dining plan worth the money???

[Debs1963]

We are trying to put together a Disney Vacation for may 05. We are a family of 4 2 adults and 2 kids ages 4 and 6. We are not convvinced the dining plan is worth the money. We figure that if we eat some breakfasts in our room and bring along some snacks we won't need to spend $90 a day on food. This is our first trip to Disney and have heard how expensive the food is. We don't know what to expect. Any feedback appreciated. thanks Deb

 

[Bonnie40]

If you are unable to find a discount room code and have to pay full rate for your room, it might be worth entertaining the idea of the dining plan option. We are going in March, but I was able to get a really good room rate so the package with dining doesn't work out to be the best option this time. I will say though, that there are some great places to take your kids to and the dining at fun places has become a highlight for my family. I guess it depends on how you like to eat. Some people wouldn't be able to eat that much food in a day...just depends I guess...

 

[ncbyrne]

When traveling with kids, the dining option lets you choose character meals. The kids love them and it the dining package does save $!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We are a family of 4 also--me, DH, DS almost 4 on our last trip, and DS 15months on our last trip. We went to WDW last fall,and I budgeted $140 a day formeals, and we used most of it. There were a couple of days we didn't, but most days we did. We didn't have to pay for the little one at the buffets, so the $90 a day would be a savings for us. It just depends on the family I think.

Steph

 

[Debs1963]

Bonnie- we actually did get a really good discount onthe room- $79 for moderate resort. But our travel agent says that she can still get us the dining option with the discount room although I have heard others say that you cannot use both together.

 

[LilMamiBella]

We just used the dining plan in late January. I thought it was totally worth it. We got to eat at some very nice restaurants and didn't even have to worry about the price. We spent all of our time at the parks..by the time we got back to our hotel at night..we were ready to go to sleep. So, the dining plan was worth it..and I'd probably do it again.

 

[Bonnie40]

Debs1963...

I was told that I couldn't apply my discounted room to a MYW package. When I was quoted on the package, took off the price of the tickets, then the dining, it was not worth the price per night I was going to have to pay. If you can keep the rate, that's great, but I would be interested to find out if that's the case...

 

[jenr812]

I just booked (today!!!)with postcard rates AND got the MYW dining package. No problems at all. It is $2132 for 6d/7n at POR with MYW dining with the park hopper option for DH, me, DD11, DS6, and DS2. HTH

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Many people have reported that they were able to book the dining, on top of postcard/email rates. I can't seem to get any of these. GRRRR.

It will be interesting to see if/when they post public codes, if we can add Dining. That would be awsome!!!!

 

[2ndxmommy]

i just popped over here after reading the dining board thread that some restaurants are excluded. I am on my way to re-read the .pdf file to verify those claims

Anyway, I wanted to see if the $400 a week this would cost us is really worth it.

Now I am intrigued by these postcard rates. What are they?
I have a resort booked with AAA rates and plan to book a pkg with the tickets with park hopper and dining thru AAA as well. Is this NOT the best price?

HELP HELP HELP! I wanted to seal the deal TODAY!!!! I've been working on all this since mid-January and I could use this vacation NOW!!!

 

[2ndxmommy]

also...

I called Small World Vacation, but I didn't think their quote was much better than what I could get on my own.

Can anyone comment on that?

 

[HayGan]

i just popped over here after reading the dining board thread that some restaurants are excluded. I am on my way to re-read the .pdf file to verify those claims

Anyway, I wanted to see if the $400 a week this would cost us is really worth it.

Now I am intrigued by these postcard rates. What are they?
I have a resort booked with AAA rates and plan to book a pkg with the tickets with park hopper and dining thru AAA as well. Is this NOT the best price?

HELP HELP HELP! I wanted to seal the deal TODAY!!!! I've been working on all this since mid-January and I could use this vacation NOW!!!

My AAA agent said she would be more than happy to apply any codes I received to my reservation. I would say if you are comfortable with the package you have now, keep it. If codes come out then you can try and apply them.