Price of Dining Plans (going up?)

[darnheather]

I'm trying to price out our February trip and from what I can tell here and on various blogs the DP is increasing (or already has and the blogs are behind). In February the QS is $23.42 and QS + Cup is $29.81!!! A small jump from Touring Plans April quote of $21.99/$27.99. Does this mean menu prices will rise to or will it make the plan less worthwhile?

Also, if I get the Freestyle cup I have to pay to use it each day or is it good for my length of stay (like Dis?)

Touring Plans also notes that snacks may cost between $3-$6. What sort of things are on that list? Or if easier what isn't on the list.

This is a huge trip for us: My youngest is turning 11 our first morning in the park, and I'm turning 4? the second day we are in the park. The three of us are huge Potter fans. Izzy still believes there is a chance she'll get her letter on her birthday and I want to make that dream come true as much as possible. But...I have to be budget conscious as the last few years haven't been particularly great for our family (things are looking up now but I'm still wary.) So I'll have lots of questions in the months to come.

 

[Kivara]

Freestyle cup is pay by the day. We don't fill our cup enough to cover the cost (especially for the first day) so we take our red cup & our Homer souvenier cup and get 99 cent (+ tax) refills.

Snacks are things like churros, pretzels, Butterbeer, ice cream (florean fortescues!), etc

 

[kohlby]

The QS plan can be worth it IF you plan wisely. If you're going to eat cheaper things at the restaurants, then it isn't worth it. Last time I priced it was a month or two ago. If you get a chicken and ribs platter at 3B's and a frozen butterbeer for your snack, then it was like spending just 50 cents for the drink that comes with your entree and the additional drink. However, most meals close less than chicken and ribs and many snacks are less than the frozen butterbeer.

I'd suggest sharing some meals. (Also note that if you buy the dining plan, you don't have to buy it for everyone in your group). We've done two chicken and ribs platters for the five of us - so saving quite a bit. Half of a frozen butterbeer is plenty for each of us, so easy to share. The big pink donut at Simpsons can be shared among 4 people. We also like sharing because it means we get to sample more food over the course of our trip.

I'd also not suggest the freestyle cup if you're trying to save money. You can drink water - or do the plan with two drinks included. You can refill your water bottles at the freestyle machines for free filtered ice water whenever you want. If you do decide to do the freestyle cup and have multiple days, keep in mind that you could pay for just refills at the counter instead of activating for a lower price. So - if just planning on getting two drinks that day, it's cheaper to pay for refills at the counter than get freestyle for the day.

 

[darnheather]

Can I use the meal plan at breakfast in the Leaky Cauldron? Those are probably the most expensive meals I can see us eating.

 

[macraven]

I buy the meal plan at the 3 B's for lunch

I assume the same can be done for breakfast at LC

 

[bchbetha]

I doubt you'll save $ with the dining plan. As said above, sharing food helps a bunch with costs. Water by the cup is free and saves you lugging around a refillable cup.
If you need to budget ahead of time, maybe just buy some Universal gift cards. When the $ is gone, it's gone.

 

[macraven]

The average that I come out ahead with the dining plan is about $6-6.25


At the 3B's I buy the plan for the chicken rib dinner
Beverage comes with the meal
With the two coupons I usually buy a butter beer for the snack coupon and soda for the beverage coupon

Using the snack coupon for the more expensive items let's you come out ahead
Coupons are valid for 14 days I believe

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes we used for breakfast at leaky cauldron

 

[larissawbb]

Does anyone know if you get a discount on the quick service dining plan if your a preferred annual pass holder ? Can you order the dining plan cards in advance? I like to have as much payed for as I can in advance. Thanks

 

[macraven]

You can order gift cards online thru the UO website

Buy them in advance or in the parks and use them
They are the same as using cash in the parks, hotels, city walk

 

[larissawbb]

You can order gift cards online thru the UO website

Buy them in advance or in the parks and use them
They are the same as using cash in the parks, hotels, city walk

Wow Macraven you are fast !!! I think that's what I will do. I'll use a gift card to buy the dining plan. Do you get to apply the pass holder discount or is that only a la cart?

 

[macraven]

I have not been able to do AP discounts on the gift cards Ive ordered online

 

[georgina]

Our local grocery store (Giant Eagle) sells Universal GC. They also give discounts on gas for purchases, plus my credit card has 6% back on grocery store purchases. So that's where I get my gift cards.

 

[darnheather]

Our local grocery store (Giant Eagle) sells Universal GC. They also give discounts on gas for purchases, plus my credit card has 6% back on grocery store purchases. So that's where I get my gift cards.

Nice. I'll have to check around. Any chance Target carries them?

 

[buckeev]

Nice. I'll have to check around. Any chance Target carries them?

Unfortunately, our doesn't. (Houston area). It's been many years since I've been able to find them 'round here. The USO site sells 'em with free shipping though.
There are a few ways to save a dime here-and-there while at Universal.
AAA discounts at some eateries. Annual Pass discounts too.
Also...are y'all staying on site?

 

[darnheather]

Unfortunately, our doesn't. (Houston area). It's been many years since I've been able to find them 'round here. The USO site sells 'em with free shipping though.
There are a few ways to save a dime here-and-there while at Universal.
AAA discounts at some eateries. Annual Pass discounts too.
Also...are y'all staying on site?

Have decided not to stay on site as I don't feel the cost justifies the un-themed rooms. It's going to have to be a budget trip if we want to cruise that same year. I'll probably get passes through MWR.

 

[macraven]

darnheather, hope you do get to do the parks and the cruise next year.

check out the offsite hotels that have free shuttles to the park.
i know Drury Inn and Suites provides a shuttle for their guests.

there are many people that stay off site and have a great time at the darkside.
maybe buy your park tickets now or this year in case prices increase next year.

 

[darnheather]

darnheather, hope you do get to do the parks and the cruise next year.

check out the offsite hotels that have free shuttles to the park.
i know Drury Inn and Suites provides a shuttle for their guests.

there are many people that stay off site and have a great time at the darkside.
maybe buy your park tickets now or this year in case prices increase next year.

Thanks! I'll go ahead and have spouse pick them up soon then. How long can you keep them and not use them?

 

[macraven]

Buy the tickets now and they are good forever

I bought the preferred AP in 2002 and have renewed it each year

But I have bought regular tickets over the years for my sons so they could go with me at times

I still have park tickets i bought over the years from 2005 to 2014
All are still valid
The ones I bought last have an expiration on the back of 2030

So I call them no expiring tickets

If ticket prices increase, you are good with the tickets you buy in advance

One note to you that there are some tickets listed at 2 days and 3 rd day free, might have an expiration date

Avoid buying anything that gives you a free added day that has a must be used by date

 

[mayesq]

Just to confirm, if you buy the dining plan for one day, do you have to use all of the vouchers that day?