how much do you spend on...

[JW9DVC]

If you choose the DDP, tips of course are not included anymore. Hopefully this would mean, better service.

We traveled a couple years back and loved the DDP, included the app. and tip. We thought the service lacked when they found out we were on the DDP. Even though sometimes we would throw a few greens on the table afterward.

Benefits I see now, servers must work for a tip. You don't have to tip 18% just because. You can decide it was only worth 5%. Tips should be earned, not expected by our servers. Even for large parties, I had a diner charge 20% for service, we received very poor service. I talked with the manager and had them remove this fee. It was not deserved.

I tip based on service, quality, and respect. I want my beverage refilled when its empty. I want my food done right as ordered. These allow me to leave what I think is deserved. If more people thought this way, we would all get better service.

Think of all the people that don't get tipped that do a job. Thats just it, they are doing a job. I pay them to do a job, a job of service with quality. JW

 

[Topo Bella]

My family of 5 spent about $1,000 for the week on food. Although we ate breakfast in the room, that was pretty much the only meal we had in the room. We don't do the DDDP (too much food) but we found the DDP worked well for our family. I don't know that you save any money on the plan, but I like knowing in advance what my food costs are going to be.

 

[permavac]

It's just two adults for us (DH and me) and we don't do the dining plan. We have oatmeal every morning and budget about $55 per day if we do two CS in a day (plus snacks & dessert) and about $85 (includes tip) if we do one CS and one TS for the day. For us, this budget gets us what we want without really scrimping (but we don't usually eat at the "signature" restaurants FYI). We save a little bit by not using the DDP but (more importantly for us) we are not forced to get our desserts from the same place we are ordering our meals from. We prefer the flexibility of paying out of pocket. We have been to Disney a bunch of times and used the DDP when it was free (and included the tip and gratuity) so we have tried many of the restaurants and counter service places so we know what items we like most. I think for someone who is not as well versed with the menu choices (not sure if that's the OP or not), the DDP may work nicely - especially when you have at least one child with you to help defray the adult plan cost - not sure about a 3.5 year old though - she may not eat much so you might be more in line with what we budget. My two cents. Have fun planning!

Terri

 

[5forDiz]

Just wanted to add that for TS dining even though probably 98% of time we will pick venues on property there are some good quality,more reasonable priced chain alternatives we've done just outside of WDW, if you'll have a car.

Some that we like - across from DTD/Hotel Plaza Blvd. gate is Crossings center has Buffalo Wild Wings & Fudrucker's (was under construction this summer). If you make right onto 535 and go under I4 to Lake Bryan plaza on left there is Bahama Breeze, left on 535 is Steak & Shake drive-thru or eat-in.

And thanks Carol and La2kw, will definitely give Qdoba a try too !

 

[thesupersmartguy]

When we go, we don't cook or eat in at all. We just book where we know we like to eat (Mainly California Grill, Brown Derby and Le' Chefs De France) and eat all our meals in a rotating order. As long as I have a ADR set I'm good to go!

 

[kimberh]

When we go just the two of us, we eat breakfast in the room, split lunch sometimes, then eat a TS meal. We spend about $55-$60 per day. When I take the family and don't do the DDP we eat at the Buffets for dinner, breakfast in the room, CS lunch. Every few years we will do the DDP, we eat at the higher end restaurants. I hope this helps you. If you are a Annual pass holder, get the DDE card. It will take 20% off of your food bill. It does help.

 

[cokenut33]

We are also a family of 3, and we stay mainly in studios. We usually go shopping the first day for breakfast food, drinks, snacks (especially fruit, pretzels, rice krispie treats and granola bars to take to the parks), deli meats, veggies, and sandwich fixin's. We spend between $100 & $200 depending on trip length.
Oh yeah, we also buy disposable insulated cups with lids, so we can fill them with our favorite beverage on the way out the door to the bus, and toss them when we get to the park.

We generally eat 2 meals a day, breakfast in the room, and either a really late lunch (saves money if it is a sit down) or an early dinner (gives us time to digest and get back out to the parks ) The rest of the time we
carry our snacks with us, and munch as we go.

We also have Tables In Wonderland (used to be called DDE). It costs us $60/year (AP discount) This is only available to APs and Fla. residents, but it is basically a 20% discount on table service (which generally covers the tips). Depending on how long you are going for, this can be a pretty big savings especially if you have multiple trips planned in a year.

According to my DW (who keeps ALL receipts) we spend about $500 for a 7 day trip. We did try the DDP on our last trip and spent more than we ever did before. Those gratuities really add up!!

Just for reference, we do eat 3-4 counter service meals per trip, and 3-4 table service and generally a character meal at some point, so we don't skimp on food, but we also don't eat 3 full meals a day.

Anyway hope this helps. Have a great trip!!!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Just a suggestion...If you go to the menus to add up what you may be getting don't forget to add the tax. I don't think they show that in the listings. We thought we were breaking even so decided against the DDP until we added in the tax. Then we were actually saving over $100 so are re-thinking getting the plan. You may want to add in the tip as well. As previously mentioned it isn't included in the dining plan any longer. We are a party of over six so they add the 18% to our bill whether we do the plan or not. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[jimmar6419]

I am a bit of a penny pincher. We have been with a family of seven. We usaully drive so we have a car. We use our usual budgeted grocery money and go to WalMart for breakfast, lunch, and late night treats. We usually eat out one meal a day. We spend about $100 per day on dining. It might be something nice or pizza on the Boardwalk, but it usually averages $100 per day. We usually go to MK and eat at the restaurant in Tomorrow Land, I'm not sure of the name. It is really inexpensive. There are so many places to eat outside of Disney as well. We sometimes go to Olive Garden, Macaroni, or Chilis. We never ever miss our chicken wing fix at ESPN though.