Sadly, the spreadsheet didn't work for me. There was no drop down for the dinner menu.
This past weekend I attempted to see which was cheaper (offsite vs onsite, DDP vs OOP). We decided booking a package and hoping for free dining was best for us. Taking in consideration the onsite transportation, gas, and did we really feel like having to leave the resort area for a midday break; and then return for the afternoon. Really we just love being inside Disney and enjoying all aspects of our trip. Next March cannot come fast enough!!!!!
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a fun vacation! Hope the pixie dust followed you all the way to Jackson Hole.
Have you seen this?
http:/www.seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon
I found it on the disboards restaurant section under "dining plan"
It's a free spreadsheet. You put in how many people are going, how many nights you're staying, and the restaurants you plan to eat at.
It then calculates the cost of all the dining plans...and what's covered and what's not...or how much you'd spend out of pocket with no dining plan at all.
I put mine in for our May 2014 trip and it's cheaper for us to pay out of pocket than to get a dining plan. That surprised me because I had 3 character meals! Thought for sure we'd end up saving money with the DP. I stand corrected.
It's a really cool spreadsheet!
Wow, I haven't checked the thread in a couple days, and it took off!!Think I caught up now!
Congrats!!!!! How incredibly cool! We looked into go this year for a quick trip, but it just wasn't in the budget...Branson here we come!
I just have to throw in my 2 cents with swagbucks. LOVE it!! Check it daily, it really adds up!
Happy anniversary!!
Thanks so much for doing all of that! I really appreciate it!
I am so going to check that out today! Thanks for that!!!
We are busy planning a trip to Branson for this summer. We haven't been in years, and never with the kids. Closer to home and a little cheaper for us. We looked into WDW, but it was just too pricey. We are trying to really do our trip in Oct 2014 up as good as we can since it is a graduation present for DH (he is currently in year 2 of veterinary school!), so we decided to wait and save a bit so it can be even better then!
BTW, I love to see what everyone is planning. We want to do 2 character meals while we are there. CP is a must for me first thing one day...I want those nearly empty main street pictures!! We have done CM and Tusker House. Any recommendations?? Thanks!
hsmamainva said:Have you seen this?
http:/www.seeyareelsoon.wix.com/seeyareelsoon
I found it on the disboards restaurant section under "dining plan"
It's a free spreadsheet. You put in how many people are going, how many nights you're staying, and the restaurants you plan to eat at.
It then calculates the cost of all the dining plans...and what's covered and what's not...or how much you'd spend out of pocket with no dining plan at all.
I put mine in for our May 2014 trip and it's cheaper for us to pay out of pocket than to get a dining plan. That surprised me because I had 3 character meals! Thought for sure we'd end up saving money with the DP. I stand corrected.
It's a really cool spreadsheet!
I am secretly saving and will surprise my kids hopefully at Christmas time 2013. It's so much fun planning! This will be my 2 younger kids first time ever at Disney.(DS 12/ DD 11) Planning staying at POP for prob 8 nights or so.Hi everyone. I'm still sorta new on the boards. But I am planning to go to WDW in April 2014
When is a good time to book just the hotel?
to the group! A surprise trip? How fun! 
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.Can't get to this site. Won't load for me on my phone!
I can't wait to play around with the spreadsheets - everyone is so amazing with all of this information. Bearcatsfan - thanks for starting a wonderful infomrational thred!
When we go we'll still be doing all the character dining too. This past trip we were going to skip CRT but as I was talking meals DD looked at me and said "we are going to eat in the castle again, right? " so that threw a loop into my planning but we tried dinner there - I loved my meal and I have a feeling we'll end up there again next year.
Hollywood & Vine was my favorite breakfast - they kids had fun but being 2 and 4 they are really into Disney Junior and Jake (DS's room is in Jake and he thinks he's a pirate half the time! lol). I also agree on Tusker House being great for breakfast - that's DH's favorite place to eat in all of WDW.
As much as we like the food at Akerhus and DD likes the princesses, we're thinking of broadening our horizons in Epcot and trying 1 or 2 other TS meals. i'd love to hear everyone's suggesions...
As much as we like the food at Akerhus and DD likes the princesses, we're thinking of broadening our horizons in Epcot and trying 1 or 2 other TS meals. i'd love to hear everyone's suggesions...
As much as we like the food at Akerhus and DD likes the princesses, we're thinking of broadening our horizons in Epcot and trying 1 or 2 other TS meals. i'd love to hear everyone's suggesions...
BearcatsFan said:
to the group! Glad you decided to join us! If you have questions about anything, jump on in and ask.
Character meals?
Do you have any kids who are into Disney Jr.? We did the Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine last year at Hollywood Studios and it was a huge hit with our youngest! We're doing it again this year.
Jake from Jake & the Neverland Pirates, Secret Agent Oso, Handy Manny, and June from Little Einsteins is there.
You can go for breakfast or lunch and see the characters. We prefer the lunch buffet, simply because we're staying off-site and we eat our breakfasts in the townhouse before heading to the parks.
The three on our 2014 list are Crystal Palace (lunch), Hollywood & Vine (lunch), and Tusker House (breakfast).
Will save Chef Mickey's & Cape May Cafe for another trip later. I can get carried away with the character meals!! My dd has special needs and she ADORES the characters more than the rides! We have to stop at *every* character greeting spot.
