Who else hates the Dining Plan

[crisi]

To be fair, I draw a big distinction between ordering something (like an appetizer) and eating only a few bites of it, versus taking three of something from a buffet and only eating one of the three. One of the great benefits of the Dining Plan is that you can order appetizers and desserts, even though you normally wouldn't, and enjoy experiencing something special like that, without being a glutton. You can eat just enough to get the experience, and leave the rest. If you're concerned about the "wasting" of food, the food isn't even "wasted" in that case: It was prepared for your enjoyment and you did enjoy it.

That's the trick with cruising as well. The portions on a cruise aren't huge, but there is plenty of food and even with the small portions, you don't need to eat all of it.

The difference is cruising or a true all inclusive is that you paid for the meals as part of the package, no incremental cost. So you don't really feel you need to eat "$40" of food to get a bargain, so you can pass on an appitizer you don't want. With the dining plan, since you paid for it, most people are DETERMINED to get their money and more out - I paid for this dessert, and even if I'd be content sharing my spouse's, darn it, we are all getting dessert. Still gluttony abounds on a cruise (I'm guilty of it).

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

My dh caught on early in his cruising experiences that the portions were not to his liking. He took to ordering 2 and even 3 meals at a time. The one and only time I requested an extra (shrimp) I was told they were out.

He is now concerned that not all of our Free Dining meals are all you can eat but I have assured him that I will have plenty leftover from my meals so that he will NOT starve to death.

BTW, I am fat, he is not. Life is NOT fair!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[fitzperry]

To be fair, I draw a big distinction between ordering something (like an appetizer) and eating only a few bites of it, versus taking three of something from a buffet and only eating one of the three. One of the great benefits of the Dining Plan is that you can order appetizers and desserts, even though you normally wouldn't, and enjoy experiencing something special like that, without being a glutton. You can eat just enough to get the experience, and leave the rest. If you're concerned about the "wasting" of food, the food isn't even "wasted" in that case: It was prepared for your enjoyment and you did enjoy it.

ITA with this. We did the dining plan last October, with dh and myself and our 6 and 2yo dd's, and thought it was a good value. We're returning in November, and my parents are also joining us.

Last night I sat down with some of the menus from allearsnet and prepared a rough estimate of what we might spend without the dining plan. I included very few desserts, because we typically don't order them when we eat out, or we at least share. I also figured on my step-mom or me ordering an appetizer or salad as our meal at the TS restaurants, because we both do that frequently, and on my dd's sharing a kids meal, because our younger dd (who we'll have to pay for on the plan this time) still likes to eat off our plates.

Bottom line is we would still spend less with the dining plan. There is no way on God's green earth I could finish a full appetizer, entree and dessert in one meal, but I do enjoy being able to order something that I might not try if we were paying oop. And, dining plan or no, if there's nothing that interests me, I won't order something simply because I've "already paid for it."

 

[Figment2]

Just got back and had several problems with reservations. None of us use the dining plan but a couple of us do have DDE. Since we go so often we tend not to pre-plan. We usually know the day before or make up our minds that day where we want to eat. On Sunday (5/7), we couldn't find table service anywhere near or in the MK (including WL) between 5:00 & 7:00 for 6 people. Monday morning I tried to change our reservation for 6 at Brown Derby (4:50pm) to 7 and couldn't unless I wanted to eat later. Yet there were about 10 empty tables at BD including a large one. Apparently there are now more no shows (we asked our server).

I think it only polite that if you aren't going to use your reservation to cancel it. What the answer is, I don't know.

Cyn

 

[PrincessTrisha]

If the cost is $37.99 for one adult day on the DDP.... the "I paid for it so I have to eat it (app/entree/des)" doesn't really make sense.

For instance, when DFi and I went last time (2003) we paid for our meals as we were staying offsite.

Day 1 (for me only)
Snack: turkey leg and coke...cost approx: $7(using current WDW pricing)
drink: counts as a snack: $2.50

Lunch: Cosmic Rays Combo: $8.99 currently
drink: another $2.50....no desert
total: $11.49 (would count as 1 CScredit)

Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern
Main: Patriot Platter thing: $27.99
Coffee: $3.49 (counts as 1 TS credit)

Total for the day: 45.47 that is $7.48 OVER the cost of one day on the DDP...and I didn't order all of the stuff that the DDP includes for each meal.

So, I figure for us, we would pay more than the DDP if we paid OOP, for less food. Therefore, we get the DDP and don't feel any pressure to actually ORDER all of the food that is included...I suppose for some people the whole "I paid for it so I have to eat it" thing comes back to wanting to get the most for their money. I figure I'm already saving money, so there is no need to feel like I have to eat it all.

Just my .02 cents..or more precisely, my $7.48

I couldn't agree more -

If you want to eat healthy and still use the dining plan and get "your money's worth" you can easily break even.

Snack: Water $2.00
CS lunch: Peco's Bills - Chicken Salad $6.39 + Bottle of Water $2.00 with tax = $8.90
TS Dinner: Tony's town Square - Salmon & Risotto $23.50 - with a diet coke $2.20 with tax and tip $32

Day total = $42.90

No over indulging - and you still at least break even. This is really what convinced me to get the dining plan for this upcoming trip where it is just my mom and I as even if we skip the extras (which I am sure that we will enjoy a few because after all it is vacation), we still end up at least breaking even - if not a little ahead.

 

[pperfectmom]

I have never stayed at WDW and have only been 3 times in my entire 37 years. The only reason we can afford to go now is because of the great deal with free dining . I'm a stay at home mom of two very small children and I am so excited to be able to take them to WDW and let them be treated like a prince and princess. I can't wait to see their faces when they get to eat with Pooh and Mickey. That said, I am looking forward to eating like a queen. We have ADR's for several character meals and Le Cellier and Coral Reef and I intend to take full advantage of Disney's generosity. My family has very healthy eating habits at home and I don't think a week's worth of gluttony will destroy our overall health. We will definately be getting apps AND desert, and, believe me, my DH and I can sure put it away! Luckily we will be doing lots of walking and running after two toddlers. This may be the only chance we ever have to use the plan and I appreciate this wonderful opportunity.

 

[traviesojmt]

I have never stayed at WDW and have only been 3 times in my entire 37 years. The only reason we can afford to go now is because of the great deal with free dining . I'm a stay at home mom of two very small children and I am so excited to be able to take them to WDW and let them be treated like a prince and princess. I can't wait to see their faces when they get to eat with Pooh and Mickey. That said, I am looking forward to eating like a queen. We have ADR's for several character meals and Le Cellier and Coral Reef and I intend to take full advantage of Disney's generosity. My family has very healthy eating habits at home and I don't think a week's worth of gluttony will destroy our overall health. We will definately be getting apps AND desert, and, believe me, my DH and I can sure put it away! Luckily we will be doing lots of walking and running after two toddlers. This may be the only chance we ever have to use the plan and I appreciate this wonderful opportunity.

I hope that you have a great time.