Disney Meal Plans- worth it?

[cdrom610]

hey everyone!

i'm trying to plan a future disney trip for my family and me.. and we're debating on whether or not to get the meal plan (1 full service meal, 1 counter service meal, and 1 snack every day). i read in a lot of guide books/websites that its not worth it, or that its just a bad idea, like for example if someone in the family gets sick you won't use all the meals. or in my case, my family likes to eat a big breakfast and then a really small late lunch, but in this case we would be using up our full service meal in the mornings, leaving us with only the option of counter service for dinner...

has anyone tried the meal plan? and would you recommend it?

 

[jenndisney]

You can use the counter service meal for your Breakfast. That is what we are planning to do a few days of the trip. Check out the menues at WWW.allearsnet.com and see what works for you.

As we have been planning, we have decided it is worth it for us. I did a breakdown of what we would eat both ways and we come out ahead with the plan. But I can see how it does not work for everyone. The best way to tell, is to pull the menues of the places you would eat on the plan, then compare the same meals if you were not on the plan. You must compare apples to apples. Make sure you also count any snacks that you will eat, including pop, popcorn.

Best of luck planning!

 

[cdrom610]

thanks jenndisney! yeah, thats what im probably going to wind up doing.. planning out all our meals before we decide

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We just returned this AM- I plan on a full report, but here is the short version:

2 adults, 2 children- 8 nights= $720 total for the plan. We stretched the table service out a bit, by paying for 4 kids meals, and sending them to the kid's club one night. (spent about $50 above the plan cost for kids food)

Our totals- had we been paying cash

Table service- 842.00
Counter service-401.00
Snacks 80.00
Total- $1323.00 a savings of close to $600 for the week.

I will warn you- You will overeat- We really tried not to, but the first few days- UGGG-we felt stuffed.


Since we did not have a room discount other that AAA this trip- no good codes- It was a huge savings. If we could have gotten a room discount, I prob. would not have used the meal plan.

Also- This trip was more cost effective since both DD were the kids price. Next trip my oldest will be 10 or 11, so that will be another $25/per day.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My son and I just got back this morning. I was able to book the dining plan with a discounted room code.

The plan comes with alot of food. It was way to much for us to eat.

If we book the dining plan in the future, I'd book late dinner seatings. Instead of using a table service each day, I'd book more places that require two TS coupons. That way we won't feel like we're stuffing ourselves each day.

I also won't worry about ordering everything that comes with the plan. If you're full after the main course, why order a dessert when you know you won't be able to eat it?

We used a few counter service options for breakfast at Pop Century.

 

[dbenlee]

We plan on eating a small snack type of breakfast in our room before going to the parks in the morning (not on the dining plan). Then eating a counter service early lunch. Dinner will be table service, early as well, giving us a nice rest break mid afternoon so that we can enjoy the parks in the evening feeling somewhat refreshed. This idea isn't set in stone, we may change as necessity dictates and we might buy some extra snacks. Overall we estimate that it will save us (2 adults and 1 child) between $200 and $300.

 

[Savin4Disney]

The meal plan cost me $420.00. for the 2 of us. ( DS is considered an adult). My plan was 100.00 a day for food. We will be there 6 nights and 7 days. So this is going to work for us.

Honestly if I don't want dessert or an appetizer I just won't order it. I am still sure we will break even or come out a head. And either way that is one less thing I have to save for.

 

[abk96]

I feel the same way Savin4Disney. I don't want to worry about having enough money for meals when I get there. It's better to just pay now.

You can always get a dessert to go. Bring it back to the resort and have it later.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

And either way that is one less thing I have to save for.

DEFINATELY- That was wonderful. It was great not having to worry about the food thing. Already having that taken care od was a huge plus for our family. When the check came, we just told them we were on the plan.

 

[MomofKatie]

We plan on eating a small snack type of breakfast in our room before going to the parks in the morning (not on the dining plan). Then eating a counter service early lunch. Dinner will be table service, early as well, giving us a nice rest break mid afternoon so that we can enjoy the parks in the evening feeling somewhat refreshed. This idea isn't set in stone, we may change as necessity dictates and we might buy some extra snacks. Overall we estimate that it will save us (2 adults and 1 child) between $200 and $300.

This is EXACTLY how we plan to use the Dining plan this fall. We plan to save a snack credit or two for evening, since we will eat dinner early each night. We plan to use evening EMHs as much as possible, so a snack later will be nice.

The amount of savings for us will be around $250- $300 as well. We will get the Plan for 2 adults and 1 child, and do not plan to pay out of pocket for any meals at all. Other than a beer or two here and there, all food will be prepaid! (Well, we might also get a $12 resort refillable mug, too.)

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

(Well, we might also get a $12 resort refillable mug, too.)

If you eat at the food court, and use your refillable mug for drinks, don't forget that you get drinks w/ your meals as well. We got milk for the kids, and threw it in the cooler for cereal or just when they were in need of some milk.