Costs for Dining etc

[xmelissax]

I am planning a trip for my boyfriend and I in Jan. Our plane tickets are free because of FF Miles, and we will be staying at the Dolphin for free on Starwood Points. I have looked at ticket costs and saw for a 7 day park hopper it would be 475.00 for the two of us. All that leaves to worry about paying for is Dining and Transportation to and from the airport. What can I expect to pay for dining for 2 of us for 7 days and a taxi or towncar to and from the airport? Thanks!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

First, I would look into magical express as it wouldn't cost anything. This might be an option. As far as food for the 2 of you it really depends on your eating habits and likes/dislikes. I would check out the menu's on allearsnet.com and get some pricing info from there to get a good idea. I would think for 7 days x at least 2 meals and maybe goodies/snacks, I would budget $100-$120 per day - Personally I would round the # to and even $1000.00 if you can swing it and be covered pretty good. But this depends alot on will you be drinking alcohol or not, do you order appetizers and/or desserts, sit down meals vs. counter meals, do you like to snack on pastries, dole whips, pretzels, etc.

Have fun - great job on the "freebies" with points and FF really cuts the cost down on a exciting trip!!!

 

[xmelissax]

Is Magical Express a dining plan? I thought we couldn't get that package since we're staying at the Dolphin. We don't drink alcohol or order appetizers and rarely dessert so that does help cut down. 7 or 800 dollars wouldn't be too bad. Also, my boyfriend thinking renting a car might be a good idea but I think we'd have to pay to keep the car parked.Do you know about that?

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Magical express is a shuttle service offered to guests at their hotels - you get picked up at the airport and dropped at your hotel and then they bring you back to the airport at the end of your trip. You can contact the hotel to check into how to go about this one - we are driving so I haven't had to look into it but my inlaws are using them and AAA arranged it for them. Once on Disney property you can use there bus system to go hotel to park - as well as other disney transportation - monorail, boats, etc. From the research I have done so far - if you have a car - wether rental or your own that you drove there (which is my case) it does not cost to park as long as you are a disney hotel guest. It is people who are going for the day and are not paying a hotel bill ontop of park admittance that have to pay for parking.

 

[Hincher]

We were there in September and it cost us $50.00 to go from the Contemporary to the airport. I think that included what we tipped him.

Magical Express is operated by Mears, and we waited over 2 hours for our bus taking us from the airport to the Contemporary. If I even as much as whisper the words "Magical Express" or "Mears" my family will get a taxi and leave me standing on the curb. I don't have the patience for that.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Is Magical Express a dining plan?

No, it is transportation and you have to be staying at a Disney operated resort to use it.

I thought we couldn't get that package since we're staying at the Dolphin.

You are correct. The Dolphin does not qualify.

We don't drink alcohol or order appetizers and rarely dessert so that does help cut down. 7 or 800 dollars wouldn't be too bad.

I would say that you are still a little on the low side. Before moving down here, my wife and I figures about $75 each per day. Again, this would not include alcohol and we would normally have either an appetizer or dessert. Due to the quality of the restaurants you might want to ddo some splurging.

Also, my boyfriend thinking renting a car might be a good idea but I think we'd have to pay to keep the car parked.Do you know about that?

Not really a good idea. Daily parking at the Dolphin was $7.00 (last time I looked), higher for valet. In addition, you do not get a WDW Resort Parking Pass, so there would be an $8.00 (current price) charge for parking each day yuou go to one of the parks. A town car would run about $120 round trip including tip, taxi a little bit less. The internal transportation system works very well.