To Dining Plan or not to Dining Plan?

[Melissa518]

that is the question.

So, my husband, son (6), and myself are going to disney in June. We are going to be staying at the AKL, and I'm not sure if I want to add a dining package.

I would like to eat breakfast in the hotel room before adventuring out for the day, and occasionally eat a snack or lunch in the room when coming back for a pool run. I'm planning on about two character meals, possibly one breakfast, and one dinner. I really don't want to deal with making reservations every single day, either. So what are your thoughts, should I go with the dining plan with quick service, or just skip it altogheter.

Also, can a DDP be added on after I book the trip. I'm booking today to take advantage of the buy 4 get 3 nights free.

Thanks!

 

[Melissa518]

Two more things:

We are going to have a rental car. My DH wants one, and even though we don't need one, he wants one just in case. So the possibility of going off grouds is possible.

Are character meals included in the quick dining package? I assumed that they weren't because it is more of a sit down meal, but I could be wrong.

 

[Tricia1972]

There are no character meal restaurants included in the QS plan.

In your instance, where you aren't focused on eating a TS every day, prefer light snacking, and may be dining off site, I think the DDP is not a good fit for you and your group.

You sound too much like my group - we saved a lot of money paying OOP and snacking or having light meals for a good portion of our trip. We also ventured out to Bahama Breeze and Outback for two sit down meals.

The DDP can be a fantastic deal and works for MANY people. I just think from listening to what you seem to want from your vacation, you may be changing your style to make the plan work for you.

 

[beroh2253]

Yep I agree with Tricia, DDP may not be for you. If you do a Character breakfast like the Crystal Palace the price isn't that much OOP and is kind of a waste of a TS. To make the DDP pay off you have to do most of the TS meals at non Buffet places.
Also if this would be your first time at the MK you may not want to waste to much time at the sit down meals and spend more time doing the rides.

 

[Melissa518]

Thank-you! That is what I was hoping I would hear! This is our first time in MK since my husband and I were kids, so we will probably be spending more time on the rides.

 

[njmom47]

You could also order groceries in and pack light lunches/snacks/drinks to bring to the parks....and your breakfast would be available when you wake up.

We have a couple of light eaters in my family and we did this; if someone wanted more to eat (usually DH) he went and ate while the kids and I went on the rides (he's not much of a ride kinda guy)...

We did eat a couple of real meals though; I still think it was less expensive for us that way...