Just wondering about the meal plan.

[rdsx28]

Hi, my family and I are planning on returning to Disney in November. Last year we went without the meal plan and everywhere we went we were asked if we had the meal plan. This year we are thinking about getting it. Probably not for my DD as she is six and a very fussy, picky eater. Can someone fill me in on how it works. What is the actual cost per person. Thanks for the help.Just trying to economically plan ahead.

 

[catheren]

I investigated the meal plan and it's a good deal -- only if you plan on using it to the fullest. We decided against it -- to much food -- too much making sure you get your $$$'s worth. Just my opinion......

Basically, it's for the length of stay at a WDW resort. Cost per adult averages $35 a day. You get 1 CS and 1 TS meal per day and 1 snack. Each restaurant is assigned points to it. I think everyone in your party needs to get it....not too sure on this.

CS includes, drink, meal and dessert. CS also could be a meal combo. Snacks could be a popcorn or an icecream. TS is an appt, entree, drink and dessert.

You can use the CS, TS and snacks however you choose. Example use all your snacks in the first 2 days. Use your CS in the beginning and save TS for later. Buffets are considered TS.

Some higher priced TS restaurants use 2 of your TS points. Meaning you could have had 2 meals and less pricey TS restaurants.

Again, it's a good deal if you are planning on using it to the max. But there are times we go to a TS restaurant and don't get appt or a dessert. Maybe we go to a TS restaurant and get an appt and split an entree. Or we have a dinner of entrees. CS for us is a drink and a sandwich and later an ice cream. I feel you are forced to eat too much at one location.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bashful'sMom]

We had the dining plan on our trip in January. It was great. I figured we saved about $250-$300. We had two character meals (Cinderella's Royal Table and Crystal Palace), the Hoop Dee Doo Revue and great dinners at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL and Boma's at AKL. We stayed at ASMovies and it was a nice break to visit the other resorts. It was great knowing that your meals are paid for, and not cringe when the bill came. For snacks on the dining plan, we got water, Mickey Rice Crispy ears, bananas, apple juice. It wasn't until the end of the trip that I found out that a bottle of water is $2.50!

Well worth it!

 

[brentalex]

One thing about the plan. If you get it, you must get it for everyone in your room. So you will need to pay for your 6 year old, even if you don't want to. We are not buying it because my 11 year old would be charged as an adult, but eats like a mouse. we would never get our moneys worth. Your six year old will not cost as much as an adult, but you will need to pay for the child

 

[twinsmamma]

Hi, my family and I are planning on returning to Disney in November. Last year we went without the meal plan and everywhere we went we were asked if we had the meal plan. This year we are thinking about getting it. Probably not for my DD as she is six and a very fussy, picky eater. Can someone fill me in on how it works. What is the actual cost per person. Thanks for the help.Just trying to economically plan ahead.

The plan is deffinately wotrh it if you are going to use it to its full potential. i went in dec with 12 yr old twins and found that we probably saved 300-400 dollars that if we payed for what we ate. I found that we probably would have still saved money if we ate counter service every meal and with the plan when got a sit down meal every day. the plan is a great deal unless you do not want to plan your meals ahead of time. you will have to pay for all those on your reservation.

 

[Hincher]

We like the dining plan because it's paid for before we ever get there. When I think about what we normally spend to eat per day at Disney, it's easily $35 a day for adults. Also, there are places that I like to go that I would shy away from to save money. I'm just that kind of person. I think our bill at LeCellier would have easily been $150. True, we got more food than we usually eat, but not by much. I usually skip the appetizer and try a dessert, but on the dining plan, you get the appetizer too. Several times we took leftovers back and put in the refrigerator to snack on later or to nibble on instead of breakfast the next morning. And did I mention how nice it is to just sign the check instead of worrying about paying for it? And when you consider for snack options you can also get a bottle of water or 20 oz soda, those cost 2.50 if you have to pay for them. It was nice having it prepaid and not handing out cash at every turn, and not having to carry as much cash.

 

[Gillian]

I think the dining plan is almost always worth it for children, even if they don't eat a lot!!!

Children are $11 per day. If you do any character meals or buffets, a child will cost about this much.

For example, crystal palace is $11 for breakfast, $12 for lunch and $13 for dinner, PLUS tax & tip (which are included in the dining plan). So it's worth it already for that day, plus you get a CS meal and a drink or snack.

If you never buy your kids a drink/snack or their own counter service meal and only go to 1 or 2 character meals/buffets, it might not be worth it.

 

[rdsx28]

Thanks evryone for the great imput. Especially Gillian. I agree that if we plan on doing character meals it would be well worth the 11.00/day. When I think about it actually to get any meal for her would be 10.00 or more so it would be worth it. I was not sure what the cost of the plan was. 11.00 seems reasonable in Disney terms. It is 38.00/day for adults? I didn't know what the cost was. My husband is a very big eater so I'm sure what we don't eat he will. Thank you all again for the help your the best!