Keeping costs down on DVC vacations

[FreeTime]

I enjoyed reading the tips on this thread as I have a similiar concern now. We used to DVC very frugally. We would have one TS (breakfast only) 1 time per trip. Other than that everything was eaten in the room. Then we discovered DDP and QSP. Our child with celiac disease was thrilled to eat anywhere she wanted and feel normal. We never would have paid $18 for a gluten free pizza which is what Disney charges. But for $10 on the QSP she could get pizza. However, on our next trip I am going with the kids for 4 days and then DH is joining us for 5 additional days. I keep telling myself that spending $1000 on food for 9 days is not a lot. This would be for QSP for part of the trip and then when we check in for the 2nd half DDP. This would include tips. I keep thinking how I could go to Wal-mart and we could eat for $150 for those 9 days. But then, do I really want to cook on vacation?

I have a different outlook than the original poster though. I think of my purchase as a sunk cost and my dues have to be paid whether I go or not. I am flying one way for $200 total for 3 and then driving home. No overnight stops.

Thanks for listening!

 

[lanand3]

The character meals are expensive so that is where I plan on cutting back on future trips.we have been 3 times now and have done most of them including the castle.we are a family of 5 and it adds up quickly!So for future trips maybe picking 1 character meal,1-2 ts meals,breakfast in the room.We stay at ssr so it was easy to walk to downtown where there were several great cs options(wolfgang express,earl of sandwich,etc) and very easy to bring leftovers back to room and have as another meal.This saves a big chunk of change!

 

[sssteele]

The QS dining plan is somethng relatively new that my wife and I have tried for short stays. Many resorts and some park locations (i.e. Sunshine Seasons) have incredible sandwiches. The problem with the plan for us is 2 desserts and 2 snacks per person, per day. We seem to collect snacks like crazy - toffee slabs, cookies, pecan patties, etc. We always seem to buy the candy/pastry snacks because they seem to be a better value than a bottle of water/soda or bag of chips. I gained 5 pounds on a trip that ended last Thursday, so I'm now on a stict 1500 calorie per day diet. I wouldn't want to do Quick-serve for 2 weeks, but you could always split your ressies in the future, maybe even change resorts.

 

[cseca]

...

In the grand scheme of things, we can afford it, but I don't think it's necessary. Nor, do I think we are getting the best bang for our buck by staying in 1 beds, yet not using the kitchen.

Even though we've been members for 6 years, it's still a work in progress!

Happy planning to all, Tiger

Hey completely agree!
In the quick resort report I posted on last week I said that I would LOVE for DVC to add another room category in between studio and 1br. Basically a value 1br size (or even a little smaller) with a kitchenette. Our family could use the extra space from studio AND washer/dryer. We can definitely get by without a full kitchen since Mommy doesn't cook during vacation...

Wouldn't that be wonderful?
We could save points and still get the space and ammenities we need.

 

[photobob]

To me the 1BDR vs studio has more to do with space and privacy. I am fine with studio with just wife and me, but add my daughter and we need a 1BDr, add my son and DIL and we need a 2BDR. We may do some basic cooking in the kitchen so it does get used but the in room w/d is as big a deal for us. We keep the washer and dryer going a great deal on our trips which allows us to take less clothes and not have so many sweaty clothes to take home and keeps our limited towel supply fresh.

 

[crisi]

We go every other year. On the alternate years we do something else (sometimes its more extravagant, sometimes its cheaper, depends on the budget). That means we need fewer points. It means we have half the travel expenses (we fly from Minnesota - vacation time is a premium and days in the car is not where we choose to spend it). After a full week of Disney food and Disney attractions, we've managed to do what we want to do and are "Disney'd out."

If you consider that, you might want to talk to friends and relatives about renting your "extra" points for the cost of dues so you don't take the loss. Although I've never needed to use it, I maintain a list of "people to call if we have extra points" - those I know would be interested in a "deal" on a vacation to Disney.

 

[jarrdisney]

Do you take the bottles of water into your counter service meals, table service, or both?

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks all - we are working on food budget today. We have TIW card, so our meals are good as we get 3 adult meals to share, no beverages as we bring own bottled water from home, no alcohol/coffee and no desserts. We are pretty frugal with our eating - the 4 of us can eat lunch at most TS restaurants for between $35.00-$45.00 tax and tip included. What gets us is that we are there for 2 weeks, so those totals, add up. We don't care for CS meals at all, and find that for the same price, we can eat at TS meals, so that's a better value for us. Plus, it allows us to get air conditioning in the sweltering summer heat. Snacks for us are things we bring from home, plus maybe an ice cream, fruit, juice or pretzel. Still working on the food budget, so thanks for all tips!

We have no interest in going off-site for food, as we have 2 little ones, so in the sweltering heat, it's too hot to go off-site. Plus, like I said, we don't eat fast food, so we don't do McDonald's etc., nor do we care much for buffets. We like sandwiches, soup, salads and wraps for lunch, and chicken, fish and pasta for dinner.

DH has the day off today, so he's working on some stuff. I will have students arriving to my classroom momentarily, so I will be working on stuff in my head until I can get back on my computer to tweak my spreadsheets!

Thanks so much for all of your help fellow DVCers. DH and I talked about it more this morning at the breakfast table, and my problem is staying in studios when we added on to stay in 1 beds. Hubby wants more days, but I keep reminding him that more days = more $ for food and gas in car. I don't think we can do much for this trip as it's 5 weeks out, but we are looking at knocking off 1 or 2 nights, as well as cancelling a few character meals.

In the grand scheme of things, we can afford it, but I don't think it's necessary. Nor, do I think we are getting the best bang for our buck by staying in 1 beds, yet not using the kitchen.

Even though we've been members for 6 years, it's still a work in progress!

Happy planning to all, Tiger

I want to know how you're doing a TS meal for 3 on $35-40!?!?! We are a family of 3 and each order a meal and we don't come anywhere CLOSE to that for a TS meal. We spend that much on a CS meal!! For TS I budget $100-$125 each with a tip. (DH usually gets a beer & I may or may not get a drink but STILL...) We come NOWHERE CLOSE to $40 for a TS meal. BTW have you considered ordering salads for your CS meals since you don't like burgers etc?

I believe we did 3 trips last year for a total of 14 nights for less than $5,000 which is comparable to your 1 long 14 night trip - with the exception being that we flew each time. I will guess we spent around $4,800ish. We had airfare for 3 ppl x 3 trips so probably about $1,600-$1,800 total in airfare in that figure, AP's for 3 (all adult price), grocery & beer deliveries, we use DME so rental car only for 3 nights on 1 trip to Vero. We do all breaksfasts in-room now and CS lunches. For a week long trip we will do 3-4 TS meals for dinner & the others will be CS. Shopping is minimal, really (a T-shirt each & a couple of pins for DS). Anyway, I suppose $5,000 is a good round number / average for 14 nights in the world.

 

[dianeschlicht]

the 4 of us can eat lunch at most TS restaurants for between $35.00-$45.00 tax and tip included.

What table service places are you eating at? I doubt we have rarely done that for one person, let alone 4! In the parks, we like places like Teppan Edo or Le Cellier, but many of our table service meals are at the resorts like Artist Point, Citricos or Jiko. I figure I want at least one "special" meal a day, and I eat very little for the other.

 

[Tiger926]

Update:

TS meal prices - We have TIW, and so for lunch, we order 3 adult meals (kids share 1 adult meal), so we actually feed 4 people for that price. It's easy at places like: Plaza, GF Cafe, Le Cellier (reasonable lunch prices), Beaches & Cream and Liberty Tree Tavern (even Le Cellier is pretty reasonable for lunch). As I stated, we don't buy drinks or dessert, as we bring in our own bottled water or juice boxes. So, for lunch we can order 3 adult sandwiches and this comes in for $35-45.00 meal, tax & tip included, depending upon the restaurant. Dinner of course varies, but these prices are for lunch meals. For dinner though, we can eat at places like Tony's or Mama Melrose (3 adult pasta platters) for like $45.00 with tax/tip included as well.

Bottled water - Someone asked where we bring in our own waters, and we do it at all TS restaurants (have even done it at Signatures). We also bring in juice boxes too. No one has ever had a problem with this at all. We don't drink pop, nor alcohol either. Once in awhile kids want milk, and we get those at the restaurant, but never water or juice, unless we've run out.

Cancelled ADRs - We've been tweaking our budget, and I knocked off $500.00 in meals! I cancelled 7 ADRs (4 being character meals). I am very excited about this as we are going to eat dinner in our room for the 1st time! Since we have a 1 bedroom (we added an extra day at BWV in a 1 bed), we thought about pizza, roasted chicken and pasta. The kids are excited to be able to eat on the balcony or outside.

Added Vero Beach - We cancelled our 3 non-park days at AKV as we were worried about it being difficult for the kids. They are still young, and love visiting the parks. We had several meals scheduled to keep them busy, plus, we had some other recreational stuff planned, which cost more money. Last night we thought about Vero (we drive and have our own car), and this will be perfect. We can have a couple of lazy beach days, and have picnics on the beach! We've always wanted to go to Vero, so we are looking forward to it.

Thanks to all for your awesome tips, and support. This is such a great board!!

Tiger

 

[dianeschlicht]

TS meal prices - We have TIW, and so for lunch, we order 3 adult meals (kids share 1 adult meal), so we actually feed 4 people for that price. It's easy at places like: Plaza, GF Cafe, Le Cellier (reasonable lunch prices), Beaches & Cream and Liberty Tree Tavern (even Le Cellier is pretty reasonable for lunch). As I stated, we don't buy drinks or dessert, as we bring in our own bottled water or juice boxes. So, for lunch we can order 3 adult sandwiches and this comes in for $35-45.00 meal, tax & tip included, depending upon the restaurant. Dinner of course varies, but these prices are for lunch meals. For dinner though, we can eat at places like Tony's or Mama Melrose (3 adult pasta platters) for like $45.00 with tax/tip included as well.

Okay, but I guess I don't classify a sandwich meal as a TS meal. It would be like calling a muffin and coffee from the bakery a sit down breakfast.

 

[Anal Annie]

Okay, but I guess I don't classify a sandwich meal as a TS meal. It would be like calling a muffin and coffee from the bakery a sit down breakfast.

I'm with you for once Diane! That's exactly what I was thinking! A sandwich at a TS restaurant is really not THAT much diff. from one at some of the CS places and it is not why we go to a TS restaurant to eat. TS meals are a splurge for us on vacation but I want an entree not a sandwich. We don't really eat out much all year at home (some takeout stuff on weekends but that's it). When we're on vacation I like to eat at Boma, Mama Melrose, Wolfgang Puck, Tony's (for dinner) etc. I am NOT looking for more sandwich options when I go to these places but that's why we spend $100+ and not $40! I also prefer to have our big sit-down meal of the day at dinner, not lunch...

 

[jarrdisney]

Update:


Bottled water - Someone asked where we bring in our own waters, and we do it at all TS restaurants (have even done it at Signatures). We also bring in juice boxes too. No one has ever had a problem with this at all. We don't drink pop, nor alcohol either. Once in awhile kids want milk, and we get those at the restaurant, but never water or juice, unless we've run out.

[

They care. They just don't say anything to you.

 

[jarrdisney]

TIW is $75 right? How many sandwhiches or entrees under $15 must you purchase in order to make it worthwhile? At least 25 I'd say. It almost seems like it's not woth the initial expense.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Not sure if our add-ons were a good choice? Does anyone else feel guilty about their DVC purchase? If so, how do you rectify these feelings? How else to keep costs down? Tiger

I don't feel guilty about my DVC purchase, sometimes other people's attitude about it, irritates me a bit. I have 210 points which for the most part is fine though every other year I need like a 100 extra (family reunions) but I've fought the insatiable need to add on. I planned when I bought and bought what I could afford, and I just don't want to pay anymore maintenance fees.

The villa has afforded us the ability to control dining costs, not to mention that I can't do Disney food morning, noon and night! We do a few TS and the rest is out of Disney or in the villa.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I don't feel guilty about my DVC purchase, sometimes other people's attitude about it, irritates me a bit. I have 210 points which for the most part is fine though every other year I need like a 100 extra (family reunions) but I've fought the insatiable need to add on. I planned when I bought and bought what I could afford, and I just don't want to pay anymore maintenance fees.

The villa has afforded us the ability to control dining costs, not to mention that I can't do Disney food morning, noon and night! We do a few TS and the rest is out of Disney or in the villa.

We have 264 pts between Boardwalk and BLT. this is all the MF's we want to pay. Since my young adult children don't have family yet ( one is getting married) I find that we don't use these points up every year. I know one day we will so I rent out the extra which usually pays most of the MF's. We take a very nice vacation once a year. We use Disney rewards points for food and park tickets. So other than airfare( which is cheap from
MD) we pay hardly anything out of pocket! Doesn't get much cheaper going anywhere else!

 

[Tiger926]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about what makes a meal - what a silly thing to say! I also actually find the above posts to be condescending and insulting. That's like saying a family who stays in a Value resort is not really doing Disney properly. That's rubbish! A meal is what you make of it - we don't feel the need to eat steak and lobster for lunch. A sandwich with a soup or salad, or a crepe is a lunch meal for us. There are lots of good lunchtime foods that are very reasonably priced. This is much different than a CS meal as it's not a hamburger or greasy fries, and it takes place in a nice air conditioned restaurant with someone bringing us our food. Plus, there is a larger menu to choose from. A steak or fish sandwich or turkey club is much more appealing to us than greasy nuggets.

I guess you both missed the part where I said we eat mostly 2 TS meals per day, so lunch is at places we mentioned, and dinner which is a heavier meal for us could be at Tony's, Mama Melrose, Marrakesh, GF Cafe, Turf Club, The Wave, etc. Or, it can be at a character buffet, which is more expensive. These prices are just average prices for us - lunch is usually not more than $50.00 (a few exceptions of course), and dinner is usually not more than $75.00. We've eaten pretty much everywhere, so this works out for us!

Regarding our bottled water - we have eaten everywhere, and have never had a problem at all. We used to ask years ago, and when we were continually told it was no problem, we stopped asking. It's 100 degrees in the summer, so it's very common to see people walking in with bottled water as they've been drinking it all day. If there is ever an issue, we would just buy bottled water as Orlando water hurts our tummies.

Thanks to all, Tiger

 

[Tiger926]

TIW is $75 right? How many sandwhiches or entrees under $15 must you purchase in order to make it worthwhile? At least 25 I'd say. It almost seems like it's not woth the initial expense.

I'm not sure I understand your question? If it costs $75.00 for AP holders (Florida residents are more), than you have to spend $375.00 on food in total in order to pay for your card. That's easy to do over a 2 week period for us as we eat almost 2 TS meals per day, which includes character buffets and Signatures as well.

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[Anal Annie]

I'm not sure I understand your question? If it costs $75.00 for AP holders (Florida residents are more), than you have to spend $375.00 on food in total in order to pay for your card. That's easy to do over a 2 week period for us as we eat almost 2 TS meals per day, which includes character buffets and Signatures as well.

Hope this helps, Tiger

I think what they're trying to say is that with the TIW card you'd need to eat a LOT of sandwiches (over $375 worth) to recover the purchase price of the card. 20% of a $35 meal takes more meals than 20% of a $100 meal to get back to the $75. With a $35 meal you'd "get back" $7 toward the $75 while with a $100 meal you'd "get back" $20. We got the card ONCE back when it was still $65 and found it took a lot of planning to only dine at places that took it and it took us 2 trips to get our $65 back so we no longer get it. There are too many places that DON'T take it and we can get 10% off at most of them for either AP or DVC discounts so we'll just use that perk.

NOT trying to argue but FWIW I think most TIW users do not get it in order to eat sandwiches at TS restaurants. Since it is a percentage based discount it is perceived to be more of a value when used on pricier meals. ALSO, we often eat salads at CS places NOT "greasy burgers & fries" and nuggets. I don't think I've ever eaten a nugget of any sort at Disney. Over the course of a week I probably only eat 1 burger so I'm not sure where you got the idea that's all they sell at the CS places. I find that by varying where we go at each meal we find a good variety of choices at the Disney CS restaurants. We LOVE the Tangerine Cafe in Morocco with the cous cous, tabouleh and delicous gyro/wrap type sandwiches. Definitely NOT your standard "fast food fare".

I'm really not trying to be condensending, and I can be just as tight as the next guy with my money but I personally don't consider going to a TS or Signature restaurant and ordering sandwiches and bringing my own bottled water the point of going to a TS or Signature restaurant. Nor do I always order a steak - but I DO go to order an entree with sides. Yes, we often bring our own waters with us to CS places but I would never whip it out and plop it on the table at LeCellier or Turf Club.

So yes, some of us will have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Tiger926]

I think what they're trying to say is that with the TIW card you'd need to eat a LOT of sandwiches (over $375 worth) to recover the purchase price of the card. 20% of a $35 meal takes more meals than 20% of a $100 meal to get back to the $75. With a $35 meal you'd "get back" $7 toward the $75 while with a $100 meal you'd "get back" $20. We got the card ONCE back when it was still $65 and found it took a lot of planning to only dine at places that took it and it took us 2 trips to get our $65 back so we no longer get it. There are too many places that DON'T take it and we can get 10% off at most of them for either AP or DVC discounts so we'll just use that perk.

NOT trying to argue but FWIW I think most TIW users do not get it in order to eat sandwiches at TS restaurants. Since it is a percentage based discount it is perceived to be more of a value when used on pricier meals. ALSO, we often eat salads at CS places NOT "greasy burgers & fries" and nuggets. I don't think I've ever eaten a nugget of any sort at Disney. Over the course of a week I probably only eat 1 burger so I'm not sure where you got the idea that's all they sell at the CS places. I find that by varying where we go at each meal we find a good variety of choices at the Disney CS restaurants. We LOVE the Tangerine Cafe in Morocco with the cous cous, tabouleh and delicous gyro/wrap type sandwiches. Definitely NOT your standard "fast food fare".

I'm really not trying to be condensending, and I can be just as tight as the next guy with my money but I personally don't consider going to a TS or Signature restaurant and ordering sandwiches and bringing my own bottled water the point of going to a TS or Signature restaurant. Nor do I always order a steak - but I DO go to order an entree with sides. Yes, we often bring our own waters with us to CS places but I would never whip it out and plop it on the table at LeCellier or Turf Club.

So yes, some of us will have to agree to disagree on this one.

I guess I don't know what to say...your posts are very condescending and insulting. I didn't say I carried a big purse with me and "whipped out" my bottled water. We go in the sweltering summer heat, so we drink bottled water all day, and it's normal to bring into the restaurants in the stifling summer heat as you have water with you all day.

I totally understand what types of foods are served @ WDW as we've eaten pretty much everywhere, and logged thousands of park hours. This is why it's not necessary to eat steak for lunch and dinner. Your posts are conflicting -at lunch, a sandwich or salad is an entree. The sides can be salad, fruit, rice, etc. Not sure what your point is here? Your statement that eating a sandwich at a TS restaurant is not the purpose of a TS restaurant is a ridiculous statement - TS restaurants have lighter meals on for lunch as that is normal lunchtime fare. If it wasn't, they wouldn't serve it. I'm really not following your logic, unless of course you would be embarassed to sit next to someone who orders a sandwich and drinks bottled water a problem. I guess you can tell that to the businessmen who order $75.00 Kobe hamburgers in Manhattan. I didn't realize there was a certain food that one had to consume in order to fully utilize the TS experience. That's a new one even for the Disboards!

Like I've mentioned a million times, we go for 2 weeks each summer and for the most part eat 2 TS meals per day. Some days it's cheaper lunches, and other days it's a character buffet. Somedays we may eat at a Signature for dinner. We can make up the $375.00 on our TIW in a few days, even with eating cheaper meals. Not sure about your math, but eating 3 lunches @ $45.00 and 3 dinners @ $75.00 is close to $375.00. It works for us and that should be fine - not sure why people feel the need to insult or judge others' dining choices? I'm also not sure why you care why I have the TIW card and how it's any concern of yours how we use it? It's a food/beverage discount card with a threshold - how one makes up that threshold is entirely up to them.

The purpose of my thread was to see if anyone felt like me in terms of the costs associated with DVC. I didn't ask for an analysis of what kind of guest I am, or whether or not I should purchase the TIW card. After having logged thousands of park hours, we are realizing that it's not necessary to spend such huge amounts of money on food - we are eating breakfast in our villa pretty much each morning, light lunches (that are filling enough for us, and keep our sugar levels in check) and heavier dinners, with snacks in between. With adjusting our dining habits, which is a great perk with having DVC kitchenettes or full kitchens, we are better utilizing our DVC.

Thanks for your thoughts, Tiger