If you weren't on the dining plan, would you do this?????

[TaraBara]

So after everyone's responses, I started thinking that we should definitely do CP breakfast for early entry into MK...........then, I started thinking that maybe we should just do lunch since we already have a breakfast another day..........then, I looked at all the CP pictures and am now thinking the breakfast pictures look the best! Talk about indecisive!!!!!

I truly appreciate everyone's help!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

 

[michael's mom]

So after everyone's responses, I started thinking that we should definitely do CP breakfast for early entry into MK...........then, I started thinking that maybe we should just do lunch since we already have a breakfast another day..........then, I looked at all the CP pictures and am now thinking the breakfast pictures look the best! Talk about indecisive!!!!!

I truly appreciate everyone's help!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

Go with the breakfast! You'll get early entry which is awesome, and you won't have to stop mid-day in the park to make an ADR. What if you're not hungry yet or just want to keep touring the park? I thought the breakfast was yummy.

We're most likely going to be doing CM and CP breakfasts when we go down.

 

[Rora]

I think 3 TS meals for a 7 day vacation is perfect!! Honestly, I'd keep CP. It's worth it to be in MK early and it is fun to be with the characters.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

Yes, the DDP "seems" like it would be best for us if we go to CM, CP, and Ohana's, but it just won't work for our family. Our kids will most likely share meals for CS, we will be bringing in our own water for drinks, and we wouldn't want a dessert with every meal. In all honesty, we might just end up spending the same amount of money as the DDP costs, but we tend to prefer CS most of the time. We just aren't a TS meal kind of family. Although if just my husband and I were going, I think I would definitely convince him to go with the DDP. Thanks for all your thoughts though!

I'm not a dining plan fan myself. I've only done it once when it was free. I definitely think that if you are familiar with the dining options and the kids share things that the dining plan isn't necessary.

Numbers are only half of it. Your habits are the deciding factor. Sounds like you have it figured out pretty good.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

This is my experience. We have done Disney with and without the DDP. We have done several meals to only one meal when we wern't on the DDP. This trip the family (kids and DH) requested we cut out the DDP. They feel like we spent too much time sitting, waiting and eating. I was fine with that so we booked QSDP. Well now we are getting it free, so even better. But I told them maybe we should consider upgrading to the DDP since we have a few ADRs made, but they didn't want to. I said that we will be paying out more in the few meals we are doing them it would have cost us, but DH remided me that not only was it that they don't want to sit so much but also we have to pay tips on all those meals they aren't worried about. He said let's just go, do what we want and pay for them and not worry aobut every little penny. So we have 3 meals booked that they wanted to do and yeah, maybe it sounds silly to be paying as much for those 3 meals as it would have for 10, but we won't have to pay the tips, will have more snacks and CS meals that we really want and will get the mugs whcih we always buy at least a few of.

Do wht feels right, i's your vacation!

(We always, always do CM on our last day for a late breakfast, there was no way they were cutting that nor would I. We are doing WCC for Thanksgiving dinner and they really wanted to do 1900PF since it appears to be the only character meal we haven't done and they want to, so I am game!)

 

[DESTTVL]

Using some of the suggestions on this site, my husband made an excel sheet to determine whether it is less expensive to do the dining plan or pay as you go. We decided that after numerous attempts to do the dining plan it just doesn't work for us. After a couple of days we feel as if the whole trip revolves around getting to a meal reservation and making sure we order everything we are entitled to. My mother says she can only eat cheesecake and creme brulee so many days in a row.

Therefore, unless it's free dining we order what we want, where we want and when we want! And we spend more time involved in activities instead of restaurants.

 

[larryz]

Would you plan 3 TS meals over a 7 day vacation?

Yes, and we have for our Dec trip.

We didn't want to do the dining plan because we don't want a TS meal every day. We have made plans to go to Ohana for dinner and Chef Mickey's for breakfast because they sounded fun for our boys (ages 7 and 4). However, the more I read on these boards, the more I keep second guessing myself!

You gotta eat somewhere. And we enjoy a nice meal together as a family. People are more likely to post if they DIDN'T like something, and if the restaurant experience really was that bad, you'd see nothing but complaints here.

Now, I'm wondering if we should add Crystal Palace to our list. Part of me doesn't want to incur the extra cost of a breakfast or lunch buffet. But, on the other hand I'm thinking it would be cool to go inside MK early (if we did breakfast) and it would also be great to have the chance to meet the Winnie the Pooh characters without the long lines and heat.

That's sound reasoning, especially in the summer!

So is the experience of CP worth it? I just can't make up my mind!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

We haven't tried Crystal Palace for breakfast... we've kind of outgrown character meals.

 

[USAswimmer626]

If we choose not to go on the DDp, we will probably still choose 4-5 TS meals for a 10- or 11-day stay. So 3 TS meals for a 7-day vacation is perfect!

 

[mastermind307]

I'm not a big breakfast person either and had the same problem trying to decide whether or not to get an early ADR at CP so we could get pictures of the Castle without crowds. We decided to add an extra day to our trip (not so we could do that) and since we have the FD, I set up an ADR on our last morning for CP at 8:20. I figure it will be a great ending to our trip, and after breakfast my daughter can ride any rides she wants to again before we leave.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Thanks for all the responses!!!

I guess I'm also having a hard time deciding on CP because I'm not a big breakfast eater. I would much rather go for lunch or dinner food, but the possibility of being in the MK before opening seems so magical! I'm so indecisive!!!!

GO NUTS & do BOTH!! Com'on, people do crazy things on vacation!!!!!