Dining Plan Rant

[Disney Doll]

I just returned from a week in Disney and every vacation I am reminded of why I hate the dining plan. I personally have never used it, it's not a good deal for the way we eat. However, the reason I find it so irritating is because out of all the people that do use the dining plan the majority seem to not know how it works. I can't count the times I've been in line at a quick service restaurant behind someone holding up the line trying to figure out what counts as a snack or what they can add to make it count as a meal or what they should do if they've already used their quick service meal for the day. It about drives me nuts. I chose my food based on what I want to eat and it takes me no longer than the time to swipe a credit card to check out.

Often airports have family lines for security where people with kids can go to clog up the line (I'm there clogging with two toddlers and a stroller). Would it be useful to also have a special dining plan line at restaurants so the people who just want to pay and get on with it don't have to listem to the CM go over the dining plan options for the umteenth time?

[Strmchsr]

I certainly feel your pain, but then I remind myself, for many people WDW might be a once or twice in a lifetime thing and they haven't had the good fortune of finding a site like Intercot to figure it all out. It baffles me sometimes when I see someone in the park needing a map to find their way around.

[BrerGnat]

I completely agree with you. This drives me crazy. Like, to the point where I feel like I just wanna scream. I have no patience. I actually give mad props to the CMs who remain calm and happy as they explain that stuff over and over and over and over again. I could never do it.

I hate the dining plan, and I'd be all for a separate "express" line for NON DDP users.

[Kairi_7378]

I wish that more places had the menus like Columbia Harbor House... which explain how the DDP works at their establishment.

I think my worst DDP experience during this past trip was with the people who were trying to use up their snack credits at CSR at 6:45 AM. The CM was wonderful, though.

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

And this is why I do a cheat sheet for every park and then make sure it is packed in our backpack. We make up our mind BEFORE we get in line so we don't hold things up.

[Disney4us2]

I certainly feel your pain, but then I remind myself, for many people WDW might be a once or twice in a lifetime thing and they haven't had the good fortune of finding a site like Intercot to figure it all out. It baffles me sometimes when I see someone in the park needing a map to find their way around.

I remember my first time in 2005. I had the DDP. Pretty much new what to do with that. I did need maps to find my way around. I know Disneyland inside out, like the back of my hand, blindfolded... you get the picture. WDW was a different story. It was quite a difference coming from Disneyland. After a few days I didn't need the maps anymore.

I have had the DDP every visit and find it easy to figure out what is a meal vs. snack. I think it would be great to have a line for those paying OOP. I wouldn't be offended in the least.

I did do some internet reasearch prior to my first visit, so I was not totally blind. I think that is when I found Intercot, but just was a lurker.

[HoosierDisneyFan]

Disney would be great if it weren't for all the people there getting in my way... (tongue in check)

Just one of the hazards of WDW. The same could be said of other Disney programs like fastpass.

We love DDP but agree it does not work for everyone.

I have been in line many times myself and wonder why the people in front of me did not decide on their food selections during there 15 min wait (instead of trying to decide when they reach the cashier). I don't blame Disney or the menu options offered when this occurs. I seriously doubt if a non DDP line would be any faster. What you would need is a separate line for clueless people (but they would likely not be able to find it and clog up the other lines anyway).

I see this as a people problem not a DDP issue.

[retiredfigment]

Agree with many of the posts. I do agree that a separate line for those not using the DDP would be great.
On most places, everything is marked very clearly. The same people who have trouble using the DDP plan probably are the same people using coupons at the grocery store holding me up.

[CleveSJM]

And this is why I do a cheat sheet for every park and then make sure it is packed in our backpack. We make up our mind BEFORE we get in line so we don't hold things up.

I do the same thing. I shrink it to a small font in Word and print it the size of a dollar bill. Print a few off and keep them in the wallet.

[c&d]

I understand completely. I know the first couple of times we used the DDP we were confused as to what came with the CS. Luckily our first CS meal was at the food court at our resort. Now we've got it figured out and we completely understand the confusion when you first use it. We've had CM's apologize to us for the wait while they explained it to the previous customer. We let them know we were those people once.

To be on the other side, I've been behind paying customers and they are busy rounding up the entire group trying to figure out what they all want once they are at the cashier.

[WDWCrazyKaren]

For me, it reminds me of the people in the drive-thru lane at McDonalds. Why in the world does it take you 10 minutes to decide what you want? It's McDonalds people! The menu is the same as the last time you went through!

If folks made decisions before they got in line, life would be so much easier.

Then again, we've done the Dining Plan since it's inception as the "Food 'n' Fun" plan ever so long ago, so we've got it down pat. Others may not be as savvy as us Intercotees!

[minnie-mouse]

We never use the DP either, it seems like a waste for how we eat. I do remember often being behind people who were clueless about how to use their DP. A separate line would be great for them.

[buzznwoodysmom]

I have been in line many times myself and wonder why the people in front of me did not decide on their food selections during there 15 min wait (instead of trying to decide when they reach the cashier). I don't blame Disney or the menu options offered when this occurs. I seriously doubt if a non DDP line would be any faster. What you would need is a separate line for clueless people (but they would likely not be able to find it and clog up the other lines anyway).

I see this as a people problem not a DDP issue.

Totally agree with this. I'd bet if they did seperate lines the CMs would be constantly telling guests they are in the wrong line. Then you'd have to hear that over and over and over again. And of course you'd have the angry guests, who just waited in the wrong line, complain that they now have to go wait in another line. Before long the CMs would allow DDP guests to order from the "wrong" line just to keep the guest happy.

[jillluvsdisney]

I do agree with you. I've had similar experiences.

[Disney Doll]

I'm not sure it's about being new to the parks or not sure where to find the info. Everywhere we went it seemed like Disney had the menu items pretty well marked. I have never used the dining plan and am not expert, but I can read and therefore could have answered most of the questions I heard people asking.

I think part of the confusion comes from Disney trying to be too accommodating. Since when is a bowl of chili or oatmeal a snack? At our resort it was and even though they were clearly marked it always caused confusion at the register. Ordering a la carte adds extra complication for dining plan users.

[Gator]

Usually when I'm in line for food, I'll try to help out other people in my own way. If someone is staring at a menu or even saying aloud what they want, I'll tell them what's good (from my experience). And if one person is asking another person, "I wonder if this is on the dining plan", I'll always chime in.

I feel it's my duty to be a resource to everyone who needs help at WDW.