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When you visit Walt Disney World, do you purchse one of the Disney Dining Plans?
- Thread starter JMAN8675309
- Start date
glvsav37
Well-Known Member
to those who say they are 'tied' to the dining plan...IDK, for me, dining is one of the enjoyments I get at a WDW stay. I love all the choices and I can't get a place like Ohana, the uniqueness of a Sanaa, or a fun character meal at home. I can understand how people would be concerned about planing meals around park time, but for us, we often plan our park time around the meals.
that said, IMO the deluxe meal plan is way too much. I couldn't imagine eating (and spending the time at) 2 TS meals per day. We opt for the mid range plan that gives us 1TS/1QS and 1 snack. We try and do at least one 2TS credit meals per trip so that we free up a full day or 2 w/o needing to slot in a TS meal. And we like to plan our meals while the parks are at their busiest (in the summer) so we can escape for a bit.
that said, IMO the deluxe meal plan is way too much. I couldn't imagine eating (and spending the time at) 2 TS meals per day. We opt for the mid range plan that gives us 1TS/1QS and 1 snack. We try and do at least one 2TS credit meals per trip so that we free up a full day or 2 w/o needing to slot in a TS meal. And we like to plan our meals while the parks are at their busiest (in the summer) so we can escape for a bit.
glvsav37
Well-Known Member
adding...to anyone on the fence cost wise, check this out: Disney Dining Plan Calculator
Its not mine (although I wish I was smart enough to figure this out), but it is pretty stinking cool.
We've run the numbers and have always come out at a spot where buying the plan isn't too far off from what we would spend OOP.
Its not mine (although I wish I was smart enough to figure this out), but it is pretty stinking cool.
We've run the numbers and have always come out at a spot where buying the plan isn't too far off from what we would spend OOP.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Posting a response to clarify: I answered "never purchase," although that's not entirely true. We DID purchase it in the past, and found that:
(1) even though we booked all the most expensive 1-credit TS restaurants for dinner and went to all the most expensive CS restaurants for lunch, choosing the more expensive entrees at each, we just about "broke even," saving a little over $100 on a party of four in a week (or more like $150 when we traveled with a party of 6 for a week), off of what we'd have spent for the exact same items if we'd paid for them out of pocket;
(2) the amount of food we received was far more than we wanted or needed to eat, and much of it went to waste (including a handful of "snacks" we'd get the last day just to use up the credits, and then give away to others); plus, because it was more than we'd otherwise have ordered, it was clear that if had ordered only what we actually wanted to eat and paid for it out of pocket, we'd have saved a significant amount of money -- for example, left to my own devices, I don't drink fountain beverages or order desserts -- that's a savings of $20/day all by iteself; and
(3) the benefit of having pre-paid did not simplify our vacation any, nor did it make us feel carefree about what we ordered, because there was the constant pressure to "get the best value" out of the plan by ordering the most expensive options on a menu, even if that wasn't what we preferred to eat.
Based on that experience, unless there is a compelling reason to do so (e.g., it's offered for free or at a discount, or in one case we were traveling with a family member and wanted to cover some of their costs without their knowing -- we told a little white lie and said we had free dining even though we didn't), we forgo the dining plan.
(1) even though we booked all the most expensive 1-credit TS restaurants for dinner and went to all the most expensive CS restaurants for lunch, choosing the more expensive entrees at each, we just about "broke even," saving a little over $100 on a party of four in a week (or more like $150 when we traveled with a party of 6 for a week), off of what we'd have spent for the exact same items if we'd paid for them out of pocket;
(2) the amount of food we received was far more than we wanted or needed to eat, and much of it went to waste (including a handful of "snacks" we'd get the last day just to use up the credits, and then give away to others); plus, because it was more than we'd otherwise have ordered, it was clear that if had ordered only what we actually wanted to eat and paid for it out of pocket, we'd have saved a significant amount of money -- for example, left to my own devices, I don't drink fountain beverages or order desserts -- that's a savings of $20/day all by iteself; and
(3) the benefit of having pre-paid did not simplify our vacation any, nor did it make us feel carefree about what we ordered, because there was the constant pressure to "get the best value" out of the plan by ordering the most expensive options on a menu, even if that wasn't what we preferred to eat.
Based on that experience, unless there is a compelling reason to do so (e.g., it's offered for free or at a discount, or in one case we were traveling with a family member and wanted to cover some of their costs without their knowing -- we told a little white lie and said we had free dining even though we didn't), we forgo the dining plan.
Last edited:
vcstr
Active Member
When deciding if "free" dining or the room discount is a better deal it's important to remember that this will differ for everyone. For small eaters, smaller groups, or families with young children, the room discount will often save you more. With four adults in the room, the dining plan will often save you more.
In the past I've always gotten the QSDP either "free" or heavily discounted when I was CM (those were the days). In Fall 2014 I paid out of pocket for it for the first time and was unsure how I'd do. While it wasn't about the savings for me I ran the numbers and found we saved about $50 over the course of the week we stayed.
I always plan to eat good QS meals (there are lots if you do your research), typically snack for breakfast, and pay OOP for 1-2 table-service dinners through the week. I love this style of trip, and searching out the best of the best QS meals often gives me an excuse to explore some of the resorts I haven't stayed at (Pepper Market at CS once offered their lunch buffet for one QS credit and seeing the resort led to me staying there a few years later).
In the past I've always gotten the QSDP either "free" or heavily discounted when I was CM (those were the days). In Fall 2014 I paid out of pocket for it for the first time and was unsure how I'd do. While it wasn't about the savings for me I ran the numbers and found we saved about $50 over the course of the week we stayed.
I always plan to eat good QS meals (there are lots if you do your research), typically snack for breakfast, and pay OOP for 1-2 table-service dinners through the week. I love this style of trip, and searching out the best of the best QS meals often gives me an excuse to explore some of the resorts I haven't stayed at (Pepper Market at CS once offered their lunch buffet for one QS credit and seeing the resort led to me staying there a few years later).
Dawg4Mickey
Well-Known Member
I chose Always, but first let me say that we do not go very often and for us it just works with what we like to eat. We get the Deluxe Plan which yes can be a lot of food, however I like using those credits for Character Meals. As some one mentioned earlier the eating is a part of the experience for us and not having to wait in line for Autographs and meeting Characters is awesome for us. Plus we go in the Summer time (August) and having that lunch break to get out of the heat and to sit down in an Air Conditioned Restaurant and enjoy a meal with my family is a great way to have a break in the action.
Also being able to go to some of the signature dining restaurants (Yes it is 2 credits) and not stressing about what we can choose is great. Otherwise we would not probably eat at those places. Cost wise it can be expensive (like most things at Disney) but when I run the numbers it always works out that we save on the plan than if we paid out of pocket.
Another thing I like is for those 2 credit places like CRT, on the dining plan the credit card becomes just a guarantee hold vice paying for the item in advance in full. This is great for us on places like CRT and Spirit of Aloha which we are doing both this trip
Also being able to go to some of the signature dining restaurants (Yes it is 2 credits) and not stressing about what we can choose is great. Otherwise we would not probably eat at those places. Cost wise it can be expensive (like most things at Disney) but when I run the numbers it always works out that we save on the plan than if we paid out of pocket.
Another thing I like is for those 2 credit places like CRT, on the dining plan the credit card becomes just a guarantee hold vice paying for the item in advance in full. This is great for us on places like CRT and Spirit of Aloha which we are doing both this trip
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
Never.
No matter how many times I have run the numbers it makes no sense. It made no sense when I paid cash for rooms. It made no sense when I paid cash for rooms and had an options of "free" dining (at rack rates for the room) and it makes no sense now when I use my DVC membership for rooms.
I used to enjoy eating at WDW - maybe up until about 5 years ago. Now, it is a crowded mess, the food quality has gone down dramatically, and having to book reservations months in advance is a hassle. I know some people posted that they like the flexibility of being able to eat the most expensive thing on the menu and not worry about it. For me, it is the oppisite. I hate the idea of having paid for 5 7 meals, at a given price, in advance, and now I feel obligated to eat them. Somtimes I don't want a big meal, sometimes I do, somtimes I want an app and not a dessert, somtimes i WANT the cheapest thing on the menu. Not because it's the cheapest, but because its want I want (honestly, I really don't look at prices on a menu, except for a casual glance, just to make sure there are no crazy suprises on there).
-dave
No matter how many times I have run the numbers it makes no sense. It made no sense when I paid cash for rooms. It made no sense when I paid cash for rooms and had an options of "free" dining (at rack rates for the room) and it makes no sense now when I use my DVC membership for rooms.
I used to enjoy eating at WDW - maybe up until about 5 years ago. Now, it is a crowded mess, the food quality has gone down dramatically, and having to book reservations months in advance is a hassle. I know some people posted that they like the flexibility of being able to eat the most expensive thing on the menu and not worry about it. For me, it is the oppisite. I hate the idea of having paid for 5 7 meals, at a given price, in advance, and now I feel obligated to eat them. Somtimes I don't want a big meal, sometimes I do, somtimes I want an app and not a dessert, somtimes i WANT the cheapest thing on the menu. Not because it's the cheapest, but because its want I want (honestly, I really don't look at prices on a menu, except for a casual glance, just to make sure there are no crazy suprises on there).
-dave
Darth Figment
Well-Known Member
We always get the deluxe Dining Plan. Because what we dont use, we go to downtown disney (disney springs whatever) and use them at the higher end restaurants. Then whatever is left over you can stock up on snacks . We aways find away to spend them . Then i dont get that sick feeling like when i have to shell out money for the food and snacks . To me, after the trip is paid for , all i have to do is have fun .
DfromATX
Well-Known Member
This subject always crops up sooner or later. My answer is not listed... in past trips we have ALWAYS done the DDP, but for our trip in July, we are not. This will be our first time not to do it. I took the amount of what the plan would have cost us and have the cash in the bank. It's designated to cover dining only. (I haven't decided yet if I will do a gift card or just charge it and pay it off when we get home or what.) We still plan to eat at the same type of places we would if we were on the plan.
PrincessRachelT
Active Member
I've done two trips with dining plans, one with the midrange plan, once with deluxe. The midrange worked well for the trip I had planned as I was going with one friend and we wanted to have everything paid for ahead of time. We had fun picking restaurants and doing character meals. The second time, when I did the deluxe, was because it was my honeymoon, and my father offered to pay for it for my husband and I. It was so much food that I ended up with a box to take home every night! It was a lot of fun trying new restaurants that I wouldn't normally have tried though. We don't use the dining plan anymore as you still have to pay tips, and you always seem to want to make it worth it by getting the most expensive thing.
DisneyAubs
Active Member
For me, it depends on how long I'm going to be there and the purpose of my trip. If it is a quick trip I sometimes just do 1-2 sit-down meals out of pocket so we can have as much time in the parks as possible. If it is a week-long trip I almost always get the dining plan, because we need a sit-down meal every day. And my husband will order the most expensive meal every time, guaranteed whether I'm paying in cash or credits. And I always want dessert! So, it is a good fit for us. 
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
We Used get the deluxe DP to but no longer daily price is far too high for the value received and with the cutbacks in food quality we just eat in villa (DVC memebers usually 1-2 BR) or go offsite.
Dad 2 M & M
Well-Known Member
For those who benefit from prepaying, consider going to Sam's and buying gift cards; $150 for $142.xx, about 4.67% discount. Use the cards to buy/prepay your meals.
Using this method, you would save even more, as you would not buy the most expensive things on the menu (just because you can). Remember, when ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, tip goes up as well. And the tip is OOP! A family of 4, on the DDP could very easily have a tip north of $40 for a TS meal at Tutto Italia. While the OOP peeps would have to tip as well, the tip would be based on a less expensive meal.
Last thought....I also agree with those who have already pointed out the room discount is a better deal than "free dining".
Using this method, you would save even more, as you would not buy the most expensive things on the menu (just because you can). Remember, when ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, tip goes up as well. And the tip is OOP! A family of 4, on the DDP could very easily have a tip north of $40 for a TS meal at Tutto Italia. While the OOP peeps would have to tip as well, the tip would be based on a less expensive meal.
Last thought....I also agree with those who have already pointed out the room discount is a better deal than "free dining".
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Noellikechristmas
Active Member
I wish the options were not so black and white. I put always, but out of my 5 trips I've only stayed on property once. If I had the option, I stayed on property, I would get the package. I like to pre pay for vacation as much as possible...so it's nice not to have to worry about cost when I go.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
You used to save some $ with the dining plan. Sadly, now it is just a prepaid plan so that you don't have to worry about the $$$ necessarily. I sure do miss the days when you could get an appetizer, not a dessert.
We actually use it. I plan it where we eat at a signature restaurant and buffets at least. Our bill at Narcoossees was 400$ on the dining plan ( party of 5)! So, there are ways to use your dining plan "wisely".
We actually use it. I plan it where we eat at a signature restaurant and buffets at least. Our bill at Narcoossees was 400$ on the dining plan ( party of 5)! So, there are ways to use your dining plan "wisely".
margybear
Member
I think @bethymouse hit the nail on the head- I'm definitely not saving money by getting the DP unless I go all out, but my main reason is not having to worry about what I spend when I get there- it's covered by what I've paid. Also, my SO loves steaks, so it'll probably be worthwhile some nights! If I didn't have to worry about bills for 14 nights, I wouldn't get it.
ekutchey
Active Member
We always have both for convince and so we can enjoy all the good food Disney has to offer. We purchase the deluxe dining which is a lot of food but we enjoy visiting quite a few of the signature restaurants. We always total up all our bills and always come ahead quite a bit. However it definitely depends on how you use it.