The Disney Dining Plan: Is it Worth It?

Since its introduction in 2005, the Disney Dining Plan has become wildly popular at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it's not hard to see why. Imagine the freedom of a trip to Disney World without having to worry, "Do I have enough money to eat what I'd like?" The basic plan, which offers one snack, one counter service meal, and one table service meal per person, per day of a resort stay, has proved so popular that restaurants are now filling up months in advance. It seems like a brilliant idea that provides a win-win situation for the guest. However, just like any other package deal offered during a vacation, the DDP has its pros and cons, and a number of factors should be considered before choosing to add this option. In my observations, I've noticed just a couple of big points for each side of the arguement, and I've also included some questions to ask yourself before planning your trip.

Pros

Well, the biggest convenience offered by the DDP is the simple fact that you can leave for vacation with the peace of mind that, essentially, you're food is paid for. If you choose to enter the parks and have a snack for breakfast, counter service meal for lunch, and then your table service meal for dinner (which is the most cost efficient way to do it) then with the exception of specialty drinks or additional snacks, you don't have to lay out a dime for food. Counter and table service meals include drinks and a dessert as well. Credits do not have to be used one per day, but can be distributed however you choose over the course of the vacation. Every time you use your DDP, regardless of what kind of meal you're having, you receive a receipt which clearly states how many credits you have left in all three categories. It's a simple, easy, and super convenient program.

The other huge draw of the DDP (and my favorite part!) is the freedom of ordering whatever you like on a menu without having to consider price. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that when I go out to eat, what I order is based at least half on what it costs. This is no longer a concern with the DDP. When you sit down to order, your credit covers every entrée on the menu, from a $16 chicken Caesar salad, to the $40 steak. It's the perfect opportunity to go wild and eat the things you wouldn't normally find yourself splurging on. In this case, go for it! It's already paid for!

Bonus Money Saving Note- In regards to counter service meals; the DDP is the best deal at Flame Tree Barbeque in the Animal Kingdom. Some menu selections here are as much as $11, and when dessert, a drink and tax is factored in, it can cost almost $20 per person. Use the DDP to your advantage.

Cons

While the preceding two points are huge arguments for adding a dining plan to your package, there are a couple more things I must mention on the negative side. First, this plan includes a lot of food. Almost too much. At the end of our stay, we had three counter service meals we didn't use, and unused credits are non-refundable. It's money wasted. Disney portions are huge anyway, and when desserts are included it makes a meal almost unbearable. Late lunches or early dinners generally mean there won't be room for a third meal in a day, and very few people are going to eat four the next day to make it up. (This specific problem can be solved since some table service selections do count as 2 credit meals. However, to get into all the possible combinations available on the DDP would take a novel, so I'm trying to leave it simple.)

Finally, the biggest thing to consider is- does the DDP actually save you money? I kept track of the money we would have spent if we paid for all the food we ate and we saved about $150 by using the dining plan. But...here's the question. Had we not been on the plan, would each of us have had a separate dessert every time we ate? Doubtful. We probably would have shared one, if we ordered one at all. And would either of us ever eat a $40 steak if it wasn't "already paid for." Again, it's not likely. At counter service stops, there would not have been desserts and a drink would have been shared. These things need to be pondered before you can answer the question, "Is it worth it?"

As I said, these are just a few things I noticed based on my experience with the dining plan. For the record, I did find it to be completely worth the money simply for the freedom it allows. Other questions to consider though may include

-Are you traveling with children?

-Are you traveling with picky eaters?

-Are there people in your group who won't want to take time out of a busy day to sit down and enjoy a relaxing meal? (In 2009, Disney began offering a Quick Service Dining Plan which includes two snacks and two counter service meals per day. This may be a better option for groups who want to fit in as much park as possible.)

-What are the eating habits and appetite size of those you're traveling with?

With all this in mind, it's important to remember, above all, to just try and have a good time, regardless of what additions to your package you may choose. The DDP is only available to those staying in a Disney resort and must be bought for every member in your party. Aside from the official Disney World website, many fan sites include lots on information about the dining plan, including prices, participating restaurants (almost all of them!) and what counts as what kind of meal. Enjoy the trip!