haylad
Registered: January 2012
Location: MS Gulf Coast
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Tue January 31, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Food for Adults
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Cons:
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Food for kids
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A nice option if you want to eat and eat a bunch. If you are going to eat with the characters, it will cost you a fortune. So, if you don't mind being on a schedule and you like the sit down option, it is great! We have gone 6 years in a row and have paid for or received the plan each time. If you want a lot of snacks during the day, this will not work for you. The kids menu options are very limited (8,4) and we found that my son (8) ate some of our plate each day. Just keep that in mind if you have a growing boy. I do find from the years of going that WDW needs a help desk area in the food courts of the value resorts. People are always lost and have very little idea about what they can get on the plan. It is not until they go to the check out that they learn that they have picked several wrong items. They then have to leave the line to change their picks, which then slows down the entire line. This happened several times to us 1-21-12 to 1-30-12).
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worco
Registered: January 2011
Posts: 35
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Review Date: Mon January 30, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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You are always full
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Cons:
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Selection is too limited.
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This is my third time on the dining plan and it has opened up my eyes to restaurants on the WDW property that I would not have tried otherwise. I love the fact that it forces the kids to sit down and take a breather and actually put some food into their bellies. I find the choices to be repetetive and limited though. Especially the kids choices. I also don't like being forced to buy the adult dining plan for my ten year old daughter (who eats like a bird) and then having her order off the kids meal 70% of the time. You should be able to choose whether your child gets the kids or adult meal plan up until the age of at least 12 or 13. It bothers me to pay $50 a day and then have my daughter eat PB&J and Chicken Nuggets for two of her meals. Advantage Disney.
Other wise I like the plan and will continue to get it in the future unless the price climbs so high that I don't think it is a good deal anymore. The price jumped signifigantly this year and I thought the value for the price wasn't as good with the increase. If the trend continues being a DVC member we might look at making more meals in our room or renting a car and eating off property.
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ttstooge
Registered: January 2012
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Mon January 30, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Value & convenience
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Cons:
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planning & execution
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When bundled with a room (and min 2 day ticket purchase) there is great value in the DDP. You will have to do a bit of planning in advance to take full advantage of it, but we had no problems whatsoever. We sought out the places we could split a single counter service into a meal for two. Also found the larger snacks that were enough for two (think chili-cheese fries.) And to anyone who doesn't use up all their snacks by the last day - here's a tip... get to one of the shops that sell fudge and load up (we went to the shop in the Contemporary and used our 5 remaining snack credits!) I read a lot of complaints about the dinner dessert... with the kids, we substituted a chocolate milk to go for dessert.
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jkkd
Registered: December 2009
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 37
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Review Date: Fri January 27, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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ease of use - good value
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Cons:
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We have used the dining plan on many trips now and really count it something that we look forward to. This time after our trip, I added up what we spend on the dining plan, in comparison to what we would have actually paid out of pocket for our meals and snacks and we clearly came out ahead using the dining plan, as opposed to paying out of pocket. We are two adults in our party.
There are several things that are really great about the dining plan. One, you have already paid for it when you get to your vacation. It is so convenient to not be worrying about budgeting for your meals during your trip. Another benefit is that you get to try lots of different places and eat a lot of food. Granted, were we not on the dining plan, we would not likely be ordering dessert at every table service meal, but since you've already paid for the food, it is a great opportunity to try some fun and tasty desserts. Remember, you are on vacation, so enjoy it!
Also, be smart about the choices you make. This is particularly in regard to your snacks. I urge you check out different things to use your snack credits on. To maximize your dollars - I wouldn't spend a lot of snack credits on things like sodas or popcorn....look around - there are tons of delightful treats that are more expensive, that you can use for your snack. Check out the caramel shop in Germany at EPCOT for example - many special, yummy desserts are available there. Also, the sweet shop at Sunset Blvd at Hollywood Studios has some great baked goods and snacks that are more special than that bottled drink. My favorite use of a snack credit and I recommend to anyone and everyone - THE DOLE WHIP!!! Get one. Get more than one. Get one everyday!! You can even get the dole whip float for a snack credit. You should do this!
Look around for that dining plan sticker at the snack locations and maximize that snack money. You won't be sorry.
All in all, I recommend the dining plan. I think it is a benefit and a value.
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foxress
Registered: December 2009
Location: Sparks, Nevada
Posts: 28
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Review Date: Sun January 22, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Pre-Paid, Order What I Want, Save Money,Dessert with Every Meal!
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Cons:
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Dessert with Every Meal
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We love the Dining Plan and here's why. When I order, I order from the left side of the menu. I don't even look at the right side of the menu, the prices, because it doesn't matter. It's already paid for, and whether I get the $16 pasta or the $32 osso bucco, it costs the same, 1 dining point. If we were not on the dining plan, we would not have dessert with every meal, however, I would probably order wine more often along with an occasional appetizer. So, I don't think paying out of pocket would save us money. The dining plan does save us money. We love to try all the different Disney restaurants, and really look forward to that sit-down meal every evening. For us, the Dining Plan is a good deal.
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NurseMinnie
Registered: December 2010
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Wed January 18, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Convenient!
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Cons:
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Sometimes in experienced users create long lines at Quick Service areas
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No need to carry lots of money except for tips when having a table service meal. We've found each time we've used the Disney Dining plan, we've come out on top, getting at least one meal (for the whole party) per vacation for free. What made it a bigger bonus this time was the refillable mug- since we're vacation club members, we never had this amenity offered before. I came in handy, and we definitely used more than $13.99 (the normal cost of a mug) in beverages. Totally would recommend it!
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The Rock-a-who
Registered: January 2012
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Tue January 17, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Convenience for first-time, inexperienced visitors
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Cons:
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Consistency
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As a first-time WDW visitor with a family of 5 I LOVED the dining plan. It took the headache of trying to budget meals along with everything else.
I love how we can go to a sit-down meal and only have to pay for the tip and alcohol we purchased instead of sticker shock of the final bill (a family of 5 adds up quickly)
I can, however, see the dining plan being phased out for me as I go more and more often to take advantage of other dishes offered at the restaurants but not on the dining plan.
Even with the 1 sit-down, 1 counter and 1 snack per family member, per day, on the last day we still had about 4-5 snacks left over and just got a buch at the hotel before leaving.
Overall I love the ease and convenience of using the plan and will plan to use it again for our next trip.
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CSchex
Registered: February 2011
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Tue January 17, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Food prepaid, no worries about what things cost!
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Cons:
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We have been using the dining plan since 2006. We love it and feel that we will continue to use it in the future. I feel the best part of the dining plan is not having to "police" what my family orders at each meal. They can choose what they want and I don't have to worry about the bill. I do love desserts, but two a day can get to be a little much. At the Counter Service meals, we found most will switch the dessert for an extra drink (we get a water to save for later) or we will get packaged cookies for the kids to eat as a snack. The key to the dining plan is to do your research as to where you would like to eat before you go. Our favorites are 'Ohana and Le Cellier. Both pricey and a good value to use credits for (Le Cellier at lunch is only 1). If you do this, you will have a much better idea as to if you will save money or not. Also, for 2012, a refillable mug to use at your resort is included in the plan. Many resorts offer pizza that is 2 table service meals if you have it delivered, but 2 counter service meals if you pick it up at the food court! I'd say it's worth the walk down there! If you have children ages 3-9, there is no cheaper way to feed them than on the dining plan!
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topperfan
Registered: May 2009
Posts: 54
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Review Date: Mon January 16, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 1
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We chose to accept the "free" dining plan for our December trip because the package price worked out to be a slightly better deal than the room-only discount. We've traveled before with and without the dining plan, depending upon the discounts offered. After this trip, we've decided to try to hold out for room-only discounts and skip the dining plan. The plan does not save us any money and does not fit our eating habits. Sometimes we like to have an appetizer and salad instead of an entree. We typically don't eat two desserts a day. We typically don't order beverages with each meal. The dining plan leads to too much attention on food and too much negotiation over using the credits. While we are planners by nature, it requires too much planning even for us!
Anyone interested in the dining plan should note that the "free" plan requires buying tickets and paying rack rate for the hotel. A room-only discount of 25 to 40 percent leaves enough money to pay for tickets and meals out-of-pocket.
Also, tips can be higher on the dining plan because meals include entree, dessert and beverage. During this trip, we didn't order dessert and beverage with every meal if we didn't want them. Though some people might consider that a waste, at least we didn't pay tips on items we didn't want.
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Rocket4D
Registered: October 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Tue January 10, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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Prepays for meals/snacks
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Cons:
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Virtually no savings, limits your options
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Using the dining plan might be more beneficial for families with children (maybe), but as two adults, we saw absolutely no benefit in purchasing the Disney Dining Plan.
I kept very careful records, saving every receipt and sometimes using my cell phone to take pictures of counter service menus displays. At the end of our vacation, I created a spreadsheet comparing the amount we would have spent without the dining plan against what we actually paid (dining plan + paying out of pocket for what wasn't covered by the plan).
When all was said and done, we saved about 0.3%. In actual money, about $5.00 over an 8 day vacation. So there was virtually no savings.
Combining that lack of any savings with the loss of flexibility that you get by trying to stick to a certain number of table service meals vs. counter service meals, making sure that the snack you're purchasing is covered by the plan, having a dessert with EVERY meal, etc. really makes purchasing the dining plan seem completely pointless.
It seemed to me that the only benefit in the purchasing the dining plan was having your meals prepaid, but you can do that by purchasing gift cards.
I'm sure the dining plan is terrific when you get it for free with a package deal. In fact, it seems like Disney's gone from having the dining plan for that purpose alone, and abandoned the idea of offering it for people as a money saving feature in its own right.
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wb17449
Registered: January 2012
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Tue January 3, 2012
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Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Convenient
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Cons:
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Didn't see any savings
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After looking at what we prepaid and what the actual value of our meals was, Disney got the better end of the bargain. I won't use it again.
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2ndStarr
Registered: December 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Thu December 29, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? No
| Rating: 3
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Pros:
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Prepaying for part of your dining
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Cons:
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not cost effective
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I liked the idea of not having to worry about paying for food so we tried the dining plan last trip. For some reason the children get an app included with their meal but adults do not. Add to that the cost of the tip and any alcohol you may drink and you end up owing a bit after the dining plan is taken out of the bill. Splitting up the dining credit and cash portions of the bill was very confusing for some of our servers. We ended up not even using some of our credits.
One key item of note is that if you stay at a value or mod, pizza delivery costs 2 table service credits- seems reasonable. If you're at a deluxe it costs 4 as they consider pizza delivery to be room service for which they charge 2 table service credits per meal (x 2 adults=4). So to have a $15 pizza you give up four table service meals! That's nuts!
I would use the dining plan again only if it were my husband and I alone and we had all the time in the world to linger over table service meals. Otherwise its a waste for us.
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hunterbuggy1999
Registered: December 2011
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Mon December 26, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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convenience
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Cons:
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choices
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Wonderful having our food prepaid and not having to worry about having that cost factored into our spending money. Not sure if we saved money or not because of the desserts. I wish it would allow you to choose between an appetizer and a dessert. All in all the convenience does it for me. I'll never go without it again.
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sunnee67
Registered: December 2011
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Wed December 14, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Convenience
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Cons:
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not consistent
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We always get the dining plan but as with other reviewers we feel the benefits are dwindling, especially if you are a DVC member. We just got back from Disney World and was not impressed with the Dining Plan. Everyplace we had a sit down dinner or lunch, did not include an appetizer. That would be Olivia's, and Mexico at Epcot. Mama Melrose at Hollywood Studios did include an appetizer.(which was excellent) It was very frustrating. Also, a lot of trips offered by Disney offers a free Dining Plan included in the price. I belong to DVC and we pay a lot of money to do so, it seems we could be offered the same thing. After we got home, we went through our receipts and indeed we did save money using the Dining Plan, and we like the convenience, so if Disney could just iron out the inconsistency of restaurant offerings, and give us DVC members a break now and then, I would rate it a 10
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Jimwill77
Registered: June 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Wed December 14, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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lots of options, easy to use,
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Cons:
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tips no longer included,
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Had my vacation planned for some time with me paying for the dining plan, and then disney announced the free dining plan, worked for me... with the exception that with the free dining plan I knew the parks would be more crowded and harder to get dining reservations.
Food quality and service did not suffer do to the dining plan for the most part everything was great. My family of 3 adults and one child ate at Ohana dinner, Crystal Palace, Tokyo dining, Boatwrights, 50s prime time, California Grill, cosmic rays, starring rolls, earl of sandwich, flaming tree barbeque, ect ect ect... So much food so little time! I really have no complaints about any of our dining experiences... loved California grill Ohana and Tokyo dining. At the end of our stay I tallied up the money saved using the dining plan, It was approx 1300 dollars! If you have the option for the free dining this is a no brainer. If paying oop for the dining plan, consider cost savings and the fact that you have to pay out of pocket for tips and any alcohol!
Some of the negative aspects to the dining plan, tips are no longer included on the dining plan, also your receipt will show a recommended tip most of the time this was ok by me, but at a buffet? 20% tip??? My server was nice and all, but all she did was get us a couple drinks? Maybe the best job at Disney! Also, there is really no subbing anything out on the dining plan, for example, while at one restaraunt there was a diabetic woman sitting near us, and she asked if she could sub out her dessert of an appetizer and the restaraunt refused!!! wow, I asked at every restaraunt and I got the same consistent ..no.. after a week in the park, there are only so many desserts I can eat. Desserts are included in your table service and quick service meals.
But, these issues were very small and we enjoyed having the dining plan, also, use your snack credits well... I had the urge to get everything free including my coffee, not the best use of a snack credit, be smart use them for dole whips in Magic Kingdom, Cookies and Rice Krispie mouse ears at the main street bakery, a giant cupcake at starring rolls, crepes at the french pavillion or something caramel in norway... so many options to choose from that are a way better use than a water... For your waters and perhaps beer and wine... Have your resort call yellow cab who is owned by mears in the orlando area, take a quick ride to the hess station or walmart, when having groceries delivered you will have a minimum order of 40 to 60 dollars, a charge of $18-20... and inflated prices of $12 for a 6 pack of beer, I took a cab to the hess, $18 round trip, and they had everything I wanted except for wine at lower costs than I am use to in MA,
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