Dining Plan? Should we do it?

[mjkaferle5]

Trying to book a trip for June 2006. I would like to add the dining plan but worried it would be a waste of money. At trip time our boys will be 8, 5, 5 and 9 months (my wife is due any day now). So my three oldest would be on the plan. From what I have heard about the plan we might have too much food!! The twins are kind of picky about eating in restaurants. Usually we bring home the leftovers and then they scarf it down there when they are ready. But I don't want to be carting around leftovers in the theme parks!!! But I am also thinking that all the walking would make them eat more, better!!

Anyone have any advice on the dining plan with three young boys? I wish we could keep one child off and split the two meals between the three. But obviously you can't do that.

 

[Gillian]

I find that when my almost 5 year old has an active day with minimal snacking or drinks like milk/juice (he's a water drinker), he eats better at meals.

The meal plan is pretty cheap for kids. You could use some of the CS meals to split for breakfast and some to split for lunch.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Thanks Gillian.

Where are all the rest of the disney experts at?

 

[mjkaferle5]

bump

 

[Goofyta]

At $10/day per child, I think it is worth it. If they eat things like chicken strips, you could always bring zip loc bags and put the leftovers in there for them to eat later.

 

[anabelle]

I guess you have to do the math. How much would it save you on food versus the savings you might get on a discounted room. If you plan on paying rack rates then it might work out for you.

 

[JMSMommy]

We would because it would be $100/day. The twins should be able to find foods they like, or you could possibly split a meal between them and save up the TS credits for extra CS or for a 2 TS meal (Hoop De Doo Review).

Plus, we've found our DS6 (who doesn't eat much if we do CS because he wants to go go go), will actually slow down enough to eat TS meals. It's the slower pace, sitting in A/C, knowing they are there for a good 30-60 minutes that gets him to actually eat. Plus, we enjoy the small break in the afternoon.

The extra CS "meals" could be used in a more "extensive" snack situation (like drink and fries while waiting on a parade).

One thing we did when we were cosidering the dining plan (before we wound up with free dining), was compare what we typically eat when in DW (we have always done a few TS). Then, I looked up where we would plan on eating on the plan and checked menus at allears and did a price check. Based on our projections on the TS alone we more than pay for the plan. Of course I'm greatly anticipating Le Cellier and CRT for the first time!!! Ooh and Whispering Canyon...and Rose and Crown (want to try this ONE dish I've made from the cookbook we have from DW). The biggest excitement Dh and I have for the upcoming trip is FOOD now.

 

[Jaime]

We would because dd likes "real" food better even though she doesn't eat much. This way we can do more buffets and some nicer restaurants where she can get steak or grilled chicken. If we went without the plan it would cost alot more to eat at these places. However right now it works great for us because our dd's can share. They will be 3 & 16 months on our trip.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We used the dining plan last March with our 3 year old son. We also have a 2 year old daughter. I thought the dining plan was fabulous, especially for my son. Two kids meals would be more than $10. And the kids used many of the snack credits for popcorn and bottled water. I usually shared my meal with my 2 year old or else she shared with her brother.

I would definitely do it if I were you.

 

[powellrj]

also remember that to use the dining plan you have to pay rack rate for your room. If you can get a room discount for more than the dining plan would save you, its not really much of a bargain.

 

[Simonbunch]

so in order to do the dining plan, not the free dining, would I have to pay rack rates? I just started looking into the dining plan and wasn't sure how it all worked.

Thanks, Annette