OOP budgeting

[torian]

We went to WDW earlier this year and were on the DDP...found it was way too much food, and the child meals really boring.

Planning to go next year and pay OOP...but was wondering what was a realistic budget per day/person for a fam of 4 with a 9 (who does NOT like the child menus) and a 10 year old.

I've looked at the menus on allears and have some idea, but my daughter's point was correct- what if the menus change or they chage their minds and go with something else when we get there? I need some flexibility and was wondering what the budgets for similar fams were like.

tori

 

[Mickey country]

I say just estimate by the menus on allears.net . we have been with and without the plan, and unless we can get it for free, we will not be having the plan. We would not eat as much if we were paying for the meals with cash, and really don't need any extra pds.! If you will do regular restaurants and your kids will share, I believe that OOP will be cheaper.

 

[disney queen]

i have to agree w/Mickey Country! i just look on the menus and get an idea of what***I***will order and then just add the highest priced item for my husband although he usually does not order such! LOL!!! i have been successful w/the system.

 

[B-Ride]

Planning to go next year and pay OOP...but was wondering what was a realistic budget per day/person for a fam of 4 with a 9 (who does NOT like the child menus) and a 10 year old.

How does your 10 yr old feel about the child menus? Since they will be getting adult meals they can always split some items with the 9 yr old or you can even share from your plates. This might work out especially if you found the DP to be too much food. Also, eating at buffets or family style places like 'Ohana get around the child menu issue.

As for budgeting OOP it depends a lot on where you plan to eat. You can also eat offsite occasionally if you rent a car which saves a lot of money.

Like others say, you can check the menus at All Ears and add 10% for changing prices. Depending on when you go buffets can all be much more expensive with "holiday pricing".

This is why we like the Dining Plan so much. The budget is done when you pay for it. It is even better when you get it for Free which is much easier with Disney attendance down these days.

 

[rcraw45425]

Our family did the DP a few trips back because our visit was during "holiday pricing" which tacked on an additional $20 or so to all of our already overpriced buffets/AYCEs. It was, as others have said, too much food. What we generally do, and plan to do this trip is eat normally at AYCEs like 'Ohana, but order two entrees and split places like Yachtsman, Kona, places like that. He and I can split an entree, maybe order an additional salad, and the girls can split an entree.

 

[2Tiggies]

I love the new QSDP, but I use DDP for convenience of having everything paid up before I go. It is probably not the most cost effective for us as we don't eat nearly all that food.

We did a trip almost a year ago and paid OOP and I actually kept all the receipts (inlcuding snacks and things from vending carts) and we spent way less than the QSDP would have cost us. I think that is only because we ate the way we usually eat and even though we had the odd iceccream or dessert, we tend not to order dessert with our meals anyway and usually eat two meals a day, one of which is a light one so we ended up sharing a lot.

I think you can save by not doing the DDP if you arent huge eaters, don't mind not having dessert at every meal and don't mind not having a TS every day. If you want a TS each day, then it is quite hard to beat the DDP.

It sometimes works nicely when you order different meals to share, for example maybe get 2 meals and two sides, ask for a couple of extra plates and share the food like a platter. It is a great way to have a "little bit of everything" and is usually plenty. I would suggest if you are paying OOP that you may want to take some small snacks of your own, like cereal bars or something with you to carry you over between meals.

What we did won't really suit you as we are not the regular type of eaters (we have a picky mom and a child with allergies and so some special dietary requirements) so it won't help for me to explain it. We will be doing the Dining Plan next time though because I just couldn't be bothered to have to budget and work things out while on vacation.

The previous posters have also given some great advice like eating off site or going to a grocery store for basic supplies. Oh, you can also have groceries shipped to your resort if you prefer.... another option that may help. Happy planning!

 

[Schmoodle]

It depends on a lot of variables, how you eat, whether or not you'll have access to a fridge, microwave, or full kitchen, and if you'll be able to bring food with you, or get to a grocery to get some stuff.

Just for comparison, I can tell you that last October, I spent an average of $28/day on food for each of us. We had a kitchen, picked up some supplies at a grocery store, so most days we had breakfast at the condo, ate sandwiches for lunch. We had about 3 TS meals during the week, probably 4 CS meals, and usually bought a snack each day for each of us.

 

[rcraw45425]

One thing we're doing this trip is staying club level again, mainly so I don't have to bother with hauling bottled water and drinks with us. We have one DD that likes breakfast, so she can go to the lounge and get something, we can grab fresh fruit to snack on and if we want, grab a dessert in the evening.

 

[dvcdisney]

I can sympathize. My children don't like the traditional child's meals, so we were creative when we had the DDP plan. We would choose places with better child's menu and restaurants which offer the same for adults and children such as 'Ohana. There are also buffets, we had some of them as well, but after one trip, we steered clear of them.

On our next vacation we are planning to just pay OOP and purchase the TIW. I have a budget of approximately $180 per day for a family of 4 with a 10 and 5 year old, based on the restaurants we have chosen. This is more than the DDP for us, but we don't plan on ordering any children's meals, so this is pretty good, I think. And this includes the tip as well. We will have some of our breakfast at the room (cereal, juice etc - not big breakfast eaters). And share our lunch at CS restaurants since we are not very fond of lunch/CS type meals. I have included a snack each per day. The majority of the budget will be from the TS restaurant (mostly dinner) along with the 20% discount, 6.5% tax and mandatory tip for using the TIW. Also, we do not drink alcohol which would definitely increase any budget.