Meal Plan questions

[jessirae]

There is 11 in our party with eight adults and three children. Does anyone know if it's worth the up front money for the meal plan?

 

[SnwflkCts]

There is a whole forum on the DDP where you will get LOTS of answers.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116

Most of the time, talking about the cost, you have to decide if you are light eaters or big eaters. Will you enjoy appitizers, etc... Other DISers will tell you to look at menus (costs are listed) and plan a meal. You might want to plan the cost as 1 adult Counter Service (called Quick Service in January 2007) and 1 adult Table Service. Don't forget to add in the cost of a snack per day ($2.50). Then compare to what you would pay.

Do the same for the child's meal if they will be on the plan. Not quite as much to choose from for them. Also keep in mind 9 and above are considered ADULTS on DDP.

Of course you don't have to spend it as CS, TS a day -- they can be moved around, etc... but just to do the math.

Also remember for TS, the 18% gratuity is already added in! Only additional tip if you tip up to 20% or wanted to reward extra special service! (and of course tip for anything you pay for out of pocket, like drinks as a poster below mentioned)!

DH and I (two pretty good eaters) averaged CS at $22.00 (for two) and $95 for TS (again that is 2 people). By adding up what it would have cost I saved $150 over 6 nights.

But go to the forum above. I really gleaned my info before I went from there.

 

[hoosll]

Please remember to tip for your alcoholic beveages which will come on a separate ticket!

 

[inloveindisney]

Personally, we have done trips with and without the dining plan and both times we went without the dining plan, we have regretted it. Now, that being said, we like to eat. When we're on the dining plan, we'll eat even when we aren't hungry just because we like trying new restaurants.
When I planned a trip with a big group, I set them all up to get the dining plan and they were so thankful that I did. This group ranged from age 8 to age 48. They all were so happy that they didn't have to worry about money. The parents that had 2 kids were exceptionally thankful because to them it seemed like they weren't wasting money while they were there.
Something to consider, but I am very aware that there are a lot of picky eaters and people that eat very small amounts of food. Probably not the best deal for these types. You get a lot of food on the plan.

 

[M 'n C]

I think it depends on what kind of eating you want to do while there. My bf and I did it during our last trip as it was the promotion at the time (free dining) and we had a blast eating a nice dinner each night and trying out different restaurants. It was a lot of food for us light eaters but it kept us pretty full so we didnt' even need breakfast or a snack - we used that on goofy candy for his nieces.

Definetly check out restaurant menus and if you want to do character meals it is a pretty good deal. For the 2 of us character dinners were around $75 if we would have paid out of pocket.

 

[AllNamesTaken]

As long as you will use the table service meals, it is WELL worth it. If you would normally prefer counter service for most of your meals, it is not worth it.

 

[jessirae]

Thank you for all the feedback. Even though it feels like a lot of money up front, I am feeling like it will be well worth it. My family and I love to eat . ! And with 3 children, character meals will be a must.

Thanks

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Thank you for all the feedback. Even though it feels like a lot of money up front, I am feeling like it will be well worth it. My family and I love to eat . ! And with 3 children, character meals will be a must.

Thanks

Sounds like it may be for you, then.

Besides checking out our own DDP forum, go check out some of the menus at allearsnet.com . Start comparing prices. The DDP is what, $40 a day? If you look at many TS menus, you'll see that you get that much value out of some TS meals all by themselves, meaning you pretty much end up getting the counter service meal and snack for "free" each day.

If you like to eat, and you don't mind taking the time to eat a TS each day, then it's for you. I found that getting something small at breakfast (on my own dime or using a snack credit), having a nice counter lunch, and then a sit-down dinner was more than enough and I'm a huge eater.

Check carefully, but it really is an excellent value if, say, you can really eat an app, entree, and dessert at every TS meal.

Good luck!

NED