Originally Posted By Jenn31 has anyone used the new disneyland dining plan? if so how does it work? do you get like a ticket book with vouchers or are your meals on a card like at wdw? we have booked the 5 day dining plan to be used during our four day stay.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb It looks to me like pre-paid food vouchers. It doesn't have the huge savings potencial of the WDW plan.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Jenn31, when you get back from your trip, please post a trip report and let us know how you liked/disliked the DL dining plan! :0)
Originally Posted By agent We have used it in the past, but no more. We lose our 10% AAA or AP discount at most of the locations. The reduce rate adds up, especially at the Character meals. When we booked through WDTC we received cards. When we used AAA they were coupon books. I prefer the cards!!
Originally Posted By zekeayala I find it weird that DLR is trying to use the Dining plan. I've heard that not very many people stay at the hotels so why bring in the plan? I think it's understable at WDW...but DLR doesn't even offer alot of dining experiences to have a dining plan. But Jenn31 please post and let us know if you liked it or not.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The Walt Disney Company has been offing pre-paid meal vouchers for decades at Disneyland. Alas, it is not the best of programs. As mentioned above, it is basically a book of vouchers with a pre-set amount based on what it is supposed to be for, ODV vouchers are about $5, Breakfast is around $10, and so on... There is no change given back on the vouchers, so most people either get too much food, or lose some of what they paid due to buying less than the voucher's worth. Also, the vouchers are not accepted everywhere, especially the Downtown Disney Restaurants, where they have the most sit-down meal choices. So it isn't that flexible, and not really worth it for most people. I would just get Disney Dollars or a Disney Gift Card instead, as you can use them at most places on Resort Property, get change back from the Disney Dollars, and get your discounts if eligible. And the costs of the pre-paid meals has no real discount, I think a minor savings on the Character Meal, but it is drop in the bucket to the overall cost.
Originally Posted By sjdimon We did this a few years back - we booked thru AAA Travel, and added a Dining Plan. For us, the one that made the most sense was actually for one day *less* than we were going into the parks (so since we had a 5-day pass, we got the 4-day dining plan). The coupon book was kind of neat (ok - only a real Disney *GEEK* would like the plan for the book) - but it was like the old Attraction Ticket Book. I calculated out the discounts - and it worked out to about 15% overall, but that is only if you maximize all of your coupon values (so, as an example, if one is for a "snack" with a value up to $5.00, DON'T use it to buy an Ice Cream that is only worth $3.00. Either go for a more expensive snack or pay cash for the $3.00 Ice Cream). You will have to do some planning, the one nice thing is that it helps to budget the trip as a number of your meals will already be paid for. But, as was pointed out, you will lose your AAA and/or Disney Visa discount if you pay via voucher.
