Skipping DDP this time around

[Sandy321]

when I saw that the Dining Plan was going to $52 in 2012 - (no tip, no appetizers) I thought, enough.

We're staying at Boardwalk, will try and do things that are not on the DP - for instance, I think we'll go to the bar at Flying Fish, just order an appetizer! (it is just DH and I tho) We'll also use wegoshop for a few breakfast items, and maybe have Caesar salad (get those bags of lettuce and a Rottesiere Chicken) Big River Grill is something we've wanted to try, but we havent yet!

I'm going to do Lunches for the Buffets - and share CS meals -

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I don't know if it's an option for you, but we save some money by eating some meals off-site. Sweet Tomatoes, for example, is just minutes away from Downtown Disney, and is an inexpensive, all-you-can eat buffet with great healthy choices. Sign up at their website and they'll send you discount coupons too. Honestly, I could happily eat there every day!

teresa

 

[eliza61]

Share. I generally find Disney portions to be too much for one person and perfect for me and my 14 y/o to share.

The DDP doesn't work for us simply because it doesn't fit our dining style. What family of 5 really needs 5 desserts with dinner? And 5 desserts with lunch? It makes us order in a way we normally wouldn't.

Where? I always here of these "large" portions that people can split. I swear my family must be big eaters because we've tried all the tricks. Earl of sandwiches and splitting a meal, getting the extra bun. etc etc.

Every time we've split a meal usually what happens is no one is really full so maybe30 mins later we are buying ice cream snacks which pretty much eats up any savings gained by splitting.

Op, we save a few bucks by
we don't buy drinks in the park. we get water delivered to our resort and bring it.
Also we will have our main meal at lunch. lunch prices are usually lower and we love eating our big meal at lunch and then touring. dinner time the ride lines are shorter and we are usually just hungry enough for some yummy desert.

We stopped the dining plan after they got rid of the appertizer and tip. not worth it.

 

[Belle5]

We stopped "purchasing" the dining plan a few years back when they stopped including appys and tip. We have used FREE dining a few times since. Our favorite way to dine is with a TIW card. We love that we can eat "naturally" (we order what we want...no more...no less...) and no tipping on food we didn't really want!!! We love to share an appy or two. Sometimes we order a couple of appys each, no entree. Sometimes there is no dessert ordered or we share a couple. If you cancel an ADR last minute because you're ill or tired, NO BIG DEAL!! We aren't losing "credits". When we had the TIW a year and a half ago it was very hot in FL. We couldn't believe how we just didn't feel like eating! We just wanted cold treats and beverages a lot of the time! We had put a bunch of money aside to cover our meals so that at all times we could feel free to order as much food as we wanted. We went home with more than $1000 that we had thought we would spend (there were seven of us that trip)!!

 

[Sandy321]

At Cosmic Rays - their portions were huge (its been awhile since I've been) The Chicken and Rib combo - we even get a soda, no ice, and then I get a side cup of ice to split

at columbia harbor its their combo fish and shrimp that we've split

At Epcot - Sunshine Seasons has many entrees we've split
at World Showcase - the Tangerine (Morocco) has a platter that is ideal for sharing

We've even split the dble Cheeseburgers - but I dont get an extra bun - we just slice it in half - again, when its so hot out - we just dont eat a lot

for our snacks, we'll get popcorn, or ice cream

 

[Disneycrazymom]

For your sit down meals try them at lunch instead of dinner. That will save you a bit of money.

Our favorite counter service places are:
MK Harbor House, Cosmic Rays and Paco's Bills.
Epcot: France , Germany, England
HS: Back lot, Rosie's
AK: flame-tree BBQ

Here is our typical plan for eating:
Breakfast in room before rope drop- food either brought with us or from a grocery stop
11:00 counter service - mostly we will get a snack or even a kids meal
2:30ish sandwiches by the pool - again food from a grocery stop
6 -7 counter service dinner - Everyone will order a real meal
Park Closing: snack either as we leave or back at room.

For us the key to spending less is always to have food available in the room. It is simple stuff but I like having it available for a quick snack.

We will do a sit down meal a few times in the week. We like Sci Fi, Rose and Crown on the patio, AK Rainforest Cafe. When the kids were little we added a character meal but they are past that now.

I hope you find the right balance and can save a bit of money too!

Like I said earlier we really go for the rides and attractions. The food is not the big thing on our Disney trips. We also have had to go in summer the last 5 years and I find it too hot to enjoy a big meal. The plan above works because we never eat so much that we are stuffed.

 

[kirstenb1]

Where? I always here of these "large" portions that people can split. I swear my family must be big eaters because we've tried all the tricks. Earl of sandwiches and splitting a meal, getting the extra bun. etc etc.

Every time we've split a meal usually what happens is no one is really full so maybe30 mins later we are buying ice cream snacks which pretty much eats up any savings gained by splitting.

Op, we save a few bucks by
we don't buy drinks in the park. we get water delivered to our resort and bring it.
Also we will have our main meal at lunch. lunch prices are usually lower and we love eating our big meal at lunch and then touring. dinner time the ride lines are shorter and we are usually just hungry enough for some yummy desert.

We stopped the dining plan after they got rid of the appertizer and tip. not worth it.

Believe me, I have a healthy appetite!! One meal I know I split with my BIL was the Pecos Bill wrap sandwich with fries. It was a chicken sandwich with veggies, and ranch dressing. There was so much chicken, I was stuffed eating half of it, with some fries. Also, we go in the summer, when it's hot, so I'm sure that affects our appetites.

 

[Aliceacc]

We're already planning on Garden Grocer for water and breakfasty items. That's a given for us, even when we did the DDP.

Thanks, guys... keep 'em coming!

 

[Havana]

We run the numbers for the dining plan and it just doesn't make it beneficial to our family. There was a time when it used to be a good deal, now it seems like it is just a way to prepay your meals. If you are eligible for the Tables in Wonderland card that discount helps.
This year we are thinking of putting our food budget money on a gift card so it is prepaid in a sense.

 

[maggiew]

Where? I always here of these "large" portions that people can split. I swear my family must be big eaters because we've tried all the tricks. Earl of sandwiches and splitting a meal, getting the extra bun. etc etc.

Every time we've split a meal usually what happens is no one is really full so maybe30 mins later we are buying ice cream snacks which pretty much eats up any savings gained by splitting.

Here are some entrees we shared:

This was plenty for DD and I for lunch at Yak and Yeti.

DH and DD shared this combo platter from Yakitori.

The 4 of us shared nachos, wings and a salad at ESPN Zone. We probably had about as much left over as we ate!

DD and I shared this in China.

DH and I shared an individual sized pizza and a salad for 2 at Via Napoli.


These are just from our past trip. I have more from previous trips. But I am not sure if portion sizes might have changed or not.

Maggie

 

[hsmamato2]

I think the DDP is way overpriced, FWIW. Just order what you want to eat,not all the extra junk you likely wouldn't anyway....I mean,most of the desserts are so gross,IMHO.....I think there was one dessert we really liked all week(2 years ago) and the rest was creme brulee' till my kids just refused to eat it by the last day....
sometimes all you want is an appetizer anyway,so it's ok to go smaller when you're ot hungry,or buy dessert elsewhere,where it tastes good! (don't even get me started on counter service desserts,ugh!)

 

[hsmamato2]

Also we frequently ordered the kids meals with 2 sides of fries and they were more than enough for an adult. Epcot has an amazing range of quick service meals than are ample enough to share at lunch. Personally we like a sit-down meal in the evening (with wine) but we always share apps and desserts if we order them at all. Have a great trip

yeah,counter service,I frequently get a kids meal,it's just right for me! there are lots of good cs places around,especially in Epcot too......

 

[Joy Lammers]

I am very intrested in this subject also and see where you are talking about the Table in Wonderland Card. Where do you purchase it and how much does it cost? We will be with others so would we need 2 cards or just one per table? Thanks for all you help and advice.

 

[cajunbaby1]

I agree with the others. One way to save money is getting snacks, soda, water and even sandwich fixings for the room. Vending machines and gift shop stuff can add up. And you can pack a lunch to eat out by the pool.

 

[Marionnette]

I am very intrested in this subject also and see where you are talking about the Table in Wonderland Card. Where do you purchase it and how much does it cost? We will be with others so would we need 2 cards or just one per table? Thanks for all you help and advice.

You need to be a Florida resident or have an AP to buy the TiW card. You get a 20% discount on your total bill (even alcohol) at select locations but they automatically add an 18% tip. There are blackout dates but not many.

You can read details about it here
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm

 

[Joy Lammers]

Bummer!! Thanks anyways. I live in Wyoming so that won't work.

 

[Belle5]

Bummer!! Thanks anyways. I live in Wyoming so that won't work.

I think you might have missed something in the statement above yours. You don't have to live in FL (we don't). You can also buy TIW if you are an annual pass (AP) holder.

 

[Joy Lammers]

Thanks I did miss that, but unfortunately wonly get to disney every few years. It is usually expensive to fly from anywhere in WY so we end up traveling to Denver which is a 5 hour drive to fly to WDW. But thus info about how to eat without the DDP is great since we will be staying off site this time. Thanks for all the great help.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We went with the dining plan when apps and tip were included, but never ate everything available to us. It was nice though to have options.

It was far too much food for us though, so we've been going without it lately. My 14 year old and I have tiny appetites, we call her "Four bites and done" girl. She can seriously eat four bites and a few sips and be full for hours! She has been this way since infancy, I don't see it changing. Even sharing a meal, we have never finished an entire plate of food!

A typical meal out with our family looks like this. Dh gets his own meal. Dd14 and I share a meal. If we eat a dessert, we all share one. It's not in any way due to budget. It's just how our appetites work out.