Magic Your Ways Dining Package

[cottontail]

Hello:

Does anybody know whether the magic your ways dining package is a deal on food. Has anyone done the math to see if it is a good deal.

Does it include a tip?

Thanks for any input,

Deb.

[beglluvr]

I've been looking at this as well and crunched some numbers. I figure that this plan will save you money even without ordering the most expensive items on the menu. I did a spreadsheet of possible meals (I need to get a life), and by my calculations, it could save as little as a couple of bucks up to about $20. I was thinking of getting this plan so everything would be paid for in advance and the savings are just a bonus!

Also, I read that tip is included. That makes for a savings right there!

Hope this helps!

[cottontail]

Hi:

Do you think the sit down meal could be a character breakfast/lunch or supper.

I am always trying to calculate wdw savings, lol.

Deb.

[MeredithJ]

Deb--yes, you can definitely do a character meal for your sit down meal. Dinner is a much better value than B or L, but the buffets are still less of a value than the other sit downs. The reason is that at the other sit downs, you get an appetizer, meal, dessert, and drink in any price range, whereas the buffets are one set price. There are several threads over on the Disney Restaurants board, and someone has posted a website where you can find a very detailed analysis of how the plan can save you money. Basically, it looks like that even if you eat the least expensive items on any menu, you would break even, and with more expensive menu items, you can actually save a lot. We are planning to use all of our table service meals on dinners, and will probably do half as character buffets, and half at other restaurants.

Good luck with your decision on the dining plan!

Meredith

[ceecee]

Are there certain places you have to go? We eat at the food court quite a bit for fast meals, are they included? Is it a charge per person per day??

[cottontail]

Hi: Thanks everyone. Meredith I forgot about the restaurant board. Its funny I seem to go to the same few forums. I will definitely check it out.

I think I have to expand my world on the dis, love this place. lol.

Deb.

[beattyfamily]

Here's (http://www.touringplans.com/MYWDining.html) the GREAT website that explains all about this dining package.

You have to use 2 options per person at the character meals so I'm not sure if you still save money on them.

[princessmomma]

No, you don't need to use two options for character meals, it counts as 1 sit down meal. You need to use two options for specialty restaurants such as Citricos, California Grill, etc.

[Conkozan]

Check out the menu's at allears.net.
Figure out where and what you may eat.
Add in tax and tip.

If it is over $35 a day per adult-it is a deal.

For us it is.

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Here's (http://www.touringplans.com/MYWDining.html) the GREAT website that explains all about this dining package.

You have to use 2 options per person at the character meals so I'm not sure if you still save money on them.

Character meals are just one option.

[beattyfamily]

Character meals are just one option.

My mistake...I got that info from Deb's website where and I misread it. I saw two ** and thought it meant 2 options per meal. Silly me. Sorry.

[cottontail]

Hi: Thanks Beatyfamily for the website.

How much have others figured out wdw will add on per person to a package with the dining option versus no dining option. When I went on their site I priced out a moderate hotel for two for 7 nights and unless I did it wrong I thought it was about 40.00 per person more a day for the dining add on.

Just wondering if it is cheaper if you go to a value, or more expensive if you go to a deluxe.

Thanks,

Deb.

[MeredithJ]

Deb--the reason it is about $40 more, is becuase the dining cost of $35 is taxed at 11.5%, so it ends up being around $39 or so for adults, and $11 something for kids 3-9. You actually would pay MORE at the All Star resorts, because they are in a different county, so are taxed at 13%. I honestly don't think it's fair that they charge the resort tax instead of the sales tax, especially when they ring up your meal and are going to AGAIN add sales tax, so it's almost like they are "double dipping" on the tax thing. Of course you won't have to pay that second tax if you are on the meal plan, since tax is "included", but it still seems somehow wrong to me. :confused:

Anyway, hope that explains it a little better!

Meredith

[cottontail]

Thanks, I just finished reading the info about the diningplan that Beattyfamily (sorry for the sp mistake) put up. I guess it is 39.03 according to the tax and 39.55 if you are at a value resort. A very informative site, I will have to make a pot of coffee and some paper to scribble on to figure it all out with the help of deb wills site. Thanks,

I agree with you Meredith that doesn't make sense about paying a resort tax instead of the normal 6.5% in the restaurant tax.

I guess here in Canada we should be used to taxes we pay 15% (they call it goods and services tax) on restaurant bills things like our heating bills, hydro, water, and phone, funerals etc and every store purchase including buying a new car, even on some grocery items, it is ridiculous and takes a whole lot of extra spending money out of our pockets. (Heck I could get to wdw more often if we did not have such a high tax, lol).

Thanks,

Deb.