Summer trip-dining plan or no?

[jeeperwy]

We are going end of May, beginning of June for DS's graduation trip. Trip will be me, DH (only part of the trip), DS17, DS's friend 17, and DS11. When we went last March we didn't get any dining plan. I didn't "miss" it and we ordered really what we wanted. I didn't keep track however and don't know if we came out ahead, or behind or somewhere in between! This is the first time we have gone when it's hot, so I'm pretty sure that will hinder our appetites some. Also DS11 has some sensory issues and eats off the kids' menu, but I did have to order 2 kids' meals for him sometimes. Most of our meals are planned together, but there are some that DS and his friend will eat on their own. I looked at the menus and tried to guess what we would eat and with my guesses the dining plan would be $500 more that my OOP estimate. That was with no breakfast figured in. If we pay OOP then breakfast is obviously OOP, with dining plan we could use some snack credits for breakfast.
Well, if you read through that never ending rambling--thank you!

What would you do?

Thanks!!
Kari

P.S. I know that DH will have the same plan as the rest of us, but I figured that we could use up the credits with signature meals.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

The last time we went to disney we didn't get the dining plan...we did eat at the crystal palace and chef mickeys. I was really surprised at the bill...when we ate at chef mickeys for me my hubby and my son the bill was around $100 and that was for breakfast. This time around we are using the deluxe dining plan...I believe it was around $800 extra...I actually did a mock up of all the reservations we made for 3 sit down meals for 8 days just to get an idea of how much I need to save for tips. The price for all the dining was over 2K, so we definitely came out ahead and now we don't have to worry about leaving the parks to go some place cheaper to eat outside the parks. I hope this info helps

 

[sharonabe]

$500 is a lot of money. You won't come close to that even if you pay OOP for a real breakfast every day. The DDP snack breakfast doesn't get you much. I would definitely do OOP and probably bring some breakfast stuff from home to eat in the room.

As to the 17 yr olds off on their own, that depends on how responsible they are and how much you trust them. You can give them charging privileges and then they can eat QS or TS depending on what you ask them to do. This way they don't need cash or CC and can still eat.

 

[Belle5]

We have had many vacations to WDW often using the DDP or even DDP deluxe or TIW discount. Many vacations we have used no dining plan. Let me share what our personal experience has been. During the hot months WE ARE JUST NOT HUNGRY! During the cooler months we have a big focus on dining. That's it, really. For us, any kind of dining plan is a waste when it's hot. We want slushies, Dole whips, ice cream, cold beverages, etc. YMMV.

Edited to add we tend to eat fruit for breakfast and salads for other meals when it's hot.