Originally Posted By Indigo Roadtrip opined: "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." True. However, I think Team Disney's push for optimizing food ordering across restaurants and speeding up table turnover would have resulted in fewer menu choices anyway. But the high prices just so Disney can make DDP users feel like they're getting a deal, that's too much for me and why I'll never support it. "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." Alas, us locals are left to suffer. I can't recall the last time I ate at a sit-down restaurant at Disney that wasn't paid for by someone else (family or part of a press event). Some restaurants are approaching twice the cost for the same food I can get off property. I know Disney really could care less about us Locals, but it sucks none-the-less.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip They do offer the "Tables in Wonderland" plan to Florida residents (as I mentioned in a previous post). Cost is $125 for Florida residents and could be well worth it if you dined there a half dozen times a year. It provides 20% off your total bill including alcohol. One pass is good for up to 10 people in your group.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS CC, we always stay at moderate hotels so we get the regular dining plan. We've never had to pay to upgrade from quick service dining, so I didn't even know that was possible. As soon as I hear if there is free dining I'll pass it right along to ya!
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips CC....I had my trip planned thru the WD Travel Co for the week before Christmas....staying at Port Orleans Riverside....airplane tickets and park hopper tickets I called in August to check on something and the girl told me my room qualified for FREE dining We are a family of 4 and I had already planned on 3,000 for food for us for 8 days What a surprise and I loved having it all paid for in advance and DW will let you reserve 6 months in advance We had a snack each day and a hearty lunch and a sit down meal
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips Also we dined at some really nice places I did not have any problems with getting the restaurants we wanted
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance What an awesome surprise LuvsDsnyTrips! I'm hoping they decide to bring back free dining this year's off season. I'm leaning towards going in January. It's the coolest month, hopefully combining with slow crowds. I need to find out when the marathon is in January so I can avoid that!
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Would love to do Universal for Harry Potter, but single ticket passes plus transportation adds a lot to our trip price." If you're doing both Universal parks, you can get tickets with a free shuttle here: <a href="http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/universal/" target="_blank">http://www.dreamsunlimitedtrav...iversal/</a>
Originally Posted By Yookeroo Oh, if you want the best deal for staying on property, look into renting DVC points. I was able to stay at a Deluxe (Beach Club) for moderate prices.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Oh, if you want the best deal for staying on property, look into renting DVC points. I was able to stay at a Deluxe (Beach Club) for moderate prices.>> My daughter has done that several times. It can be a great idea, but be very careful. Check references from people who have rented from that person before and do everything you can to protect yourself. One year a guy took my daughter's money but never made the reservation. DVC, while expressing sympathy, views it as a private transaction between you and the DVC owner and will not assist you in getting your money back.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We always buy the DDP. And have never been sorry. It has allowed us to try restaurants that we might have shied away from. We like to know that our meals are already paid for and that is one less thing to worry about.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Oh, if you want the best deal for staying on property, look into renting DVC points. I was able to stay at a Deluxe (Beach Club) for moderate prices." Good idea! WHere do you go to rent the points?
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Constance, we did the deluxe dining plan for our big trip last year and are doing the regular dining plan this year. The deluxe dining plan last year saved us a LOT of money, because we used all of the credits for table service meals. This regular plan, by my calculation, will save us some money, but not quite as much as the deluxe one did. I strongly recommend choosing one of the dining plans.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo <<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>> You've picked an expensive entree at an expensive restaurant. And an expensive snack. Compare that to, say, '50s Prime Time. It can save you money. But you need to do it right. Constance, you should check out the prices at the restaurants you'd like to dine at and do the math. Although if you are doing a lot of character meals, it's probably worth it. With or without the Dining Plan, check out La Cava del Tequila.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I guess I never considered Marrakesh an expensive restaurant compared to some others at Epcot. I chose it because I really like the food at Morocco... as you could see by my choice of Tangierine Cafe for a quick service. As for Prime Time, if you enjoy the show, great. As far as the food goes, you might as well eat at Denny's.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "My daughter has done that several times. It can be a great idea, but be very careful. Check references from people who have rented from that person before and do everything you can to protect yourself. One year a guy took my daughter's money but never made the reservation. DVC, while expressing sympathy, views it as a private transaction between you and the DVC owner and will not assist you in getting your money back." True. "Good idea! WHere do you go to rent the points?" The safest way is to go to a broker like this one: <a href="http://www.dvcrequest.com/" target="_blank">http://www.dvcrequest.com/</a> Or to rent directly from a DVC owner (which will probably be a bit cheaper), you can check out the DisBoards: <a href="http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29" target="_blank">http://www.disboards.com/forum...php?f=29</a> I think you need to be registered to see that forum.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I do admit that at WDW I prefer dining on food that I can't find at home, and those places may be a bit more expensive. But $18 for Chicken Pot Pie at Prime Time? I'd far rather pay $28 for the Roast Lamb at Marrakesh. Plus, if you buy it at lunch the Lamb is only $19. The Pot Pie at Prime Time is still $18.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Hi CC, In post 27 you asked about the January marathon dates...for some reason I wrote in my notes Jan 8-14 WDW Marathon and Oct 5 for Tower of Terror Twilight Zone 10 miler. I usually make note of times of the year to avoid all the cheer competitions and POP Warner Sports and grad nights at DL. I also want to mention the renting points...something I have never done because of the uncertainty. I just started watching the rent trade or transfer board on <a href="http://www.mouseowners.com" target="_blank">http://www.mouseowners.com</a> Since I am a DVC member with points I know that it is very difficult to arrange a vacation because many dates are not available. A DVC member can book 11 months in advance or 7 months in advance. Therefore most popular dates disappear. Often the only backup available is at the Saratoga Springs resort which is nice for those that own their but it is a huge complex close to Downtown Disney. Personally I would rather stay at the value resort POP Century than the mod Saratoga . I also think the studios for DVC members are pretty small. It includes a small queen bed and a fold-out couch. You might feel cramped unless you have perfect children that will share a fold out couch. You also do not receive daily housekeeping. Not a big deal except for no place to hang towels to dry for next days use. I guess I am discouraging you from renting points since this is a first trip. A true DVCer is very well versed in WDW and knows what to expect. SO I guess I would worry about this decision for you. I feel i will inevitably offend for my usual blunt honesty. i apologize for not being able to keep my mouth shut..it just happens...but I will answer any of your questions honestly from my point of view and recognize everybody has lots of helpful advice for a first timer at WDW. Good luck I just want you to have a fun trip and truly care.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip My daughter has rented points for both Bay Lake Tower and The Boardwalk, so it is certainly possible to get premium locations via point rental. But again, I would urge CAUTION!! It will take her more than a few years to recover in savings the amount she lost when she rented from a crook. Make sure you protect yourself and you should be OK.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Thanks for all the info everyone. I probably realistically won't rent points since money is a factor for us, and will probably save money by staying at a value resort and getting free dining IF they offer that. We like to do character meals, and have felt like crying more than once when I am charged abotu $150 for one meal, so if I can get the dining plan for free, even if I have to pay an upgrade charge since we'll be staying at a value resort, it'll most likely be worth it to us. Unfortunately doesn't look like the Rainforest Cafe takes the dining plan and it's one of our favorites to do together. Does anyone which of the RFC at DTD or inside AK Park is bigger or better?
