I just figured out what the dining plan saved us!

[kelsco99]

My trip was way back in October during the free dining but I finally sat down with all my saved receipts and figured out what the dining plan saved us.

Our total cost for food (and I do believe I am missing a couple CS receipts and a couple I guessed on the price because I didn't write it down when we saw the total) for a family of 4 for 10 days was $1310.18.

Had we payed for the plan, it would have cost $1030.00 (including tax) so we still would have had a savings of $280.00

Since this plan was free, we didn't try to maximize it in any way to get more value. Most of the time, but not all, the kids got their own kids meal at the counter service restaurants. We did a lot of eating at the food court at the All Star Sports. Each of us went through a one day flu bug while we were there and I know we left with some snacks and CS credits left over (not many, maybe 2-3 of each).

The Table Service restaurants we ate at were (all were dinner unless specified)

CRT Lunch
Whispering Canyon Cafe
50's Prime Time Lunch
Ohana's
Chef Mickey's
Liberty Tree Tavern
Hoop De Doo Review
1900 Park Fare
ESPN Sports


I would love to get the dining plan again if/when we go back but it will be awhile - hopefully 2007 - unless another deal like this comes out again.

Kelly

 

[tiggerbell]

We also got the free dining last year and I wish I had kept track of what the meals cost, but I didn't. What I have done is make a list of the upcoming places we are eating and figured out what I want (subject to change!) and the cost.

So here goes:

TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS:

Beaches ‘n Cream: $20.20 (burger and fries, cherry coke, sundae, tax & tip)
Crystal Palace: $31.61 (buffet, tax & tip)
Canada: $55.62 (scallops, steak, coke, creme brulee, tax & tip)
Sci-Fi: $33.98 (spinach dip, chicken sandwich, coke, sundae, tax & tip)
Prime Time: $30.45 (fried cheese, salmon, coke, sundae, tax & tip)
9 Dragons: $33.74 (spring rolls, General Tsao chicken, coke, red bean ice
cream, tax & tip)

SNACKS:

3 Mickey bars: $2.50 each
3 bottles of water: $2.00 each


The total of the above items is $219.10. The 6-night dining plan cost me
$228.00. I have not listed the counter service meal yet (we only have 3 planned,
the other 3 will be decided while we are there). Basically they’re all free!

I love this plan!

 

[PlutosFriend]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing! We are trying the dining plan for the first time this May. I cannot wait!

 

[mom2fivecs]

Thanks for sharing...I am planning on keeping track of our receipts also, so I can see how much of a savings the dining plan will be for us.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Although it went up a bit after Jan 2006, I saved about $150 for the 6 nights DH & I were there. I had alot of tasty food too! OK -- more desserts than I should have had but.... we were on vacation!

 

[sojo33]

Where can I get information on the dining plan. My husband said someone he works with loved it, but I don't really know anything about it.

 

[SnwflkCts]

There is a thread right here on the DIS Boards. If you look to the top of the Restaurants section it is there (Disney Dining Plan) with lots of other info and threads. Will paste the main thread below. In it, I'm sure somone has posted the link to the Disney Site and the pamphlet that is provided at check-in. You do have to stay on site -- but I think you will find all the info and hints you could EVER want at this thread which has been updated for 2006.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1023429