Like...They are Going with STRANGERS?!?! Sayonara Part 1- Join Us on the new thread!

[tinkgurl]

Me do Math?! Sorry...can't help you there!

But I would like to say that I will be praying and thinking of Lauren.

I love having park hoppers, so that's a must...And..I have to say, you are AWESOME for only limiting yourself $50 for souvenirs!

 

[eandesmom]

am I the only one who obsesses like this?

I think by now you have figured out that you have a comrade-in-arms in the "obsess over budgets and finances now for a trip 11 months away" category.



I agree with Heidi though, the only way to really compare is to figure out where you are going to eat, what you'd eat and then compare FD to what you'd have paid OOP. How you use those FD credits makes all the difference in the world as to whether it is a good deal or not.

Your 2nd scenario assumes you will only spend a total of $40 a day not including the grocery budget. I dunno. For me, including a couple of adult drinks and snacks at Disney prices that'd be really hard to pull off every day. It seems doable on the face of it. Breakfast in the room. A CS lunch and drinks, $10 tops. Dinner, $30 tops. But once you add tax, snacks and adult bevvies, you could easily go over quickly. However....if you want to do your sit down meals for lunch or breakfast and you are considering CS for dinner, it paints a very different financial scenario.

All I know is this. For us, based on how we used the plan last year, we saved about $350. And we had 11 unused CS credits. Had we used them, it would have been more!

 

[that's nice]

Okay... First off, the amount I have for the free dining BB package maroo booked for us at POR:

Room with 1 day ticket------- $1,950/3= $650 per person
Upgrade to 8 day tix------------------= $158
Add Park Hoppers----------------------= $52
MNSSHP-------------------------------=$60
Morning Groceries----------------------=$10 pp
Flights to/from MCO--------------------=$200
Tips/Adult Drinks-----------------------=$80
Souvenirs------------------------------=$50
Extra Expenses that may happen--------=$100

$1,360 for my portion


Now, the expenses I estimated IF we were to do a room only booking:

Room Only $165 per night x 9----------=$495
Tickets for 8 days (w/PH)-------------=$295 from Undercover
Food (INCLUDING a couple adult drinks AND tips AND SNAX!) = $360
Groceries------------------------------=$10
MNSSHP-------------------------------=$60
Flights to/from MCO--------------------=$200
Souvenirs------------------------------=$50
Extras---------------------------------=$100

Grand Total: $1,570

I think in both scenarios you are shorting money towards tips/adult drinks and food. We don't know where you are eating yet but the tax and tip of those TS meals adds up pretty quick. Say you had 4 adult drinks over the 8? (or 7?) days at $8 a pop that already brings you to $32. That only leaves you $48 of tips and tax for the week. I think you need to add in a little more.

Also only $10 for breakfast foods.... I might be getting picky here but do you think the TC3 are only going to spend that? A couple cases of water, drinks (soda, OJ, snapple, milk) and then a few boxes of cereal or pop tarts or danish probably will be over $30. Obviously if you spent $50 total its not going to 'break' your budget.

I'm just thinking you might want to up your extra expenses amount a tad. Or you can use that money you 'found' to go towards this. I think it is always better to budget more than have $ left over than to break the budget and feel disappointed.

I just reread my post and I'm not trying to sound negative. I think you are saving money doing the FD IF you planed on eating a TS meal every day (or 7 over the 7 days). I enjoy sitting down and relaxing and having a nice meal (mostly dinner) in some AC. It's good you have 11 months to figure all this out. So if you need to raise a little more capital, you are able to!!!

 

[jenb1023]

works for me!! (of course hijacking other PTR works for me too )

Good Luck in the move!

So are we all supposed to post a pic of our Disney bags? sometime in the next 10 months or so? and if you (Leisa) gets "bag envy" do we have to send you a bag?

I made a dent on the pre trip reports - I didnt get to 5 of them tho! (send a prayer for Deyki as he was having migraines) I SERIOUSLY have to go to the laundromat! and I hear I am in training, so that means 3 1/2 miles today...

Crazy?? Who said crazy??

We can certainly forgive lack of verbosity, but never a slip up with their vs. there vs. they're.

I'll be checking your siggie.



All bags can be sent even prior to bag envy! Make sure the zipper works.

Friend....


You should definitely start a pre-trip report!

One picture of each cast member...dates...ADR's....show your plans...and there ya have it!

I can even enterain the folks with some Magic Meets pics. PSS: I AM going to finish that TR! I am! I am!

We pretty much just talk to ourselves anyway!

LOLOL It does feel like that sometimes, doesn't it?

Thanks for the support everyone! I will try to get it posted today!

Liesa - you are absolutely right! I may not be my usual witty self but you will not find a their when it should be there or effect when it should be affect (one of my personal pet peeves).

I am about to post this in about four places...

So if this is a duplicate, please disregard - or pray twice

Lauren - my dear friend with severe CP - has the swine flu. Despite our best efforts to prevent it.

I am very, very nervous about this. We have lost several kids in MS to this flu this year and with her underlying conditions, this can be very serious.

She started Tamiflu last night because William already had it...so that is good.

Please pray for them!!

You know I am praying - keep us posted!

So, today I did my bi-weekly add up the costs routine (am I the only one who obsesses like this?) and realized again what a great deal maroo scored for us a couple of weeks ago! However, while we are still in original budget of $1,500, there isn't a whole lot of leeway between the "as-of-right-now-plans" total and that magic hard-stop number.

Okay... First off, the amount I have for the free dining BB package maroo booked for us at POR:

Room with 1 day ticket------- $1,950/3= $650 per person
Upgrade to 8 day tix------------------= $158
Add Park Hoppers----------------------= $52
MNSSHP-------------------------------=$60
Morning Groceries----------------------=$10 pp
Flights to/from MCO--------------------=$200
Tips/Adult Drinks-----------------------=$80
Souvenirs------------------------------=$50
Extra Expenses that may happen--------=$100

$1,360 for my portion


Now, the expenses I estimated IF we were to do a room only booking:

Room Only $165 per night x 9----------=$495
Tickets for 8 days (w/PH)-------------=$295 from Undercover
Food (INCLUDING a couple adult drinks AND tips AND SNAX!) = $360
Groceries------------------------------=$10
MNSSHP-------------------------------=$60
Flights to/from MCO--------------------=$200
Souvenirs------------------------------=$50
Extras---------------------------------=$100

Grand Total: $1,570


Since I'm so kind-hearted I'll employ my calculator for you, and tell you the savings is approx. $210.

To be honest, I was really hoping to keep this trip to a very do-able $1,200, and we're already over that by $100, so some things may have to go; I'm very okay with that.

Anyway, I always like to see other peoples' musings on this subject, and would love to hear the "experts" opinions on whether the math is right or not.

So far, so good??

I do have some experience in Disney math since I received both free dining and a discounted room pin code for our upcoming trip. I talked to my TA who contacted CRO and by all accounts if you are planning for several TS restaurants either way - FD is usually cheaper. (unless of course you are staying deluxe and get a 40% off room code) I do agree that you may not have enough money allocated for tips/adult beverages. I know when we did FD last year tips really added up.

I am pretty sure all people sharing a room have to be on the same plan so would you all drop free dining in favor of a room only discount if it would in fact save you money?

 

[JPFamilyMom]

well, estimating costs would like others said depend on your dining selections of course

but I'm thinking if you are doing a lot of TS meals the FD is probably the better way to go.

 

[maroo]

First of all...

Lauren is still quite sick. She seemed better today, but as the night wore on she has spiked another fever and is puny.

Please keep praying for her!


About the budget...

I think add $25 to the flights. My flights this year were $227.00 with fees and tax and that was Southwest (which I believe you will probably fly?).

Tips...I tipped more than 20% on my last trip. The CM's were just so wonderful - more than I ever expected! My tips ended up costing quite a bit. Of course, I am a steak person...so I tend to order expensive stuff. (Go figure ) I also tip at buffets...not sure if you counted that. I honestly don't tip a lot at buffets at home...but in Disney I tip a lot.

And....not to confuse the issue...

But what would happen if we had a Tables in Wonderland card instead of FD? That gets 20% off at most TS restaurants and some CS...not sure which ones are on our list and I just don't have the energy to look right now.

But there is a chance I will have already purchased one for my December and Jan trips (I would buy one in Dec). I am already toying with going NEXT December...yes, 2010...if they have the meets...so it would be good for December, Jan, Sept and Dec. So...it is something I am looking into.

So....not to confuse the issue....but check that out when you are doing the math.

 

[jenb1023]

In case anyone is interested, I started my PTR (see link in signature).

Good luck with the Disney math!

 

[All7OfUs]

I'll put some responses embedded into quotes.

Ok I'll take a crack at it.

I am assuming that $165/night for POR is full rack rate with taxes. Because the package price that was quoted to maroo would have had taxes included.

Here's what I went with on the price w/o actually knowing what rack rate Mary booked us with.

$149 per night + $15 per night for extra adult= $165 per night (I know there's tax, but I didn't include it, to keep things round)---- so divided by 3 X 9 = $495 RIGHT??

I will then assume that you will be able to get a room only discount making your per night cost approx $105. A savings of $60 per night or to you a savings of $180 total.

I don't know anything about HOW to get a room only discount... where do you go to get it? I do know I have a PIN that came by e-mail, but haven't called assuming we'd be going with FD. Maybe maroo should call for me on this....?

Now that makes the package and room only about break even. I don't know what you have planned for restaurants but at this point food is the only cost you can control. So I would do more calculations based on what you really want to do for food. Remember that the package includes tax already....when you figure out what it would cost OOP you have to add in the tax at 6.5%

YOu know it's funny when I was doing all this math a couple of months ago, I came out with an even (I mean so even, it was within about $10!!) amount too. I remember coming to the conclusion that the only advantage to getting free dining was that I'd be able to get soft drinks or tea, which I wouldn't normally get and don't need.

I hope that was somewhat helpful.

Me do Math?! Sorry...can't help you there!

But I would like to say that I will be praying and thinking of Lauren.

I love having park hoppers, so that's a must...And..I have to say, you are AWESOME for only limiting yourself $50 for souvenirs!

I have a very short list of things I want. But that will be a whole series of their own posts probably starting next month I really can't see myself spending a whole lot more than this.

I think by now you have figured out that you have a comrade-in-arms in the "obsess over budgets and finances now for a trip 11 months away" category.




So glad I can depend on the army of the Mouse to help me out here. I really need this exercise of bouncing ideas off you all!

I agree with Heidi though, the only way to really compare is to figure out where you are going to eat, what you'd eat and then compare FD to what you'd have paid OOP. How you use those FD credits makes all the difference in the world as to whether it is a good deal or not.

I have gone over EVERY menu with fine tooth fork to figure out EXACTLY what I'd likely order at each place we'll probably eat at. NOW, I should have put in a few assumptions to help you all out.

I assumed we'd be eating at a CS, a TS, and a snack each day, just like on FD- whether we're on it or not, I like this plan.

Your 2nd scenario assumes you will only spend a total of $40 a day not including the grocery budget. I dunno. For me, including a couple of adult drinks and snacks at Disney prices that'd be really hard to pull off every day. It seems doable on the face of it. Breakfast in the room. A CS lunch and drinks, $10 tops. Dinner, $30 tops. But once you add tax, snacks and adult bevvies, you could easily go over quickly. However....if you want to do your sit down meals for lunch or breakfast and you are considering CS for dinner, it paints a very different financial scenario.

Both Mary and I sat down one night on the phone, and I spelled out everthing I'd likely order, and mine actually came to AN AVERAGE!!! of about $38 a day. I am just not a big eater. I rarely order dessert, and if I did, I'd surely split it with someone. I don't order anything other than water, but there are 2 places LeeAnn and I will probably get the wine flight. We won't be getting any other adult drinks except maybe 1 or 2 by the pool once. So, that's $16 for the mixed drinks and $25 ?? (can't find prices on the flights) times 2 = $50 $50+$16=$66. So, you're right need to add about $15 to drinks.

Secondly, yes, some of our TS will be lunches.

Dinners often only added up to around $25.


All I know is this. For us, based on how we used the plan last year, we saved about $350. And we had 11 unused CS credits. Had we used them, it would have been more!

I think in both scenarios you are shorting money towards tips/adult drinks and food. We don't know where you are eating yet but the tax and tip of those TS meals adds up pretty quick. Say you had 4 adult drinks over the 8? (or 7?) days at $8 a pop that already brings you to $32. That only leaves you $48 of tips and tax for the week. I think you need to add in a little more.

Okay, I know this is a HUGE, HUGE, sticky subject, but I can only be very honest and tell you what I do. I really don't want to start a big hairy debate. I am not a huge tipper just because I'm in Disney. Of course being there gives me warm fuzzy feelings and all that, but I'm normally a 15-18% tipper- tops. No matter how nice they are. So, say my bill is $25, that's a $4.50 tip. $4.50 X 9 TS meals is around $40.

Obviously the nights I get my wine flights I'll tip more, but probably more likely cuz I won't be thinking as clearly. HA! So you see, I"m still under my $80 budgeted.


Also only $10 for breakfast foods.... I might be getting picky here but do you think the TC3 are only going to spend that? A couple cases of water, drinks (soda, OJ, snapple, milk) and then a few boxes of cereal or pop tarts or danish probably will be over $30. Obviously if you spent $50 total its not going to 'break' your budget.

Yeah, at first I thought I'd be doing Garden Grocer, but then realized it's only like a 2 hour flight, so I think I'll just pack my own bagels, cream cheese, and stuff. We won't be getting any soda or water. (Water is free at the CS places (with ice), and I bring those little powder thingys). So I can't see even spending what I 've bought. I'm usually not even hungry until 11:00, so I can even skip breakfast, and head straight to Caseys early!!

I'm just thinking you might want to up your extra expenses amount a tad. Or you can use that money you 'found' to go towards this. I think it is always better to budget more than have $ left over than to break the budget and feel disappointed.

You are right! I don't want to feel like I've skimped and saved too much on this trip. I'll likely NEVER have another opp. to do this again (I go with that mindset every time I go!), so don't want to say, as I muse the benefits of that little piece of blown glass or that taxi ride home, that I can't afford it.

I just reread my post and I'm not trying to sound negative. I think you are saving money doing the FD IF you planed on eating a TS meal every day (or 7 over the 7 days). I enjoy sitting down and relaxing and having a nice meal (mostly dinner) in some AC. It's good you have 11 months to figure all this out. So if you need to raise a little more capital, you are able to!!!

I'm already at $1,200 banked and ready. The last $300 won't be too hard over 11 months.

Liesa - you are absolutely right! I may not be my usual witty self but you will not find a their when it should be there or effect when it should be affect (one of my personal pet peeves).

HA! Go good grammar comrade!


I do have some experience in Disney math since I received both free dining and a discounted room pin code for our upcoming trip. I talked to my TA who contacted CRO and by all accounts if you are planning for several TS restaurants either way - FD is usually cheaper. (unless of course you are staying deluxe and get a 40% off room code) I do agree that you may not have enough money allocated for tips/adult beverages. I know when we did FD last year tips really added up.

Deluxe is not in the plan right now. See comments above for tips and bevs.

I am pretty sure all people sharing a room have to be on the same plan so would you all drop free dining in favor of a room only discount if it would in fact save you money?

Yes, we would all have to give up FD. LeeAnn doesn't even know FD exists and is just along for the ride. Whatever we decide she's good with, as long as it stays in the $1,500 budget. Maroo, on the other hand is a steak kind of gal, so it woud def. impact her. I had actually planned on a couple of the vegetarian choices! You know me!

well, estimating costs would like others said depend on your dining selections of course

but I'm thinking if you are doing a lot of TS meals the FD is probably the better way to go.

Well, put. We went with one TS per day, just as the doctor ordered.

First of all...

Lauren is still quite sick. She seemed better today, but as the night wore on she has spiked another fever and is puny.

Please keep praying for her!

We certainly will!!! Poor thing!

About the budget...

I think add $25 to the flights. My flights this year were $227.00 with fees and tax and that was Southwest (which I believe you will probably fly?).

Okay, will do!

Tips...I tipped more than 20% on my last trip. The CM's were just so wonderful - more than I ever expected! My tips ended up costing quite a bit. Of course, I am a steak person...so I tend to order expensive stuff. (Go figure ) I also tip at buffets...not sure if you counted that. I honestly don't tip a lot at buffets at home...but in Disney I tip a lot.

I think you do tip more than me in general, but going with the $25 for my estimates then at 20%, it's still only $5. Yes, I"ll tip at buffets, but less, they are only bringing me a drink for goodness sakes.

And....not to confuse the issue...

But what would happen if we had a Tables in Wonderland card instead of FD? That gets 20% off at most TS restaurants and some CS...not sure which ones are on our list and I just don't have the energy to look right now.

I'm already fried from just trying to figure this out. But, hey, can someone for sure answer how to get the room only discount? Then we can move from there, right? If we could get a room only dc. AND get the TiW card, I honestly do feel like it MAY be cheaper?? Just a gut feeling.

But there is a chance I will have already purchased one for my December and Jan trips (I would buy one in Dec). I am already toying with going NEXT December...yes, 2010...if they have the meets...so it would be good for December, Jan, Sept and Dec. So...it is something I am looking into.

Let me know.

So....not to confuse the issue....but check that out when you are doing the math.

In case anyone is interested, I started my PTR (see link in signature).

Good luck with the Disney math!

Chekcing it out now.

 

[Pollito916]

I agree with what many others are saying on food costs. Though it is possible to do it cheaper by eating more CS and sharing meals at TS if you do not do FD. I think $10pp is reasonable for groceries. Breakfast can be done pretty cheap in room with some cereal, milk, granola bars, etc. It's not like you'll be able to make bacon & eggs in the room every morning!

I know Maroo said to add $ for the flight, but I would think you could actually do it cheaper. Won't you be in TN - I would think you should be able to get a sale or Ding! fare on SW for $150 or less. Just start watching ~ 6 months out is when they post fares, I think.

Also, one thing to keep in mind - this trip is probably once in a lifetime - the extra $100 or so is probably worth it if you can swing it and can't find a way to cut costs!


Added:
Looks like we posted at the same time! For a room only discount, keep an eye on http://www.mousesavers.com/ I haven't been looking much lately, but I know when I was researching for my last trip, a lot of the room-only discounts were for AP holders (Maroo would qualify??) and FL residents. Good luck!

 

[All7OfUs]

I agree with what many others are saying on food costs. Though it is possible to do it cheaper by eating more CS and sharing meals at TS if you do not do FD. I think $10pp is reasonable for groceries. Breakfast can be done pretty cheap in room with some cereal, milk, granola bars, etc. It's not like you'll be able to make bacon & eggs in the room every morning!

I know Maroo said to add $ for the flight, but I would think you could actually do it cheaper. Won't you be in TN - I would think you should be able to get a sale or Ding! fare on SW for $150 or less. Just start watching ~ 6 months out is when they post fares, I think.

Also, one thing to keep in mind - this trip is probably once in a lifetime - the extra $100 or so is probably worth it if you can swing it and can't find a way to cut costs!


Added:
Looks like we posted at the same time! For a room only discount, keep an eye on http://www.mousesavers.com/ I haven't been looking much lately, but I know when I was researching for my last trip, a lot of the room-only discounts were for AP holders (Maroo would qualify??) and FL residents. Good luck!

GREAT advice and comments!

OK, I have to add to the comments already made above. Both LeeAnn and I are quite small eaters. I can already see that with the FD MUCHO amounts of food is going to go to waste. Coming from someone who has lived where food is not for fun, this is such a shame- I hate our glutonous culture sometimes. (Okay, sorry- that was probably too much commentary)

LeeAnn and I could easily split meals no problem- except at buffets obviously, and do great! Even adding an appie (not a big dessert person) would still be cheaper! Splitting would not faze me in the least!

I'm thinking a quick bagel with cream cheese with a refill of something in mug or my own homebrew coffee (VERY, VERY important- EVERY morning!!!!!!!) will easily suffice. Not so much into breakfast at all.

I agree! About the same time we need to make our ADRs, I'll have to watch for fares. I can see a cheap one coming my way. but that's a wait and see proposition.

You are so right. It is very likely a once in a lifetime affair. But I don't want the $100 to be spend on something that could have been avoided by choosing the right "package". I know everyone goes through this agony, but a couple of hundred bucks is worth finding, I think.

 

[MKBekka]

Hey Mom! is this- -the unspoken icon for you three? I think it makes a good one!

 

[MRYPPNS]

After reading all your replies I'm convinced that you could save more money with a room-only discount and the TIW card for food. (I actually think you'd be better off paying oop even if maroo doesn't get the card but I bet she will ). In regards to the room discount....between the 3 of you I'm sure you would score an email pin code that works. If not you will just have to wait until closer to your dates when Disney releases the discounts.

 

[jenb1023]

Now that I know more, I think a room only discount would be the same price or maybe a little cheaper as FD for you. If Maroo gets the TIW card, then I would think room only will definitely be cheaper for you.

FD is definitely a better deal for those that are either big eaters or like to order expensive items or both. We took my parents for FD last year and my Dad took great delight in ordering the most expensive meal and dessert because he could and he ordered a milkshake whenever he could instead of a soda just because. Disney definitely lost money on FD with my family!

It should be no problem to get a room discount code. Between the three of you, you might get e-mailed a pin code. If not, there is usually some sort of discount code offered first to Disney Visa card holders and then to the general public. Do any of you have a Disney Visa? Also, if Maroo is still an AP holder which I assume she will be, there always seems to be some sort of AP discount. If there are no room only discounts to be found from the above, I know AAA members get a discount but I am not sure if you can do room only or if it has to be a package.

 

[maroo]

I am going to have to comment insides quotes, too...Because I am on hold and may not have long.

I agree with what many others are saying on food costs. Though it is possible to do it cheaper by eating more CS and sharing meals at TS if you do not do FD. I think $10pp is reasonable for groceries. Breakfast can be done pretty cheap in room with some cereal, milk, granola bars, etc. It's not like you'll be able to make bacon & eggs in the room every morning!

I won't personally need more than $10 in food. Poptarts and milk and cereal and I will be good to go for breakfast!

I know Maroo said to add $ for the flight, but I would think you could actually do it cheaper. Won't you be in TN - I would think you should be able to get a sale or Ding! fare on SW for $150 or less. Just start watching ~ 6 months out is when they post fares, I think.

There never were any DING flights for my dates (which was the same exact week that we are going next year). That could just be Jackson - but I am a DING person and never saw one. I rebooked twice to get a lower fare, but the lowest we had was $90 or $95 each way, which came to $227 or so with tax and fees.

Also, one thing to keep in mind - this trip is probably once in a lifetime - the extra $100 or so is probably worth it if you can swing it and can't find a way to cut costs!


Added:
Looks like we posted at the same time! For a room only discount, keep an eye on http://www.mousesavers.com/ I haven't been looking much lately, but I know when I was researching for my last trip, a lot of the room-only discounts were for AP holders (Maroo would qualify??) and FL residents. Good luck!

AP - I am not sure if I am doing an AP or not...

That is probably worth a whole post....?? I may post about that in a sec...

GREAT advice and comments!

OK, I have to add to the comments already made above. Both LeeAnn and I are quite small eaters. I can already see that with the FD MUCHO amounts of food is going to go to waste. Coming from someone who has lived where food is not for fun, this is such a shame- I hate our glutonous culture sometimes. (Okay, sorry- that was probably too much commentary)

LeeAnn and I could easily split meals no problem- except at buffets obviously, and do great! Even adding an appie (not a big dessert person) would still be cheaper! Splitting would not faze me in the least!

I'm thinking a quick bagel with cream cheese with a refill of something in mug or my own homebrew coffee (VERY, VERY important- EVERY morning!!!!!!!) will easily suffice. Not so much into breakfast at all.

I agree! About the same time we need to make our ADRs, I'll have to watch for fares. I can see a cheap one coming my way. but that's a wait and see proposition.

You are so right. It is very likely a once in a lifetime affair. But I don't want the $100 to be spend on something that could have been avoided by choosing the right "package". I know everyone goes through this agony, but a couple of hundred bucks is worth finding, I think.

Definitely! on all of the above!

After reading all your replies I'm convinced that you could save more money with a room-only discount and the TIW card for food. (I actually think you'd be better off paying oop even if maroo doesn't get the card but I bet she will ). In regards to the room discount....between the 3 of you I'm sure you would score an email pin code that works. If not you will just have to wait until closer to your dates when Disney releases the discounts.

I am SURE we can get a room discount code...some way!

Now that I know more, I think a room only discount would be the same price or maybe a little cheaper as FD for you. If Maroo gets the TIW card, then I would think room only will definitely be cheaper for you.

FD is definitely a better deal for those that are either big eaters or like to order expensive items or both. We took my parents for FD last year and my Dad took great delight in ordering the most expensive meal and dessert because he could and he ordered a milkshake whenever he could instead of a soda just because. Disney definitely lost money on FD with my family!

It should be no problem to get a room discount code. Between the three of you, you might get e-mailed a pin code. If not, there is usually some sort of discount code offered first to Disney Visa card holders and then to the general public. Do any of you have a Disney Visa? Also, if Maroo is still an AP holder which I assume she will be, there always seems to be some sort of AP discount. If there are no room only discounts to be found from the above, I know AAA members get a discount but I am not sure if you can do room only or if it has to be a package.

No Disney Visa here. In fact...I have NO credit cards. Just a debit card. I am a Dave Ramsey fan.

 

[jenb1023]

No Disney Visa here. In fact...I have NO credit cards. Just a debit card. I am a Dave Ramsey fan.

Oh no! I love credit cards! I should mention though that I love credit cards for the rewards - we pay them off every month and have never carried a balance. To me, if I can get free stuff, why not? On our upcoming trip to WDW, DD and I are flying for free from credit card points. This will be the 3rd time we are able to do that - I charge everything then make a payment every time we get paid. I will say that I know not everyone is disciplined enough or knows their budget well enough to do this but it works great for us!

 

[Pollito916]

Both LeeAnn and I are quite small eaters. I can already see that with the FD MUCHO amounts of food is going to go to waste. Coming from someone who has lived where food is not for fun, this is such a shame- I hate our glutonous culture sometimes. (Okay, sorry- that was probably too much commentary)

LeeAnn and I could easily split meals no problem- except at buffets obviously, and do great! Even adding an appie (not a big dessert person) would still be cheaper! Splitting would not faze me in the least!

I'm thinking a quick bagel with cream cheese with a refill of something in mug or my own homebrew coffee (VERY, VERY important- EVERY morning!!!!!!!) will easily suffice. Not so much into breakfast at all.

Ok - if you are planning to split more meals, it seems like the room only package would work out better for you. I hope you find a good discount!

 

[eandesmom]

Given what you describe as your eating habits, room only may be a better deal if you get a PIN. It sounds like you have one, what is it for?

I on the other hand am gluttonous and eat like a horse though I would vastly prefer an ap over dessert. Although I do clean my plate.

It does allow us to order things that we wouldn't normally cost wise, especially for the kids. And for me I like knowing I don't have to add as I go during the trip which makes it much more vacation like. We would not typically buy snacks though, so again it all feels like one big treat.

However if you are using your TS for breakfast or lunch then the plan just does not pay off IMHO.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

I have to say, for us, the dining plan has always been a great deal. We've paid for it a couple times, and we've gotten it free 3 times. I compared the different discounts we were likely to be able to get, and staying at a Value, obviously the free dining is the best discount out there. At a moderate, it beat out a 40% pin code just barely, and at a Deluxe, you'd be better off with a good room only deal. But honestly, I'd rather do the plan because I just like knowing that all my food is prepaid, and I don't even have to think about the cost.

I'd be a little worried about estimating your food cost, not using the DDP, factoring in sharing meals. Yes, there is a ton of food and you certainly COULD share, but what happens if you never want to order the same thing? You may find that you don't share meals as much as you thought.

Like someone else said, I think you might want to bump up the numbers on the adult bev/tip column. Maybe $50 on tips, and then figure $9 per adult bev (they are usually around $8, plus a tip to the bartender). Why do they charge so much for drinks? I'm always defending Disney's prices to people, but I do think their drinks are high. Although, I don't drink much at home, so maybe I'm just behind the times. Do we pay $9 for a margarita everywhere now??

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh no! I love credit cards! I should mention though that I love credit cards for the rewards - we pay them off every month and have never carried a balance. To me, if I can get free stuff, why not? On our upcoming trip to WDW, DD and I are flying for free from credit card points. This will be the 3rd time we are able to do that - I charge everything then make a payment every time we get paid. I will say that I know not everyone is disciplined enough or knows their budget well enough to do this but it works great for us!

sorry! You've got one more Dave Ramsey fan here. We have 1 credit card that we've used exactly once in the last 10 years. In fact, they cancelled us, and wouldn't renew it because we had to "use at least once a year to keep it active". Next, it will be a chip in your forehead... If we don't have the cash to pay for it, we don't need it. But we do have one (from a diff. company) for emergencies, like an evac. out of here if things go to hell in a handbasket. You never know anymore about anywhere...

Ok - if you are planning to split more meals, it seems like the room only package would work out better for you. I hope you find a good discount!

Okay, I went back and took a good look at where we'll be eating, and after seeing again, only 1 scared1 of our TS meals is a place where we CAN split! The rest are either buffets, set meals, or in places that I would just plain old feel weird about doing so. (Tim, I know you live to guess where these places are, so there you go- the hint of the month ) So, after all that, there won't be as much splitting as I'd like. However, ALL of our CS places can be split, which brings in another dyanamic... I like to eat small portions, but often. AND I LOVE VARIETY!! So, I can totally see us getting a CS meal around 10:30 when we get there, and then another one later in the day for an afternoon snack. Anyway, stretching the CS credits sounds great to me.

Given what you describe as your eating habits, room only may be a better deal if you get a PIN. It sounds like you have one, what is it for?

I on the other hand am gluttonous and eat like a horse though I would vastly prefer an ap over dessert. Although I do clean my plate.

It does allow us to order things that we wouldn't normally cost wise, especially for the kids. And for me I like knowing I don't have to add as I go during the trip which makes it much more vacation like. We would not typically buy snacks though, so again it all feels like one big treat.

However if you are using your TS for breakfast or lunch then the plan just does not pay off IMHO.

We only have plans for one TS credit going toward a breakfast. The rest for nicer sit-down places at dinner (and a few lunches). I think you're right... after all this debate, and a loooooong phone call with maroo last night, here's what we came up with. We're keeping the FD as it stands right now. After adding and re-adding, it is still about $210 cheaper. BUT IF a room only discount comes our way, we'll probably take it. Time will have to bear this all out.

I will concede though, that the thought of having it all "taken care of" is very tempting! Not thinking about cost and having that hang over me like a dead horse would be very nice indeed!

I have to say, for us, the dining plan has always been a great deal. We've paid for it a couple times, and we've gotten it free 3 times. I compared the different discounts we were likely to be able to get, and staying at a Value, obviously the free dining is the best discount out there. At a moderate, it beat out a 40% pin code just barely, and at a Deluxe, you'd be better off with a good room only deal. But honestly, I'd rather do the plan because I just like knowing that all my food is prepaid, and I don't even have to think about the cost.

I'd be a little worried about estimating your food cost, not using the DDP, factoring in sharing meals. Yes, there is a ton of food and you certainly COULD share, but what happens if you never want to order the same thing? You may find that you don't share meals as much as you thought.

Like someone else said, I think you might want to bump up the numbers on the adult bev/tip column. Maybe $50 on tips, and then figure $9 per adult bev (they are usually around $8, plus a tip to the bartender). Why do they charge so much for drinks? I'm always defending Disney's prices to people, but I do think their drinks are high. Although, I don't drink much at home, so maybe I'm just behind the times. Do we pay $9 for a margarita everywhere now??

Like I said before, up above, it turns out that only 1 of our planned places is condusive to sharing. So out went that idea.

Yeah, so WHAT is up with the $8 and $9 for a drink?? A good happy hour price is about $4. Not being a big drinker either, NOT BY A LONG SHOT, in fact, that's a hard price to swallow. The only ones for sure I want is the Lapu Lapu (which is even more than $8!@!!!!) and a mint julep if I can find one. (Anyone know where a good minty would be found?) Those 2 wine flights will be a treat as well. (splitting those!)

 

[JPFamilyMom]

I don't drink either, like never (mostly cause of having two kids in the last 4 1/2 yrs- pregnancy/nursing and alcohol don't mix ) But reading so many TR's about certain drinks have me intrigued too, but yeah $8/9 is a lot to swallow. But I think that is the going rate, I don't know I lived in Vegas before and the drinks in clubs and restaurants there are a lot too.

I also don't have any credit cards, but have thought about the Disney Visa for the rewards.

So do we get a hint on those restaurants or was the they are all buffets minus one our hint?