Table Service Meals

[TinkerChelleBell]

Hi
Just wondered if someone could advise me, is the dining plan with the table service meals worth it for a family with a young child. Our son is fine at restaurants but wondered if we would actually make full use of the TS meals - do you have to have ADR for many of the better TS restaurants or are you able to just walk in and get a table?

We're not sure if we're staying on site for the whole holiday or not, and didnt want to have the full plan while staying on site and not make good use?

Hope this makes sense and any advice would be great

Thanks in advance

 

[miprender]

It depends... how old is your little one?

We are going during Easter vacation and have decided to do the DDP again. For us it will be worth it since there will be 5 of us but we only need to pay for 3(me, DH and DD5) and not DSs 2 & 1. We love all the character meals and I saw somewhere they are increasing prices during peak weeks. So for us it makes sense. Or at least I hope it will save us some money

 

[kcashner]

The key point is the age of your child. If he is 9 or under, his part of the plan will cost $11. You will find it difficult to feed a child at WDW for $11 per day--that's essentially the cost of one character meal.

Yes, we've done it cheaper--cereal in the room for breakfast, kid sharing off adult meals (not on the plan), etc.

I was very pleased with some of the kid TS meals when we were there in July--they have improved greatly, and were generally way too much food for a little kid. Each TS place seemed to have one or two pre-plated meals (featuring all food groups) as well as a la carte selections. People have reported no difficulty in substituting sides on the pre-plated, but we didn't try. At 50s Prime Time, it was a grilled chicken breast, a pasta with red sauce, fresh fruit, and yogurt. I think it cost $7.49 with the drink extra. So, again, that is the basic amount you've paid for the plan for a child...and you still have the CS and snack to "spend."

You should have an ADR for table service seating--it is possible sometimes to walk in and get a table, but this is rare. THey can sometimes be flexible if you show up early--have a 6:30 ADR, but walk up at 5:30 and ask if it is possible. After all, the worst they can do is say no.

If you are going to be on property and then go elsewhere, will you have a refrigerator? It is possible to get a CS from the resort packed up "to go," and then have it for the next day at your other location. That way, you wouldn't waste any credits......And remember that although you'll need to check out of your resort by 11, your credits are good until midnight on check-out day.

My real question would be whether YOU would use the plan (depending on your family's eating style.) The children's deal is a bargain.

 

[TinkerChelleBell]

Thanks very much for your replies.

Me and my boyfriend feel that we would make the most of the DDP - after having a peek at the restaurants for 2009 theres a lot that we would like to try. Some of which we may not have considered if we weren't on the plan as we would be watching the pennies, I do like the idea that before I go I know that the majority of our meals are paid for and that gives us one less thing to worry about

We both like to try different food and feel that having the DDP would mean we have flexibility and options to try different restaurants