Dining plan complaints

[Laura]

Thanks for the help! I tried to do some math on my own and the dining plan was definitely less expensive than the annual pass 20% discounts when I added it all up. So I guess it depends on what discounts come out this summer whether or not it would be worth it. I can also get a shades of green overflow rate if I don't use a package so who knows.

 

[jesserin]

Glad to help! Keep me updated with what you choose - I'm curious to see how many people end up choosing the Dining Plan..

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Wow... I'm happy that someone started this thread about the dining plan. I have been absolutely deluged with questions about whether or not it's worth it. Also I am asked about feedback. I'm happy that finally we have some. I have seen only a small amount.

I hope that we can hear from more people who have had experiences that can share both the good and the bad experiences.

Pam

 

[Laura]

It's easy to say that it's worth it.

For example, here's a day for a family using the dining plan (2 adults, 1 child)

Lunch - Cosmic Ray's
Adult #1 - 1/2 lb. bacon double cheeseburger with fries - $7.29, coke - $1.99
Adult #2 - 1/4 lb. hot dog with fries - $5.69, coke - $1.99
Child #1 - Mini corn dogs with carrots, applesauce, and drink - $3.99
Tax - $1.36
Total - $22.31

Snack - not sure how much snacks are, but let's assume $2 for each snack, so $6.39 for the 3 family members including tax.

Dinner - Chef Mickey's
Adult #1 - $26.99
Adult #2 - $26.99
Child #1 - $11.99
Tax - $4.29
Tip (15%) - $10.54
Total for dinner - $80.80


Grand total for lunch, snack, and dinner for family of 3= $109.50
Grand total for 1 day of the dining plan for family of 3 = $89.20 (includes tax)
Amount saved in just one day = $20.30

Take that $20.30 saved and use it to buy a good breakfast each morning! There's no denying the dining plan saves money!

 

[jesserin]

Laura - you also didn't include dessert for lunch - add a brownie or icecream to that and you'd add on another $5-8!

Also, the character meals tend to be on the low end of the pricing - for example:

Dinner at Rose and Crown: for the same family:

Adult #1 - Grilled Prawn Appatizer - $9, Roasted Chicken Meal - $17, Apple crumble dessert - $5, Coke - $2. Total for Adult #1 - $33

Adult #2 - Ceasar Salad - $6, Rose and Crown Steak and Prawn Meal - $20, Creme Brulee - $5.50, Coke - $2. Total for adult #2 - $33.50

Child #1 - Grilled Chicken Meal - $6.50, Ice Cream Sunday - $2.50 - Total - $9

Grand Total - 75.50
Tax - 6.00
Tip - 12.30 - (15%)
---------------------
Total - $93.80

Using the same counter service restaurant - you'd end up saving $33 in one day - not to mention, those weren't even the most expensive items on the menu - you could potentially save a whole lot more!

The dining plan on the whole is a great way to enjoy Disney dining at it's finest - on a normal family budget!

 

[Mustangjohn]

I'm feeling much better Now

I just became a guest here and after hearing some of the negatives, I was starting to rethink my dining option choice. With a family of 4 I wanted to prepay as much as possible. I am glad to get so much info clearing up many questions that I too had. This will be my families first real vacation in 10 years and I want it to be GREAT! Now I feel so much better, thanks for everones input.

Mustangjohn

 

[wannabeBelle]

I just became a guest here and after hearing some of the negatives, I was starting to rethink my dining option choice. With a family of 4 I wanted to prepay as much as possible. I am glad to get so much info clearing up many questions that I too had. This will be my families first real vacation in 10 years and I want it to be GREAT! Now I feel so much better, thanks for everones input.

Mustangjohn

Welcome to the Boards John!!!! Im sure the dining plan will be fine!!! Have a wonderful time and please dont forget to ask us if you have any questions regarding your up and coming trip!!! Belle

 

[Kwit35]

Okay, here is my complaint. When I called Disney Reservations to get the Dining plan, they told me just to request it when I checked in at AKL. So, the day came to check in and when I requested the Dining package, they told me I had to request it ahead of time. I told them that I was just following the directions I was given over the phone, but they would not let us participate since we had not reserved the package. I realize it was not the fault of the people checking us in, but we were only doing things they way we were told to do them and we were penalized for it. They said they would check into why we were given the wrong information, on the phone, but that didn't help us on that particular trip. Still had a great trip, but would have liked to have tried out the Dining Package.

 

[Mustangjohn]

Thanks Belle, I have been eavesdropping on these boards for a few days and it is amazing how many helpful things I have learned. This is a great way to share ideas and tips. I look forward to reading and participating in more!!!

 

[JPVonDrake]

Okay, here is my complaint. When I called Disney Reservations to get the Dining plan, they told me just to request it when I checked in at AKL. So, the day came to check in and when I requested the Dining package, they told me I had to request it ahead of time. I told them that I was just following the directions I was given over the phone, but they would not let us participate since we had not reserved the package. I realize it was not the fault of the people checking us in, but we were only doing things they way we were told to do them and we were penalized for it. They said they would check into why we were given the wrong information, on the phone, but that didn't help us on that particular trip. Still had a great trip, but would have liked to have tried out the Dining Package.

Sorry to hear you were given miss-information by the Disney Reservation Center. To help clearify, the front desk of a Disney Resort can only book or extend a rack-rate room-only stay for a guest standing infront of them. The resort itself cannot book or modify a room prior to the guest arrival. The resort also cannot book or extend a discounted room rate reservation. Lastly the resort cannot modify or book Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation Packages at all.

All vacation packages must be booked or modified by the Disney Reservation Center at least 3 days prior to arrival. All packages booked or modified within 44 days prior to arrival will incur a $10 special handling fee and may incur a $50 change fee.

Hope this Helps! :sohappy:

 

[wannabeBelle]

You are welcome John!!! Yeah I like to think we are some of the best info on the web!!! Belle

 

[Goofette]

Sorry to hear you were given miss-information by the Disney Reservation Center. To help clearify, the front desk of a Disney Resort can only book or extend a rack-rate room-only stay for a guest standing infront of them. The resort itself cannot book or modify a room prior to the guest arrival. The resort also cannot book or extend a discounted room rate reservation. Lastly the resort cannot modify or book Walt Disney Travel Company Vacation Packages at all.

All vacation packages must be booked or modified by the Disney Reservation Center at least 3 days prior to arrival. All packages booked or modified within 44 days prior to arrival will incur a $10 special handling fee and may incur a $50 change fee.

Hope this Helps! :sohappy:

Thanks for this information. It's good that people are aware before they show up.

I hope others who use this plan let us know how they liked it. Laura22, thanks for giving us examples. It's a bit easier to figure out when you see it written down like you did it. I hope the ones who have a bad experience aren't afraid to come out and say what went wrong also. I would like to hear from both sides. Plus, one persons bad experience can help save another from having the same thing happen.

Good Thread!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

sorry to regenerate this thread, but having done my sums, some of the figures quoted dont add up.

Mousesavers quotes the real cost of the dinning option at $39.95 per adult slightly more than used in easrlier posts.

Having trawled through menus available on line I have found it hard to come to that total, even harder when i picked things my teens would actually eat. The only savings I could see were on the gratuity.

However to take the dining paln we have to buy magic your way packages, so no AP discount on accomodation and as I can get a 14 day ticket for $270 it starts to look less and less atractive.

Once you factor in a Disney dining discounts available with an AP it realy does look like a bit of a ripp off.

 

[jesserin]

Actually Mousesavers is wrong (rare, but it does happen ) The dining plan is only $35 per adult and $10 per child... that's from Disney - not mousesavers.

There are ways in which the plan is a great deal - and then for some it's not so hot... since y'all are going for 14 days and might snack and eat counter service more than sit downs - the Discount and AP plan might be better for you... Hope it all works out - it's good that you did your homework and now know what's going to save y'all money! Have fun on your trip!

 

[wdwfairy]

I hate to go off topic..but I'm really confused about the dining options in the Premium Plan (3 sit-down meals a day). Does the Dining Plan and the Premium Plan have the same list of participating restaurants?

 

[DebbieB]

Actually Mousesavers is wrong (rare, but it does happen ) The dining plan is only $35 per adult and $10 per child... that's from Disney - not mousesavers.

I've read that when Disney adds the cost to the package, they add tax. So maybe that is where $39 comes from. Since the cost is buried in the package total, it's hard to tell.

There is a footnote on mousesavers:
>>>*Note that for some reason Disney applies the full resort tax (not just sales tax) to the dining plan portion of your vacation package. Once you add tax, the actual cost of the dining plan at most Disney resorts is $39.03/day per adult and $11.15/day per child. At the All Star Resorts, which are in a county with a higher tax rate, the full cost with tax is $39.55/day per adult and $11.30/day per child.<<<

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