[karliebug]

I'm wondering if the new dining plan will really save us money. I have a family of 5 and since my teen counts as an adult it would cost us $125 per day for the new plan. I can see how it would save if you do a sit down dinner every night but we like character meals (2 choices) and eat mostly counter service. I figure we spend less than $100 a day on food, so other than the convience of prepaying it seems as if it would just encourage us to overeat to get our money's worth.

[mickey]

I have taken a look at it for a bunch of families. For the most part, it is going to save you money if you use all the meals, even if it is just character meals. Let's look at it for your family on an average day:

Your cost $125
Counter service lunch, Pinocchio's Village Haus: $41
Chef Mickey's dinner: $128
snack (mickey head ice cream): $15

So, my total for your one day is $184, meaning you were ahead by about $59 for just one day. Now, I picked Chef Mickey's for dinner, since it one of the more expensive character meals, but it is only a dollar or two more per person. Imagine if you had taken everyone to Le Cellier instead, and the bill is $200 just for dinner? Oh, you can do that too.

Remember that the meal plan includes all taxes and gratuities as well, so you just show up, eat and leave.

Of course, if you don't use all your meals, you are not going to come out ahead.

[DisneyTeacher]

I looked at this too. I do not think it will save us much money. I would rather have the room only code and get tickets added to that. To get the dining plan I would have to book a package. If AP or room only codes don't come out for summer then I will think about this plan but a room only code will save us about $50 per night on our room (we have 2 rooms booked) and the dining plan won't save us that much each day.

Here was my example for one adult:
Pecos Bill's $7.95 plus $2.00 for a drink
50's PT Dinner and a drink about $20.00 plus tax and tip
snack/drink $2.50

This came to about $32, we would just about break even. We don't order a starter or desert with most meals, we may once during a trip but never both at the same meal and if we do we split it. The servings are large enough that we just couldn't each eat an appetizer, meal, and desert. My DS doesn't eat enough to worry about, he just picks and snacks.

[BuzzLightyear]

What is the breakdown per person per day on the meal plan ?
Sorry to hijack this thread

[mickey]

Kids 10 and older are $35 per night
Kids 3 - 9 are $10 per night

DT - I have heard that the packages will continue to be discounted along with the rooms for the time being. I guess I should say if you see a room only general public discount, you will see the packages discounted.

[richaimg]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I can see how it would save if you do a sit down dinner every night but we like character meals (2 choices) and eat mostly counter service.

Just to clarify - my understanding is that you CAN use the meal plan for Character meals (using just 1 option) and the "2 choice" meals are at the most expensive restaurants such as California Grill or a luau show. Is that correct?

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by mickey

DT - I have heard that the packages will continue to be discounted along with the rooms for the time being. I guess I should say if you see a room only general public discount, you will see the packages discounted.

Mickey--so you expect that when the room only codes come out for May (if they do indeed come out) that discounted package prices will become available as well?

[dznygrl]

I take that back. What a stupid question! Of course that's what you meant.

[mickey]

Originally Posted by richaimg

Just to clarify - my understanding is that you CAN use the meal plan for Character meals (using just 1 option) and the "2 choice" meals are at the most expensive restaurants such as California Grill or a luau show. Is that correct?

Oh, I missed that part of the question. The character meals are considered one sit down meal. The signature service restaurants (most of them) would be 2 meals. So, California Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish, etc would count as 2 sit down meals.

[richaimg]

Whew! I think if you are going to use your sit-down meals the plan is definitely worth it.

Thanks Mickey!!

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by mickey

Kids 10 and older are $35 per night
Kids 3 - 9 are $10 per night

DT - I have heard that the packages will continue to be discounted along with the rooms for the time being. I guess I should say if you see a room only general public discount, you will see the packages discounted.

So I guess I don't have it all figured out. Each time I think I have a final plan I learn something new and have to keep planning. I guess I thought that the package wouldn't really save me any real money, like in the past, and that a room only code would still be the best way to go. I guess I still have some work to do.

[karliebug]

Mickey, do you have any info. on whether or not AP holders will be able to get a meal plan,too???

[Metalfan]

Mickey, when will be able to find a list of what restaurants are in that group of 100 and what ones are the 2 sit down meals?

[mickey]

Right now, the only way to get the dining plan is by booking a Magic Your Way package, including tickets. I have been told there is a basic package, but I have been unable to book it as of today. I guess you could book the basic package, and use your APs as entrance tickets, but you wouldn't be able to get an AP discount, assuming one was available.

Rather than list the 100 restaurants, it is easier to list the ones not included in the plan.

Jiko
Flying Fish
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Artist's Point
California Grill
Hoop De Doo
Spirit of Aloha
Mickey's Backyard BBQ
Citricos
Narcossee's
Bistro de Paris
Coral Reef
Alfredo di Roma

These are the signature restaurants that would require two sit down meals.

Victoria & Alberts is not included at all, as are most of the downtown Disney restaurants and Rainforest Cafe at AK. The only DTD restaurant would be Captain Jack's.

If there is a particular restaurant you are wondering about, just ask.

[Soundgod]

It's a shame Fulton's is off the list all together.