Food. Staying.Pricing Seasonal Passholder.single mom traveling with two children

[Princesssbz]

I haven't been to Disney in two years. I'm curious about what the best way is to do Disney now and I know there are so many more things to see in Magic Kingdom. I used to stay a night or two in one of the value resorts since i live about two hours away from Disney. Other times I just get up early and leave late and drive home at night. I will be using a stroller and I want to relax, and since we will have the Season pass. however what is better money wise...to stay over and get the small perk of a discounted room and not worrying about paying for parking everytime and driving home at night and being able to have snacks in the room and some extra magic hrs...or just drive in and out...also as far as food goes we normally eat a big breakfast and then hang out till an early lunch dinner around four and eat in epcot..bring snacks along...or just bring food in...or are there any dining plans available to passholders or does it go by the length of your stay..It is just me my two DD who are six and two. Any tips would help greatly.

 

[kmb584]

I haven't been to Disney in two years. I'm curious about what the best way is to do Disney now and I know there are so many more things to see in Magic Kingdom. I used to stay a night or two in one of the value resorts since i live about two hours away from Disney. Other times I just get up early and leave late and drive home at night. I will be using a stroller and I want to relax, and since we will have the Season pass. however what is better money wise...to stay over and get the small perk of a discounted room and not worrying about paying for parking everytime and driving home at night and being able to have snacks in the room and some extra magic hrs...or just drive in and out...also as far as food goes we normally eat a big breakfast and then hang out till an early lunch dinner around four and eat in epcot..bring snacks along...or just bring food in...or are there any dining plans available to passholders or does it go by the length of your stay..It is just me my two DD who are six and two. Any tips would help greatly.

I would definitely stay in a resort compared to driving there and back in the same day. I'm sure that both you and your kids would enjoy a little getaway. As for the dining plan there isn't one exclusively for passholders. You would need the room and a minimum 2-day ticket to be eligible to add dining. I would caution against it though as it's not very cost-effective unless you eat a lot at mostly TS restaurants. It's just myself and DD and if I were to go the DP route (did it once) it winds up costing me $400-$600 more than if I just pay for our meals OOP.

 

[Princesssbz]

Thank you! I've never done it! I went with a friend who did it once but she was visiting for like a week plus and we met her. Either way I still don't understand how it works because we ate on it too the days we met her. All inrembwr was getting snacks I would never buy and always sitting down to eat. We don't eat a lot. I always just pay and if we want a meal we just do it. She had a lot of food credits left unused but I was just wondering. Thanks!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If you have a seasonal pass, you can book a room + dining package that does not require the purchase of tickets. The option is available on the Passholder website and also if you call to book. You have to pay for the dining plan for every night of your resort stay. I'm not sure if there's a minimum, however. There didn't use to be, but they do change the requirements periodically. Making your reservation a room + dining package means you have to pay a $200 deposit at the time of booking and pay it in full 45 days before your arrival; if you book less than 45 days out, you pay the entire balance at booking.

Before you book a dining plan, you should plan out what meals you'd want to eat and how much they would cost OOP vs. what the dining plan would cost. I get prices from www.allears.net and they seem to be pretty accurate.

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

If you're local and a passholder, you should consider getting a Tables in Wonderland card. You have to pay $100 to get it, but then you get 20% off at most sit down restaurants. And that includes alcohol. The dining plan is not a good deal for pass holders, but the TIW card is in most cases. Here's more info: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/tables-in-wonderland/