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Thread: Quick service dining plan [experience staying at Pop]

  1. #1
    Registered User pj4963's Avatar
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    Quick service dining plan [experience staying at Pop]

    Returned from a week at the Pop Century with the free quick service dining plan. Never did the dining plan before and always wondered if it was worth it. It is worth it but one thing we did learn ... keep track of your meals and snacks.My son was told they had 6 meals left the night before we returned home. The day we checked out he did breakfast, lunch and got a sandwich to go to eat at the airport. To his surprise he had to pay for the sandwich, they were out of meals. Complete surprise. The check out cast member says that happens allot. We figured on the average it cost anywhere from $9 to $12 for breakfast, meal, coffee,juice and fruit sometimes more then that. Lunch on average $14. The portions at the Pop were very generous but the food was often cold. I ended up eatting bagels and fruit allot. Not a pickie eater just got tired of cold waffles, pancakes, eggs etc.If you are considering the dining plan go for it even if you have to pay extra for it. Not sure all the resorts have this issue but quick service at the Pop does.All and all our stay was great but I do think the property needs some TLC.


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  3. #2

    Thank you for the advice.

    I have never bought the DDP. Initially it was not offered to those staying in DVC resorts on DVC points, but now it is.

    I have looked at the math, and if one really does eat that many meals, at the facilities that take the plan, the plan offers a significant savings.

    I am one who is less likely to buy a meal consisting of the combinations the plan includes, and more likely to just buy a single individual item when my stomach growls.
    So the plan is not a good fit for me.


  4. #3
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    A friend and I just spent two weeks at the Pop (Jan 22 thru Feb 5) with the free Quick-Service Dining plan. It was her first trip to the World (my 3rd) but I had never done the dining plan before. We were both SO impressed with the absolutely generous portions of food available, the wide range of snacks, and the ease in which the plan is implemented. We were able to eat at all the parks, at Downtown Disney, and we also stopped at many hotel resorts to eat (and look around!) All the accounting of meals/snacks is printed right on the receipts and we were able to see immediately how many credits we had remaining. Did I already mention that the food was totally fabulous? I'm a true-believer now in the Quick-Service Dining plan!!!

    *
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  5. #4
    Registered User petesimac's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by palmickey View Post
    Thank you for the advice.

    I have never bought the DDP. Initially it was not offered to those staying in DVC resorts on DVC points, but now it is.

    I have looked at the math, and if one really does eat that many meals, at the facilities that take the plan, the plan offers a significant savings.

    I am one who is less likely to buy a meal consisting of the combinations the plan includes, and more likely to just buy a single individual item when my stomach growls.
    So the plan is not a good fit for me.
    Well.... It used to be a significant savings anyway. We used to love the dining plan, especially when the apps were included along with the dessert (not to mention the tip). But each year they increase the price and reduce the benefits to the point where it is no longer a savings for us. It's sad, really, because I love being able to "know" what I'll be spending on food. But we've been often enough to have a pretty good idea, even without the plan.

    As for the initial post, I'm failry sure that's what Disney is hoping for, and probably one of the reasons for the Dining Plan. People pay their money upfront, and the thought is that at least some of them won't use all their credits. When you multiply that number and the money in the plan that is not spent, it equals pure profit for Disney. But I'm guessing fewer and fewer people let that happen, and try to use every last one of their credits before leaving, which may be why the price of the plan keeps going up.
    1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ

    What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime

  6. #5

    There's a lot of apples and oranges in this thread.

    The reasons for purchasing - or not purchasing - the dining plan and the reasons for booking - or not booking - a package that includes the free dining plan are distinctly different.

    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  7. #6
    Registered User petesimac's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barberella View Post
    There's a lot of apples and oranges in this thread.

    The reasons for purchasing - or not purchasing - the dining plan and the reasons for booking - or not booking - a package that includes the free dining plan are distinctly different.
    Oh, heck yeah!!! If I cold get the dining plan for free, sign me up a hundred times! I love being on the plan, I just wish it still made financial sense for me.
    1999 - Coronado; 2003 - DL's Paradise Pier ; 2005 - All Star Music; 2007 - POP; 2008 - Paradise Pier; 2009 - POP ; 2010 - Dolphin; 2011 - POP; 2012 - POFQ; 2013 - POFQ; 2014 - POFQ; 2015 - Art of Animation; 2016 - Pop; July 2017 - POFQ

    What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens at Disney stays with you a lifetime

  8. #7
    Gravity release me... tappenfeat's Avatar
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    Back already? Seems like we just had a thread of discussing where you wanted to stay, etc. I will go for the Free Dining Plan. Not pay for it...if there's an option to take it for free, I'd book it. So, your input on the Quick Service is interesting. I always lost track of my snacks and always had leftover snacks over sit down meals. So the POP needs TLC? Maybe you can post reviews or a trip report when you have a chance, I'd love to hear about your trip. Welcome back!




    Stephanie

  9. #8
    Registered User wishiwasthere's Avatar
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    I don't even consider getting the dining plan when we go during food and wine festival. Not worth it for me because I don't eat anywhere besides the booth. Any other time of the year though I do consider it, but usually don't get it. When I sit there and add up what we would eat we would still be saving money without. I do usually get the Tables in Wonderland card though so that does help.

    Kristin

  10. #9

    I can't argue with the dining plan when it's free, or even when we got the quick service plan free and paid to upgrade to the regular plan. I would eat differently and more to my preference without it. However, DH likes a table service meal every day and to buy the regular plan from the UK for the four of us is nearly 2,000. So however you do your sums that's a massive saving. That's for a 14 day trip BTW. When the children were 5 and 8 we didn't do the plan and spent 1,000 on food but we didn't do a table service daily and they were both on the children's menus then. My DH can't wait for his dining at Disney this summer. He's been on Disney food porn Internet sites half the evening!

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  11. #10

    Our UK friends aside, who have access to different promotions and rates, there is rarely "free dining." To get dining added to your plan, you have to pay the rack rate for the hotel. We were lured in by "free dining" one year, and afterwards I calculated that had I been able to add the dining plan to my hotel only reservation, we would have paid less than we paid for rack rate plus free dining. Typically during the time periods that they offer free dining, they also offer hotel-only discounts.

    That said, I see a significant psychological value for the dining plans, depending on who you are dining with and the general group dynamics.

    My parents are traveling to WDW this summer with my nephew. They will be on the quick service dining plan. They may spend more money doing that than if they paid out of pocket, but I think for the dynamics of the trip it is better as a sunk cost than a discussion at every meal over the price of the food.


  12. #11

    I also think it depends how many nights you stay and how many people in the room. The more nights and the more age 10 plus guests, the better the value of free dining.

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  13. #12

    That is true. We were 4 people in a 2-bdrm villa (on cash). if we had maxed out the room at 8 people, I do believe the free dining would have been cheaper than the room discount. If I recall, the break-even point for that trip was around 6 people.


  14. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by scoobydooby View Post
    I also think it depends how many nights you stay and how many people in the room. The more nights and the more age 10 plus guests, the better the value of free dining.
    Close. It's the number of people in the room, and then the category (value, moderate, etc) of the resort (not the number of nights you stay, as long as it's enough nights to qualify for free dining).

    This is how you determine the real cost of 'free dining'. Let's assume that you can get a 30% room discount off of rack rate for various resort categories.

    On a $150 rack rate, you would save $45 per day if you took the (30%) room discount. If you took the "free dining" package by buying park tickets, and paying rack rate, it would cost you 'that' $45 a day for dining. Can 1 person eat at Disney for $45 a day? Maybe. I do know that 2-4 people can't eat at Disney for that same $45 per day.

    On a $200 rack rate, you would save $60 per day if you took the (30%) room discount. If you took the "free dining" package by buying park tickets, and paying rack rate, it would cost you 'that' $60 a day for dining. Can 1 person eat at Disney for $60 a day? Yes. Maybe 2 people could eat at Disney for $60, but I do know that 3 or 4 people can't eat at Disney for that same $60 per day.

    On a $300 rack rate, you would save $90 per day if you took the (30%) room discount. If you took the "free dining" package by buying park tickets, and paying rack rate, it would cost you 'that' $90 a day for dining. Can 1 or 2 people eat at Disney for $90 per day? Yes. Maybe 3 people could eat at Disney for $90, but definitely 4 people can't eat at Disney for that same $90 per day.


    ^ This is why we learn to do math problems in school.
    Last edited by Barberella; 04-07-2012 at 04:28 AM.
    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  15. #14

    But that was my point. 4 people on free dining always beats room discounts for the regular plan.

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  16. #15

    ^ usually, but not always.

    In this same thread, Currence recounts that one time, on a vacation with 4 people:

    Quote Originally Posted by currence View Post
    ....To get dining added to your plan, you have to pay the rack rate for the hotel. We were lured in by "free dining" one year, and afterwards I calculated that had I been able to add the dining plan to my hotel only reservation, we would have paid less than we paid for rack rate plus free dining....
    In summary, you have to do the math each time.
    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  17. #16

    Sorry. 4 people age 10 plus. There has never been a UK deal where room discounts beats 4 free 'adult' regular dining plans. Trust me I have been tracking this for years. US deals are different.

     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  18. #17

    In the case of those from the UK using free dining at Disney, you may very well be correct.

    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  19. #18
    Tortoise Thief bennette's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barberella View Post
    In the case of those from the UK using free dining at Disney, you may very well be correct.
    I'm willing to go on the record that she knows her stuff.
    "The white coating is filmy and there’s another creamy layer in there that’s kind of like cream cheese or perhaps unscented foot balm." Cybele May; Candyblog.net

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  20. #19

    ^ As she lists her location as the UK, I'm sure she does when talking about Disney planning from the UK perspective.

    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  21. #20
    Gravity release me... tappenfeat's Avatar
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    Scooby, our next trip, I took advantage of the free dining plan and only purchased a 2 day base pass. We are taking a different route this year...kicking back instead of park storming every day. And just the 2 day base saved us a lot of money, plus the free dining. Not that everyone would do a 2 day base. For a change, I want to take advantage of what else Disney has to offer and enjoy the resort for a change, we hardly get a chance to enjoy the resort (hotel). I'm really looking forward to all of the ADR's and knowing it's FREE! That makes it all the better.

    Last year, I gave up the Free Dining and took advantage of the 35% off each night at the Cabins. With a full kitchen, we were able to eat in and save money there.




    Stephanie

  22. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by tappenfeat View Post
    Scooby, our next trip, I took advantage of the free dining plan and only purchased a 2 day base pass. We are taking a different route this year...kicking back instead of park storming every day. And just the 2 day base saved us a lot of money, plus the free dining. Not that everyone would do a 2 day base. For a change, I want to take advantage of what else Disney has to offer and enjoy the resort for a change, we hardly get a chance to enjoy the resort (hotel). I'm really looking forward to all of the ADR's and knowing it's FREE! That makes it all the better.

    Last year, I gave up the Free Dining and took advantage of the 35% off each night at the Cabins. With a full kitchen, we were able to eat in and save money there.
    We are taking it easier this trip too! I swapped the cash we usually spend on Universal/Sea World/Discovery Cove and upgraded from a
    Moderate to a Deluxe. We plan on hanging out at the Beach Club a lot. Where are you staying?
     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  23. #22
    Gravity release me... tappenfeat's Avatar
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    I will PM you! This would be such a great opportunity to meet you!

    We are staying at POR in a Royal Guest Room. DD's have no clue we are going to WDW! They think we are just visiting relatives in Florida...so little do they know we have a stop on the way for 6 days! LOL!




    Stephanie

  24. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by tappenfeat View Post
    I will PM you! This would be such a great opportunity to meet you!

    We are staying at POR in a Royal Guest Room. DD's have no clue we are going to WDW! They think we are just visiting relatives in Florida...so little do they know we have a stop on the way for 6 days! LOL!
    That would be fun! I think you are there the second week of our trip. I love POR. We stayed there last trip. A Royal room sounds cool.
     

    If no-one out there understands, start your own revolution and cut out the middle man (Billy Bragg)

  25. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by scoobydooby View Post
    That would be fun! I think you are there the second week of our trip. I love POR. We stayed there last trip. A Royal room sounds cool.
    We always use DDP on adult trips. It is enough food for anyone. I have never done the counter service plan,but have found some good food at counter service locations. I find that the DDP makes things easier. All inclusive MYW with plus dining usually means that we only need cash for gift shops. So, we know how much we are spending before we go.

  26. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by scoobydooby View Post
    My DH can't wait for his dining at Disney this summer. He's been on Disney food porn Internet sites half the evening!
    Are those the sites that show a lot of naked food????
    The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
    - James Taylor

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