Meal Deal - Pros & Cons

[jdragr]

Oh gosh...our 1st trip is in 1 month and haven't even thought about the meal deal aspect of it yet. So let me hear the pros and cons? I know there are advocates for both sides. My family of 4 are going - me, dh, dd 14 and dd 9. 14 year old is picky eater. 9 year old loves just about anything.

Thanks!

 

[ky07]

The pros of the meal deal is if you and your family like eating alot during the day then its a good deal but if you only eat once or twice a day then its not worth it and plus the menus are very limited cause we are a family of 4 and I have found it cheaper just to buy a meal when ever we get hungry cause my kids are more interested in the rides than eating and also remeber the deal does not include drinks.

 

[jdragr]

Hmmm...sounds like it may not be worth it then. We've never done a theme park. I know...gasp. So I'm not sure how much we will eat at a park. I guess we'll find out one way or the other. Thanks for answering!

 

[maggieb9975]

I agree that the meal deal doesn't seem like a great deal to me...if you are a big eater and will eat more than twice a day it is a good deal but who wants to lineup 3 -4 times a day instead of riding.....add up what you would normally eat and it seems high....

check out this link

http://www.wdwinfo.com/universal/parkinfo/meal-deal.htm

 

[jdragr]

I agree that the meal deal doesn't seem like a great deal to me...if you are a big eater and will eat more than twice a day it is a good deal but who wants to lineup 3 -4 times a day instead of riding.....add up what you would normally eat and it seems high....

check out this link

http://www.wdwinfo.com/universal/parkinfo/meal-deal.htm

Thanks for the link. It souds like it would not be worth it for us. For one thing the choice of restaurants doesn't sound like the favorites to me. I'm sure it is good for others but I think we'll skip. Thanks for your help!

 

[Bobo912]

I got the meal deal for my son once because it came free with our ticket. I just paid for my own food. We don't usually spend a lot of time eating, so we just get counter service when we feel hungry. He didn't care much for the kids choices that were available to him. I wouldn't take the meal deal if I had to pay for it. Just FYI...you can get a AAA discount on counter service food at the park.

 

[patster734]

We've never done the meal deal. We wouldn't even consider it at IOA, as we love eating at Mythos which isn't included.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

My thinking is that the meal deal would be a good deal for my family, and I am planning on getting it for our June trip. I am figuring, since it is summer and the parks are open later, that we would get 3 meals out of it. I think we would have an early lunch (11-11:30), an early dinner (4-4:30) and then a third meal (or snack) later in the day before the parks close (say 8-ish). With 5 kids (2 teen boys and one almost teen boy), it seems worth it to me. Everyone acts like all you can get are burgers and fries on it, but at both parks you can get Asian food, salads, Italian dishes, etc. Seems like enough variety to me for 2 days. Hopefully I'm right!

 

[Metro West]

My thinking is that the meal deal would be a good deal for my family, and I am planning on getting it for our June trip. I am figuring, since it is summer and the parks are open later, that we would get 3 meals out of it. I think we would have an early lunch (11-11:30), an early dinner (4-4:30) and then a third meal (or snack) later in the day before the parks close (say 8-ish). With 5 kids (2 teen boys and one almost teen boy), it seems worth it to me. Everyone acts like all you can get are burgers and fries on it, but at both parks you can get Asian food, salads, Italian dishes, etc. Seems like enough variety to me for 2 days. Hopefully I'm right!

The menu is pretty diverse and it sounds like you have it down. I remember being in line at Louie's and a family from NY was in front of me taking all the food! Then I saw the wristbands and knew they had the meal plan.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We tried it 1 day last Sept. We didn't like that it was only in certain restaurants you could use it. Also since it was low season the parks closed at 6:00 so restaurants closed at 5:30. We were still a little full from lunch but felt like we had to eat at 5 before the rest. closed otherwise we'd only be getting 1 meal for $20. I guess if you have a huge appetite and would normally buy 2 entrees you could save money.
We also didn't like that we could not use it at any of the breakfast food places. At least if we got 3 meals it might pay but it overall wasn't convenient at all and haven't done it since.

 

[damo]

I think you miss out on some great places to eat if you get the meal deal plan.

 

[dolPhinlovEr83]

The menu is pretty diverse and it sounds like you have it down. I remember being in line at Louie's and a family from NY was in front of me taking all the food! Then I saw the wristbands and knew they had the meal plan.

Wonder if that was my family
We were big fans of the meal deal and also big eaters!!

 

[kellymonaghan]

The comments on this thread are right on (IMHO) and reflect my growing feeling about the Meal Deal.

If you eat constantly, and like fast food, a good deal. Otherwise, there are better ways to allocate your dining dollars.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My thinking is that the meal deal would be a good deal for my family, and I am planning on getting it for our June trip. I am figuring, since it is summer and the parks are open later, that we would get 3 meals out of it. I think we would have an early lunch (11-11:30), an early dinner (4-4:30) and then a third meal (or snack) later in the day before the parks close (say 8-ish). With 5 kids (2 teen boys and one almost teen boy), it seems worth it to me. Everyone acts like all you can get are burgers and fries on it, but at both parks you can get Asian food, salads, Italian dishes, etc. Seems like enough variety to me for 2 days. Hopefully I'm right!

that was how we did it, in the summer and it was worth it. when we did it in the fall with shorter hours, it was not worth it for us. we only at once. We are here now and did not do it today since we got to the park late and knew we were leaving the parks by 6pm.. wasn't going to be worth it for today as well. However, on the days I can get at least three meals out of it, it is worth it.. otherwise, it is cheaper to eat with the Annual pass discount for one meal each.

 

[Metro West]

Wonder if that was my family
We were big fans of the meal deal and also big eaters!!

I don't know.

 

[momandseandodisney]

we are staying offsite (maybe)

can we buy the meal plan per day? and if we dont like it stop?

 

[Metro West]

we are staying offsite (maybe)

can we buy the meal plan per day? and if we dont like it stop?

Anyone can purchase the meal deal and it's sold by the day. I don't think they would give you a refund if you didn't like it though.

Check this link for more information: http://www.universalorlando.com/tic_meal_deal.html

 

[momandseandodisney]

Yes, when I called she said you could by it the day of even, at the gate

So i will try the first day, then go from there