Which meals should we pay OOP?

[JanetMom]

We are going to WDW next March and have our ADRs all booked.

We are on the dining plan for the first time, thanks to free dining. We will have 7 table service credits each, but have booked more table service meals than that. So I'm guessing the DISBoard dining plan experts will be able to help me decide which meals would be the best value on the dining plan and which meals would be the cheapest ones to pay out of pocket.

Here's the list:
Day 1 Supper - Yachtsman Steakhouse (2 credits required)
Day 2 Supper - Liberty Tree Tavern
Day 3 Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre
Day 4 Supper - Coral Reef
Day 5 Supper - Biergarten
Day 6 Supper - Teppan Edo
Day 7 Lunch - Big River Grill
Day 7 Supper - Raglan Road

I know these places are not all on the 2012 dining plan yet, but they were on the 2011 plan, so I'm assuming they will all get signed up for 2012.

So this means we have 2 table service credits to pay out of pocket. I assume we would be smartest to pay for the lunch out of pocket since those meals might be cheaper. Or would we be smarter to pay for teh Yachtsman since it may not be as expensive as 2 separate meals?

Any thoughts or advice to share?

 

[sharonabe]

Looking at the MOST expensive offerings at Big River and Sci Fi, your total at each (entree, dessert, drink) will be around $35.

The MOST expensive things on the Yachtsman menu will be around $65.

So, you need to go check out the menus and see what you think you want to order. You're really the only one who can decide which is cheaper to pay OOP.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Looking at the MOST expensive offerings at Big River and Sci Fi, your total at each (entree, dessert, drink) will be around $35.

The MOST expensive things on the Yachtsman menu will be around $65.

So, you need to go check out the menus and see what you think you want to order. You're really the only one who can decide which is cheaper to pay OOP.

Completely agree. Generally speaking the price per credit at the Signature places is less. So as you need to save 2 credits each then that would generally be the way to go. BUT as some of your credits are lunch, the lunches are cheaper.

The logic above is spot on. It is still slightly cheaper to pay for Yachtsman probably but there is like $5 in it per person. So there is probably not a wrong option. Best plan is to take the advice above. Work out what you expect to order then compare the costs of both options. You'll probably only see a few dollars difference.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I would pay for Sci-Fi and Raglan Road out of pocket.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We normally share desserts at home so if we have to go oop we do one ddp and one oop for restaurants. It works for us since we don't need 2 desserts. YMMV. So you have 14 credits total...

Day 1 Supper - Yachtsman Steakhouse 2
Day 2 Supper - Liberty Tree Tavern 2
Day 3 Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre 1
Day 4 Supper - Coral Reef 2
Day 5 Supper - Biergarten 2
Day 6 Supper - Teppan Edo 2
Day 7 Lunch - Big River Grill 1
Day 7 Supper - Raglan Road 2

So I'd pay 1 meal op @ sci fi, big river, and yachtsman. You'd only be paying for the entree there and splitting a dessert. Make sure if you do this that your more expensive entree is on the ddp.

 

[JanetMom]

We normally share desserts at home so if we have to go oop we do one ddp and one oop for restaurants. It works for us since we don't need 2 desserts. YMMV. So you have 14 credits total...

Day 1 Supper - Yachtsman Steakhouse 2
Day 2 Supper - Liberty Tree Tavern 2
Day 3 Lunch - Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre 1
Day 4 Supper - Coral Reef 2
Day 5 Supper - Biergarten 2
Day 6 Supper - Teppan Edo 2
Day 7 Lunch - Big River Grill 1
Day 7 Supper - Raglan Road 2

So I'd pay 1 meal op @ sci fi, big river, and yachtsman. You'd only be paying for the entree there and splitting a dessert. Make sure if you do this that your more expensive entree is on the ddp.

That is a good idea that I hadn't thought of. And exactly why I come to the DisBoards for advice!

There will be three of us on the dining plan, so picking one of us to skip dessert would work perfectly for some meals. (Especially since my 14 year old son isn't a fan of appetizers and desserts!)

Good idea!