really stumped on meal plan

[Emagine]

I will be going with a autistic 6 yr old who is not that huge of an eater and a 2 yr old that eats well but not over the top that food off our plates wont feed him when in need. Sometimes the two spilt a meal when out to eat. In addition it will be my DH and I, so just a family of four.

We want to do breakfast in the room as that is one of the trying times of the day and we can master it with in the 4 walls much easier and cheaper if we were to drag the two out.

So that leaves lunch and dinner. We wish to do character meals at the dinner ones for sure and might toss in some for lunch when possible.

Based on this would a meal plan be good for us or would we fair just paying as we go? We like the ease of the meal plan but wonder if we would honestly use that much or waste.

TIA

 

[Wendybird55]

It realy depends on where you want to eat.
First of all, you know you don't have to pay for the 2 yro and the 6yro will be a child csot. And from what you said it sees like a child meal and some sharing with you and DH will be more than enough for both chirdren.

I would go to allearsnet.com and look at the menus they have listed. This way you can get a good idea of how much it would cost to eat that the TS and CS places you want to go and compare that cost to the cost of the meal plan for everyone.

Usually DDP cost less.

 

[vtwep]

Agreed - put together your tentative meal itinerary FIRST. From there, use the allears menus to estimate your costs if you were paying out of pocket. THEN, compare those total costs to the cost of the meal plan. I'm assuming you'll have one CS meal and one TS meal each day, and don't forget to calculate snacks (one per day per meal plan holder).

To me, that's the best approach. You don't want your meal plan to dictate your schedule. So plan your meals, estimate costs, and if the meal plan will reduce your costs, then add it and stick to your desired meal schedule and enjoy your vacation!

 

[gourmetgirl]

I just did a cost estimate for my family and I'm guessing that you'll find the DDP well worth the money.

I believe the current cost would be about $37 a day for you and DH and then $11/day for the 6-year-old. The 2-year-old would be free.

A character buffet (Chef Mickey's for example) costs $29.99 for adults and $14.99 for children 3-9. I'm sure thats not an absolute but they're all in that range. If you're really wanting to do character meals for most dinners and some lunches, then I don't see how you could possibly fair better without DDP.

DDP tends to not be advantageous to people who plan to eat "fast food" for every meal. If you like the special meals, however, it's usually a good deal.

 

[Emagine]

gotcha, I guess the plan is worth it. It is hard to sit back and picture that much money in just food. I think my butt grew a size just thinking about it. Thank goodness you have to walk around the parks lol..

Seriously though, ty

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I will be going with a autistic 6 yr old who is not that huge of an eater and a 2 yr old that eats well but not over the top that food off our plates wont feed him when in need. Sometimes the two spilt a meal when out to eat. In addition it will be my DH and I, so just a family of four.

We want to do breakfast in the room as that is one of the trying times of the day and we can master it with in the 4 walls much easier and cheaper if we were to drag the two out.

So that leaves lunch and dinner. We wish to do character meals at the dinner ones for sure and might toss in some for lunch when possible.

Based on this would a meal plan be good for us or would we fair just paying as we go? We like the ease of the meal plan but wonder if we would honestly use that much or waste.

TIA

We always get the dining plan. You get 1 Table Service Credit per day, 1 Counter Service Credit per day and 1 snack per day, per person. The child price is $9.99. There is just no way that I could feed 3 of my 4 kids for $10.00 a day in Disney (the oldest is 11, so the price of an adult). If you plan on at least one table service meal per day, which we do, then you can save money on the DDP.

 

[Smokeyspawn]

With kids that age, character meals are a must. Most are buffets, so that helps with the picky eaters. They are expensive so DDP is the way to go. Our first trip, we didn't do the ddp and it cost us nearly 700 dollars for 5day/4night trip just for meals. DDP has saved us tons of money.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is a question best answered on the Disney Restaurants Board.. as such, I'll be moving this one there.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[Pumbaa_]

Here is a link to the DIS Menus. That can help you decide where you want to eat

When are you going? Determine if you can get the reservations you want. For example, if you are going in September, many restaurants are booked. Can you get the times you want?

Another thing to consider is what if you need to cancel a TS meal? If the kids have had enough for the day and are not up to a TS, how would you feel about 'losing' credits?

Do you want to do a TS each day?

All things to take into consideration before purchasing the DDP. For many, it wors out great! But it is not for everyone.

Hope that helps and please, ask any questions, we are all happy to help.