Although we have been to Disney with our kids 10 times, this is the first time we are staying at a Disney resort (can you believe that?)...anyway, I am really torn by whether or not the dining plan is really a good deal. I have figured in everyway possible and just can't decide. For the plus dining plan, it comes out to a little over $36 a day for each of us. What are you opinions on the dining plan and if it is a good deal or not? Any help would be appreciated. I really need to add it to our vacation by Friday, so any help!!!!
Lisa
I think Im in the minority when I say we dont use it.....we are not ones that like to be dictated by when and where we have to eat. We like to eat on the go......we figure $10/person/meal..our last trip in Dec there was 5 of us so it came down to $50/meal/$150/day....but we stayed under that amt. Also our kids are older so we dont need to do any character meals, though we do Chef Mickeys due to tradition. We like to sit and relax but nothing longer than 30 mins.......plus we are not big eaters, depending on what we had for breakfast , we might not want lunch we just may eat an earlier dinner and then have a snack later on. But this is just how we have always been....maybe if this was around when our kids were little and we had a lot of character meals, we would have added it.
Cat...mom to: Steve (22) AD Army Andy (21) Jordan (18) Kyle (16)
married to Steve (5-2-86) retired AFNG Msgt (23 yrs of service) and a deputy sheriff
We enjoyed having the dining plan when we went last year. You do not have to have reservations to use the dining plan. You can use the plan at most of the eating establishments in the parks.
I have a 17 year old, 15 year old, and 20 month old. We have a reservation at The Crystal Palace for lunch one day, breakfast reservation at Cape May Cafe, and the Fantasmic fireworks dinner and show reservation. It just made me thing with how much each of these things cost, we would come out better with the dining plan. Just can't decide. We have other places we want to eat like Rainforest Cafe, but since you only get 2 meals a day, I figure that would work out fine to eat a few meals at other places.
Quoting bam920:
How old are your kids?
It really depends on how many days you will be visiting. If you're visiting for 3 days or less, I say skip the Dining Plan and pay out of pocket for your meals. However, if you plan to stay 4 days or longer, the plan may be worth it to you. I would only do the basic plan, however. The plus packages offer WAY too much food, and you'll most likely end up paying for more than you guys can eat. :)
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Disney Vacation Services
If you haven't yet, read through the Disney Dining Plan Explained sticky post in this group. I have a sample day broken down with prices so you can see how much it compares to paying out of pocket.
We always use the dining plan. If you plan to have one sit down meal a day, at most restaurants you would spend more for that one meal than the priceof the plan for the day. We always eat in Japan each trip and a meal there (not on the plan) is over $40. Some retaurants aren't as expensive (Prime time 50s Cafe).
We usually do a sit down meal for dinner so we can sit and recharge our batteries before heading out to the parks again. We did a fe character meals last year when we went becuase it was my niece's first trip there. Character meals are expensive but worth it on the meal plan.
We have 3 girls ages 6, 3 and 2 and we'll be using the meal plan when we go next week. I have ADR for Tony's Town Square, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sci-fi cafe, Le'Cellier, Chef Mickey and 1900 Park Fare. If we didn't have the meal plan the only place we wouldn't eat at would be Tony's. So for us, it costs less with the meal plan.
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undercoverer tourist
- ohmommamia
on Apr. 20, 2010 at 6:39 AM