Calculating dining for TS meals inside Disney?

[southern_redhead]

This is starting to make me a little crazy I'm very budget oriented and, while I don't have to know down to the penny what I'll spend on each meal, I'd like a ballpark figure. Mostly because I'd like to "envelope system" while on vacation. The thing is, at best, it's a headache to figure up our meal cost (5 or 6 people - with either 3 or 4 adults (depending on if the sixth person makes the trip) and 2 kids either way) So, for one, I've been figuring it up twice but budgeting for the larger party. Then, of course, comes the fun of tax and tip. If we are a party of six we have mandatory 18% tax so I've just been figuring 18% either way and tax, which I think is 7 and a half percent??

But, here is where it gets hairy and reduces me to a blubbering fool. I'm sure there is a simple answer, but I can't seem to put my hands on it. I keep finding different prices for meals - the Disney website just lists things like 15 - 35.99 ... is that 15 for kids, 35.99 for adults during the high season OR is it 15 for kids low season, 35.99 adults high season (so they are showing the lowest of the low to the highest of the high with other variables in between.) And, I've tried allears, BUT I get different prices for the same meals even within their site.

For instance - the Hollywood and Vine dinner is quoted as 26.99 adults, 13.99 kids on one page then it's 32.99 adults, 15.99 kids another page. THEN if I go to WDW's site it states that it's 36 - 59.99??! Now, in looking back the first (lowest price) is 2009, the second (middle price) is 2010. I can see how prices could go up some, 6 per adult seems like a steep increase but whatever, but could it have gone up 27 for adults and 20 for kids since last JUNE?

Another example - Akershus Breakfast is listed as 15 to 35.99 on WDW's site but allears shows 39.40 for adults and 23.42 for kids (and that was this past November?! I highly doubt WDW LOWERED any prices?)

Is there not a calculator that lets me pick a restaurant/meal from a drop down, select how many adults and kids and then calculates the whole thing for me? LOL I don't know what base prices to use...if I did, I could figure the rest I SWEAR!!

If it will help, I'll list the meals I'm trying to calculate and if someone has eaten there recently could you (maybe, puh-lease) tell me the adult and kids pricing and when you ate there? I debated whether to post this here or on the budget board but since it is budget pertaining to dining, I decided to come here. If this is the wrong board, I apologize in advance, and please move accordingly. Here goes:

Breakfasts:
Crystal Palace
Akershus
Tusker House

Dinners:
Hollywood and Vine (F! pkg - but I didn't think that affected pricing, only what times you could reserve and still get passes)
1900 Park Fare

And, I realize this post may make me sound like a Type A control freak (I probably am LOL) but it's not that I'm trying to be a Scrooge or that I am trying to push our dining too far out of our comfort zone. I can budget for the higher prices, I just don't want sticker shock if I go with one set of prices and, in reality, it's another....drastically higher....set. Also, I'd pay $36 for adults to eat at H&V to get the F! passes but I don't know that I'd pay $60...I mean, I want to see F! but maybe the line isn't THAT bad and, for $60 a person, well.....there are other things we could do, KWIM?

 

[kerri0616]

Please consider getting the DDP. We are a very "budgety" family. We typically don't go out to eat at home unless we have a coupon or gift card. So, at Disney for a few days, we don't worry about the cost of meals. It is so wonderful to order anything and not worry about the cost. I've seen families go into shock when their counter services meals are rung up. I just hand over my card and say, "4 credits, please."

Not to mention desserts...we never order dessert when we go out to eat in the real world. But at Disney I don't have to say no.

Some of the websites you mentioned may be listing the price for meals during peak season. It can be $5+ more per meal during these times.

Kerri

 

[BriarRosie]

Write to Disney how their seasonal pricing for buffets and character meals make it difficult for you to budget for your family. You can tell them the dates of your trip and just want to know what the prices are for the restaurants that change pricing seasonally.

Write to WDW.Guest.Communications@disney.com

I would suggest the subject line: Need help with seasonal dining prices for budgeting

Instead of writing all the variables, I'd suggest:

To whom it may concern:

I am planning a trip Month/Day -end Day, 2011 but I'm confused by the seasonal dining prices at some character meals. Would you be able to tell me what the costs are for adults and children at the following restaurants during my trip dates so I can plan my budget accordingly? I'm finding conflicting information online and wish to have the most accurate information possible. Thank you!

Please tell me the adult and child prices for the following:

Breakfasts:
Crystal Palace
Akershus
Tusker House

Dinners:
Hollywood and Vine (Fantasmic package)
1900 Park Fare

Regards,
(your name here) phone number optional

There you have it. You seem to know the tax and parties of 6+ gratuity, so you can figure that part out when you get an answer. Hope that helps.

 

[southern_redhead]

BriarRose (love your name!),

Thanks! Yes, that is exactly what I needed. I just wasn't sure where to look. You're right - I don't need them to price it out for me or give me figures based on party size. I just need to know what I'll pay for the adults and what I'll pay for the kids. I can figure the rest myself. Thanks again

kerri0616,

Our trip doesn't allow for the dining plan. We are offsite and we bought our tickets through YES. It is my understanding that you have to be booked onsite with a package for DDP (or stay DVC and buy DDP through your DVC member.) While we may do that someday, I've crunched numbers and (even with meals on the "stupid high" end it is better for us to pay them OOP.) Plus, we want the space of a condo Thanks, though, your advice is very sound. I'm thinking of a return trip for me and the kids over a school break in the next couple of years and I'm pretty sure, for that, we'd book with the DDP!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Also to throw a monkey wrench in your calculations, some prices already include tax while others don't.

 

[southern_redhead]

Update: I emailed this address from both my ISP email and a gmail account. Both said the delivery failed permanently. A quick google search said the addy was defunct I couldn't find any other emails for them. Anyone know one?

 

[southern_redhead]

Also to throw a monkey wrench in your calculations, some prices already include tax while others don't.

Gee, thanks

Actually - I'd be (mentally) better off figuring tax and tip onto a meal that already has it figured and then owing less than I would the other way 'round LOL

BTW, did you mean just some in general or some on my list? Can you share which ones?

 

[southern_redhead]

*crickets*





Surely someone has eaten at a few of these places recently?

 

[rachel09985]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2709135

Check out this thread. This person called and got prices. Im pretty sure these are not for peak times.

 

[southern_redhead]

Thanks, rachel09985!

I think I may try my hand at calling as well, I'm totally not a "phone" person so I was hoping to avoid it but since I only have a handful to check on maybe it won't be tooooo bad

I think I found my glitch on the WDW website. When it says 15-35 I think it is pricing 15 kids breakfast all the way through the day to 35 adults dinner. Which would mean many price points in between.

That was a great link, I appreciate it

 

[BriarRosie]

Update: I emailed this address from both my ISP email and a gmail account. Both said the delivery failed permanently. A quick google search said the addy was defunct I couldn't find any other emails for them. Anyone know one?

I'm bummed that you couldn't use that email address. I realize now that I gave the wrong one. It should have been:

WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com (I forgot the disneyworld part and used "disney" in error.)

If you still want to try writing, that one should work, as that is the email address I have used successfully. Good luck.

 

[mastermind307]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2709135

Check out this thread. This person called and got prices. Im pretty sure these are not for peak times.

I am the one called and posted this. The prices I got were for Nov. I called 2time because I thought the prices for some restaurants were higher than they should be. So the restaurants that have two prices are the price I got the first time and the price I got the second time. I think the first CM gave me peak prices for a few as if you compare the prices it's about $4 difference which I believe is the surchage for peak times.

 

[JJsmama]

If you are really worried about the budget, is the F! package really necessary? You could do a counter service meal instead and just get in F! line a little earlier, right? H&V is pricey at dinner and does not get good reviews. By most accounts, DHS is not known having fabulous food. If it were me, I would do counter service there and save the money for a better TS meal at another park. (However, if you are going because you have a little one who really wants to see the PlayHouse Disney characters..well, that I understand.

 

[TDC Nala]

Your trip is in a month. Even if you call or e-mail and they give you what the base prices are today, they could be changed in a month. There are some guests who have called WDW-DINE and were given prices, although there is no guarantee those prices were exactly accurate.

Seasonal pricing is an extra $4 per adult and $2 per child.

 

[southern_redhead]

If you are really worried about the budget, is the F! package really necessary? You could do a counter service meal instead and just get in F! line a little earlier, right? H&V is pricey at dinner and does not get good reviews. By most accounts, DHS is not known having fabulous food. If it were me, I would do counter service there and save the money for a better TS meal at another park. (However, if you are going because you have a little one who really wants to see the PlayHouse Disney characters..well, that I understand.

I'm not worried about the budget, really. More like wanting to know the figures ahead of time. I have all the other figures: room, tickets, souvenirs... I thought I'd tally up the meals (tax, tip, and all) but found that harder than I thought. It really irked me not to have a definitive answer on how much meals cost lol so I was just checking to see if someone had been lately and could share a number.

We aren't doing the character meal at H&V. I just booked the meal for the Fantasmic passes. Seeing the show is "my" big thing. I thought having passes would make it easier, my kids could wait 45 min for a show but I'm not sure they'd be happy with waiting two hours lol. When I booked it I could only find one date for F! and didn't want to risk missing it. Now, through, I am seeing it listed 3 nights during out stay. I'm considering canceling the pkg and trying "standby" on F! If we try the first night it shows and it doesn't work out we'd still have two more chances. I could use the money I'd set aside for that meal to take the family to see the blue man group or to a nice offside restaurant. Or buy more "Mickey junk" lol

 

[southern_redhead]

I wanted to come back and update to say that I did email WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com . This is the response I got:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Here is the information you are requesting for the 3 dining locations
for the travel dates of June 25th - July 2nd.

The Crystal Palace and Tusker House are the same price
adults 28.75 children 15.97 a/3-9

Akershus Restaurant
adults 39.40 children 23.42 a/3-9

These prices include the tax but not the gratuity.

Wishing you a magical day!

I sent my email on 5/25, recieved a confirmation email that they had recieved it on the same day. I got the above email on 5/26 even though the confirmation said it could take up to ten business days (side note: if you leave in less than ten days it suggests you call for your information). I felt like I got a really good response from them and information I can work with to estimate the cost of our meals. And, oddly enough, I was a bit high on my estimates because I was adding tax when she said that tax was included. Which is fine by me, I'd rather go in expecting to pay more than be hit with sticker shock at bill time It does say to call just prior to your trip to confirm pricing given that they can change rates at any time. I will probably call once we get down there just to see if prices fluctuated any.

Another side note: I ended up paring down to three meals. I decided to keep breakfasts at CP, TH, and Akershus. I felt like we got a good range of characters and the benefit of the earliest reservations since we don't get EMH. I dropped H&V because that was more for me than my kids, I checked F! listings and it appears to be showing several times during our trip now. We'll try to catch the first showing and if that doesn't work we can always try to work it in during the other showings. I just wasn't sure about a 3:45 pm reservation, especially since we have Y.E.S class in Epcot that morning. I was also afraid that any more scheduled meals and my bunch might revolt

Huge thanks to everyone, especially Briar Rose for giving me the email address