UPDATE with new quote! Dining option worth it?

[d4est]

I am trying to decide whether the dining add-on is a good idea and would like your opinions...

This is for 2 adults, 1 child age 8:
Right now I have room only with AAA at CS for 6 nights: $743
I will get tix thru mousesavers discount, 6 day hoppers: $633
**HERE'S THE BIGGIE... food budget: $700
Breakdown...
6 dinners....@$80= $480
5 lunches....@$30= $150
6 breakfasts@$12= $72 (hubby not big on breakfast)

So GRAND TOTAL ........................................ $2076


OR....
Package including tix AND dining @CS for 6 nights: $2121.71
(NO DISCOUNT)

I know the package is a tad more, but here is the ???

DH is a healthy eater whose philosophy is "I am on vacation...I am NOT going to eat burgers...I want steak, shrimp, etc." I am wondering if I would just be better off with the dining package and know that a GOOD sit down dinner (steak etc) is paid for...no worries like "did I budget enough to eat here?"

Anyone with experience or a good opinion? TIA!

 

[da-winnie-pooh]

I say, go for the meal plan!

We had the free version and it was great! Hubby and I aren't completely convinced that we'd pay for it, just because our kids are picky eaters, and we don't generally need an appetizer, entree and dessert. In fact, we ended up going to buffets so we could eat less, instead of so we could eat more.

And, I don't mean to sound rude, but if your hubby is eating steak and other yummies, your dinners will possibly run over $80.00, especially with the tip.

We were fine with a food court breakfast, an afternoon snack (2 bags of chips and 2 waters to split) and a nice dinner. Or, a nice big lunch and a snack for dinner. We hardly ever bought food, and it wasn't because we're cheap. It just wasn't necessary.

Have fun, whatever you decide!

Anita

 

[Lewisc]

If you book the package through a AAA Travel Agency, NOT directly with WDW and NOT through a regular TA, you should get a AAA discount on the room rate.

 

[kelleigh1]

It sounds to me like the meal plan is a good idea for you. Hubby and I don't think it will be worth it for us since we're not big eaters and don't really need to splurge...and we'll have gift cards to some DTD and off-site restaurants anyway. But if your husband is looking forward to eating well, then it sounds like the meal plan is the way to go.

 

[d4est]

Thank you all. You have echoed (and confirmed) my thoughts.

And thank you Lewisc...that is something I did NOT know. I am going to contact my local AAA office today! Yay to saving $$...Yay to Disers!

 

[d4est]

An update and a BIG THANK YOU TO LEWISC...

I was contacted by my local AAA with a quote for a package that includes dining and 6 day hoppers for 2 adults & 1 child. Staying at CS (Feb 1-7, 2006). The price is $1935. I am pretty happy with that, especially knowing that we can eat without budgeting.

Thanks!

 

[frannn]

If we weren't set on APs, I'd go for the meal plan also. But, I ordered the DDE, which will help a bit. Have an awespme trip, and please post about all your food goodies when you get back!

 

[imsayin]

While we're on the topic of the dining plan, here is what I am trying to figure out: I am going in December for 6 nights (Me,DH,DD11,DS8) with my Dsis family (Her,DH,DS15,DD12,DS8,DD5). I am thinking we should get the meal plan for my family of 4 to use for some meals for all 10 of us. I think the dining plan for my family only wouldn't necessarily be a value - too much food for us, but if we get credits for 4 of us and use them for some of our dining, can we make it worth our while?

 

[Tiger Fan]

but if we get credits for 4 of us and use them for some of our dining, can we make it worth our while?

I could certainly see how this could work out. Depending on how many nights you are staying and exactly how many credits you will have you could do a couple of nice sit down meals and maybe even pay OOP for the younger kids or any of the kids that order off the childs menu and make this work really well.

We begged my parents to come with us on this trip. They would have stayed offsite in their condo, but we were going to treat them to a couple of meals from our plan and felt we could have done this very easily as most say the food is so much for one day. Hope this helps. Enjoy whatever you decide.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[mrsg00fy]

I vote for the meal plan. We just went on the free dining plan and for food for 4 (2 aduslts 2 kids) for 8 days, our bill came to $1550. We ate a lot of steak, our preferred food!! Even if we had to pay for the plan, it would have cost us $90 per day plus tax or roughly $760 so we came out way ahead.
We ate so well that I would compare it to the type of eating you do on a cruise!!

Have fun!