Calling all large families!

[Tinksmom5]

We are a family of 7.We have only been to Disney once.That one time we had the DDP.I am trying to plan our next trip.I was considering going in Aug-Sept to try and get the free dinning if it is offered but its looking like that time of year may be alittle too hot for us to handle.Now the question I have its this.Has anyone gone to Disney with a large family that can tell me how much it normally cost you to eat there.I never even bothered to look at a menu price as it was already paid for{which was really nice}Right now if we were to go again this coming June,its going to cost me around $30 per day .per person to eat with the DDP.Could I do it for less on my own?
We are burgers,fries,chicken fingers,and salad eaters.The only place I know for sure the entire crew would want to return too for sure would be cheif Mickeys cause we had such a good time there,Not for the food per say but the atmosphere.
Coral Reef is another we may want to return too.My children are 9,12,14,15,and 17.The 2 younger ones hardly ever finish a meal,just as a FYI.
There is a lot of food on DDP.We also are not a breakfast family.A piece of fruit or donut would get us by til lunch most days.We would not be staying in a suite so all are meals will be provided by the hotles and parks.My question is this.......Could I feed a family of 7 ,in Disney,without the DDP,for under $200 per day??????????

 

[Linda 441]

I would say you'd have to go to allearsnet.com and check the menus. See where you might eat and do the math.
For us, we could NEVER eat for 7 people those ages for under $200/day.
Also, if you wanted to do something like Liberty Tree Tavern for example, that alone for your family would be over $200 for one meal.
Both Chef Mickey's and Coral Reef and certainly both that would be more than $200 for that one meal.
So, really you have to do the math for what you might eat.

 

[ElizabethB]

When we were there in August, we found that counter service meals usually cost about $8-10 per person by the time one purchased sides like fries and drinks. So, if you get muffins, cold cereal, etc. and have breakfast in your rooms, then have lunch and dinner at counter service restaurants, you can probably do it for $200 per day.

I don't think you can do it for $200 if you include one table service meal per day. For a table service restaurant, I think you'd have to budget at least $25 per person minimum.

I agree that you should study the menus, keeping in mind there is always tax (plus tip at table service restaurants). I can't remember if it is when your party reaches 6 or 8, but at some point they include a mandatory 18% tip at table service restaurants.

Although August is very hot and humid, if you live in a place that gets hot and humid in the summer anyway, you can probably handle it fine, which might be worth it for the free dining (if it's offered). If, however, you live in a place that, even in summer, is dry, you may well find August too difficult. We live in NYC and August is hot and humid anyway, so we manage okay in FL in August. We have friends who live out west where it's much drier. They went in June and swore they'd never go again the summer.

One good thing about August (at least I consider it a good thing), most days it clouds over and rains around 4 p.m. Thereafter, it's cooler and more manageable.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a nice trip.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Is it really that much more hot and humid in Aug than it is in June? If I were you, I would wait for that free dining offer. This year, it was offered on April 1st (or around there).

We were at WDW for the free dining in Sept and yes, it was HOT, but we got to the parks at opening, left after lunch, and went back to the hotel for swimming. By the time we got back to the parks in the early evening, it was comfortable out. And then once the sun set, the weather was just beautiful. I would say it was the most uncomfortable from around 12:30pm-4:30pm. That's when we were eating lunch, then heading back to the resort to swim.

But, to answer your question, I'm not sure if you can feed all 7 for under $200. I know that when the 6 of us ate at Teppyanki (2 young kids, 2 teens), it cost over $150. I can't deal with the kids sharing meals...it's just too much thinking...lol...none of the kids want to eat what the other wants, and to keep the peace it's just easier to have each kid get their own meal.

HTH

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It would be helpful to know where you're staying on property. Food choices vary a lot depending on where you are. Also, whether you'll have a fridge, etc. For example, we stayed at CSR. Pepper Market has a nice variety for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the meals are big enough (easily) for two people to share. There are also fridges and coffeemakers in the rooms.

Food for thought: we used the dining plan for our family of four last month (the second time we've used it; the first being the first month it came out - lots more variety now). We loved Coral Reef but were amazed that - even for lunch - it was our most expensive meal of the week. Our bill for 2 AD and 2 9yo Ch was $126 BEFORE TIP. As you know, tip is included in the DP so that brought it's value up to $140+. We got more than our money's worth for the day on that meal alone (as was the case every day, actually). Of course, were we eating without the DP we would not have ordered so many apps and desserts, so that has to be considered, too; and our children are still considered "children" so the price they pay is still lower.

We generally have a car and make a grocery run on the way to WDW, mainly for breakfast items, drinks and snacks, whether we have the dining plan or not. (This trip, much of what we bought came home with us ). If you wanted to, you could also do bread, peanut butter and/or cold cuts for sandwiches which would save a lot, too (bring sandwich bag sized coolers for each person with you for the day). Then eat your one meal per day at a restaurant of your choosing. As someone else said, though, your one other purchased meal will probably be in the $200 range anyway. You'll be surprised how expensive it is!!

Bottom line: it's definitely easier, more fun, and probably very cost effective (considering high prices of food at WDW) to simply use the dining plan.

 

[kellyg403]

I have been doing a little research on this myself. I am not sure that it can be done. I don't have any children that eat like birds and we are a family of 8. One TS meal for us would be over 300.00 at some of the places the kids like. So, my thinking is that possibly if we were to only eat in the room and a CS one day and are very picky with what we choose, we might AVERAGE out to about 200.00 a day. Realistically, I don't think so. Just having that snack for 8 people would be about 30.00.

Kelly

 

[neatokimmo]

I guess you need to decide if you are going to "eat" on the trip or "dine".

If you eat, you are looking at CS meals and the types of food you listed. Bring in your own bottled water and you could get by for this:
8 meals @ $8 = 64 X 2 meals = $128
8 snacks @ $4 = $32
$160 total, plenty of wiggle room.

I'd just tell the kids that in order to make this trip work $ wise, you need to stick to a food budget. Bribe them, tell them if they help you come under $200 a day that you all can do Chef Mickeys for your last meal

 

[mom2fivecs]

We have the same size family, with almost the same ages and I did exactly what the previous posters have suggested...go to allears and I wrote down what I thought each person would eat at a few of the restaurants added it up and compared it to the cost of the dining plan. Plus I think it would be really tough to feed my family of 7 on $200.00 a day. We chose the dining plan as it gave us more flexibility to try some of the restaurants we had never been before. If you could go at the time of free dining, I wish we could have, but my daughter started college to early to do this, I would go in August. We went in June and we survived the heat. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'd just tell the kids that in order to make this trip work $ wise, you need to stick to a food budget. Bribe them, tell them if they help you come under $200 a day that you all can do Chef Mickeys for your last meal

You can also have everyone agree to getting up early and hitting the parks early. Head back to the room after lunch for a swim/rest break then hit the parks again.

OR
Sleep in
Head to the pool, water parks or DisneyQuest during the day. Tour the park from 4-close plus the 3 hours for EMH evenings.

If everyone agrees, you can take advantage of free dining(if it's offered ), avoid being the parks during the hottest times of the day, and dine without worrying about sticking to a budget.

 

[Momof4girls]

We are a family of 7 as well, and definitely are using the dining plan (paying for it).

With the restaurants we enjoy, like LC, Coral Reef, and California Grill, it's EASILY $200 for a meal.

That said, we've also done it on a budget - not having a sit down meal every day and going to counter service places or even eating offsite. (There's a Macaroni Grill now).

 

[hegs65]

Just wanted to chime in and say that we went this past August and while it was hot and humid, it wasn't any different than summer at home. It could have been that we had alot of overcast days but it really wasn't bad at all. I would say wait for the free code and enjoy a couple sit downs.

 

[CherCrazy]

I would say that it's a piece of cake to do it for under $200 per day. You didn't say whether or not you were having a car available, but it does help with cheaper food. We'll do a couple of pizza nights to save money, and the leftovers are good for snacks the next day if you have a room with a fridge. We stock up on fruit and drinks for the room. We'll even buy lunch meat and cheese to make sandwiches for a quick room snack or meal.

Just don't go to Goodings in LBV, they are SO expensive!!