Budeting for Character Meals

[FayeW]

Last time we went to WDW, I had some Q&C vouchers that we used for 3 meals, and we ate offsite or at our condo for the rest. This time I have scheduled one TS meal at H & V, as part of FDP, not because I particularily want to eat there, but to make sure I will be able to see Fantasmic. I have booked a character meal at 1900PF, but I just worked out the cost for my family of four and I will probably end up cancelling the ADR. The cost of that one meal would pay for my family to attend MHSSHP, which I think would be better value, and I can eat 3 offsite dinners for the cost of the one character meal. I really want to know how some people can afford to do 3 -4 TS meals AND 2-3 character meals each time they visit. Am I just cheap?

 

[Rootskate]

Have you thought about doing the dining plan?

 

[FayeW]

Have you thought about doing the dining plan?

The dining plan is not available to us, as we chose to stay in a 2 bdrm unit offsite. I briefly considered staying onsite for our first night, specifically to take advantage of the dining plan, but I plan to take advantage of the lower ticket prices through mousesavers, so it didn't work out for us.

 

[powellrj]

Unless you have kids that have never done a character meal, I would pass them up too. The last time we were there, the only TS meal we had on site was hollywood and vine for the fantasmic dinner package.

Since you are staying off-site, I am guessing you will have a car. There are lot of off-site resturants that have great food, for a much cheaper price! I don't think you are being cheap, I would say you are being frugal!

 

[kelleigh1]

I think that for some people, their WDW is the vacation of a lifetime and they want to splurge and take advantage of the total Disney experience. For others, it's an addiction and I'm guessing that they save up to take advantage of all of it. And some people just have the money to go all out.

For us...one character meal is enough and then we'll be dining within a set budget. We plan to enjoy our trip, but within our means. We have other things that we enjoy doing throughout the year, so we budget accordingly. While we're really looking forward to this vacation, it's not the only thing we have planned for next year, so we have a budget.

 

[EthansMom]

I really want to know how some people can afford to do 3 -4 TS meals AND 2-3 character meals each time they visit. Am I just cheap?

No, you're not necessarily cheap! First, like you say in your post, you want to get what you think would be a better value for your family. Also, different people have different income levels and different circumstances.

For instance, my family has annual passes this year in order to squeeze three trips in to one 12 month span. We usually go on two vacations per year, so we're doing 2 WDW vacations in 2005 and one in 2006. Since we got the AP's, we were able to get the DDE card, which gives us a 20% discount at TS meals (including character meals). With one toddler and one preschooler, we find it much more convenient to stay onsite, which means that we also eat every meal on WDW property.

With the DDE card and two young children, my family can dine at a sit-down restaurant like Tony's for lunch for about the same price as dining at Cosmic Rays, but I have ADRs so I know we'll be sitting down at a particular time and the entire family loves getting a break in an enclosed, air conditioned environment.

Since DD is free at buffets (like the character meals) and DS is still young, Character Meals are a relatively affordable way for us to 1) eat and 2) see the characters we love most without the crowds. We have never waited in lines to see any characters -- I would much rather spend an extra $20 on a character meal than spend an hour waiting in line to see those same four characters elsewhere in the parks.

MNSSHP sounds great, but would be too late for my kids. We'll be at WDW in Dec. and have opted not to go to MVMCP for the same reason -- expensive and my tots wouldn't last longer than 8 or 9 (at the latest). We've opted for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, instead, since there is a 5 p.m. show.

Now, if I were in your shoes, I personally would not do the FDP as we've always had good luck just buying the kids a popcorn and getting a seat 45 minutes early for Fantasmic. The popcorn keeps the kids happy while we wait. Then, if I was still concerned about costs, I would book one of the character lunches or breakfasts (either is less expensive than dinner) in/near a park -- probably Crystal Palace with Pooh or Chef Mickeys at The Conteporary. But that justs goes to show that everyone has their preferences!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[canwegosoon]

I would do Fantasmic w/o H/V....the place is huge...go early and get a seat. Character meals are not a neccesity, and if eating off site makes WDW affordable to you, then live it up offsite. There are a lot more dining options to choose from, and even making meals in your hotel/condo/rental house has other advantages too (my son just had a huge allergic reaction to eating a hamburger at a restaurant at Martha's Vineyard). Go and have fun on your terms.

 

[FayeW]

I would do Fantasmic w/o H/V....the place is huge...go early and get a seat. QUOTE]

We have 9 days, and we are doing all 4 WDW parks,MNSSHP,TL, DQ ,US & IoA. I can't guarantee that I will have more than one day at MGM, so I don't want to stand in line for 1.5-2 hrs to make sure I see Fantasmic. I guess the way to look at it is that I'm either going to spend that time standing in line or sitting in H&V (to make sure I don't have to stand in line! ) Either way, I'm going to lose an hour of park touring time. I guess the question is whether or not I also want to lose 150 of my Canadian dollars (after tax, tip and exchange) paying for a meal when counter service would probably satisfy as just as much. We are planning on Fantasmic for Sunday, Oct 24th. I know I can't predict crowd levels, but should I NEED the FDP at this time of the year, or will I be ok lining up 45 mins ahead of time?

 

[mmeb144]

We went during Halloween last year. We still just lined up 1 hour prior to Fantasmic, got great seats. No FDP.

Marie

 

[EthansMom]

I've gone in Sept. 45 min. early and had great seats. My understanding is that FDP doesn't even guarantee "great seats", just a separate seating area -- show up right before the show and you'll still have less than desireable seats. But I've never done FDP. Some folks on the Theme Parks Board might be able to give you an idea on what the seating is like for FDP.

 

[crisi]

Last time we went to WDW, I had some Q&C vouchers that we used for 3 meals, and we ate offsite or at our condo for the rest. This time I have scheduled one TS meal at H & V, as part of FDP, not because I particularily want to eat there, but to make sure I will be able to see Fantasmic. I have booked a character meal at 1900PF, but I just worked out the cost for my family of four and I will probably end up cancelling the ADR. The cost of that one meal would pay for my family to attend MHSSHP, which I think would be better value, and I can eat 3 offsite dinners for the cost of the one character meal. I really want to know how some people can afford to do 3 -4 TS meals AND 2-3 character meals each time they visit. Am I just cheap?

Everyone here has different resources and different priorities. We don't go every year, but when we do, we stay on site and eat one sit down meal a day plus one character meal. Last time we didn't do MNSSHP, because as someone said, late for our kids so not a good value. This year we will give it a shot.

We had no problems in October getting a decent seat for Fantasmic about 35 minutes before showtime.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

We were there in July... Our feeling was there were absolutely NO bad seats!

 

[FayeW]

Thanks for all your help. I think I will book the FDP for later during our stay, and try to see Fantasmic by just lining up on our first visit to MGM. If that works out, I will cancel my FDP ADR, but if not, then at least I have the reservation to fall back on another day. We will be doing IS/IOA the last few days of our trip and they close at 6:00. We can always scoot over to MGM afterwards solely to catch Fantasmic!