Best use of money- room, food, or travel

[mb_uh]

Okay, we should have gotten the home buyer credit but the IRS says we do not have enough to prove the long time home owner (I did not realize I should have keep every bill I ever paid ) I have decided to give, I have sent in paperwork twice and have waited over a year for nothing but aggrevation.

Anyway, we had planned to use that to supplement our vacation fund to go deluxe all the way. Well without it we can afford to go but I want to do it cheaper.

So for about the same price I have 3 options

1.value room, dxdp, drive (over 10 hours)
2.mod room, ddp, drive
3. value room, ddp, fly

flying also requires a drive (several hours 1/4 of our drive) and possibly a night stay- our airport is very expensive because it is a smaller area.

So what do think is most important and why?

I am leaning towards #1, we have stayed at a value before, and we love dxdp especially character meals for kids. I would be more into flying if it did not require a drive, I figure the drive plus flight time would be half the flight but we would not have a car (last year we rented) but I am trying to save.

 

[StitchBuddy]

I vote for option number 2. The deluxe dining plan is way to much food.

 

[cglaura]

I would price out the food and skip the dp all together. We can eat for two, on what it cost for one person on the ddp. ($47 pp I think ? ) Of course it will mean more CS meals than a TS every day, but if you really want to cut the budget then you'd have to decide what is important. Then just have a few TS for every few days or so.

Here are some menus:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm

http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Here is an example of a day for us:

Breakfast - in room with things from home (1. Less $, 2. Saves time, we aren't get up and go people)

Lunch at Cosmic Ray's:

DD19: Grilled Chicken Sandwich - Served with your choice of apple slices or French fries. - $8.39 (fries)

Me: Kids' Picks:Mixed Greens Salad With Chicken, - Served with choice of two side items: grapes, carrot sticks, or applesauce and choice of beverage: 1% milk, apple juice, or small bottled water. French fries and soda available upon request. - $4.99 (grapes which I save for snack later, and they usually let me sub a diet coke)

Free ice water.​

Dinner Pecos Bill's:

DD19: Caesar Salad with Chicken - Romaine lettuce, chicken and parmesan - $7.79

Me: Taco Salad - Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese, and Chili - $7.69

Free water​

Snacks:

Share Funnel Cake - Dusted with powdered sugar or cinnamon $4.29

dd19 - Mickey Ice Cream Bar - $4 (?) or a Small popcorn at fireworks $5 (?)

me Grapes (free, left over from lunch)​

Total approximately $45 after taxes. (near the cost of one ddp)

So, I just saved $47 by not purchasing the ddp...which would have been $94 for the day. Or even the QS plan which would have been $70 for the day.

Above prices are ballpark, the menus might be a bit outdated, but I think they are close.

Some days we share meals and spend even less. The portions are huge.

 

[chris31997]

Okay, we should have gotten the home buyer credit but the IRS says we do not have enough to prove the long time home owner (I did not realize I should have keep every bill I ever paid ) I have decided to give, I have sent in paperwork twice and have waited over a year for nothing but aggrevation.

Anyway, we had planned to use that to supplement our vacation fund to go deluxe all the way. Well without it we can afford to go but I want to do it cheaper.

So for about the same price I have 3 options

1.value room, dxdp, drive (over 10 hours)
2.mod room, ddp, drive
3. value room, ddp, fly

flying also requires a drive (several hours 1/4 of our drive) and possibly a night stay- our airport is very expensive because it is a smaller area.

So what do think is most important and why?

I am leaning towards #1, we have stayed at a value before, and we love dxdp especially character meals for kids. I would be more into flying if it did not require a drive, I figure the drive plus flight time would be half the flight but we would not have a car (last year we rented) but I am trying to save.

I would go with #1 if you are set on doing the dining plan. But like the PP said it would be possible to do without. If you are having to drive 1/4 of the way to get to the airport, might as well drive the rest of the way.

 

[Marionnette]

I hate driving and I would opt to stay in a value resort before I would spend 28 hours in a car.

I vote for flying and staying at the value resort but I would reconsider the DDP as well. There is a lot of food in it (desserts) that are a bit too much when eaten two times per day. It's possible to eat well for less without doing the dining plan.

 

[wide awake]

I would do #1 or #3. The #1 sounds good since the airport is inaccessable, and it sounds as if you like a car while you're there. I wouldn't do WDW w/o the dining plan and I have been wanting to try the deluxe...not for character meals, but for the signature restaurants.

 

[ilovemk76]

I would vote for driving, staying at a value and paying for the food.

 

[eliza61]

My vote is #2. I hate the values and will avoid them at all cost. You send you stayed there before so it may not be an issue for you.

 

[NancyIL]

I would vote for driving, staying at a value and paying for the food.

Agreed - option #4! I wouldn't want to spend most of any extra funds I have on one vacation.

It would help if you tell us how many are traveling and when.

 

[cmrules]

I would never pay for the deluxe dining, but I HATE character meals. I also don't love the values. I would go moderate, fly and pay for meals if that was an option.

 

[Marionnette]

Well, if we're writing our own options,then I would fly, get picked up by a limo, stay at the GF concierge (main building of course!), Premium Package.

Just curious OP, how do the three prices compare?

 

[Nanu57v]

Can you get DXDP for just one night? I thought I heard something about this, but it could have been a dream...

We don't do the dining plan anymore. It saves money if you were going to buy all that food, but we don't need a sit-down every day, and definitely don't get desserts with every meal. You should look at menus and price it out. Don't forget to factor in the cost of the "snacks" (aka water/ice cream) you'd buy.

If the drive is only 10 hours, I'd drive it. If your airport is small, I'm guessing you wouldn't have a direct flight anyway so how much time would you actually be saving? Keep in mind arriving at the airport 1.5 hours before your flight, and time to retrieve luggage...plus the convenience of having the car. If you drive, remember you'll get free parking at the parks if you want to drive instead of buses.

Personally, I don't see a big difference between a moderate and a value. You still have to ride buses. I'd hope for a really good deal on a deluxe, or just stay at a value.

 

[kamik86]

I have done the DxDDP and I liked it. I live in a small area with very little food choices so although many here think Disney food isn't worth it I crave going back to Disney for the food as much/more then anything else.

A 10 hour drive isn't too much and if you have to drive 2.5 to get to the airport and you have to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight, then have the flight, either getting baggage and getting a car or a wait for DME... Flying sounds like its going to take you at least 7.5 hours (assumed 2 hour flight and hour from airport to resort). At that point I'd drive.

I have never stayed at a value so I don't know how they are, however if you have stayed there before and don't mind it I would do DxDDP since you have wanted to try it.

 

[Taja]

Voting for Option 2, depending on length of drive. If it's just one travel day (which is what we experience flying), it could be well worth it. And you would have a vehicle at WDW, with little additional expense. And you change the resort to a Value to save a bit more money, if you choose.

I dislike DxDDP for two reasons: it's a lot of food and you have to schedule around too many ADRs. DDP or QSDP works better for us. We usually visit WDW for 10 to 12 nights, and have a TS dinner every two or three days if paying OOP. I prefer grazing to large meals and my BFF tends to each one larger meal daily.

Just a matter of personal preferences.

 

[mb_uh]

Okay, we should have gotten the home buyer credit but the IRS says we do not have enough to prove the long time home owner (I did not realize I should have keep every bill I ever paid ) I have decided to give, I have sent in paperwork twice and have waited over a year for nothing but aggrevation.

Anyway, we had planned to use that to supplement our vacation fund to go deluxe all the way. Well without it we can afford to go but I want to do it cheaper.

So for about the same price I have 3 options 7 nights during summer

1.value room, dxdp, drive (over 10 hours) $2806 + $700FOR TRAVEL $3506
2.mod room, ddp, drive $2733 + $700 FOR TRAVEL$3433
3. value room, ddp, fly $2248 + $1200 FOR AIRFARE$3448 may have additional expenses for room or bags

I should have mentioned that the extra tips for DXDP would be spent on DDP replacing missing items (mugs, breakfast) and we have DDP pin so that is my discount
flying also requires a drive (several hours 1/4 of our drive) and possibly a night stay- our airport is very expensive because it is a smaller area.

So what do think is most important and why?

I am leaning towards #1, we have stayed at a value before, and we love dxdp especially character meals for kids. I would be more into flying if it did not require a drive, I figure the drive plus flight time would be half the flight but we would not have a car (last year we rented) but I am trying to save.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the suggestions.

How many of you are traveling?

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I vote for option number 2. The deluxe dining plan is way to much food.

I agree the deluxe plan is too much food, plus it will dominate your days getting from restaurant to restaurant. However, if your more into eating and not the rides/attractions than the deluxe dining plan is probalby for you.

We just had a friend come back (it was their first trip, so I am sure they made many, many mistakes!) They bought the deluxe plan and stayed for 6 nights, there were three of them, two adults and one child. They returned with 19 unused sit down meals and they used many of their sit down meals for counter service, because they either couldnt get into a sit down restaurant/didnt want to spend another hour+ in a restaurant! Needless to say that wasted a TON of money.

To the OP, good luck, I am sure you will have a GREAT time with any option, just do your research so your happy with your results!!!

 

[mb_uh]

How many of you are traveling?

5 (2A 3C) 1 is under 3

I would most more specific details but after some cyber threats from another poster based on my personal opinions on another topic I am parinoid about releasing too much information. I do not want to start another user name so I have chosen to be vague

Cheapest Airfare I can find is $250 including fees which is still a sale price. I did not add room if we need one for an early flight or gas to and there, and parking probably another $150

Based on worst case case mileage and gas prices I am figuring on $350 for gas and $175 each way for meals and a room ( I will probably priceline/hotwire or stay motel 6 and we will eat fast food IRW we can do BK $10 (donuts)- $20 (drive thru) or free with room, Lunch $25 and dinner $25 Counter service or $40 TS, we tend to share and kids do not eat much)

We did dxdp and we like the shows, character meals, and TS for lunch in July heat instead of naps at resort or CS in parks. But we could live with ddp.

I could come up with the extra money for more but I am really on the fence.

 

[bjscheel]

As a side note, if you truly are qualified for the credit, I would recommend contacting your local Taxpayer Advocate. At our office we had a client with a tax issue that was going nowhere with trying to straighten it out. Once we called the Advocate, it was fixed within days. If you have tried in vain over a long time, an Advocate can really cut through the red tape. Call them to see what they think- it's free.

 

[MrsPete]

I would vote for driving, staying at a value and paying for the food.

This is my vote too.