Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Just wanted to get some expert tips on what you guys think of the value of DW's dining plan. I know Disneyland's dining plan is crap, but haven't ever planned a DW trip, so don't have a lot of experience. Looks like per day for my family of 4 (2 kids, 2 adults) it would cost $145 for one snack, one quick service meal and one table service meal. That doesn't seem too bad considering what one table service meal can cost at Disney. What do you guys think?
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance OMG, I just remember they have that offered sometimes!!!!! That would be AWESOME! ANything I need to know about that?
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS It depends on your travel dates. You can book with the dining plan, and call back later to get a refund if the free dining is offered. However, there are quite a few rumors floating around that it won't be offered this year, but I stay hopeful that it will as it's always offered for Oct travel which is when we will be there.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Just make sure that if you do pay for the dining plan, whether you are reimbursed or not, to book the restaurants that have the highest priced items to get the most bang for your buck. Most character meals are only one dining credit, and can cost up to $45.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance ^^^ That's what I was thinking. We like to do character dining meals and for the four of us to do one meal, it can be $150. So definitely sounds like a good way to do one per day and pay way less than if we paid individually. Anyone know if they tend to offer the free dining in Jan or Feb? If they do it this year.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance 999, if I remember correctly, they offer the basic dining plan for free and you can upgrade to the deluxe for a fee, right? Any idea what the upgrade fee costs?
Originally Posted By Yookeroo Yeah, if you're doing a lot of character meals with your kids, it might be worth it. Otherwise, it really isn't. It can be, but you'd have to be ordering the most expensive items at every meal to make it worth it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I don't like the Disney Dining Plan because it has made reservations very difficult to get, resulted in fewer menu options and considerably increased prices for people not on the plan. I have never used the plan for those reasons, but have come to realize that my personal protest will not change anything... the DDP is here to stay. So next time I visit WDW I will allow myself to become assimilated and purchase it. It is really the only affordable way to eat at the table service restaurants now.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance And also 999, on an unrelated note do you know if there is a similiar ticket option that would be like a California City Pass in Orlando? Would love to do Universal for Harry Potter, but single ticket passes plus transportation adds a lot to our trip price.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I'm so excited to be planning a DW trip that I can barely stay in my seat!
Originally Posted By tashajilek When are you planning on going? I will be going for Christmas this year.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I have to disagree with Yookeroo. While I would have agreed a few years ago, prices at the table service locations have increased so much that now just choosing mid-priced restaurants will allow you to break even... dine at more expensive locations (say, Chefs de France) and you are money ahead. For instance: Quick Service lunch at Tangierine Cafe Schwawarma Platter 13.00 Soft Drink 2.50 Snack at Kringla Bakri og Cafe Kringla Sweet Pretzel with Almonds 4.00 Table Service Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh Roast Lamb 28.00 Bastilla Desert 8.00 Coffee 2.50 TOTAL for day: $58.00 Adult DDP for one day: $56.00
Originally Posted By tashajilek For me it sounds like it wouldn't be with it. My husband and I aren't huge eaters. For lunch I remember we shared the schwawarma platter and dinner is normally our big meal. I guess to some people it would be worth it.
Originally Posted By tashajilek If they had a beer plan then it would be worth it for me to get for my husband lol.
Originally Posted By seafairy1622 I like it. We always get it. This year they also include the refillable drink mug for the length of your stay at your resort. I love having my meals already paid for and not worrying about that expense when you are there. We always do character meals. I think they are fun and I have a 3 year old grandchild. This June we have 1900 Park Fare, Ohana and Akershues. Do make reservations 180 days in advance. I do and always get the restaurants I want.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<If they had a beer plan then it would be worth it for me to get for my husband lol.>> They DO have one!! It is called "Tables in Wonderland". You have to be an Annual Passholder, DVC or a Florida resident to get one, but for Annual Passholders and DVC the cost is only $100 per year. It gets you 20% off the ENTIRE bill at most WDW restaurants, including alcohol. It includes the very expensive restaurants like Victoria & Albert's and the California Grill. My late wife Rosie enjoyed having wine with me at dinner so we generally bought one. My current wife Ann does not drink much, so other than our honeymoon visit we haven't purchased one. But if you are going for a 7-day visit and like dining at the better restaurants and having a few drinks each day it can be a big money saver. I wouldn't even consider going to V&A's without one.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ P.S. It also includes alcohol at the various WDW Lounges, though not at the Epcot kiosks.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Tasha, just planning tentively at this point, maybe next Jan/Feb. Definitely in the winter season before the heat would melt us.
