Any dining 'deals' if staying off property?

[la79al]

We will be staying in an off property timeshare on our next trip. I know we can't get the DDP but are there any other ways to eat at the nicer restaurants for less money? We'll probably end up eating CS/in the condo for most meals anyhow, I was just wondering.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes. Have one person in the group who is 21 or older purchase an Annual Pass. Not only will it allow for free parking (if you are driving), but will allow you to purchase a Tables in Wonderland card which will give a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcohol) at just about every sit-down restaurant in WDW.

 

[TDC Nala]

With the cost of the DDP this year, it may not work out to being less money, either. The best way to save money staying offsite is to cook in the condo or take advantage of the ability to eat in offsite restaurants. Disney doesn't, in general, offer any sort of discount or possibility of discounts (the dining plan is really only a possibility now) to guests who aren't staying onsite and don't have an annual pass.

 

[jcvalenti]

Yes. Have one person in the group who is 21 or older purchase an Annual Pass. Not only will it allow for free parking (if you are driving), but will allow you to purchase a Tables in Wonderland card which will give a 20% discount on food and beverages (including alcohol) at just about every sit-down restaurant in WDW.

Totally agree with this approach, especially if you are going for more than 7 days. If you're going for more than 10 days, you probably want to price out annual passes for everyone.

Anyway, the Tables in Wonderland card is fantastic - for people who like to drink wine and beer, it's probably a better deal than the dining plan outright. You can use it at all sit down meals, as well as a few other valuable locations (like at the Rose and Crown, or the Wave at the Contemporary, or the Polynesian lounge bar).

When we stay offsite, the money we save by being able to store cold water bottles and snacks is parlayed into a TiW card, which pays for itself generally by lunchtime on our second full day.

 

[minniebride]

If you decide to eat off-property, go to the restaurant.com website. They often have really great discounts on local restaurants. I *think* they sometimes have discounts for restaurants in DTD or the Swan/Dolphin as well.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Sometimes Groupon offers a discount on Garden Grove, which is a character meal at the Swan or Dolphin..I forget which...but it is a buffet style meal. The buffet changes daily and there is no guarantee as to what characters you will see, but I believe there are usually two.

 

[GeorgeG]

If it's better restaurants you desire, most of them will not be on any dining plan. Lately, you're going to get better food at the non-Disney restaurants at Downtown Disney and the Swan and Dolphin resorts.