To Meal Plan or Not and if not, what then?

[leith]

I am trying to decide on whether or not to do the meal plan. We have me, DH, DS -10, DD -8, DS -3. I am thinking we are only going to want reservations for dinner twice in 7 days, because my 3yo is not the best in restaurants yet. So if I do the Snack plan (can't remember what its called) and then make ressies for 2 nights, what else could we do for dinner. Can we order in from local restaurants (as we will not have a car)? What other options are there? I welcome all opinioins on whether or not we even do the plan.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[ilovediznee]

Hey - you didn't say when you are going but besides that, you have many different options, even sit down meals that your 3 year old might enjoy.

I've been to WDW 42 times and done the dining plan - all of them - several times, so if you want assistance, please PM me and I'd be glad to help.

I HATE to see people have the dining plan and not use it to its fullest, or worse, not have one at all and can't find a place to eat.

Thanks - Diane

 

[Darcy03231]

If you only want table service for two nights I would look into the QSDP. It gives you two counter service meals and two snacks pp/per night of your stay. You also get a refillable mug. The counter service meals can be used in any of the parks or at the food court at your resort. I would then just pay for the two table service meals out of pocket.

 

[spodie]

I would do the Quick Service Dining Plan as well. On the days you decide to eat at a TS restaurant, you can use the extra dining credits towards breakfast instead of dinner.

I also agree with ilovediznee in that you should really research the plans to make sure that you're maximizing your dollars and taking advantage of the value that the plan presents. I went with some people once who did not really understand how you could really take advantage of the plan and I think they ended up losing money on that plan.

 

[leith]

Hey - you didn't say when you are going but besides that, you have many different options, even sit down meals that your 3 year old might enjoy.

I've been to WDW 42 times and done the dining plan - all of them - several times, so if you want assistance, please PM me and I'd be glad to help.

I HATE to see people have the dining plan and not use it to its fullest, or worse, not have one at all and can't find a place to eat.

Thanks - Diane

Thank you. I could use help as I am confused. How do I PM you?

 

[robinb]

I am trying to decide on whether or not to do the meal plan. We have me, DH, DS -10, DD -8, DS -3. I am thinking we are only going to want reservations for dinner twice in 7 days, because my 3yo is not the best in restaurants yet. So if I do the Snack plan (can't remember what its called) and then make ressies for 2 nights, what else could we do for dinner. Can we order in from local restaurants (as we will not have a car)? What other options are there? I welcome all opinioins on whether or not we even do the plan.

Thanks for your feedback.

I think it all depends on how hearty of an eater your 10-year old is. If you think that he will mostly eat kid's meals, then any DDP will probably be a waste of money because you will be paying adult pricing for him. If he's the type of kid who will clean his plate and then start working on the baby's plate, then it might be worthwhile.

To answer your second question, yes there are some places that will deliver. I have had pizza delivered to my room from non-Disney pizza delivery more than once.

 

[ilovediznee]

Click on my name - ilovediznee on the left side with your mouse - right click I think and then select "send a private message". Type it in and send it.

Di
You can also email me directly at - dianedisney@hotmail.com

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

We have done both the dining plan and also paid out of pocket as well. The dining plan is great if you are big eaters. I am not such a big eater and so for our family of 2 and a half (a 2 year old included) we were able to eat for 7 days out of pocket for $380. That included breakfast each day at our resort (often a pastry or fruit and beverages in our refillable mug), 1 counter service meal each day which we sometimes shared, a snack each day which we shared, and a sit down dinner each night. We had a gift card for $500 which we used for our meals and had enough at the end of our trip to buy some soveniers. I also budgeted out the costs of meals and beverages with tip before we left by looking at the menus on disboards and so we often ordered less expensive entrees such as the ravioli at Le Cellier instead of the Filet Mignon, etc. On a side note, I actually lost 5 pounds on the trip where we paid out of pocket whereas I gained 5 lbs the week we had the dining plan. Both trips were fabulous. We had exceptional food, service, and were never hungry. It is up to you and what you are looking to get as far as your meals are concerned. No matter what you choose, I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Millie12591]

Of all the places to be.....I'm thinking WDW is the best place to help your little one learn to be comfortable in a restaurant. If he doesn't easily adjust that's OK there will be plenty of people around having the same experience, you can get up with him and walk around outside or in the hotel until he's ready to go back in.... no one will think a thing of it.

 

[ShannonMB]

We really enjoy the regular dining plan on our trips -- in fact it's one of my favorite things about going to Disney! We always have a nice sit down meal to look forward to every day. There are so many fun and awesome places to try that I get frustrated having to pick for each trip! I love the fact that it's already been budgeted into the trip and paid for when we get there, so we just go and enjoy! The plan we like includes one table service meal, one quick service meal, and one snack per night of stay, per person, and we rarely have to spend any money out of pocket to supplement. It's been worth the money for us.

Good luck deciding!

 

[squirrel]

I have been doing the DDP (free) the past two years. While I really like the plan, it's a lot of food. I'm thrifty and most likely wouldn't pay for the DDP if it wasn't free. I do like that everything is paid for except tips.

With the 14 nights each trip I have been to quite a few restaurants at WDW, but there are so many more to try. I would pick a character buffet/family style for your little one. He won't have to wait long for food once you are seated. The characters are great and they usually have a parade around the room for the kids. It is also nice to have a TS if your at WDW when it's hot. It really makes a nice break.

 

[jenniferyawn]

We do the reg DDP on each visit, too. One thing others haven't mentioned that's the main reason we do the DDP is the characters. It takes so much time and patience to wait in line for the characters in the parks! We do several character meals (which are often buffets - easy for little ones who don't like to wait). That way your family gets to see lots of characters, have opportunity for hugs, pictures, signatures without waiting in line in the parks.

Also with little ones, that sit down meal is a great break from the busy-ness of the parks. It can become overwhelming for little kids walking and riding and all that. So sitting down and having a buffet while characters come to your table is a wonderful break.

My vote for you if you can afford it is the regular DDP with character meals for your TS. Plus, if you think you don't want a TS every day, you can use two TS credits for one meal like Cinderella's castle!

Good luck making this hard decision!

 

[TDC Nala]

It's entirely possible to have a trip WITHOUT a dining plan - that frees you up to eat whatever and whenever you want without trying to use up credits, maximize the value of credits, or restrict your children to the kids' menus; you can also go offsite then or order pizza from an outside delivery place - but if you want any table service meals at all, it's best to have reservations for them whether you have a dining plan or not.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a touring preference that will not include a sit-down meal every day.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Ugh...I just type a huge long post and it got deleted... Anyway, I'll start again:

I think the issue is more where you want to eat instead of to meal plan or not. Once you figure that out, you can see if the meal plans work for you.

I know you said you were planning only 2 sit downs, but there are some conveniences to sit downs, especially character meals. They are nice refuge from the heat and craziness of the parks (sometimes) and it's a really nice place to pose with characters and get signatures where they come to you, not the other way around.

Here is a list of the character meals.

MK:
Cinderella's royal table (PLATED): characters self explanatory
Crystal Palace: Winnie the Pooh

Epcot:
Garden Grill (Family style): Chip n Dale, pluto etc...
Akershus Norway Princess Meal (1/2 buffet, 1/2 plated)

AK:
Tusker House: Donald

DHS:
Hollywood and Vine: Little Einsteins

RESORTS:
Poly: Ohanas (family style): Stitch
GF: 1900 Park Fare: Princess/Mary Poppins/ Cinderella characters
Contemporary: Chef Mickeys

The nice thing about buffets is there is a lot of choices. Also at most character meals there are various activities to entertain those restless kids.

I would highly recommend ADRs for any sit down meal you are interested in.

Now for the meal plan...you have to consider your eating habits: Do you like desserts? Do you like fast, casual food- often burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and fries? Do you prefer whole meals, with appetizers, entrees and desserts? Do you like appetizers? etc... Do you prefer not to be locked into any 1 choice? Are you snackers?

There is a meal plan suitable for most eaters, except those that vary. What are you? What are your kids?

I wouldn't count on eating outside meals if you don't have a car. I doubt they will allow delivery on the property. You are staying on property right?

It seems like the QS plan is a fairly good deal (most QS meals cost ~ $15 dollars, including drink and dessert) and while most are the usual fries, burgers, and pizza, there are better more substantial options. In Epcot, anywhere in world showcase, there is tons of ethnic food. Additionally Yak and Yeti in AK has chinese food. In MK, Cosmic Rays has good roast chicken. And resort food courts are always good, and in Downtown Disney- Wolfgang Puck Express is really good too.

 

[robinb]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a touring preference that will not include a sit-down meal every day.

Very true. I had many happy trips without a sit-down meal every day ... and my next trip will be the same! Now that my DD is 10 I can't bring myself to pay for the DDP for her. We're going to get the TiW card for the few TS meals I have planned and wing the rest.

 

[aksivers]

We have gone both ways with the plan and without. I have a 2 year old and just bring things to entertain her at the dining table (stickers, play dough, they bring coloring books and crayons etc...). It was nice to have "down time" and at the charecter meals are great entertainment for the kids. Also buffets and shows are fun for the kids.

 

[bef]

I would like to note that if you are interested in trying to eat healthy meals, it is virtually impossible to do on the dining plan and still get your money's worth. Table service meals include a dessert, and only a dessert, and even their "healthy" dessert option is usually fruit with some sort of cream or custard. They will not substitute a salad (or anything else) up front instead. Ironically, it's easier with the Quickservice meals, because in that case, they will let you get grapes, carrot sticks, apple slices, etc. instead of your dessert, and most of the Quickservice places have at least one relatively healthy salad or grilled chicken choice.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I personally think the dining plan saves money but we like to eat at table service restaurants. I found that most Disney restaurants are very catering to young children and there are many restaurants with interesting things for children (characters, music, belly dancing, etc.)....and the signature restaurants were also very good at making sure our DS4 was happy - meant a bigger tip for them!

If you like to eat out, I wouldn't worry so much about child. For longer meals, you can always take a walk between courses, and having dinner earlier helps too before kids get overtired. Naps help but my son never takes them!

 

[snookiedoodles]

Very true. I had many happy trips without a sit-down meal every day ... and my next trip will be the same! Now that my DD is 10 I can't bring myself to pay for the DDP for her. We're going to get the TiW card for the few TS meals I have planned and wing the rest.

This sounds like a good idea. You do get a discount with the TIW card!

 

[robinb]

This sounds like a good idea. You do get a discount with the TIW card!

You need to be a FL resident or have an annual pass. There is a fee for the card ($100 for FL residents, $75 for APs), so you need to purchase enough meals to break even.

ETA: Here is a link to more info:
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm