Strange DDP question

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

I am planning a trip in 08 with DD11 and DM 60. when we went in 05 we used the dining plans and loved it. My concern this time is, I will have had teh Gastric Bypass by then and will only be able to eat very small portions. Any suggestions on how I can not deprive my daughter and mom of the great food while at the same time not wasting $35 a day on a plan i will not be able to use myself?


Thanks,

Grumpy

 

[Forevryoung]

I wouldn't consider $40 "wasted" if you are still eating every day but it's not the best "value" for you.

I think you have 2 options-

1) pay cash for all your meals and use the extra TS credits for signature meals for everyone

2) look at where you are going to be eating- buffets/pre plated events are going to cost X amount no matter what. If you are planning on doing a few of those, it would probably even out

I would price it out figuring out where you want to eat. It may not be a good "fit" for your family if it is about saving as much money as possible. If that's the case, put that same money aside ($40 x 3 x # of nights) that you would be spending on the dining plan and use that for food. Put it on a seperate pre paid visa or something if you really dont want to think about it too much.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Use your mother's snacks or counter services and use your TS credits for special treats like a dinner show or CRT, where the atmosphere are more important than the food.

Schedule character meals, where seeing your daughter with the characters will be more valuable than any food you'll be leaving on the plate.

Or, do the math and see if it makes better sense to pass on the dining plan and pay for meals OOP.

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Thanks for the ideas. Right now I am leaning towards still going with the DDP since daughter still loves the character meals. Maybe I will get lucky and stumble upon free dining in 08

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Hi! I had Gastric bypass in August of 05- Lost 125 pounds and a lot hapier and healthier! Anyway, we got the DDP for our last trip this past March- I knew the price, and figured some money would be wasted, but we really wanted to try it- I go out to eat wiith my family at buffets and other restaurants now, and we spend a lot of money- I bring home leftovers and make about 4 meals from that!-
We loved the Dining plan and are buying it again for our trip in July- the variety offered is Wonderful- I ordered everything too just ate a little of everything! And my husband was more than happy to sample from my plate too! and we have a son on the kids plan, so I was easily able to share with him also if his kids meal wasn't enough or he wanted more variety this worked well with desserts too- he would order a kids one, I would order hte adult- we switch- we had left over food, but I am pretty sure that most people who order the dining plan do! I never felt awkward- a couple of times the waiter/waitress looked concerned that I didn't enjoy the meal, but I always reassured them that it was wonderful and I was saving room for dessert!
For example- at Concourse Steakhouse I ordered the chicken wing appetizer- took the skin off of the wings and ate 1 maybe one and a half- for my entree i got the Prime rib it was delicious- I ate about 1/4 of the steak and some potatoes (they go down VERY easily,, and don't take up too much room) and then for dessert I ordered the triple chocolate cake with a scoop of ice cream I ate about 2 bites it was DELICIOUS!! My husband had a couple of bites too- I don't drink soda anymore, but I would always order what my husband likes and a water with lemon for myself, this way my husband didn't have to worry about his first refill if it was too long in coming!
I think you should go and enjoy, I don't know how far out from your surgery you will be, but you will by then know when your body is telling you to stop eating, and you will also know what will happen if you don't!! For me, eating out now is mostly for the atmosphere and the uninterrupted time I get to spend with my husband and kids more than the food, and my husband and I are both willing to pay for that! Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

Thank You for the great reply eeyore. I am glad to hear your surgery was such a success. By the time we go to WDW I will be a year out from the surgery so I think I am going to go ahead with the DDP