ok, which would you do?

[pooch]

My DH and I are taking our DGS (2) to visit our DD in Orlando in May. Got a free QS pin and booked 5 nights at CSR for $1400.00 with 2 day base tickets for DH & I. DD works for another area theme park and we will spend a day there (free) and probably 3 days at WDW (she will get us in free the 3rd day)

A room-only for the same timeframe is $800. Adding in the park tickets I expect to still need, the total would be $1160.00.

So my question is... is the free qs plan worth $240? Obviously we will use it the 3 days at the WDW parks and at our resort but we will have the ability to eat "off site" if we so chose.

I have used and enjoyed the free reg DDP for years but think the qs plan would work better with the little one and we might pay OOP for a character meal.

Right now my head is spinning trying to make a reasonable decision so I turn to you, my Disney uber-planners for your educated input. I would need to book the room only by 2/28!

Thanks,
Pooch

 

[pooch]

any opinions? come on, somebody must have one!!!

 

[andieb0602]

You can feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt. The last time I was at WDW I was 5 but I *have* been doing waaaaay too much research to figure out what would work for my family (DH, me, 5 YO DD and 2 YO DS) best. You'll be getting 10 meals (5/day) for $240. So if you could eat elsewhere for less than $24/meal, no, it's not a good deal. In my eyes, though, it is a good deal if you're planning on using the plan for lunch and dinner.

If you would be using the meal plan for a lot of breakfasts it might not be as good. Also, if your DGS is a big eater and/or would want his own meal I don't think it's as good a deal. If he'll eat off your plates you'll be fine. We're getting the regular dining plan knowing that DS can eat off our plates at our quick services meals and our sit down meals are all buffets so he can pick out what he wants.

 

[jenseib]

So basically 4 of you are eating off that $240....I think it's a fabulous deal.

 

[kerplop]

I think it really depends on your eating habits. If you're big eaters and the little one eats his own meal then it's a great deal. If you are light eaters and he will share with one of you, I would probably eat out of pocket for food and stick with room-only. There are plenty of QS restaurants that can fill you up without costing an arm and a leg. From past experience you really have to make the very most of your QSDP in order for it to be worth paying for it, as it were.

 

[jenseib]

Why don't you look at menus and prices. You can't really get a QS meal for less than $8, most are more. Plus a drink. If you eat 2 times a day, you are going to spend at least $16-$20 per person per day. I'm sure you'll share with the little ones, but you can buy oop for them if needed. Or use a credit for them since you plan to eat off site a few times. Off site might be cheaper at some places, but not all. And sometimes when you are hungry, you want to eat now, and not drive 5-10 miles to a McDonalds.

 

[pooch]

booked both ways right now and, at least at this very moment and subject to change at any time, I am leaning toward room only. I expect we'd use the plan for breakfast each day and then either lunch or dinner. $48 is the break even point. Assuming a QS meal to be $12-13 with breakfast more like $10-11, I think we'd be pretty close to that figure in which case the R/O makes more sense. Then I wouldn't be concerned about breaking even. Thanks for the input!!

 

[MEK]

Remember you also get two free snacks a day per person and a free refillable mug. There are some great CS places around the world where you could easily spend more than $24 for two people per meal. If you are already planning to eat most of your meals on Disney property (with the exception of when you go to the other theme park) and you like dessert then I would lead towards the dining plan. You can use those entitlements however you want, so you could use 6 on one day and 4 on another.

 

[jenseib]

Remember you also get two free snacks a day per person and a free refillable mug. There are some great CS places around the world where you could easily spend more than $24 for two people per meal. If you are already planning to eat most of your meals on Disney property (with the exception of when you go to the other theme park) and you like dessert then I would lead towards the dining plan. You can use those entitlements however you want, so you could use 6 on one day and 4 on another.

It did change this year. It's only 1 free snack.

 

[MEK]

It did change this year. It's only 1 free snack.

Figures! I think they are really starting to nickel and dime people now. I don't like it. How can you raise the price and take a snack away?

 

[jenseib]

Figures! I think they are really starting to nickel and dime people now. I don't like it. How can you raise the price and take a snack away?

I know, like when they took away the appetizer and lowered the price by a few dollars for 1 year..and then it went back up.

 

[pooch]

I am back to the dining plan. We're staying at CSR and it looks like Pepper Mill has a breakfast buffet (Jayson would be free correct?) and some really good looking dinner options. He loves breakfast and always eats very well in the morning so a buffet would be perfect for him. Thank God I have only 3 more weeks left to decide!!!

 

[lurkernj]

I'm guessing you will have a car. I would get the dining plan and stop at DTD on your way back from the "other" parks and eat at Wolfgang puck express. The food and value there is just awesome. Also with the breakfast buffet at Pepper market, that would be a great start for your "other" park days.

 

[pooch]

I'm guessing you will have a car. I would get the dining plan and stop at DTD on your way back from the "other" parks and eat at Wolfgang puck express. The food and value there is just awesome. Also with the breakfast buffet at Pepper market, that would be a great start for your "other" park days.

WPE is one of our FAVORITE CS meals. We ate there 3 times on our last trip!!

I still haven't decided (see a pattern here?) on a car yet. DD has a car and we might just use hers or let her chauffeur us around.

I am so totally not like this normally but taking the little one has thrown all my planning know-how out the window!!!