No DDP/food budget?

[Fluffy626]

Hi there experienced Disney Diners! For the first time we have decided to go without a Disney Dining Plan. This being because we are not planning on a sit down meal each night of our stay. I'd like opinions on if anyone thinks we should have went with the dining plan/would it be saving us $$$!

Here is the info:
2 adults, 3 kids (9, 5, 4months)
We will be in the parks from 1/2 until 1/12.
The few reservations we have are at: Flying Fish (D), Le Cellier(D), O'hana Lilo and Stich Breakfast, Akershus (L), and Cape May (D).
For the rest of our meals we plan to eat snacks and some quick service. None of us are big breakfast people and we bring a few cases of water with us since we drink that more than anything.

How much do you think I should set aside for dining? Or should I be doing the DDP afterall?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We were debating the QSDP for our trip, but we went through the menus and made a simple spreadsheet using the cost of what we would likely order at each place, added it up, and that gave us a good estimate of what we would spend. It isn't exact, but we know which places we like and where we would likely eat.

 

[sharonabe]

Go to allearsnet.com and use their menus to see what you might eat at your TS and to get the buffet prices. That will give you a good estimate for those.

As for the QS, kids' meals are $6, so if both your younger ones will eat those, you have that price. If you're planning on splitting some adult entrees between all 5 of you, the bigger ones are $12-14, but most entrees are around the $10 mark. If you'll drink water with your meals, that's free.

 

[FreeTime]

I don't think you should do the dining plan especially if you are not planning a daily sit down. For our last trip. for 5 adults the QSDP would have cost us about $1500 for our length of stay. Instead, I took $1500 in cash and made a few advanced seatings and a few walk ups for TS and then we ate QS also. I told everyone they could order whatever they wanted (didn't give any restrictions on desserts for the kids who are adult prices except that they could get it at dinner or save it for later in the park - ice cream, dole whip, etc). We ate at Sci-fi, O'hana's, RFC, Plaza, had QS each day also, snacks whenever someone wanted and we only spent $1200 on food AND souvies....

 

[OThopeful35]

I wouldn't do the DDP in your case because (1) you have 2 signature TS, which would not be a good use of credits on the DDP. (2) a lower cost character breakfast (3) then you have a lunch which is cheaper than dinner at Akershus. Based on these TS choices, I would definitely go OOP.