Subsonic Radio

Im planning my first ever trip to WDW right now and im really having a tough time deciding whether or not I should get the dining plan option. Im trying to save as much money as possible and my thinking was the food cant be that expensive to where it comes out more than $37.99 a day. Is it that expensive for food there?

I wanted to hear your thoughts on if this option is good to get or not. I know a lot of you are experienced WDW travellers and know if its good to have it or not. Please advise me on which is ithe best way to go?

Hey Bill,

It really just depends on your eating habits - but some averages for a table service meal could easily run you $30 per person with an entree and drink and more if you got dessert (included on dining plan) . Counter service meals could run around $12- $15 with snacks running around $4 - $5. So for the equivalent $37.99 on the dining plan many guests will spend $46 - $50. Most vacationers will save money on the plan.

That said, dining is just about the only area where a lot of guests can control their budget by eating say more counter service meals and fewer table service (maybe 1 or 2 on the trip). And Disney does offer some great counter service options, especially in Epcot's World Showcase and at Animal Kingdom.

Check out some of the menu's on Deb Willis' site: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm. She's got most every table and counter service menu listed with prices which might help you get a flavor (no pun intended ) for some of the offerings and prices.

I'm in the same boat as you, billville. We were going back and forth, back and forth, trying to decide. We finally came to the conclusion that we should just try it and see if we save anything. We'll keep track this trip of what we would have spent without the plan and compare it after the trip. We might lose a bit this trip, but at least we'll know for the next time what our habits are.

When my husband and I honeymooned at WDW last Dec. we used the dining plan, and it was ALOT of food. But food can be very expensive! We usually take snacks with us and eat two meals a day, oned bigger meal and then a smaller one. But like AKLRULZ said, it really depends on how much you eat. Have a great trip billville!!!!

I'm not sure if you are going to be under the 2007 or the 2008 plan. When the 2008 plan kicks in it gets "not as good". You don't get the tip and it drops one course from the sitdown ( appetizer I think.)

Personally we've done the math, and Disney Dining Experance (DDE) is much better for me and my wife, already. But we tend to eat more table service, and not as much counter service. Normally we do 1 or 2 table service things per day, and carry snacks and only use counter service for sodas. The except for the Fish and Chips at Epcot.

(yes when it's free DDP, the DDP is better, assuming you are already getting the package.) Someone always seems to insist that it changes the math when it's free. But being AP holders, and DVC members we almost never qualify for free DDP.

johno

DDE is what we have too, and it's worth it's weight in gold. But it is available only to AP holders and Florida residents so the DDP is going to be a better deal for the average guest on a package who won't have an AP.

Free DDP is most likely going to be offered again next year in Aug/Sept as my clients there now are able to book "bounceback" trips for next year with free dining. It's a huge draw, but unfortunately only typically offered at the end of summer.

For me and my eating habits, I don't think the DDP is worth it. When you consider how much you can save with an Annual Pass discount on the room plus the added discount of the Disney Dining Experience card, there's a lot of money to be saved there and I don't see DDP as worth it.

after my recent trip which included the dining plan, i'm actually leaning away from the dining plan. I think its also due to the frequency that i'm am accumulating with the parks. if you are a first time visitor i would suggest the dining plan. (reason below) i was actually craving a pizza from the All Star food court last time but since i had the dining plan i felt it would have messed up my balance of food and enjoyment. to think you can predict your eating habits in a place that offers so much variety and delights to the senses is rather insane. if i ever have the dining plan again (this last time it was free) i will set reservations but i will not have them dictate my enjoyment, or cravings. usually you can have luck with a concierge changing or setting new reservations.

reason for new visitors: the first time I took my wife to disney we blew a ton of money on impulse eating. when the kids were born we did it again. and again. on the third visit with the kids we had the dining plan. it worked wonderfully, we actually paid attention to our eating habits, we would hold off on snacks because we knew we were in for a huge dinner in just a couple of hours. it was a nice balance.

Yea, the more i think about it the more i think it might be worth it. I think it might be more convenient to have it so I dont have to pay for food while on my vacation. I just know were going to want to buy a bunch of souveniers while there and when you in add in the food on top of that, it gets to be pretty pricey. At least this way I can pay for it over the course of months prior to my trip.

Im thinking trying a different table service every night would be kinda nice, especially with this being my first time ever. I cannot wait!!!

So what are all your favorite table service places at WDW? Do you all have any recommendations or advice as to where to leave reservations? I really want to hit up the best places while im there.

billville, my wife and I went two years ago and got the DDP, and are going again in a couple months, and have done it again. We'll reevaulate in 2008 to see if it will still be worth it with their changes, but as of right now, it definitely is.

One of the things we loved was the convenience and variety. It's possible (I still think unlikely) we could have saved a *little* money by eating only counter service the whole trip... but we got to eat at some of the great sit down restaurants at Epcot and the resorts that we either (a) wouldn't have done without DDP, or (b) would have paid a ton more money to do without DDP... so in that sense, we love it.

Plus you don't have to carry cash or an extra CC around with you... just your room key pays for meals.

spaulo, Wow...that is really convenient! I didnt know your room key paid for it. Yea...i really do want to try out a lot of the table service restaurants that i always hear about. What was your favorite place to eat at?

Heh, "favorite" has so many meanings...

My favorite food was probably at the Nine Dragons. I'm a sucker for Chinese food and got this great pot of seafood...

My favorite experience was at Sci-Fi Diner at MGM... always...

My favorite for a little relaxation (coupled with good food of course) was the Rose & Crown...

We're trying a few we haven't done yet this time around... Le Cellier, O'hana, California Grille, Boma... should be great!

Ive heard a lot of good things about Boma and the rose & crown. I love chinese food as well so ill definitely hit up the nine dragons.

Ive also heard a lot about the sci-fi diner and the audio track on here sounds really cool! So, i should try to hit that up as well.

Steve (spaulo) has some great dining selections for his upcoming trip!

My personal favorites:

Le Cellier
Boma
Jiko (2 credits)
California Grill (2 credits)
San Angel Inn
'Ohana

And best counter service place around - Earl of Sandwich at DTD. Wish there was one back home! Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club is a close second for great burgers, fries and ice cream!

I still haven't used the DDP, and I think that I'm all the better for it. If I were to use the DDP I would actually pay more than what I do. There are three reasons that I pay less without the DDP:
1. I have the Disney Visa and am able to get 20% off meals at certain places.
2. We always buy a box or two of cereal before going to the room and get a Gallon of milk too. This cuts out the money you would spend on the Baked goods or even cereal in the parks or at the resort, which they charge $3.00 for (I think, and not including milk). I know that over at Coronado Springs you can spend $15.00 on food in a heartbeat with that buffet style thing they have over there.
3. With how much I do in the parks during a day going to a sit down restaurant isn't feasible, it would eliminate an hour out of the day that I could be using to Stand in line


I still do think that if you feel like it try it. don't go by what everyone else is saying, only know your eating habits. The DDP may work for you or it won't, you won't know that til you try.