Food Budget

[a_sailor's_wife]

We're in the first steps of planning our next trip. We're debating whether to get an AP and DDE card so that we can get a room discount or skip the room discount and do DDP. We have to see which will fit into our budget better.

How much would budget for food daily? We like to do breakfast in our room, and then a CS for lunch, and have a TS for dinner. We also LOVE snacks. We normally do about 2 each. It's only DH and I going. Any suggestions on how much to budget for per day?

 

[shellybaxter]

We budget $125.00 per day (on average - some days more, some days less) as a couple but we like to do a lot of signature dining. I wouldn't recommend getting an AP simply for the discounts. Discounts don't always come out and when they do sometimes they aren't available where you want to stay. I would only get an AP if you are going to the parks more than 10 days in the next year. Then I would definately get one and if AP rates do come out that will be a perk

 

[smep013]

The AP & DDE vs. the DDP is something I debated over and over in my head. I did many calculations to determime what was best for us. Here are my thoughts - they work for me and my DH. But everyone is different! Good luck deciding.

We are buying APs because we plan to go back a few times within a year. We look at the AP as a way to save money on park admission and in certain shops at DTD. We do not count on AP room discounts. We did not buy the DDE.

We booked our August trip and added a 1 day MYW for each of us, so that we could purchase the DDP. So we have the DDP. Then a code came out for MYW With Dining packages, so we saved over $300 on our reservation. We will buy our APs when we get down there, upgrading the 1 Day MYW to the AP.

Without the DDP, I would budget $25 for lunch at CS, $15 for snacks (2 per person per day), and $60-80 for dinner at a TS (app, entree and dessert) not including alcohol.

Last year we had free dining and saved our receipts to see how munch money we were saving. That is what I based those estimates on.

I hope that helps!

 

[JennyDrake]

The AP is defineilty worth it for me for room discounts, and would be even more so if I stayed in deluxe resorts. We eat diffferently than you, but I'll still throw out our number. We don't consume alcohol--breakfast or lunch TS (usually buffets) every day or every other day, all other meals CS + 1 snack and 1 drink each day. We budget $55 per person per day overall.

 

[srgibbs]

I don't know much about how AP rates work since we don't live in Flordia but according to what you eat every day I would recommend doing the DDP. It sounds like it would be exactly what you need and then it is all paid for before you leave and you can order whatever you want without worrying about the cost. Adults is 38.99 a day for 1 snack, 1CS, and 1TS which sounds like what you are looking for and imo you cannot pay out of pocket for that cheap.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

We budget $125.00 per day (on average - some days more, some days less) as a couple but we like to do a lot of signature dining. I wouldn't recommend getting an AP simply for the discounts. Discounts don't always come out and when they do sometimes they aren't available where you want to stay. I would only get an AP if you are going to the parks more than 10 days in the next year. Then I would definately get one and if AP rates do come out that will be a perk

I guess I worded it incorrectly. We're hoping to do 10 days in May/June and then about 4 days in October for my birthday and then the MNSSHP. We also love to do mini golf and go to one of the water parks. With the AP we can discounts for both of those as well.

Not to mention we may be able to visit again the next March or so. We'll have to see I do believe.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[shellybaxter]

I guess I worded it incorrectly. We're hoping to do 10 days in May/June and then about 4 days in October for my birthday and then the MNSSHP. We also love to do mini golf and go to one of the water parks. With the AP we can discounts for both of those as well.

Not to mention we may be able to visit again the next March or so. We'll have to see I do believe.

Thanks for all the input.

Absolutely - it sounds like APs will work well for you. I just didn't want you to be upset if you thought you'd get an AP discount and then didn't. That has happened a couple of times and people were so upset it made me sad. Planning a disney trip should be fun - not maddening. Another plus of the DDE is that it includes your alcoholic drinks in the discount. As a couple at Disney we like to have a drink or a glass of wine and the discount is nice.

 

[ALWEASEL]

Hello.
I'm going soon.
And i have an annual pass.
But i also have a 2day non expiration ticket with the Dinsey Dining Plan.
So 90% of my food is payed for.
We are going to 1 or 2 2 tableservice spots.
I cant wait.
Usuall when i go i dont' have the money to eat well.
I usually eat counter service so for the first time im eating at alfredo's Lecellier and hoop-de-doo, Boma and other nicer places.
I can't wait.
Alweasel

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

Absolutely - it sounds like APs will work well for you. I just didn't want you to be upset if you thought you'd get an AP discount and then didn't. That has happened a couple of times and people were so upset it made me sad. Planning a disney trip should be fun - not maddening. Another plus of the DDE is that it includes your alcoholic drinks in the discount. As a couple at Disney we like to have a drink or a glass of wine and the discount is nice.

YAY! I had no idea the DDE included alcoholic drinks. That is a plus. We're not big drinkers by any means, but we did love having somewhat of a taste test throughout the World Showcase. We're also not purchasing out AP's until we actually arrive at Shades of Green. They're a few dollars cheaper there since we're military. Anything helps us even a few dollars here and there.

 

[JennyDrake]

YAY! I had no idea the DDE included alcoholic drinks. That is a plus. We're not big drinkers by any means, but we did love having somewhat of a taste test throughout the World Showcase. We're also not purchasing out AP's until we actually arrive at Shades of Green. They're a few dollars cheaper there since we're military. Anything helps us even a few dollars here and there.

NOT ALL WS DRINKS ARE COVERED BY THE DDE!! I'm shouting because _I_ thought they were! I was quite disappointed when at the kiosks it was refused at Mexico, Germany (indoors) and Italy. For some reason I thought the DDE info said that they were included. I was with a friend who wanted to try various wines.

 

[shellybaxter]

NOT ALL WS DRINKS ARE COVERED BY THE DDE!! I'm shouting because _I_ thought they were! I was quite disappointed when at the kiosks it was refused at Mexico, Germany (indoors) and Italy. For some reason I thought the DDE info said that they were included. I was with a friend who wanted to try various wines.

Jenny is absolutely right - drinks with your meals at restaurants that accept DDE are covered. Some (all ?) resort lounges used to take DDE as well. Not sure about that any longer.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

ehhh...that stinks! Well, at least it includes drinks while eating. Some of that wine was way too dry for me especially in France.