I try to take an honest approach. Can I pay it? Technically, Yes. Should I buy it? No. Am I going to buy it? Yes. Are viewing the menu prices going to ruin the mood? Yes. Is it going to make me leave or cancel? No. Solution: accept the price of the dining plan and take the most advantage of it. At least I can leave a meal feeling like I tried my best to get the most of out of, and focus on the fun instead of the regret. My husband always says, without the dining plan we will visit these places and convince ourselves we have to purchase the cheapest thing when we don't even want that... just get the meal plan and order what you want. I've done the calculations and we "get our money" from the meal plan. It makes sense for us - especially since it's always "free" when we go. We have a split stay this year and still decided to purchase the plan - for half our party. We will split the credit and the meals to really maximize. I agree with most people above about breakfast, it isn't worth it in a lot of cases. It's Golden Corral level food for the most part in my opinion. I've been disappointed with 90% of our breakfast buffets - even on "free" dining I still leave feeling like we wasted a credit. Ohana, Akershus, Garden Grill characters don't make up for the food. We have Crystal Palace (for early MK entrance) and Hollywood and Vine breakfast ADRs this year - Sophia is my toddlers favorite by far right now. After this trip we will probably be on APs and buy out of pocket and only do 1-2 sit downs - not buffets.
Do many people share meals or order apps when not on
DDP and not at buffets? We have two kids - it would make sense for us. I feel like I don't see people doing this and might feel like I was "wasting a spot" or "wasting the servers tip" but not ordering a 3 course meal per person. Maybe not at Disney springs, but at Disney parts/resorts I would. We are always there during free dining so many the restaurants are filled with people mostly on free dining too?