SmallWorld71
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2007
- Messages
- 6,020
These are just my opinions so take them with a grain of salt
I have stayed both onsite and off. Done budget dining and the DDP.
1) Eating off site is fine if you are staying off site. If you are staying onsite, driving off site to eat with young kids in tow is a pain in the *** and not worth the hassle.
2) If you want to eat at a TS every day, the DDP is the way to go. With 2 kids under 10, you actually have to work at it to make it a bad deal as their price is so cheap. I crunched a ton of #'s for my upcoming trip and even with some places that are considered "bad deals" on the DDP I come out ahead. Also, if you look, there is great food for kids without eating adult meals. My kids have enjoyed things such as shrimp, mahi mahi, salmon, steak etc... while on the kids plan. Also, I think you would be surprised at all the places where you can have fun while eating "regular" food. So, if you decide on the plan, let us know and we can steer you to some good places for your tastes.
3) Based on what you have told us it sounds like your best option might be what we used to do before the DDP. Stop at a store like Publix and buy all your breakfast food for the week. This will save you both time and $ in the morning. Also, buy snacks, drink boxes/water and other things that you can munch on during the day. I can't stress enough the need for beverages during the summer at WDW. (You could also buy a refillable mug at the hotel and ice water is free at CS places if you ask for it.) You could then do CS meals for your other meals. To avoid burger burn out check out the menus to help with variety. Whatever you decide, be sure to schedule at least one special meal like a character meal. Breakfast is cheaper than dinner.
4) Try not to stress. You can have fun no matter which you chose.
I have stayed both onsite and off. Done budget dining and the DDP.
1) Eating off site is fine if you are staying off site. If you are staying onsite, driving off site to eat with young kids in tow is a pain in the *** and not worth the hassle.
2) If you want to eat at a TS every day, the DDP is the way to go. With 2 kids under 10, you actually have to work at it to make it a bad deal as their price is so cheap. I crunched a ton of #'s for my upcoming trip and even with some places that are considered "bad deals" on the DDP I come out ahead. Also, if you look, there is great food for kids without eating adult meals. My kids have enjoyed things such as shrimp, mahi mahi, salmon, steak etc... while on the kids plan. Also, I think you would be surprised at all the places where you can have fun while eating "regular" food. So, if you decide on the plan, let us know and we can steer you to some good places for your tastes.
3) Based on what you have told us it sounds like your best option might be what we used to do before the DDP. Stop at a store like Publix and buy all your breakfast food for the week. This will save you both time and $ in the morning. Also, buy snacks, drink boxes/water and other things that you can munch on during the day. I can't stress enough the need for beverages during the summer at WDW. (You could also buy a refillable mug at the hotel and ice water is free at CS places if you ask for it.) You could then do CS meals for your other meals. To avoid burger burn out check out the menus to help with variety. Whatever you decide, be sure to schedule at least one special meal like a character meal. Breakfast is cheaper than dinner.
4) Try not to stress. You can have fun no matter which you chose.
