Dining discounts?

[malcontent]

We are planning our 2009 vacation, and it looks like we will be staying at the Swan/Dolphin, as the deal we are getting through SPG is simply too good to pass up.

One of the downsides is that we are not eligible for the DDP, and from what I reseached, we do not qualify for any plan or discounts. We are not Florida residents, we do not have an AP, nor do I know of any other way we would qualify for any meal package.

Does anyone know of any deal through which we would pay less than the menu prices at Disney restaurants?

 

[Lynne M]

The only dining discounts that I know of are the DDE (which you need to be an AP holder or FL resident to get), AP discounts, and DVC discounts.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry, unless you join DVC or buy an annual pass, there are no discount programs for which you are eligible.

 

[shocker]

The best way I've found to save $$ dining at Disney is to balance the cheap and the expensive. There are lots of things you can make and eat in your room with just the coffee maker provided or ready to eat packages that don't require refrigeration and/or heating. Then you don't have to feel guilty about spending a bit more while in the parks (keep in mind WDW does allow you to bring your own food into a park as well) or a fancy restaurant. If the Swan/Dolphin shops don't offer a good selection of foods go over to Boardwalk Inn there is a pantry type store along the water where you can buy enough to at least make sandwiches and a big bag of chips or 1/2 gal. of milk for cereal, not local grocery store prices but also not disney rest. prices either.

I've also found it helpful to eat buffets or family style all you can eats so that you can eat less often and get much fuller (harder with young kids). We found we'd spend $30 on CS and still be hungry or $40 on a buffet and only have to eat once in the park.