What do you think about the dining plan?

[Tigger113]

 

[3princesses4us]

I love it! It gives us the chance to eat at places we normally wouldn't and once we sit down I don't worry about who orders what and if they waste food.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think it's a great value for most people.

 

[Mariposa]

Love it, love it! We saved a bundle last Nov. (It wasn't free, but there was a discount.) And it was soooooo nice not having to think about how much every little meal was costing us.

 

[mking624]

I voted that I don't know how I feel about it.

We'll be getting it for frree this September, so in that sense, I love it! Hey, free food is always awesome!!

But if we had to pay for it, chances are we would not do it. And since we haven't actually used our free dining plan yet, I can't say that it's a really good option for people. Maybe I'll have a more definitive answer once we use it and I have firsthand experience with it.

 

[rsschneck]

I think it is a GREAT deal. We usually eat a CS and a TS each day. This way we will be able to try whatever we want ( apps., entrees and desert) without checking the price tag!


If it is too much food then I will just push my plate away.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Voted that I don't care for it--at least enough to participate. Much happier with DDE.

 

[Nancyg56]

It was a bargain for my family. We enjoy family time at teh end of the day, so we would have scheduled our TS meals anyway. This way the majority of our food bill was taken care of before we even arrived.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thumbs down. Doesn't fit our needs. Too many reports of food being wasted or of overeating. Impacts ADRs. Crowding in some restaurants to the point that if you don't call within a few days of 180-day mark, you can't get an ADR (we do plan that far ahead but many don't). Many posters feel service has eroded due to DDP. Hard to argue that it's of a good cost benefit to many families, but it further complicates and overstresses an already busy part of the Disney experience--dining.

 

[kldmom2000]

We had no intentions of getting the Dining Plan for our upcoming trip... but after we booked, they came out with the promotion, so we decided to opt out of the AAA discount on the YC room (only a savings of $55 a night) and get the free dining since it would save us substantially more. I don't know yet how I feel about it-I lost over 115 lbs and watch very carefully what I eat. I think that the plan itself allows for too much food consumption-guests will want to feel as though they're getting their money's worth (esp. those who are not getting it free) If I had to pay for it out of pocket, I don't think I'd get it because I definitely would not be eating that much food each day-too much opportuninty to gorge yourself!!! At least it's free so I can opt out of the dessert or appetizers w/o guilt I refuse to ever wear anything bigger than a size 6 again!!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Thumbs down. Doesn't fit our needs. Too many reports of food being wasted or of overeating. Impacts ADRs. Crowding in some restaurants to the point that if you don't call within a few days of 180-day mark, you can't get an ADR (we do plan that far ahead but many don't). Many posters feel service has eroded due to DDP. Hard to argue that it's of a good cost benefit to many families, but it further complicates and overstresses an already busy part of the Disney experience--dining.

I don't understand why food has to be wasted. Just because something is included doesn't mean you have to order it.

My son and I only ordered what we knew we would eat. There were plenty of times we skipped dessert or appetizers. Even without ordering all the items included with the plan, I still came out ahead.

I love the dining plan.

 

[CheshireVal]

Thumbs down. Doesn't fit our needs. Too many reports of food being wasted or of overeating. Impacts ADRs. Crowding in some restaurants to the point that if you don't call within a few days of 180-day mark, you can't get an ADR (we do plan that far ahead but many don't). Many posters feel service has eroded due to DDP. Hard to argue that it's of a good cost benefit to many families, but it further complicates and overstresses an already busy part of the Disney experience--dining.

These are my feelings, too.

 

[DVCJEN]

Thumbs down. Doesn't fit our needs. Too many reports of food being wasted or of overeating. Impacts ADRs. Crowding in some restaurants to the point that if you don't call within a few days of 180-day mark, you can't get an ADR (we do plan that far ahead but many don't). Many posters feel service has eroded due to DDP. Hard to argue that it's of a good cost benefit to many families, but it further complicates and overstresses an already busy part of the Disney experience--dining.

I agree! I think service has been effected.

 

[ReneeA]

I think it can be used to suit anyone's needs. It may be too much planning for some, but for us, it's worth it.

We will probably end up splitting most of our meals with our kids (4 & 3), and eating where and when we want to. If you get 2 meals for the four of us, it's not an overwhelming amount of food to eat in one sitting, and then you have credits left for signature dining. Also, if we get 2 breakfasts plates and split them, then 2 lunches to split, it's 3 meals a day, and nobody stuffs themselves or goes hungry waiting for the meal.

We also didn't "maximize" the plan last year, just ate when and where we pleased. We also only ordered what we could eat and gave up dessert when too full. Either way, our receipts added up to $925.00 and the dining plan would have cost us $560 (If we hadn't been there for free dining). Not much food went to waste at all, and we still had credits on our card when we left.

 

[GC&S]

We always eat at TS so it's great for us. We will always do the dining plan - love not having to worry about food money and tipping while on vacation!

 

[momandseandodisney]

I love it! It gives us the chance to eat at places we normally wouldn't and once we sit down I don't worry about who orders what and if they waste food.

my thoughts exactly, I am looking forward to it in Sept. Though I am not going to waste any of the food!

That is the one thing I do not like about the dinning plan (esp. when free) I find there is alot of wasted food!
We were there last year when free dining was, though we did not have it and paid OFP for all food, and to me it just seemd like so much food was thrown out!

 

[AussieAngel]

When it's free... who can complain!?

 

[dizfam4]

We loved it! Got to try lots of new restaurants!

 

[2nd childhood]

I like the fact that everything is already paid for before we go into the restaurant. I like knowing an exact amount to budget for food. It's nice to be able to tell the kids to get whatever they want. It's a good way to get them to try new places to eat too.

 

[Esmerelda]

I guess when I hear the term "free" dining plan...I think of free. The dining plan is NOT free at all. By the time you would pay rack rate for a room, then your park tickets...and then the $37.99 per day per adult charge...let's face it folks...its not free. I priced out all of this...and having a better room rate...a ticket...and maybe just the DDE card 20% discount...well...you get the picture I'm sure. Myself, nor my family have any interest in this package. We much prefer to eat whenever and whereever we wish...that what vacation is all about to me...total relaxation.

I remember last year the first thing almost any wait staff would ask us was "are you on the dining plan"...(a few even with a tone of sarcasm might I add). I finally got to the point that I would first say Hi then quickly inform them we were just there to eat...we had NO plan...LOL

nuff said,
Esmerelda