Best suggestions for saving money on Dining inside DL?

[rhettreaux]

Hi Everyone,

My family has been to WDW every year for the past 5 years, and the dining plan has really become part of the trip to us. We love doing the character dining, getting snacks as the craving strikes us, and getting great counter-service meals, all without having to think about the money spent on food.

We are going to Disneyland in January, and I'm not convinced that DL's dining plan represents the same value as WDW's, but I don't want to travel outside the parks for meals. Can anyone share their experiences with me? Is it possible to do a character meal and a counter service everyday and spend less than the DL dining plan?

Also, is Tables in Wonderland an option for DL? If not, is there some equivalent option for saving money on dining?

Thanks,

Rhett

 

[mama2dutchies]

I think it depends on how much you eat verses throw away?

We usually just split meals.. but we're not big eaters.. the two toddlers usually just share my meal and the 7 year old and my hubby will usually share whatever it is they decide to get. Possibly an extra thing of fries or something. If we're still hungry later we'll get an ice cream bar or something

FOr us we usually grab breakie at the hotel, then one meal through out the day and snack around it..

For example.. We will probably grab breakie at the hotel, get the WOC lunch at WCT for our big meal, then we will grab somethink simple/snack to eat in the evening.

Another day we might get breakie, then go and do a snacky lunch, and then a big dinner somewhere.



BTW I miss NH I grew up way north of you in Woodsville

 

[skiingfast]

Hi Everyone,

My family has been to WDW every year for the past 5 years, and the dining plan has really become part of the trip to us. We love doing the character dining, getting snacks as the craving strikes us, and getting great counter-service meals, all without having to think about the money spent on food.

We are going to Disneyland in January, and I'm not convinced that DL's dining plan represents the same value as WDW's, but I don't want to travel outside the parks for meals. Can anyone share their experiences with me? Is it possible to do a character meal and a counter service everyday and spend less than the DL dining plan?

Also, is Tables in Wonderland an option for DL? If not, is there some equivalent option for saving money on dining?

Thanks,

Rhett

There is no TIW card but DL APs offer dining discounts. Honestly that makes the WDW TIW card look like a sort of joke.

As far as the meal plan, no you surely could spend more doing a character meal and CS everyday. But it would be your choice. The DL meal plan offers no discount. It doesn't give a CS credit like WDW that covers the whole menu. It gives a dollar amount voucher to use that you paid the same amount for. It's not worth spending a lot of time looking into it unless you want to pay ahead of time.

 

[ArchOwl]

If you would like to pre-pay or save up for meals in advance, I think others here put money on Disney Gift Cards. That way you don't lose your money if you don't use the full dollar amount of the voucher. Although you do need to use the money on your Gift Cards, but it doesn't sound like you have a problem returning to Disney!

The Annual Pass does provide dining discounts, so look into at least one member of your party getting an AP, if you think the math works out as well as any possible blackout dates. Look here for discount info: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/ap/discounts?name=AnnualPassholderUngatedDiscountsPage

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hi Rhett ~

We use Character Meal vouchers *as you and I have discussed* and Disney Gift Cards to pre pay & save on *by using the vouchers* our dining experiences while visiting DLR.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Besides AP, if you show your DVC membership card you can save 10% at nearly every restaurant in DL, DCA, DLR Hotels and Downtown Disney. You can also save 10% using a Disney Rewards Visa card at the following locations in DLR:
Big Thunder Ranch BBQ
Rancho del Zocalo
Hungry Bear
Cochina Cucomanga Mexican Grill
PCH Grill (11:30a-5p)
Goofy's Kitchen (7a-2p)
Steakhouse 55 (7a-11:30a)
Storytellers Cafe (11:30a-10p)

Other than that I'd just suggest you over budget for food like $150 per person per day, that way when you only spend $75 per person you will atleast feel like you are saving money!