Help trying to decide about DP

[ppmcoj]

For our next trip, it will be 2 adults and 1 child under 3 and I'm trying to decide if I should add on the dining plan that includes 1 TS meal per day.

My main questions are since we aren't paying for LO being under 3, how will this factor in for the non-buffet meals and when we get QS? Will she be included on the DP or will be pay out of pocket for her? Also, we aren't big desert eaters and we typically drink water.

This is a rough overview of where we're planning to eat:

Day 1: Tusker House breakfast (might cancel this one)
Coral Reef or Via Napoli for lunch
Akershus Storybook for dinner (will def keep this one)

Day 2: Lunch - Either Via Napoli or Mama Melrose's
QS for other meals

Day 3: Tusker House for lunch (maybe unless we decide on MK for the day instead)

Day 4: Chef Mickey's for breakfast
Crystal Palace for lunch (might do this on Day 5 instead)

Day 5: Crystal Palace for lunch if we didn't eat there on day 4

Day 6: Tusker House for lunch

Day 7: Akershus for lunch

I know the plans are quite iffy - still working on deciding which park we'll visit on which day but this gives a decent idea.
Thanks!

ETA: Just priced it and it adds on $600 to choose the DP, so I think we'll get it given the number of character meals we'll probably do. Still back to one of my questions above though about how LO is factored on the plan.

ETA2: Whoops! looked at the wrong numbers. It actually adds about $890.

 

[TDC Nala]

Dining plan or not, if you purchase something specifically for the child at an a la carte restaurant or a quick service you'd be paying for that item.

Tusker House, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and Akershus (and you are planning on repeating Tusker House and Akershus apparently) are not a la carte restaurants and the child eats free at those. They're also one price for everyone, so it won't matter about the desserts and drinks...you'd be paying the same price if you didn't eat dessert and drank water at any of these places.

Since you're only paying for the adults at the fixed price restaurants (which are most of your reservations), it's really up in the air as to whether or not you want to get the dining plan. Go with your preference.

 

[ppmcoj]

Thanks for the info. Given that it's going to be an extra $890 instead of $600, we may opt to not get it since LO will eat free at the fixed price meals. DH and I usually share something at the other restaurants or appetizers.

 

[bdklein]

Thanks for the info. Given that it's going to be an extra $890 instead of $600, we may opt to not get it since LO will eat free at the fixed price meals. DH and I usually share something at the other restaurants or appetizers.

Plus the more you spend, the more you tip (usually). Plus you are doing a lot of breakfasts and lunches, so not as much value as dinner. Plus not big dessert eaters or non-water.

No Dining Plan!!!

 

[ppmcoj]

Plus the more you spend, the more you tip (usually). Plus you are doing a lot of breakfasts and lunches, so not as much value as dinner. Plus not big dessert eaters or non-water.

No Dining Plan!!!

Thanks! I think that's what we've decided too!

 

[ppmcoj]

One more question

For a TS meal on the DP, can you substitute an appetizer in lieu of an entree?

 

[Wood Nymph]

One more question

For a TS meal on the DP, can you substitute an appetizer in lieu of an entree?

No, I don't think you can. And considering that you need to spend $35 for a TS meal in order for the dining plan to be worth the money, then you would be better off paying out of pocket for an appetizer that probably costs less than $10.

 

[ppmcoj]

No, I don't think you can. And considering that you need to spend $35 for a TS meal in order for the dining plan to be worth the money, then you would be better off paying out of pocket for an appetizer that probably costs less than $10.

Thanks, that's what I thought. That pretty much settles it after adding up what we typically eat at those restaurants. No DP!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

ppmcoj: I created a spreadsheet for you based on your first post. I picked CS places randomly. Go ahead and play with it if you have any doubts.

http://www.attachmore.com/382438077

 

[ppmcoj]

ppmcoj: I created a spreadsheet for you based on your first post. I picked CS places randomly. Go ahead and play with it if you have any doubts.

http://www.attachmore.com/382438077

Thank you, that's so nice! I'll play around with it after dinner tonight.