Dining Plan ???

Originally Posted By dennis1212

We are thinking of using it...kids 10/12. But we have some food allegies...wondering if it is still worth it if we don't use a couple of the quick-service meals ??

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

It's a lot of food. I wouldn't personally pay for it, but it might be worth it if you do eat that way (1 counter, 1 table, 1 snack per day).

Denise

 

Originally Posted By dennis1212

A lot of food ?? Do the restaurants at WDW give big serving ?? What kind of snack options are there...fruit ??

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

A lot of food meaning I had a hard time eating that much every day. (including 2 desserts). You can use the snack items for many things. If you stayed at the Pop Century, you could use it for some desserty type items, or a big bag of Tostitos, or fruit. For me, it's just a lot of food. I'd rather just eat much smaller portion items during the day.

Denise

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

Fruit is a snack option. Some of the meals have large servings, but appetizer, entree, and a desert for a meal after you've alreay had a meal that days adds up. If you are going in 2008 it might not be to much now that they've eliminated the appetizer. Also remember the tip is no longer included in 2008. To much food is one of the complaints about the DDP. I hate the plan, I've never used it, and I never will. Since I have so much bias towards this plan it's not really fair for me to comment on it. You really need to check out all the menus at WDW, and decide with your food allergies if it will be worth it to you. Just remember to get in a lot of the table service restaurants you need to make your reservations well in advance.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

Disney can work with food allergies, that isn't a problem. I like to have smaller meals during the day, not one 3000 calorie meal and a counter service.

There are sit-down meals that are good and not so pricey (one of my favorites is Trails End).

Denise

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

I agree nbodyhome. I think that is why we've never had used it. That and we don't want to be tied down to a reservation every day.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

I did the free dining plan, and had a rough time making the reservations. I often wasn't hungry from earlier in the day, or I was someplace else on property.

Denise

 

Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP

Let me put in a word here and say each to his own. I understand why the DDP wasn't for you guys, but I want to stick up for really likeing the '07 version. I think I would like it even better in '08 w/no appetizer if it weren't for the whole tip thing. I would definatly do it again. I *believe* although they don't advertise this option that you can talk them into trading one counter service for 2 snacks. You'll have to call and ask, I'm not making any promises.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

DDP=Dumbing Down of WDW Dining.

I just used it. Because I got it for free. Even then, it was too much (and I'm fat and enjoy to eat). I wound up taking friends to dinner (not that there's anything wrong with that) and even buying snacks for strangers at the food court my final day.

It's just too much unless your goal is to be morbidly obese or you can burn up 5,000 calories in one day.

I also noticed that because I was forced to have PS's made for every day, that it greatly reduced my enjoyment because I couldn't be spontaneous. I was constantly looking at my watch thinking 'Oh, gotta be at EPCOT in 90 minutes or ... better not go to DAK because our PS is at the Poly and with Disney transport we'll have no time there' etc ...

I thought seriously about booking it again for the free period next year because I ate very well, but decided against it.

And if it isn't worth it for free, to me, it certainly isn't worth $38 a day each person!

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

This trip we are staying in one of the Hotels in Downtown Disney. We found it much more convienct to eat the majority of our meals off property. Since we have our own transportation as we drove down. Eating anywhere and driving to the parks is very convient.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Meanwhile, it seems very one who is staying on property is getting the Disney Dining Plan.

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

I know it would be great to have all food paid for before the trip, but I think the biggest reason we don't (other than we don't usually spend that much on food) is the fact that I don't like to HAVE to be somewhere too often on vacation. We usually do 2 or 3 reservations in a 7 day trip. If you could get a less expensive DDP that only had counter service or a few sit downs in a week, we might think about it.

 

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

We never buy the dining plan. It is just too much food for us, plus it makes your vacation too structured!

 

Originally Posted By bobbelee9

Can they come up with a plan where, in advance you pay $xx total for your meals, you don't need reservations, and you can eat where & when you want? Not having to carry money around is convenient. Or gee, is that what your room key is also good for? At first we thought the DDP was good, but after really looking at it, nope. Now I like the sound of the DDE, and hope no one turns me off of that. Use to be, you went to the Castle first thing in the morning to make your reservations for later that same day.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

The DDE is great! The only good thing for me about the DDP (which I've done for free, but haven't paid for) is being able to eat the high-priced meals at some counter service, like Sunshine Seasons. Some of what I did eat, I'd never pay for.

Denise

 

Originally Posted By UtahSally

Anybody have positives about the DDP ???

 

Originally Posted By UtahSally

Need some help....

We have some food allegies, and we are told that the Disney sit down restaurants are great for that. My question is....How much would a sit down meal and 2 snacks a day cost per person ??? It seems to me that the quick-service meal would end up being free...am I wrong ??

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

There are a lot of people who do like the DDP. If you can use it well, then it may be worth it for you.

As far as a sit-down meal, it just depends on the restaurant. Tutto Italia could run $75.00. Trails End for dinner runs closer to $20. Many people using their dining credits for character breakfasts, which wouldn't be a good use of the credits. Lunch is almost always cheaper than dinner, so it depends on what meal you are talking about sitting down for.

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

We use the DDE and we love it. I wish it were good at more places. I dont get why it gives you a discount at all start food courts, but not CBR. It does allow us to eat a a few higher end places while saving some money - especially since oldest DS is now 12. Another adult price at Boma.