Dining Plan for 10 & 11 year olds?

[BrerMama]

We're looking at going in June 2006 and would like to make our package reservations soon so we can start making payments on it. The sticking point is trying to decide whether to get the dining plan. Our two oldest children will be 10 and 11 at the time, and therefore considered adults for the dining plan. We will do 3-4 character meals during our trip, with most, if not all, of those being breakfast. My 11 year old boy will eat off the adult menus, but certainly won't be able to eat an appetizer and a dessert as well as a meal. The 10 year old won't even like most of the adult meals and will probably order off the children's menu. Our family is one that rarely orders an appetizer, and if we get an appetizer, we certainly don't get a dessert.

In this situation, would it be worth it for us to do the dining plan? Or should we just save our money and pay for the meals as we go? My dh wants to do the dining plan so that we have that aspect of our budget paid before we leave, so I don't know why I'm even overanalyzing this....

 

[luv2nascar]

have you gone to allearsnet.com and looked at the menus. Do a typical day menu for the kids and see if it will be more than the dining plan cost. How much is next year $37.99 adult?? Remember dining plan includes drinks, tax, & tip. So add the food and drink up plus tax and tip. We saved almost $400 last June with the plan but our dd was 9 at the time so still a child plus other dd was just turning 2 so free. We are hoping to go same week in June again this year. DD 10 will be adult but baby will be just short of 3 so still free. So we share food with her except a buffets. We really did love pre paying our meals. Just make sure you wouldn't spend less for food out of pocket.

 

[Palendat]

My suggestion would be to get the dining plan, and have your kids share the adult meals (including app and desert) at any of the non-buffet meals. Left-over credits can be used for the Hoop-de-Doo, or Spirit of Aloha (?) dinner shows that need two credits (or other signature meals).

 

[blanq]

My suggestion would be to get the dining plan, and have your kids share the adult meals (including app and desert) at any of the non-buffet meals. Left-over credits can be used for the Hoop-de-Doo, or Spirit of Aloha (?) dinner shows that need two credits (or other signature meals).

This is a very good suggestion, and probably the best way to make the dining plan work in your favor when you have a kid in that 9-12 range, where they likey cannot consume an appetizer, entree and dessert at one sitting.