to do or not to do DDP????

[alexandhadleysmommy]

This will be our 2nd trip to Disney. The first time my kids were 4 and 1 and I didn't have to pay for my daughter which was great since they always shared whatever meal they got or I shared with her. This time she will be turning 3 in October and we will be going in December. My daughter has major food allergies milk, eggs, gluten and literally eats chicken and fruit most of the time. She is tiny too about 23 lbs and just doesn't eat a lot. I have to bring her own milk (soy) etc so it isn't like she will actually be eating a ton of the food. Should I do the DDP and pay for her? We will be doing lots of TS (1 a day probably) but other than that we eat normal meals. We will most likely eat breakfast at our resort or in our room. Our kids are not early risers at all. We usually eat 1 big meal a day and smaller meals/snack throughout the day. Also, if it is a buffet do I seriously have to pay for her to eat just fruit? I am not kidding when I say sometimes fruit is all she eats.

Can I bring snacks for her into the park? I can't remember at all. I can easily buy gluten free snacks and bring them. THANK YOU

What do you think????

 

[septbaby]

I think you are perfect candidate for the Basic Dining Plan. For a family of 2A/2C the fee of $96/night and includes all taxes.

The factors that make your family a candidate for the Basic Plan:
1. Going during what is likely to be Holiday pricing. No price hike for the DP during holiday periods. Holiday pricing adds $4/A and $2/C for most character and some buffet meals.

2. It will cost your $9.99 to feed your kids a TS, CS and Snack daily. A Child TS is typically $7.49, CS $3.99 and snack $3. If the TS is a Buffet its much higher. I think spending $19.99 per child per day for the Deluxe plan would be overkill, but the Basic plan would be a value for you.

In another post you indicated your are likely to have dinner at 1900 Park Fare during your December trip. If holiday prices are in effect your family would be charged $102 for that meal and $90 w/o the holiday pricing. With taxes the low cost for that meal is $96. So if you were on the DP for that same $96 you'd get that dinner, 4 Snacks, 2A CS meals, 2C CS meals. Sounds like a deal on that day for sure.

The aspect of having your meals completely paid for before arriving at WDW shouldn't be taken lightly. Especially around the holidays when cash it going out so fast. You won't even need to look at the menu prices unless you decide to add an adult appetizer and pay OOP for it.

 

[alexandhadleysmommy]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I didn't think about it that way at all

 

[VAN]

Keep in mind that gratuity is not included, so make sure you budget for that if choosing the dining plan.

I would think that if you plan to do at least one table service/character meal a day, you'd probably be a candidate for the dining plan.

If you family usually just does counter service and/or you have very pickly/light eaters, it would not be worth it.

If $$$ are an issue, just sit down and do the math. The numbers will tell you whether or not this is a good deal for your particular situation.

 

[VAN]

Oh, if you go the dining plan route, you WILL have to pay for your 3 year old. Also, OOP you would pay for your 3 yr old at a buffet whether she eats anything or not.

Yes, you can take snacks into the parks. Just no glass or alcohol.

 

[cntrygal]

I have a seven year old with food allergys and a 17 diabetic. We have choosen to go with the deluxe plan for our upcoming trip. And the allergies is the main reason. When you go the the sit down resturants the chef will come out and talk to you and your child and will make them something that they can and will eat and it will not cost you more even if it is not on the child menu. I have her food allergies on our adrs. When i made the adr for our upcoming trip (we have 20 of them) i was given a phone number of the the department to call and sort of preplan her meals. No need to bring soy milk they have it available all over the parks. This way i do not have to worry about cross containation or availability at any of the counter sevice resturants.......the money spent is well worth the piece of mind it will give me. Also check out the disabilit board they have a ton of food allergy info on there.