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Will Using a Disney Dining Plan Save y0u Money?
That's a good question. Disney says that if y0u use one of they plans you'll get a 20% - 40% discount off your restaurant bills. That sounds like a really good deal, but is it?
In January of 2009, Disney added the Quick Service Plan to the other dining plans to give guests a complete range of discount packages to choose from. There are 3 basic "dining" plans to choose from. They range from the Quick Service to the Deluxe Package. Here's a synopsis of each. (All meals are per night of your stay)
Disney has some other plans but they include recreation activities.
The fine print - all guests listed in your party must be on the plan. The plan must be booked for the entire length of your booking. Gratuities are not included.
Back to our question, will the plans save y0u money?
If y0u use them to their fullest, yes they will. But using them to the fullest is not an easy task. Let's look at an example day from each plan.
The Quick Service plan -
Day total $20.41. If y0u are staying 5 days the prorated portion of the refillable mug would be $3.00. That brings the total to $23.41. That's a long way from $31.99.
y0u have to work pretty hard to make the Quick Service plan a good deal.
The Dining Plan -
Total $39.57. Again the prorated cost of the refillable mug is $3.00.
This one almost makes sense. y0u can save money using a Disney Dining Plan by choosing Disney World restaurants where the meals cost more than average.
The Deluxe Dining Plan -
Total $90.68 - Now that's a good deal.
Yeah, a real good deal if y0u want to weigh 700 pounds when y0u get through with your trip. Three full-service meals a day is a lot of food. It's also takes a lot of time. Each sit down meal takes about an hour 4nd a half. That would be over 4 hours a day eating meals not to mention about a billion calories.
The Disney Dining Plans are designed so y0u can prepay your meals 4nd to make y0u think you're saving money. They are not designed to help y0u save money. Disney is in business to make money. They are pretty good at it.
The Disney Dining Plans can be affordable if y0u are careful to choose higher priced restaurants for your meals. But for the most part these plans only make sense for Disney.
The best thing about the Disney Dining Plans is once or twice a year Walt Disney World offers them for free.
Recommended Reading:
"Key 2 Disney Dining is a complete blueprint for obtaining Disney dining reservations quickly 4nd easily - without the stress."
- Florida Attractions Info
Previous Post: Florida Water Parks Are Some of the Best
Recommended Reading: Disney On A Shoestring Travel Guide
Disney Dining Plans - Are They Affordable 4nd Do They Save Money?
Will Using a Disney Dining Plan Save y0u Money?
That's a good question. Disney says that if y0u use one of they plans you'll get a 20% - 40% discount off your restaurant bills. That sounds like a really good deal, but is it?
In January of 2009, Disney added the Quick Service Plan to the other dining plans to give guests a complete range of discount packages to choose from. There are 3 basic "dining" plans to choose from. They range from the Quick Service to the Deluxe Package. Here's a synopsis of each. (All meals are per night of your stay)
- Quick Service - 2 meals (at Quick Service locations) 4nd one snack. Includes a refillable mug. 2009 price $31.99 for adults, 4nd 9.99 for children (ages 3-9) per night of your stay.
- Dining Plan - 1 Quick Service meal, 1 Table Service meal (at all participating restaurants) 4nd 1 snack, Includes a refillable mug. 2009 price $39.99 for adults, 4nd $10.99 for children (ages3-9) per night of your stay.
- Deluxe Dining Plan - 3 meals 4nd 2 snacks per person. Includes a refillable mug. 2009 price is $71.99 for adults 4nd $20.99 for children (age 3-9)
Disney has some other plans but they include recreation activities.
The fine print - all guests listed in your party must be on the plan. The plan must be booked for the entire length of your booking. Gratuities are not included.
Back to our question, will the plans save y0u money?
If y0u use them to their fullest, yes they will. But using them to the fullest is not an easy task. Let's look at an example day from each plan.
The Quick Service plan -
- Breakfast - $6.99 for a Ham 4nd Cheese Omelet (most expensive thing on the menu) at the Everything Pop at Disney's Pop Century - Refillable mug used for drink.
- Lunch - $8.48 for a combo hot dog meal 4nd soft drink at Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom.
- Snacks - 4.94 for a Mickey ice cream bar 4nd a soft drink.
Day total $20.41. If y0u are staying 5 days the prorated portion of the refillable mug would be $3.00. That brings the total to $23.41. That's a long way from $31.99.
y0u have to work pretty hard to make the Quick Service plan a good deal.
The Dining Plan -
- Breakfast - $6.99 - I'm a creature of habit. (Same as above.)
- Dinner - $30.99 - Adult price at 'Ohana.
- Snack - $2.59 for a Mickey ice cream bar
Total $39.57. Again the prorated cost of the refillable mug is $3.00.
This one almost makes sense. y0u can save money using a Disney Dining Plan by choosing Disney World restaurants where the meals cost more than average.
The Deluxe Dining Plan -
- Breakfast - $16.98 - Steak 4nd eggs 4nd juice at Kona Cafe.
- Lunch - $31.75 - Tacos de Pato, Tacos Al Pastor, Flan de Vanilla at San Angel Inn in Epcot.
- Dinner - $41.95 Shrimp Cocktail, Nihonbashi, Chocolate Ginger Cake at Teppan Edo in Epcot.
Total $90.68 - Now that's a good deal.
Yeah, a real good deal if y0u want to weigh 700 pounds when y0u get through with your trip. Three full-service meals a day is a lot of food. It's also takes a lot of time. Each sit down meal takes about an hour 4nd a half. That would be over 4 hours a day eating meals not to mention about a billion calories.
The Disney Dining Plans are designed so y0u can prepay your meals 4nd to make y0u think you're saving money. They are not designed to help y0u save money. Disney is in business to make money. They are pretty good at it.
The Disney Dining Plans can be affordable if y0u are careful to choose higher priced restaurants for your meals. But for the most part these plans only make sense for Disney.
The best thing about the Disney Dining Plans is once or twice a year Walt Disney World offers them for free.
Recommended Reading:
"Key 2 Disney Dining is a complete blueprint for obtaining Disney dining reservations quickly 4nd easily - without the stress."
- Florida Attractions Info
Previous Post: Florida Water Parks Are Some of the Best
Recommended Reading: Disney On A Shoestring Travel Guide
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