don't know if I should get a plan

[pickeypokey]

First trip in 20+ years. Taking wife and DS4/DS2 for 7 days. Since we really don't know where we're going to go on each day, should we even bother with any dining plan? We will probably not be making ADRs because I don't even know where to begin. If we don't get a dining plan, what are the odds we'll be able to get a table service meal on occasion?

 

[summermac]

When are you going?

We used to go without ADRs (two trips) but now with the dining plan, I think ADRs are the way to go even if not on DDP.

First of all, with the age of your kids, you'll probably want a character meal or two and those have pretty much always been suggested places to reserve even before the DDP. Also, in terms of planning, I'm going to assume that you'll do an afternoon break (again based on your kids' ages) so you could then restart your day with a TS meal and it won't matter what park you're planning on b/c you'll already be out of the parks.

Regardless I'd make some ADRs even without DDP. No doubt about it. Having the DDP means nothing for securing table service.

 

[Faldred]

Getting a walk-up depends on when you're going and how flexible you are. If you're going peak, I'd suggest forgetting it.

Flexibility can also be hard with young kids.

You may want to consider the quick-service plan (QSDP), which provides 2 CS meals/pp/night plus 2 snacks/pp/night (and the resort mug). You don't have to pay for the 2-year-old, so the kids can split the children's meals (you just will have to buy a second drink, I expect), and QSDP is a good deal for the under-10 crowd.

Then, if you do luck out for a TS somewhere, you can just pay OOP for that meal.

 

[dragon5jt]

Last year we added the meal plan for the first time, we made our trip very enjoyable. The upfront cost seems big but the benefit is bigger. We ate at nice places, also had character meals. The best part was making the plans in advance I called the reservation line and did the whole week encluding my wife's birthday. Yes, you are on a schedule which normally I don't enjoy but we ate where we wanted and pretty much when we wanted. Some places we could not get into on our prior trip so we would opt for the "TURKEY LEG" which is okay too.