who has regretted getting the dining plan?

[havoc315]

Hi Margot,


In your case, you're just adults. And you probably won't be hitting up too many character meals. So I would not get it. However if you just like it because it's convenient, prepaid, etc, then there is no harm in getting it. Worst case you come out about 10% over on the spend. In other words it's not going to make or break your bank. With 2 meals we'd be ordering more appetizers and more alcoholic drinks and enjoying fewer sodas and desserts, so I'd not get it if I was in your shoes and going with just two adults.

Argument goes both ways --- Best case scenario with the DDP, you save 5-10%. Meanwhile, you are discouraged from ordering the appetizer that you really wanted as your entire meal, discouraged from getting the alcoholic drink you wanted, and getting a soda that you don't want instead...

Agreed that the "harm" is minimal, but in both directions. If you get it, you might end up over spending by 5-20%. If you don't get it, you might be missing a chance to save 0-10%.

 

[Minniesgal]

We have only had the dining plan once and we hated it.

Far far too much food. There is no way we would choose to eat a CS and a TS in the same day. Also having meals pre-paid meant we had to go and couldn't cancel if we weren't hungry. We were so sick of food when we went home it wasn't true.

We will never ever do a dining plan again. We go OOP spend about half the cost of the plan and eat what we want.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

So I am down to 101 days before my trip. I keep going back and forth on getting the regular dining plan. I have used that page someone else posted but it didn't fully take in some of the other things the plans include. So I felt as if the number was not fully correct.

After taking a look at the all ears menu pages I feel like maybe the plan is a good idea.

When its just my husband and I in the past we didn't do the plan but we also drove to disney and were able to bring our morning breakfast and coffee with us in the car. Now we live further and driving.

I have done the plan before when my whole family went down and it was nice but just for my husband and I, I am not really sure now.

Has anyone regretted getting the dining plan? I see the snack, quick service and 1 ts being just perfect for us but I don't know if its really worth the cost since we are not doing a package for this trip.

We are doing 3 character meals & Hoop De Doo Revue - with the discount we received for Stay, Play & Dine, we will certainly save $$.

 

[dogdoctor]

Go through a couple days *realistically* looking at the menus... Consider where you would likely eat, and what you would likely order. Don't order based on the dining plan, order based on how you would honestly like to eat while you are there. Then plug it into the meal plan -- figure out which things you wanted are covered, which aren't covered. And whether it saves you money or not.

Great advice. We will be sitting down these next few days and doing just that. I had though originally that the plan was a great idea...but these posts have shed some new light on the matter.

 

[havoc315]

Great advice. We will be sitting down these next few days and doing just that. I had though originally that the plan was a great idea...but these posts have shed some new light on the matter.

About 5 or 6 years ago, the plan was under $40 per person. It's now over $60. While menu prices have increased, they haven't increased as nearly as fast as the DDP price.

Disney "discounts" and "packages" and "plans" need to be re-examined on a rolling basis. What's a good deal at first, may become a bad deal later on.

But let me give you 2 DDP demonstrations:

It's $60 per night. It does not cover alcoholic drinks, appetizers, or tips. Let me demonstrate 2 days of dining for less than $60, with no skimping:

Day 1, spending the day at Magic Kingdom:

Let's start our day with a character breakfast, as Crystal Palace. So we get early entry into the park, etc:
Cost: $25-$30 depending on time of year.

After a huge buffet breakfast, let's just grab a sandwich and bottled water for lunch...
Cosmic Rays has a chicken sandwich for $11, bottled water for $2.75. Let's round up and call lunch $15

Now, if you were on the dining plan, you would be out of meals. But let's assume you still want a QS dinner:
Let's go to Casey's corner, get a hot dog meal and a soda. Price = $12.

And let's assume you want something sweet during the day, and get $4 ice cream cone.

With no dining plan, the total cost is: $56-$61, depending time of year.
With the dining plan... well, the dining plan would only cover 1 out of the 2 QS meals. So with the dining plan, you would have to pay OOP for one of the QS meals.
So with dining plan, it would be $60+12 (the cheaper QS meal), for a total cost of $72.

Day 2, let's head over to DHS:
You can say I cheated at Magic Kingdom by using credits for breakfast, what a waste!
So now, I'll stop at the Writer's Stop, and get a Danish and coffee for breakfast.
OOP cost, about $7. If I was on the DDP, I could use a snack credit for 1 of the items, and pay cash for the second item. Or I could use a QS for up to 3 items.

Lunch, let's do TS:
Mamma Melrose:
Let's get the Margherita flatbread. $15.
Let's get a soda -- $3.
Total lunch: $18

Let's do another TS for dinner! on the meal plan, we are limited to 1 TS, but let's splurge and do a second one!
Let's really splurge and get an appetizer! Onion rings for $7!
Entree of meatloaf for $17.
And dessert of an ice cream sundae for $5.50
Throw in a soda for $3..
dinner was expensive: About $33! Of course, the onion rings wouldn't have been covered on the DDP.

OOP is easy math: $58. $2 cheaper than the DDP, and we got 2 TS meals out of it!
But now the math gets tricky if we wanted the same food out of the DDP.. We could have used our QS credit for the breakfast.... Used the TS credit for the dinner, and pay OOP for the lunch and for the dinner onion rings. So when done, the DDP would have cost $85, though you would still have 1 snack left.

As you can see, I'm not being "cheap" -- I'm allotting very generous meals, without any regard to the meal plan, and the meal plan is ending up being much more expensive than just paying OOP. If I really wanted to make it look much worse, I could actually order an appetizer as my meal (which we do sometimes), or I could have tap water as my beverage (which we do sometimes) or have an alcoholic beverage as my beverage (which we also do sometimes). If I did any of those things, the price differences would get even bigger.

 

[dogdoctor]

The trick for us will be that we are 2 kids and 2 adults that have not been to WDW since the late 80's. We're also doing 3 character meals - BOG (Dinner), CRT (Lunch) and HDDR Dinner.

Where can I find the prices for the different plans?

 

[havoc315]

How old are the kids?
the plan MIGHT pay for you. Prices should be in a sticky on the top of this board... But you would be looking at either the regular plan ($60 per person) or the deluxe plan ($110 per adult)
For children under 9, it is $19 for the regular plan and $29 for the deluxe plan.

Children typically save at least a few dollars on the plan.

Actually, looking at it again, you probably wouldn't save money. CRT lunch costs, out of pocket: About $60 for lunch. On the dining plan, you would have to use 2 TS credits. (You get 1 TS credit per night) (children $35-$40)
BOG would be 1 credit per adult: You can look at the menu, dinner would likely run you $30 - $40.
HDDR: $60 to $68 depending on seating category, and would cost you 2 credits per adult. (Children $30-$35, and 2 credits)

Adults are paying $60 per night -- Comes out to approximately $35 per TS credit, $19 for QS credit, $4 per snack credit, and $2 per day for the soda mug
So if you use 2 credits for CRT lunch -- You are spending $70 worth of credits, for a $60 lunch.
At HDDR, you are spending $70 worth of credits, on a $60-$68 meal.
And at BOG, it depends what you order... You will likely get your $35 worth, but not by much.

But the kids would save a bit... the break down for the kids is more like, $2 for the soda mug, $4 for the snack credit, $6 for the QS meal, and $7 for the TS meal. So as you see, if your kids are under 9... they are saving somewhat significantly on those meals.

Generally speaking, 1-credit character dinners are good "savings" under the dining plan. But 2-credit meals are usually horrible wastes under the dining plan. Almost all breakfasts are massive wastes under the dining plan. Regular TS lunches and dinners..... depends on what you order, and if you want dessert with every meal or not.

 

[sharonabe]

How old are the kids?
the plan MIGHT pay for you. Prices should be in a sticky on the top of this board... But you would be looking at either the regular plan ($60 per person) or the deluxe plan ($110 per adult)
For children under 9, it is $19 for the regular plan and $29 for the deluxe plan.

Children typically save at least a few dollars on the plan.

Actually, looking at it again, you probably wouldn't save money. CRT lunch costs, out of pocket: About $60 for lunch. On the dining plan, you would have to use 2 TS credits. (You get 1 TS credit per night) (children $35-$40)
BOG would be 1 credit per adult: You can look at the menu, dinner would likely run you $30 - $40.
HDDR: $60 to $68 depending on seating category, and would cost you 2 credits per adult. (Children $30-$35, and 2 credits)

Adults are paying $60 per night -- Comes out to approximately $35 per TS credit, $19 for QS credit, $4 per snack credit, and $2 per day for the soda mug
So if you use 2 credits for CRT lunch -- You are spending $70 worth of credits, for a $60 lunch.
At HDDR, you are spending $70 worth of credits, on a $60-$68 meal.
And at BOG, it depends what you order... You will likely get your $35 worth, but not by much.

But the kids would save a bit... the break down for the kids is more like, $2 for the soda mug, $4 for the snack credit, $6 for the QS meal, and $7 for the TS meal. So as you see, if your kids are under 9... they are saving somewhat significantly on those meals.

Generally speaking, 1-credit character dinners are good "savings" under the dining plan. But 2-credit meals are usually horrible wastes under the dining plan. Almost all breakfasts are massive wastes under the dining plan. Regular TS lunches and dinners..... depends on what you order, and if you want dessert with every meal or not.

It's good to see you again, havoc!!

 

[fireman1]

I like the convenience of the DP, BUT, it's getting pretty darn expensive to have it. I just checked on the price of a room, tickets and DP for three people for 4 days, 5 nites at pop, ( two adults, one child ) it was 2,600 without DP, 3,100 with. I'm gonna have to think about it.

 

[smiths02]

I'm worried about the DDP too. We have 3 kids, ages 3-9 and 2 are very light eaters, so I'm worried that we are paying for extra food that won't be eaten. If we are non-DDP, would they be able to share meals at TS restaurants?

With 3 children still at children pricing, you have a much better chance of coming out ahead. At non-buffet/AYCE places...places where you order off a menu with different prices, yes your children could share. I do have to say that some of the kids meals were barely big enough to split between my two (small) 2 year olds when we went. Also, what if they don't want to eat the same thing? AND you have to buy them their own drinks anyhow. Also, at buffets, you can't share, the price is the price no matter how little they eat.

 

[sharonabe]

I like the convenience of the DP, BUT, it's getting pretty darn expensive to have it. I just checked on the price of a room, tickets and DP for three people for 4 days, 5 nites at pop, ( two adults, one child ) it was 2,600 without DP, 3,100 with. I'm gonna have to think about it.

I think I would take that $500 figure and go peruse the menus to see what you could really eat for that amount for four days. My bet is you can eat at least 6 TS meals in that time frame with QS for the other meals and pay for the tip with that amount.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have only had the dining plan once and we hated it.

Far far too much food. There is no way we would choose to eat a CS and a TS in the same day. Also having meals pre-paid meant we had to go and couldn't cancel if we weren't hungry. We were so sick of food when we went home it wasn't true.

We will never ever do a dining plan again. We go OOP spend about half the cost of the plan and eat what we want.

You only eat eat one meal a day at Disney? Do you bring food in with you? I could not go, go, go walking 7-10 miles a day without a good solid 3 meals.

 

[fireman1]

I think I would take that $500 figure and go peruse the menus to see what you could really eat for that amount for four days. My bet is you can eat at least 6 TS meals in that time frame with QS for the other meals and pay for the tip with that amount.

I checked. by not using it, with the places we're planning on eating TS at, QS, etc, we would actually spend about 30 more out of pocket. I was pretty shocked.

 

[havoc315]

I checked. by not using it, with the places we're planning on eating TS at, QS, etc, we would actually spend about 30 more out of pocket. I was pretty shocked.

So overall, OOP cost you $30 more than using the plan? So practically no difference...

Remember when checking, would all the items you included, be included under the dining plan?
For example, if your total of $530 included a couple of appetizers or alcoholic drinks, they wouldn't be covered by the DDP anyway. If your total included more than 5 1-credit TS meals and 5 1-credit QS meals, then they wouldn't be covered. (For example, if you had 4 regular TS meals, and 1 meal at Cinderella's Castle, then 1 out of those 5 meals wouldn't be covered anyway as you are in excess of the credits).

But I'm not shocked if you would save $30 by using the DDP. There certainly are combinations and situations where it will save a few dollars. I just think it's rare that it will save more than 5% (which is what you're seeing it seems), while it will often cost you an extra 5-20%.

 

[havoc315]

You only eat eat one meal a day at Disney? Do you bring food in with you? I could not go, go, go walking 7-10 miles a day without a good solid 3 meals.

There is a difference between 3 meals per day and 1 TS per person, 1 QS per person, 1 snack per person, and 2 desserts per person, per day. Yes, I'll routinely eat 2-3 meals per day at Disney.... But I may share an entree at times, or I may order an appetizer as my meal. Depending on a lot of factors, I may or may not do a sit down meal every day. And my family of 4 would never go through 12 desserts per day (1 dessert per person per meal, plus a snack per person per day).

 

[Minniesgal]

You only eat eat one meal a day at Disney? Do you bring food in with you? I could not go, go, go walking 7-10 miles a day without a good solid 3 meals.

No we don't bring food in to the parks. If having a TS dinner we might grab a muffin about 11am we do have cereal in the room for breakfast. If we have a TS lunch we usually don't eat again all day. 3 meals a day is way to much food for us especially if one is a big CS then a full TS. We never eat like that. I just find if we have a CS we don't enjoy the TS as we are not hungry enough. Typically with the way we eat we spend half what the DDP would cost us and we do quite a few signatures

 

[DisneyHardin]

No we don't bring food in to the parks. If having a TS dinner we might grab a muffin about 11am we do have cereal in the room for breakfast. If we have a TS lunch we usually don't eat again all day. 3 meals a day is way to much food for us especially if one is a big CS then a full TS. We never eat like that. I just find if we have a CS we don't enjoy the TS as we are not hungry enough. Typically with the way we eat we spend half what the DDP would cost us and we do quite a few signatures

I'm sure the dining plan is a total waste of money based on your dining habits. In your day to day life, you only eat one meal and a small snack like a muffin too? I'm impressed. I guess I probably wouldn't be Pooh sized if I ate like that

 

[DisneyHardin]

There is a difference between 3 meals per day and 1 TS per person, 1 QS per person, 1 snack per person, and 2 desserts per person, per day. Yes, I'll routinely eat 2-3 meals per day at Disney.... But I may share an entree at times, or I may order an appetizer as my meal. Depending on a lot of factors, I may or may not do a sit down meal every day. And my family of 4 would never go through 12 desserts per day (1 dessert per person per meal, plus a snack per person per day).

I'm not sure why you quoted me with your response. My response was to Minniesgal who said that 2 meals a day was too much food.

 

[Minniesgal]

I'm not sure why you quoted me with your response. My response was to Minniesgal who said that 2 meals a day was too much food.

Too much food for me Not in general

I tend to only have one full large meal a day some cereal In the morning and soup for lunch then a full meal at night.

Whereas at Disney of we have a CS lunch it ends up being piZa or a burger with fries and a dessert ( yes I know I don't have to eat it all but of its there....) that really doesn't leave me room for another full meal again that day.

I didn't mean I only eat 1 meal a day but we would Not eat a big CS a big TS and is it 2 snacks all in the same day.

 

[dogdoctor]

Generally speaking, 1-credit character dinners are good "savings" under the dining plan. But 2-credit meals are usually horrible wastes under the dining plan. Almost all breakfasts are massive wastes under the dining plan. Regular TS lunches and dinners..... depends on what you order, and if you want dessert with every meal or not.

Kids are 8 and 5. My wife sat down and looked at menus on Thursday night and calculated what we would reasonably eat. With the DDP to cover what we expect to eat, we were at $1200. OOP we were only at about $920 and not feeling like we are forced to eat our way through Disney. I don't think $280 difference is worth the convenience of having the DDP given how much everything else already costs.