Disney Dining plan for going by yourself?

[jcldtrek]

Im planning on going back to Disney World either in May or September and was contemplating on getting the dinning plan. Its 300 plus dollars for 6 days, just wondering if its worth it. I'd feel kinda weird doing a character dinner/buffet myself. Any suggestions??

 

[Pioneer Hall]

It's really a completely personal preference issue on whether you think you should go for it or not. First you need to ask yourself if you are going to eat all that if offers to justify the price. As a solo traveler, are you going to be eating at a Table Serve everyday or eating on the go more often? Thankfully the dining plans are simple math based on preferences...so you can choose what will work best for you.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I used to use it on solo trips, but now I find TiW to be the better deal, since I can order what I want (I typically prefer an appetizer to dessert) and get booze.

I love having a nice, slow, relaxing sit-down meal when I am solo. It's a great time to "treat" myself, since I usually eat very slowly and order several courses. It's also the time I try restaurants I usually don't get to go to when I'm with other people.

But like Evan said, you have to sit and run the numbers to see if it's cost effective. It's fairly simple to look at a few menus, figure out what you would normally order, and then see if it's worth it or not.

 

[wdwcandice]

I am taking my third solo trip soon and I have never thought the Dining Plan to be a good deal for me. I do eat a couple of table service meals through out my stay but I really enjoy the flexibility of my spontaneity not being held hostage by a reservation somewhere....since the freedom of my schedule is what makes me want to travel there solo. I have never felt uncomfortable eating alone at a table service, even at Crystal Palace or Donald's Breakfastsaurous...okay, maybe a tad uncomfortable when the characters come up to you while you're alone, but my motto is, not my public...go with the flow. :lol Dollar wise, it just doesn't make sense for me. I'll eat breakfast in my room and usually popcorn and beer for lunch :lol: and a counter service for dinner, or a counter service lunch and fruit, cheese and deli meat slices for dinner if I lounge poolside in the evening...that I pick up at the grocery just before resort check in.

 

[duplechien]

For someone thats a complete Disney foodie like me and focus much of my trip around restaurants, I say its COMPLETELY worth it! When I went with my kids, I would always do the Deluxe Dining plan, which lets you eat almost anywhere you want 3 times a day. It does get a little much at times, with individual appetizers and desserts but its a great way to sample everything! In a few weeks Im making my first solo trip so I only went with the standard Dining plan bc I was on a tighter budget and Im not that much of a breakfast eater. Ive never had problems eating alone, although I probably would shy away from doing character dinings alone. Being a 31 yr old male, Id probably look strange at a place like Akershus for the princess breakfast As much as I love the Garden Grill and Crystal palace, I decided to stay clear of them. A few new places I am trying alone this time are Biergarten, Kona Cafe, Tokyo Dining, and Captain's Grill.

 

[jcldtrek]

It is tempting to go to some table restaurants i've never been to before. Dinner is definetly where u save the money. I never realised how expensive some places were, till I looked at the menu prices. I am also a food lover, love to try new things, places. Probably will nd up getting it. Big thing is i wont have to worry when i get there for having money for food, it'll be prepaid, Just cant believe how expensive Disney got through the years. 3 years ago went there and took my mother , both got dining plan came to 1600 bucks, staying at pop century, now for 2012 thats what it costs just for me lol, damn.

 

[dreamfinder]

Do the math. There is no other answer. Look at what you would eat during a normal park day, and then check the prices online and see if it comes out cheaper than the dining plan. Personally, I never order drink or dessert at a CS, and my dinner is just the entree and a drink so the dining plan almost never ever makes sense. But if you normally eat all the items included on the plan, then you may come out ahead. I would skip a character meal solo, just because they don't always have handlers to take photos, which is half the point in my mind.

 

[UberPlannerMom]

While I agree that the math is very important I don't think it is the only thing to take into consideration. Are you one of those people who won't feel comfortable paying for something nice at the time of "purchase" or do you throw caution to the wind. My husband is very much the type that doesn't mind paying for the dining plan in advance when he can think about how wonderful a mickey ice cream bar sounds on a hot day, but if don't have the plan completely flips out at the thought of buying himself a drink on a hot day! So, if not having the dining plan means that you will say to yourself over and over that you have to get the cheapest thing on the menu and not do any table service meals because of money but you really would like to experience some of the nicer dining Disney has to offer then I say go for it. If not then do it solely based on the numbers. That was clear as mud, huh?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

I always go to WDW by myself, a couple times a year, and I have never found the meal plans to be worthwhile.

Here's why: In general, even paying ala carte, you will spend less money on your meal than you would with the dining plan UNLESS you go to a signature meal every single day.

Between snacks and meals, you will have leftover credits on your meal plan almost every single day.

Also, when you are a solo traveller, you will find it next to impossible to predict your exact meal times UNLESS you specifically plan your whole day around your meal.

For example: you might plan a late lunch meal for The Hollywood Brown Derby at 2:00 pm....but by 2:00 you will be completely done with DHS and on a bus on your way to another park. As a single visitor, unless you really drag your feet and linger all over the parks, you will find that ALL of the parks are half-day parks if you get started at park opening time. With a family, you'd be lucky to finish half your agenda -- by yourself, you will have done everything there is to do by 2:00 in any of the parks, and be on your way elsewhere having even done a repeat ride on Soarin' (just saying).

I'd do the math and decide how much you are going to spend per day.

I find I get coffee and a danish in the morning (6 bucks); eat a nice sit-down lunch (20 - 25.00) and get something light for dinner off a counter service menu, or something down at DD (about 11.00)...Cheaper than the meal plan for sure. Sometimes I don't want ANYTHING from the parks, and find myself getting some milk and entemann's donuts at the resort shop...

You have the flexibiity to do whatever you want when you are alone. Do you want to spend it all planning around food?

 

[duplechien]

I know on several times when Ive dined at places like Yachtsman Steakhouse and Artist Point, the first thing I said when I got the receipt was "thank God I got the dining plan!"

 

[jcldtrek]

made my decision

I made the decision and gonna get the dinning plan. I also booked my vacation for next year, going in September. Got a a good deal through disney. Now the task of waiting till next year lol