Need help calculating our costs

[monica9]

we always do the regular dining plan but last time we went we realized how annoying it can be for our family to take time out every day and half the time we are still full from a shack or quick service earlier. Our little one will be almost 3 and sitting for too long might be too much for her especially if she’s over tired.
We are a family of 4 -2 adults 1dd9 1dd2 going 7 nights
We are going at the same time as my sister and BIL who have the quick service plan
We are definitely doing ohana one night with them.
We are happy having breakfast and dinner quick services and then a snack in the afternoon and maybe another at night.
Our definite sit downs are
Ohana dinner ($170 with tip)
Chef Mickey breakfast ($170 with tip)
Maybe princess meal for our little one (dh doesn’t think it’s fair for us to not do it just to save a little $$ when we went all out when our oldest was young. We aren’t fans of akershus food and Cinderella’s table is too much $$$. Might do grand Floridian Cinderella dinner.
So my question
Do we do the quick service plan about $950
Pay OOP for the three sit downs $450
Which is same price as regular dining plan
Or pay for regular plan and
Do Cinderella’s table for two credits
Ohana
Chef Mickey
Maybe space restaurant if it’s opened
Trade in 2 or 3 table services for 4-6 quick services.
Or pay out of pocket which is such a pain since we don’t want to worry about money while there

What’s our best bet?
Thanks for the help

 

[Lalyde]

I personally would probably just pay for the regular plan if the qs + oop is the sane price. Then you have the flexibility to add another ts if you like. It might not be the best use of money to trade the ts but if you are paying the same price either way then who cares. As long as you know what you are doing going in then I wouldn't worry about it. Just my opinion not necessarily based on facts and I didn't run any numbers.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If it’s that close pay oop. You have no commitment and can change plans when and if you want

 

[monica9]

If it’s that close pay oop. You have no commitment and can change plans when and if you want

I know I just would hate to worry about cash and what we owe st the end. I heard the MDE app was updated and you can now see each day how much you owe on your resort account? I should just buy gift cards here and there and bring them with us that way I will feel like it’s not coming out of our pocket

 

[Patches Lee]

Personally I wouldn't do the standard plan in your case. Your 2yo will eat free at any buffet already so your OOP would possibly be less. And even converting credits you may just break even vs OOP. 1900 Park Fare characters are hilarious when we went, plus one of the few places Prince Charming visits.

 

[monica9]

I think we are going to try oop. I tend to penny pinch when I see high prices for foods and will end up buying the cheapest thing in the menu that I don’t necessarily want. I think if we purchase $1000 in gift cards at 4% back from bjs which will save us $40 at least and just use the gift cards like “ free money” then I won’t panic as much when I see the bills

 

[siren0119]

I think we are going to try oop. I tend to penny pinch when I see high prices for foods and will end up buying the cheapest thing in the menu that I don’t necessarily want. I think if we purchase $1000 in gift cards at 4% back from bjs which will save us $40 at least and just use the gift cards like “ free money” then I won’t panic as much when I see the bills

if you have a target Redcard, you can get the 5% discount on Disney gift cards

That's what we do, I'm also a budgeter so I make up a spreadsheet and use the online menus (with prices) to calculate out the approximate cost of what I think my family will order at each meal, including tax (6.5%) and tip. That way I know pretty close to exactly what we will be spending and I get GC in that amount.

I didn't see if it was mentioned earlier, but keep in mind that when you use TS credits on the dining plan, you still need to tip your server unless the meal specifically states gratuity is included. So you'd need to budget for that regardless.

 

[Patches Lee]

I think we are going to try oop. I tend to penny pinch when I see high prices for foods and will end up buying the cheapest thing in the menu that I don’t necessarily want. I think if we purchase $1000 in gift cards at 4% back from bjs which will save us $40 at least and just use the gift cards like “ free money” then I won’t panic as much when I see the bills

I've been using my 1% Cash back Discover card to buy gift cards from Sam's club, pay off each month so no interest. At $1050 that's an extra $10 on top of the $49.14 saving buying the 3 pack $50 cards.

 

[monica9]

if you have a target Redcard, you can get the 5% discount on Disney gift cards

That's what we do, I'm also a budgeter so I make up a spreadsheet and use the online menus (with prices) to calculate out the approximate cost of what I think my family will order at each meal, including tax (6.5%) and tip. That way I know pretty close to exactly what we will be spending and I get GC in that amount.

I didn't see if it was mentioned earlier, but keep in mind that when you use TS credits on the dining plan, you still need to tip your server unless the meal specifically states gratuity is included. So you'd need to budget for that regardless.

Thanks. I thought REDCard doesn’t work with Disney gift cards anymore? I just read there’s $5 back on $50 spent at Home Depot until Jan 31. I guess you purchase a happyguy gift card and then you can purchase a Disney gift card from that which saves 10%. That’s great if I can get $5 back for every $50. If not I’m going to have my whole family and every friend I know buying me gift cards there lol

 

[siren0119]

Thanks. I thought REDCard doesn’t work with Disney gift cards anymore? I just read there’s $5 back on $50 spent at Home Depot until Jan 31. I guess you purchase a happyguy gift card and then you can purchase a Disney gift card from that which saves 10%. That’s great if I can get $5 back for every $50. If not I’m going to have my whole family and every friend I know buying me gift cards there lol

You can't use Target GIFT cards to buy other gift cards (that was a somewhat recent change) but you CAN use the Target Red card to buy GC with the 5% discount. Just did it last week to pay the deposit on our trip in August

I will have to look into that Home Depot deal!! Every little bit helps!

 

[monica9]

You can't use Target GIFT cards to buy other gift cards (that was a somewhat recent change) but you CAN use the Target Red card to buy GC with the 5% discount. Just did it last week to pay the deposit on our trip in August

I will have to look into that Home Depot deal!! Every little bit helps!

My sister has a REDCard. Do they sell $500 gift cards there? So it will only cost me $475?

 

[siren0119]

My sister has a REDCard. Do they sell $500 gift cards there? So it will only cost me $475?

The largest denomination they have is $100 (that I've seen), but you can combine them into a single gift card at https://www.disneygiftcard.com/Manage/MyCards - this is how we pay for our vacation, I buy however many GC I need to make the payment I want, then enter them in the above website and transfer the balances to a single card.

You would pay $475 whether you bought a single GC or a bunch in smaller denominations equalling $500, the 5% applies to whatever your total is.

 

[KTR]

Have you looked at Akershus for breakfast? They have a pretty mainstream American breakfast that might be more appealing for you.

No other advice about how to pay.

 

[KMarston]

I wasn't aware that you could trade qs for TS. If you decide on the plan HDDR might be a lot of fun for 2 credits. It includes the tip and CRT does as well. Also, if you drink the plan includes an alcoholic beverage of choice. We've also made a meal out of snack credits. Sunshine Seasons grab and go worked very well using snack credits with our grandson who was two on the last trip. Enjoy! This time we're out the price of a child's character meal and he'll probably eat a roll! He is absolutely mesmerized by them though!

 

[monica9]

Have you looked at Akershus for breakfast? They have a pretty mainstream American breakfast that might be more appealing for you.

No other advice about how to pay.

We have. We've been there 5 times already and my husband isn't a fan but maybe I can talk him into the breakfast since it's standard food. It's still pricey though! I think all character ones will be

 

[monica9]

I wasn't aware that you could trade qs for TS. If you decide on the plan HDDR might be a lot of fun for 2 credits. It includes the tip and CRT does as well. Also, if you drink the plan includes an alcoholic beverage of choice. We've also made a meal out of snack credits. Sunshine Seasons grab and go worked very well using snack credits with our grandson who was two on the last trip. Enjoy! This time we're out the price of a child's character meal and he'll probably eat a roll! He is absolutely mesmerized by them though!

Wait, I'm a vet and I don't know what HDDR is!
If you use 2 credits can you get 2 alcoholic beverages? The last time we got the dining plan was in 2017 before they included alcoholic beverages.

No, I might have written that wrong, you can trade 1 TS for 1 QS

 

[KMarston]

Wait, I'm a vet and I don't know what HDDR is!
If you use 2 credits can you get 2 alcoholic beverages? The last time we got the dining plan was in 2017 before they included alcoholic beverages.

No, I might have written that wrong, you can trade 1 TS for 1 QS

Hoop Dee Doo Review! And it's unlimited drinks but the selection is limited. Beer, wine, sangria and some moonshine drink!

 

[monica9]

Hoop Dee Doo Review! And it's unlimited drinks but the selection is limited. Beer, wine, sangria and some moonshine drink!

oh, haha. We did it once and my husband isn't into country so I'm sure he won't want to again

 

[monica9]

I'm still wondering if maybe we should just get the regular dining plan for $1350 for our 7 nights and do: chef mickey, Ohana, cinderellas royal table (x2) and another 2 credit one and maybe trade in a table service into a quick service if we decide we don't want to waste too much time sitting?
That would be 6 credits of sit downs and one traded into quick service.
Does anyone know of other restaurants worth trying that are 2 credits and which ones have tip included?

 

[Nancyg56]

Have you looked at Akershus for breakfast? They have a pretty mainstream American breakfast that might be more appealing for you.

No other advice about how to pay.

This is my favorite princess meal.

I'm still wondering if maybe we should just get the regular dining plan for $1350 for our 7 nights and do: chef mickey, Ohana, cinderellas royal table (x2) and another 2 credit one and maybe trade in a table service into a quick service if we decide we don't want to waste too much time sitting?
That would be 6 credits of sit downs and one traded into quick service.
Does anyone know of other restaurants worth trying that are 2 credits and which ones have tip included?

This is how I would plan:
Add up the cost of the meals you are planning. Be sure to add the tax. Be honest about the beverages. If you woudl like an alcoholic beverage add about 10 per meal. If you normally would not order one, but take it becuase it is "free" do not add them in. Stick with what you would order, either soft of water.

In your case I would not add in snacks per day because you have not mentioned them. If you normally buy a few, add in $5 per each you think you would buy. Add tax. Some are more money, others less, but I find $5 a good estimate.

What counter service meals are you thinking of with your TS choices? Look at the menus and estimate what your family willlikely order. Use the same beverage plan as above, and add that cost if it pertains.

This gives you a pretty decent estimate of the OOP cost.

Now add the cost of the dining plan for you family. Tax is already paid with the cost of the plan, so you have an apples to apples comparison.

I never add in tip because I tip on my TS meals, DDP or not, and I order what i want, DDP or not so for me it is a wash.

Do NOT work backwards and plan meals to match the plan you are looking at, and whatever you do, be honest with yourself in terms of how you will want to dine. My DH will tell me to plan "on the cheap" he does not need a Taj Mahal" and is "happy with a burger." This is the same man who called the Beach Club a "dump" and arranged a mutiny because I was "starving Him" after I had booked club level and thought we would have our breakfast in the lounge, and who insisted I find us a TS dinner for every evening I had planned CS. He made us move from POR to the Grand one year, and on our last stay at OKW 2 bedroom villa he asked me why we had not stayed in Disney. (Even after forcing hom to watch youtube videos of villas that woudl accomodate our crew and that were thought to be included on the FD offer) My daughter and DSIL now refer to Pa as Princess when we plan our WDW trips.

For us, I now just plan what meals he will be happy with and ignore the shock when we make the total cost of meals we are enjoying on FD.