DDP with 5 yo twins?

[cmp1111]

We're debating using the dining plan for our 5 night stay (almost booked!) in May. We have twin boys who will be 5 by the time we go. I understand all about doing the math and trying to figure out how much we'll spend to see if it makes sense to do the DDP, but since this is our first family trip (I went with a friend in 2000, but it's just not the same) I just don't know what we might spend otherwise, not having the experience. It looks to me like the plan would be useful if we wanted even one character meal. My boys can be picky (no doubt they will want to order off the kids' menus, unlike those of you with older kids) but can also eat a TON when they are in the mood.

I guess I'm more asking what those of you with 5 year olds do about eating, than maybe even having questions about the plan. But, does it make sense to do TS meals with 5's? Are they going to be too tired/wound up/impatient and we'd be better off with oop CS all day every day? What do other kids like as far as lunch and dinner? Do they even want to eat?

I could certainly see using snack credits for our breakfasts (Cheerios are the norm anyway), and of course some of the TS credits might be saved up for character meals. They won't want the Princesses, though, so I'd really have to research which character meals will require using 2 TS credits.

I could also see my hubby and I using a TS or 2 for one night out while our kids are in the Simba Club (we're doing the AKL), but then how will that work with their dinner? Can I walk up and order their CS without ordering Adult CS's? Then, of course, we'll have more adult CS credits and they will have extra child TS credits, and what do you do about that? I don't see going into a TS place and having them eat on their own... I suppose we could pay oop for that...

As my husband says, "I just wish we didn't have to think about it. Why do we have to think, 'Oh, we can't eat here because we have to save the credits for tomorrow night.'" and I understand his point. It is probably an awesome thing, but it requires more thought than I can muster at this point of the night!

Any thoughts would be appreciated. As I said, I know it has to be up to what we think is economical and/or practical, but I need some "bounce off" thoughts. My kids are generally pretty good when we eat out, so it's not so much their behavior in any TS place that has me worried, but the time and tiredness factor will be different than we were are at home.

 

[bicker]

You shouldn't need to think to hard about the Dining Plan during your visit. Like any multi-hundred dollar purchase, you should compare it to your alternatives, and then purchase it if it sounds like it will be a good deal for you. Then just use it for whatever meals you do have. If you have to worry about which meals you use your credits for and which ones you don't, then perhaps the Dining Plan isn't for you.

 

[akrake]

I just a got back (omg...has it been 2 weeks already) with my 4 children & was on the ddp...I asked all the questions...would it be too $$, too much food, etc.

In my experience...going when I did...the worse part was getting ADR's....almost everything was full....the main difference between me & you? i went at a high visitor time & only booked my ADR's a week out.

As for value, it's $22 a day for your twins. CS meals costs around $7. Dinner is around the same at a menu TS, $15 a buffet. Snacks, say popcorn ($2.50) or incream (2.00)...so now you're at $17 per day already PER child...you're already ahead. Now if you can guarantee that they will want to share every meal...(chilled chicken...gross), then maybe you'd be better off without the plan....if you are anticipating doing characters, then I say to use it.

 

[ZekeKelso]

I just got back from a trip with a 4 1/2 year old. I think your concerns are legitimate. About the only time the kid "melted-down" was during long TS meals. (I don't think it was the meals that got to him - they just provided opportunity for any crankiness built up from days of go-go-go to come out).

I'm still very glad we got the plan - it was good for the adults and a screaming bargain for the kids. But with *two* five-year olds, I would recommend more buffets and character meals, and fewer leisurely TS restaurants.

 

[patsal]

Both of my children have been to WDW at the age of five. DS was there for his fifth birthday and DD went again when she was 5 (her first time she was 15 mos). We took a respite form the heat daily for one TS be it breakfast, lunch or dinner--we did not do each every day. We found character meals to be a great way to have the kids take their time with the characters and eliminate the need for running about to catch characters. With youngsters I would do it this way in a heartbeat. Considering the variety of the buffett, even with picky eaters your sure to find something each will enjoy. As far as snacks go the kids will want them when they see thm so that is a given in expenses. I'd say the $22 per day for both the children is a bargain and I would do the DDP. I also found that i had little difficulty getting my kids to eat when we were indoors seated at a TS rather than outdoors trying to catch a bite between attractions.

 

[Gillian]

$22 is a deal for the kids, but are you & DH good eaters?

We went with DS 5 and DD 2 last year and the ts meals do get a little tiresome, but mostly the kids were good. Neither was really into the characters, so we didn't have to worry about a ton of character meals or waiting on lines for them. Lucky us.

Lately, at local restaurants, I find my kids are not finishing their own kids meals and I've been ordering 1 for them to share. And they STILL don't finish it! I guess my point is that if I had 2 the same age, I'd have them split and would not get good use of the plan. Also, DH & I are trying to watch what we eat and would not need or want appys and desserts at every meal and ice cream snacks every day. We're water drinkers too.

Because we only had to pay for 1 child last year, and DH & I were not watching our diets much, the meal plan was a lot of fun and a good value. But for next trip I'm not sure yet.

 

[DCDisney]

It definitely does take some planning with the DDP but you have to plan anyway for all the ADRs. The CS kids meals are pretty small especially the protein part so sharing wouldn't be easy. A portion is typically 4 chicken nuggets, 1 chicken drumstick type size. We definitely need the sit down time for 1 meal a day especially the year my kids were 4 and 6. If you do mostly buffets there is little waiting and a good variety for the kids. Boma would be an easy choice since you are staying at AKL. Crystal Palace in the MK gets raves and serves B,L, and D. MGM has a character B and L at Hollywood and Vine,etc etc etc. These are all 1 credit. If you don't like buffets there are also family style meals that there is very little waiting like OHana (my kids LOVED the breakfast with Stitch or Garden grill at Epcot. If you end up doing an adults only meal you could always take the kids to Boma for the B buffet and either have the adults not eat or just pay OOP. You could always do a sit down lunch and share an entree for the adults and let the kids use their credits. We always end up doing an extra TS anyway so we've always managed to use up stray credits.

Yvonne

 

[cmp1111]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. It's definitely good when you have people with experience helping out! My DH and I are not shy about eating, but no, I don't think we'd do app's and dessert at every meal - but it still seems like we'd save the money, especially with the character meals. With my limited WDW experience, I guess I wasn't thinking enough about the buffets (thinking of all TS as "order from a menu", though I did see a lot of buffet info on the official site), and that right there probably makes the difference, because those look appealing and the idea of not waiting too long is great!

I really appreciate being able to bounce ideas off everyone! You guys are great!