Disney Dining at Resorts less expensive?

[AdamEfimoff]

Its pretty good at WDW. But cheap is not one of the words I used. It can be quite dear. And quite expensive.

 

[fallonkendra]

If you're going this January - have you booked any ADR's yet? With only a few weeks until January, I think that will really determine where you eat - a lot of places are already booked (I'm also going in January, we made our dining reservations in July).

 

[travelingmom4]

You'll have to buy a dining plan for everyone that needs a ticket, so everyone but your 14 month old, and you need to buy it for length of stay.

It does sound like you'll have 2 rooms with 5 kids and 2 parents, so it sounds like you'll have 2 rooms. If you only wanted to buy for 5 instead of 7, you could put 1 adult and one kid plus the baby on one room reservation, then the other 5 of you on the other room reservation, and then just buy for the room with 5 in it.

We will have 2 rooms and never considered this! I'm going to see if my family would be willing to try this, and crunch the numbers. We are out 23 days, do they care if I call and rearrange the parties in the 2 rooms? It's actually 3 adults (my mom will be in 1 of the rooms with a few of my kids) and 5 kids.

 

[travelingmom4]

No we haven't, and I keep looking and seeing there are slim pickings for some places. I'm usually more on the ball but just haven't had time. Thanks for the heads up, I REALLY need to make some decisions asap!

 

[travelingmom4]

Lovestimone here

We are going in January... 5 of us total but only having to pay for 4 adults as DGS is going to be 2.. So if the other 2 kids are under 3 then you will only need the dinning plan for 5. Other wise you will need 6, but the price is a bit less for children up to 9..

2017 Disney dinning plan

QS meal plan - - 2 quick service meals ( meal and drink included), 2 snacks and 1 refillable mug ( only good at your resort Food Court), ... 46.34 for adults, 20.18 for kids 3 to 9 --= per person per day

Regular dinning plan - 1 table service meal ( meal. drink and dessert included), 1 QS meal (meal and drink included), 2 snacks, and 1 refillable mug - 67.33 for adults, 24.22 for kids 3 to 9 -- =per person per day.

Deluxe dinning plan - 3 meals per day - doesn't matter TS ( appetizer, meal, dessert, drink included) or QS (meal and drink included), 2 snacks, and 1 refillable mug - 103.57 for adults, 37.62 for kids 3 to 9 = per person per day.

The regular dinning plan works great for If you are wanting to do some character meals, and Mom and Dad need to be waited on to...as its their vacation too.

With 2 snack credits, they don't have to be sweets, you can use them for savory items as well, You have to do your homework so to speak on the snack options, you could make a meal, or add to a meal your having that you might be splitting. Buy water don't waste a snack credit on water...

The mugs come in handy, DH would go get coffee in the am while I was helping kiddos get dressed, When we used a stroller we would wash them out store them in the day bag, and hit the food court on the way back for some beverages, and maybe a snack or treat to end the day. They are great pool side, so you are not spending a lot of money on drinks pool side not unless they are adult beverages that mom and dad deserve for bring the kids to see Mickey and the Gang... and they are a great souvenir..

You have to get creative when dinning at Disney... No matter what you choose to do have a magical time...

Thank you!

 

[Mainemama]

I would recommend both Grand Floridian Cafe and the Wave as good choices for dinner when you are at MK. These are both usually available with fairly last minute reservations. They are much higher quality food for the price, and a lovely atmosphere compared to MK restaurants. I would also say to order apps as a meal or share plates if cost is a concern. I often do just because the portions are too big (or I like the sound of the app better than the entrees), and I have never been given a hard time by a server.

 

[North of Mouse]

So where do you ask for the free water at QS? Do they give you a cup and then you go to the beverage station and just fill up with water? We have always grabbed bottled water because we hate the taste of Orlando tap water, but I'm willing to give it another try to save some moola!

We have always gotten our free cups of ice water at the QS places and have never had any problems with taste. The water there is filtered. I keep powdered lemon crystals with me to add occasionally which gives us a different flavor (hate the sugary sweet flavor packets). Never get the water at the park fountains - have seen some nasty situations going on there!!

About the QS dining plan. It has gone ridiculously expensive and oop is much cheaper. You can only buy 2 QS meals and 2 snacks, but yet it's about $47 per person!! I know I eat for less than that, so does dh.

Enjoy your family trip!!

 

[travelingmom4]

I would recommend both Grand Floridian Cafe and the Wave as good choices for dinner when you are at MK. These are both usually available with fairly last minute reservations. They are much higher quality food for the price, and a lovely atmosphere compared to MK restaurants. I would also say to order apps as a meal or share plates if cost is a concern. I often do just because the portions are too big (or I like the sound of the app better than the entrees), and I have never been given a hard time by a server.

Thank you!!

 

[IrishNYC]

We will have 2 rooms and never considered this! I'm going to see if my family would be willing to try this, and crunch the numbers. We are out 23 days, do they care if I call and rearrange the parties in the 2 rooms? It's actually 3 adults (my mom will be in 1 of the rooms with a few of my kids) and 5 kids.

As long as you have one room with the correct number of people you want to buy the DDP for, in the end it doesn't matter who sleeps where, and who uses what credits. Everything is pooled for the room, not per person. The only credits that differ are adult vs. child TS credits. Happy I could help you!

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh and we are taking our 7 year gap baby (he will be 14 months) for the 1st time!! Can't wait to introduce him to the magic.

I think that under some circumstances the DDP is worth it, and perhaps with some creative planning it may be the best way for your family to save. DEpending on the ages of your family, and where you all want to eat, and the choices you would make, you might be able to stretch those credits to feed you all pretty well.

 

[caroline1851]

Do you anything about the all you can enjoy skillet at whispering canyon?

That's what I ordered and it was yummy!

 

[WDWNY]

The Wave, Captains Grille and Kona Cafe are some of my favorites