2012 Dining Plan: My Family's Verdict

[DisneyPrincess5]

I totally agree and it sounds like we are similar to your family. We don't get appetizers or sodas or desserts really so we've always felt the dining plan was a waste for us and didn't fit our habits.

 

[sgtmgd]

I must think differently than a lot of people because it never crosses my mind to see if the DP is worth the money. The only thing I think about is the fact that the entire trip is paid for - hotel, food & tickets and only needing to bring money for tips and souvenirs. This way if we are having a bit of a rough time in the finances dept. we are still going to WDW and enjoying great meals throughout our stay but maybe fewer souvenirs. We will NEVER go without the DP.

Another plus is since there is enough food offered we are all encouraged to try something new without worrying about leaving hungry. I tried zucchini blossoms stuffed with marscapone cheese with a sweet corn purée - absolute heaven! I would never have even considered it otherwise if we hadn't been on the DP.

I also love all the planning that goes into picking the places where we eat on each trip and everyone gets a pick of one place they want to go back to or new place to try. And finally we try a slew of new restaurants on each trip, too. I just feel like the DP allows us a great deal of freedom when we go, something I'm not sure we'd have as much of if we had to save and pay out of pocket.

I concur..its more the convienence of having it paid for vs the cost...in the end I feel most people will make numbers fit into what they need them too in order to justify their desired outcome. I think the Free Dining plans help alot of families afford trips they might not be able to make otherwise..for us...I like having the Deluxe Dining Plan..and having it paid for..again more of a convinence thing than a financial one..much like an all inclusive stay in the Carribean...I also feel like Ill try different items on menus that normally Id shy away from

 

[tink65]

The very first time we had the DDP I kept track of the total cost. For our family of 3 (DD was considered an adult) the total cost was about $1100. This was also way back when the DDP included tip and gratuity. We would never spend that much money without the dining plan but would probably not experience some of the great restaurants we were able to visit either. We have been fortunate to have the DDP free every year since 2005. However, if Disney was not offering the free dining promotion our family would probably still purchase the dining plan for convenience sake. We like knowing everything is already taken care of beforehand and we can eat where we want and what we want without first looking at the price. I am one of those people who will let my family eat whatever they want and I'll be the one ordering chicken when I really want filet mignon! LOL

 

[Mot]

Our last visit in 5/12, we saved every receipt for food and snacks and compaired it to what we spent using the Dining Plan. We found that you pay almost exactly the same amount, so there is no savings. We most likely if not having purchased the DP we would have not had the desert portion of the meals. What I do like about the DP is it is all paid for and it is something I do not concern myself about.

 

[wiigirl]

I enjoy it for convience and I think all in all it saves money for our family of 4, or atleast helps us keep on budget.