What's the catch?

[MouseEarsJenny]

After making my advance reservations today for my June trip, I added up menu prices I found on-line. Then I looked at the package I'm booking. This is what I came up with:

Dining Plan: $576

Boma : $91.50
Chef Mickey's : $103.26
1900 Park Fare: $103.26
Liberty Tree Tavern: $90.60
San Angel Inn (assumes cheapest entree, drink, no appetizer or dessert): $74.31
Mama Melrose (Fantasmic Package): $100.74

6 Dinners - NO SNACKS, NO LUNCH: 563.67

Whoa. I don't think I'm gonna be getting six days of lunch and snack for four people for $11! I'm just shocked that the dining plan seems to actually save money - when I took my last vacation in 2002, I remember the plan being highly exorbitant. Am I missing something??

 

[LIFERBABE]

Did you add in Tax and Tip to your costs?
The Dining plan covers tax and tip also allowing for a greater savings.

If you plan to eat TS each night and it looks like you have, your savings can be significant.

In you situation with that itinerary, I would go for the DP.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

No, you're not missing anything! Years ago, there used to be "extras" in the Disney packages that most people really didn't get a chance to use, but since the MYW packages came out, you can actually save money, especially if you book through AAA or some other discount. We just did the dining plan a few weeks ago, and we saved a TON! You come out better and get the most for your money if you use the plan for dinners, not breakfasts. We paid OOP for breakfasts and used all of our plans for dinner, including the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose's. All in my group were actually saying "You mean we have to eat AGAIN?" There was so much food that on our next trip I think we're going to use our TS credits for things like HDDR so we don't have to eat so much! Happy planning and have a great trip!

 

[kittythepoohbear]

LOL! I admit thinking the DP was too good to be true when I first heard of it, but it really is a great deal. We got the free DP when we went in Sept. and now my bf refuses to go to WDW without it. We really enjoyed a lot of great meals and saved a lot of money. On Disney's end, I guess that for most people it comes out just around even. The CS meals are on the inexpensive side (for Disney anyway) and the character meals and buffets are (unless you are an 'adult' 9 y.o. ) a reasonable set price. Where you can really save are the TS meals, especially if you enjoy the higher end foods. I'm a vegetarian, so my entrees where decently priced, but my bf loves steak and seafood. It really allowed him to enjoy his meals without having to worry about budgets.

Enjoy!

Kat

 

[paslea_pooh]

for the people on the dining plan or can you order Anything off the menu's....When we bought the Fantasmic Package at Mama Melroses we had to pick from a certain menu and it was that extensive of a menu and we wound up not being happy with that meal or restaurant at all!!!

Also, if you only use the credits for TS don't you lose money if you are paying for stuff oop?


Or can you save up your CS or snacks and then get a TS?

 

[3princesses4us]

Great, isn't it?!

 

[kerry34]

We were never hungry when we had the DP. We ended up with CS and snack credits left over and ended up with a bunch of stuff for the drive home. I couldnt believe how much food we consumed over the whole trip. I would definately go with the DP again. Totally worth it in my book.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Awesome! I'm glad it's as good as it seems. Course now I have more questions from your replies... *grin*

Do they add a decent tip for the servers, or should we be tipping them on top of the dining plan? For example, when we have a birthday party or something at a restaurant at home, the restaurant adds a gratuity because of the party size, but it's usually like 14% where we would normally tip 15-20%. So often in those situations, we end up leaving extra for the server if they're nice. Should we plan on that at Disney?

Also, you can book the packages with dining plan through AAA? I thought they did their own packages, not Disney's....

LOL at "We have to eat again?" We're hoping to avoid that by eating lunch early at around 11-ish and then all of our dinner seatings are at 6:30.

Thanks for all the input! It's nice to babble here cause I'm bouncing with excitement and can't say anything to my kids - it's a surprise trip!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Oh, *blush*. I just found all my answers on the sticky thread about the dining plan. What a dork! Sorry!

Apparently, my brain is already ON vacation.

Also, I thought it was $38 per adult per night and it's $35, so my dining plan is actually $540. Looks like I saved money just with dinners! This is gonna be cool.

 

[3princesses4us]

Actually I think you were right the first time. When that sticky thread was done, it was $35 per adult. As of this year, I believe it is $38 per adult- still a great deal IMO.
As for tipping, if it's great, we leave more. If not, I don't worry about it since it's built in.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The tips range from 15% to 18%.

Most TS restaurants automatically added in a 18% tip.

15% for Character Meals and I believe HDDR and Beaches N Cream.

If we received great service, we tipped extra, but it is not required.

 

[budbeerlady]

This is why we love the plan!!! In a way disney does to, they have your money and know you spent it in their parks/resorts.