We are torn between just paying as we go during our 10 day trip, but already have 6 full service meals booked.
What has been your experience?
Thanks
What has been your experience?
Thanks
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Disney Dining plan worth it? There are 2 adults and 2 teenagers
- Thread starter T-BoneMickeyFan
- Start date
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Are you eating at any 2-credit restaurants? If so, more likely than not you'll be better off paying out of pocket than using the DDP. Ditto if the dining plan gives your family more food (or different food -- e.g., dessert when they'd prefer to order an appetizer and skip dessert) than you'd otherwise order.
This site has a wonderful tool that allows you to compare the DDP with OOP (out of pocket). Plug in the ADRs you've made so far and check it out... http://www.distripplanner.com/
This site has a wonderful tool that allows you to compare the DDP with OOP (out of pocket). Plug in the ADRs you've made so far and check it out... http://www.distripplanner.com/
UncleMike101
Well-Known Member
We used it during the last WDW trip, (2012) and it worked out well because we had received a hefty discount on the Dining Plan. We're not using it this time because there's no discount and we'd have to eat at the most expensive places every night, and get the most expensive item on the menu.
I like steak, but not every night..
I like steak, but not every night..
Rob562
Well-Known Member
Since you know a number of the places you're going to eat, go online and look at the menus. What would you order? Add it up and compare to the price of the DDP.
Other questions:
-Does the drink/entree/dessert format of a table service credit match how you'd eat if you were ordering without a dining plan?
-Would you get a dessert with *every* counter service meal?
-Rob
Other questions:
-Does the drink/entree/dessert format of a table service credit match how you'd eat if you were ordering without a dining plan?
-Would you get a dessert with *every* counter service meal?
-Rob
Dwarful
Well-Known Member
We do dining plan when it is free or discounted into the package. But paying the full price rack rate for the regular meal plan QS, TS and snack it doesn't come out cheaper for us. For one thing, many of the quick service locations have less than great desserts as their option....nothing I would normally pay for. I'd save my cash and buy a snack later. Last year we had 2 adults, 2 teens 17 & 16 and a 12 yr old over 14 days. We paid out of pocket and I saved all my receipts to compare. It was cheaper for us paying out of pocket. I think the current price is roughly $60 per day. You will need to order the most expensive entrees at the sit down locations to break even or save money. Now, if you want it for ease of use and paid up front then yes it can be worth it to have that paid off. For us, we just figured out roughly how much we would spend each day and took that cash plus some extra for just in case. We had quite a bit of dining cash left at the end of the trip.
SAV
Well-Known Member
Our last trip we paid for the QSDDP out of pocket since we had it free the previous trip and my wife liked the idea of it. I found myself "having" to get a meal because I paid for it already and stuffing myself even though I wasn't really hungry. I normally will not get a dessert with every meal, but ate it since we paid for it. I also found myself not wanting to get other snacks because I already had a dessert with the meal. I definitely don't need a vat(ok, a 32 oz) beverage with each meal. The kids were throwing away more than they were eating/drinking. On our last day there, we had multiple meal credits left and ended up buying some Yak and Yeti that we took with us to the beach(which most of it didn't get eaten and was thrown away). My wife wrote down the exact amounts from every meal/food purchase we made. When totaled up, it was more on the DDP than if we would have bought Out of Pocket.
Combined with the fact that I was forcing myself to eat when I didn't really want to, made it a losing proposition to us.
Combined with the fact that I was forcing myself to eat when I didn't really want to, made it a losing proposition to us.
belledream
Well-Known Member
The most important factor is to consider what and how much your family would eat. I will say, for us (also 10 days on the plan, albeit discounted), the 'convenience' part of the plan wasn't noticeable or rave-worthy. You still pay a large sum up front when buying the plan, and you have to sign a check at every meal. Paying as you go really came out to be the same thing - I guess it just hurts less when you do it months ago. 
Konor
Active Member
The dining plan comes out to about $54-55 a day per person. Look to where you want to eat for dinner and the price you'd pay if you were to 'write a check' at the end of the meal. Take that total and add in approximately $16 for four snacks and the quick service total (around $15-17 per person maybe?) and if it doesn't reach $54-55 then no it isn't a good deal.
Dwarful
Well-Known Member
I saw on another site (not sure if it's ok to put in the link) that Disney raised the prices in March on the dining plan. So if you are going to purchase the Regular Plan 1 QS, 1 TS, 1 Snack and mug it is now $60.64 per night per adult and $19.23 per night per adult during the regular season with notes it could be slightly higher during peak season.
Not sure if dining locations are raising prices as well to make the plan seem like 'a value' or not. Either way a few inexpensive meals and you have blown the budget and it would probably cost more to purchase than to pay out of pocket.
Not sure if dining locations are raising prices as well to make the plan seem like 'a value' or not. Either way a few inexpensive meals and you have blown the budget and it would probably cost more to purchase than to pay out of pocket.
Tinkerbella16
Well-Known Member
I have only ever been on the DDP when offered for free. Last year was the first time not being able to take advantage of it (Jersey Week) so we payed out of pocket and I still thought it was well worth paying for it. We did places like Ohana, Teppan Edo, Hoop Dee Doo (2 credits), Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace. I like having everything already taken care of and paid for well in advance. I don't keep receipts to do the math at home. I just always say that without the DDP I wouldn't want to experience all of those great restaurants in one trip like we were able to with it because of the credit system and having your meals already paid for. Bringing a child with me last year was also a deal breaker for getting the DDP either way.. I wanted her to experience a few character meals.
This year we are doing the quick service. Only going to Hoop Dee Doo and paying OOP for it. I am looking forward to just doing things the way we feel at that time and not hurrying to get to such and such restaurant each day. Knowing that I don't have to scramble for ADR's this year is so relieving.
This year we are doing the quick service. Only going to Hoop Dee Doo and paying OOP for it. I am looking forward to just doing things the way we feel at that time and not hurrying to get to such and such restaurant each day. Knowing that I don't have to scramble for ADR's this year is so relieving.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
For now the Deluxe Dining Plan is "worth it" for us. First of all, we do a lot of character meal/buffets so our kids can get face time with all the "big stars" without having to wait on line. We also have some Signature meals lined up so having all those credits that can be table service OR counter service is nice to have. Plus, our youngest won't be on the dining plan because she won't be 3 by the time we take our next trip. While we may have to pay for some of her meals out of pocket, more often than not she'll be able to eat off of our plates or her sister's. I've done the math and while it's a wash give or take a few bucks for my wife and I, the "savings" are with my oldest daughter. While she won't be eating a lot, those character meals & buffets are pricier for her than the 30-ish dollars per night to get her on the dining plan. Plus, the snacks aren't kid sized, a snack is a snack. So our plan is to be sparing and sharing with snacks, once in a while using them in place of a meal during days with Signature Dining. After that, if, like the last time we used Deluxe Dining, we wind up with an insane amount of snack credits left over, we will take some fresher snacks "to go" on the car ride home - fudge or cupcakes, stuff that's delicious but won't keep for long - and then any left over snacks will go to packaged snacks, like the crisped rice treats or chocolate chip cookies or pretzels, stuff we can have after we get home as we go through Disney withdrawal.
Now again, I have two small kids so we find this to be worth the money. I don't know if I'll feel the same way as the kids feel less of a need to see characters, or as they get more energy so we don't need the sort of down time a sit down meal provides. With two teenagers, your mileage may definitely vary in regards to ANY of the dining plans being "worth it." Which is a vague term that change definition per person.
The Quick Service Dining Plan - 2 counter service meals a day, plus 2 snacks and a refillable mug - is nearly 40 bucks a night. I'd figure an average quick service meal with a drink and dessert for anyone 10 and up would be about 15 bucks, snacks could be anywhere between 2 and I think 4.50, add tax...maybe you break even. It's more convenience than anything else.
Basic Dining Plan - 1 counter service meal (with dessert), 1 full service meal with dessert, no appetizer), 1 snack and a refillable mug - is about $59 per person per night. There, you COULD see some value, especially if you choose to eat at buffets or other fixed price meals, because dinners tend to run near 40 bucks a head. Factor in a counter service lunch and a snack, you could save a few bucks each day. Odds are less or no value if you use any credits - counter OR table - for breakfast, best value comes from a counter service lunch and a table service dinner, and Signature dining will also significantly skew any perceived savings. If you don't need that many desserts per day, it's also less of a Value.
Deluxe Dining - 3 meals a day, your choice of counter OR table service, lunches and dinners always include appetizer and desert, 2 snacks and a refillable mug - that's $104 per night. If you opt to do a lot (A LOT) of sit down meals, and if you're a major foodie, you'll see the potential for the plan to be worth it. Just as a for example, doing some mental math, a day where you have breakfast at Crystal Palace, use snacks for a light lunch, and then dinner at California Grill (Signature, 2 credits) just eyeballing average prices for appetizers, entrees and desserts, adding tax, you're at 108 bucks. Random meals at Kouzzina for breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, and Crystal Palace for dinner, plus snacks and tax, seems like it could be nearly $110. It's just a question of do you want to sit down for that many meals versus being on the go, and can your stomach handle that much food?
So pretty much an epic way of saying "you know you better than we do." Go to allears.net and check out the prices of meals at the restaurants you've already booked, and the restaurant you're considering. Factor in the tax for paying out of pocket (pretty sure tax is included in the cost of the dining plan), and you may get an idea of whether or not it's worth it for you and your family.
Personally, I wish the regular dining plan would get a little more flexible, offer people the choice of an appetizer OR dessert. I think you'd see more people go on it then, as couples would probably split one of each.
Now again, I have two small kids so we find this to be worth the money. I don't know if I'll feel the same way as the kids feel less of a need to see characters, or as they get more energy so we don't need the sort of down time a sit down meal provides. With two teenagers, your mileage may definitely vary in regards to ANY of the dining plans being "worth it." Which is a vague term that change definition per person.
The Quick Service Dining Plan - 2 counter service meals a day, plus 2 snacks and a refillable mug - is nearly 40 bucks a night. I'd figure an average quick service meal with a drink and dessert for anyone 10 and up would be about 15 bucks, snacks could be anywhere between 2 and I think 4.50, add tax...maybe you break even. It's more convenience than anything else.
Basic Dining Plan - 1 counter service meal (with dessert), 1 full service meal with dessert, no appetizer), 1 snack and a refillable mug - is about $59 per person per night. There, you COULD see some value, especially if you choose to eat at buffets or other fixed price meals, because dinners tend to run near 40 bucks a head. Factor in a counter service lunch and a snack, you could save a few bucks each day. Odds are less or no value if you use any credits - counter OR table - for breakfast, best value comes from a counter service lunch and a table service dinner, and Signature dining will also significantly skew any perceived savings. If you don't need that many desserts per day, it's also less of a Value.
Deluxe Dining - 3 meals a day, your choice of counter OR table service, lunches and dinners always include appetizer and desert, 2 snacks and a refillable mug - that's $104 per night. If you opt to do a lot (A LOT) of sit down meals, and if you're a major foodie, you'll see the potential for the plan to be worth it. Just as a for example, doing some mental math, a day where you have breakfast at Crystal Palace, use snacks for a light lunch, and then dinner at California Grill (Signature, 2 credits) just eyeballing average prices for appetizers, entrees and desserts, adding tax, you're at 108 bucks. Random meals at Kouzzina for breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, and Crystal Palace for dinner, plus snacks and tax, seems like it could be nearly $110. It's just a question of do you want to sit down for that many meals versus being on the go, and can your stomach handle that much food?
So pretty much an epic way of saying "you know you better than we do." Go to allears.net and check out the prices of meals at the restaurants you've already booked, and the restaurant you're considering. Factor in the tax for paying out of pocket (pretty sure tax is included in the cost of the dining plan), and you may get an idea of whether or not it's worth it for you and your family.
Personally, I wish the regular dining plan would get a little more flexible, offer people the choice of an appetizer OR dessert. I think you'd see more people go on it then, as couples would probably split one of each.
Dwarful
Well-Known Member
Slappy, when we do dining we also tend to have a lot of snacks left over. We always hit the candy shop on Main St. if you tell them you are going to be leaving that day they will pack them for safe travel...car or airplane. My girls LOVE the chocolate peanut butter cups with Mickey on top...they packed up 24 of those babies for us to take home and then did the same with fudge for my husband. The new caramel shop in Germany did the same thing for us that day. Made it nice for the car ride home...better than traditional road trip snacks!
I do miss the original plan with app. entrée, dessert and drink and if we could swap the dsrt for app we would do that.
I do miss the original plan with app. entrée, dessert and drink and if we could swap the dsrt for app we would do that.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
That is great to know. I never thought to ask if they could do more than put them in a bag, I guess because it seems most of the time people aren't even out the door before they're scarfing down.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
We are big fans of the Dining Plan. Yes, it's cheaper to go without, but that has not been my experience. We always do TS everyday and will upgrade to deluxe when free dining is offered, but I love the idea of everything being paid for, prior to arrival.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Disney used to advertise a 20% savings on the dining plan. This year, it's changed. It's pretty much just a pre-paid food plan with limitations on food choices. I used to like it, but I'm not a fan much anymore!
You don't really save any $, and they don't offer free dining much anymore. Their focus now is getting people to stay on site rather than off, hence the up to 30% off room rates!
You don't really save any $, and they don't offer free dining much anymore. Their focus now is getting people to stay on site rather than off, hence the up to 30% off room rates!
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
Beth, I am so very sorry, but... that just gives you more time to plan a wonderful vacation!! Miss you!! xoxoxo
BigTxEars
Well-Known Member
Yep, just so much more relaxing for us to sit down and order what we want and not concentrate on the cost. As strange as it sounds with them being prepaid meals the TS are almost like a attraction (i.e. ride) for us each day
