Staying at Boardwalk Villas....few questions

[hurricanepat]

So this is the first time I am planning a special trip for my girlfriend *hopefully fiance soon* and myself to visit Disney. I have been going since I was 1 years old and am now 24, I am proud to say I have been going with the family once a year almost every year since I was a toddler (except the past few...living on the border in Texas as a Border Patrol Agent). In Feburary I will be spending seven days at the Boardwalk Villas and I have a few questions I hope you all can help me with.

First, we technically did not book the trip directly through Disney. My girlfriends parents have a time share through their company (not DVC). By doing this I probably saved close to $1000 and only have to purchase tickets. Because of this do we still have an option to purchase the Dining Plan? I seem to have trouble finding out since it seems Disney wants to sell it as a package with booking a hotel along with their tickets.

Second, If I do have the option of purchasing the Dining Plan, what are your experiences with it? I understand there are customizable options and that it can save a lot of money if used correctly. My family has used it a few times but the past few years they haven't recently.

Lastly, we will both be arriving at the airport at different times because I will be flying out of Texas and she out of the Northeast. Is the Magical Express still complimentary though we are not traveling together and are getting a room through an outside time share company?

Im sure I have more questions but that is all I can think of right now. As a side note, everytime I find I am going to Disney I get into "super excited mode". I feel as if no matter my age I will always enjoy going to and experiencing a good time in Disney World. Thank you for your help.

[JWG]

Originally Posted by hurricanepat

First, we technically did not book the trip directly through Disney. My girlfriends parents have a time share through their company (not DVC). By doing this I probably saved close to $1000 and only have to purchase tickets. Because of this do we still have an option to purchase the Dining Plan? I seem to have trouble finding out since it seems Disney wants to sell it as a package with booking a hotel along with their tickets.

Yes, you can do the DDP. Whoever made the reservation will need to add the DDP to it. You won't pay until you check-in. I am sure the timeshare you're using traded through RCI or similar for a week at Boardwalk. That means you'll be staying as a "Disney Vacation Club" person with associated discounts, etc.

Originally Posted by hurricanepat

Second, If I do have the option of purchasing the Dining Plan, what are your experiences with it? I understand there are customizable options and that it can save a lot of money if used correctly. My family has used it a few times but the past few years they haven't recently.

Make sure to get your TS reservations as close to 180 days out as possible. It sucks to plan that far out, but the DDP has made getting reservations difficult - even if you're not on the plan you'll want to do it. I wouldn't plan on it saving you tons of money, just simplifying your trip if you plan to eat at the resort for all meals.

Originally Posted by hurricanepat

Lastly, we will both be arriving at the airport at different times because I will be flying out of Texas and she out of the Northeast. Is the Magical Express still complimentary though we are not traveling together and are getting a room through an outside time share company?

Yes, you'll also need to reserve this in advance. DVC resorts qualify for ME. You'll just need to make sure you register each of you separately if you won't be using it at the same time so you each get your luggage tags and boarding information.

[awilliams4]

Originally Posted by hurricanepat

Second, If I do have the option of purchasing the Dining Plan, what are your experiences with it? I understand there are customizable options and that it can save a lot of money if used correctly. My family has used it a few times but the past few years they haven't recently.

I have never done the DDP but I have researched it enough to determine that for our family, there isn't a cost savings, it is too restrictive and we would actually enjoy our dining experiences less.

Our way of dining is ordering waters at breakfast and dinner to save a good chunk of change. Eating two TS meals per day, a late breakfast and an early dinner (we take small tupperware cases with us as we tend to bring leftovers with us into the parks, back to the room, etc to stretch our money even further. We are a family of (4) and spend about $60 for breakfast and about $90 for dinner including tax and tip. This is typically enough food for us for the entire day and we may spend another $20 per day on desserts later. I believe the DDP is about $40 per person for the 1 counter service, 1 table service and 1 snack. So we get two TS meals and a desert for later, no restrictions on whats, wheres and hows and spend $170 per day. I believe the DDP for 1 counter service, 1 TS and 1 snack is $40 per person plus tax.

[tampabrad]

$40 a day X 4 is $160. You are spending $170 a day and drinking water and lugging tupperware around.

[awilliams4]

Correct, I spend pretty much the same amount but get (2) table service meals and (1) snack instead of (1) table server and (1) counter service and (1) snack.

Tupperware is just an added suggestion. It is irrelevant to the do DDP or not do DDP idea.

[awilliams4]

We are also not restricted (or forced considering DDP is a use it or lose it) to what we can or cannot purchase at our meals.

[mouselvrmom]

We love Boardwalk Villas. It's one of our faves due to it's location!

As far as the DDP goes, if you are able to get it, I think that it's a good idea. I don't think that the savings is there as much as it used to be, but my family likes the idea of prepaying for our meals, so that we only have to tip while we're there. It just makes budgeting that much easier. And, of course, if you only purchase the most expensive items it may still offer some savings.

ME shouldn't be a problem since you're staying at a disney resort. It shouldn't matter that you are traveling at different times. They just need your flight info.

[awilliams4]

Originally Posted by tampabrad

$40 a day X 4 is $160. You are spending $170 a day and drinking water and lugging tupperware around.

I forgot, DDP also requires an 18% add on. So your 40x4 math is a little low. Add another $30 to your total.

[JWG]

Originally Posted by tampabrad

$40 a day X 4 is $160. You are spending $170 a day and drinking water and lugging tupperware around.

$41.99 per day plus tip for adults.
$10.99 per day (I think) for kids 3-9 plus tip.

[hurricanepat]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I am going to call them in a few weeks to see if there is a special discount offer on the dining plan which is sometimes offered during the slower seasons. Hopefully I can get a good deal.

[Disneykidder]

The DDp really depends on the family but I think it is 1. a saving of $ and 2. much easier to pay for it up front and in advance...less $ to carry and less worries about paying for food.

OK, so $42 for an adult and $11 for a child...that adds up to $106 per day for a family of 4. Snacks can be up to $4 each and one TS can be up to $30 for adults and maybe $15 for kids and the QS is around $12...so that adds up to $154...roughly. I don't think the tip would be $48. Even if it ebnds up evening out, but in my experience the DDp has been worth more, the upfront payments seem worth it.

With all that said, access if you and your fiancee will be able to stop and eat a TS each day, if the restaurants included in the plan are what you want (not all are included but all of my favs seem to be ) and if you don't mind making all of your reservations in advance. Most rstaurants book quickly anyway so calling ahead is a good idea.

Sorry for rambling...I hope I have helped.

[durangojim]

As people have posted in other threads, now days, it doesn't seem like there's much savings to the DDP unless you get it for free, but it does seem to be convenient for some, as long as you like eating at a TS restaurant each day. It's probably a wash or on the negative for many people as it assumes that you would be buying the same food if you didn't have the DDP as you would if you did have it.