Disney Dining Plan vs NO Dining plan

**disneymama2000** · 07-13-2012, 12:27 AM

Lol true..what's a good vacation planning conversation without a little negotiation!!

**englanddg** · 07-13-2012, 12:38 AM

Well, Universal wouldn't negotiate, but they sell better then Disney. I suspect it's a matter of volume.

**disneymama2000** · 07-13-2012, 12:42 AM

That may be..

**That's So Raven** · 07-13-2012, 07:43 AM

I have never booked with a meal plan as I usually don't eat a whole lot. I'm such a snacky type of person. For my trip next year I will be booking with a meal plan just because I will be doing character dining with my niece and nephew.

**Mike0510** · 07-13-2012, 08:04 AM

Meal plan is a must

**Freshee61** · 07-13-2012, 09:03 AM

I have merged these threads as they're discussing same topic

**HannahLeigh** · 07-13-2012, 10:12 AM

Meal plan is worth it if you are getting the regular or deluxe plan. Quick service plan is only worth it if it's free for my family.

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**Kris315** · 07-13-2012, 09:56 PM

I like the meal plan for its convenience but this trip I am not purchasing. Although I have tracked the price of what I get and do tend to break even I do feel I can save money by skipping the meal plan this trip. sometimes it is just way too much food and too much scheduling We are going for 5 days and will be traveling with a two year old so we are not planning a lot of sit down meals - we want a more go with the flow vacation. I am just trying to decide if I should charge all purchases to the room or carry a Disney gift card with a preloaded amount and use that as though I have the meal plan when buying my meals.

**disneymama2000** · 07-13-2012, 11:10 PM

Ok in a previous post I mentioned that for our family it's easier to pay as you go (no dining plan) but after calling WDTC and discussing the pros and cons of having and not having a dining plan. I finally gave in and just added a dining plan, which put me over my budget by $500.00 dollars. who would have thought just one conversation could be so expensive...lol!! Well it pretty much balances my expenses out, because last year our eating expenses in the park and room service alone was roughly $1,200 so that being said a dining plan was worth it. I definitely need to look out for any special offers for next year, was not planning on spending more than $5k but it's Disney what can I say. [replacer_img]

**tonyadull** · 07-13-2012, 11:19 PM

We always get the meal plan and the first time actually had to force the kids to choose snacks because we didn't eat enough. The next year we were smarter about it,,we enjoy getting appetizers and dessert that we don't usually get! The meal plan is well worth the money. With regards to booking wdtc instead of online is intriguing. I need to learn more about this!

**disneymama2000** · 07-14-2012, 05:25 PM

@Kris315 I did the same thing last year, we just had it charged to our room. It seemed to work out better that way because all we had to do was charge it with our room key. Doing it that way made it more like a go with the flow and pay as you go plan!!

**JeffsPrincess** · 07-14-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Kris315

I like the meal plan for its convenience but this trip I am not purchasing. Although I have tracked the price of what I get and do tend to break even I do feel I can save money by skipping the meal plan this trip. sometimes it is just way too much food and too much scheduling We are going for 5 days and will be traveling with a two year old so we are not planning a lot of sit down meals - we want a more go with the flow vacation. I am just trying to decide if I should charge all purchases to the room or carry a Disney gift card with a preloaded amount and use that as though I have the meal plan when buying my meals.

Why don't you try a quick service plan?

**disneymama2000** · 07-14-2012, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by JeffsPrincess

Why don't you try a quick service plan?

What is the quick service?

**JeffsPrincess** · 07-14-2012, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by disneymama2000

What is the quick service?

You get 2 quick service meals and a snack each day. Those don't have to be scheduled so they might work easier for the go with the flow vacations and are usual free during certain times if you stay in a value resort.

**disneymama2000** · 07-14-2012, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by JeffsPrincess

You get 2 quick service meals and a snack each day. Those don't have to be scheduled so they might work easier for the go with the flow vacations and are usual free during certain times if you stay in a value resort.

Oh Ok I never heard of that, we'll be staying at the Disneyland Hotel are they available there?

Originally Posted by JeffsPrincess

You get 2 quick service meals and a snack each day. Those don't have to be scheduled so they might work easier for the go with the flow vacations and are usual free during certain times if you stay in a value resort.

I looked up the quick service plan, but it only came up in the search available at WDW..I wonder if they are available for Disneyland Resort packages as well?