How do u do it?

[southcarolina4]

I am by no means a disney expert..ive been 3 times in the last 2 and 1/2 years and going the fourth time this nov-dec....BUT on previous trips we used the dining plan...BUT this time I am bringing MIL who barely eats 1 meal a day...so the dining plan is off...but we still want a few "sit down dinners"...so by looking at the menus...and i understand now there is some kind of tip wether the service is good or not????...how do u budget food for 3 adults and 2 children under 9 without going way over or coming up way short???

I guess i am asking for help from a family of 4 or 5 who have never used the dining plan and stayed 6 or 7 days....

any input will be appreciated....

 

[AuroraBeauty]

First, just so you know, tips are always discretionary. You do not have to tip if the service did not merit. In that case though, talk to a manager. The bill will come out with a pre-print on the bottom for the 15% and 20% amounts. I think they do that more for convenience for guests (remember not everyone is from US and used to tipping and also at the end of a long day who wants to remember any math?)

By going OOP, you have a lot more options b/c your MIL may just want to have something small or even share with the kids. Rather than being forced into a kids' meal you can go to a place like Cosmic Rays (at MK) and get a combo meal for about $10 and the 2 kids and MIL can all share. Sure, you may have to get an extra drink but that's better than forking over $20 for food that will just go in the trash. Also, maybe for lunch you and spouse can share a lunch at a CS or even at a place like LTT where the portions are larger.

I know some places are better than others, just by reading here on the DIS. Lots of people don't like DHS b/c not any decent CS options. Check around the boards, you'll find a ton of info on the various restaurants.

Also, probably best to avoid the buffets (but that would mean Character Meals) b/c MIL will be charged regardless of whether she has one piece of toast and a boiled egg or 6 plates full. $20pp is a lot for toast and an egg, but if the kiddos want to do the Character Meal that might just be what you have to do (other than leaving MIL out).

There are people more qualified than me, so hope they will pipe in here soon.

Best Wishes and Hope this helps to get you started.

 

[mskayjay]

*deep breath* Relax...you're supposed to be going on vacation, remember? This shouldn't be all stressful and overwhelming planning. Sure there are folks who make a WDW turn into a marathon planning session and that is okay but it sounds like that isn't going to be you on this trip.

First, really look at everyones eating habits. B'fast in the room? B'fast (late!) one day????? What works. When we took our kids we ate a light b'fast in the room, did a 1 or 2PM lunch, a snack whenever someone saw their "must have" of the day (1 per per day!) and then dinner. if we did heavy b'fast, dinner was quick serve and do not confuse quick servie with being a light meal! The double burgers are huge and Tangerine Cafe at Epcot is on my list for this trip for sure! Many of them will feed two adults more than comfortably and leave room for your snack! lol We also kept granola bars (only the crunchy ones! the chewy get disgusting in the Fl heat!!!)

just have fun!!!!!

 

[BeckWhy]

My suggestion is to go by what you would tip for good service and look at the menus and decide what you will probably order. If you get there and the service is not so well, then you have a bit of extra spending money or some money to go home with.

 

[dlstc]

I would use the DDP. I know, you're thinking,"But everyone has to have the same package." Nope!

Here's how: book your reservation without MIL with everyone else on the Dining Plan. When you check in, add your MIL to the room and add whatever tickets you need to her KTTK. Pay for her meals out of pocket with your tips. Voila! Everyone has what they need and she does not have to have the DDP!

We did this very thing three weeks ago. It was suggested to me by CM's when I was trying to figure out what to do. DH was attending a seminar offsite. What few meals he had with us we paid for out of pocket, or he paid using the company credit card. We ate at CM's and DDs, DS and I used DDP credits. I paid for DH's meal using a Disney gift card with Disney Visa Reward dollars on it. He had a room key with his ticket on it.



HTH,
Diana

 

[monty]

We had 4 adults and 2 teenage children in our group. We didn't do the dining plan because although we like to have nice sit down meals it was too much food at once for us. We're more like grazing sheep. Like to eat a little often.
My DF and I would often share an entree or just have an appetizer each and the others usually had an entree and sometimes a desert but not always.

 

[Mickey moos]

Another Spartanburg resident here.We go with at least 5 and usually 7 of us for a week,so I've had quite a bit of experience with meals. Whatever you budget it won't be enough.
Use the allears menu to get a good idea of what everyone would like and do the math. My family loes it when I make them choose what they want 2 months before we go. .If you are purchasing an AP get the DDE. We usually break even after the second meal and figure everything else is gravy. This also allows us to eat more TS as a CS without the discount is not that much less than TS with the discount.

On a personal note, when are you going? We are leaving July 12 with 11 of us this time.

 

[mickeynut1]

I would use the DDP. I know, you're thinking,"But everyone has to have the same package." Nope!

Here's how: book your reservation without MIL with everyone else on the Dining Plan. When you check in, add your MIL to the room and add whatever tickets you need to her KTTK. Pay for her meals out of pocket with your tips. Voila! Everyone has what they need and she does not have to have the DDP!

We did this very thing three weeks ago. It was suggested to me by CM's when I was trying to figure out what to do. DH was attending a seminar offsite. What few meals he had with us we paid for out of pocket, or he paid using the company credit card. We ate at CM's and DDs, DS and I used DDP credits. I paid for DH's meal using a Disney gift card with Disney Visa Reward dollars on it. He had a room key with his ticket on it.



HTH,
Diana

This sounds like a winner . I wasn't aware this could be done, but seems to be a perfect solution . Your family gets the DDP (which obviously has worked for you in the past ) and you pay OOP for MIL's meals, therefore not throwing money away on the DDP that she wouldn't utilize. It seems to be a win/win situation . Good luck and have a great trip .

 

[southcarolina4]

Thanks for the input......
i am going down nov 24 TO NICK HOTEL
THEN 26TH THRU DEC 3 AT DISNEY