FD packages for a couple

[jendubz]

Would any of the FD packages benefit a couple with no children? We're staying at POP. Can we eat on a tight budget on our own? Pack sandwiches and all that? I'm so clueless.

 

[lustergirl]

Would any of the FD packages benefit a couple with no children? We're staying at POP. Can we eat on a tight budget on our own? Pack sandwiches and all that? I'm so clueless.

If you are staying at POP then I say as a couple you would be fine with the new quick service free dining plan they are offering for the value resorts. If you stay moderate or deluxe then you receive the regular dining plan. I think this is too much food for just two people.

 

[Dawn68PA]

We're in the same boat. It's just me and DH. The dining plan holds too much food for the two of us and we're not big eaters like my kids. They make up for us when we get the plan LOL

If it's the only discount you have available, get it. At least what food you use will be free.

 

[jendubz]

Well I already have tickets so I'd have to buy 2 tickets to get any FD package. I'm just wondering if it'd be worth it to purchase two tickets. I'm getting the room for $398 for 6 nights, 7 days. That's room only discount.

 

[kaytieeldr]

With tax? Or before tax?

If that $398 is before tax, you are saving (probably) $105.75 off the six night rack rate - the rate you'd have to pay to get Free Dining. If the $398 includes tax, you're saving $155.50.

Do you think the two of you can eat for seven days for less than the appropriate amount in the previous paragraph? If so, keep the room discount. If not, give it up and go with Free Dining. Remember, you'll have to buy tickets to qualify for that promotion, and it's most cost-effective to just purchase all the days you'll need directly from Disney.

 

[jendubz]

With tax? Or before tax?

If that $398 is before tax, you are saving (probably) $105.75 off the six night rack rate - the rate you'd have to pay to get Free Dining. If the $398 includes tax, you're saving $155.50.

Do you think the two of you can eat for seven days for less than the appropriate amount in the previous paragraph? If so, keep the room discount. If not, give it up and go with Free Dining. Remember, you'll have to buy tickets to qualify for that promotion, and it's most cost-effective to just purchase all the days you'll need directly from Disney.

$398 includes tax. I just keep thinking that $398 looks alot better than $718 (price with 2 tickets and FD) but I have to figure in the cost of food if we didn't have FD. Since we've never been to Disney, I don't know if it's worth it.

 

[Nadjalu]

I am not a expert with the numbers but I can tell you our experience.......

Last March me and my DH went to DW for the first time, thanks to my niece (an expert) she helped me set up our trip.
She highly recommended the Dining plan, since we did want to experience DW's food.
Man was that a life saver!! The dining plan was $300 for 4 nights/5 days, we got 1 table service meal, a quick service meal and a snack.

Every night we added up the receipts and at the end had we of paid for what we ate it would have been $500!!! We saved $200 by doing the plan.
We didn't eat crazy just what was normal for us, even going 2 days without breakfast.

Take a look at the menus (sorry I can't link you but I am sure others can) and the prices are a bit steep......of course it is on par with the price of food at any amuesment park........not to mention the sit down meals.
Then see if it fits you.

Have fun!!!

 

[jendubz]

I am not a expert with the numbers but I can tell you our experience.......

Last March me and my DH went to DW for the first time, thanks to my niece (an expert) she helped me set up our trip.
She highly recommended the Dining plan, since we did want to experience DW's food.
Man was that a life saver!! The dining plan was $300 for 4 nights/5 days, we got 1 table service meal, a quick service meal and a snack.

Every night we added up the receipts and at the end had we of paid for what we ate it would have been $500!!! We saved $200 by doing the plan.
We didn't eat crazy just what was normal for us, even going 2 days without breakfast.

Take a look at the menus (sorry I can't link you but I am sure others can) and the prices are a bit steep......of course it is on par with the price of food at any amuesment park........not to mention the sit down meals.
Then see if it fits you.

Have fun!!!

Experiences are what I'm looking for! I noticed that it's $718 for the QS so I think that's the way to go. And room only is $398.

Also, since I have to purchase 2 tickets, when will they expire?

Wow! When I add one more day to our stay so we can use the ticket we have to purchase to get FD, it goes up $248!!!

 

[Dawn68PA]

Tickets expire 14 days after first use unless you purchase the no expiration option. So, you can buy your tickets, but you don't have to use them right now if you don't want to. Y'know just to add to the confusion

 

[jendubz]

Tickets expire 14 days after first use unless you purchase the no expiration option. So, you can buy your tickets, but you don't have to use them right now if you don't want to. Y'know just to add to the confusion

No joke! I have no clue what I'm doing.

So if I purchase 1 ticket and don't use it, it won't expire? I have 7 that were given to me.

 

[marcielm]

No joke! I have no clue what I'm doing.

So if I purchase 1 ticket and don't use it, it won't expire? I have 7 that were given to me.

Exactly! Don't use your 1 day tickets that you purchase to get the free dining, and you can use them on a future trip.

You will have a ton of food on the QS plan, plus it will give you a lot of time to enjoy the parks (by not having to plan out 1.5-2 hours for a TS meal). The snacks can easily be used for breakfast... there are some WONDERFUL muffins on Main Street in MK... they are HUGE and count as 1 snack credit.

 

[jendubz]

Exactly! Don't use your 1 day tickets that you purchase to get the free dining, and you can use them on a future trip.

You will have a ton of food on the QS plan, plus it will give you a lot of time to enjoy the parks (by not having to plan out 1.5-2 hours for a TS meal). The snacks can easily be used for breakfast... there are some WONDERFUL muffins on Main Street in MK... they are HUGE and count as 1 snack credit.

This is the kind of information I'm looking for!! Thank you!!

I'm really enjoying the information on this board, but it's so hard to find with a million threads on different topics.

So you guys think I'd save money if I spend $320 more on FD?

 

[Sandisw]

We have been going to WDW for a lot of years with my family of 5. The last time we went with free dining we realized that we were able to eat a lot better than in trips past when we were paying OOP for everything and had to "watch" our pennies.

We leave in 2 days for our first trip as DVC members. We are trying the QSDP this time and I think it will be great.

I think that anyone can eat for less than $30.00 per day if you really try, but in my experience, when we have been on the DDP, my children had no need for the constant snacks that they did when we were not. We ate better and it was a lot more relaxing not having to worry about things.

I think the QSDP will be a great choice for the 2 of you. And, the 1 day tickets, as you said, can be saved for a future visit so while you are going from $398 to $718, at least $140 of that is the tickets which can be applied to future visits.

Have fun!

 

[PalmettoPrincess]

When I went with my friend we paid OOP for our food. Our total cost of food in DW was about $175 for 5 days, give or take a few dollars. We ate our breakfast in the room; shared a CS lunch or a big snack (for example, one day we shared a pretzel for lunch); if we got hungry later, we shared a snack or sometimes got our own, and then got our own meals at a TS restaurant where I usually got water as my drink to save a buck or two. Everyday I brought waterbottles that we refilled throughout the day at drinking fountains. I know that prices have gone up since then, but eating can be done on a budget if needed.

However, this trip I am going with my DBF, who loves to eat. He and I talked about the pros and cons of the DDP. We decided that we would rather have the convenience of the DDP and not have to worry about paying for food. Plus, we can eat whatever we want without worrying if we're spending too much money on a meal. When the FD deal came out, we knew that this was the choice for us. Now we'll be able to try some restaurants that we wouldn't have because their prices were a little high.

I don't know if it'll help you, but this is my experience with Disney dining, for what it's worth :]

 

[marcielm]

It's my opinion that it is a vacation, and you certainly don't want to be counting every single penny, etc while you are there, because there is a good chance you will blow the budget.

The QS meals include a drink & a dessert... which can easily be packed away for a snack later. As for our family, we NEVER get drinks when we dine out, and if we do we make everyone share, because we are too cheap to pay the extra $$ for them. So at WDW it was a big treat for everyone to have their own soda.

The beauty of paying ahead for the dining is that technically you won't need any money at the parks. If you do the DDP, and get sit down meals then you will need $ for a tip (you can charge it back to your room). We took a limited amount of $$ for our trip to use for tips & souvies, and stuck to it. It was nice knowing on the last day that we had left over snack credits (13 total) which we cashed in for 6 of the muffins I mentioned, 4 diet cokes in bottles, and an apple for DS. We took all of this on the road with us for our drive home.

 

[shoes99]

We are going with the AP rate at Pop Century for early December. We are two adults 60+, we both already have tickets, and will go with either AP discounts for food or TIW. In September we will purchase the Tables In Wonderland discount card which will give us 20% discounts for table service. I can use the TIW card at the foodcourt at Pop for our December visit.
Last August we stayed at Sports for free dining and purchased one day tickets. I used the ticket in Nov for DH 10 day NE hopper. I used the other ticket to apply against an AP in June 2009 and also took advantage of the friends & family 10% discount...
You have to work the numbers for your family.

 

[jendubz]

Since the ticket prices are going up, does that mean that if I get a package it will be more because of the price of the ticket?

 

[marcielm]

Since the ticket prices are going up, does that mean that if I get a package it will be more because of the price of the ticket?

The ticket prices don't go up on the packages unless you book a trip for 2010. Even if you booked one for 2010, the total cost difference between two one day tickets in 2009 & 2010 is only $8.50.

 

[jendubz]

We got our Disney video and DH said, we're going to a place just for kids! Ugh!

Give me reasons why this isn't just for kids. Neither of us have been to Disney before so I can't really say much.

 

[marcielm]

Oh no, I just deleted my whole post!!!!

Anyway, it is not just for kids. I always wanted to go before we had kids, and DH said no. On the second day of our trip in March (our first) DH said "Next time we are coming without the kids, they are slowing us down!" My biggest shock was the number of 'older folks' just walking around the parks without any kids (in other words GRANDKIDS) attached to them. My recent client came back from her first trip with her HS aged g-kids, and she said she wants to return without them next time and enjoy the resorts, the spa, even the fun at the parks with one of her good friends!

The kids didn't get all the magic that Disney has that makes all of the attractions so special. DH & I were amazed at all the things that were going on 'behind the scenes' that make it all possible. Plus, you will appreciate everything Epcot has to offer. My kids were bored trying to get through Epcot, whereas DH & I would have loved to stay longer & really checked out all of the countries in the world showcase.

There are a few thrill rides at each of the parks, so you definitely have that to keep the extra excitement there.

I have very good friends who have no children. They have been members of the vacation club for about 10+ yrs. They honeymooned for 10 days at the GF, and continued to go back for years until they bought into the club. They go at least twice a year now. Some days they go to the parks, some days they don't. They enjoy the food, the golf, the spa & other extras that they add onto their stay.