Trying to decide on the dining plan

[Aliceacc]

We're a family of 5, planning a trip for next August. We've pretty much decided to spend the extra money and stay at the Contemporary for the convenience of being right near the Magic Kingdom.

My next decision: whether or not the dining plan is a good idea for us. Even if they do offer free dining next year, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be until after school starts, right? We're both teachers and need to be back at school the week before Labor Day.


My kids will be 5, 8 and 10. The 8 year old survives on Chicken Nuggets, Pizza and cereal. Her younger sister eats a bit better, but not much; both could spend the rest of their lives at McDonalds and be perfectly content. Very often they split one 6 piece nugget meal at McD's and there's food left over.

My son eats everything and anything. His favorite foods du jour are steak, BBQ ribs and sushi. He sometimes orders an adult portion and finishes it.
I rarely eat an appetizer with a meal with a dessert. My husband probably could.

I've been trying to get a real look at the menus, but haven't really had time to get more than an overview. The last time we were in Disney was 1990, so we're basically starting from scratch.

So..... all you pros: What should we do??

 

[Catrinabeach]

Do you plan to do any buffet meals? Character meals ? or the fantasmic package ?

If you do it's worth it since those meals alone cost the same as the dining plan for a day. So when you do one of those meals your getting that meal, a counter service meal and a snack for the price of the one buffet/character meal.

If you don't plan or want to do table service meals you could spend less having counter services meals each day.

It depends on what you want. If you plan to do a table service meal each day the dining plan might be your best value.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you think you'd like to have one TS meal per day, on average, then it is near impossible for the DDP to be a bad deal.

If you think you'd want fewer than one per day, on average, then just go out of pocket. Unless it's free, of course, then just enjoy!

 

[dolly-dawne]

We too are a five family. We chose to do the dining plan this year because it was definatly worth the cost for us. the two yunger boys were about $77 for the week and the older boy (and mom amd dad) were about $280 for the week. we planned some great ts meals but did not want to have to have a ts every day. We went more for the experience a couple of times and did a few dinner shows using 2ts credits. this freed up some days for other stuff besides planning around our meals.

 

[Aliceacc]

We too are a five family. We chose to do the dining plan this year because it was definatly worth the cost for us. the two yunger boys were about $77 for the week and the older boy (and mom amd dad) were about $280 for the week. we planned some great ts meals but did not want to have to have a ts every day. We went more for the experience a couple of times and did a few dinner shows using 2ts credits. this freed up some days for other stuff besides planning around our meals.

That's kind of what I've been thinking the past few days. My 2 girls would LOVE a princess meal, and I'm guessing my son would love the luau at the Polynesian. Are there some shows you would or wouldn't recommend?

So, if the price structure stays pretty much the same for next year, I'm thinking that we'll go for it.

Of course I change my mind on a fairly regular basis, so who knows how I'll reason it out tomorrow?

Thanks for your input everyone.

 

[Pumbaa_]

The nice thing is you have plenty of time to obsess about this

Once everything is announced do the math for the types of meals/shows you think the family would like and determine if it is the best for your family.

 

[Colleen27]

My next decision: whether or not the dining plan is a good idea for us.

With all the rumors of changes to the dining plan for next year, I wouldn't put too much time or energy into figuring out whether or not it is right for you until the official announcement of the 2008 plans. It shouldn't be too much longer before details are released.

 

[Aliceacc]

The nice thing is you have plenty of time to obsess about this

Once everything is announced do the math for the types of meals/shows you think the family would like and determine if it is the best for your family.

One of the perks to being a teacher-- and a math teacher at that

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't waste one minute thinking about it, until the terms of the 2008 package are officially released. All indications point to changes in what's offered and possibly the price.

An end of the included gratuity will increase the effective price $5-$10 /day even if Disney keeps the price the same.

The rumored reduction of snacks will eliminate use of a snack credits for breakfast.

The rumored dropping of appetizer will make it harder to stretch plan credits by sharing.