual pass. With the AP you can then get the TIW card and get the 20% discount on dining, IMO TIW works out better than the dining plan.

I would look at renting DVC points, stay in a deluxe resort for maybe less cost than a moderate.

Have a read of these sites and thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44392705#post44392705

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2756830

http://www.dvcrequest.com/dvc_rentals.htm

I can check dates and availability at the DVC resorts and tell you the points needed. If you look in the DVC rent/trade section of Disboards you can contact an owner there.

 

[JessNewbs]

I just looked into the DVC rentals ColinA. Have you used these before, are they legitimite? The prices look almost too good to be true?

 

[ColinA]

I just looked into the DVC rentals ColinA. Have you used these before, are they legitimite? The prices look almost too good to be true?

They are legit.

I only have the DVC points and have done lots of rentals, think I have done 7 this year, we had an excess of points. Most of the renters were in the US and did not even realize I was in Australia, some paid deposit by Paypal before I would make the booking. Normally do not hear of any problems. The going rate is around 10-11/point. Last time I looked David charged $13.00/point and you would be safe.

Believe me when I say I was inundated with enquiries from when I posted on the rent/trade section.

As I say I can check the points you would need and then you can calculate the cost. I just need the resort and the dates.

 

[JessNewbs]

I am thinking of staying at POR in a Royal Guest room from the 8th of May 2013 and checking out on the 18th of May. Hope this will be enough time!

 

[ColinA]

I am thinking of staying at POR in a Royal Guest room from the 8th of May 2013 and checking out on the 18th of May. Hope this will be enough time!

Sorry, POR is not a DVC resort. DVC resorts are Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Bay Lake Tower, Beach Club and Animal Kingdom.

Never enough time!

 

[JessNewbs]

Might have to look into those ones, I am always up for new suggestions. All of the resorts are just so lovely!

 

[JessNewbs]

Beach Club would be pretty amazing!