Dining Cheap?

[hockeybabe]

Having tried the dining plan, I am debating using it again because my youngest DD being 10 at the time of our trip in 2007.


She barely eats anything, so I am really not sure. Even if I pay OOP and keep her credits, I'm wondering if it will be worth it.

I think the dining plan is great, I just wish they had junior prices and menus. That way, my DD could still eat, and I could pay a more reasonable price.

I feel the same way. DD will be 10, but I just can't see her eating anything but kids meals. Our last trip she ate mac and cheese at every meal, and we did some awsome restaurants. The free dining was great, but we don't have to eat like that every vacation We so rarely order an appetizer or dessert when we eat out, because we get so full, so it was a real treat, but not necessary. Perhaps they will come up with an alternative for kids who are small eaters. I wish they would attach the dining credits directly to your room key, and you could buy it for whomever you want to in your room. I would happily pay oop for DD, and buy the plan for me, DH and DS. Wouldn't that be great?

 

[teacher31]

We bring those individual sized Crystal Light packages to pop into our bottled water when we refill it with Florida water. Any water you can smell before you taste is going to be bad. FYI - They're on sale at Target this week for 3 boxes.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

i think you can do it on 100 a day - don't overlook the hotels with their food courts - we have eaten in several of the hotels in an effort to keep food expenses down---plus you can walk around the hotels and grounds after your meal ....animal kingdom lodge, coronado springs, port orleans/riverside,etc will allow you to drive in and park in their lots even if you are only eating in their food courts ... also remember to check out earl of sandwich, beaches and cream, yacht club galley - all very reasonable
you'll have a great time! good luck!

 

[goodeats]

For 6 people? I don't know. The serving sizes are so large I'd say yes it's possible, but I would miss the sit down restaurants. I would definitely plan at least one character breakfast (maybe Crystal Palace for breakfast, should tide you over until dinner if you eat at 10:00ish).

We thought the water you get for free was fine. Most counter service restaurants (if not all) will give you ice water. Occasionally I'd buy the $2 bottle (which I find extremely reasonable, their $2.75 at Disneyland) just because it was more portable.

 

[crisi]

For 6 people? I don't know. The serving sizes are so large I'd say yes it's possible, but I would miss the sit down restaurants. I would definitely plan at least one character breakfast (maybe Crystal Palace for breakfast, should tide you over until dinner if you eat at 10:00ish).

Keep in mind that her two youngest kids are four and two. Now my son at four would eat like a seventeen year old on occation, but there are times where my daughter (now six) appears to live on air.

Six near adults. I wouldn't recommend it. Two adults, two children under ten, and two preschoolers - all who are light eaters. Yep. I think it can be done.

 

[1of6]

Thanks to all!!!

My problem with the dining plan is that I didn't think we would do a ts meal everyday. I think we will eat breakfast in the room most days and maybe half of our lunches. We have to nap 2yo dd and the 3 others could use some down time before heading back out.

Another thought I had... please let me know if this could be done. We have 2 rooms (grandparents w/ 2k in one and dh & I w/ 2k in other.) Can we buy the meal plan for 1 room but use the credits for everyone? I realize snacks and cs should not matter. It is the ts meals I'm worried about. We would have 12 adult & 12 kid ts credits. This would give each adult 3 ts credits. Can we use them for a character meal and have 4 adult and 3 k credits pulled off one card? Does this make sence? Has it worked for anyone else?

 

[Kay1]

I doubt we'll ever use the dining plan unless they discount it in some way. I have two young teens and one is a vegetarian and the other has autism and will only eat food off the kids' menu.

We spent about $150/day last month, but that included alcohol. I think if you eat ib'fast in the room and eat mostly CS, you'll be able to eat for about $100/day. Also, I ate dinner one night from the child's menu at a CS and it was plenty. I guess you'll just have to explore the online menus and decide that way.

 

[MKOATEYW]

Although they are checking now if it is an adult or a kids meal credit you are using. They don't care how many you use at once or in what order you use them.
So yes you could get the Dining plan for your room and not the grandparents room. (It just has to be that everyone staying in the same room has to be on the same plan.) The meal credits are tied to the adults room keys of the room on the meal plan. Just use up the TS meal credits to pay for a few TS meals for everyone if you aren't planning on a TS meal everyday. Pay for other meals out of pocket. MAKE SURE to tell your server what you are doing so they don't get confused. (i.e I want to be nice and use my meal credits to buy dinner for everyone. Aren't I sweet?)
My sister and I did this last month. It worked out great.