Haven't booked and already stressing about meals

[Gorechick]

Hi, I haven't even booked our family trip but I;m already stressing about meals. I've previously gone to WDW with my DH and had a package with Dining Plan. Was always able to make the most of the plan and come out ahead. Now I will be planning for our family and know this will be a very different trip. Thinking of using the Dining plan with 1 QS, 1 TS, and 1 Snack per person. I'm mostly worried about having enough credits as I love to do signature and character meals. Need advice!!

 

[Quin]

Figure what ADRs you would make; sit down with the menus and come up with some approximate costs; compare to the cost of the Dining Plan. Maybe get real ambitious and price it out two ways - one doing a Dining Plan and one mostly eating CS with just a few select character meals for the kids (so paying oop). Then compare your costs and think again about how each option would affect your touring plans time-wise.

You can also make your ADRs at the 180 day mark and then decide later whether or not to add a Dining Plan - they are not tied together.

 

[Hootch]

I do this for every trip. My wife and I sit down and discuss where we want to eat. I estimate the costs and determine whether the DDP is more economical or if we just go OOP. In some cases I will add one or two meals that we seriously considered when evaluating the plan.

Over the last few trips the answer has been OOP. The three big reasons is that the DDP has changed from its initial version, our kids have been at an age where being in the parks is a higher priority so the number of TS meals has decreased (for now) and we prefer appetizers over desserts. The second item is an evolving one and could change the results over time.

Some people really value not having to worry about the expenses during their trip. I can understand that. There are a number of things that I pay extra for for convenience. I view the DDP as a potential cost savings and not a convenience.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you love signature and character meals, and you are booking your reservations after October 26, you may want to check out the first post of the thread on the Reservations board about credit card guarantees for ALL signature and character meals. In short, if you don't cancel these meals within 24 hours there is a $10 per person no-show charge. It may be something to consider before you get the DDP and start loading your schedule down with meals of this type.

 

[pepe of ohio]

If you love signature and character meals, and you are booking your reservations after October 26, you may want to check out the first post of the thread on the Reservations board about credit card guarantees for ALL signature and character meals. In short, if you don't cancel these meals within 24 hours there is a $10 per person no-show charge. It may be something to consider before you get the DDP and start loading your schedule down with meals of this type.

Just because we're not dining plan people but last trip we made 4 ADr's for places we like and wanted to be sure to get in....low and behold, the night before and even same day...we weren't interested in eating that meal or at that place and cancelled.....we find we're somewheres else having fun...dropping and going to a scheduled meal was a pain...food has never ruled our vacation....we never plan meals but take them as the time rolls around...we don't have to have a TS each day.....

And as quoted above, people who make reservations 180 days out for 3 meals a day and get there and have second guesses about the time or meal, will get charged for no shows and non cancellations...as should be....so choose wisely.....we find we eat less in WDw than normally.....too much fun and other stuff to do than eat all the time, especially trying to use all the dining credit you bought....

 

[Gorechick]

My kids love characters so I'm thinking CRT, Akershus, Hollywood and Vine, and Chef Mickey's. DH and I enjoy Artist Point, Jiko, California Grill, Le Cellier, Flying Fish. I'd like to try some new places as well.