Bargin or not???

[carri5317]

Trying to decide whether to do package with or with out dining?

Our Crew is me, DH, hubbys step brother 16, DS 9, DD 6, DD 2

We are doing two days at parks but three nights at hotels, It's about $400 more to add the dining option, I'm not great at planning and can't figure out whether we could do it cheaper on our own. ( I know we can, but this way we can eat at really nice places in the park, otherwise we'd just eat burgers & fries). Any words of wisdom from all you experts

 

[Windy City Heather]

I think it all depends on where you want to eat. I know that at LeCellier last September my husband, myself, mom and dd3 spent $186.00 on dinner and because we had the dinning plan it was free.

It comes out to be about $37. ish with tax per adult. One sit down dinner even a buffet is almost this much with tax and tip. So basically you just got lunch and a really nice snack for free.

Look at the menu's on www.allearsnet.com for menu's and prices and you will get a better idea of what you want and if it is worth it.

 

[carri5317]

Thanks for you help!

 

[CindyAnn]

Carri - If you think you might ever be interested, I think this is the trip. Next year your DS will count as a Disney "adult" and it would cost 3 times as much to feed him on the meal plan. Also, your younger DD would be a full-fledged child, so you would have to buy the meal plan for her, too. This year, since your DS and older DD count as children, and your younger DD will be able to eat for free in any of the buffet/family style meals, I think you should go for it!

This gives you an opportunity to plan a character meal or two for the kids and another nice dinner. Lots of people will be able to give you advice on great places to use your counter service credits, too.

Whatever you decide, have lots of fun!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Carri - If you think you might ever be interested, I think this is the trip. Next year your DS will count as a Disney "adult" and it would cost 3 times as much to feed him on the meal plan. Also, your younger DD would be a full-fledged child, so you would have to buy the meal plan for her, too. This year, since your DS and older DD count as children, and your younger DD will be able to eat for free in any of the buffet/family style meals, I think you should go for it!

This gives you an opportunity to plan a character meal or two for the kids and another nice dinner. Lots of people will be able to give you advice on great places to use your counter service credits, too.

Whatever you decide, have lots of fun!

Ditto! I would also consider how much you figure in for meals per day per person. I normally estimate $50 per day per person and that's only hitting a TS once or twice on a vacation...all other meals CS. Where as with the DDP it's $39 adult and $11 per child (3-9) and on top of that you get a nice sit down restaurant each day of your stay instead of just once or twice per trip. It's a definite deal for us!

The only problem I forsee for 2007 DDP is not all of the restaurants in WS are on the DDP as they are this year.

 

[Princess Sammi]

Trying to decide whether to do package with or with out dining?

Our Crew is me, DH, hubbys step brother 16, DS 9, DD 6, DD 2

We are doing two days at parks but three nights at hotels, It's about $400 more to add the dining option, I'm not great at planning and can't figure out whether we could do it cheaper on our own. ( I know we can, but this way we can eat at really nice places in the park, otherwise we'd just eat burgers & fries). Any words of wisdom from all you experts

If you want to eat at a restaurant each night, then you should do the DP.
We are going to be there for 7 nights ,8 days, and the cost of the DP for our family is about $950. (NOT including 1(extra) meal person for 7 days + 1 full day of meals for everyone (the 8th day) The DP only includes 2 meals and a snack each night that you are there. The only problem I have with it, for me, is that I may not want to eat at a sit down lunch or dinner every day. It can take up to 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. to eat. We do like to eat at a (table service) restaurant , but maybe 3 - 4x out of 7/8 days. Also, you would have to make ressies way in advance, or you could be out of luck. We don't know where (what park) we will be in everyday of our stay. We may want to change. That could make it tough if you have a ressie at a specific restaurant. We decided not to do the DP.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Princess Sammi]

Trying to decide whether to do package with or with out dining?

Our Crew is me, DH, hubbys step brother 16, DS 9, DD 6, DD 2

We are doing two days at parks but three nights at hotels, It's about $400 more to add the dining option, I'm not great at planning and can't figure out whether we could do it cheaper on our own. ( I know we can, but this way we can eat at really nice places in the park, otherwise we'd just eat burgers & fries). Any words of wisdom from all you experts

I forgot to mention in my last post, you can get different choices for lunch/dinner than burgers and fries at reasonable prices. We are staying at the ASMo, and the food court is pretty descent. You can get salads, wraps, sandwiches, Chinese food , etc. for under $10.00. There will be days when we will go back to our hotel to freshen up/relax before we head back to the parks. That's when we will eat there.

 

[caegan]

I also say go with the DDP! If you really want to break it down, look at the menus of the places you're hoping to go and add up approx. how much you'd spend without it.

When my DH and I went we LOVED the plan! We really like good food, and this way we got to eat lots of GOOD food instead of lots of burgers. I thought it was definitely worth it.

Also, it was so nice to get there and know that we didn't have to worry about bringing a lot of money (or traveler's checks, or ringing up a big balance on a credit card) to buy food. It took away some stress to know it was already paid for!