Dining Plan Watch Thread

[Colleen27]

I'm hoping it'll be back for our late-summer trip, but my gut says the easiest way to bring it back would be just to announce it along with other package pricing details for 2023.

 

[samsteele]

what kind of budget are you planning?

Also don't forget a room discount. Depending on when you travel there is usually some type of room discount available. We give up that room discount when we accept a free dining deal.

 

[poochie]

Joining this watch as we care coming last week of June thru July 6th. We miss the dining plan.

 

[MamaBelle4]

$50 Disney gift cards for $45 at BestBuy's website to compensate.

Not related to this thread, but is this deal ongoing?

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Not related to this thread, but is this deal ongoing?

No, it went on for a week. You could only buy one on an individual account, three on corporate accounts. I created a corporate account just for the purpose, lol.

 

[MamaBelle4]

No, it went on for a week. You could only buy one on an individual account, three on corporate accounts. I created a corporate account just for the purpose, lol.

Ah pickles. Thanks anyway!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Ah pickles. Thanks anyway!

BJs Wholeale Club has discounted on their website nd in stores. 4% off. If you purchase more the $5000 worth, I have a number to call for bulk pricing. Dependinig on what time of year, discount can be pretty huge. Minimum is 7%, but I have gotten 12% for 8K worth (saved $960) purchasing mid April. (not super fun, as they came in $100 cards and I had to enter each number on the website to pay for our trip, but to save nearly $1000 it was worth approx 3 hours of my time) Rumor has it near the end of each quarter they deeply discount if they havent met their sales quote for the quarter. If youre buying more than $5K let me know and Ill look for the number for you.

 

[RNRMOM]

I don’t understand how people DON'T save on the Disney Dining Plan. We do one sit down table service per day that we are in Disney and that alone has us break even, if not net money because the dinners are minimum $50-$60 per person and the dining plan costs $78/day. I'm confused as to how to budget now because if we aren't doing the DDP, we won't want to be spending $50-$60 per person on dinner alone when we also have to buy a QS meal for lunch and like to get snacks here and there. Plus, we get alcohol too!

Yes I was always skeptical until a cast member told me to keep all of my receipts for a trip (this was years ago). She told me I would spend much more out of pocket versus what was included in the plan. She was right.

We have two table service meals per day and that alone will cost more than what the plan costs for the day (especially if alcohol is included). We also like some character meals/buffets and those cost $50+ per person every time.

I totally understand why people would want that dining plan feel and place their money on a gift card, but it still isn't the same because the savings won't be there.

 

[KV33]

Any rumors on the return???

 

[samsteele]

Any rumors on the return???

Nothing concrete but noticed WDW raised food prices again yesterday - March 20th - at a number of quick service restaurants esp in MK. If the dining plan was going to drop for summer and fall bookings, right about now could be the time as hiking prices usually adds some shine to the plan. Otherwise, the window is starting to close if its to be of any practical use in marketing to encourage new resort pkgs for the summer and fall quarters. WDW announced last summer the plan would return in 2022. Doesn't make much sense for them to wait to launch it at the close of the year. And makes no sense to launch it mostly as an optional purchase for guests already locked in for 2022. If its going to happen, it should also be a viable hook to generate more bookings for the slower late summer/early fall season. Of course, this summer and fall may not have the usual drop in attendance because of the crazy post-covid revenge travel wave.

 

[KV33]

Thanks. I agree. I’ve been told cast members and other Dis employees read these from time to time. Was hoping to get some info. I just think it’s weird that Disney announced Dining Plan, MagicBand+, the Disney Alexa, the interactive statues almost a year ago for the 50th. It seems such a let down that many have planned this vacation for years to hopefully be wowed, and Disney is going to launch everything for the last 6 months of the celebration. We are going in June. 2 years ago when we decided to come for the 50th we were so excited. My kids the other day asked if we could cancel and go to Universal. SMH Disney is dropping the ball. Say COVID, say workforce, say supply lines, say whatever you want, but it’s a mess.

 

[pigletgirl]

Nothing concrete but noticed WDW raised food prices again yesterday - March 20th - at a number of quick service restaurants esp in MK. If the dining plan was going to drop for summer and fall bookings, right about now could be the time as hiking prices usually adds some shine to the plan. Otherwise, the window is starting to close if its to be of any practical use in marketing to encourage new resort pkgs for the summer and fall quarters. WDW announced last summer the plan would return in 2022. Doesn't make much sense for them to wait to launch it at the close of the year. And makes no sense to launch it mostly as an optional purchase for guests already locked in for 2022. If its going to happen, it should also be a viable hook to generate more bookings for the slower late summer/early fall season. Of course, this summer and fall may not have the usual drop in attendance because of the crazy post-covid revenge travel wave.

I'm hoping maybe when All Star Sports opens at the end of the month that maybe we would hear something? Also, the other character meals need to get going as well (1900 PF, Akershus, etc)... Let's go Disney!

 

[MiraclesTakeTime]

I think it's a good sign for the dining plan that they just expanded the crowd allowance.

 

[KV33]

What you read in other threads about advanced dining reservations is that people 60+7 days out are not finding ADRs for certain places. I know there are groups/places/travel agents that are hoarding these for clients. I’m also guessing bc of staffing the capacity of restaurants are down. So if I purchased the dining plan now, I’m not even 100% certain I’d be able to book enough sit downs that I’d want to eat the food.

 

[CoachBeard]

Posting to follow. Hopefully it'll be back for my November trip.

 

[KV33]

I’m waiting everyday for some news

 

[CoachBeard]

I’m waiting everyday for some news

You are able to follow threads when you post to them so that’s what I meant.

 

[Sunnywho]

You are able to follow threads when you post to them so that’s what I meant.

Or click the watch button up at the top

 

[KV33]

Yes, sorry. My mind went to “I have a posting to follow up this last post, wait for this news I have.”

 

[CoachBeard]

Or click the watch button up at the top

I will explore that. I’m new here, forgive me.