This is driving me crazy!

[Shir Kahn]

Ok, I'm sure this is about the millionth post asking for help regarding this, but here goes anyway. DW and I are going down for 20 days in July. We have annual passes. Neither of us eats a ton in one sitting, but we are frequent snackers. At home I some days eat 5 or 6 small meals in a day. We have ADRs for the following places:

Coral Reef (supper)
Tusker House (supper)
Crystal Palace (breakfast)
Sci-Fi (lunch)
Rose and Crown (supper)
LTT (supper)
T-Rex (supper)
Le Cellier (lunch)

We're likely going to eat at Pop Century either for breakfast each day as well. Now, I don't think the regular dining plan will be worth it with our ADRs, but what about the quick-service dining plan versus the Tables in Wonderland 20% discount? We will easily use up at least 2 snacks a day each. Likely twice that much, as we're rope droppers and park closers. Both of us are steak lovers, so maybe I'm wrong and the regular dining plan would be worth it after-all? We'll be pretty much on Disney property the whole time as well. We don't tend to eat dessert unless it's part of the dining plan. Our stay is divided into 2 reservations, which complicates things even more. Our first ressie is from July 9th-19th and has the majority of the ADRs. The second reservation is from July 19th-29th. So if we take the QDP it would be $600 for each reservation. I understand from the FAQ that this includes the sales tax, so it's really exactly $600. Is that correct? With the big meals at the TS restaurants that we have during the first reservation, I'm wondering if paying oop for the whole first 10 days would be smartest.

I'm going insane trying to figure out the best way to do this. I know this is very vague info and that nobody can tell me exactly what to do, but what I'm looking for here is, what do you think you would do if you were planning around all the rambling factors that I've laid out so far? (besides tearing your hair out, I'm doing a great job of that so far myself!)

 

[squirrel]

I have no idea!

I just wanted to say - You are so lucky to be able to stay 20 days!

Have a great time.

 

[singnring]

Here's how I look at it:

If you go QDP you will pay $1200 for the meal plan for both bookings.

You do not get TS meals for that plan so your dining ressies stated in your post will cost you OOP.

Let's assume a conservative $50 per meal for you and DH.

Multiply that by the (8) ressies, and you will conservatively pay another $400 OOP.

Now, you will also have (2) CS meals per day, but you said you don't usually eat heavy, so will you use them all?

PLus you will have your snack credits per day.

Total cost will be about $1600 going this route.

Assuming you go DDP you will pay $1600 for the plan.

THis will cover your stated ressies, plus allow you to book a TS for each of the other 12 days you will be there.

YOu will also have (1) CS and (1) snack per day for each of you.


SO really, you have a wash either way.

QDP would give you extra CS meals to play with on "hungry" days, (2) sncks ea per day, plus the refillable mug, if that makes a difference.

As to the TIW option, keep in mind that you will have to pay OOP for $375 worth of meals just to recoup your initial cost.

From that point on, you will actually start saving the 20% on meals.

One other option is to do DDP for first room ressie, and make all TS ressies for that time period.

THen, take the QDP for the second ten days.

Hope this helps a little?

 

[snykymom]

I found that I loved having the TiW card, and didn't get the dining plan. I liked being able to eat what I wanted when I wanted. If I wanted a CS now, with a side, and have a dessert later, that's what I did. I had appetizers only at a TS meal, and another had a steak. If I wanted an appetizer, I ordered it. If I didn't want a dessert, I didn't have one. If I wanted to "graze" 5 or 6 times, I did, without worrying if I had enough credits or if I were "getting my money's worth" out of the DP. And I could have an adult beverage and still get my discount.

Remember, too, that TiW is accepted at the POP food courts, which could make it even more worthwhile for you!

 

[TDC Nala]

You can use the TIW card at the Pop Century food court - you may want to take that into consideration also if you will be spending 20 days there.

Personally I could never do 20 days on any of the dining plans. too much regimentation for that long.

 

[Shir Kahn]

Thanks all for your input! I think we're starting to lean towards TIW. As snykymom mentioned, we do like to "graze" and yeah, we'll be eating at Everything Pop a lot, so that alone would probably pay for the card. It's almost scary how much it costs for food for 20 days at WDW!

 

[Nikisha421]

I wish I could leave my real life for 20 days to head to WDW...im envious