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 that 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.