2009 DDP... QS or regular plan

[momofbcs]

This is the second try at this post.

Last time we went to Disney we paid OOP for all of our food. I didn't look at prices or see the final tally of the costs. We ate TS 3 times, Chef Mickey breakfast, Sci-Fi and Boatwrights. We cancelled 2 other ADRs because we were having too much fun in the parks. My kids were 6,6,& 2.5.

Now we are going back 1/1/09. I thought that the DDP would save me money, but with the changes, not sure.

I can't see us sitting down to dinner, so I thought the QS plan would be great, well now Im not sure. LOL

What do y'all think?

 

[aleciajab]

I am wondering the same thing myself. It seems like everyone I talk that has been there says to for sure get the plan. I just have a hard time believing that we would spend that much $$ OOP for food. I know it is really expensive there, but aren't there ways to cut back on OOP costs?

 

[momofbcs]

i guess I am trying to find a cost comparison. I dont know, my mind is going to implode! Too much info.

When are you going? We are going Jan 1st so there wont be anyone to try it out first

Sara

 

[snykymom]

The QS plan is not available until January 11. So I guess that answers your question!

 

[momofbcs]

The QS plan is not available until January 11. So I guess that answers your question!

The CM said it was available on the 1st, not the 11th.

I think we will stick with the TS and use them all for a good breakfast and pay OOP for dinner.

Do you know the actually amount it costs per day? $40 for adults and ??? for kids 3-9?

 

[aleciajab]

I've just been looking at the menus on wdinfo.com and am thinking that my family could get by on much less than $40/day/person. That is only of course we do not plan on eating TS meals. I'm sure it is wishful thinking that we can beat the $40/day.....

We are talking about just picking a couple TS restaurants that we don't want to miss and "budgeting" for them and eating "snacks" and CS for the rest of our meals.

It was a chore even convincing my family to go on this trip. I'm not sure I'm up to the battle of convincing them to spend more than they "think" they will on food. hmmmm......

 

[septbaby]

$39.99 for Adult, $10.99 Child or $102 per day for your family if the 2.5 is still under 3 when you go. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's would cost you $77, so the remaining $25 you'd get 4 Snacks, 2 Adult CS meals and 2 Child CS meals; a good deal for your family. So your plan, so of a character meal breakfast and CS the rest of the day could work for you.

Also consider booking something fun like HDDR for dinner. It takes 2TS credits, but is fun like being in the park, so it may not feel like you're tearing yourself away, but rather moving on to the next ride. If you book the early show you'll still have time to return to a park. It is also one of the few TS meals where the tip is included in the TS credits.

I think getting the Basic DP is a good decision for your family and eating plan.

 

[septbaby]

I've just been looking at the menus on wdinfo.com and am thinking that my family could get by on much less than $40/day/person. That is only of course we do not plan on eating TS meals. I'm sure it is wishful thinking that we can beat the $40/day.....

We are talking about just picking a couple TS restaurants that we don't want to miss and "budgeting" for them and eating "snacks" and CS for the rest of our meals.

It was a chore even convincing my family to go on this trip. I'm not sure I'm up to the battle of convincing them to spend more than they "think" they will on food. hmmmm......

Don't think $40 per day, think $102 which is what the DP would cost for a family of 2A and 2C having kids in the 3-9 age range makes the DP a more attractive deal. If you're staying 5 nights DP cost is $510 (TS, CS & Snacks).

Let's say you chose: $120 for TS meals
Chef Mickey's $77 for your family, including tax (character meal)
The Plaza $43 for your family, including tax (cheaper TS meal)

So that leaves $390 for CS meals and snacks

If you feel you could eat for less than that, don't buy the plan.

However, keep in mind if it will cost you about $390 for the rest of your meals, you could had 3 more TS meals for that same $. You'll need to balance the $ with the time and make the call for your family.

 

[aleciajab]

Don't think $40 per day, think $102 which is what the DP would cost for a family of 2A and 2C having kids in the 3-9 age range makes the DP a more attractive deal. If you're staying 5 nights DP cost is $510 (TS, CS & Snacks).

Let's say you chose: $120 for TS meals
Chef Mickey's $77 for your family, including tax (character meal)
The Plaza $43 for your family, including tax (cheaper TS meal)

So that leaves $390 for CS meals and snacks

If you feel you could eat for less than that, don't buy the plan.

However, keep in mind if it will cost you about $390 for the rest of your meals, you could had 3 more TS meals for that same $. You'll need to balance the $ with the time and make the call for your family.

Very good points! You have a much better grasp on all this than I do! Do you mind if I "pick your brain" a little bit here?

 

[septbaby]

Very good points! You have a much better grasp on all this than I do! Do you mind if I "pick your brain" a little bit here?

Sure, I'll help if can.

 

[momofbcs]

Awesome! Thanks.

I think I am good with the plan for 1 adult and 3 kids. While normally, I would be able to eat for less than 40 per day, m y kids definitely can't eat for less than $11 per day. *and 2 of my kids can pack it away... look out breakfast buffets!*

$77 per day is not bad, when I think we would spend more than that eating CS for every meal.

One less thing weighing on my mind. Now, must book ADRs for lots of Brekkies.

 

[septbaby]

Awesome! Thanks.

I think I am good with the plan for 1 adult and 3 kids. While normally, I would be able to eat for less than 40 per day, m y kids definitely can't eat for less than $11 per day. *and 2 of my kids can pack it away... look out breakfast buffets!*

$77 per day is not bad, when I think we would spend more than that eating CS for every meal.

One less thing weighing on my mind. Now, must book ADRs for lots of Brekkies.

Let me rework the #s, I assumed 2A and 2C
1A and 3C is $73 per night for your family's DP
Chef Mickey's would cost $66 so a very good deal that day

The nice thing about the buffets: kids can eat what the adults eat so its great variety and unlimited portions for those big appetites or picky eaters.

Happy eating and a magical visit!

 

[aleciajab]

Sure, I'll help if can.

One of my boys will be just short of 2 when we go, so he wouldn't be on the plan. My husband and I would normally jump on an opportunity like this for a vacation. We LOVE to eat out! Our trouble here of course is the amount we are already spending just to get there and sleep there. We like to think that we can "make ourselves" stick to eating only CS meals or even better substitute some snacks for meals. I have to throw one more "quirk" into this too...my parents are coming with for this trip. They for sure do not want to do DDP. They are in a separate room so we still could if we wanted to. I'm just worried that we will miss out on eating with them if they don't want to pay the TS prices.... Maybe that is a reason to get the CS plan..?? What do you think? Thanks for your advice and for listening!!

You know I think I've confused myself even more in typing all this!

 

[jamstew]

The nice thing about the buffets: kids can eat what the adults eat so its great variety and unlimited portions for those big appetites or picky eaters.

I did not know that--I've seen a children's area at CP, so I just assumed that was what they could have. Good to know

 

[momofbcs]

Let me rework the #s, I assumed 2A and 2C
1A and 3C is $73 per night for your family's DP
Chef Mickey's would cost $66 so a very good deal that day

The nice thing about the buffets: kids can eat what the adults eat so its great variety and unlimited portions for those big appetites or picky eaters.

Happy eating and a magical visit!

Thanks. I think Aleciajab is the one with 2A 2C. Im the mom out numbered


Would it be ok to book a breakfast buffet daily as our TS? Are buffets TS? Im sure they are. I cant imagine sitting down for dinner, but can for brekfast (we just arent quick breakfast bar people, more likely to skip lunch or just eat a snack then and then have dinner)

 

[septbaby]

Thanks. I think Aleciajab is the one with 2A 2C. Im the mom out numbered


Would it be ok to book a breakfast buffet daily as our TS? Are buffets TS? Im sure they are. I cant imagine sitting down for dinner, but can for brekfast (we just arent quick breakfast bar people, more likely to skip lunch or just eat a snack then and then have dinner)

I think booking breakfast as your TS is great. In fact I assumed Chef Mickey's breakfast in your sample calcs. One thing that we did was book dinner at Boma on our AK day. That park closed at 5pm, its a 5min bus ride from AK to AKL so it was super easy and we were being kicked out of the park anyway, so that might be an easy dinner TS if you're going to AK during you trip. It was an amazing buffet with unique items as well as a kids section and standard American choices. I don't eat prime rib, but many on DIS keep saying they think Boma has the best on property.

 

[septbaby]

One of my boys will be just short of 2 when we go, so he wouldn't be on the plan. My husband and I would normally jump on an opportunity like this for a vacation. We LOVE to eat out! Our trouble here of course is the amount we are already spending just to get there and sleep there. We like to think that we can "make ourselves" stick to eating only CS meals or even better substitute some snacks for meals. I have to throw one more "quirk" into this too...my parents are coming with for this trip. They for sure do not want to do DDP. They are in a separate room so we still could if we wanted to. I'm just worried that we will miss out on eating with them if they don't want to pay the TS prices.... Maybe that is a reason to get the CS plan..?? What do you think? Thanks for your advice and for listening!!

You know I think I've confused myself even more in typing all this!

How many nights are you staying? Where are you staying?

Its easy to talk $40 per night, but we have to pay for all nights so if its 10 nights, $800 us understandably a big chunk for your parents to see as a "discount or value".

If you want the plan for your family I'd have your parents take a look at menus and let them decide. I would think they'd want to come to at least one character meal to see the reaction of their grandkids, so that's one credit put to good use.