Meal plan-is it really worth it?

[forgop]

I got a price quote for the meal plan for 2 adults and 2 children of $600 for a 7D/6N trip in December. I know I've read that it's a "good deal" compared to what you'd normall spend if priced separately, but I'm also trying to keep in mind that we wouldn't necessarily have to have steak dinners while we're there. I realize there's the convenience of eating on-site, but if someone wanted to get by from a frugal perspective (ie, packing daily meals like chips/sandwiches for lunch, eating cereal for breakfast, and maybe a more moderate dinner out), do you think you'd spend even half of that? I'm just trying to decide if I'drather do an all-star w/ meal plan or go to the Caribbean with us going the frugal route for meals. I just want to make sure I keep it under $2k. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is probably best asked over on the Disney Dining Plan board. I'm going to move this over there so you'll get the best possible answers.

Knox

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

It really depends how big a foody you are. When we go we always do a sit down meal a day that adds up to well over $30 a day. That is talking a regular meal, not just steak (Disney dining prices are a lot higher then a family restaurant at home) So if you figure in the price per day for DDP and the cost of a sit down meal that alone is worth it!

If you are the type who mostly does counter service. Doesn't like "wasting time on eating" and are always on the go, then I would say skip it and pay as you go.

 

[bicker]

On average, FWIR, folks are finding that the 2008 Disney Dining Plan is roughly a "little better than break-even" proposition, if you plan to use all the components of the plan (i.e., all TS and all CS and all snack credits), unless you have to pass-up a substantial room discount in order to qualify for the Dining Plan. Some folks are finding it a bit better than that; some folks finding it a bit worse; folks who wouldn't use all the components are generally better off without it; and folks who are able to find a substantial room discount are better off going that way, and paying for meals OOP.

 

[asmit4]

Well, in order to determine the value for your situation, you'd have to determine what you would eat if you did NOT do the DDP. So let's crank some #'s.

6 days of breakfasts for 4 people-
let's presume 1 box of cereal, plus gallon of milk, plus orange juice and maybe donuts on 1 day
My best guess would be maybe $25.00 for breakfasts with the above items

Lunches for 4 people-
You pack your lunches but decide to buy drinks there b/c of the weight. Lunch includes 1 large bag of pretzel rods, plus 1 large bag of chips for the week, along with sandwiches, meat, bread, condiments, cheese.
Maybe $50 for the week including a nice selection of what the kids like for meats and breads plus 4 drinks each day at a cost of 2.50 each = 70
TOTAL = $120 lunches

Snacks- I am guessing that you will buy mickey ears once, and probably another type of snack too for the kids, probably more but I'm trying to be frugal here so 2 snack per person = 8 snacks @ 3.00 each.
=$24 snacks

Dinners on site at a table service place is probably gonna run $70 a night with tax and tip for 2 adults, 2 kids, and that is just a "burger place".
x 6 nights = $490 for dinners

GRAND TOTAL = $589

You said the meal plan is gonna run you about $600.

Of course the above #'s are estimates- VERY rough estimates. With the DDP, you CAN have steak dinners, and Counter service lunches in the parks, along with mickey ears as snacks. With the frugal plan, you might be skimping- saying "no" a lot to the kids for things like extra desserts etc.

Granted, the DDP will probably not cover every food expense you have. For instance, I would probably need a drink and a snack each day so my snacks would go to the actual food, but the cost of the drinks each day would go out of pocket.

I think in the end, you might be happier with the DDP, but it really depends on what you like to eat. For us, going on vacation is partially, ok, majorly about eating, EVERYTHING, snacks, huge meals etc.

If your family is ok eating cereal instead of sticky buns, and sandwiches instead of burgers and chocolate cake for lunch from a CS, and burgers for dinner instead of steak and seafood, then the frugal way might work well.

Also, if having things like a slide, a larger room etc are important to you then eating frugal might also make sense.

 

[KKB]

I was convinced our family of 5 could certainly eat for less than $140/day (12 year old is adult on DDP)

My mom said, sure, but not without a great deal of effort and saying "no".

asmit4 made an even better case with a cost breakdown! If you had NO TS, ate breakfast in room, brought lunch to parks daily, and limited to ONE snack daily, you might get by for $450.

Personally, I love the fact that I do NOT have to say....no drinks (ice water only), no dessert, no that is too expensive! I love having it paid for already (we will have nominal expenses...alcohol, tips & souvies). I love sitting down & relaxing for a good meal each day (I scoured these boards for the best reviews, and allearsnet for menus) And I love that I will probably have dessert from dinner for breakfast many days!!!

Many love the program; some dislike the need for reservations, and the TS required; others feel it is a waste of food. Those who love it like the convenience and the perception of value.

 

[krissy2803]

For us it is more about the convenience factor. Being able to include most, if not all of our food and have it paid off before we go is a big plus. We used the DDP for the first time last year and really went all out to get the most bang for our buck. This year we will not do that. But keep in mind that we are without children.(unless you count us)

 

[KikiFan]

I think the greatest aspect of DDP is having everything paid before you go. If you're like me and pay cash upfront for vacations, it really is worth it.
I find it just makes it easier to stay on budget.

The trips I've been on a tight budget I've gotten really sick of CS.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Are ya'll referring to the regular dining plan or the deluxe? We are a family of 5 & my older ds is adult price- but he eats enough. So for him it would be okay-not really a waste, but I know it costs more for the deluxe plan. so whaddya think? We got a quote, for an 8 night stay, it's $250. a day-so that pans to about $2000.00. Anyone wanna help me figure this out?

Oh& we do like to eat at a world showcase for dinner at night.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Here is the way I always see it. I am not a foodie but the DDP alows me a variety of food to eat during the week, wihtout the table service meals I would get terribly sick of burgers. While I could probabally eat for slightly less without the plan but it alows me more variety, a chance to sit and get away from the crowds for a while, and more food (remember you get an appetiser, entre and desert at table service). I also recomend using your snacks for breakfast to save even more money. For us it is worth it but all a matter of personal preference.

A tip if you do get it though...make reservations for table service as early as possible because they fill up quick. You can make them up to 6 months in advance, but can usually get reservations (maybe not at the exact time or for some of the most popular resturants) till a few weeks before.

 

[KKB]

As we continue to refer to the CS & snack credits.
Premium is 2 or 3 TS meals a day, and considerably more expensive. I'd say a lot fewer of us would find the value of it!

Disneymommy, you can get regular DDP for HALF the price of premium. (we also are 3 adults & 2 kids at $140/day for 7 nights) You can easily eat World Showcase meals every night. We have Le Chefs and Le Cellier for 2 of our nights, and also have Ohanas, Boma, Kona, Wolfgang Pucks Cafe for 2, Kona breakfast plus Narcoosees for 2 of us. That plus a CS meal daily (ie burger, fries, desser & drink) plus a snack daily.

If you are going in 2007, your son should have NO problem keeping full. Appetizer, entree & dessert is a lot...and he can always finish off whatever anyone else doesn't eat! If you are going in 2008, you do drop the appetizer, he COULD find himself hungrier. You could always do a lot of buffets to counter any issues with that.

Personally, I think we will be PLENTY full on regular DDP, and I think Premium is truly overkill. JMO

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Thanks KK One thing I was interested in with the Premium plan is the extra meal and snack a day. We usually ship a box of food over there for breakfast and snax. Last year, I did dry cerael,paper goods, crackers , trail mixes, raisins, that sort of thing. And we got milk at the resort. The shipping cost for 2 med. boxes (very full ones!) was almost $70, + what I had spent on the actual food. I guess I am just going to have to sit down and figure it up. Yes, we are going in 08 and with the drop of app. and tip, it didn't seem as good of a deal. DH is gonna have to get out his calculator

 

[Chester's Mum]

We used the dining plan last year for the first time. For the meals we got at the restaurants we ate at, it was an amazing deal.

However, I felt restricted by having to have dining reservations 4-6 months in advance, and having to be at a prespecified place at a prespecified time every day, was daunting. Don't get me wrong, I am a planner, but sometimes we were having a great time and then had to stop what we were doing on schedule to get to our adr on time.

Also I know that even if we usually ate in a table service restaurant every night we would not have eaten that much food. I know that we probably would not have appetizers and dessert (maybe one or the other), but my kids like to have an ice cream or some other treat, and sometimes were not all that hungry come dinner time. Also keep in mind that the children's (3-9)dining plan, is basically chicken nuggets or mac n cheese with diet jello for dessert. Not everyone is happy with that.

If you would usually book a table service meal every night of your vacation, then yes it is a good deal, but if you are only inclined to book a couple of character meals and then eat at counter service the rest of the time, then I wouldn't go for it. I did however, enjoy being able to try out some of the table service restaurants. Now I can pick and choose and not worry about wasting my money.

 

[evenpar4me]

Ask your self a couple of questions,do you normallt order a started,entree,and then desert........ I did the dining plan in sept,lol,I ate it all,wife couldn't and didn't. we jusy laughed and decided that on our next trip 926-2/2 we woud make adrs at our two favorites calif grill,o'Hana and Kona.other than that,....i will eat as i normally do. anyway have a good one

 

[pkf4bucs]

I have read the pros and cons to a DDP. My family decided that we didnt want to have to worry about food, the cost or limits to where we would eat. Even though we "pay" for it, we are eating at some $$$ places we normally wouldnt even look at due to the price. To me the DDP takes that concern from me.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I really don't think we'll ever do Disney without the DDP. Even with the changes to next year's plan, we will be getting it. I ran the numbers and we still come out ahead. We like a sit down meal everyday. And I like being able to order anything off the menu without looking at the price. To me, it's a huge convenience.

 

[JeffreyY]

When we went this summer we tested out which would be better. We ate the way we usually would, we did not restrict our children or ourselves. The DPP would have cost $156 per day (children are adults). We spent between $115 - $125 per day including 1 TS each day. The only day we spent more was the day we ate 2TS(both buffets). Like I said we got what we wanted and didn't skimp. We got snacks when we wanted them. So for us it is cheaper not to do DDP.

 

[patsal]

IS it worth it is so subjective! It could be depending on your plans. Let me say fo r me it isn't worth it but we are all considered adults, do very little character dining and prefer apps over dessert, so it isn't worth it as it stands for 2008 for us. However, my sister with two small kids and lots of character dining, and a budget that allows for no surprises in cost would be best off with the DDP.
My way of helping others with this is to ask them what and where they like to eat. If it is character meals, dinner shows, things like that than ok, more kids than adults again ok, If you want to spend six hours per day dining than it is ok--but really each person needs to figure out first where they want to eat and what they want to eat, then compare the prices and see.

 

[Luvamouse]

I think it really depends on how you eat and what discount you may be able to get on the room. Here is my example--

I have a AAA room. Since I did not use a AAA agent, I cannot get the discounted room AND the DDP. With our Grand Gathering, we are having 2 TS some days--on our own we are going to AP so that was 2 TS, so I knew I would pay OOP for some meals. I sat down with every menu where we have a TS (including Le Cellier, Kona x 2, Crystal Palace, GF Cafe, 1900 Park Faire, Tusker House, Concourse Steakhouse, Ohana Breakfast, Sci-Fi) and figured out exactly what we'd get if it were "free". With our family of 4, I included 2 app and 2 dessert per TS, but in reality we simply never would get 2 of each or both an appetizer and dessert. I also know we tend more towards a less expensive 'dinner salad' -- with chicken/salmon, etc. for many meals. I printed out CS menus for every place we might eat in each park and at the Poly and did the same. Again choosing meals to my family's taste/appetite we came up with a maximum of $50, an average of just under $45 which I multiplied by 9 days. (I multiplied all TSs by 1.25 to figure tax and tip, all CS by 7% for tax.) I figured 3 snacks per day for my family, but we aren't big snackers usually. whenever we travel-- which is quite a bit, we are always comparing what we get for our dinners to the DDP so I know that the DDP has already paid for much more food than we would ever eat.

Then I figured out the 'loss' of my 10% discount $38.50 x 12.5% per day and added that to the $127.60 for my family's DDP. Lastly I added in the 3 cheapest TS that we would have to pay OOP for to get an honest "cost" to us of the DDP-- for us it totaled a bit over $200/day. In the end, even considering that our one meal at AP will be over $200 w/tax and tip, we are still less than $100 under the 'actual cost' of the DDP. I will take my chances due to the fact that (again, for us) I feel that having the DDP will pressure us into eating more food than we usually would since it is 'already paid for'. The last thing I want to do is feel ill walking around or going on rides because I am too full.

I will not deny that it is terribly time consuming to do what I did and of course who knows how we will eat when we get there. I just know that I was absolutely ready (for 3 years of planning!!) to do the DDP because it is terribly convenient and a great deal. Just not for us. (DD 7 is a pasta-dairyian-- no meat at all, eats pretty healthy, but all the foods she likes simply aren't easily available here. DD- 13 can eat like a horse despite her slim build, but sometimes just wants 2 appetizers or an app and a salad for dinner.) Choosing not to do the DDP may work for or against us, but I can take care of the convenient part by charging all the meals to our room. I will definitly post my after-thoughts when we return from WDW.

Just one more thought and way of looking at how practical it is for you.

 

[septbaby]

To refocus the OP is going to WDW in December 2007, so no deluxe plan.

If you can afford the plan consider it an extension of your vacation, part of the experience. It will all be pre paid, so unless you buy alcoholic beverages or things "off" the plan you won't pay extra. You will also not be forced to say no very often or choose the cheapest thing on the menu, just get what you want. (I wouldn't recommend getting the most expensive thing just beause either).

We had a first night dinner at Narcoossee's, an absolute treat with food and service. We also went out on the dock to watch the Electric Water Parade and Wishes fireworks. We would have never ventured here off the plan.

My nephew cannot stop talking about our breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Mom loved Boma. I was just happy my family was happy and enjoyed each place we chose (expect Peco Bills).

I think my mother enjoyed our batch of snack credits the most, so don't think it'll just be for the kids! The CS meals to me are the hidden gems because there are snacks built into the meals and there is plenty of food to go around.

Certainly you'll want to make your ADRs before arriving at Disney. Be sure to read up on the various restaurants and pick those that would suit your family.

As for resort, we did both CBR and the dining plan. We never even visited a Value resort, so can't help you there. I will say the CBR food court was spacious with lots of choices and CMs were well versed on the plan.