Do not have DP, but should we

[jm106]

I did a lot of reading but I always second guess myself or think I might be missing something or mistaken. I was hoping you dining plan educated ppl would acess my meals and make sure I wouldnt fit into DP with my plans and the costs.
Its 2 adults, one 5 yo(adventurous eater so prefer not to be consumed with kids meals) and one under 3. Last time in the world we were off site.
We have 4 TS ADR
Epcot San Angel dinner (I expect to get ods a kids meal)
Ohana Dinner
H&V Character breakfast(10 am so we will have a snack rather then lunch)
and Tusker House Breakfast. We also have Tomorrowland terrace dessert party.

We arent big eaters (Dh more so) often do not need a full meal each so a lot of times its 2 adults CS meals and maybe a side of fruit or soup that kind of thing for the 4 of us. We dont do it to pinch pennies we just dont need to buy and waste,kwim.

The kids will eat a quick breakfast in the room on the days we dont have an ADR for breakfast, Dh and I often skip or have a light something later with coffee.

We will definitly have 1 CS meal for the 2 adults each day,some days one for kids as well, some days 2 CS meals(arrival day and day 6 for sure.)
* we know we will do CS at Flame tree and Planet Pizza.

We do not get dessert regularly but we will be enjoying our share of mickey cookies and cream icecream(I dream of them)
We do not drink soda, Dh might get one on occassion but its often unsweetened iced tea( Which I am not seeing on menus?) water mainly and juice for kids(one split and wated down.) DH and I will have a cocktail/beer with dinner probably and water. We do drink coffee.

We will be there sunday May 22 by lunch time (early flight) and leave for MCO about 1pm on May 28 (so plan a CS early lunch as wel will be by the pool.)

I appreciate any wisdom you can offer.

 

[TDC Nala]

one 5 yo(adventurous easter so prefer not to be consumed with kids meals)

This is your biggest argument against the dining plan.

We do not get dessert regularly

This is your second biggest argument.

You also don't sound like you generally order full meals for everyone. Not only that but you have got an adult ordering a kids meal at a TS restaurant. Do you plan to switch your meal with your adventurous 5 year old? Using an adult credit to buy a child's meal is not a good value on the plan.

However, you have two buffets and a family style, where everyone eats the same food and child vs. adult menu is not relevant. You would have to deal with it at the counter services though. You'll need to use the kids credits to order children's meals, unless you're at a CS restaurant that doesn't have a children's menu. The way you say your family eats, you will have the most trouble using up those counter services.

 

[jm106]

Not only that but you have got an adult ordering a kids meal at a TS restaurant. Do you plan to switch your meal with your adventurous 5 year old? Using an adult credit to buy a child's meal is not a good value on the plan.
QUOTE]

I am not sure what I said to imply an adult would get a kids meal but that isnt what I meant at all.

Thank you for the info. I didnt think it was for us, but after reading here and another site I wanted to be sure I was correct in what we would be able to get.

ETA- maybe it was saying I would get ods a kids meal at San angel that made you think I would get a kids meal? meant I would order one FOR him not share a meal at san angel(since its not a chicken nugget meal)

 

[TDC Nala]

At San Angel I thought you wrote that you would probably order a kids meal because I had no idea what ods was. I guess you were not saying the odds were you would get a kids meal.

I also don't see how many nights you are staying - if it's more than 4 and you book some more buffets you can probably make up for what you might lose if you do not use up all the counter services. In addition the counter service credits can probably be traded in at your resort food court or cs for snacks that you can take home so you can get some use out of them.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

For the number of TS you have now I'd say it's not worth it. However, with the kids meals and buffets you get a GREAT value. We have found that if we do a lot of buffets the dining plan is a good value. Since you aren't able to skip dessert, skip drinks, share meals. It is standard price... right now you have a lot of these and it might be worth your while. For example you will pay as much for DS at a buffet as you are paying for a night on the dining plan many times. So that is a good value. For you it's pretty close at places like Ohana. I'd list out where you want to eat... if there are any additional restaurants. You'd get 7 meals. If you want 7 meals then price out what you are eating (guestimate). The other thing is you do only get 1 cs a day per person so if you are splitting meals it just means that you would be able to have 2 cs a day. Desserts at CS can be fruit as well so those are great to bring to the room or a banana for the under 3.

My rule of thumb is that dp wins when we a.) have kids on it b.) are doing lots of buffets.

 

[jm106]

Thank you. I have to do the math again but we dont have 7 TS meals I know.

TDC Nala- ODS is older son. I see it so often on dis and other boards I assumed everyone knows it. Sorry.

 

[TDC Nala]

How many nights are you staying? You get as many TS meals as nights you are staying.

 

[jm106]

6 nights so 6 TS. Got it
may 22- may 28

 

[momto2inKC]

Hmmm...I would say the dining plan is probably not for you. I think you'd probably struggle to use all of your credits since you like to share meals.

 

[TDC Nala]

Then you need two more TS. May not be worth it for 4 if you don't intend to use all the counter services, but for six, especially if you book character meals or buffets with your children (the 2 year old is free at all of those) then you may like having the dining plan whether you use the counter services or not. The dining plan isn't for everybody, sometimes you have to work it to get the value out of it, and some guests don't want to spend their vacation trying to work it. Meal sharers will not get their value, but you can't share meals at buffets or family style places anyway. Booking buffets or family style would also mean your son is not stuck with a kids' meal.

 

[jm106]

Is the tomorrowland dessert party on the DP?
Is tax included in DP?
I guess I was trying to factor paying OOP for water/ drinks with meals(we planned to get delivery of food and drinks) and buying snacks and CS for even 2 adults can add up so I'm just wondering if it would balance out still.
I'll have more time later to double check prices and see. Thanks for the help

 

[3pletprincesses]

Yes tax is included in the dinner plan and no the tomorrowland dessert party is not included in the DDP.

 

[momto2inKC]

Is the tomorrowland dessert party on the DP?
Is tax included in DP?
I guess I was trying to factor paying OOP for water/ drinks with meals(we planned to get delivery of food and drinks) and buying snacks and CS for even 2 adults can add up so I'm just wondering if it would balance out still.
I'll have more time later to double check prices and see. Thanks for the help

The dessert party is not covered on any of the dining plans, but tax is included in them.

 

[jm106]

thank you all. I did some math and it isnt a good deal for us. I appreicate the help deciding.