What about the Disney Dining Plan?
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What about the Disney Dining Plan?
| Sun, 01-14-2007 - 10:39pm |
I've read all about how it works, and had friends that said they didn't purchase it, but wished they had because they paid way to much for food. Anyone ever tried it? Did you like/dislike it, and about how much does it cost.? I can't seem to find any info on price.
Thanks a million!
Carrie
Thanks a million!
Carrie

Our first experience with the Disney Dining Plan was in September 2005, when it was offered for free. We thoroughly enjoyed using it. It was a TON of food, and I liked the flexibility of being able to order what I wanted. We are using it again for our May trip, but this time we have to pay for it ourselves. The price per adult (ages 10 and up!!) is $38.99 per day, and for children ages 3-9, I believe it's $11.99 per day. We have two children, ages 11 and 7, so we have to pay the adult price for one of them. For us, it works, because he has a healthy appetite and he loves ordering off of the adult menu. If he were picky and only ate chicken fingers, I wouldn't be able to justify paying adult prices for him. My 7 year old is extremely picky, and I'm a little worried about the new kids menus for him. But I figure that at $12 a day, if I buy him a breakfast and a snack, his plan has paid for itself. He can share meals with us at dinner if he absolutely can not find anything else on the menu that interests him. When you figure in the costs of snacks (even if you just purchase bottled water at $2 a pop (or whatever they cost now!), and gratuity at sit down restaurants (included in the plan), I think most people come out ahead. For those that argue that it's too much food and they'd never order an appetizer, I think you STILL come out ahead, even if you skip the appetizers! If you go to www.allearsnet.com, you can scan the menus and see just how much you'd pay for an entree alone...the food can be quite pricey!
For me, it works out well because I am normally very frugal by nature, and I'd order the cheapest thing on the menu to save money. By using the DDP, I can order that $30 filet mignon without guilt. By eating one sit down meal a day, you've just about gotten your monies worth from the plan. And the DDP allows us to try different restaurants. We enjoy good sit-down restaurants, so it's great for us!
Good luck deciding!
Marcy
We used it too on Marcy's advice (hi Marcy!) and I'm so glad we did! I feel it was a very good value too and like she said, just one meal and a snack for kids and it's paid for itself.
Marcy & the other 2 ladies that responded...
Thank you so much for your insight. Makes my planning very easy now. One more thing, Is there a website where you can purchase this plan? I can not seem to find where to purchase, and I like to pay for everything before we go. Any thoughts?
THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH!
Carrie
Thanks so much for all your info ladies :o)
Carrie
Hi, Carrie. I "think" that Sonya told me the DDP was NOT available if staying at the Shades of Green. I hope she'll hop on and clarify that so I am not misinforming you.
Have you booked the Shades of Green yet? When is it that you are going again?
Melissa
The Disney Dining Plan is only available as part of a Walt Disney World Resort package that include a stay at a Walt Disney World Resort and a minimum of 1 day base ticket.
Melissa,
We are going from Dec 21st -29th. Probably not the best time to go, but it's the only time we could all get off from work, my kids are off from school, and my husband can take leave.
I emailed the lady from shades of green for a quote. She hasn't emailed back yet, but she did say it includes the room and breakfast and dinner for 30% off. I'll save a buck anywhere I can :o) So I may not need the dining plan afterall...
Carrie