Do you get the dining plan at the Fort?

[brobrosmom]

If staying at Fort Wilderness do you opt to get the table service dining plan, the quick service dining plan, or neither and just wing it?

I am considering doing a dining plan in January but not sure if it is worth it. It looks like the Fort doesn't have much in the way of counter service. I know we will bring things like snacks, sandwich meat, bread, and chips but I definitely don't want to cook.

Please let me know your thoughts.

[clkelley]

Nope, don't do the dining plan at the Fort.

I will NEVER pay for the dining plan. We did it for free in 2007, and it looks like we're going to go for the free dining plan in August of this year.

[Tri-circle-D]

I have never used the Dining Plan either. The last time I considered it, it was going to be over $200 per day for our family of five. Add to that the fact that if you want to eat in any of the good restaurants, you have to plan way ahead, and it just has never made sense to me.

We eat most of our meals at the campsite, and eat an occasional meal at one of the restaurants on property, and we do not spend anywhere near $200 a day on food.

The Dining Plan is a gigantic rip-off, if you ask me.

And, you can't get free dining with a campsite.

TCD

[NLPRacing]

We've done it a couple of times before, but I don't feel it was worth it. We didn't do it on our last trip, nor will we probably ever do it again. What I have noticed is that Disney has really jacked up the prices of the table service restaurants to give you a perceived value with the DDP, but in reality, you could eat a lot cheaper at your own camping site or at an off site restaurant.

[dtum]

Don't do dining plan...seems like you spend your whole time just eating. We do our meals at trailer or off-site. Used to go to TE for breakfast several times during trip (loved it!), but I've heard they jacked the price up and cut the food quantity and quality down so we're skipping that this time and opting for breakfast off-site on the weekend free days.

[CampingBandit]

Having done the DP during last year's trip, I wouldn't do it again. Not worth the hassle if you ask me. Perhaps if I were staying in a resort with a foodcourt and the counterservice plan were a free package, perhaps then. But I would not bother with the TS DP again, didn't like having to make ressies and stick to a specific itinerary.

[BrightScouter]

It has never made sense to us, even when staying in a resort, let alone the fort. We try to share meals to cut costs. And if I tried to eat an appetizer, entree, desert, snack, and counter service meal each day, I would be gaining 10 lbs a week while there. Not to mention I would feel too full to get on a single ride!

[lorac4disney]

I'm not doing the dining plan, but we are staying in the cabin. I can't justify the expense when I know I will get sick of eating out (and of blowing all of that money).

Since I also don't want to spend all of my time cooking either and are driving, I'm cooking everything up before we leave and freezing it to take with us.

[FIREKYMMIE]

In the last 2 yrs i have been 3 times.... the first trip i paid for the meal plan for 5 people.. but we hit every charator dinner breakfast and high end meal we could find ... it was the kids first time going..... we got our moneys worth

last sept we got the free dining which i liked. who doesn't like free food????.. all 3 of these trips i am mentioning where resort stays...

last dec hubby and i went we ate mostly at counter service and two sit downs we enjoyed it so much more then having all those reservations....

this june we are going to stay in a cabin with 6 of us.... I am buying all kinds of food they can cook and make themselves and when the kids get hungry they can go back eat and then run off again.. we are going to eat out about 3 times this trip and i am going to give the kids 10 a day each and whether they spend it on food or soveniors is totally up to them....

i won't pay for the plan again but if it is free i am on it ..... hope this helps

[BradyBz12]

DH and I did it in 2006 & 2007 - before they stopped including the appetizer and gratuity. The first year it was great, because it gave us an opportunity to try restaurants we never would have afforded without it. We definitely got our money's worth and then some, with average TS dinners alone running between $100-$200!

The last year we did it we started to feel like we were scheduling everything around dining, and forcing ourselves to eat way too much food (camper fridge was full of desserts!)

When they dropped the app/tip, we dropped the dining plan.

During our 3 weeks in December, we budgeted to eat a few nice meals out, and usually do breakfast at the camper (cereal, eggs, toast, precooked bacon...). We typically did one meal a day "out" - more likely than not at one of the nicer CS locations ...or the Kona Sushi Bar. :thumbsup2

I also packed easy grillables for lunch (if we were hanging out at the camper for a while and heading into the parks later in the day) and plenty of snacks.

We figured that, over the 3 weeks, we averaged $40/day out of pocket for meals "out," - minus that one big, snazzy meal at the Cal. Grille (soup to nuts and a bottle of wine).

And the best part was that we didn't spend a whole lot of time killing ourselves trying to work around ADRs.

Unless it changes again (to be a much better value like it used to be) we won't likely do the DDP again.

[sarahk0204]

We stay in the cabins, and we have done/are doing the regular dining plan (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 snack) for our family of 4 - 2 adults and girl/boy twins age 5. We eat breakfast in the cabin, go to a park, and do usually a TS lunch in the park (sometimes CS lunch in a park). Then we head back to the cabin for a break (we go in the summer when it is HOT :firefight). We grill out for dinner at least once, or we have gone to TE or the BBQ on the DP. Having a real kitchen in the cabin means that we don't use any credits for breakfast, and the meal credits come out even. Of course, we spend a fair amount of time in the parks. If you are planning a Fort centered vacation, boating over to the WL is going to get pretty old. I can't imagine doing the QSDP at the Fort because there are no CS offerings. Although I did notice that there are some snacks at the Meadow food counter. We can get our Mickey bars poolside!

[gatripletmom00]

With so many "no's" for the DDP, I dont know what to do!
We are staying for 5 days in a cabin in July, but we are planning on being gone for so much of the day. Is it worth it to come back and cook meal and then head back out to see more of the park?
Kris

[brobrosmom]

It's kinda funny how the dining plan makes you feel you are missing the boat if you don't do it! All my friends keep telling me just to do it because it's easier but I have spent a TON of time worrying about the stupid dining plan.

I think we will just wing it: eat at the camper, sometimes do quick service at the parks, and maybe on character meal for the boys.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[BradyBz12]

I did notice that there are some snacks at the Meadow food counter. We can get our Mickey bars poolside!

In '07 you could also use your snack credits on pretty much any food item under $4 at the trading posts too. Not all the CMs knew how to ring them in though, and we had to ask before they starting ringing.

[iluvstitch]

Long-time lurker here, popping out to offer advice. I've done the free dining plan and it was great! Although I did feel like I never stopped eating... And I had so many unused meals that I stuffed all of my eating into the last 2 days. I definitely was slower going through the parks that week.

But IMHO, paying for it just might not be worth it. Browse through the menus of the places you'd think about eating and ask yourself, if you would normally spend $40 per person/per day on food? How often do you sit down and eat an appetizer, entree and dessert in one sitting. And sometimes, just to make you feel like you're getting your money's worth, you end up buying the most expensive thing on the menu in each category and they're not always the best thing or what you really want. Although admittedly it can be really fun to just order whatever the heck you want without worrying about costs. But I'd be stressing over whether or not we'd gotten our money's worth that day.

Also ask yourself if you really want to have a scheduled time to eat every day? That really cuts back on flexibility. If you answered yes to all of these then the dining plan is for you. If not, maybe you'd be better off choosing 1 or 2 sit down restaurants that you really want to do, ordering what you really want and doing the rest counter service.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Long-time lurker here, popping out to offer advice. I've done the free dining plan and it was great! Although I did feel like I never stopped eating... And I had so many unused meals that I stuffed all of my eating into the last 2 days. I definitely was slower going through the parks that week.

But IMHO, paying for it just might not be worth it. Browse through the menus of the places you'd think about eating and ask yourself, if you would normally spend $40 per person/per day on food? How often do you sit down and eat an appetizer, entree and dessert in one sitting. And sometimes, just to make you feel like you're getting your money's worth, you end up buying the most expensive thing on the menu in each category and they're not always the best thing or what you really want. Although admittedly it can be really fun to just order whatever the heck you want without worrying about costs. But I'd be stressing over whether or not we'd gotten our money's worth that day.

Also ask yourself if you really want to have a scheduled time to eat every day? That really cuts back on flexibility. If you answered yes to all of these then the dining plan is for you. If not, maybe you'd be better off choosing 1 or 2 sit down restaurants that you really want to do, ordering what you really want and doing the rest counter service.

I would agree with all of this.
We've done the dining plan when it was free and there's no way I'd pay for it then- I'm not going to pay for it now that appetizer and gratuity isn't included! It's not worth it unless everyone you're paying for are big big eaters. If we could do the dining plan for specific people in the party- I'd do it- but children who are not big eaters (especially if you have to pay for them as adult price) it really makes it not worth it.

When we did the free dining plan it was nice not to have to worry about cost of food the entire trip (but we were in a resort- not at FW where we could make our own food!) but that's the only benefit and not really a benefit if you're paying a lot for it instead of free. Other than that we did feel like we were eating all the time, it was way more scheduled than I would like always rushing to ADR's (that had to be planned months in advance btw), and we STILL ended up with so many CS and snack credits that we couldn't get them all in so we used them up on the last day to get rice krispy mickey bars and chocolate milks. Filled up our soft sided cooler and took that as a carryon on the flight. It was kind heavy. LOL

The only way we'd do it again is if it was free- and since we're probably always going to stay at a site at FW (to save on cost for our family of 5) we can't get the free dining anyway so that point is moot for us. We're looking forward to saving a ton of money by cooking breakfast and most dinners at our site, we'll have CS for lunch while at the parks and a few TS for a few dinners during our trip (one of which will be Hoop de doo Revue). We won't be spending our vacation rushing around trying to make it to ADR's on time and stuffing ourselves to get our money's worth. LOL

[Skyw]

We have never gotten DDP. In all honestly, it is because the food is not worth the money on property. And I hate to make those kinds of plans ahead of time. Especially when I have a 5 year old. Plus the time it takes you to get the meal. We usually only spend the 5-6 hours at the park. So we would have to go back to the park to eat. It is faster to hop in our car and go to the crab shack or Mac Grill just up the road. And I like the food better. When I first started going to Disney the food was "wow". Now it is like really good wedding or cruise food.

However, I do think if you have a bunch of kids DDP is a deal. 10.99 for a kid is a great daily price!!!!!!

[Shan-man]

I'll throw in my 2¢. If you are like us, and it sounds like you might be, you are at Disney to take a vacation from normal activities like cooking. Also, for us, the dining is a BIG part of our vacation experience, so we always plan out 1, maybe 2 (sometimes 3!), ADRs a day anyhow so the DDP wouldn't impact our spontaneity (we don't have any! LOL). I think it is reasonably priced, too. Now, we haven't done the DDP, but not because of any of the reasons stated, but simply because we would have problems using all the counter service credits. The only CS we enjoy is the Fish n' Chips at UK and Flametree BBQ at AK (and Earl, but I don't think he's on the plan). You can still satisfy the grilling-requirement of staying in a cabin, just dine at a signature restaurant a time or two (two TS credits). So, my advice is if you're like us, but would have no problem using the CS, I'd look seriously at doing the DDP.

:santa:

[CampingBandit]

With so many "no's" for the DDP, I dont know what to do!
We are staying for 5 days in a cabin in July, but we are planning on being gone for so much of the day. Is it worth it to come back and cook meal and then head back out to see more of the park?
Kris


IF I were staying in a cabin, and the counter service dining plan were free, I'd do it, there are plenty of places to get decent CS meals at the various resorts and parks. I've seen complaints about the prices/ quality but I think it's typical fast food, in some cases even better with healthier choices available, and DW isn't any more expensive than going to our local zoo, amusement park or ML ball game....

I wouldn't pay for or do the Table Service Dining Plan, especially if I have kids in the 10-12 range. They are considered "adults" and you pay for and they order off of the adult menu, with almost no exceptions (only the upscale resturants requiring 2 dining credits will alter their pre-set menus for picky eaters). So if you have a picky 10 yo, the TS DP is not for you, trust me.

Pros of the TS plan - you get to try fancier sit-down restaurants you might not ordinarily try, seeing some resorts you may not have been to before. This was nice. And you don't have to worry about price. Too much food, you are too full to eat the dessert included (is this a con?;) ) Buffets are winners all around, and if you want to do character meals at 2 credits each, you can use up your TS credits with fewer daily ressies to schedule; plenty of places to redeem snack credits, we had no trouble using ours and they were the first to get used up; no need to buy the refillable mug, as meals include your drinks. I did both (we were in a suite at AllStar with a fridge) and I never got my money's worth on the mug. Since you will be in a cabin, you can buy beverages from wallyworld to save money and skip the mug all together.

Cons: if you have to pay for it; Tips and appetizers no longer included; 10 year olds are considered adults; you have to make ADRs (pretty far in advance during peak times) and then plan your day, setting a daily itinerary, based on that day's TS ressie - so this planning and scheduling can be cumbersome and you may find you don't like being comitted to this schedule, once at DW- I know I was. The problem with winging it, especially during peak times, is your wait time if you just walk in, could be up to 2 hours (as I witnessed walk-ins quoted these times during spring break last year) and then your meal itself can last 2 hours, so 4 hours shot! I made my ressies months in advance, and was glad I did, but in many cases my first choices were either booked up for the times I wanted or the restaurants I wanted to try weren't even in the DP....; Well, I'm sure I could think of more of both the Pros and Cons...that's just the main ones that come to mind.:thumbsup2

[craiggers]

We like the dining plan, but experience all the concerns that have been expressed here. We like paying up front and not having to worry about being overbudget on food 2/3rds through the trip! This June, we are going for 9 days. I have an annual pass, so I was able to join "Tables in Wonderland." I think it cost me about $70 for a year, but it gives me 20% off at most of the restaurants where we like to eat for up to 10 people. The 20% includes the fancy drinks and alcholic drinks, which are not covered by the dining plan. We can also get 30% off of select seats at the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show. (It counts as 2 full service table meals on the dining plan.) There are 8 of us going, so we are going to go that route this summer and check out the difference. We have been going to Disney yearly for 35 years and are now Vacation Club members. Eating at our favorite restaurants and simply enjoying the resort where we are staying is a big part of the experience for us. We are not slaves to the parks anymore. We like to eat at the nice ones that can be costly. The kids all have their favorites too. I think dining at disney is almost a "philosophical" thing for every family! :-)

If you have access to an annual pass, that could be another option for you.

[Disney crazy mama]

I think you all have great points. We like to eat out one good meal a day. That is my hubby's only request when it comes to vacations. Well except for the golf cart. So we have been to WDW three times. We have had good and bad food. I have studied and studied the boards, reviews and various guide book info on restaurants. So I knew where we wanted to eat.

I made a spread sheet of estimated costs of meals for each location. For us it was more expensive to do the dining plan and we are planning to eat out every day for dinner. I even estimated counter service lunchs for us and snacks. Don't forget to allow for tips and drinks.

I really thought we would be better off with the DDP, until I ran the numbers.

So do a little number crunching for your situation. Our would agree that if you kids are under 10, big eaters and you plan on eating out every night, the plan is probably a good fit.

[gillenkl]

On our last 2 trips we had the dining plan and I really liked it because it gave us a chance to experience some restaurants we wouldn't normally eat at and we planned lots of character meals. No dining plan this trip - I plan to cook a quick breakfast, one CS meal paid OOP, another meal will probably be whatever we can make quickly such as sandwiches or a frozen dinner in the microwave.

This choice mainly came down to getting the dining plan or a golf cart and I opted for the golf cart.

[TxTink :)]

DH and I have never done the dining plan- it looks neat but then we thought we'd be eating all the time and not able to ride what we want. We make certain ressies but we mainly do breakfast in the trailer (or Chef Mickey's) and lunch and dinner somewhere- we share alot of the time and if not I usually get the child's menu (I LOVE those mini corn dogs at Casey's Corner:banana:)
DH's boss does it but it seems he doesn't ride all the rides he could because he's having to make it to their ressie's- we'd rather RIDE!!!:banana:

[SunshineCamper]

Our DP is Breakfast or lunch (late breakfast or go to early lunch depending on when we wake up) at the campsite. Take out a night or 2 at TE. Mostly dinner at the campsite. 1 night at TE and one night at WL (and that depends on how many nights were stay at the FT.
This saves us a TON of money....plus Disney is still getting a small "cut";)

:surfweb:

[sarahk0204]

The only CS we enjoy is the Fish n' Chips at UK and Flametree BBQ at AK (and Earl, but I don't think he's on the plan).
:santa:

Earl (as in Earl of Sandwich) actually is on the plan as a CS, as is Wolfgang Puck Express. Still not enough CS to make it worth it for you, but just to clarify.

I'm also with you, Shan man, in that we aren't spontaneous either! :rotfl: Knowing we have a table reserved for us for our TS ADR is great. Since 2008 was the first year we went with the DP (as well as the first time my DC had ever been at all), we don't miss the tip and the appetizer, as we never had them to start with! :laughing:

I agree that you have to look at how you would eat to see if it would be a good value or not. With children who are 3-9 who love character meals, it is a no-brainer. We are not going to feed them 1 TS meal on $11/day, let alone a CS meal and a snack. Since we are going during the "holiday" season of June :confused3, using the DP means we avoid the holiday surcharges at the TS restaurants as well.

Sorry, lots of rambling to say that staying at the cabins and doing the DP are not mutually exclusive. It is whatever works for your family. :thumbsup2

[redcubfan]

I'm another one in the minority...we have camped at the Fort twice and will be there again in June, and we've done and will do the regular dining plan. There are many reasons why, but I do like knowing everything is paid for long before we arrive. We drive four days (towing our trailer) to get to DW, and by the time we get there we're tired of quick meals in the camper. We don't eat out often anyway, and we definitely don't while traveling to and from the Fort. We use the dining plan to try restaurants we otherwise wouldn't because of the expense. I might be able to save a little money if we didn't do the plan (I honestly haven't run the numbers), but we only take one trip a year so it's a nice splurge for us. After we leave the Fort we will camp for another two weeks as we meander our way back home, and there's plenty of time for cooking in the camper, using the crock pot, cooking on the grill, etc. then. While I'm at DW I just want someone else to do the work for me...that's my idea of a vacation!!:thumbsup2

As for spontaneity, we love using EMH at night when it's cooler and not as crowded, so we choose our table service reservations according to whatever park is open late...we'll be there anyway so it's not inconvenient to have dinner reservations there. Regardless, have fun and happy eating!!

[liv luvs disney]

I have been torn over this question since March! For the past 3 years, we have stayed in a value and paid for the DP. Personally, we enjoyed the DP, though we liked it much better when gratuity was included. It was great not carrying around a bunch of cash or having to keep up with what you put on the credit card. (For some reason, when you're using plastic, you tend to spend more!:scared1:)
As of today, I have reservations at Pop in September and was planning on taking advantage of the Free DP. However, my parents have offered their camper for us to use in September and I am 99.9% sure we are going to take them up on it! I know we will never eat $785.76 worth of food in the camper!! I would have to pay for the DP if we camp, but it's more expensive to stay in the value...even if the DP is free. I am planning on using the "saved" expenses on 1-2 meals out and another WDW camping trip in January 2010!:cool1:

[brobrosmom]

I have been torn over this question since March! For the past 3 years, we have stayed in a value and paid for the DP. Personally, we enjoyed the DP, though we liked it much better when gratuity was included. It was great not carrying around a bunch of cash or having to keep up with what you put on the credit card. (For some reason, when you're using plastic, you tend to spend more!:scared1:)
As of today, I have reservations at Pop in September and was planning on taking advantage of the Free DP. However, my parents have offered their camper for us to use in September and I am 99.9% sure we are going to take them up on it! I know we will never eat $785.76 worth of food in the camper!! I would have to pay for the DP if we camp, but it's more expensive to stay in the value...even if the DP is free. I am planning on using the "saved" expenses on 1-2 meals out and another WDW camping trip in January 2010!:cool1:

We are also going in January 2010! I just booked last night and I'm so excited since this will be my first time at Fort Wilderness. I think I have decided NOT to do the dining plan. I just don't want to have so many reservations. We will just wing it and probably do a couple of TS meals oop.

[Michelle GT]

We've done the dp before they took away app and tip. Our kids were still under 9 yrs old and so for us, I believe we paid about $100-120 a day. It was nice to have it prepaid and it seemed to be a value for us. We like to eat out when on vacation, so I have to make reservations anyway. We would eat brkfst in the camper, go to the parks and eat lunch at cs before coming back to fw to let the kids unwind and swim. then back out to the parks for the night and dinner.
Now, two of my kids are "adults" for the dp so the price would be over $200 /day for us. We are not doing it this year. Instead, we will have brkfst in the camper, go to the parks and then back for lunch. I have mostly dinners reserved and we will pay as we go. I don't see the value of paying $40/day for my 10 yr old to eat chicken nuggets for every meal. I am also trying to eat less myself and this will allow me to just order what I want to instead of the most expensive thing on the menu and desert for every meal.
good luck with your decision... it really depends on what works for your family and how you like to spend your vacations...

[iluvstitch]

We are also going in January 2010! I just booked last night and I'm so excited since this will be my first time at Fort Wilderness. I think I have decided NOT to do the dining plan. I just don't want to have so many reservations. We will just wing it and probably do a couple of TS meals oop.

I'll be at the fort in Jan 2010 too! Hooray for Fort Wilderness in January! Counting down and can't wait! :dance3:

[mdoc]

We don't do the dining plan, as it wouldn't make economic sense for us. We don't do a table service meal every day, and when we eat counter service, we usually end up sharing (maybe 4 meals for 6 people) because it's too much food, and we never eat dessert. With Trail's End being the least expensive buffet on property it's not a good choice value-wise for DDP, and there aren't good counter service choices at the Fort (at least there weren't last time we were there; I haven't been there since they added to the menu at the Meadows snack bar). We always eat breakfast at the camper, but we're usually out and about so don't cook a lot of other meals there, but the DDP still doesn't make sense for us. I do have a Tables in Wonderland card, and we use that.

[BradyBz12]

I do have a Tables in Wonderland card, and we use that.

Here too. In fact, it almost paid for itself in one meal with my aunt and uncle at Calif. Grill. :thumbsup2

[Tigger0624]

Personally. I'd have to say it depends on what your plans are... if you plan to hang out around the Fort and not really spend time at the parks etc- I'd say skip the dining plan. But if you plan to get as much time in at the parks as possible- I'd get the DP.

We are a family of 6 and over spring break, had my parents with us as well- so were 4 adults and 4 children total- all of of are big eaters. I had decided against the dining plan this trip, figuring I'd save the money and bring our own food. But we ended up spending more time in the parks than at the campground- between what I spent on food and OOP costs at the parks for food- I actually spent more than I would have if we had gotten the DDP.

It was an expensive option though- I think it turned out to be approx 1100 for the 8 of us for 8 days. But, I ended up lugging about 600 worth of groceries and we still ate out at least one meal per day which averaged around (if not over) 100... add in snacks and whatnot... we would have actually saved money and not felt the need to go back to the camper as much as we did or feel guilty about eating out when we had planned to eat at the camper...

Anyway- most trips we do not get the DP because we spend more time at the Fort than at the parks, but when we go with my parents or others that will want to go to the parks, we get the DP. We will be going in Nov. with my BF and her family and will get the dining plan for that trip since with 5 hyper kids- we will most likely be at the parks from open til close and they will want to do character meals etc... and we are also going for our 10th Anniversary next June w/o the kids- we will be getting the DP then as well so we can enjoy eating out and not worrying about the kids meals! I know- bad mommy... lol...

Just my opinion- but I wish we had done it when my parents were there. But when we just go ourselves, I cook...

[twinkie]

I know I'm in the minority here and you all can just call me "lazy" from now on. LOL! We did the DP in 07 and I loved it and Yes I am spoiled! Just ask Goofy Gary. The food was good and I didn't have to lift a finger. I cook constantly at home and work full time. When I go on vacation to WDW I don't want to cook, I want someone to cook for me. I just want to enjoy.

That being said, if the economy tanks further the DP would be the first thing to go if it means doing the trip or not. Oh, how I hope not! I love being spoiled......

*twinkie*

[bama_ed]

Nah, never done DDP.

In the early years when it included appetizer and gratuity and the on-property restaurants were decent, it was a good deal although we never did it. As Disney has chipped away and dumbed down the dining experience (referred to as "declining by degrees") it certainly doesn't make sense for us now.

I like the unstructured flow of visiting a theme park and not being tied down to an ADR. Plus we eat healthier and cheaper overall when we eat in. Since most of the food now in the table service restaurants is only average or worse, we choose to splurge on a Hoop Dee Doo (for the entertainment, not the food) or something.

DDP might be good for a portion of our stay but since you have to get it for EVERY day nor not at all, we pass.

Bama ED :yay:

[Luv2Camp]

We were on the ddp last year, and we loved it. Our food was already paid for before we left for vacation, so there wasn't any guilt when we ordered more expensive items on the menu and dessert. We don't cook on vacation - I do plenty of that at home, so I take a vacation from that too! :thumbsup2

[CampingBandit]

I don't see the value of paying $40/day for my 10 yr old to eat chicken nuggets for every meal.

Not to mention that they make 10 year olds order off the Adult menu - no chicken nuggets to be had, I can assure you. The only times 10 yo can have "kids" selections is at buffets.

We asked at all the TS restaurants we went to, if our 10yo could order typical kid food, "No, I'm sorry" and there were no exceptions.

I've heard that at some of the more upscale TS restaurants they will customize the menu choices, but those places require 2 dining credits.

Our DD lived on salad (appetizer, so we had to pay extra for it) and dessert at several of the restaurants, :rolleyes: she just didn't like most of the choices. You can see the menu choices at allears.net. I recall she ordered a burger at Turf Club. It was a 1/2 lb burger. For a 10 yo.:headache: I remember another place she wanted spagetti, and they would not let her have it with no sauce. The sauce had pine nuts in it... We ended up cancelling one ressie and going back to TE for the buffet. Our kids were happy there.

Parents with picky eaters understand where I'm coming from. When you are on vacation you just don't want to deal with the whining associated with trying unfamiliar food. No stressing!;)

[annmichelle]

We have done the dining plan while camping and thought it was a waste of money. We like grilling and eating at the campsite and really missed out on this. The only way we ever did it and enjoyed it was while staying at POR and getting it for free.

[neffernie]

We are trying the Quick Service Plan for our next trip. We went through the same arguments: too much money, tied to ADRs vs going back to the camp whenever we are hungry. Since we are going in July, we will probably be doing a lot of morning and evening extra magic hours so it will make more sense to be on the QDP so we can just stop and eat wherever we happen to be at the time. Besides, our DD10 eats like a 16 year old anyway so no chicken nugget issues for us.:laughing:

[Tower]

We are a family of 5, 3 kids 8 & under, Mom, Dad and then my mom is coming along to make it 6.

For everyone to be comfortable, the cabins are our choice and to make it a vacation, we'll get the DP. So far, there are no cabins for our selected dates so I'm biding my time and looking at other options. One option was to get 2 adjoining rooms at a VR and get one room with a DP and another without. This allows us some convenience of the meals, but no over-stuffing.

(We'll be overstuffing on the cruise that following week anyway)

[IMGONNABE40!]

With so many "no's" for the DDP, I dont know what to do!
We are staying for 5 days in a cabin in July, but we are planning on being gone for so much of the day. Is it worth it to come back and cook meal and then head back out to see more of the park?
Kris


July will be our first cabin stay...first time at the Fort! We'll also be there 5 nights and are doing the DP. It is me and one child. So, about $50/day. I know we'll be going to Hoop Dee Doo, and Chef Mickey. That is 3 TS right there. So, I figured it would be worthwhile for us. Besides, full kitchen or not, I don't plan to do much in the way of cooking. Waffles in the toaster will be as extravagant as it gets!!