Disney Dining Plan

[sbkline]

We haven't done the dining plan since 2011 and I am wondering whether we should try it next year. I am wondering whether I should try to buy APs throughout the year to have on our next trip and just do Tables in Wonderland (as we did these past two trips) or if I just want to book a room and ticket package with dining and have everything all on one tab. But basically, I want to know how much the dining plan is these days.

It's my wife and I and our two children, both under 9. How much is it for adults and for children. And what is currently included in it? Of course, I know it could always change this summer when they release it for 2014, but when I first used the DDP in 2007, I believe it included dessert, appetizer and gratuity. Then at some point, they dropped the appetizer if I remember correctly. Does it still include gratuity? Does it still include drink, or do we have to have water? Okay, I was being a bit facetious with that last question (I hope at least, LOL) but you get my point.

 

[bethymouse]

I know there are folks on here that will be able to direct you as to the EXACT cost.
When we book a full package: stay, tickets, and dining : it adds about 900$ more to the cost ( 2 adults & 2 children).

 

[englanddg]

Without getting into exact dining math, a quick and dirty way to calculate it is to play around with the reservation system.

Calculate one with no DDP

Calculate the rest with whatever DDP you are interested in

Find out what the difference in price is to find out the exact cost of the plan for your visit.

Divide this by the number of days in your stay, this is how much it's costing you per day. Then ask yourself if you think you'd spend that in a day on food (and snacks, if in your plan choice).

To estimate how much you may pay, examine the eating habits of your family. I generally ballpark with these numbers...

Kids
Quick - $10
Table - $15
Signature - $25

Adults
Quick - $15
Table - $30
Signature - $50

You can go all happy with it and start looking up menu prices for where you plan to eat to get more exact, but this should quickly give you a rough estimate.

 

[GoofGoof]

We haven't done the dining plan since 2011 and I am wondering whether we should try it next year. I am wondering whether I should try to buy APs throughout the year to have on our next trip and just do Tables in Wonderland (as we did these past two trips) or if I just want to book a room and ticket package with dining and have everything all on one tab. But basically, I want to know how much the dining plan is these days.

It's my wife and I and our two children, both under 9. How much is it for adults and for children. And what is currently included in it? Of course, I know it could always change this summer when they release it for 2014, but when I first used the DDP in 2007, I believe it included dessert, appetizer and gratuity. Then at some point, they dropped the appetizer if I remember correctly. Does it still include gratuity? Does it still include drink, or do we have to have water? Okay, I was being a bit facetious with that last question (I hope at least, LOL) but you get my point.

There are multiple versions of DDP. A quick service one, the basic one and a deluxe one. With the basic plan you get a table service, a counter service and a snack per person per day as well as a refillable mug. The quick service is 2 counter service meals a day. no table service. the deluxe one is 2 table service meals a day. The counter service meals include an entree or combo meal (fries and a burger), a non-alcoholic beverage and a dessert. The table service is the same. No appetizer anymore and gratuity is not included. You do get a drink though.

I know there are folks on here that will be able to direct you as to the EXACT cost.
When we book a full package: stay, tickets, and dining : it adds about 900$ more to the cost ( 2 adults & 2 children).

I'll be that guy. The regular plan costs exactly $1,018.50 for 2 adults and 2 kids for 7 nights. We booked it for our November trip. Not really my choice, but we are traveling with another family and they wanted to do it. I guess it will at least be easier than splitting all the checks.

 

[luv]

I always saved more using AP stuff and TiW.

Some people find it more expensive and don't get it.

Some people find it more expensive and get it, anyway.

Some people find it saves them money.

You just have to do the math, if you want to know.

I got one plan, one time...the first one. It was a better deal then. I hated it - keeping track of credits, finding out if I could order X or Y on my plan, having to do this many sit-downs and that many fast foods (or lose the credits)...

Even when it was a deal for me, it was too big a pain. Swore off of it.

But many people LOVE it.

You make the call!

 

[rob45]

Weigh your options. It saves me money. Just my opinion.