compare discount AP option

[twooley2]

O.K. so I have been pondering. I hate not having the dining plan just because of the security of knowing everything is paid for and was looking at the AP discount. We already have a house rented and tickets bought. My questio ncomes from the idea of using an AP doscount for 2 rooms at a value just to getthe dining plan. Would we come out ahead and is it big enough of a discount to warrent booking a package just for the dining plan. the dining prices are outrageous when I look at paying OOP for every meal but we like to eat what can I say.for 2 rooms with the dining plan and the AP discount we have $3500 minus the 114.00 for the week parking for 5 people. Can we eat that much in 8 days? thats thinking 1 sit down each day and a counter meal each day? 5 adults..?? Opinions ?? oh and we get two annual passes as a result of using this discount which are included in the 3500 price.

 

[BrettS]

If you're going to get annual passes anyway, you might want to consider getting a Tables In Wonderland card. That's a dining discount card available for about $75 to annual passholders (and non passholder florida residents for about $100). The card will get you a 20% discount for up to 10 people at most of the table service restaraunts in Disney (for both food and drink). You won't have everything prepaid, but it might still be a good way for you to save money.

Additionally, the annual pass will help save money on parking, assuming you plan to drive to the parks every day. Parking is $14 per day, but it's free for annual passholders.

Otherwise, you might just want to spend a lot of time here... http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm That lists the menus and prices for most of the counter service and table service restaraunts. If you can figure out about how many times you'll be eating at a counter service or table service restaraunt, and then try to get a sample of the prices of some of the restaraunts you might be interested in you might be able to get a good idea of whether you'd be able to eat $3500 worth of food... or if you'd do better with the tables in wonderland card and it's 20% discount (but remember that's only for table service and not counter service).

HTH,
Brett

 

[BrettS]

I had one more thought as I was looking at this... doing the math you're spending $3500 for 5 adults for 8 days. Assuming you'll be getting all your meals on 8 days you'll wind up at about $87 per day per person.

I usually estimate a counter service meal with a drink, but no dessert to be about $12-15 per person and a table service with a soft drink, but no appitizer or dessert to be around $30-40 per person. That rough estimate puts you at $42 to $55 per person or well under the $87 you'd spend on the dining plan.

However, if you add appitizers, desserts, or alcohol... or just eat at more expensive restaraunts that could definitely bring the price up. Still, though, I suspect you'd be better off just paying out of pocket and/or getting the tables in wonderland card.

 

[twooley2]

Thanks I had to see someone elses view on this. This has helped. I think I will pay OOP for the first time. This just gives me more to keep up with such as gift cards and Credit cards and such. I may do the tables in wonderland I keep thinking when I get to guest services I will just make the right decison LOL Anyone know how long it ttakes to pay for parking each day or if you can buy a week pass or something?

 

[BrettS]

Anyone know how long it ttakes to pay for parking each day or if you can buy a week pass or something?

Unfortunately there is no multiday parking pass, but paying for parking is pretty quick. Everyone goes through a toll booth type thing on the way into the parking lot and you just pay the attendant there. You can pay with cash or a credit card.