Disney Dining Plan

There are two comments/questions I hear most often from potential clients.  The first is:

We don't want to go to EPCOT. We heard it's boring and not worth our time.

I'll address THAT comment in another post, today I want to talk about the other most popular comment/question I hear:

Is the Dining Plan Worth it?

It used to be very clear but as the dining plan price has increased over the years, the line is it a bit blurrier on what the value of the plan is.  I can say until I'm blue in the face that MY family loves it and uses but what does that mean for your family?

I think there are two things to think about when considering the dining plan; dollar value and convenience value.  Let's talk about the dollar value first. I'm not going to be speaking about the Quick Service or Deluxe plan today, just the Plus plan. The Quick Service is more of a break even plan...a way to pre-pay. The Deluxe plan is for special circumstances (i.e. you plan a lot of dinner shows or signature dining).

To help me with today's example, we have a very special guest!  

Please welcome...Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

and their 3 kids!

Mrs. Potato Head has been wanting to take the kiddos to Disney for some time now.  When Mr. Potato Head found out how much the trip would cost....well he had to get out his angry eyes!

Not to worry Mr. Potato Head! I'm here to help you save some money!  Their family decided to travel this May when the weather is starting to warm up, the crowds aren't too crazy yet and they can get a great discount.   They've decided on their resort and tickets but now they are trying to decide if the meal plan is a good deal for them!

During May when the Potato Heads are traveling its ,off peak for the Disney Dining Plan. It will cost them $55.59 per adult and $17.16 per child (for peak season you will pay $56.94 per adult and $18.16 per child). For the 5 nights they will be at Disney, the Dining Plan will cost a total of $813.30.  Up front that sounds like a lot of money, and Mr. Potato Head said they think they can do it cheaper on their own.

I'd like to show him how much of a great deal this is, so let's break it down!!  For 5 nights this is what $813.30 will get them:

25 snack credits

25 counter service credits

25 table service credits

5 unlimited refillable mugs

There are several ways we can break this down. For instance, they will be getting 50 meals on this plan (a combo of counter and table service).  If we divide what they are paying by that alone, that's only $16.27 per meal! Plus they still have their snack credits and mugs!  While for most, that math is a little too simple, let's talk a little bit more about what they are getting.

Counter service meals at Disney are located all over the parks, resorts, Downtown Disney, Water Parks and more. These are quick style meals that range in both quality and quantity. You can get something as simple as a burger and fries or something more fun and exotic like a Shawarma Platter in Morocco at EPCOT. For each meal you'll get:

• A Non-Alcoholic Drink
• An Entree
• A Dessert

The nice thing about these meals is you can SHARE! The portions are quite large and as long as adults share adult credits and kids share kids credits, you are fine! An average cost of a Counter Service meal is about $11-16 per adult and $6-$10 per child, you can see we are already close to that above average of $16.27 with just one meal!

For your table service credits, these include both character buffets and non buffets.  There are several signature restaurants that take (2) credits as well as Cinderella's Royal Table but most of the restaurants are just ONE! Let's use one of my favorite meals as an example...Ohana!!

For Ohana, Adult costs are $35.14 and kids are just $17.02 (off season).  This meal is Family Style, All You Care To Enjoy and will include the same as a counter service meal:

A Non-Alcoholic Drink

An Entree

A Dessert

So far our family has spent a total of  $48 for lunch (average) and $121.34 for dinner (not including tips).  Plus they used some snack credits for breakfast with their mugs at the resort (roughly $15).  So for one day their total could have been $184.34...a savings of $22 with their dining plan!  Of course each day will vary and some days are even greater savings! There are several ways to stretch your credits out, this is just one example.

I think my FAVORITE part about the dining plan is, even if I were to break even (never happened for us) I don't have to think about it! I can order what I like and not worry about the bill showing up.  A bill for $121.34 for dinner every night would probably send Mr. Potato Head to the Emergency Room!

Is the plan for every family? No, it's not but I think it's easy to underestimate how much food can cost while at Disney and just how much energy you spend running around the parks.  The other added value to me with this plan is the time I get to spend with my family at Dinner each night, away from the hustle and bustle of the parks. For my family, it's more than just the amount of money I'm saving, but about the ease of the plan and how much better it makes our vacation!

Plus Mr. Potato Head is happy!

And if Mrs. Potato Head is happy....EVERYONE is happy!