The Disney Dining Plan, value or no?

Let's Talk Dining Plan:

I have read and written many times about the Disney Dining Plan.

It is one of the biggest debates when reviewing on social media; to add or not to add to a package?

Let me first say, its value will always depend on the vacation desired and the guest. It can be great for some and not great for others.

One thing I have noticed when people work out the 'worth' of the plans is they never calculate the children.
After all, don't we (majority of the time) do it for the kids? Or kids at heart?!
Majority~ I know, not always! Heck, I do it for myself many times!
When you have kids (under 10) and factor them into any of the 'dining plan' versus 'costs' equation, you always come out ahead! They help compensate the adult cost in savings many times especially with character dining experiences.

Some say 'my kid doesn't eat anything' and that may be true. If you do character meals, you be pay regardless of what is eaten.

However, I bet many of those same parents still grab that character dining experience for their little ones! You do this wether they eat or not. I do it!
Bottom line is The plan may not work for you or may. It doesn't work for all but it does work for many! There will always be exceptions to EVERYTHING. I can't stress this enough.. Don't let someone else tell you what is best for you.

Sometimes I get it for my personal trips and other times I do not. It really depends on the agenda of each trip.

I personally love having it when I do get it. I like being paid in full on my trip. That is worth it to me to remove the stress.

I know these Dining calculations can get somewhat tricky, I will do a very simple and typical Disney day that contains what most people think of wanting in their experience (if wanting the full Disney experience) when there.
As simple as I can. I do tend to make things harder than they should be. That is my knack.

Here is the scenario;
1 adult and 1 child
Breakfast:
Gaston's Tavern- Cinnamon roll $4.95 (each) (or 1 snack credit each)
Even though you could technically share one between the two. We are going full-on indulgence! one for each of you!

Lunch:
Pesos Bill Tall Tale Inn (1 quick service credit each)
Fajitas $14.99
Kids meal $6.49 (comes with drink)
***One free drink comes with lunch credit and it can be an alcoholic beverage if available on menu. This can easily account for $10-$14 dollar added value.

Dinner:
Chef Mickey (1 table service credit each)
Buffet-set price
Adult meal can range (pending season) $49.99-$59.99
We will say $49.99 for our calculations on conservative side but typically it’s more.
Child $35.00
Again, an alcoholic beverage is also available as a drink option for dinner.

Snacks: (1 snack credit each)
Awe, your kiddo wants some amazing popcorn and you want a bag of candy! You can keep those gummy snacks for a while, too! How can you not give them that cool snack treat at the most magical place on Earth?

Let's add this up.
4.95 roll
4.95 roll
14.99 fajitas
6.49 kids meal
3.00 soda lunch
49.99 dinner
35.00 diner
4.95 snack
4.95 snack

TOTAL:
$129.27 total
Now if you had paid for the dining plan.
It is based on a per night stay per person.
Adult $76.
Child $28
1 night:
Total $104.00

So, in this one day one could save $22
If you chose to select an alcoholic beverage with any of your meals, you could potentially save another $20-$30.

Do you see the savings you can have. Can you save not getting it, definitely.
Will you have the same experience, not necessarily.

When you have the dining plan, you take on those indulgences that are available. You are on vacation. You are meant to enjoy the cuisine & the entertainment from them. You take away the stress in calculating costs it can bring when a bill comes.
People are more likely to enjoy a dining experience when you have the plan versus when you don't. You can grab that awesome looking cupcake instead of cringing at the cost.
The look on my kids' faces when ordering an awesome meal or snack, that is worth it.
This is my opinion of it. I am always happy to talk Disney with my clients anytime to shoot information back and forth!

If I am going on a quick trip or one not focused on foods at all, I probably won't get plan. I have come out ahead on each trip when I have had it.

I can provide a list of great snack credit uses but sometimes it is best to get what is wanted when there and not necessarily grab something for the sake of evening out the cost. It can be easy to overthink things to a point you lose your ‘moments’ of just being in the park. Be careful of that.. Or just pay out of pocket for cheap items and use for for valuable items.

Quick Service

basically;

many of your quick service meals will range from $11 to $14 on average.

Plus the Drink of $3.00(regular soda or comparable) Alcoholic beverage can be almost $8 to $10 depending on location and offerings

Possible Dessert would be another $3 to $5

Snacks will run between $3 to $5 per snack

Certain Quick service locations can cost $17 to $20.

Cost $52.50 per adult.

Quick service will average out or may not quite get a savings on but the ease of it is its main advantage. It can be very advantageous if using the alcoholic beverage perk

Disney Dining Plan

1 quick service meal, 1 table service meal, 2 snacks

Disney Dining Plan Plus

2 Table service Meals, 2 snacks

Deluxe Dining Plan
This allows 3 meal credits; table or quick service. You also get an appetizer and dessert with each meal as well.
You also get the 2 snack credits.

Here is an example of table service meals to see how costs can fluctuate. Now each of these locations offer different items and are somewhat different experiences.

Chef Art

$15.00 appetizer

$27.00 Entree

$11.00 Dessert

$12.00 Drink

$65.00 Total or for 1 dining credit That is almost half the cost of the dining plan already and I have two more credits I can use! Great deal if you want to enjoy so many of the amazing dining choices that are available.

Even if I didn't get the appetizer the total would have been

$50.00 or 1 dining credit with the Regular Disney Dining Plan. That is over half the cost of the plan for a single day on 1 adult.

Story Telling at Artist Pointe dining

This dining experience is only for dinner which starts at 4pm. This is a pre-fixe menu with a set price of $55.00 per adult & $10.00 for my alcoholic drink. total $65.00
$33.00 per child (3-9)

California Grill

App, Entree, Dessert and beverage came to $117.00

2 dining credits under Deluxe.

Daily cost for the Deluxe plan is $116.25 which allows 3 table service credits. See how easily this could come out to your advantage. Yes, at first glance the plan looks costly but at same time it is well worth the value.

Here are two other dining costs so you can see the cost of meal and idea on value if under plan.

Cali brunch

Definitely worth the 2 credit use! $90.00 would not include any extra beverages. You are provided free unlimited mimosas however! you can substitute the mimosa for a single specialty cocktail. This also provides free valet parking if driving.

Paddlefish

Starter: $8.

Entree: $65.

Dessert: $10

Drink: $15.

Total: $98.00

I could have chosen an alcoholic choice priced at $20. if I really wanted to get more of my money's worth. I didn't feel the need to.

I believe the main point of the dining plan is to have your dining paid for and not to stress about your selections. I was able to get both with my plan.