Character Meals and vouchers

[angiebaylor]

I am pretty confused on the vouchers and charcter meals. Do the vouchers for getawaytoday and others include tax and tip? Do you set the reservation through them when you buy them or do you call and make a reservation through disney and then just bring your voucher to the meal? Also how much do you really save with the vouchers? One site I saw said Goofys for instance is only $29.99 so if you pay $38 for a voucher it doesn't really look like you would save even if that did include tax and tip.
Just wondering if I should just pay for the meal while there and not even mess with the vouchers.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Flitterific]

I am pretty confused on the vouchers and charcter meals. Do the vouchers for getawaytoday and others include tax and tip? Do you set the reservation through them when you buy them or do you call and make a reservation through disney and then just bring your voucher to the meal? Also how much do you really save with the vouchers? One site I saw said Goofys for instance is only $29.99 so if you pay $38 for a voucher it doesn't really look like you would save even if that did include tax and tip.
Just wondering if I should just pay for the meal while there and not even mess with the vouchers.

Thanks for any advice!

You don't need to make a PS to eat at the character meals but it is highly recommended so you don't have to worry about crazy wait times if you walk in without one. You can make reservations by calling Disney Dining at 714-781-DINE (3463).

Like you mentioned, you might actually not save any money by using meal vouchers (or you may even lose money from them) and that is why a lot of people don't use them at Disneyland (WDW is different). The prices for the character meals fluctuate during peak and non-peak seasons so you could potentially save a buck or two if you go for dinner during peak times. Otherwise, you lose out on the difference that you paid as they don't give you any change back. A lot of people will suggest buying Disney gift cards if you prefer to have your meals prepaid for. FYI - a lot of places also give discounts for AAA members and other things so definitely ask about them.

I believe tax and gratuity are included in most of the character meals already, including Goofy's Kitchen, but not Minnie and Friends.

 

[angiebaylor]

Thanks for your reply.....yes I think I might just buy some gift cards and pay as I go to them and not mess with the vouchers....I just don't really understand them and it seems like it really won't save much if any.

Thanks again!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

The vouchers will definitely save you $$ @ Goofy's & Ariel's - yes they incl. tax & tip ~ I'm pretty sure when you talk to Disney and ask for the price they will give you the price before tax & tip - they will not/can not give you the price incl. tax & tip. I know they'll save us $$ ~ we'll be there over the 4th of July weekend. Even if they didn't save me $$ as long as I didn't lose $$ I'd still use them, I look at it as pre paying, I also purchase Disney Gift Cards as a way of pre paying for meals and souvies at DLR.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I'm pretty sure when you talk to Disney and ask for the price they will give you the price before tax & tip - they will not/can not give you the price incl. tax & tip.

When I booked Ariel's last year they gave me the price including tax and tip, but I specifically asked for that info.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i for one like the vouchers much easier to deal with

 

[angiebaylor]

thanks for the replies....now I am considering the vouchers again! So...what is the best place to buy the vouchers from? After you get the vouchers do you then call disney and make reservations and do you tell them then that you have the voucher or do you just bring it with you to pay.....sorry for all of the questions....we are going in less than a month and I guess I am getting a little stressed trying to figure it all out!!!!

Thank you!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

getawaytoday.com if you aren't getting the meal plan from disney.

an you call an make reservations pay with the vouchers when you are there. they dont ask to know before hand.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I've purchased them from ARES ~ http://arestravel.com/77_DisneylandResort.html as well as GAT.

 

[1rocky]

Hi Sorry if off topic would it be better if we purchase character dining or a meal plan when we arrive in Disneyland. I am from Aus and if purchased here the cost of Character breakfast is $54 AUS.about $50 US per person to dine at Goofys Kitchen. Also what cost would we be looking at for the meal plans. we are booked for Disneyland 20th Jan 2011 for 6 days thanks.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

humm well i don't know if the meal plan would work for you but only way get the meal plan is though Disney's packages. other character meal vouchers are for sell at getaway today.com an are's.
If you are already doing a package with disney then the meal plan can be added, if you are getting tickets from them it can be added. Or if you just want one or two character meals it be cheaper to get the vouchers from getawaytoday.com