Eat where we want vs best "value"

[ksoehrlein]

October 13 - 17 will be my first trip using the DDP (not free, since we're staying on DVC points). Just me and the 2 kids, so it's a great value! Especially considering that the kids' character meals normally cost as much -- or more than -- the price of the DDP for the entire day. So why, oh why, am I hung up on the poor value of the character breakfast I have planned for our last morning?

We're way ahead of the game using DDP -- trust me, I've done all the math (multiple times!). But there's just this nagging thought in the back of my mind: "'Ohana is only $18.99 for adults, yet here I am, planning to use my very last DDP credit for it. Shouldn't I be using it for something more expensive?" So now I'm thinking: "The kids love Teppanyaki. What if we go there one night instead of that last breakfast?"

But I specifically left one night open without ADRs so we could nibble our way around World Showcase. After all, it *is* F&WF, right? And a final character breakfast is so nice when "it's time to say goodbye" and prepare for the 10-12 hour drive home...

So how do I reconcile the meals I want with my need to feel like I'm getting the "best" deal? It's already a great deal with the ADRs I have, I just hate the feeling that it could be a "better" value if we eat somewhere more expensive. KWIM?

 

[SILLYANDI]

How about this- You already figured out you are saving a ton of money. This character breakfast is your "splurge" for the trip. So you could get a $40 meal instead of the $19 meal-would you have the same memories/pictures/fun time? My kids love Teppanyaki too-but I always remind them that we eat at the teppan grill at home at least twice a month-we don't get to eat with Mickey that often!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am in the same situation. We are going in December and using DDP for the first time. We currently have: Coral Reef, LTT, CM (breakfast), San Angel, Prime Time, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare (dinner). With the exception of Coral Reef and Le Cellier I can't think of any worse choices for getting the best deal! Several times DH and I tried to talk the kids into trying something different, i.e. more expensive. But then I remembered this trip is for them and that part of the fun of going to WDW is doing some old favorites, that like the other poster said, we can't do at home. I learned along time ago that when dining at Disney, its about more than the food and what it costs, its about the experience itself. So I kept my ADR's and figure that we are stills saving big time and will just enjoy pigging out and ordering all that food with no worry about the cost differences. And I stopped going on allearsnet to compare the menus and pricing!

 

[BTown]

Go with your gut instinct. When it comes to food, listen to your gut. Try not to think about what is going to give you the most bang for your buck, but do what will be the most enjoyable thing for you and your family. That being said, if you are really torn about it, pay for breakfast OOP and use your credit at Teppenyaki that night. That way you'll have two great meals on your last day.

 

[The Sweetness]

Have you considered how quickly this trip is coming up, and that if you havent called for an ADR yet, there's a good chance that you already wont get the time you want, anyway? Or maybe ADR are easier to get than I thought. I'll find out for myself first hand on 12/2

 

[DebIreland]

I would go with the restaurants you want, regardless of their price. We're probably not getting the best monetary value either in terms of the price of various meals but we're getting the restaurants we want and the ones we feel we'll have fun in. We're going to Cape May for breakfast which is 19 dollars a head - the price of just an entree in other places (for dinner) but it's what we want!

 

[CamColt]

I say go with what you want. What good is getting a great value from the money end of it if you don't enjoy the meal or you arent where you want to be? To me thats no value at all.

We are recently back from our first time using the plan and yes we used 2 credits at ESPN and 4 for Chef Mickeys breakfast, etc...but we had ALL amazing dining experiences, no disappointments at all. Sure our "Total" could have been more if we played the game, but would I be raving about all the meals we had?

 

[WantToGoNow]

We decided to eat where we wanted to eat not necessarily what will give us the best deal on the DDP. During our 8 night stay, we have 4 character meals including 2 breakfasts (one will be OOP). However, we are also going to Sci Fi, LeCellier, Whispering Canyon, 'Ohana and Coral Reef so we should still come out well above what we paid.

 

[Merriwind]

I will be there the same days as you and have spreadsheeted the whole thing out. We are traveling with friends and doing mostly cheapies--Chef Mickey's, Boma and O'hana. We come out ahead, not by the hundreds that others report, but ahead and no worries about food--I think you should do what you want. You will always be able to find somewhere more expensive.

PS - Don't forget to add in the value of the F&W goodies. Crossing my fingers that they're "snacks" again! Enjoy!!!

 

[Redwitch]

Keep a running total as you travel the world. You need to write down the totals as your receipt will say $0.00. Get the CS from the cash register as your paying.

Then you will know you are way ahead and won't worry about the "cheapie" breakfast.

 

[PottersMom]

I think you're getting caught up in the price of the plan per day. There are two ways to get over this- 1 think about the plan in terms of "food budget", then look at the amout you would probably spend to get all that food OOP- don't forget tip and tax!! That's a huge savings right there.
or If you are still hung up on per day, don't forget you are also getting a CS meal ($10-$15 for an adult) and a snack ($2.50-$5.00). One of those methods should help you get over that "best value" mentality. I am the same way and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I would still be saving $$ compared to eating OOP with our normal eating habits anyway. We are the types who have to reel it in on where we eat when on vacation. DH is a chef, so we can eat very well relatively often. It's NORMAL for us to have at least one appetizer, soup/salad course dinner and desert when we go out. (unless we go for wings). , but it usually isn't too expensive for us b/c we get discounts and we know people, etc. Eating like that is expensive so we would probably go CS all the way if we stayed off property. (we really don't like counter service)
Anyway- I am rambling. I understand how you feel completely- you just have to talk yourself into it. You kids will have a great time at teh character Bfast!

 

[fws]

I'm in the same boat. We're arriving at POR from England at about 6 o'clock at night. I originally booked at Boatwright's for that evening and mostly buffets and the Hoop Dee Doo. But then last night DS15 and DS13 said that actually they would like a character breakfast on the last morning (aahh, bless them!) Fortunately I managed to book Cape May for breakfast, which is nowhere near such good value as Boatwright's, but what the heck? The best way to view the DP is that you're out to maximise enjoyment not dollars!

Actually for us coming from the UK, food is so incredibly cheap in WDW that it really doesn't matter. Our one course meal with one drink each last week at the local pizza/Italian cost over 130 dollars (£70) which is the going rate here. We can't wait for the DDP!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Eating where and what you want IS the best value!

However, if you want to get the most 'value' for your credits, have the following EVERY day of your stay:
Breakfast: Your resort's food court/quick-serve spot - Fruit salad or other eligible snack with highest value (could be up to $3.99); drink water or use refillable mug for beverage
Lunch: Pepper Market - ribeye steak, non-alcoholic beverage, eligible (limited) dessert
Dinner: Wolfgang Puck Cafe - Crab cake appetizer, filet mignon, non-alcoholic beverage, any $7.50 dessert

Total menu price of the above is ABOUT $104 including tax and tip.

 

[aviva5675]

Just eat where it will make you happy. Disney isnt a "deal" any way you really look at it, unless you absolutely stay cheap, no car, you wouldnt do dining plan, no hoppers, etc...Maybe you can use your snack credits to eat around the world F/W fest, so look at it that you are making out that way, and using the last credit the last morning is ok...

 

[Bibbidybobbidy]

this is how I have broken down the three catagories: Snack- $3; CS= $12; TS= $23. It may help me see quickly if the DDP is worth it. Im my reg. food budget I figured Snacks = $10 ( I like a late night and during the day snack); Lunch= $15; Dinner= $25. Even with an extra snack, I think I would save money, plus get to eat at places I normally wouldn't consider Like CA Grill, or Wolfgang Puck's. Having the whole thing mostly paid for is a great relief.