Help! Has anyone used the Dining Option with package?

[snowglobe girl]

We (me and DH) were considering adding on the dining option with our vacation package. For $500 more, it includes one snack, one counter service and one table service per day. Says you can also trade in two table services for one signature dining experience. We are trying to decide if this is worth the money since we're planning to go during F&WF. Does anyone know if any of the vouchers can be applied to the booths at the festival? Can someone tell me if the dining option is worth it?? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MomofKatie]

Head over to the Restaurants ansd Dining board. Seems like 1/2 the threads are about the Dining plan. There are reviews, breakdowns, etc. You should get all the info you need.

(BTW, IMO it is worth it!)

 

[snowglobe girl]

Thanks so much! I just thought of that myself and reposted over there...I spend so much time on this board that I forget there are others that might better fit my question!

 

[babar41]

Snowglobe girl...
My DH and I have done the 3 meals a day and the 2 meals a day ones, last year decided not to add on any meals. The problem with the 3 meals a day is we became a slave to our meals, wanting to get the most out of our $'s spent. We actually got to a point where we would look at each other and say "OH NO! It's time to eat again!" It was a fabulous experience eating at all the great restaurants, but it was overkill. The 2 meals a day was better, I love the big breakfastes and a nice dinner, we would then snack at lunch time. Last year I did a cost analysis. I looked at the menu's of where we wanted to eat, selected our meals, found out the cost... then decided we actually would save money going without the plan. I would suggest
1: decide where you want to eat
2: get the menu's from those restaurants and decide what you are likely to order and the cost.
3: compare the cost of adding the meals ($500) to the cost of what you would order without the plan.

Remember, even with the plan you will still spend money on drinks and snacks. Be sure to compare the apples to apples! If your plan pays for 1 snack, 1 counter service and 1 table service a day then compare that to where you would get your snack and it's cost, where you would get your counter service and it's cost and where your table service would be.

Hope this helps... And have a great trip!

 

[snowglobe girl]

We actually got to a point where we would look at each other and say "OH NO! It's time to eat again!"

I could see me and DH doing that!! Well...ME doing that!! Thanks for the advice. I think I will make a list and do cost comparison. That is a great idea. Thanks again!

 

[jenndisney]

Also remember that the new plan includes Tax and Tip. Orlando has a 6.3% ( I think ) sales tax and I calculated a 15% tip for the table service meals. That really made the difference for us. You can get the menues at Allearsnet. I agree, you need to compare apples to apples. I wrote down every pop, popcorn, ect. I thought we would truely eat.

Each family is different. For us, it is the way to go. I will cost us $720, and I figured with tax and tip.....we would spent over $1000 for our 8 day, 9 night stay.

 

[segue2life]

Snowglobe girl...
My DH and I have done the 3 meals a day and the 2 meals a day ones, last year decided not to add on any meals. The problem with the 3 meals a day is we became a slave to our meals, wanting to get the most out of our $'s spent. We actually got to a point where we would look at each other and say "OH NO! It's time to eat again!" It was a fabulous experience eating at all the great restaurants, but it was overkill. The 2 meals a day was better, I love the big breakfastes and a nice dinner, we would then snack at lunch time. Last year I did a cost analysis. I looked at the menu's of where we wanted to eat, selected our meals, found out the cost... then decided we actually would save money going without the plan. I would suggest
1: decide where you want to eat
2: get the menu's from those restaurants and decide what you are likely to order and the cost.
3: compare the cost of adding the meals ($500) to the cost of what you would order without the plan.

Remember, even with the plan you will still spend money on drinks and snacks. Be sure to compare the apples to apples! If your plan pays for 1 snack, 1 counter service and 1 table service a day then compare that to where you would get your snack and it's cost, where you would get your counter service and it's cost and where your table service would be.

Hope this helps... And have a great trip!

Last years and previous yrs dining plans were a lot more expensive. $68 a nite per adult last yr compared to $35 this yr, with more flexibility in this yrs plan...

Remember, everytime you want a water in the park, thats $2.50. At least with the dining plan you get one of those for free each day!

 

[babar41]

I know that the packages have changed and I haven't used the meal plan in 2 years, but I still believe the best way to make a decision is to do a cost comparison. While water is $2.50, would you spend your daily snack portion of your meal plan on that water? Or would you use it on something more expensive like popcorn and then purchase the water seperately? As far as the table service is concerned yes, be sure and factor in the tip!

The nice part of when we did the meals program is we didn't have to budget for our meals, it was already taken care of. Didn't even have to think about the taxes and tips. That was great, but the program just didn't work well for us.

I am glad that they have lowered their prices on the plans.