My dining plan cost analysis
Just
for the record I never thought the dining plan was a good deal. Even
before doing the cost analysis I would like to say I really thought it
worked well and will do it again.
Our
party consisted of 2 adults staying for 5 nights which made the total
$390.
That
included
10
snacks (5 per person)
10
counter service meals (5 per person)
10
table service meals (5 per person)
Snack
credits are used for bottled sodas ice cream bars popcorn boxes and
similar items.
Counter
service meals include 1 drink and 1 entrée (lunch includes 1 desert) at
a quick service location per person.
Table
service meals include 1 drink, 1 appetizer, 1 entrée, and 1 dessert at
a table restaurant per person. Some finer establishments may use 2
points per person as opposed to one.
We
used the snack credits on sodas and ice cream and the average cost was $2.50
for a total of $25 in snacks. We would have spent this amount with or without the
plan.
Our
counter services where 3 lunches and 2 breakfasts. The breakfast bill
was $25
While
the lunch bill came to $67. The only modifier here is if you do not get
dessert with lunch -something we wouldn’t normally-then your bill
would only be $48.
For
our table service we ate at the turf club (Saratoga springs) Chefs de
France (Paris). Cinderella gala feast (grand Floridian) and the: C
Total
dinner bill $78.
With
only one appetizer and one dessert $61.
With
no appetizer and no dessert $47.
Chefs
de France
Total
dinner bill $96
With
only one appetizer and one dessert $79
With
no appetizer and no dessert $69
Cinderella
gala fest
Buffet
bill was $58.
California
Grill
Total
dinner bill $143
With
only one appetizer and one dessert $117
With
no appetizer and no desert $94
The
total bill with snack and all meals would have come to $492
Going
with the one appetizer and one dessert at dinner and desert with lunch $432
With
the minimum (no desert and no appetizers) the bill would have come to $366
From
the numbers the plan can save about $100 if you take full advantage of
it. Even with the middle category you can save a little. With the
minimum the loss of $34 this goes to shows that it is not right for
everyone. In other words,
if you normally don’t eat dessert or appetizers then this plan may not
be the best value.
Normally
my wife and I are usually splitting 1 appetizer 1 desert . However with
the plan we got to try things we normally would not have gotten to try.
Which I really enjoyed.
In
closing, I think I will give the plan another try next time we go. While
it is not for everyone- it is not the short sided deal I thought it was.
I think the secret to the plan is to check out places you normally would
not go because of the price. Try new things and make sure you get the
most out of the plan without going out of your way. If you are reading
this you know by now it takes a little planning to do a Disney trip
right ( why else would there be over $350 web sites about it) and like
everything else food choices matter.
As
for the Disney Dining Experience (a plan available to annual pass
holders that gives you 20% off your food bill) . The total bill of $492
would be reduced to $458.
$492
–$25(snack money no discount)=$467-20%($93)=$373+$25(snacks back
in)+$60(cost of plan) = $458.
No matter if you go with the plan or not
enjoy your trip and have a Casey’s hot dog for me.
Stewart Bergevin
See my trip report for this article at
Click
here to see my trip report for this article
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