Y.E.S. off-site vs. free dining onsite for large family?

[blessedwinter]

My dh doesn't think going to Disney is doable for our family each year but I am hoping to convince him otherwise. Somehow. As it is, we are going on our 3rd trip in 19 months and we are a family of 8 (we've only taken the entire family 1 of the 3 times, though). Our children are getting older and by our next trip we will have to pay for plane tickets for all of them and park tickets for all but the youngest. So that makes things more difficult.

The first time we went and took everyone we used the Y.E.S. program and stayed offsite in a vacation home. It was great! But our in-laws met us there and were able to drive us back and forth in both of their cars so that helped.

The next 2 times (one of which is next month as an anniversary trip for my dh and I!) we stayed onsite and used the free dining. I loved that. I loved not having to worry about meals. We were just fine with the QS dining plan.

We homeschool so that is why we qualified for homeschool days and we can go off season. I would prefer Jan, Feb, or early November.

I'm wondering if there is a cheap way to take a large family while still getting a dining plan? Or is that not possible? Please help me brainstorm ways to be able to take my family each year!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Buy the 2 day base ticket just to get the plan, and hold them back for future use. We are staying 9 nights at Pop, bought 2 day tickets, and have yes tickets. It's an investment toward a future trip.

Another option would cause too many mouseears to pop up, which would be to use the YES tickets, and put the unused 2 day tickets on Ebay to recoup the cost. Not that I would do such a thing, but I'm sure it has been done.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

My dh doesn't think going to Disney is doable for our family each year but I am hoping to convince him otherwise. Somehow. As it is, we are going on our 3rd trip in 19 months and we are a family of 8 (we've only taken the entire family 1 of the 3 times, though). Our children are getting older and by our next trip we will have to pay for plane tickets for all of them and park tickets for all but the youngest. So that makes things more difficult.

The first time we went and took everyone we used the Y.E.S. program and stayed offsite in a vacation home. It was great! But our in-laws met us there and were able to drive us back and forth in both of their cars so that helped.

The next 2 times (one of which is next month as an anniversary trip for my dh and I!) we stayed onsite and used the free dining. I loved that. I loved not having to worry about meals. We were just fine with the QS dining plan.

We homeschool so that is why we qualified for homeschool days and we can go off season. I would prefer Jan, Feb, or early November.

I'm wondering if there is a cheap way to take a large family while still getting a dining plan? Or is that not possible? Please help me brainstorm ways to be able to take my family each year!

I don't think there is a cheap way to do the dining plan especially if it is not offered free. Way too expensive for a large family out of pocket. We paid for the dining plan in 2009 and it was $160 per day! While we enjoyed it , it was a splurge. Now I believe the dining plan is over $200 a day for a family of four. Forget it.

If free dining is offered that is better and may work for you. Get two rooms at a value and the quick service. We did free dining with a family of 10 and our daily tips were $100 with the regular plan. Again not cheap but we enjoyed.

 

[blessedwinter]

Buy the 2 day base ticket just to get the plan, and hold them back for future use. We are staying 9 nights at Pop, bought 2 day tickets, and have yes tickets. It's an investment toward a future trip.

I have heard of doing this, but I'm not sure how it works. I would have to reserve the resort through the 2 day package and only choose 2 days of park tickets in the package, but actually book the resort through this package? Is that right? Would this make sense if we can only do a 4-5 day park ticket?