soo many questions, sooo little time

[gatripletmom00]

We are planning a trip to the cabins in July for 5 nights. Me, dh and 9 year old gbb triplets. Our first trip to disney. I am trying to read, read, but I am getting so confused. We just saved some money on the cabin, so we are now thinking maybe buy the DDP. So I dont have to do any cooking. But is it worth it? Being at the park most of the day, we will get hungry, thirsty, etc...do you catch the bus, boat back to get lunch and then back to get dinner? How much time do you waste doing this??
And with all the choices how do you decide where to eat????

My dh loves steak, and would like to eat out a few times, so, will we break the bank to go somewhere and order steak and everything for 5 of us? I am thinking that alone would justify the DDP. but I need expert opinions!!!

I am also thinking the aloha show, looks like so much fun! But it will cost us a small fortune to see it. Is it worth it?
thanks to anyone that will give me some advice, etc.... to make this a great trip for us.
Kris

 

[kaguilbeau]

I'll give you my opinion - but keep in mind I'm all for saving a buck!

In July, it will be hot. Kids will get cranky and you will want some down time (hanging out at the cabin, swimming, maybe riding bikes or a golf cart around). I could easily see you taking a mid-day break (which is highly recommended), coming back to your cabin to eat and relax, grabbing a bite and then heading back to the parks for nightime entertainment.

I personally would use the kitchen accomodations to cook simple meals, have DH grill one evening, and save the money that you would've spent on the DDP. The restaurants are nice, but you will find that your day is structured around when and where you will eat. Which park you go to will be decided by what restaurant you have reservations at.

Others will tell you to go for it, that the DDP is wonderful.

Perhaps you could research the pros and cons of the Dining Plan (maybe on the Restaurant Board?) You'll get lots of opinions there.

Have a good time!

 

[BradyBz12]

IMO the whether the dining plan makes sense depends on how your family eats (incl. how much - there is a LOT of food!), how much time you want to spend eating (a TS meal every day can suck up a bunch of time) and how you feel about being tied into having to make ADRs ahead of time and plan around meals while you're there.

What helped us decide was to cruise the menus section and actually come up with what a typical day might look like for us - where we'd eat depending on what we were likely to plan to do in a day, and how much it would cost us with and without the DDP.

When it came to planning around meals...
We didn't mind planning ADRs and park days around dining the first year we did it, but started to feel more restricted the 2nd time around.

The dining plan isn't for everyone, but if it fits in with how you'd eat normally (or how you'd like to), actually saves you some money, and doesn't interfere with how you like to tour WDW, it's probably worth giving a try.

 

[queen95]

i would tend to agree with kaguilbeau -- part of the reason for getting a cabin & not a hotel room is to use the kitchen. And, like he mentioned -- going back to rest midday might be a good idea depending on the stamina of you kids. plus, the park is less crowded in the earlier morning & late evening hours. coming back for a meal & rest will also help you have the energy to take advantage of the late night extra magical hours. And if your like my family growing up we didn't want to waste time eating a nice meal when we could be riding rides.

 

[Swimnoid]

The DP doesnt fit our family. We love the cabins and and dont mind coming up with our own meals. We schedule 2 or 3 TS meals and catch a few counter service and do the rest at the cabin. There are so many easy meals you can do and you are not a slave to your ADRs. At least take advantage of doing most of your breakfasts in the cabin. It saves time and you can get in the park and get going when you are fresh and have a lot of energy.

 

[cbeardtx]

We always do the dining plan. It does restrict you a little since you will have reservations for part of your meals, but that has never been a problem for our family. The themed restaurants at Disney are part of the whole experience - lots of fun. Plus, with 9 year olds you will only be paying 9.99 a day for their dining plans. You can't beat that!

We will be at Disney July 22-30. This is the first time we will stay in a cabin. We usually stay at Pop Century, but went with a cabin this time for the extra room. I plan on having quick breakfast foods, snacks, and drinks delivered - Garden Grocer is great for that, but I'm not planning on cooking at all. I guess I'm kind of lazy on vacation!

Le Cellier at Epcot has really good steaks. It's kind of hard to get reservations there - you may have to call several times to luck onto a dinner reservation or eat there at lunch.

We have never done the Aloha dinner show, but we have done Hoop Dee Doo a few times and it's really fun.

 

[CampingBandit]

See my reply to the other thread about the DP while at the fort....
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31815128#post31815128