Help me decide!

[nollidttam]

We are going May 9-22. Ten days in the parks, the rest are rest days. We got the 40% off military rate on two rooms at ASMov. We are driving and had planned on bringing some pots and a portable stove thing. We arranged to rent a fridge. The plan was to save loads of money.
We are paying for 4 adults and 2 children.
Originally, when I made the reservation, I was unaware that I could even add the ddp to my ressies. I thought that was only available if you did the magic your way package.
Now, I'm wondering how practical it is to say we will be going back to our room to eat a big lunch every day. I assume we will be headed back to rest in the middle of the day. I don't know..this is so hard!
I also heard that you can now take food into the park, so technically we could bring our dinner in with us..is that right?
Right now, we do have reservations at Chef Mickey's for one meal, and I was hoping to convince dh to let us eat at Crystal Palace and Hollywood and Vine. I don't know how much all of that would cost. And then there are those turkey legs..and dole whips...oh, please help me!!!

 

[3boymthr]

For your party the DDP would cost about $1800 if you are booked for 10 nights. If 9 nights $1620, plus tips. How much will it cost you to eat if you do the meals as you plan? Do the math and figure it out. On the days you do have meals planned it will be close but on the other days you might save some serious cash, but in my research for our trip one thing I've read and been told a lot is that most people won't make it back to the room for lunch, that you really have to be dedicated to do this. For the little ones under 10 the DDP pays for itself at character buffets because for example the cost of CM is $12.99 and the DDP for 3-9 is $10.99 so then their CS and snacks for the day are basically free. But for the adults it's about break even with the Character Meal, the CS and then the Snack. Would you spend $40 per adult otherwise and do you really want to do 9 or 10 TS meals? I'm not really helping I'm sure just pointing out some more things to think about.

 

[morgy827]

As far as I know you can only book the DDP with a magic your way Package. That would mean you purchased a resort room, with park tickets.

 

[goin2themouse]

Since you're driving, I'd pass on renting the fridge and stop by Target or Walmart and pick up a cheapie. For the length of time you're staying, it would be less expensive (and you'd end up with a small fridge at the end!). Portable stoves are not allowed in the resorts. I would not depend on having that available.

Military members who are using the Armed Forces Salute ticket & corresponding room discount can add the Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan to their room-only reservations using these codes:

MYV: Room only reservation
EAN: Room only with Quick Service Plan
FNB: Room only with Disney Dining Plan

How old are your children? If they are under 10, I think the Dining Plan is an excellent idea. If they are older, you'll probably end up with too much food, and it's not as good of a deal.

 

[nollidttam]

Thanks for all the input. My kids are 12, 10, 7, 5, and 1.
As far as the portable stove..all it is is a plug in thing with two burners. Those aren't allowed? What about like an electric griddle? Is anything allowed? That could change everything. *sigh*
And I had never thought of buying a fridge, what a good idea...unless I have no way of cooking anything.

 

[goin2themouse]

Sorry, the answer to that is no.

Here's more information:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/#subCategory9

Can food be brought into Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Theme Parks?

Guests are allowed to bring food items-such as snacks or foods that do not require heating-into any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. If you have food items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk at your hotel to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Refrigerator may require an additional charge. Guests are allowed to bring food items-such as snacks or foods that do not require heating-into any Walt Disney World Theme Park. Inform a Security Cast Member of any food items when you enter the Theme Park.

 

[septbaby]

Fire regulations never allow portable cooking devices in a hotel room, dorm room, etc. I believe you'd have access to a microwave in your resort CS area, but that is about it.

Can you try to book one suite at the resort? Those can sleep either 6 or 8 and come with an equipped kitchen. If that isn't an option with the rate code you're using then consider the QS Dining plan. You can get some really good meals. The cost of that plan is $29.99 per night for an adult and $8.99 for children 3-9. The QS Plan will cost you $138 per night for your family. You will get 2 CS meals daily, 2 snacks and a resort refillable mug for drinks. THe mug will be a goof value for your family because you are staying so long and spending lots of time at the resort. It is easy to share CS meals so there will be lots of times you can get 3 meals a day because you share.

As for the fridge, definitely get one. You will want to chill drinks, leftovers, etc. and a cooler isn't so fun for the length of your trip. You might even choose to fill up one mug with milk and keep that in the fridge for the baby or to have with cereal in the AM (a box that you bring from home), maybe you stock the fridge with some fruit or yogurt. You won't get a freezer per se so don't plan on any of those items.

Finally, I hate to suggest this but if you need a kitchen set up and Disney is $$$ look off site. For the length of your stay you might get a great deal. You will have to pay to park on site unless the resort has a shuttle for you, but it might be a better option. Also have you looked at Shades of Green, are there any suitable options there?

Good luck, sorry this has gotten complex for you.