The Dining Plan WAS a good deal but not anymore

[Now Is The Time]

I used to defend the dining plan back when it was only 37 or 38 dollars per person and gratuity was included. My sole argument was (with regard to the regular 1 counter/1 table plan) that if you went to a very nice table restaurant you could save money. Restaurants like Tepan Edo and Biergarten always guarantee a hefty bill if you pay cash and with the dining plan, you really did save money.

Once the dining plan no longer included gratuity, I hung in there. Again, for the reasons above, we were still doing ok. Now with these newly increased prices ($46.99 during peak?! Are you freaking kidding me?) there's no way I can justify it anymore. Anyone else agree?

I know there are some folks out there who always claimed the dining plan was never worth it but I beg to differ. I absolutely saved money back when it was less than 40 bucks and gratuity was included.

 

[kimmychad]

Is the price being increase on all of the plans?

 

[Monty]

In it's original form, I liked the DDP. But even then you had to consciously make an effort to order the more expensive items on TS menus and avoid buffets to make it a savings.

Some people like the convenience of pre-paying for their food. I personally never saw the value in that. Others like that they get their food "for free". I can't easily delude myself that much.

I much prefer using TiW and having few if any QS meals. I still have to book TS 6 months in advance, which I've begrudging come to accept. Now, even if they offer free dining I'm usually way ahead by buying meals OOP using TiW and getting AP or general public resort discounts. Plus I don't have all those useless [to me] QS credits to get rid of.

 

[Computer Magic]

I think Disney has become too expensive in general. I wouldn't return without some type of discount, either free dining or 40% off rooms. As for the dining plan being worth it, I would still say the plan can save you money. The word "can" has always been the key word even when the plan was at it's lowest cost. I just saw a thread that priced a Chicken Wrap CS at 8.49. Now add a soda and dessert and you are well over 12.00 with tax. So it comes down to how you like to spend your time a WDW. I like to spend time at TS eating large meals, so the cost is there.

I guess what I'm saying is the dinning plan has increase right along with the prices to eat. It is not the same percentages so you are not saving as much as the past. That is normal for Disney. They offer you something at a great price and slowly increase the price.

 

[kimmychad]

I think Disney has become too expensive in general. I wouldn't return without some type of discount, either free dining or 40% off rooms. As for the dining plan being worth it, I would still say the plan can save you money. The word "can" has always been the key word even when the plan was at it's lowest cost. I just saw a thread that priced a Chicken Wrap CS at 8.49. Now add a soda and dessert and you are well over 12.00 with tax. So it comes down to how you like to spend your time a WDW. I like to spend time at TS eating large meals, so the cost is there.

I guess what I'm saying is the dinning plan has increase right along with the prices to eat. It is not the same percentages so you are not saving as much as the past. That is normal for Disney. They offer you something at a great price and slowly increase the price.

we won't be back without a discount either, just too expensive for what you get.

 

[_Scar]

Being a Florida resident, the dining plan just isn't worth it. You have to pay full price for everything. :/

 

[Rob562]

The only time I'll get the Dining Plan if it's under a Free Dining offer. And even then it's only the best choice at a Value resort, sometimes a Moderate. Anything above that and an Annual Passholder discount is better.
(And yes, I've done all the calculations of DDP vs Free DDP vs TiW, based on how I and my friends eat)

-Rob

 

[brifraz]

Actually, we still feel the standard plan is somewhat worth it. We've done the math a thousand times (we are AP and DVC) and in then end we always come out just about even over the course of a week stay.

Whether we use the plan or not, we always do one table meal a day (usually character) which is around $30 and one other decent sized counter meal at around $13. Then we use snacks for pastries in the morning or ice cream in the afternoon at around $4. We get more savings from the kids plan - $11-15 for the plan, then $15 for the TS, $8 for the CS, $4 for the snack. That makes up the differece from using TiW or AP discounts.

Since we would eat that way, plan or not, and the math comes out even, the convenience is nice. Was it nicer to have tips included, yes. If we could ever go during free dining promotion, that would be even nicer (alas, we are teachers with a school age daughter).

So, for us, it is still worth it.

 

[betteratmk]

Actually, we still feel the standard plan is somewhat worth it. We've done the math a thousand times (we are AP and DVC) and in then end we always come out just about even over the course of a week stay.

Whether we use the plan or not, we always do one table meal a day (usually character) which is around $30 and one other decent sized counter meal at around $13. Then we use snacks for pastries in the morning or ice cream in the afternoon at around $4. We get more savings from the kids plan - $11-15 for the plan, then $15 for the TS, $8 for the CS, $4 for the snack. That makes up the differece from using TiW or AP discounts.

Since we would eat that way, plan or not, and the math comes out even, the convenience is nice. Was it nicer to have tips included, yes. If we could ever go during free dining promotion, that would be even nicer (alas, we are teachers with a school age daughter).

So, for us, it is still worth it.

We feel the same way, we always tend to save some money. Now grant it, it's not as much as we used to save but even with the lesser expensive meal ( say 18.99 or 19.99 by the time we add in drinks and desserts or a couple shared desserts we're back to the 30.00 mark again):shrug:

 

[tomm4004]

Whether we use the plan or not, we always do one table meal a day (usually character)...

Yes, so much depends on how you use it. For us, TS means Citricos, Jiko or Artist Point, all Signature Dining. Or when we go to Chefs de France we order appetizers and Perrier, which are not included. And I've never understood the convenience aspect. How hard is it to hand the waiter your room card or credit card? And we don't worry about tracking credits, or spend hours on the phone six months prior making ressies. We never have trouble eating where we want, but then we don't go for character meals and steak places. So again, it depends highly on the needs of the respective guests.

 

[brifraz]

I agree, the convenience is not in the handing the card or ticket or whatever to the wait staff. The convenience for us is that we have a specific food budget and since we pay it up front, we know we are sticking to it. When we have gone without the plan, each night in the room I'm adding up reciepts and making sure we have stayed at or under budget. And I certainly would not go DP if we were planning to do Signature meals. In fact, when we do Signature meals, I do them with cash even if we are on the plan (thank you Disney Rewards Visa).

I don't really count credits because we are planners and have each day laid out and always make sure we don't 'plan' all our snack credits so we can get that spur of the moment ice cream or drink. Then, on our last day, there is always a trip to the candy shop in MK to use any extra couple snacks (always nice to bring home Disney cookies and lollypops).

 

[blackthidot]

I go under free dining and I really don't think I would ever just buy the plan flat out. The CS meal plan yes...but regular dining plan? No way. A lot of the places we go too we eat the dessert just because you get the dessert. Some places we don't even eat the dessert because there is nothing we really like.

It was a really really good deal back in 07 during the last year of appetizers being included, along with tips.

Now every year I just pray for a free dining bounceback sheet to be in my room when I arrive in Disney so I don't have to worry about nickel and diming for my food.

 

[Purple413]

This summer will be my 11th trip to Disney. During the past 10 trips, I've used the dining plan 8 out of the 10 trips dating all the way back to the fabulous Food and Fun plan. This year we opted to NOT get the dining plan because we feel it is getting outrageous. We, too, hung in there the last few years despite to removal of the app. and the tip, but now with the raised prices, we said no way. I am very interested to see how we feel about having the dining plan when we get down there this summer - having to pay for all of our meals. There are 4 of us going this year (all adults) and two of us (including myself) are vegetarians, so when we eat at table service restaurants, we are already ordering the least expensive meal anyway. I'm being optimistic and saying we'll be glad we ditched the dining plan this year, but I'll let you know after our trip!

 

[Now Is The Time]

All interesting points. I'm sure there are those who still think it's a good deal. It will always be relative to a given individual/family and where they like to eat. I do think though that with the latest jump in prices that the number of folks who feel the meal plan is a good value will be at its lowest ever.

At the very least they need to give the plans more flexibility. Changes I would like to see (that will of course never happen are...

-Give us the option of choosing either an appetizer or a dessert for a table service meal. Even better, remove both from the meal plan and drop the meal plan price a few bucks. I for one don't absolutely have to have either for every meal I eat. If I choose to spend cash for an appetizer, then so be it. At least it's not something I HAVE to get. For some reason I have never wanted my dessert for my counter service meals. After fried chicken/burgers and fries I just can't bring myself to eat a huge chocolate muffin with icing.

-I think they should separate the restaurants that are good for one table service (one $) even further by levels. I realize you have higher priced levels (two $$ and three $$$) but many of the restaurants in that single table service category are not equal.

 

[Computer Magic]

All interesting points. I'm sure there are those who still think it's a good deal. It will always be relative to a given individual/family and where they like to eat. I do think though that with the latest jump in prices that the number of folks who feel the meal plan is a good value will be at its lowest ever.

At the very least they need to give the plans more flexibility. Changes I would like to see (that will of course never happen are...

-Give us the option of choosing either an appetizer or a dessert for a table service meal. Even better, remove both from the meal plan and drop the meal plan price a few bucks. I for one don't absolutely have to have either for every meal I eat. If I choose to spend cash for an appetizer, then so be it. At least it's not something I HAVE to get. For some reason I have never wanted my dessert for my counter service meals. After fried chicken/burgers and fries I just can't bring myself to eat a huge chocolate muffin with icing.

-I think they should separate the restaurants that are good for one table service (one $) even further by levels. I realize you have higher priced levels (two $$ and three $$$) but many of the restaurants in that single table service category are not equal.

I would agree with dropping the dessert option for CS and reducing the price by $3.00. When the plan first came out there were a lot of choices for desserts. Now all the dessert are the same. There is only so much Choc cake I can eat.

Leave the TS as an choice between appetizer or dessert.

I understand about the tip be seperated out of the plan, but that really increased the price. At the time the cost of the plan dropped by one dollar but removed the tip. That can run from $5 up depending on what is ordered and how much people tip.

As for levels of table service. That would really change the plan. Unless you allow two CS equal one buffet meal.

 

[worldfanatic]

Whether it saved money at one time, or still does today, I've never considered using it.
I hate the thought of feeling pressure to use all the credits........or ordering items because they "give better value" on the plan.....or ordering something I don't want because it's included and I "might as well".

I just order what I want when I want it, nothing else is considered.:shrug:
What could be more simple than that?

I understand using it during "free dining". Although paying rack rate for a room to get the "freebie" takes away much of the value.

 

[Tiggerish]

Interesting. I'm with Monty, I've successfuly used the TiW card for a number of years for dining, and while I don't begrudge the people who enjoy the DDP and find that it works for them, I do feel that it has led to the homogenization of the menus across most of the restuarants, which I feel is a step down from what I've always enjoyed about Disney Dining.

I think that the increased menu prices are directly attributable to the dining plan and especially free dining--they want people to feel like the dining plan is a great value, and are taking it out on those who don't buy the DDP. I wonder if this price increase in the DP is the beginning of the end of it... :shrug:

 

[tomm4004]

I go under free dining and I really don't think I would ever just buy the plan flat out.

Isn't it a wash though? For free dining don't you have to pay rack rates? And with a discounted room you can buy the dining plan. It sounds like it all works out the same.

 

[kimmychad]

Isn't it a wash though? For free dining don't you have to pay rack rates? And with a discounted room you can buy the dining plan. It sounds like it all works out the same.

it usually depends on where you stay. if you like the values like my wife and I you can save $80 if you go during free dining. you can't save that much at a value with any other discount that I know of.

now if you like the deluxe resorts, sure you can save more compared to the free dining plan.

 

[brucie]

Its true the Dining plan is to expensive now, i have bought it once and used Free dining 3 times, I would not pay for it in it's current form. If they put back gratuity and appetizers I would pay the new prices. But they just keep taking things away and raising the prices