Carin McEvoy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2018
Everything I've read is that it is a big money-maker for them, so I don't see why they wouldn't bring it back.Will the dining plans be returning
Everything I've read is that it is a big money-maker for them, so I don't see why they wouldn't bring it back.Will the dining plans be returning
I have never and will never advocate putting hundreds of dollars on a gift card. Do you (and I don’t mean any specific you, just you in general) have any idea how often folks are left w a cancelled/modified trip with much needed funds locked into a gift card you can’t use? Can’t exactly repair the car w a Disney gift card.
if you can afford to have that much money locked up, and you so choose, enjoy. For everyone else, just consider what happens if you can’t go. Or you go but get sick and don’t spend even half? Or have to leave early?
as always, ymmv, but be extremely cautious before hopping on the gc bandwagon
Agree. When I compare trips with DDP to trips without, having the DDP was a huge money saver for us. We aren't returning anytime soon, so it's a non-issue for us right now. Hopefully, it will be back by the time we go.We're waiting to book until the dining plan comes back. We're in the money saving minority, and it's not too much food either. The last time we went without a dining plan we theoretically "saved money" but also nearly came to blows because we were hungry, cranky, and trekking across the parking lot in July to eat lunch in the car. Not good. I don't know when we'll return if they don't come up with something.
I'll put a couple of hundred on gift cards, but the whole trip budget? Way to much to commit. Not to mention that "what we'd have spent on the dining plan" wouldn't last half the trip if we ate the way we wanted to (as it is, there's a certain amount of OOP).
Of course! you have a good point. I don't recommend just using gift cards for everything. Only something to think about for the dining plan if they want to see if they are actually eating as much as they are paying for when purchasing the dining plan through Disney. And I would suggest buying them only if their vacation is for sure a go. Not too far ahead of their vacation. (Unless they plan to use later and can afford to do so) They can even get them just before leaving or after arriving. I might also make clear that these are people who regularly return to WDW.I have never and will never advocate putting hundreds of dollars on a gift card. Do you (and I don’t mean any specific you, just you in general) have any idea how often folks are left w a cancelled/modified trip with much needed funds locked into a gift card you can’t use? Can’t exactly repair the car w a Disney gift card.
if you can afford to have that much money locked up, and you so choose, enjoy. For everyone else, just consider what happens if you can’t go. Or you go but get sick and don’t spend even half? Or have to leave early?
as always, ymmv, but be extremely cautious before hopping on the gc bandwagon
Well, it looks unlikely for Spring-Summer 2021 - I am hoping Fall 2021 - for the 50th Anniv. Things keep getting pushed back.Me too. We use the DDP every year and love to have it pre-paid- whether that means we get too much food or not. I know that I wouldn't be eating $50 steaks every night if I had to pay that at the time. I am quite "ok" with paying in advance. It's a choice that we make well in advance and are very happy to do so. So from one of the "suckers" - I am glad it is an option.
FYI - it's my 2 cents but yes, it's coming back and my guess is that we will see it for 2021 - it is Disney's most popular and lucrative add on.
I have seen this mentioned a few different times in different threads, but I don't know if I understand the comment. It seems that everyone staying at a resort that is currently open still has to eat, whether there are capacity limits or not.until capacity increases and we see most hotels go online, there wont be a DDP.
I have seen this mentioned a few different times in different threads, but I don't know if I understand the comment. It seems that everyone staying at a resort that is currently open still has to eat, whether there are capacity limits or not.
Right, that makes sense. I was actually only thinking about the QSDP, but from a DDP perspective, I agree with you.If they sell the Dining Plan they need to be able to accommodate everyone who purchases them plus those that don't purchase them. If you have a dining plan with 5 table service credits you surely will want to eat at 5 table services restaurants. On the other hand, if you don't have the Dining Plan and you somehow can't get into a Table Service, not a huge deal.
I booked a package today over the phone for February 2022 and, without me even asking about dining, the CM told me about the current dining reservation system and to "keep your eyes open" for upcoming changes. He said there's nothing official yet for a change, but I should keep watching until my trip.
FWIW.
I agree. We might even see more promotionals with dining sooner rather than later.Considering they are changing the mask policy in their restaurants, i wouldn't be shocked to see dining capacity increased and the dining plan returning.