WDW Meal Plans

figment · Post by **figment** » Jan Thu 15, 2009 1:30 pm

We love using the DDP and find it to be cost effective.
We eat at 2TS and 1TS and use the CS credits on certain days to save the TS credits. We really enjoy the fine dining and saved several hundred dollars on our last trip. (It was close to $1,000 on an eight day stay.) But not having the tip included makes a huge difference on those big dinners.

jenjolt · Post by **jenjolt** » Feb Wed 25, 2009 10:18 pm

I find that for me the meal plan is also about convienence. I love knowing that when I go all my meals are already paid for and I know I was going to get plenty of you. I did Deluxe dining and was able to enjoy Signature Dining and will definitely be using Deluxe dining again on my next trip and taking advantage of the snack credits during Food and Wine at EPCOT.

LadyLallie · Post by **LadyLallie** » Feb Sat 28, 2009 8:37 am

I really liked using the meal plan when we went in September. I liked knowing that our meals were paid for and that we would be enjoying some nice table service restaurants. The thing I didn't like about the dining plan was that you couldn't order an appetizer instead of dessert. I really love appetizers much more than desserts so that was the only downside for us.

ericpabear · Post by **ericpabear** » Mar Tue 03, 2009 6:56 pm

We just got back and used it for the first time. We did a cost comparison. If we ordered what they give you, deserts, snacks, etc., we would have saved around two hundred dollars. (We gave it all back in tips. It was a "push".) But since we don't ordinarily order deserts, or get that many snacks, it cost us more to purchase their dinning plan. Also, acouple of our favorites spots for coffe didn't accept it. We also had problems getting ice cream at acouple of the stands. The card swipe machine malfunctioned. In defense of the ice cream stands, in the past, we have had problems with our credit card on the card swipe machine. All said, I will buy the dinning plan when we return. There is just so much food, I know everyone is full when we are finished the meal, and it is already paid for. (Execpt tips)

Soarin08 · Post by **Soarin08** » Mar Tue 03, 2009 9:44 pm

I'm a CM and can hardly figure out the DDP! It's taken quite a bit of studying on my part to finally piece it all together. It sounds like a good deal though, when you break it all down.

purple figment · Post by **purple figment** » Mar Wed 04, 2009 10:09 am

The Dining Plan is wonderful if you have a group of people that appreciate the table service meals and doesn't mind the time it takes from the parks. My husband and I love it because we enjoy the great food available (especially in World Showcase.) Sure, we could live without the sit down meals, but they enhance our vacation experience.
My friend, on the other hand, went with her husband and three kids. It was their first Disney experience, and while they enjoyed the sit down meals, the group would rather have spent the extra time in the parks. The scheduling and time for meals seemed to be more of a hassle than it was worth to them.
I guess I am saying that you really need to know your group and its goals before you decide on the meal plan.

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Mar Wed 04, 2009 1:11 pm

kcarts wrote:
They are if you use them all. We found that we didn't use our allotment the week we went. You get a lot with the sit down meal. Each person gets an appetizer, meal and dessert. For the price, it's a deal. Again, if you eat everything.

There is no appetizer on the dining plan unless you do the deluxe plan which can tend to be way too much food.

The last time I went (spring 2007) there was only the one choice for a dining plan. I see that it has evolved since to include a couple of options.

99Soulz · Post by **99Soulz** » Mar Wed 04, 2009 3:03 pm

We were talking to one of the servers back in November and they mentioned that the appetizer will be making a comeback on the DDP, replacing the dessert. So, no real proof yet but will be a welcomed change if it happens.

I am in agreement with Purple Figment, depends on your group and preferences. We also enjoy the dining experiences as part of the vacation and love the meal plan. It's breakeven at worst for us (character dining & buffets) and big savings when we go to places that are "a la carte".

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Mar Thu 05, 2009 7:24 am

It would be nice to have the option of either dessert or appetizer. Sometimes you may be in the mood for something sweet after the meal. I usually end up eating too much on the dining plan though. Even the regular dining plan gives a lot of food.

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 6:57 am

I'm so excited! I made our ADR's yeterday for our June trip. 89 days today!
I was on the phone for 2 hours total. 1 hr and 20 minutes just on hold!
This is what we were able to get:

June 21 Garden Grill @ 4:20pm Epcot
June 22 50's Prime Time @ 4:00pm Hollywood Studios
June 23 Cinderellaâ€™s Royal Table (in the castle!) at 4:25pm
June 24 Crystal Palace for 2 @ 8:25 am and T-Rex at 5pm. This will be Dennisâ€™s day at Universal.
June 25 1900 Park Fare @ 4:45pm
June 26 Whispering canyon cafÃ© (Ketchup!) @ 5:10pm
June 27 Chef Mickey's a@ 5:05 pm

Mr.ToadWildRider · Post by **Mr.ToadWildRider** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 8:28 am

Does the DDP restrict when you can have sit downs? We always do a table service every day, but we do it at off hours (i.e. 3-4pm to avoid the lunch crowd and sneak in before the dinner crowd) then have a snack later.

sherabby · Post by **sherabby** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 9:21 am

We do the regular dining plan which is one table service and one counter service plus a snack a day. We are like you and always do one TS meal. It breaks up the day and gives us a nice rest period. Plus we always choose character meals or fun meals for my son.....he's not going to stay little much longer!

emnbensdad · Post by **emnbensdad** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 12:08 pm

sherabby wrote:We do the regular dining plan which is one table service and one counter service plus a snack a day. We are like you and always do one TS meal. It breaks up the day and gives us a nice rest period. Plus we always choose character meals or fun meals for my son.....he's not going to stay little much longer!

Sure they're for your son . . . come on . . . admit it . . . you love them just the same.

With everyone's reviews, I'm going to look into it. Our kids are picky eaters too. But, we're extending our stay to 5 nights, 6 days and we were going to incorporate a character meal.

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 12:23 pm

One of the few things I remember from my first trip (5 years old in 1986) was the character breakfast at the Polynesian. I love character meals and hate that I didn't get to one on my last trip. I think it's one of the only pluses about the Dining Plan now that it is more expensive and gives you less.

99Soulz · Post by **99Soulz** » Mar Tue 24, 2009 3:28 pm

Mr.ToadWildRider wrote:Does the DDP restrict when you can have sit downs?

Nope, you can use your sit down at any time of the day. Just restriced by the hours of operation of course. You can also use as many as you have on the same day.