Disney Dining Plan - Is it worth it?

Hi all you seasoned Disney travellors - got trip to AK booked in January for 1 week and am thinking about DDP. We are party of 5 (2 Ads, 2CH, 1Inf). Have read such mixed reviews about DDP since changes made. Can you guys share your thoughts?

Also is the basic DDP sufficient or would you recommend upgrades to Deluxe DDP?

Thoughts on Jiko / Boma with children??

Read good reviews on Beaches %26amp; Cream do you have to book for this restaurant?

Sorry for all questions guys

Disney Dining Plan - Is it worth it?

How many ';sit down and be served/buffet'; meals do you anticipate needing each day? If only one, then go with the basic Disney Dining Plan which gives you one table service, one counter service, and one snack credit per person per night of stay.

If you want to spend more than one meal a day at a ';sit down and be served/buffet'; style place, then you may want to look at the Deluxe Plan.

If, however, you don%26#39;t anticipate needing even one ';sit down and be served/buffet'; meal per day, the dining plan really won%26#39;t benefit you. To get the value from it, you need to have at least one table service meal per day, otherwise you%26#39;ll spend more on the dining plan than you will on food otherwise.

Even the basic dining plan is only worth the $$ if you eat at least one table service meal per day.

Disney Dining Plan - Is it worth it?

We went in April without the dining plan, ate mostly counter service. We spent about the same as we would if we had the dining plan and did not eat as well.

Beaches and Cream I would pay out of pocket, not use your dining plan since the cost is cheaper then other restaurants on the plan.

I would look at the menus on www.allears.net or www.wdwinfo.com to see the prices and estimate your savings.

Be sure to use your snack credits on your more expensive snacks.

Thanks Kat Cubs / TheMacsfive+1

Will check ot allears menus great ideas.

Also advice on the snacks can re more expensive items - can you give me some examples of what snacks you can get.

Thanks

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1683477

I found this link, which made me realize the snacks you choose can make a difference.

Use the dining plans! You always come out ahead. The plans include tax, and people forget that extra 6.5%. It adds up!

FYI, a quick service plan has been added for 2009.

Agree with previous post, on how to determine which plan is best for you.

We love character meals and seated (not buffet) meals, so we opt for the deluxe plan. We love to order salads, and they are included in the deluxe plan. Best part about deluxe, is that we never have to worry about food. It has all been paid up-front and we can eat at seated, buffet, room service, or counter; whatever works at the time.

I would not take children to Jiko, but it is great for grown-ups. Take the children to ';Simba%26#39;s Cub House';, while you dine at Jiko. The staff at Simba%26#39;s is great %26amp; the kids will have a blast. Use ';Fairy Godmothers'; for your infant. FG info available at allears.net.

Boma is wonderful, for the entire family!

Beaches %26amp; Cream does not take reservations.

You will love AK Lodge! Enjoy your trip!

Hi TravelFanFortWorth

Thanks for the feedback re Boma / Jiko - and great idea re Simbas Club House - have you had experience of the childcare at Disney?

Hi Macs - the thread for snacks is great - i am amazed the wealth of information that can be obtained on these Forums - I am fairly new to TA - but it is addictive

Here%26#39;s my infamous cost breakdown:

http://www.loonbeam.com/DisneyDining.htm

no problem I found it on a search of my own.

Now you have loonbeams famous link, that is a great link.

bump

for sisemo