disadvantages to dining plan

[JimboJones123]

For us, it works great when it's free, like it has been the past 2 years. But we would never pay for it. Most of our sit down meals are for breakfast, we hit several character meals a trip, and you are not really even breaking even at that point. So if you plan on DINNERS at sit downs, and lunches for counters, it's a great deal. Otherwise, you could find yourself just barely breaking even, and paying for sitdown meals that you might not even go to anyways. For a 10 day trip, we usually go to 3-4 big breakfasts, and maybe 1 other sit down. So the dining plan would be about 2X what our normal food bill would be for the 10 days. Besides, we are pretty good at sharing between the four of us, and don't like throwing food away if we are paying. But again, if it's free -- give me DDP anyday!

 

[yazmin182]

So, if you eat at a table service meal and spend a total of 25 dollars, that leaves about 12 or 13 dollars left for your other meal and snack. If you eat at a counter service place like, say, Pecos Bills in Frontierland, I doubt you will be paying 12 dollars per person. Probably more like 7 or 8.

Usually, you will spend much more than 25 dollars per person at a table-service restaurant. It comes with an appetizer, entrée, drink, dessert, tax and tip! It will be at least 30 dollars, and if you go to Le Cellier or Les Chefs De France for example, it can be around 50 dollars per person.

Also keep in mind that when you get a counter-service meal, it also includes dessert which is a nice extra that most of us don’t indulge in.

Pecos bill menu:
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_pec.htm
Average price with meals, drink, dessert and tax: around 12-13 dollars.

As much as they talk up the dining plan, I have concluded that it probably just isn't worth it, unless you plan on eating at several of the higher priced table service places which still require one credit. (Some of the REALLY expensive ones require two credits, or don't participate in the dining plan at all) Otherwise, at best, it comes out about the same as just paying for the meals individually, in which case, there is no point in wasting your time with the dining plan. At worst, you are paying more per day than you would if you simply paid individually for each meal.

And, of course, it is only worth it if you plan to eat at a full service place each day of your visit. If you are just as happy to eat at the burger joints for every meal, then the dining plan won't do anything for you.

You do not have to eat at table-service everyday. You can use 2 credits to eat at a very nice restaurant if you want. Or you can use it for a breakfast buffet at 1900 Park Fare for example.

You’re right, if you plan on eating burgers everyday then the dining plan is not for you. But if you want to experience new restaurants and amazing food and save money, then it is for you! I will never go without the dining plan, even if it’s free or not, it’s def. worth it.

 

[yazmin182]

Besides, we are pretty good at sharing between the four of us, and don't like throwing food away if we are paying. But again, if it's free -- give me DDP anyday!

You do not have to throw away the food. You can always split your meals between two people. I did this at Le Cellier and it was great and they are really nice about it.

 

[JimboJones123]

You do not have to throw away the food. You can always split your meals between two people. I did this at Le Cellier and it was great and they are really nice about it.

Yeah, when we are paying, we usually get 2 meals, an ap or a dessert. The kids just share w/us. Trust me, we are really good at splitting at Disney.

 

[JimboJones123]

Splitting already has us at 13 table reservations for our 10 day trip in OCT plus a Hoop-Dee-Doo. Go--Splits -- Go-Go---Go-Splits!

 

[I Love Pluto]

We're on a vacation - which means a chance to "get away from all of the scheduled stuff in our lives".

WHY would anyone want to stick to a schedule on a vacation? :veryconfu

No - the meal plan is not for us.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

WHY would anyone want to stick to a schedule on a vacation? :veryconfu
.

to avoid standing in lines, or having temper tantrums when told that the resturant has a 2 hour wait time thanks to all those with ADRs.

remember the 6 Ps!:drevil:

 

[yazmin182]

We're on a vacation - which means a chance to "get away from all of the scheduled stuff in our lives".

WHY would anyone want to stick to a schedule on a vacation? :veryconfu

No - the meal plan is not for us.

As someone already mentioned, if you plan on eating at a table-service restuarant, you need ADR's, if you are on the dining plan or not.

 

[sbkline]

Since there are different price ranges on the table service meals, I assume that whether or not the dining plan is worth it, depends on which table service places you eat at. I have a list of 6 table service eateries that we are thinking about eating at, so could someone tell me if they think the DDP would be worth it for those places?

Tony's Town Square
EPCOT Italy
Garden Grill
Coral Reef
Chef Mickey's
50's Prime Time Cafe

Originally, we were gonna pick 3 more as our vacation was going to be for 2 weeks, with 9 nights at the Disney Resort. But we have trimmed off most of the non-Disney stuff, and a day or two of actual Disney and settled for a Monday-Sunday morning stay, so I guess that would only be six nights.

 

[JimboJones123]

For dinners, YES. If you are using the DDP for breakfasts, and even lunches, it can be hard finding value. Coral Reef and Italy, great deals. Tony's and 50's prime are around the break even point with meals around $16-17. Chef Mickey's and Garden Grill, for lunch -- not really a great deal, but if you would rather have your sit downs in the evening, you are spending around 30ish bucks for buffet tax and tip per person. That means 7 bucks or so pays for your snack and counter. Counter w/o drink/dessert alone costs at least 7 for burger and fries or chix basket.

 

[shoppingnut]

50's prime are around the break even point with meals around $16-17.

That would just be for the entree price, don't forget you have to add a soft drink, tax and tip. Also this leaves no room to order the all important item at this restaurant the SMORES dessert!!!!

 

[Senderella]

That would just be for the entree price, don't forget you have to add a soft drink, tax and tip. Also this leaves no room to order the all important item at this restaurant the SMORES dessert!!!!

See that's what we do. We order the drinks, entree, dessert & appetizer even if we don't finish them. The tip is going to reflect 18% of the total so I'm going to make sure I order what I can to make sure the server gets their full tip. It's all included afterall so why skimp? We don't feel the need to stuff ourselves silly because of all the food. We get things to try out and sample them. Dh gets something and I get something different so we can have bites of each others things. That's one of the points of vacation right? To try new things? I'm a picky eater normally, but when I go to WDW I give everything a fair shake and try new things.

 

[drp4video]

We have never used it for all the reasons already mentioned:

1. Too much food
2. Too much planning
3. too much time eating

We try to eat as quick as possible, which means mostly counter service, as we we would rather spend time doing things at dis than eat. Also, DD and I tend to share meals sometimes as we don't like to eat a lot, then ride. Also, we are more spur of the moment. I will make maybe one or two seating reservations in advance SOMETIMES. But even last Christmas I found that just for 2 people, we were able to get dining reservations at the parks the very day we were there.

We only usually do seated dining on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve., or if we are there in summer, maybe once on a whim. And then there are the times we eat outside the park on occassion, in a a more relaxed and less hurried atmoshere.

 

[meatloafsfan]

Since there are different price ranges on the table service meals, I assume that whether or not the dining plan is worth it, depends on which table service places you eat at. I have a list of 6 table service eateries that we are thinking about eating at, so could someone tell me if they think the DDP would be worth it for those places?

Tony's Town Square
EPCOT Italy
Garden Grill
Coral Reef
Chef Mickey's
50's Prime Time Cafe

Tony's Town Square - cheapest entree is $18.99 + $2.20 for a drink with tax and tip = $26.38 so if you order nothing else and spend $12 on your counter service and snack you come out at least even (and really - are you going to order the cheapest thing?)

Italy - cheapest entree is $18.50 so again if you order a drink and spend $12 on your counter service and snack you come out even.

Garden Grill - dinner is $27.99 + tax and tip = $34.85 so you need only spend $3.15 on your counter service and snack to come out even that day (you could spend that much just on a snack).

Coral Reef - cheapest (non vegetarian) entree is $20.99 with a drink and tax and tip = $28.85 so you need only spend $9.15 on counter service and snack.

Chef mickey's is the same as the garden grill.

50's Primetime Cafe - the least expensive entree is only $13.29 + drink and tax and tip comes to $19.28 so that day to break even either you would need to order and appetizer OR a dessert OR spend $18.72 on your counter service and snack (which believe me you can do!)

Even if you order the least expensive entrees, no appetizers and no desserts, you will probably come out at least even (if not a little ahead) with the restuarants you have chosen.

Good luck in your decision - I am sure that either way you'll have a great trip (and many good meals).

 

[sbkline]

Tony's Town Square - cheapest entree is $18.99 + $2.20 for a drink with tax and tip = $26.38 so if you order nothing else and spend $12 on your counter service and snack you come out at least even (and really - are you going to order the cheapest thing?)

Italy - cheapest entree is $18.50 so again if you order a drink and spend $12 on your counter service and snack you come out even.

Garden Grill - dinner is $27.99 + tax and tip = $34.85 so you need only spend $3.15 on your counter service and snack to come out even that day (you could spend that much just on a snack).

Coral Reef - cheapest (non vegetarian) entree is $20.99 with a drink and tax and tip = $28.85 so you need only spend $9.15 on counter service and snack.

Chef mickey's is the same as the garden grill.

50's Primetime Cafe - the least expensive entree is only $13.29 + drink and tax and tip comes to $19.28 so that day to break even either you would need to order and appetizer OR a dessert OR spend $18.72 on your counter service and snack (which believe me you can do!)

Even if you order the least expensive entrees, no appetizers and no desserts, you will probably come out at least even (if not a little ahead) with the restuarants you have chosen.

Good luck in your decision - I am sure that either way you'll have a great trip (and many good meals).

Thanks. That's quite helpful. :wave:

 

[yazmin182]

Thanks. That's quite helpful. :wave:

But you do get the appetizer and dessert so you will def. break even because those are usually around 10 dollars together!

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the dining plan! enjoy it!

 

[kachow]

I hope some of the people complaining about ADR's and having to plan ahead realize that having to make ADR's isn't just for people on the meal plan. If you want to eat at one of the good sit down restaurants you pretty much have to make one, or be willing to wait, or be willing to find a second or third choice if the restaurant is not accepting anymore walk ins. If you don't want to eat at a good sit down restaurant then no the meal plan isn't for you. Some people go to WDW to try to milk every hour in the parks, while others enjoy the varied dining experience there as well. To each their own.

 

[JimboJones123]

Yeah, going to lunch and finding they don't have an opening until 9:50 really puts a damper on the day. ADRs only for us. We have waited 2+ hours to many times. Even with ADRs you can easily still find yourself waiting 30-45 minutes.

 

[meatloafsfan]

But you do get the appetizer and dessert so you will def. break even because those are usually around 10 dollars together!

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the dining plan! enjoy it!

I was pointing out that even without appetizers and desserts it would probably still be a good deal.

So many people state that they don't normally all order an appetizer and a dessert (maybe they order one or the other, or they share a couple between the family). Even with this it is very easy to still at least break even on the dining plan.

I have just noticed a trend lately about people reading one or two posts on a subject and based on the subjective opinions of another unknown / anonymous person, they change their plans.

I know that the dining plan won't work for everyone but if you are not an AP holder / florida resident or are not eligible for another substantial kind of discount (CM or group rate or Shades of Green) it can be a very cost saving measure to use on your disney vacation.

 

[kachow]

I was pointing out that even without appetizers and desserts it would probably still be a good deal.

So many people state that they don't normally all order an appetizer and a dessert (maybe they order one or the other, or they share a couple between the family). Even with this it is very easy to still at least break even on the dining plan.

I have just noticed a trend lately about people reading one or two posts on a subject and based on the subjective opinions of another unknown / anonymous person, they change their plans.

I know that the dining plan won't work for everyone but if you are not an AP holder / florida resident or are not eligible for another substantial kind of discount (CM or group rate or Shades of Green) it can be a very cost saving measure to use on your disney vacation.

Your analysis is actually a good way for people to do it. When I was considering it, I made a point of looking at the menus and looking at a typical dinner for me, rather than adding up what the most expensive meal I could get on the plan was, since the main point of the analysis was to see if the meal plan would save me money on what I would typically eat, which it turned out it would.

I mean, it's a guaranteed fact that if you pick all expensive restaurants and order the most expensive things on the menu that you will easily get $100- $200 worth of "free food." But Disney does the meal plan because A) The price they charge for the food is alot more than the raw ingredients and labor to make it, and B) It keeps more of guest dining on property.