STK no longer on Dining plan

[WDWTrojan]

That is pretty much the most redeeming quality about the DDP, but there are other ways to do almost the same thing.

The biggest issue with the DDP being worth it is the cost vs. the value. This varies from family to family. If all you do is look at the cost of the plan and then compare it to the most expensive meals at a particular restaurant then the DDP will always come out ahead and look like a value. When you start to look at what you would actually order if you were paying cash at a restaurant, the savings quickly erode. The savings get even higher when you bring tipping at TS restaurants into the equation.

If you have done the math and the numbers are a bit iffy on the DDP, the best way I know to get around this is to simply take what you would spend on the DDP and put that amount on a Disney Gift card. This essentially prepays your meals just like the DDP and gives you the opportunity to save a little coin. Every time I have done this I end up a balance leftover on the card.

This x 100.

Not to mention if you get tired one night and don't feel like a TSR or skip a meal, you're basically handing Disney $$$. Can't tell you how many times I've seen people dumping a bunch of pre-packaged Disney snacks into their suitcases because they had "credits" left. What a waste of money.

 

[Dave B]

This x 100.

Not to mention if you get tired one night and don't feel like a TSR or skip a meal, you're basically handing Disney $$$. Can't tell you how many times I've seen people dumping a bunch of pre-packaged Disney snacks into their suitcases because they had "credits" left. What a waste of money.

Why is that a waste? I have never understood that comment. You are still eating them, just at home, it is kind of nice to have some Disney snacks when you are going thru the withdrawal of not being there. I do think it is a complete waste, obviously, if they don't cash them in and leave them on the table, but cashing them out and taking home does not seem wasteful to me

 

[Master Yoda]

Why is that a waste? I have never understood that comment. You are still eating them, just at home, it is kind of nice to have some Disney snacks when you are going thru the withdrawal of not being there. I do think it is a complete waste, obviously, if they don't cash them in and leave them on the table, but cashing them out and taking home does not seem wasteful to me

Snacks at WDW are insanely overpriced and often available elsewhere at a fraction of the cost. Cashing in 10 snack credits on your last day for $60 worth of candy and chips that could be purchased at any local grocery store for $15 is a waste of money.

It goes into one of the other problems with the DDP...it often provides too much food, but you are in a use it or lose it situation so you get food you would normally never get.

 

[Minthorne]

Why is that a waste? I have never understood that comment. You are still eating them, just at home, it is kind of nice to have some Disney snacks when you are going thru the withdrawal of not being there. I do think it is a complete waste, obviously, if they don't cash them in and leave them on the table, but cashing them out and taking home does not seem wasteful to me

If one did the Gift Card option @Master Yoda suggested instead of having meal/snack credits left at the end you'd have credit on a gift card that could be used for many things including future trips. With left over dining plan credits you are taking any saving you might have had and using it to buy overpriced snacks to take home. Now if you wanted the snacks that is just fine. But like a non-drinker going to a club with a 2 drink minimum - if you are required to buy something you don't really want it is just a waste. Of course your mileage may vary.

Spoiler: The real secret

Of course the DDP is a money loss for Disney every time - that's why they keep it around!

 

[Jedi Stitch]

That is pretty much the most redeeming quality about the DDP, but there are other ways to do almost the same thing.

The biggest issue with the DDP being worth it is the cost vs. the value. This varies from family to family. If all you do is look at the cost of the plan and then compare it to the most expensive meals at a particular restaurant then the DDP will always come out ahead and look like a value. When you start to look at what you would actually order if you were paying cash at a restaurant, the savings quickly erode. The savings get even higher when you bring tipping at TS restaurants into the equation.

If you have done the math and the numbers are a bit iffy on the DDP, the best way I know to get around this is to simply take what you would spend on the DDP and put that amount on a Disney Gift card. This essentially prepays your meals just like the DDP and gives you the opportunity to save a little coin. Every time I have done this I end up a balance leftover on the card.

That is good idea. I like that.
Since our first time to WDW, with a 10 yr old, we found ourselves hitting a character meal once if not twice in a day. Doing character meals make the Deluxe Dining Package so worth it. We had the DDP, so we could go to TS 3x a day,and two snacks a day, Between the character meals, and eating at the nicer options around the park, it was a nice option. I have to admit that was a lot of food. I can now see why the BDP, is just as good. That one five you 1 TS, 1 QS, 1 Snack a day.

 

[Dave B]

Snacks at WDW are insanely overpriced and often available elsewhere at a fraction of the cost. Cashing in 10 snack credits on your last day for $60 worth of candy and chips that could be purchased at any local grocery store for $15 is a waste of money.

It goes into one of the other problems with the DDP...it often provides too much food, but you are in a use it or lose it situation so you get food you would normally never get.

But you have already either paid for the Dining plan or received it with your package, so that does not make any sense, again not cashing in would definitely be wasteful, but I cant take those credits to the local store at home and get the $15 worth you talk about, and there is A LOT more than candy and chips to use the snack credits on, that might be the problem, how you use the credits.

 

[WDWTrojan]

But you have already either paid for the Dining plan or received it with your package, so that does not make any sense, again not cashing in would definitely be wasteful, but I cant take those credits to the local store at home and get the $15 worth you talk about, and there is A LOT more than candy and chips to use the snack credits on, that might be the problem, how you use the credits.

This does not make sense.

First, and most importantly, you've paid Disney for X number of meals and X number of snacks, up front. They aren't giving you a break because you bought in bulk - you're paying a high average price for each meal and snack. You must eat them all or lose them. Why would you pre-pay for all that food if you weren't 100% sure you'd at least eat everything you were entitled to, during the course of your stay? If you paid out of pocket, would you really be buying eight bags of chips or pretzels, all for $10/bag and on your literal way to the airport, just to get your money's worth? Of course not, you'd put that money towards something else.

Second, you're paying an high per meal cost for each of credit. Do you really want to be paying 3x the store cost for Disney-branded chips, which probably aren't as good as the brands you're familiar with anyways? Wouldn't you rather use snack credits for real food, whether it be some specialty fries, homemade pastries, egg rolls or something that you'd find at a Walgreens?

So, no, it is not a waste to use your credits in that moment to avoid seeing your money go to total waste, but yes it is an immense waste overall because you are giving them money for stuff you would have never bought in the first place.

 

[Dave B]

This does not make sense.

First, and most importantly, you've paid Disney for X number of meals and X number of snacks, up front. They aren't giving you a break because you bought in bulk - you're paying a high average price for each meal and snack. You must eat them all or lose them. Why would you pre-pay for all that food if you weren't 100% sure you'd at least eat everything you were entitled to, during the course of your stay? If you paid out of pocket, would you really be buying eight bags of chips or pretzels, all for $10/bag and on your literal way to the airport, just to get your money's worth? Of course not, you'd put that money towards something else.

Second, you're paying an high per meal cost for each of credit. Do you really want to be paying 3x the store cost for Disney-branded chips, which probably aren't as good as the brands you're familiar with anyways? Wouldn't you rather use snack credits for real food, whether it be some specialty fries, homemade pastries, egg rolls or something that you'd find at a Walgreens?

So, no, it is not a waste to use your credits in that moment to avoid seeing your money go to total waste, but yes it is an immense waste overall because you are giving them money for stuff you would have never bought in the first place.

But the dining plan is free, so how are you limiting yourself or over paying?

 

[Chi84]

This is so funny. Some people are talking about free dining, others the paid basic dining plan, and still others the deluxe dining plan. Disney sure has made things confusing lol.

 

[WDWTrojan]

But the dining plan is free, so how are you limiting yourself or over paying?

The dining plan is never "free." The vast majority of people who get the dining plan add it on at an additional cost, above whatever their room charge is. Then, occasionally, during slow seasons Disney advertises "free" dining. The tradeoff here is that they do this instead of (or sometimes in conjunction with) a steeply discounted room-only offer. Should a discount be offered simultaneously, you'll have to that or the dining option. Rule of thumb is that "free" dining is only offered on rooms paying the rack rate (eg the highest rate available). It's a sucker bet but people take it's convenient to not pay out of pocket for each meal and because how could free be bad?

Average "free dining" recipient: "Look, Martha, it says free right there on the paper so it must be free right? Looks like we got ourselves a deal!"

 

[King Panda 77]

The dining plan is never "free." The vast majority of people who get the dining plan add it on at an additional cost, above whatever their room charge is. Then, occasionally, during slow seasons Disney advertises "free" dining. The tradeoff here is that they do this instead of (or sometimes in conjunction with) a steeply discounted room-only offer. Should a discount be offered simultaneously, you'll have to that or the dining option. Rule of thumb is that "free" dining is only offered on rooms paying the rack rate (eg the highest rate available). It's a sucker bet but people take it's convenient to not pay out of pocket for each meal and because how could free be bad?

Average "free dining" recipient: "Look, Martha, it says free right there on the paper so it must be free right? Looks like we got ourselves a deal!"

You forget international visitors don't get room discounts.

 

[Master Yoda]

That is good idea. I like that.
Since our first time to WDW, with a 10 yr old, we found ourselves hitting a character meal once if not twice in a day. Doing character meals make the Deluxe Dining Package so worth it. We had the DDP, so we could go to TS 3x a day,and two snacks a day, Between the character meals, and eating at the nicer options around the park, it was a nice option. I have to admit that was a lot of food. I can now see why the BDP, is just as good. That one five you 1 TS, 1 QS, 1 Snack a day.

Character meals and buffets are about the only reason I would ever get the DDP again. Disney has priced those so high that the DDP is the only way to fly if you are doing one of those every day.

 

[Hockey89]

The dining plan is never "free." The vast majority of people who get the dining plan add it on at an additional cost, above whatever their room charge is. Then, occasionally, during slow seasons Disney advertises "free" dining. The tradeoff here is that they do this instead of (or sometimes in conjunction with) a steeply discounted room-only offer. Should a discount be offered simultaneously, you'll have to that or the dining option. Rule of thumb is that "free" dining is only offered on rooms paying the rack rate (eg the highest rate available). It's a sucker bet but people take it's convenient to not pay out of pocket for each meal and because how could free be bad?

Average "free dining" recipient: "Look, Martha, it says free right there on the paper so it must be free right? Looks like we got ourselves a deal!"

Amazing people can't figure this out....

 

[Dave B]

For everyone who has said Free Dining is not worth it and more expensive, I just booked a trip for free dining in July, I ran the numbers of free dining, vs the 25% discount vs a random week with no discounts, here are the numbers. We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge ( courtyard view ) ( Finally ) a family of 4, include two teens for 10 days


$4770--- room only--no tix's and no dining

$6870 ---9 day tix NO park hoper---no dining

$7296------ 9 day tix w/park hopper---no dining

$7826--- free regular dining ( 1 TS, 1QS and 2 snacks as well as the mug ) w/9 day park hopper pus ( we like the waterparks )


So I guess you will say it is slightly higher, but as a family of four, we will eat way more than the $530 difference, In fact we will spend that at Cinderella's Table and Le Cellier alone

 

[Master Yoda]

For everyone who has said Free Dining is not worth it and more expensive, I just booked a trip for free dining in July, I ran the numbers of free dining, vs the 25% discount vs a random week with no discounts, here are the numbers. We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge ( courtyard view ) ( Finally ) a family of 4, include two teens for 10 days


$4770--- room only--no tix's and no dining

$6870 ---9 day tix NO park hoper---no dining

$7296------ 9 day tix w/park hopper---no dining

$7826--- free regular dining ( 1 TS, 1QS and 2 snacks as well as the mug ) w/9 day park hopper pus ( we like the waterparks )


So I guess you will say it is slightly higher, but as a family of four, we will eat way more than the $530 difference, In fact we will spend that at Cinderella's Table and Le Cellier alone

Not being a value or worth it greatly depends on your resort choice and even more importantly, your party make up. This is why this advice is almost always prefaced with "do the math". Sometimes free dining is better than a room discount, sometimes it is not.

If we use the price of the dining plan as the discount.

2 adults and 3 kids over 10 would net $390 a day discount for free dining at a deluxe.
2 adults, an infant and a kid under 10 would only see a 187/day discount at a deluxe.
2 adults would only see $156 at a deluxe.

As to the actual value of the DDP, this again is a very part based calculation. If you have a character meal planned for every day of your trip than the DDP is most likely going to work well for you. Not so much if you would rather do TS breakfasts and QS dinners. Again...you have to do the math for your own personal situation.

 

[LAKid53]

Not being a value or worth it greatly depends on your resort choice and even more importantly, your party make up. This is why this advice is almost always prefaced with "do the math". Sometimes free dining is better than a room discount, sometimes it is not.

If we use the price of the dining plan as the discount.

2 adults and 3 kids over 10 would net $390 a day discount for free dining at a deluxe.
2 adults, an infant and a kid under 10 would only see a 187/day discount at a deluxe.
2 adults would only see $156 at a deluxe.

As to the actual value of the DDP, this again is a very part based calculation. If you have a character meal planned for every day of your trip than the DDP is most likely going to work well for you. Not so much if you would rather do TS breakfasts and QS dinners. Again...you have to do the math for your own personal situation.

 

[Jedi Stitch]

No. Each third party restaurant negotiates DDP with Disney every year. As a result, there is invariably a period at the end of every year and occasionally seeping into the new year where the list of restaurants is in flux and folks are unsure whether a given restaurant will or won't accept credits.

For the most part, the restaurants that previously accepted DDP do again, but it's never guaranteed.

I did find that the Rainforest Cafe at DAK, offered the most bang for your buck. Each DDP credit was worth, 1 appetizer, one entree, one dessert, the drink for each credit. Plus, you could still ask for a bottle of water to go. I did find that I could ask that at any non-buffet style restaurants in the parks as well. We did use two credits for our anniversary dinner at the Disney Springs crab/steak place. Worth it for a special occasion, and we had a few extra to use any way. even at QS, you can get a bottle of water and a regular drink with your credit. This saved us from using snack credits for just a bottle of water. We ate at another DS restaurant for lunch, it must have been 3rd party, because they just gave a sandwich and fries, chicken strips and fries and a fountain drink, and that was it. that was loss.

 

[King Panda 77]

View attachment 440381

 

[Dave B]

Not being a value or worth it greatly depends on your resort choice and even more importantly, your party make up. This is why this advice is almost always prefaced with "do the math". Sometimes free dining is better than a room discount, sometimes it is not.

If we use the price of the dining plan as the discount.

2 adults and 3 kids over 10 would net $390 a day discount for free dining at a deluxe.
2 adults, an infant and a kid under 10 would only see a 187/day discount at a deluxe.
2 adults would only see $156 at a deluxe.

As to the actual value of the DDP, this again is a very part based calculation. If you have a character meal planned for every day of your trip than the DDP is most likely going to work well for you. Not so much if you would rather do TS breakfasts and QS dinners. Again...you have to do the math for your own personal situation.

As a family of four over 10 days, we will eat so much more than the $530 added cost, I agree if you don't eat nice food or don't eat at the parks, not a great deal, but we will spend that $530 on two meals alone, so it is a no brainer

 

[Master Yoda]

As a family of four over 10 days, we will eat so much more than the $530 added cost, I agree if you don't eat nice food or don't eat at the parks, not a great deal, but we will spend that $530 on two meals alone, so it is a no brainer

You don't even have to avoid "nice food" for it not to work.

The adult DDP is around $78 per day if memory serves me.

If I had a day that consisted of a Dole Float, the Fajita Platter and Pecos Bills with a drink and finished off the evening with Shepard's pie and Ger's bread pudding at Raglan Rd I am spending roughly $58 putting me in a $20 hole under the DDP.

Another example: Les's say I started out at Kona Cafe and got the Macadamia Pancakes for breakfast followed by the sampler platter at Flame Tree for an early dinner and then capped the evening off with a Spaghetti and Meatballs cupcake at Terra Treats. That scenario would leave one $31 in the hole under the DDP.