Meal planning

[mommy2two]

Does anyone here NOT do the dining plan and if so what do you do?

We're on a TIGHT budget and we don't really want to spend that much on dining. We're going to be Camping at the Disney Resort and I REALLY think we can eat cheaper for all of us than 90 bucks a day!! What do you think?

We're already planning on taking small snacks into the park for DD1 and DH as he'll get grumpy if hungry. :king: What do you all think for other meals? Thanks

 

[UberPlannerMom]

Thanks!! I don't normally carry snacks around either BUT with a toddler and DH who gets grumpy at the first hunger pain, I'd rather have them than not! LOL Also, I do need to save any penny we have as we're not coming with lots of money so it's something I really don't mind saving on. I'll def. look into maybe getting a LATE breakfast at a buffet but I'm thinking I'm wayyyy too late for that, with only 10 days to go! YAY! Thanks for all the help!!

I know what you mean about not coming with a lot of money. We spent a grand total of $100 during our entire week of Disney fun and that included three birthday presents for people! If you would like to know any of the extra things that I did to save just let me know!

 

[KC82271]

As some one mentioned earlier, if you have any of the other discounts, the dining plan may not work (especially the free one). We had booked on the bounce back offer of 25% off. A few weeks ago, we received a few different "free dining" offers. When I called, it would have cost me an extra $400+ for 2 adults and a 3 year old - to get the free dining for 7 days. Not worth it in my eyes!

We have never done the dining plan in the 18 trips I have made. We don't eat enough sit-downs for it to work out. Next year, when the offer the counter service - it might work! In the 7 days of this upcoming trip, we will do Chef Mickey, Pooh at Crystal Palace, and DH and I only at the Clam Bake at the Beach Club. The rest of our meals will be counter service. I UPS a box of snacks (cookies, chips, Entemanns donuts and donut holes)and other essentials (non-refrigarated milk boxes, diapers, water, soda, etc) down ahead of time and when in the room we use those. Bring a collapsible cooler to fill with ice and you are set (if in a Value).

Breakfast - we hit the food court. DH, myself, and DD3 share 2 adult meals. We will up our one refillable mug.

Lunch - depending on the park we are in, we pick one of the counter services there. For example, at Pecos Bills in the MK, we order a Chicken Wrap, a burger, and share an order of fries. DD gets a kids meal. One thing to mention here, is you DO NOT need to order the "meals" - you can order a la carte - like I said, we only order one order of fries.

Dinner - the 4 nights we don't have sit-downs, it will be catch what you can as we pass it. We may hit Earl in DTD, or even Giardelli's and have a really fattening dinner!

I am not one for dining in the world showcase. As a matter of fact, I have only eaten at America once!

So, it's all a matter of what you want to bring in with you for snacks, and whether you stick to a schedule. Eat at off-times. Maybe a late lunch, which can result in a late dinner, when there are no lines! This works great with little kids. Let them snack early in the afternoon, so you can delay the next meal!

Enjoy!

 

[gettingsmaller]

We (me, wife, kids--5,7,9) have done WDW eating 2 different ways:
1) One year, we stayed at an offsite condo (was really NICE, but we didn't SEE it very much). We cooked some meals at the condo and took frozen gatorade, granola bars, etc. in with us.

2) Two years later (last year), we went on the free DDP. Yes, you have to plan way in advance. Yes, it CAN be a pain to have to be somewhere at a certain time. Yes, you do spend a fair amount of time sitting and eating. HOWEVER, I don't want to do it any other way now. That time gives you some "refresh and reload" time. You leave well fed and rested, ready for some more park action. Of course, I'd never PAY for the DDP (especially with appetizer and tip taken out), but I'm all for free DDP.

 

[Dwarful]

We used to be fans of the DDP, but our trip this past summer changed our minds. Food was lacking, service was rushed, and we felt like our sole purpose was to cough up more $$$ on undeserving over priced tips. We were on a two week trip and did enjoy some of the meals, but many we felt rushed.

Our next trip we won't opt for the dining plan. We won't do sit downs every day - we did feel an unusual connection to our watches. Plus we lost a good 3 hours at some of our sit downs...we showed up early as requested, waited 30-45 mins. to be seated and then it took two hours to get through a meal. Which I wouldn't mind if the food was good, but it wasn't.

As others have mentioned, bring along those little packets of drink mix for your water...lemonade, kool-aide, etc., You can ask for ice water at any of the counter service locations or snack locations that sell fountain soda. They will give you the ice water for free. This saved many of our girl scout members serious $$$ on our troop trip.