Package selection?

[wineguy33]

With two boys ages 6 and 7 who are healthy eaters, we are trying to determine if the gold package is worth the cost. Any advice?

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

Do not let food determine the value of the plan. You get wishes. The wishes are worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $35 each for a familly of four (2 kids 2 adults). I saw the computation on allearsnet.com. If you use them on counter service and don't take advantage of the other things the plan has to offer just because you're into the parks you've just wasted some serious money. You need to go to nice sit-down restaurants and character meals almost every meal to get the value of it. And during peak times that means lots of planning and PS's.

I think Disney loves it when people think of the plans as meal tickets. They really clean up when we do. As a CRO who helped me out said, "Make your wishes wisely."

We're (2 adults, 2 teenaged girls) using the silver in July. I have all of my PS's made. We know that we can't finish a meal on our own from past experience and the wishes also get you an appetizer and dessert so we plan on sharing whenever possible. Character breakfasts and Fantasmic dining dictate that we use one wish per person. Wth the wishes left over we plan on parasailing, watercraft rental, and spa treatments.

 

[geniegirl]

I would not go with a plan you kids are not that old and the meal size is hugh. I priced a package and the cost was soooooo mcuh higher than what i figured for getting everything by itself. Besides you will feel presered to get in all the meals (taking away time from the parks) even if you do not want to eat just because you already "paid" for it.

I would get things sep and budget in for meals and other extras.

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

I would never suggest the plans for anyone. I still can't figure out why I got it. They say that it's supposed to make things easier but instead I've spent hours making calls and doing research just to make sure I get our money's worth without being inconvenienced. I'm a substitute teach so I have the time, but most people don't. If you're on a budget and it's more about saving money then don't even think about. If you want some of the perks you should be able to order them seperately.

 

[honeymo78]

If you are planning on doing watersports/ponyrides/hayrides and other recreational activities as well then you might want to do it. Also does your family enjoy eating out? My family has gone on the gold plan many many times, even when my brother and I were younger. My family loves to eat out and we always take a tour and take out boats when we are on gold. Also it is very convenient to have everything paid for in advance. I wouldn't recommend eating at counter service at all and you really should eat 3 meals a day if you go with gold. If you are even considering gold, I'm guessing you aren't going on a very limited budget. I can't imagine not going gold unless I really can't afford it.

 

[kmcdougan]

My GF and I are doing the gold plan in November when we go. Part of our line of reasoning was that we do prefer sit down restaurants over the fast food type places (I am a huge fan of steak, which tends to be a high ticket item, even outside WDW). About a year and a half ago, we went to MGM and ate at the Sci-Fi Drive-In. The meal for the two of us (which included what you get with the gold plan) was about $70 for lunch. When we were planning the trip, we figured this into our budget. By the time we tallied up the park tickets for a week stay, the hotel (on property), and the food cost for eating the meals there, we were getting pretty well up there. Additionally, we wanted to take the backstage tours. Most of these are included in the plan without having to use "wishes" like on the silver plan (same with recreational activities). We get the Cirque Du Soleil tickets (which we are really eager to see), plus the run of the parks, including water parks, and Disney Quest. We also get to do the dinner shows (no additional cost). By the time I added up everything that we intended to do, it came out to be about the same as the gold plan for the two of us. But, that is for us and what we want to do. It may not be the same for everyone. I would suggest siting down with the price guides for the restaurants that you would likely use and the other extras that you may want to do and price it all out. If there is no real cost difference doing it the one way versus the other, than, I'd say pick the plan. We have paid our entire cost already, so all we have to do is go. That alone, to me, is worth part of the cost. I will be happy to answer particular questions by way of private message.

 

[jcemom]

Mary has some TERRIFIC info on packages on her site, mousesavers.com, I recommend that you check it out. It should help you decide if a package is right for your family or not: Disney Packages

Personally I would never go with a package unless money was no object whatsoever. For us there is no way we would save money or even break even with a package. We just don't eat that much that often, and we don't do spa treatments or most of the other activities available, at least not enough of them to get our money's worth from the wishes. If money were no object and convenience was what I was looking for, then a package would be the way to go, IMO.

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

It might also be easier to fully utilize the plans off peak.

 

[dansyr]

Dbf and I did the gold plan last march and we are doing it again is Sept. We loved it and will continue doing it as long as we can afford it.
However....if spending alot of time in the parks is what you'll be doing the plan may not be right for you. Figure at least an hour for each meal.
If you are return visitors and plan on doing some tours and such I think the gold plan is definitely worth it. Our average meal for 2 people on the gold plan was $130.