Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

After reading whether or not to get the dining plan, I still can't decide. So I need help.

Message edited 1/12/2012 4:34:16 PM.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

I have used it once, this year I have Tables in Wonderland. It REALLY depends

ETA: Here's one good link with a lot of data: Linky

Another link:http://www.mousesavers.com/diningplanreview.html

Message edited 1/12/2012 4:54:35 PM.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Here's the thing. You're not going to save a TON of money on DDP. If you order expensive things on the menu, use table credits only for dinner, and would be eating all of that dessert (2 a day, basically), then it can pay off.

Most people do it because it's easy and it gives peace of mind and structure.

What I liked about it was when I had DDP, I HAD to have my 7 TS meals, so I tried out some new places, and had no guilt about it since it was already paid for. We didn't have to worry about breaking the bank for food, since it was already paid for.

What I didn't like was OMG ALL THE DESSERTS. We made it work out ok, but I would often get the desserts to go and put them on ice for breakfast or a snack the next day, or a late night snack.

I would rather have the choice of an appetizer OR a dessert. I didn't order any appetizers on DDP, because it wasn't "included" and I didn't want to spend extra money.

This last time when I was not on DDP I ordered a few apps when I wanted to and I only had 2 desserts the entire time. I think we also only ate 1 or 2 snacks the entire time we were there, and we never had soda with lunch, just water.

I saved the receipts and want to do a comparison at some point, but I think we probably spent a bit less than DDP, not by much, but we didn't get a ton of desserts we didn't want.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal. I've had great trips ON the dining plan and great trips OFF the Dining plan.

IF you plan to eat one QS, 1 TS and 1 snack per day, then it will probably work for you,

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Do you have kids between 3 and 9? I feel like then it's worth it because the DDP for kids is really cheap./

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

First - let's be clear.... Disney NEVER does anything to save YOU money! They have an amazing business model which is based on DISNEY making money!

We always get the dining plan (and sometimes the deluxe). We used to get the wine and dine - and loved it but they don't offer it any more
It works for DH and I. We rarely eat the dessert at lunch - maybe DH takes one or two bites, but we still like it.

We only tend to eat 2 meals a day in Disney so that helps. We'll grab coffee for breakfast (and maybe a granola bar - which is a snack on the meal plan), then a quick serve lunch and a sit down dinner - or sometimes the reverse. We've tracked it and for us it saves us money.

The Tables in Wonderland break even point is $375. Of course, not everyone is eligible for TIW. It's for FL residents, Annual Passholders and coming soon, DVC members (without an annual pass). We will usually combine the Tables in Wonderland and the Dining Plan.

Oh and if we have a lot of signature dining planned, we get the deluxe dining plan.

For our trip at the end of the month, we have the regular dining plan. For my girls trip in May when we have reservations at all signature restaurants, we are doing the deluxe. We'll do TIW for wine and/or apps and we're good to go.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

The answer really depends. It CAN be a good value or it is a waste. For us though it usually is a good deal.

I suggest you go over to allearsnet.com - they list all the CS and TS and cart menus in WDW so you can get an idea of where you might want to eat and what you think you would spend.

Off Peak times - the dining plan is $51 for adults and $15 for kids - I think it is $54 and $16 peak times.

This year you get a free refill resort mug (can only be refilled at your resort not in the parks) but it runs about $14. They have coffee, tea, soda, ice teas, some juices (lemonade, apple etc it varies by resort), and things like powerade sometimes. You can refill at the resort as much as you want. So that is pp - so right off that is nice - you can get drink in the morning, night, and if you come back to the resort during the day or you plan to spend some time at the resort.

You also get 1 snack a night (generally it is a bunch of things up to about $4 (there is a list over on disboards) - somethings are a little over $4 but they include things like fruit, ice cream, drinks (water, soda, ice cream floats, frozen lemonades etc), pretzels etc. Some places even have things like muffins etc so you could use it for a small breakfast tech.

Then you get 1 CS meal a night. How much that costs varies - but for example if you go to Cosmic Rays they have a rib and chicken combo for $14, but they also have things like 1/2 rotisserie chicken which is nice change to hamburgers etc - and that is almost $10 then there are burgers or sandwiches which are about $9, then you get a drink - figure about $2.50-3 dollars, and a dessert (you can get fruit if you don't want dessert) desserts are about $3.50. So it isn't unusual for a CS meal to cost between $13-15 give or take.

Then you get 1 TS meal a night. This is really where it depends on if it a good deal or not. If you choose lesser expensive places and eat lesser expensive items like pasta or chicken it probably isn't a good deal. But character meals really add up. Akershus the princess storybook dinner is $46.85 per adult and $25.55 per child (remember the children's plan is only $15 so you are ahead there - before they have their CS meal (about $6-7) and their snack. Chef Mickey's costs $40.46 and $20.23. TS sit downs (regular menus) can vary greatly - if you order fish or steak you can pay $30+ but if you go to someplace like Sci Fi drive in and order burgers you don't do very well on the plan. Additionally if you only want to do breakfasts it might not be as worth it as places like Chef Mickey's charges $35 - so you would have to spend at more than $16 to make up the difference- but you aren't really coming out ahead - so it is more about convenience. You don't need to have a dessert at CS meals - most places will allow you to choose a fruit that you can take with you for a snack later. Some people also use their snack credit for a light breakfast or light lunch and their CS for breakfast.

I can tell you that it doesn't pay to get the quick service dining plan. The Deluxe dining is very expensive and while you get 3 meals unless you plan to do 2-3 TS meals a day you don't come out ahead and it is a ridiculous amount of food.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Yes because it make sense for our family.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We used to get it when my kids fell under the "child" rate. Now that they are to old for the child rate, it doesn't pay. There's 6 of us --it just adds up to way too much. Also, we are DVC members, so we have a full kitchen. I don't sit there and cook, but it's a helluva lot easier eating something quick in the room (microwave pancakes, waffles, instant oatmeal) in the morning before heading out than dragging 4 kids to breakfast everyday.

If it were just me and my DH and maybe 1 or 2 kids, I might reconsider.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We have used it 2 times and it was free both times.
The first year I kept track of how much we "would" have spent if it came out of our pockets everyday. For 5 days, 4 people, 3 adults and 1 child fare, it would have been $1,000.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We had it the last time we went to Disney and we saved money by using it. My BIL who went with us also had the dining program and was left with a lot of it unused. We used his to buy water bottles and snacks for DS. We used it for table service meals where as he was happy with other options. I think it really depends upon your family.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We've never tried it b/c we are not big eaters. We frequently do just appetizers and dessert for dinner or split things especially at counter service. We also pack our own snacks like granola bars and stuff. If it was a free dining period then I'd probably do it, but I don't think it's worth for us to pay.

I also don't like how you need to keep track of credits, you are limited to certain items (as far as what counts as a "snack" etc.) It seems like a lot of thinking.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We like snaks and were not huge eaters. We like simple foods, so we get the quick service plan.

One snack per person per day. At the end of the trip if we don't use them, we go to the food court and get snacks and whatnot for the plane ride home.

It saves us money to do the quick service plan. This way we get a qs as meal for lunch and sit down for dinner.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Let's try this a different way.

Have you been to Disney before? What are your eating habits like?

Do you prefer to be on the go, touring or do you like to take a break out of your day for meals?


Do you have any thoughts yet about where you might want to eat?

Will you do sit down means mainly for dinner or character meals?

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Posted by neener1211


I think I am going to print the menus to each restaurant and see what I come up with. I did a quick calculation yesterday, but then DH had a hissy fit when I told him I might take away the plan that contains all his precious desserts.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

We did the quick service last year because I don't like to schedule too many meals in advance. We saved a lot. But it also included 2 snacks per day, not 1 like it does now.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Those are, for the most part lower end, cheaper places like PP said. I don't think you'll really get the benefit of DDP, especially since it sounds like several people in your party would be content sharing a meal.

If you had said like Boma, Akershus, 'Ohana, etc, I would say yes, but especially T-Rex and Rainforest are really inexpensive. Teppan Edo is more, but you're doing lunch, which is usually cheaper..not 100% sure if that's true at TE, but in most cases it is.

Biergarten is a little up there, bu Tony's, 50's, are all lower end too.

If it's not too late, I would suggest changing it up a bit. you're eating a lot of places most people would consider medicore. CM's has had some bad reviews lately. Tony's is Meh. I would think about 'Ohana if you can get in. It's a fantastic meal and there are lots of activities to keep the kids entertained while the adults have a really good dinner. With your list i feel like you are going to get bored of burgers really fast.

One way we have made DDP work for us was getting desserts to go and then using them as snacks for later or breakfast the next day. We used our snack credits at the time for food and wine, but you can also use them at goofy's candy company and buy goodies to take home.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

TY to the both of you! I'm going to go back through and see what changes I can make.

I had no idea that these places weren't decent...ty!

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Message edited 1/13/2012 4:36:06 PM.

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Re: Did you get the meal plan at Disney? POLL

Tony's is a good location but everyone I know who tried it didn't like it. I think Ohana's is a much better choice. They have great entertainment for the kids (hula lessons, coconut races etc) so it is a fun restaurant for the kids. My girls both enjoyed eating there. I haven't been to House of Blues but have heard good things.

LOL While I agree with JenniferEver about her previous comments - I happen to like sci fi (it is a bad choice for the dining plan b/c it is relatively inexpensive) but I think it is a fun place to eat. The food isn't anything to write home about - but if you stick to the burgers and shakes you should be okay - I just think that the kids (and adults) have fun sitting in the cars because it is something different.