Is the dining plan worth the $$$ when traveling with a 12 year old?

[NickNElliesMom]

I'm new to this board, and have already found a lot of useful tips. My family has been to Disney many times and we've used the ddp before, but at the time my children were both under 9 and eating off of the children's menu. This will be my first trip as a single mom with my 2 kids, My son is going to be 12 when we go, but a very picky eater and probably will only order off of the kids menu at most quick service stands. I had planned to use the quick service ddp this time, but now I'm not sure, Is it worth the cost of the dining plan for my family? Help!! Any thoughts on this?

 

[worm761]

I would recheck those menus if I were you. He won't eat a burger or chicken strips? Those are on most adult quick service menus. Pizza too.

 

[Colleen27]

As Worm761 said, I'd recheck the menus. It is much easier to find a burger or chicken strips or things of that nature on the adult plan. The kids menus tend to be pretty limited and not necessarily "kid food", and in many cases the adult options are simply better quality (ie formed chicken nuggets on the kids' menu at Columbia Harbour House while the adults chicken is white meat chicken fingers).

 

[DCDisney]

The quick service dining plan generally doesn't save much money it is more for convenience. If you are doing all quick service though your 12 year will 100% want the adult food to get burgers, pizza, chicken fingers,etc. The kids meals would be way way way too small. Even at 9 my son needed more food because the protein serving for kids is like 4 nuggets, 1 chicken leg, 1/2 c of mac and cheese. They seemed to be geared towards a 5 year olds serving size.

 

[scanmom]

I went in August with my 16 y/o son, who is a VERY picky eater. We used the QSDP and it was well worth it. He found many, many adult portion meals that were chicken strips, pizza, and things like that. He loved using his snack credits, and I loved being able to let him get snacks without thinking about what they cost.

 

[canopynut66]

I'm new to this board, and have already found a lot of useful tips. My family has been to Disney many times and we've used the ddp before, but at the time my children were both under 9 and eating off of the children's menu. This will be my first trip as a single mom with my 2 kids, My son is going to be 12 when we go, but a very picky eater and probably will only order off of the kids menu at most quick service stands. I had planned to use the quick service ddp this time, but now I'm not sure, Is it worth the cost of the dining plan for my family? Help!! Any thoughts on this?

We upgrade to the MYWD is another $10 a day for adults and well worth it. Son still will have several options. and to us the dining plan well worth it. However we only use it when free as is better than any discount on rooms. Have done both many times will be going on 58th trip in September 2011

 

[havoc315]

The qsdp savings are minimal under the best circumstances. At best, you are saving $2-$3 per day plus getting a refillable mug for home resort use. (Some people consider the mugs very valuable, other people including myself, find them useless). In many cases, the QSDP will be more expensive, than just paying OOP. (For example, if you use any of your QS meals for breakfast, you are unlikely to get any savings for the day).

So if you have a concern that your son won't "maximize" his QS meals, then it would be cheaper to just pay OOP for meals.

If you choose to do the DDP -- with your picky eater son, you may realize some savings... up to $5-$10 per day. But if you were to use your TS meals at regular restaurants, if you think your son would go for the simpler cheaper items on the menu or kids menu, it would again erase savings, and you may be better off paying OOP.

To me, if its a close call on whetehr the meal plan will save money, then I personally prefer to skip the meal plan instead of worrying about squeezing into it. But if it's going to be a pretty clear savings while you eat the way you want, then go for it.

 

[3boys4me]

I agree with other posters about finding burgers and chicken strips on the adult menu. I also have a 12 yo and there is no way he would be satisfied with a kids meal. Does your son like desserts? To break even on the plan you have to add that at every meal. If not, or if someone else doesn't want it, then you will probably be better off just paying oop. This is going to be our first tip doing the QSDP, and I have to say I am looking forward to not spending so much time on reservations, not to mention all those tips.

 

[NickNElliesMom]

Thank you for all the advise! We have booked our trip for the end of August! Very excited! For now I've booked the qsdp, but if the free plan is offered as it gets closer, I will upgrade. Was thinking if we do a character meal or two, it would be well worth it, and plenty that he'll find to eat at a buffet.