QSDP for large group ?

[FreeTime]

We are planning a scout trip, whoo hoo! However, my co-leader thinks that it is way too expensive at $277 for person FOR EVERYTHING (after I deduct the money that is already saved and potentially saved, I am sure the kids can raise much more). This $277 includes the QSDP, room (DVC on us), share of gas money, ticket and food down / back. To save more money should I just budget for 1 QS meal per day, per person and buy a gift card (ave. $12 per meal) and then taking a packed lunch (that I really don't want to carry for everyone) or cooking dinner in the room. This brings it down to $182 per person. I would rather do QSDP, but understand that times are tight and since the parents may have to pay some out of pocket I should keep expenses low. Having visiting Disney many times though, I would be thrilled to only pay $277 for my kid to get to go.
Thoughts?

 

[disneymayz]

How long is the trip? How many days in the park? The part that confuses me is that it looks like you just removed the dinning plan and you saved almost $100 per kid.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

How old are the boys? Are you planning on staying all together the whole time? (if not, the dining plan could pose a problem if some use more than their allotted meals/snacks)

 

[FreeTime]

How long is the trip? How many days in the park? The part that confuses me is that it looks like you just removed the dinning plan and you saved almost $100 per kid.

4 nights / 3 days in the park. So I took off $145 for the plan and then added back in the $12 for 1 QS each day in the park and added on groceries.

 

[FreeTime]

How old are the boys? Are you planning on staying all together the whole time? (if not, the dining plan could pose a problem if some use more than their allotted meals/snacks)

We are planning on staying together. The girls will be 11 & 12. I figured it would be easier if each mom checks out a few girls.

 

[DCDisney]

Can you survey the parents if the $100 really matters? Honestly though it would take hours away from the parks to shop, cook, and clean up. They also would all get the refillable mug as a nice souvenir and 4 snacks which would probably save the parents from needing to send snack money. Plus some can use snacks to get something like candy to bring home too. In that circumstance I'd definitely want the DDP because it's so much easier with each kid being able to order what they like and not having to deal with so many complications.

 

[disneymayz]

For 4 nights / 3 park days including food, transportation, and resort I would give you the $300 and ask if I could go. Having the meals included allows parent to give DD just enough money to get herself something. The parent would not have to worry if she is using it for food or junk. Sell more cookies to lower the price.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Stick with the dining plan. Who wants to spend vacation time cooking? $277 is a great price for what they are getting. When is the trip?

 

[hannahdrewmom]

How far away is the trip? Do you have time to add some events to raise money? The girls are old enough that they should be able to do some babysitting and such to put their own money in. I'd stick with the dining plan too. Breakfasts in the room would be fine but coming out to eat dinner, getting everyone there at the same time, and then preparing and cleaning up meals could be a mess with the amount of time out of the parks.

 

[dntd]

If you have enough time maybe the troop can sell flower bulbs, or have a spring raffle. Fundraising is a good for kids

 

[cluvsdisney]

I would keep the meal plan so the trip is all inclusive.

 

[Sugardimples]

I think I would tell the co-leader that if the dining plan is eliminated she will be responsible for all meal activity. I'll bet she changes her mind.

 

[blessedby3]

I would keep the meal plan just to make things easier. I dont cook for my own family on WDW vacations...I cant imagine cooking for a mess of girls
If you keep the dining plan, you would only have to buy breakfast things to keep in the room or you could have each child use a snack credit for breakfast (they would also have their refillable mug) and then use the other snack credit for sometime later in the day.

 

[disneyjunkie]

As a a parent I would rather pay out of pocket than deal with a fundraiser.

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. Sorry for my late response. Busy! Busy! Busy! The trip is not until June 2012, so I figured plenty of time for a few car washes. We have cookie money left over from last year, have $300 this year and we will have next years also. I am not a big fundraiser person (like another posted said, I would rather donate than deal with selling something - meaning I am the one that has to buy). There is some rule also about the $ amount of donations that we can accept each year. My employer is 3X donations to kids groups and other charities. So I was thinking that I could pay $300 to my work for my "donation" and then they would turn that into $900 for our troop also. That would max us out on our donations allowed and then I could do this next spring also. This would bring the cost down even more.

I like the thought about telling the co-leader that she can cook!