Meal budgeting estimate?

[katepass72]

I'm trying to "guesstimate" a meal budget for our upcoming trip. 2 adults, and 2 kids that aren't big eaters. We'll be doing 1 TS, 1 (or maybe 2) CS and a snack here and there per day. Obviously I won't have an exact number but wondered what/how others estimate. I was guessing approx. $60-$70/day for an adult and $40 per child. Probably should guess higher for the adults depending on the need for cocktails

 

[monkeybug]

If you plan on doing 1TS, 1 CS, and snacks every day, why not get the dining plan?

 

[katepass72]

I used the room only discount that was 40% off - even adding in $60/adult and $40 per child per day, the package with the dining plan was over $500 more once I factored in the tickets. I guess that's what made me ask the question as to whether or not I was budgeting enough . . .I've looked at menus and think that's probably a pretty good guess but like hearing how others plan.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Here is the list of restraunts from all over Disney and prices. http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Don't forget that you can make your TS ADR's 180 days in advance. I strongly advise you to do this.

 

[indimom]

I went to allears and budgeted for every single meal of our trip (one TS, one CS and one snack per day for each member of our family). It came to approximately $200 a day (with tax & tips). This was cheaper than adding the dining plan (especially when you consider that the dining plan does not include tips).

 

[iwrbnd]

I went to allears and budgeted for every single meal of our trip (one TS, one CS and one snack per day for each member of our family). It came to approximately $200 a day (with tax & tips). This was cheaper than adding the dining plan (especially when you consider that the dining plan does not include tips).

Really? From your signature it looks like you have 2 adults and 2 children. $40/day per adult and $10/day per kid would be around $100 a day for your family.

 

[robinb]

Really? From your signature it looks like you have 2 adults and 2 children. $40/day per adult and $10/day per kid would be around $100 a day for your family.

Both of her kids are over 9-years old and are "Disney Adults" which cost $40 per day.

 

[robinb]

OP, I see you have/had 3 trips in 12-13 months. Do you have an annual pass, or do you plan to buy one for the next trip? AP rates for June are the same as your room-only code and you can add the DDP to an AP rate. IMO, the DDP is the only way to go with kids 9 and under.

 

[katepass72]

I need to research the AP; thank you for the tip. This past year has been a bit of a fluke (a good one!) travel-wise, so I can't say we'll always go with the same kind of frequency. Thanks!

 

[chrisn]

We spent approximately $150 per day for what you are describing. Mostly counter service. A few table service and a snack everyday. Sometimes we spent a little less, sometimes a little more.

 

[Huff]

With our party of 4 we will easily save with the dining plan.

TS Dinner Entree $28
TS Dinner Desert $6
TS Dinner Drink $3
CS Lunch Entree $8
CS Lunch Desert $4
CS Lunch Drink $3
Snack $3

That totals $55/day per person and that doesn't include tax which is included with the DP. From past experience these numbers are very conservative. Some of our TS meals are much higher.

It was a much better value when an appetizer and tips were included but it's still a good value.

 

[Taja]

I need to research the AP; thank you for the tip. This past year has been a bit of a fluke (a good one!) travel-wise, so I can't say we'll always go with the same kind of frequency. Thanks!

Unless the policy has changed, only one adult in the party has to have an AP to qualify for the AP room rate. Ressie must be in the AP holder's name.

That means you wouldn't have to buy an AP for each family member unless you know you'll have enough trips to break even.

But double-check that when applying the dining plan with the AP rate. I've never tried it and haven't visited WDW since December 2007. A lot has changed since then! *LOL*

 

[katepass72]

So true. I will do some research on that . . .

On a side note, I did end up calling in today to see if there was any way possible to add dining but still keep that big 40% room only discount. After being on the phone for 40 minutes, I was able to get the dining plan added on while still keeping the room discount. The total (with tickets) ended up being about $60 less than what my original "guesstimate" was.

BTW, no begging on my part . . .I had an excellent CM who really went out of her way.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

So true. I will do some research on that . . .

On a side note, I did end up calling in today to see if there was any way possible to add dining but still keep that big 40% room only discount. After being on the phone for 40 minutes, I was able to get the dining plan added on while still keeping the room discount. The total (with tickets) ended up being about $60 less than what my original "guesstimate" was.

BTW, no begging on my part . . .I had an excellent CM who really went out of her way.

The CM I had last night asked me if I wanted to add dining to my 20/30/40 room only discount. I declined, as I have not yet decided if it is worthwhile for us. It seems as though it is possible, though.

 

[katepass72]

Yes, definitely possible . . .the only "surprise", however, was that I had to pay the entire balance due during the call since I'm within the 45 day period as of today!! We already had 2 character meals planned for the 3 days we will be there; for some reason I was just convinced that I couldn't add the dining plan plus get the 20/30/40 deal. Luckily, I was WRONG and I'll freely admit it!!

 

[indimom]

we're not "anti" dining plan. We loved it on our last trip when both kids were considered children. But, during the time we are traveling, our cost now is $46.99 for each of us. When you add tips to that and the fact that my kids would be wasting a good amount of food, it just didn't make sense for us this time. Probably would be a good deal again in a few years when the kids are eating more and a bit more adventurous...

I feel like I made this a for or against discussion and that wasn't my intention.
Glad to see it worked out for you!!!!

 

[katepass72]

I absolutely didn't intend it to be for or against the dining plan and appreciate your opinion!! I can completely see that when the kids get in that "not a kid, not an adult" stage, the value of the plan goes down considerably. Especially the way my kids eat (or should I say, don't eat)

We've gone with it and without it . . . .it's not a huge saver for us, but if it's close to what I'm estimating I'll take it mainly for the convenience factor. That being said, I probably eat more with the dining plan since you feel like you have to take dessert . . .gotta get your money's worth

 

[robinb]

On a side note, I did end up calling in today to see if there was any way possible to add dining but still keep that big 40% room only discount. After being on the phone for 40 minutes, I was able to get the dining plan added on while still keeping the room discount. The total (with tickets) ended up being about $60 less than what my original "guesstimate" was.

BTW, no begging on my part . . .I had an excellent CM who really went out of her way.

Congratulations! I didn't think you could add dining to a room only code either . I just checked over on Mousesavers and I didn't notice until now that they said you could too. That's really good to know!

we're not "anti" dining plan. We loved it on our last trip when both kids were considered children. But, during the time we are traveling, our cost now is $46.99 for each of us. When you add tips to that and the fact that my kids would be wasting a good amount of food, it just didn't make sense for us this time. Probably would be a good deal again in a few years when the kids are eating more and a bit more adventurous...

I am personally in the exact same boat as you. I *loved* the DDP when my DD was 9 and under. But as a 10-year old it's a different matter. She's is a vegetarian ... well ... more of a "carbitarian" since not only doesn't she eat meat but she doesn't eat most vegetables either . Unlike many adult meat entrees that can be made plain, the veggie ones at TS are pretty complex and can't be modified easily so my DD ends up eating kids meals. And the veggie meals at the CS restaurants are usually just salads or veggie burgers neither of which she'll eat. So on our last trip she ate (mostly) off the kid's menu and purchasing a $40+ meal plan for her would be a real waste. FWIW, we won't even pay OOP for her at buffets for the same reason. I don't want to pay $33 for her to eat fruit and cheese pizza. Now free dining is a different matter entirely and we are hoping for free dining to materialize in late August .

ETA: We're AP holders and we purchased the Tables in Wonderland card on our last trip. It gives us 20% off most TS restaurants and some CS restaurants too. We bought it in December 2010 but it doesn't expire until Jan 2011 so we will get 3 trips out of it and we have already broken even on it on our first trip.