[mickey]

OK, so I didn't gain 15 pounds, but it felt like it. We stayed 4 nights in the Caribbean Beach resort, and had 3 full days in the parks, plus about 2 hours the night we arrived. We had to squeeze some meals in there, so there was one day we had 3 meals to eat on the dining plan. We took advantage of the Free Dining offer that was available earlier this year. Normally, the plan would have cost the two of us $280 for the four nights.

I was easy to use, everything was well marked, and most of the CMs seemed to be aware/knowlegible of the plan and how it worked. We made Advanced Dining Reservations for three of our four sit down meals. The last we were going to try to do the first night, but neither of us felt like it after traveling all day.

September 27:
Tangierine Cafe, Morocco, Epcot
Lamb Platter, Chicken & Lamb Platter, 2 soft drinks, 2 desserts: $36.71

September 28:
Columbia Harbour House, Magic Kingdom:
Captain's Special, Starboard Deck Sandwich, 2 soft drinks, 2 desserts: $26.99
Le Cellier, Canada, Epcot:
Ceasar Salad, Mussels, 7 oz. Fillet, Mushroom Filet, 2 soft drinks, Maple Creme Brulee and Apple & Cherry Cobler: $107.32
2 snacks: $4.50

September 29:
50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney-MGM (lunch):
Boursin Cheese and Onion Rings, Fried Chicken, Fish Sandwich, 2 soft drinks, PB&J milkshake and smores: $62.36
Spoodles, Boardwalk:
Mediterranean Dips, Grilled Minced Lamb, Fettuccini Alfredo with Shrimp and Scallops, Portuguese Seafood Stew, 1 soft drink, 1 bottle Evian water, Creme Brulee and Homemade Gelato: $108.24
Snacks: $4.75

September 30
Main Street Bakery, breakfast: $15.71
Snacks (Food and Wine Festival): $11.50
Pecos Bill, lunch: $22.93
L'Originale Alfredo of Rome, Italy, Epcot: Caesar Salad and Fritto Misto con Calamari, Steak Pizziaola and Veal Scalopine, 1 soft drink, Cannoli and Chocolate Mousse: $112.50

So, the total price for all our meals/snacks is $513.51. Not bad for what would have cost us $280. I think we could have easily made it $560 if we had one more nice dinner instead of lunch at 50's Prime Time.

It was wonderful to have everything pre-paid, and not have to worry about anything. We felt at times that we had to eat to get all of our meals in. If it has been over 5 days instead of 3, we would have been just fine.

We are normally light eaters, and would never order an appetizer and a dessert for each of us. In reality, had we been just spending our own money, the cost would have been closer to $420 or so, still a decent savings over the cost of the plan.

I would do it again, but it would depend on what kind of trip it was. If we were trying to cram everything into a couple of days, I would probably pass. If it were a longer trip, I would definitely do it.

[Andrea]

Can you tell me more about the snacks at the food and wine booths? How did that work with the dining plan? I am intrigued... and hungry....

[Maria]

Thanks for the info on DDP, I just booked it with our May trip and having been wondering about the amount of food being to much. We like to do the sit down meals, so I feel that this is going to be cheaper for us in the long run. Plus I want to go to Le Cellier for our anniversary so that is great its included.
Thanks again

[Cavey]

Mickey, thanks for the very informative and helpful report!

[mickey]

At every booth, they have the menu posted. By each food item, there is the little DDP logo, meaning it is on the plan. Each booth has 2 - 4 food items, and then a couple more wine/beer items. Only the food items were on the dining plan. In Mexico, they had a juice drink that is fabulous, and it was on the plan as well. We just ordered the items, handed them our room keys, and they asked if we wanted it charged or if we wanted to use a snack coupon. It was simple. The whole process was extremely simple by the way.

[Dana]

WElcome home mickey. Glad to hear the dining plan worked out so well for you.

[daisyd]

I'm full just reading your post
I like that you had the totals, and then posted what you thought you would have spent had you not had the plan. I'm glad to see that you would have still saved $140.
I love the convience of the food plan and I really need to sit down and see how much we'd save if I bought the plan and didn't eat all the food. Your post may motivate me to do that.
Thanks Mickey!

[missy H]

Welcome back Mickey. It's good to see what you saved. I and feeling really great about having the dining plan on our 3 week christmas trip! The only downside that I can see is the diet that will have to start on the plane home!

[kizzmitt]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, how was alfredos? DD and I were thinking of sharing the calameri appy there, how was it?

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by mickey

At every booth, they have the menu posted. By each food item, there is the little DDP logo, meaning it is on the plan.

Thanks for the explanation. Someone was obviously thinking when they made it so easy!

[chris5568]

Wow great food. this is exactly why I won't get the dining plan. I would gain tooooo much weight. I tried too hard to lose it.

[mickey]

Originally Posted by kizzmitt

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, how was alfredos? DD and I were thinking of sharing the calameri appy there, how was it?

I was really surprised. Not quite as good as Le Cellier or Spoodles, both which were absolutely fantastic, but very, very good. The calimari was good, high quality, not chewy at all. The funny thing is that they through in some vegies as well, which were actually better than the calimari. Worth the trip, for sure. Both of our entrees were yummy, though we had pre-picked them from allears earlier in the day, and they were different than what Deb had listed. I was a bit upset, but they were very good.

Definitely a good place for dinner if you are on the dining plan. It wasn't as filling as the other places, the portions were a bit smaller, and I was thankful for that.

It was funny, while in the parks, I was watching out to see how many were on the dining plan. A good portion were, maybe 1/3 from what I could see. The funny part is that there were people that were trying to get everything they could out of each meal. One guy at Main Street Bakery had an entire tray full of stuff, 4 pastry items, 2 yogurts, 2 bananas, 2 orange juices, 2 coffees and a a bunch more stuff, and he was trying to justify to the girl that it should only count for 2 counter service meals. After cramming 4 full days worth of food into 3 days, I was trying to give stuff away.

Oh, I actually didn't gain any weight at all during the trip. We walked everywhere, and it was hot and humid. I don't think I could live long like we did. I think if we had done it for 6 nights, and had 7 days to use the meals, we would have been fine.

[WDWNutCase]

Shucks, now I'm hungry...

[lovemysons]

You did save a good bit of money! Thanks for keeping track of all of it for us. Helps make the decision about adding the plan or not.

[nancyk]

So, are they really picky when it comes to the snack choices? What are some of the usual things you saw people orderieng for snacks? Is it really mostly fruit & popcorn? Can you get a snack at any restaurant or just the resort counter service?