AGA Dine Around Program

[dblabs]

Hi- we will be visiting Aruba for our first time in October. I have read several things about the Dine Around Program but have also realized it may be cheaper to eat at some restaurants listed without the Dine Plan. Especially if I am not a 3 course meal eater. Has anyone ever used this plan, does anyone have good or bad about it and whether it is worth it? I like the fact that I don't always have to pay for everyting like an all inclusive but I also have read there are so many places to try and not many restaurants are in this plan. We are staying at Bucuti Beach so I wonder if these restaruants are even close by and that others in the area might be better. HELP! Any restaurant suggestions are also welcome. Do you need to make reservations at most of them and what is the attire like for men and women? I need to start thinking on things to pack and go shopping while we still have summer clothes here in Ohio. Thanks for your help.

[Arubalisa]

http://www.aruba.com/forum/f12/dine-around-program-28664/Dine around not worth it. Too many restrictions, too few restaurants.

I like the fact that I don't always have to pay for everyting like an all inclusive

One suggestion is to purchase gift certificates before hand such as mentioned at Marriott Restaurant Gift Certificate

HELP! Any restaurant suggestions are also welcome.

Thread: Need Restaurant Suggestions

From one of my previous posts: Passions at the Amsterdam Manor
We ate four meals outside of the Tamarijn/Divi: Promenade, Gasparito, Passions and Pinchos. This was BY FAR the BEST meal we had and will definitely return. The meal pretty much cost nearly the same amount as Gasparito. If we had had more nights this trip we would have eaten there again. More about our experiencehere.."

http://www.aruba.com/forum/f12/whats-going-food-31805/#post113514 Photos of our dinner at Passions

Do you need to make reservations at most of them and what is the attire like for men and women?

The only advance reservations would be Flying Fishbone and Madame Janette. Other restaurants, like Passions, Azull, Sunset Bistro or Simply Fish, for sunset dining.

Long pants? Others here will not for sure, but definitely indoors at Le Dome and also possibly required at Windows on Aruba and Mathilde.

[kthy66]

Hi everyone, We are heading down for our annual month in Aruba starting Nov 15th. I was wondering if anyone has purchased the Dine-Around program and how it worked out? http://www.arubadining.com/dinearound/
I would like to save a little more cash dining out, since that is usually the largest bill.
The coupons I have used in the past are great but I am real curious about the Dine-Around program and if it is worth it.
Thanks!

[Arubalisa]

I have written my thoughts at
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f12/dine-around-program-28664/#post97827 and http://bloggingtoaruba.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/is-dine-a-round.html

Imo, not worth it unless you eat A LOT, are able to eat withing the confines of the program and don't care WHERE you eat.

[kthy66]

Thank you Lisa! I figured there was a thread somewhere on the boards.. Search didnt work

P.S. Your kitties are adorable!

[Arubalisa]

You are welcome.

Originally Posted by kthy66

P.S. Your kitties are adorable!

All SEVEN of them!

[Pangboy1]

Our first trip to Aruba was 2 years ago but we stayed only 4 nights and was couples only. We loved it so much we bought a tmeshare at the Marriott Surf Club. Our first family vacation to Aruba is in 1 month, 3 kids 14, 12,10. I read about the 'Dinearound" card. Anyone ever buy this card? It seems like a very god deal. http://www.arubadining.com/dinearound/

[Andrea J.]

http://www.arubadining.com/dinearound/
is this the program that you are referring to?

it could be a good deal providing the restaurants that are listed are restaurants that you would go to anyway.

go to our culinary section and do some reading on particular restaurants and then make a decision.

i think that most folks that are aruba travelers do not participate in the AGA program.
andrea

[Arubalisa]

I have written my thoughts on the Dine Around Plan at
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f12/dine-around-program-28664/#post97827 and http://bloggingtoaruba.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/is-dine-a-round.html

Imo, not worth it unless you eat A LOT, are able to eat within the confines of the program and don't care WHERE you eat and like Andrea said, you would eat at those restaurants anyway. Read the fine print!

[Pangboy1]

Thanks for the info. A couple of the restuarants listed we were planning to visit on our trip. Do you how the kids "Dine around" works? Do they get the same as the adults - appitizers, meal and dessert?