Meal Plan Question

[Dimples1973ca]

I guess it has been asked and answered before but... Is the meal plan worth it?

We are going to US/IOA for two days and trying to figure out the best plan.

Thanks

 

[Akwafunk]

The consensus seems to be no, although perhaps under a small subset of circumstances.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2203562&highlight=meal+plan

I guess the thing to remember is that since the park has structured the deal, and they have endless purchase data on which to base it, they've done so having calculated that they won't lose money on the deal.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't care for the restaurants on it. I wish that they'd charge more if they have to but include better restaurants.

 

[Metro West]

I don't care for the restaurants on it. I wish that they'd charge more if they have to but include better restaurants.

The only place on the meal deal that I really enjoy is Louie's at the Studios.

 

[Badge]

Normally when we visit for 3 days, we get it two of those days. Its great if you have big eaters in the family. A typical meal at one of the six places that the meal deal is accepted can cost between 7-9 dollars. Toss in the sweet that you get (normally a cookie or some sort of lemon cake) and you will be at 9-11 dollars. So, if you eat two meals you are about breaking even (maybe even losing money). However, when we do the meal deal, we eat one meal right away as sort of a "breakfast" and then around 2 we eat lunch, and then about an hour before park closes we eat dinner.

They stop serving food at the places 30 minutes before the park closes, so make sure to get everything before then. Also, last time we discovered that you did not have to get the meal to get the cookie! So, we went and each got two cookies before we left. Had one as a late night snack and one in the morning before the plane ride home.

So, basically if your family can eat 3 times in the parks, it is really worth it. If not, I would skip it. Also, DO NOT get the drink cup!!! You can buy a cup at the parks that costs about $7.00 but you get $.79 refills FOR LIFE! The Meal Deal cup you get can only be refilled for free when you have the meal deal. It is really not worth it to get the meal deal cup, but the only one will save you a ton!

 

[3Leafs]

We love the meal deal and always get it. I have teenage boys so its well worth it for us. I'm glad you mentioned about the cup badge I was all set to purchase the drink cup but I will wait now. We are doing 3 days at the park and only getting 2 days of meal tickets. We always take ziploc bags and get food to take back with us to the hotel at night! ( I still have a little one in a stroller so I can store it there) Like it was said if you are big eaters or you eat smaller meals often then its well worth it! I like the idea that I can tell my kids yes for the desserts they offer!

 

[PoohJen]

Can you get the refillable mug at the hotel (with refills there too?) or just in the parks?

 

[Badge]

The hotels do not have any sort of drink area like Disney does. They have bars and resturants to get drinks at. So, the answer to your question is no, the hotels do not have mugs.

What we do is fill up our two mugs (WITHOUT ICE) before heading back to the hotel. Getting ice in the cup really limits the amount of soda you get! This way when you get back to the hotel you will have two full mugs of soda that you can pour into the cups that have ice in them.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks (and I hear ya about the ice!). We'll be at the hotel before the park, not after; we'll probably just have our own soda there anyway!

 

[Badge]

Like I said, they do have some resturants and bars at the hotel. Some of them are open really late (Jaks at Royal is open until 2am!). You could go in there and grab a soda if you want. They also have chair service(? Do not know what you really call this. Pool service maybe ) at all the pools where people walk around to get you drinks and food from the pool grill if you want it.