Here is my MYW free dining plan...comments please?

[aubriee]

I would consider sticking with some of the buffets if kids are involved. We love the buffets because the kids have many more choices. They tend to eat more fruits and vegetables at buffets. Also, they are usually much faster and therefore the kids are less likely to get cranky. I would worry more about what will make the family happy than squeezing out maximum dollar from the food plan. Also, how many nights can you eat an appetizer, entree, and dessert? That is a lot of food! I think some of the people who say they will not do the food plan again tried to get the most expensive food that the plan allows and ended up not enjoying meals after a few days!

I agree. I happen to like TS and plan to dine the same places we would if we didn't have the free dining. If I'm not in the mood for an appetizer I can't see ordering one just because it's free. If we were taking kids, I can't imagine skipping the character meals, just because you can eat somewhere more expensive with the free dining plan. Saying that, I had an room only ressie using the AP discount and cancelled it and bought MYW tickets in order to get the free dining. I also intend to carry my DDE card to fill in for any extra meals (or alcoholic beverages) we might want. If we happen to have any CS meals left over, we'll just go to the resort's food court on our checkout day and get some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to eat on the way home and if we still have some left over, we'll just pay for the meals of whoever's behind us when we check out.

When I went in May I used my DDE card and decided to try places my son and GD wouldn't eat at when we were there in January. The free dining is great, but I can't see changing my eating patterns just because we have it. In other words, I don't like lobster but I love Eyeore. I can't see forcing myself to eat lobster when I could be at the CP enjoying my time with Eyeore and eating CP's breakfast lasagne (which I also happen to like).

 

[christinadei]

Wow, everyone is working so hard. I agree, buffets are OK if you don't go to WDW often. We go Many times a year and so we visit them often. We also only have one kid in our group (11) and we are taking him with us to WDW in July. We may add a buffet, but mostly we are looking at the places we never eat at. Since my hubby is a CM, we get an EXCELLENT discount at HDD this year, so that is also already booked and paid for out of pocket, so no credits needed there. I'm off to check out some more menus and still have my fingers crossed that LeCellier stays at 1 not 2 credits.

How do CM's get discounts? DH's uncle is a CM and it would be great if we could get in to HDDR for less. Maybe we could treat his uncle. I really want to go, but hate to use 2 of our 3 credits for it.