Dining Plan for 10 people?

[4fordisneyworld]

8 in our party are considered adults ( 3 teenagers ) and then I will have my two that are under 9. Does it make more sense financially do just do the dining plan? I am pretty much paying for everything for all 10 of us. I just don't want any huge surprises when it comes to paying for meals. We have done the DP in the past but just for 4 of us.
Also are reservations going to be a pain? We are going from Dec 1 through Dec 8th. Should we just plan a few meals together and then break the rest up?

input, input, input! I need all I can get!

thanks

 

[berrytexas]

8 in our party are considered adults ( 3 teenagers ) and then I will have my two that are under 9. Does it make more sense financially do just do the dining plan? I am pretty much paying for everything for all 10 of us. I just don't want any huge surprises when it comes to paying for meals. We have done the DP in the past but just for 4 of us.
Also are reservations going to be a pain? We are going from Dec 1 through Dec 8th. Should we just plan a few meals together and then break the rest up?

input, input, input! I need all I can get!

thanks

If you want no surprises when the bill comes to the table, then I recommend the DDP. With the DDP you already know the cost.

Reservations will be more difficult to get for 10 people, but not impossible. Try for 10 and if that doesn't work split up the party. From past experience I know it's difficult to get 10 people to agree on a restaurant, but with you paying I guess you get to make the decisions.

 

[asmit4]

I think with 10 you can call the 'grand gatherings #'- not sure what that # is, and they can help you make dining reservations.

As for 10 people- can you feed all of you each day for under 325? My guess is no.

Lets do some simple math.

Lunch alone at a CS is gonna run 10.00pp x 10 people- that's 100 bucks.
Add in 10 snacks- lets say sodas which is on the cheap end- you know someone is gonna want ice cream sometime- that's 2.50x10=25

IMO- I wouldn't want to live on CS food for a vacation, I would need a sit down place each day to get 'real' food. You'd have $200 left for the TS place for 10 people, and that would include tax (not tip). That's $20 per person. If you booked a low end TS place like Sci-Fi or Beaches and Cream, that budget might work, otherwise, it's doubtful. LOTS of the dinners come in at 20 bucks JUST for the entree, not including drink, dessert, or tax.

 

[squirrel]

Unless you think some people will split CS meals, then I think the DDP is a good deal.

 

[CariAnn]

If you plan on doing more than a couple table service meals, then I think the Dining Plan is definitely the way to go. I like it for the convenience just as much as the savings. Also (someone correct me if I'm wrong) I think there are some grand gatherings that you can use the dining plan with, and they are designed specifically for large groups.

 

[Rinstah]

There are 10 of us going 12/22 - 01/01 and we were able to get reservations for all 10 of us at all our picks including Le Cellier! I say try it - you would be suprised. I didn't think we would be able to get our reservations so easily and we did!

 

[kelleigh1]

I think asmit4 makes an excellent argument with the math, so the DDP sounds like the ideal for you especially if you "don't want any surprises." Our trip was just hubby and I, but I was relaxed knowing that all our meals were already included so we didn't have to worry about any surprise dining expenses.