Dining Program (is it worth it for the kids?)

chicagoboy · Post by **chicagoboy** » Jan Mon 23, 2006 12:37 pm

Hi, I'm fairly new to this site so forgive me if there is already a forum topic on this...

I went to WDW a few months ago with my wife and two children. We purchased the dinning program and it was absolutely great - loved seeing those $100+ dinner checks get zapped down to zero (including the tip!). However, after doing the math, I feel that although the meal program is great for adults, it was a waste of money for my younger kids - after all, the kids meals on the menu were usually less than $7.00 for dinners and less the $5.00 for lunches.

I was wondering if anyone else feels the same, or if anyone has actually purchased the meal program for the adults and then just paid normally for the kids - how did it fare out? Would love to hear your opinions on this. Thanks!

Mickeymac · Post by **Mickeymac** » Jan Mon 23, 2006 1:56 pm

Chicagoboy - did you consider that for the younger kids you're only paying $10.99 per child ages 3-9, you're getting two meals, and it includes the tax and gratuity? With the two examples you're giving me above, your dining would cost per child:

Dinner: $7 + $.45 tax + $1.05 gratuity
Lunch: $5 + $.33 tax
Snack: $3 + $.20
Total: $17.03

I do think it helps to maximize the table service experience, and to remember to get the snack (which can also be juice, water, fruit) It can be a good deal for families who know how to work the program, but can also be a loss for those who just don't do table service.

Where did you dine out at?

chicagoboy · Post by **chicagoboy** » Jan Mon 23, 2006 5:55 pm

Mickeymac - thanks

Somehow, I remember the kids dinning program to be a lot more than $10.99 per child per day but maybe I'm just getting all the expenses from the trip mixed up in my head. If indeed it is only $10.99 then I guess it’s still well worth it.

Lets see, for dining I don't remember them all, except for a few "stand-outs"... Chef Mickey was good (did the breakfast, which actually opens a whole new topic - don't waste your dining program vouchers on breakfast, save them for dinner). The Concourse Steakhouse (Contemporary Resort) was very good. The other major standout was the California Grill (well worth using up two vouchers per person, the food was unforgettable). Pretty much we enjoyed every restaurant - except for one, The Liberty Tree Tavern (the Characters were fun, but the food was a disappointment).

Mickeymac · Post by **Mickeymac** » Jan Tue 24, 2006 7:29 am

If they are 10 and up, they would be charged at the adult rate of $37.99, and then it's a tough decision as to whether or not it's worth it. I'm a disney-only travel agent, and we get the pricing surgically implanted at every rate change (just kidding!

) And you make a good point about trying to maximize your points depending on where you're dining. I try to do that with my Guests (point out what they're better spending them on.)

I've never eaten at California Grill, which is stunning since we go everywhere.

My new personal favorite is Le Cellier, and well worth the 1 table service option. It's amazing.

chicagoboy · Post by **chicagoboy** » Jan Wed 25, 2006 10:41 am

Mikeymac - hey the next time I go to WDW, I'll make sure to book it through you - that way you'll get something for it - right? I have a friend in the travel industry and I understand how hard it is for agents these days. I know the internet with all the direct bookings and web sites like "Expedia.com" must be taking a huge bite out of your profits. Anyways, thanks for the tips - the next time I go, I'll definitely make my way over to "Le Cellier".

Mickeymac · Post by **Mickeymac** » Jan Wed 25, 2006 12:17 pm

We are compensated by Disney, you're right, and frankly, I'm one of 'those' internet agents. It's only hard in that everyone seems to want to go to Disney at the same time, and it's just crazy. I love it though - the most fun is helping with itinerary planning.

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Jan Thu 26, 2006 9:33 am

We did a podcast about the dining program: http://www.wdwtoday.com/article.php?sto ... 7064034508

I should also mention that the dining program tends not to be a good deal when you've got little kids because they prefer to eat at counter service and if you can't eat at one sit down per day it doesn't make the program "worth it"

bribren · Post by **bribren** » Jun Tue 13, 2006 3:06 pm

I think its worth it every time. We used the snack on a $3 bowl of fruit. With deserts, AND the pleasure of just signing and going its worth it!

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jun Sun 18, 2006 7:26 am

I am not a big fan of it for kids - but, we typically travel on APs and use Disney's Dining Experience to save money, especially on adult prices that are charge to two of my kids, one of whom can't finish an adult mean (Disney REALLY REALLY REALLY needs Jr. meal pricing).

WhatsaPooh · Post by **WhatsaPooh** » Jun Sun 25, 2006 9:11 am

We use the Dining plan this past December, 2 adults and 1 8yo. Dh and I got more than our money's worth.

When I crunched the numbers, we saved $297 over the course of a 7 day trip. The best bargains for Ds were the buffets as they alone were more than the cost of his meal plan. We also always eat at least 1 sit down meal a day. Dh is a meat and potatoes guy, usually his dinners were at least the cost of his plan, meaning his counter service and snack were "free". We'll be doing it again this December as well, Ds will be 9 and still the childs rate. I don't think it will be as much of a bargain when he turns 10 though. Like AKLRULZ said, they (Disney) could really use a junior rate for the meal plan.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Oct Sun 15, 2006 3:24 am

We just got back from Disney...yesterday and used the Dining Plan. while we did save a ton of money and it helped us curb our spending on snacks (when you know your going to eat a big meal in 2 hours you decide against getting a snack.) Our youngest daughter who is 11 didn't eat alot of her steak or chicken that she would order and what she really wanted was just a simple cheeseburger. her Autism makes her a picky eater so we just started ordering cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese or spaghetti when available. next time we go we are considering purchacing only 3 dining plans(4 of us in our family) or even possibly 2. we just don't eat as much as they serve. and the CM's are always willing to pack your dessert for you to go. we didn't use all of our plan either. If we stay at Old Key West again we will only purchase 2 dining packages, because it has a refrigirator and stove, we usually had cereal before we left out for the parks along with leaving the room at 11a.m. every day. we sleep in when we come to WDW. we enjoy a full 12 - 12 day and sleep till around 10-11 the next morning. that schedule allows for more light meals and less heavy eating. especially when your main meal is at 4:30. laugh...i don't know why i scheduled that one..

Kamikaze · Post by **Kamikaze** » Aug Wed 01, 2007 9:43 am

Generally the last day you end up paying for any meals that you eat because of how the plan starts the day you get there. We have found that with children over 10 years old the dining plan isnt economical, however we have learned to work the system. Our 12 year old eats like a bird and it makes more sense to pay for her $5.00 kids meal and save her sit down meal for later. This works with regular resturants not buffets. Its been great because with saving her large meal option we have managed to cover all of our days and I dont feel so bad about her wasting food.