My parents want all TS...I can't afford it!

[Carrie772]

We are headed to WL again with my folks. I love to travel with them as they really like to eat out and ride all the rides. My problem is this: We could all eat out every meal at a TS and they would be soooo happy. I can't swing that financially. It's just alot. The DP doesn't really suit us as my DD10 loves the rich food, my DS13 likes hotdogs and DS6 just want sandwiches. So, anyway, how do we find a happy medium?

My preference is a few TS with characters and then the rest CS.

WWYD?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, maybe you eat some of the cs meals they love with them, and other times you split up for meals. I have had this same problem when travelling with family. Generally dh's aunt (who is elderly) and my own parents enjoy a sit down meal once a day. We about went broke travelling with them! In the end, its tough to please all people esp in a broad age range and its probably easiest to split up for a few meals.

If they don't want to do that you might tell them "sorry, we'd love to but no can do" and see if they would like to treat you to those extra meals. Or you could book places where you can share meals (that would be non buffet). I have a 13 yo dd who is a very small eater. We have never been to a non buffet restaurant in WDW where she can't order a kids meal or share with me or just order a side salad. That helps. Also ordering water only saves around $10 per meal. Breakfast buffets are cheaper than dinner. So there are ways to eat TS that is cheaper. I am not a fan of the DDP, its just too much food for my 13 yo. So for us, if we eat TS from here on out, we'll do breakfast for the buffets, then share meals, order dd a kids meal and drink water to have a sit down experience for a much cheaper price tag.

You could also do some of the really good cs options. Wolfgang Puck Express is like a sit down meal. Its pricier than other cs, but you can share, there is no tip and its excellent. Eat there a couple of times as a happy medium!

I'll also recommend the Plaza Inn. Sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers. Its a sit down, but very reasonable by WDW standards. The Trails End Buffet is another cheap option and its a short boat ride from the WL.

 

[TDC Nala]

I take it the dining plan has not been purchased.

Your only recourse is probably to tell them that if they prefer to eat all TS meals, they are welcome to book some, and your family will join them for some meals but not all of them. Help pick out the places the whole family will go to eat. Choose some places where your family can share meals.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I think you should just be honest with her. Tell her that a.that many ts's is just too much for you and b.the kids wouldn't enjoy it, but that you'd love to spend those days with them and just split up for some meals, and you know your family would really enjoy a couple of TS character meals. Then just see what she says. What you're asking for in terms of compromise seems very reasonable to me.

 

[cbg1027]

Talk to your parents and tell them exactly what you just said. You could propose the idea that if they want to eat at more TS places than you schedule, they are welcome to make their own ADR's for some meals. As long as they eat that the same park you're in most of the time, it would be easy to just eat apart and meet back up for attractions.

I don't know how attached you are to WL, but if you moved to a moderate resort you would save a lot of money you could put towards TS dining. But if staying at WL is more important to you than than eating mostly TS meals, I think you should stick with what YOU like - it's your vacation too!

 

[MickeyNicki]

This has happened to us when we traveled with my inlaws...what we did was told them if they want all TS then they have to pay for us too! We did come to a compromise, we met at the food court for breakfast unless they wanted a character meal then we met them at the park later. If they wanted a lunch TS we would meet them later, we would go eat CS, and we would eat dinner with them at a TS.

It worked out great because we needed the time away from them, love them but too many hours together is not always a great thing

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Definitely talk to them -- also how about a few meals at The Plaza in the MK. It's a great sandwich place, TS, but not as pricey as many of the other places!