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Disney World - Meal Plans
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:34 am
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:34 am
I've probably read everything that comes up about meal plans on the first page or so of google, and whether they are worth purchasing.
I went through each menu for each table dining restaurant we will eat at and most of the quick dining options. I tried to simulate what a meal would come out to be at each spot.
I came to the conclusion that the meal plan probably ends up saving me a few hundred versus paying out of pocket. Of course the couple hundred will be made up in tips (I did calculations coming out of pocket with tips included). So I think it would come out to be a wash. Certainly not far enough apart to think I am coming out ahead one way or the other.
Most blogs say I will end up spending more on the dining plan but I think its going to be negligible either way. We won't leave any credits on the table either.
My 15 month old isn't on the dining plan, but I think he will be ok eating off of our plates. It just seems more convenient and also kind of locks in how much I'll spend on food.
Does anyone else have opinions on the dining plan (regular not cheap or deluxe)? Any angle I am missing?
I went through each menu for each table dining restaurant we will eat at and most of the quick dining options. I tried to simulate what a meal would come out to be at each spot.
I came to the conclusion that the meal plan probably ends up saving me a few hundred versus paying out of pocket. Of course the couple hundred will be made up in tips (I did calculations coming out of pocket with tips included). So I think it would come out to be a wash. Certainly not far enough apart to think I am coming out ahead one way or the other.
Most blogs say I will end up spending more on the dining plan but I think its going to be negligible either way. We won't leave any credits on the table either.
My 15 month old isn't on the dining plan, but I think he will be ok eating off of our plates. It just seems more convenient and also kind of locks in how much I'll spend on food.
Does anyone else have opinions on the dining plan (regular not cheap or deluxe)? Any angle I am missing?
6
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:44 am to rmc
I think you've looked at it appropriately. It works for some people....doesn't for others. Earlier iterations of the dining plan were a much better value, IMO, as they included gratuity as well as an app and dessert for each table service meal.
I, personally, steer away from the dining plan now after having 3 or 4 trips using it. For me, I've only gotten it when it was offered for free. But even then I didn't care much for it. The reservations have a tendency to "lock you in" to what you can do on any given day. I like to keep my options open. Now, if you each table service meals for lunch, the rest of your day is still wide open. Also, we pretty much never eat 1 table service meal per day....but having the dining plan kind of forces you into doing that.
There's no right or wrong answer. It really is a situational thing. Sounds like you've looked at it right and that it may work to your favor.
I, personally, steer away from the dining plan now after having 3 or 4 trips using it. For me, I've only gotten it when it was offered for free. But even then I didn't care much for it. The reservations have a tendency to "lock you in" to what you can do on any given day. I like to keep my options open. Now, if you each table service meals for lunch, the rest of your day is still wide open. Also, we pretty much never eat 1 table service meal per day....but having the dining plan kind of forces you into doing that.
There's no right or wrong answer. It really is a situational thing. Sounds like you've looked at it right and that it may work to your favor.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 10:49 am to rmc
Eating is one of the things I like to keep as flexible as possible on Disney trips, so I forego meal plans.
That being said... sometimes they run specials where the meal plan is free if you book a stay x number of days. If you catch one of those its obviously worth taking.
Thats just my .02.
That being said... sometimes they run specials where the meal plan is free if you book a stay x number of days. If you catch one of those its obviously worth taking.
Thats just my .02.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:01 am to GeauxColonels
Flexibility is certainly something I worry a little bit about. I tried to break it up over the 7 day trip that we do something like 2 sit down breakfast, 2 sit down dinners and 3 lunches. Character dining is a big deal for some in the party.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:10 am to LSUnation78
quote:
That being said... sometimes they run specials where the meal plan is free if you book a stay x number of days. If you catch one of those its obviously worth taking.
Not necessarily. When they do the free dining, there's almost always a discounted room rate offer at the same time. It's possible that you can save more money by getting a discounted room rate and paying out of pocket for the dining plan or forgoing the plan and playing while there. Of course, it's highly dependent on which resort level you plan on booking. The discounts are always higher (30% typically) for Deluxe resorts and then are stepped down for lower levels.
quote:
Flexibility is certainly something I worry a little bit about. I tried to break it up over the 7 day trip that we do something like 2 sit down breakfast, 2 sit down dinners and 3 lunches. Character dining is a big deal for some in the party.
I think that's a good way to manage it. Using credits on breakfasts gives you complete flexibility the rest of the day. Even the lunches gives you most of the day to do what you'd like. I think you're going about it the right way.
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 11:12 am
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:11 am to rmc
We don't typically get dessert and we drink a lot of water
I liked the convenience of the meal plan but the sentence above makes it not make sense for us.
I liked the convenience of the meal plan but the sentence above makes it not make sense for us.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 11:12 am to Croacka
quote:
We don't typically get dessert and we drink a lot of water
I liked the convenience of the meal plan but the sentence above makes it not make sense for us.
Another good point. The plan could easily force you to alter your eating habits so that you feel like you're getting the most out of the plan. I will agree that part of the price of the plan is the convenience of having the meal pre-paid.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:00 pm to GeauxColonels
quote:
The plan could easily force you to alter your eating habits so that you feel like you're getting the most out of the plan
My god, this. My wife and I got the deluxe for our honeymoon, which was awesome. We aren't big breakfast people so we would do a sit down for lunch, and for dinner use two of the credits towards the nicer places. We ate everywhere, but Jesus, having an app and dessert per person per meal became a chore after a week.
I will say that the chef's table at Victoria and Albert's was the best meal of my life. It just cost me my first born child
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 12:05 pm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:13 pm to KarlMalonesFlipPhone
quote:
My god, this. My wife and I got the deluxe for our honeymoon, which was awesome. We aren't big breakfast people so we would do a sit down for lunch, and for dinner use two of the credits towards the nicer places. We ate everywhere, but Jesus, having an app and dessert per person per meal became a chore after a week.
We got the dining plan on our honeymoon in 2006 (this was before there were different tiers). It included gratuity as well as an appetizer and dessert for each table meal. Counter service meals were the same as they are now. And of course we got the snack credits. We were also staying concierge level at Wilderness Lodge so there was the lounge up there we had access to for breakfast in the mornings as well as snacks throughout the day (PB&J, bison chili, cookies). We ate so much over the course of the week that by the time we rolled into Whispering Canyon Cafe for our last meal, we barely ate our appetizers and had maybe 1 bite of our entrees. Our server completely broke character and thought something was wrong with our meal. We explained that we were stuffed....didn't eat anymore of the entrees and skipped dessert completely.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:19 pm to rmc
quote:Disney has you right in their pocket.
Most blogs say I will end up spending more on the dining plan but I think its going to be negligible either way. We won't leave any credits on the table either.
quote:Which is more than what you would have spent. What makes it so convenient? That someone tells you what you can and can't eat? You still have to make reservations. You still have to keep track of how many "services" you have remaining. And you'll still pay cash for food because it's not going to include every meal. And everyone says they'll use all the snacks... and sometimes that actually happens under normal circumstances since they can include drinks and fruit. But I've seen it so often, normally in bigger groups, where they leave 5-10 snacks on the table.
It just seems more convenient and also kind of locks in how much I'll spend on food.
As someone already said, it used to be a GREAT deal. $30/person per day. Included app, dessert, gratuity.
There's also a spreadsheet out there to help you compare. You have to do a little work, but if you can guess where you will eat and what you'll eat (here's the important part) where you pleased when you pleased, then take a look at what that would cost vs what the dining plan would cost, you'll see that cash comes out ahead 95% of the time. Now, if you're okay with Disney dictating your habits only to spend more than what you normally would have, then go for it. The only time it works out is if what you want to do is also what Disney wants you to do.
Here's a quick example: Going for 5 days? That's 5 table services. You want to go to Cinderella's castle for breakfast one day. And you also love Le Cellier. Boom, you're down to just 1 table service left, and you've only had 2 meals. So what happens? Out comes your wallet to pay for food on top of what you already paid ahead for. It's going to happen. No way around it.
If you happen to be a Florida resident, AP holder, or DVC member, there's a better choice out there called the Tables in Wonderland card. It's 20% off at most places. It has blackout dates, but I've never gone during those times. It also forces an 18% gratuity at serviced restaurants which is basically what I put up anyway. The kicker? It includes EVERYTHING. Only want a salad? 20% off. Want to drink around EPCOT? Alcohol included. The prices for this beauty? $150 up front. For a family for 4, you make your money back in 3 days.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:41 pm to ell_13
quote:
If you happen to be a Florida resident, AP holder, or DVC member, there's a better choice out there called the Tables in Wonderland card. It's 20% off at most places. It has blackout dates, but I've never gone during those times. It also forces an 18% gratuity at serviced restaurants which is basically what I put up anyway. The kicker? It includes EVERYTHING. Only want a salad? 20% off. Want to drink around EPCOT? Alcohol included. The prices for this beauty? $150 up front. For a family for 4, you make your money back in 3 days.
Definitely a good suggestion for anyone with AP or DVC. Here's the website if anyone wants more info: LINK
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:41 pm to ell_13
quote:
Which is more than what you would have spent. What makes it so convenient? That someone tells you what you can and can't eat? You still have to make reservations. You still have to keep track of how many "services" you have remaining. And you'll still pay cash for food because it's not going to include every meal. And everyone says they'll use all the snacks... and sometimes that actually happens under normal circumstances since they can include drinks and fruit. But I've seen it so often, normally in bigger groups, where they leave 5-10 snacks on the table.
As someone already said, it used to be a GREAT deal. $30/person per day. Included app, dessert, gratuity.
There's also a spreadsheet out there to help you compare. You have to do a little work, but if you can guess where you will eat and what you'll eat (here's the important part) where you pleased when you pleased, then take a look at what that would cost vs what the dining plan would cost, you'll see that cash comes out ahead 95% of the time. Now, if you're okay with Disney dictating your habits only to spend more than what you normally would have, then go for it. The only time it works out is if what you want to do is also what Disney wants you to do.
Here's a quick example: Going for 5 days? That's 5 table services. You want to go to Cinderella's castle for breakfast one day. And you also love Le Cellier. Boom, you're down to just 1 table service left, and you've only had 2 meals. So what happens? Out comes your wallet to pay for food on top of what you already paid ahead for. It's going to happen. No way around it.
If you happen to be a Florida resident, AP holder, or DVC member, there's a better choice out there called the Tables in Wonderland card. It's 20% off at most places. It has blackout dates, but I've never gone during those times. It also forces an 18% gratuity at serviced restaurants which is basically what I put up anyway. The kicker? It includes EVERYTHING. Only want a salad? 20% off. Want to drink around EPCOT? Alcohol included. The prices for this beauty? $150 up front. For a family for 4, you make your money back in 3 days.
Thanks for the input. I am going to look for the spreadsheet. Like I said, running my own numbers, I had myself coming out paying more for food than the meal plan. That may actually speak to me spending to much on food.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 12:59 pm to rmc
The spreadsheet I used that's still out there somewhere is old. I think it's from 2013. But you can manipulate it by changing the prices and adding/removing restaurants from the "lists" sheet. I've got an updated clean copy I can email you if you wish.
Posted on 5/25/16 at 1:02 pm to rmc
If dollar for dollar all things are equal go without so you have more flexibility and dining options (swan and dolphin restaurants, etc).
The only way to come out ahead is to dine within guidelines too restrictive for me and I don't done there for the best value.
I think the only way to truly find out is to go without it, but, eat and drink everything you want and tip normally...then compare what you spend to what the DDP costs. Unfortunately, people do it the other way and see what the DDP would have cost them out of pocket and that's wayyy to misguided.
The only way to come out ahead is to dine within guidelines too restrictive for me and I don't done there for the best value.
I think the only way to truly find out is to go without it, but, eat and drink everything you want and tip normally...then compare what you spend to what the DDP costs. Unfortunately, people do it the other way and see what the DDP would have cost them out of pocket and that's wayyy to misguided.
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 1:26 pm to ell_13
That would be awesome.
This post was edited on 5/25/16 at 3:45 pm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 1:59 pm to rmc
Ygm
Posted on 5/25/16 at 8:03 pm to ell_13
To expand on what I said earlier
If you get the most expensive thing at the most expensive restaurants that are on the DDP, you might just save a couple dollars a day.
It's convenient as hell to never worry about what your bill is gonna rack up to, but you aren't gonna "get one over on them".
Unless it's free DDP, I doubt we get it again. There were so many desserts we threw away half eaten and so many times we could have split entrees but didn't
If you get the most expensive thing at the most expensive restaurants that are on the DDP, you might just save a couple dollars a day.
It's convenient as hell to never worry about what your bill is gonna rack up to, but you aren't gonna "get one over on them".
Unless it's free DDP, I doubt we get it again. There were so many desserts we threw away half eaten and so many times we could have split entrees but didn't
Posted on 5/26/16 at 11:07 am to Croacka
I have heard of people putting the cost of the dining plan on a prepaid visa. Using it solely for dining purchases. When the trip is over, if you have money left over, you can spend it on whatever you want.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 11:32 am to rmc
We always purchase the deluxe meal plan. My biggest complaint with the meal plan is that you want to use all the entitlements and you want to use the sit down service meals. The issue with the sit down service meals is that these meals normally take over 2 hours away from your day. So, if you eat three meals a day, you can count on 6 hours a day sitting in a restaurant and not visiting the parks.
Posted on 5/26/16 at 11:49 am to LC412000
2 hours? Where the hell are you eating?!
Where the hell are you eating?!
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