2009 Dining Plan Poll and Comments About This Page:

[krisk11]

I haven't voted yet as I leave for my vacation in 24 days but I'm using the dining plan for the first time. We have the QSDP and I can't imagine having snack credits left at the end since I can't leave HS without a mickey bar or MK without a dole whip. We'll see how it works out for us soon.

[disneyprincess]

We used the basic plan for a party of six. As with some of you we had people who just weren't hungry even though I spaced the meals far apart. We had our dining plan messed up early on with being charged incorrectly with the credits. We ended up having a table service credit left over and several counter service meals left as well. We will used QS next time.

[Maf Gagnon]

Originally Posted by Natazu

We used the Deluxe Plan ten days in December. There were three adults and one infant. We were very happy with the way it worked. Instead of forcing three TS meals a day, we had a snack in the morning, then a sit-down lunch and Signature dinner. Using the plan in this manner, we were able to have California Grill twice, Citricos, Narcoossee's, Artist Point, jiko, Flying Fish twice, Brown Derby, and the Luau.... that was just dinners. I ran the numbers once we got home using the receipts. Assuming the things we probably wouldn't have ordered if it wasn't included, we still saved over $1000. We didn't have any problem enjoying an App, Entree, and Dessert twice a day, even my mom who normally eats like a bird.

Thank you so much for that input. This is exactly my plan for my family trip next December. You've been to most of the restaurants we want to try or enjoy again. I'm glad to know it worked well and I just can't wait to try it myself.

[chillepepa]

My teenage daughters & I went in July and brought a friend of theirs with us. We did not do the dinning plan. Originally I had only planned to eat at 4 TS places, with a few QS and the rest of our meals back at camp at FW. We ended up eating 1 TS everyday and almost 1 QS everyday. The whole trip I kept thinking that we should have done the dinning plan. When we got home I tallied what we spent on meals & snacks. It was the right choice not to go with the dinning plan. We did not spend a $160 a day on food, even with the multiple snacks we purchased each day. But we are trying the dinning plan out in Oct - only because it is free.

[spluto18]

I am going in May and I don't eat that much but my boyfriend who has never been to WDW eats consistently every 4 hours. I wish that they would do something like two tables and one QS but oh well we will be eating well and we can do alot of signature meals lol....

[Nicole626Stitch]

We just had the basic DDP in August, we usually get it every year. The best year, we think was the first (?), when the appetizer was included as well as the tips. Next year, we are going to try for the QSDP, just because we want more freedom. I think we have gotten our fill of restaurants at WDW and the time they take up to enjoy. We like to be spontaneous, and the DDP, isn't the best way to go because you have to plan the ENTIRE day around your dining. This year, we got tickets to the STS-128 launch down at KSC and since it got scrubbed a few times, we had to move our dining all around and even had to give up 'Ohana!!
So, needless to say for us, the basic TS DDP is out for us next year.

[hockeyguysmom]

We just got back & upgraded from the free dining to the deluxe (this is our 2nd time doing this). This works really well for us because for the price to upgrade ($10 for kids & around $30 for adults) we get 3 meals a day, snacks & the refillable mugs. We did end up bringing 20 snacks home with us but that just makes the Disney magic last longer.

One thing that I really like about the Deluxe plan is that it does not seperate out kids meals vs adult meals. If the kids want a hamburger & it is on the adult menu instead of the kids menu you can get it for them and not have to worry about one of the adults in your group having to order off the kids menu at some point during your trip.

[ndwiley]

We used the DDP in June for 3 adult prices. We ate all over the Parks, Downtown Disney,The Wave, and had breakfast at the Grand Floridian and Chef Mickey's. The food and service was very good. It was great to see the different resorts, also. But, I found there were times when we weren't hungry at meal times. We tried to space our meals 3 1/2 to 4 hrs apart. We took deserts back to the resort, but never ate them, again because of being so full. To get the benefit of the the plan there are 3 reservations a day which took a little park time away. We used the snack credits to take home which was great for our road trip. The mugs are great souviners. In 2008, our first time to use the DDP, we loved it, but still had too much to eat. We loved it, because of the savings and the wonderful restaurants we got to enjoy. We will always plan to eat at a sit down restaurant each day, just maybe not three. The basic plan will be for us next time. (My daughter and son-in-law will chose the deluxe)

[mike56]

Still like the deluxe dining plan-sitting down to a nice leasurely table and enjoying one anothers company-do not like counter src at all!

[MJW]

Can meals be shared on the Basic Dining Plan?
If yes, can they be shared at a 1 credit restaurant or a 2 credit restaurant?
Could we conceivably buy an appetizer to share, share the entree and dessert using a dining credit (or 2 if its a 2 credit restaurant) and buy 1 extra drink?

Has anyone done this and if yes, did you feel ok about it?

[Meggera]

We used the BDP, and for us, it was too much food. We won't do it again. We just don't eat that much. I'd rather pay OOP for less food.

[Griffin]

Didn't use the dining plan. And it was best for us this time as DS is young and only really likes to eat at CS spots. Maybe when he is older we will crunch the numbers again, But not yet.

[Timothy Mouse]

Used the Basic Dining Plan for trip in September and found the amount of food to be just right. We based out day-to-day schedule around what time our ADR was. The first day it was at Tutto Italia at around 4:30 if we weren't on the dining plan our out of pocket cost would have been $140. The next day it was at the Royal Table at 7:35 pm and the last was at Hollywood and Vine at 1:00 pm.

We had Contempo Cafe, the first night, for our quick serve. The next day, we were at Electric Umbrella which was nice 'cause they had self-serve drinks. After that, it was Flame Tree BBQ. Our last day was at Cosmic Rays.

We usually grabbed a late-night snack from Contempo Cafe. We left with only two snacks.

[BettyBeBop]

We used the Basic Dining Plan on our trip in August. There were 4 of us: myself (49), my BFF (46), DD (21) and her bf (21). I chose to use the Basic plan so that we could enjoy some TS meals together and because it gave me the peace of mind knowing that DD and her bf would not have to worry about paying for their meals when we were not together. It was absolutely perfect for our group. We ended up having I think three QS meals left over (I think only DD used up all of hers), but that didn't really bother me. I think the choices we made completely paid for the meal plan. And it was so nice to not have to worry about DD and bf.

We ate at Tusker House (lunch), 1900 Park Fare (breakfast), 50's Prime Time Cafe (dinner for me and BFF), California Grill (dinner for DD and her bf), Sanaa, and enjoyed Mickey's Backyard Barbecue. I think the best deal we got for a QS had to have been the meal at Wolfgang Puck Express. A $50+ meal for 2 on Qs credits!!

I am going back in December and am definitely using it again!! (Although this time it is free. )

[BettyBeBop]

Originally Posted by Meggera

We used the BDP, and for us, it was too much food. We won't do it again. We just don't eat that much. I'd rather pay OOP for less food.

The 1st time just DD and I went by ourselves, we found this to be the case. The next time we went, we did the OOP route and that worked out perfect for that trip. I think it definitely depends on your travelers and what you are planning to do while there.