Help! Need advice from fellow PPers on dining [dining plan or no?] - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Help! Need advice from fellow PPers on dining [dining plan or no?]
Hello Everyone!
So here I am, 7+ months out from my trip and I'm having a panic attack about dining. Let me give a little background on my trip:
Who: Me, DH, DD (15), DS (13), & DMil (This will be the very first time my mother-in-law will have ever gone to Disney.) When: Oct 19 - 24 Resort: AKL 2 bedroom Kidani Village Tickets: Buying 4 Day PH discount tickets through my job, we get a 12% discount. Also doing MNSSHP.
So here we are at dining. I was thinking about adding the dining plan to my ressie, but we are going during Food & Wine Festival and I love to eat my way around the world. My kids and MIL will more than likely go off on their own and do I really want to worry about making ressies on time? Should I just "see what happens" when we get there? I don't mind at all eating counter service or from the food booths. Maybe it's a way to save some money! We never use the refillable mugs and we always have snack credits left at the end.
I prefer the dining plan. if you are not worried about ressies and think everyone will go off on their own then I think the quick service dining plan would work just fine for you. We used our snack credits for food at food and wine festival. At the end of the week we had used all of our snack credits
I also prefer the dining plan. As far as the Wine and Food festival if you want to try different things there are no ressies for that and if you are on the dining plan use your snack for what food you want to try (remember to get the passport book so you can see what interests you first) and it won't cost you a dime. Drinks you will have to pay for.
I do not use the dining plan anymore. When it was a money saver we did but now I don't see the point other then as a pre pay plan. But I just usually charge stuff to the room so it is just as convenient. For me I rather just save the money and have it in my account then pre pay the dining plan knowing that it is not saving any money for us. It sounds like you are more go with the flow type of people so I would go with out the dining plan and play it by ear. I go that time of year every year and have had no problem getting into plenty of table service restaurants without reservations. Of course the most popular(ie chef mickey, crystal palace) are a bit tougher though really I don't think I ever tried them. When I walk up I usually go right when they open for dinner or eat lunch there.
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Are you staying on points in the Villa? If not, you will have to buy tickets in order to make a package to add Dining.
I would suggest going without Dining plans this time, as you'll likely find it too much food if you are planning on partaking of the Festival goodies often and it will allow you to be more flexible with your meals.
Are you staying on points in the Villa? If not, you will have to buy tickets in order to make a package to add Dining.
I would suggest going without Dining plans this time, as you'll likely find it too much food if you are planning on partaking of the Festival goodies often and it will allow you to be more flexible with your meals.
Yes, we are staying on points. And I think you are right. My daughter and I are going to eat around the world quite often so we won't even be worried about table service. I think paying out of pocket for a meals will be our best option.
I think you've made a good choice. It will be much easier and cost effective to pay as you go, especially if you see yourself doing a lot of "snacking around the world".
I also would go with dining plan. Unless you go Deluxe, I've never found it difficult to get through the meals. I know "value" is debated a lot when it comes to the plans. However, I love having that paid for in advance rather than having to calculate after each meal how much we spent.
Thanks everyone! I had a Disney talk with my husband last night and he agreed that he's like a more laid back trip where we aren't running around for ressies. He's just happy going to EPCOT and sitting at the tequila bar all day though lol.
I value everyone's opinion and I'll be back for more advice!!
We don't do the dining plan either because it is too much food for us. This past trip I bought Disney Gift Cards a few times a month when I went to the grocery store. We used these to pay for our meals so it worked out like the pre-paid dining plan.
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