Meal deal

[Goseethemouse]

Sorry but I am having such a hard time with this part of the trip. Here is my latest question:

I am now considering staying three nights at a Seaworld hotel (probably HGCV) and could get the "free" dining plan. Actually, it would cost about 75$ for two days (one day Aquatica, one day Seaworld) as compared to booking tickets and hotel separately (without dining).

My first question is: Would it be worth it? I think we could eat for around the same amount during the same time. At HGCV we would have the option to eat breakfast and maybe a dinner inexpensively in our room. Eating at chain restaurants usually runs around 30$ for us (one adult, two kids 10 and 8). So the savings wouldn't be huge and we would maybe find a better variety/quality offsite. On the other hand, being able to eat whenever someone gets hungry (let me just say growing boys) and grabbing snacks/drinks might be worth ist.

Also, I am wondering about the requirement that kids use the kid menu. My 8 year old really doesn't eat from the children's menu (doesn't like meat OR cheese). Would it be okay to "age" him for the ticket/hotel reservation (cost is the same actually)? I don't want to 'cheat' but it isn't as if he would eat more expensive items (he likes veggies, soup, etc.)

Please help - this part of the planning is driving me crazy!

 

[rottiemom]

Just something else to consider, and what I'm planning to do (I don't mean to add to your craziness).

If you use the playanddine code when you purchase tickets via the SW website you can get all day dining at SW/Aquatica for only 10$ additional per ticket. So 2 days of dining (albeit in the parks) for 10$ per.

 

[rottiemom]

Also, I am wondering about the requirement that kids use the kid menu. My 8 year old really doesn't eat from the children's menu (doesn't like meat OR cheese). Would it be okay to "age" him for the ticket/hotel reservation (cost is the same actually)? I don't want to 'cheat' but it isn't as if he would eat more expensive items (he likes veggies, soup, etc.)

just to add- you can check out the menus on the SW/Aquatica websites & see if there's stuff their your son would like to eat.

HTH.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'm all for the dining plan. For several reasons.

First.....its convenient. Its easy. If I can avoid having to make breakfast and dinner in the villa, then that's more time to enjoy the park, which is worth alot in my book. And I love not having to cook on vacation.

Secondly....you will be surprised at the excellent options available on the plan. DH raves about the chicken and rib combo platter at Voyageurs. There are multiple barbecue options here and they have all been fabulous. I had bread bowl stuffed with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, while DS devoured fettucini with chicken at SeaFire Inn (I think DH had fish & chips here....but can't remember for sure. The menu was very varied). Mango Joe's had some fabulous chicken tenders. There is pizza, wraps, sandwiches, fruit, pickles, salads, desserts all available at various locations. Literally, something for everyone and every taste. And all very, very good. IMHO, quality easily surpasses that of Disney's counter service options (with a scant few exceptions).

Thirdly, factor your drinks in. If you are going on a hot day, you could easily go through 4-5 drinks per person in a day to keep you hyrdrated (even if its just bottled water). That definitely adds to the value of the plan.

And finally...its unlimited. From park opening to park close. You could potentially eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and another evening meal before the restaurants close for the night. Then snacks in between....as many and as often as you like. Then your beverages. I know my husband and son (both voracious eaters) definitely get their money's worth during our visits .

I can't help with the questions about your 8 year old, unfortunately, but hopefully someone else has experience with the kids menu .

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Buying the ticket with the meal deal for 10$ probably won't work well for us as we are planning two days at each of the parks (well actualy two half days at Aquatica and 1.5 days at Seaworld). I realize the meal deal would only be good on one day of course but the ticket with the package cover 14 days (ds wants to visit Aquatica on his birthday as well).

I did take a look at the menus and finding something for my 8 year old won't be a problem - as long as we can stay away from the kids menus.

Really would appreciate it if anyone has an idea of whether it would be okay to give his age as 10 when booking? As the meal deal is free it comes out the same price for the package (actually I wouldn't mind paying a couple dollars more). Otherwise maybe older ds and he could switch their choices (older ds is more likely to eat hamburger, hot dog, chicken etc.)

What kind of snacks/desserts are available on the plan?

 

[disneymom06]

We Just got back and the all day dining was a great perk. I purchased tickets and used the play and dine code. I see no problem in putting a childs age as 10 since the price of the tickets is the same.

We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at the park. It was great for an air conditioning break too. The food options are excellent. The snacks, or desserts were the same throughout the park. They had choc cake, carrot cake, choc pudding, choc chip cookies, watermelon, Strawberries, oranges slices.

For our family it was an excellent option because we were spending all day in the park.

It took time. We also got bottles of water too. You had to get in line again, but we did not spend a dime on food we only used the all day dining deal.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the help. Don't know why I am having such a hard time deciding - I booked 11 days at WDW and there was none of this indecision.

I was thinking of booking the Hilton Grand Vacations Club in which case we would want to spend some time relaxing at the resort. Given the typical August heat I don't think we would want to spend all day at Seaworld (especially as we can come back the next day). So let's assume we get there right at opening and have a smallish breakfast. Then eat lunch around 11:30. Go back to the hotel and swim/relax etc. Return to Seaworld at around 5 and eat there. Do you think that would work?

Or we could book at the Fairfield - quite a bit cheaper and probably alright if we wanted to spend more time at the parks... I swear this is driving me crazy!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the help. Don't know why I am having such a hard time deciding - I booked 11 days at WDW and there was none of this indecision.

I was thinking of booking the Hilton Grand Vacations Club in which case we would want to spend some time relaxing at the resort. Given the typical August heat I don't think we would want to spend all day at Seaworld (especially as we can come back the next day). So let's assume we get there right at opening and have a smallish breakfast. Then eat lunch around 11:30. Go back to the hotel and swim/relax etc. Return to Seaworld at around 5 and eat there. Do you think that would work?

Or we could book at the Fairfield - quite a bit cheaper and probably alright if we wanted to spend more time at the parks... I swear this is driving me crazy!

I think your plan will work fine .

If money is not an issue, I would take the HGVC over the Fairfield Inn & Suites any day. Its a much more upscale property, the pool area looks alot nicer, and you would have a full kitchen plus laundry facilities in your room . (Okay, maybe I sound a little nutty for being THAT excited about a washer and dryer, but boy they are nice to have in the room during the sweaty summer!)

Now....if the savings is a deal breaker, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with the FI. I would just pick the HGVC if I had the choice .