Dilemma....need opinions...please

[beccaewert]

It is just me, dh and my 2 yr. old son coming to Disney the 1st week of May,...I haven't booked quite yet because I am having a hard time deciding what to do..

We have always stayed in the FW campground and cooked most of our meals and ate occasionally at the parks.

Because of the 4/3 deal at the value resorts its cheaper to stay in the hotel than it is to camp.....but the alternative is I can't cook most of our meals....I am trying to decide if its still cheaper to stay at the campground $1400...plus I would have to buy a weeks worth of food (its just us,...it wouldn't be too much..maybe 200 bucks) OR stay at a value resort with a dining plan...which is almost $2,000

Its only $200 less to do the QuickService Dining plan versus the Regular Dining plan....

In your opinions,...Because its just us, and our toddler,...is the quickservice better than the dining...or is the $200 more worth having the Regular dining?

Part of me still wants to camp in our pop-up because it still seems cheaper and I like the freedom the campground gives you (Plus I just love FW), BUT I am gonna be 6 months preg. around time of the trip....so I don't know if the hotel would be easier on me....but my main concern is about the money....

Our bellies will be full and always have snacks if I cook at the campground
Is the DDP more trouble than its worth? It just sounds like alot more work & $.....than doing it myself?

Sorry for the long post....If you can't tell I really am kinda lost on this one

 

[beccaewert]

I forgot to mention just a hotel is $1,162 bucks....so thats why its cheaper than the FW campground.....vs the $1400

My dilemma was is it cheaper to still do what I always do vs staying at the value resort and buy our own food or get on a DDP?

Sorry if i didn't explain myself well...lol!

 

[2goofycampers]

We use to do the DDP every trip, but with the exclusion af an appetizer and tip included find it's not worth it anymore.

The price of the CS DDP is more than you would spend for CS paying out of pocket in most cases.


Check this out for prices and see what you think.

http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

 

[beccaewert]

so would you stay value or campground?

also has anyone had any experience of doing the new QSDP and cook at the camp site?

 

[mjmoon]

Personally, I would not do the QS only dining plan unless I was planning on spending most of my time at the AK. The quick service stands at MK were a disappointment, to say the least. Several of them are closed completely (to save money) which makes the lines at the others long. I was also shocked at the children's meals selections as most only offered a PB&J sandwhich. The food was acceptable for a quick lunch or dinner.. but not something I'd want to be eating 2 and 3 times a day. Epcot and AK had some better choices but we spent most of our time at MK and DHS.

Personally, I'd stick with the regular meal plan.. or do most of my meals at camp.

 

[des1954]

If you're looking for a quick answer...stay at FtW & cook.

A 2 year old needs to run, and you won't have that option at a value resort (small rooms). With the little guy - you're going to need room for stroller, toys, and other stuff that just goes along with that age. The rooms at the value resorts are tiny and you'll still want the luxury of a fridge in the room, I'm sure-which runs extra $$$.

Heck...take the pop-up and enjoy yourself!

 

[BradyBz12]

We use to do the DDP every trip, but with the exclusion af an appetizer and tip included find it's not worth it anymore.

Same here. We used to love the plan because it gave us the ability to save a TON eating at some places we never would have bothered to even try before on our budget. We dropped it when they changed the plan.

I looked at the QS plan, but found that there wouldn't be much savings at all for us (DH and I - no kids) and that some of the better QS locations that we enjoy aren't even on the list (like Tangeriene Cafe in EP).

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Having done Disney with kids for lots of years (my oldest is 18 and the youngest is 11), I'd definitely stay at Fort Wilderness. We've done both - the Fort and Value resorts. My husband and I are happier at the Fort, the boys are happier at the Fort, and we eat most of our meals there!

With two active boys, the Value Resorts just didn't offer enough outdoor space. During our downtime at the Fort, the boys could get outside and play without us having to be right on top of them. At the Value Resorts, we had to leave the room, go down to the pool area and watch them play. The Fort is more like having your own yard space for them to play in.

Heading back to Fort Wilderness this Friday!!!

 

[juligrl]

Stay at Fort Wilderness!

Is your 2 year old even included on the DDP?

We went in November for free dining with my 2 year old and because she was still free she wasn't included on the DDP. She ate for free from us at buffets and at TS we always gave her some of ours (we had 7 people so a little from each of us gave her a lot!), but at CS we had to buy her something and pay out of pocket.

 

[2goofycampers]

so would you stay value or campground?

also has anyone had any experience of doing the new QSDP and cook at the camp site?

Which ever is better suited to your needs, consider value verses fun.

 

[Goingtoseethemouse]

It isn't always about money..........I hate being cooped up in a hotel and so do my kids! We love what the fort has to offer.

If you are planing on doing the parks all day everyday......then maybe you should do the hotel. But of you want the experience of the campground and want to relax, ride bikes, etc... then pick the campground.

 

[We4mickey]

Wouldn't you rather have your 2 year old in your camper, in his own bed. You know it's clean and don't have to worry about what he might find. Cook your own food and eat what you want when you want. No noisy neighbors slamming doors. It really isn't a hard decision in my opinion.

 

[beccaewert]

I agree with everything that you all have said....thats why we always stay at the fort,...even before kids....I just saw the 4/3 deal and it was cheaper than staying at the fort,...but you can't cook....

Plus I forgot to mention that I am gonna be 6 almost 7 months preg. on this trip so I was trying to squeeze in one last vacay before our family of 3 becomes 4....and do what was kinda convenient for a preggo lady,...but at the same time the $$$ was the main concern

I guess I just needed you all to explain your experiences with the DDP because I never ever considered it before because of the price,...but with the value being so cheap....thats the only reason...I agree with not wanting to do ADR's...especially with a 2 yr old....

Were driving from Indiana....so I guess were probably gonna camp ....thanks!