HELP!!! 2 Part MYW dining & AP w/ Child ticket question????

[tanyakoewers]

Hi, I need a little advise about budget dining and I have an AP discount question.

My DD (6 years) and I are planning our first ever trip March 4-11. I am a single mother and we have dreamed of this vacation for a long time (my dream is a little longer than hers). We have finally decided to just go.... stop dreaming (or should I say make our dreams come true). Money is not THE issue but it is AN issue. I would love to be able to stay at a deluxe and not worry about where we will eat but IF we are going to go this year, we will have to make some decisions. So.......

1. Can you use the AP discount if the AP is a child? I am debating on getting an AP for myself or my DD (6) to get the great rate on POFQ. Otherwise we will have to stay at POP or ASMO. If I figure correctly, I can get mine $531 or hers $451 and get the room for $74 value or $104 moderate. Otherwise we will pay rack rates and get MYW tickets for 199/169 plus $35 & $45 for the "plus" and "hopper" options for 7 days.

2. What do you think about the MYW dining option. This would add $45.00 a day for our trip. We are not huge eaters and don't mind counter service and quick meals at the food courts. We don't mind sharing meals if the servings are "huge" as some DIS board members say. We will probably bring a lot of breakfast food to eat in our room, and we don't normally order appetizer, entree & dessert, it's usually just to much. I guess what I am asking is..... Do you think it would be worth it.

PS -- I think I have made up my mind that we don't want to add this on, maybe I am just looking for a little backup/protest.

Thanks to all in advance!!!!!

 

[InstImpres]

AP Discounts are the same for children and adults. So yes, you can use her AP for room and meal discounts. If you have an AP, than you won't be buying a package (as you have 1 pass) and than aren't eligible for the dining add on. If you are fine with counter service, than IMHO the pacakge isn't for you.

Good luck
Sandy

 

[MaMudduck]

Tanya:

Check out the pinned thread on this board regarding vouchers (read pages 1-4, and then the last couple) this might solve for dining option questions.
My daughter(8) and I used Q&C vouchers and were able to split each meal that we used Q&C's for....only because of the size of the meals not the cost. If you rework your numbers based on 1AP- childs, AP rate hotel, your tixs, and 2 Q&C vouchers each day ($11.50 each) you might find this the best savings.

 

[DisnyMama]

Hi Tanya,

I just wanted to wish you and your DD a wonderful first trip. I am a single Mom also and my DS and I took our first dream trip to WDW in July 2001. Planned and saved for a year prior - WDW is definately do-able, especially since we stayed at All Star Sports. WDW isn't cheap but it does not have to be as expensive as some people may think. Four "Dream" trips later I just made ressies for our next trip at POR next December. The place is so "Magically Addicting". One very important issue I had on our 1st trip was traveling alone as a single woman for the 1st time. At WDW and the resorts I have never felt safer, more secure and welcomed. You will enjoy yourself. Ok-a little advice-go for a moderate. We had a great time at *** but two of our trips have been to POR-WOW!! You get so much more for just a little more $$$. Well Worth it. Have a Blast .

Take care,
Shannon

 

[tanyakoewers]

Thank you to everyone for the information. I have decided to get the AP for my DD and after checking out the Q & C vouchers I think that will be our best route. I am glad to hear that you felt secure and welcomed. We are pretty independent gals but it always helps to hear that someone in a similar situation felt OK traveling alone.

 

[leebee]

Hi Tanya-

Even though I am not a single mom, my DH isn't really a Disney fan so DD and I have taken several trips by ourselves. I never feel unsafe while on Disney property, and have never had any problems even offsite, although we always stick to the standard precautions (well-lighted parking lots, attentiveness, etc). Also, we have found the Q&C vouchers work really well for our "girl's trips"...adult portions are huge, and although we wouldn't normally buy desserts because we are so full, when sharing a meal there is usually room for a shared dessert! Don't forget that "beverage" doesn't mean just soda...we've had non-alcoholic frozen drinks, latte (not shared with DD!) and even milkshakes as our "drink" with the Q&C vouchers. Also, in places like Starlight Ray's and Pecos Pete's (in the MK) you can purchase a hamburger bun for about $1 and split the double cheeseburger into two separate sandwiches, and load up on toppings (like sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, cheese sauce, and salad veggies) from the wonderful toppings bar!

 

[bobcat]

Just another singlemom checking in! Traveling solo to WDW is about as easy as I've ever traveled. I decided to just "do it" 5 years ago and we have had 7 trips to the world since then. Just remember ths is as much a trip for you as it is for her. Spoil yourself.

As far as resorts it is your own personal taste. We love the value resorts and stay there most of the time but I also like the amenities the moderate and deluxes offer.

As far as budget dining you can get a double burger and get an extra bun for about $.70. My DD is a carnivore so she has to have her burgers and they aren't on the kids menu's. AK also has a great meal deal where you get a full meal and and ticket to get a snack, popcorn or icecream, and a drink later in the day. If you want sit down restaurants lunch is cheaper. A turkey leg feeds my two kids and myself and add a bag of chips and a drink and we are stuffed. And make sure you stop by the main street bakery in MK for a cinnamon roll. They are HUGE!. We get them as we are leaving the parks and have them fro breakfast the next morning, that is if they last that long.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Think about going ahead and getting an AP for both of you. I know it is a big cost now. But next year take your vacation a few weeks earlier and you will get 2 vacations out of 1 ticket. If your days in the parks are more than (I think) 11 then you have saved on admission as well as hotel costs.

I also have done Disney solo with my kids ( DH was working) and it is great. One thing I wished I had the first time I went solo was a sit down resturant at the hotel. Our 1st trip was to the All Stars and the only choice is the food court. After a long day at the parks I needed to be able to order and have the food brought to me. For that I would do a mod or the Swan instead of the All Stars.

 

[hercamore]

I am not a single mom either, but DH is not a Disney fan.

so, DD, DS, and I take trips to Orlnado. a couple times DD and I have gone by outselves, and those were great trips.

We have never done the vouchers, just split counter service meals or a few sitdown restaurant meals. Remembre, kids meals get boring, so splitting an adult meal is a good way to go.

Usually brkfst in room or just a drink. DD not big bkfst eater. You will have a great time.

herc.