Is dining plan worth it?

[libertygirl]

For the four of us - 2 adults 10 yr old (pays as adult) and 7 yr old is $115 per day to eat. Is this worth it? DH does eat plenty and 10 yr is a "good" eater for her size.

Is the dining plan worth it - or should we just go with the AAA discount card where participating resaturant give 10% off. Thought I am not sure if this will add up to a whole lot.

Any ideas?

 

[HM]

I don't know of any restaurants at WDW that still accept the AAA card for discounts.

Only you can make the decision on whether the dining plan can work for you. How much would you normally spend on food per day? Would it be moer than $115/day? Do you want to do a sit-down meal each day? Or do you tend to do counter service mostly at WDW?

Really look at your needs and then decide if it's worth it.

 

[christinadei]

Also, add in the amount you would save by booking the room through AAA. I think that the actual cost of the dining plan is woth it to me, but when I add on the extra amount I have to pay for a rack room rate, it probably woudln't be.

 

[paladin]

You might want to look at some menus for places you usually eat or would like to try and see what the meals would cost (if not on the dining plan).

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[DW mouser]

I was told that the character meals now are $34 per person. We eat quite a few times at character meals through out our 7 day stay. We also always eat at one set down restaurant each day and the kids always want a snack and us cokes or water. For us it works but I'm sure we'll have some wasted food too. We can't eat an appetizer, full meal and a dessert!! We are planning on taking a lot back to our rooms!!! Hope Port Orleans has fridges!!!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I just booked the dining plan for next spring. DH, me, 2 DD's 7 and 5. I like to sit down and rest over a meal, instead of grab and run, and would like to do several character meals for the girls. I booked the package through AAA and compared numbers with the website and was able to break out the charges.

Dining plan for 2006 is $37.99 adult and $10.99 child. there is no tax added on these charges. even if we break even on the adults, there is significant savings on the kids. a CRT lunch is $10.99 plus tax and tip, so the tax, tip, CS meal and snack are all free that day. considering that we can pool TS and use some of them for adult meals it may save even more.

 

[DW mouser]

libertygirl, the tips are included too and this way you don't have to budget extra for that. I like having as much covered as possible since I'm taking my sons family.