Dining Plan Math

[Deleted]

I just need to write this out because we paid off our trip yesterday and I'm feeling the need to be conscious of potential out of pocket costs for our trip.  We have nine ten table service reservations over seven days.  One we will definitely cancel because it's an overlap but two are two credits so really more like twelve.  I'm okay with paying out of pocket for a few meals but I want to plan strategically so I know where the plan will get us the most bang for our buck. 

I also think we really won't mind lots of table service meals since it's Christmas week and we will want to be able to sit and regroup for a while.  Maybe I'm wrong?  I also plan on not standing in any character lines since we're planning on so many character meals.

Ok so here goes:

I'm going to put in hypothetical meals we may eat in addition to our ADRs just for planning purposes.  Don't assume that I picked out my breakfast two months in advance.  I'm not actually that crazy.  I'm not sure we'll even feel like eating breakfast before we head out to the park so we may skip the food court entries but I'll leave them in for now.

Disney Dining Plan: 14 Table Service Adult Credits, 7 Table Service Child Credits, 21 Quick Service Credits, 21 Snacks

Breakeven point = $1050.95

12/23 - Whispering Canyon Café 5 p.m.

All You Care to Enjoy Skillet $32

Right Neighborly's Meatloaf $23

Kids Mac and Cheese $7.25

Kids Fruit Salad $3

Mason Jar Cheesecake $8

Fruit Cobbler $9

Two sodas $6

Total Cost: $88.25 (uses 2 adult TS credits, 1 child TS credit)

12/24 - Hollywood and Vine Disney Junior Play and Dine 10 a.m.

2 Adults Brunch $64

1 Child Brunch $20

Total = $84 (uses 2 adult TS, 1 child TS credit)

Running Total: $172.25 (4 adult TS, 2 child TS)

12/24 Snack at Hollywood Studios

2 Mickey Pretzels with Cheese Sauce $11.38

1 Hot Dog with Chips $7.49

Total = $18.87 (uses 2 snack credits, 1 quick service credit)

Running Total = $191.12 (4 adult TS, 2 child TS, 1 QS, 2 snacks)

12/24 Hollywood and Vine Minnie's Seasonal Dine 4:55 p.m.

2 Adults $46.99

1 Child $27.99

Total = $121.97

Running Total = $311.09 (6 adult TS, 3 child TS, 1 QS, 2 snacks)

12/25 Caribbean Beach Food Court Breakfast

Western Omelet $8.99

Bounty Platter $10.49 - Ethan can eat

Kids Chocolate Chip Pancakes $4.99

Total = $24.47 (3 quick service credits)

Running Total = $335.56 (6 adult TS, 3 child TS, 4 QS, 2 snacks)

12/25 Tusker House Lunch 1:35

2 adults $76

1 child $23

Total = $99 (2 adult TS, 1 child TS)

Running Total = $434.56 (8 adult TS, 4 child TS, 4 QS, 2 snacks)

12/25 QS Dinner at Animal Kingdom?

Gyro Flatbread $10.49

Tikki Masala Chicken $10.99

Kids Corn Dog $5.99

Total = $27.47

Running Total = $462.03 (8 adult TS, 4 child TS, 7 QS, 2 snacks)

12/26 Caribbean Beach Food Court Breakfast
Western Omelet $8.99
Bounty Platter $10.49 - Ethan can eat
Kids Chocolate Chip Pancakes $4.99
Total = $24.47 (3 quick service credits)

Running Total = $486.50 (8 adult TS, 4 child TS, 10 QS, 2 snacks)

12/26 Hood Dee Doo Revue 6:15 p.m.

2 adults $144

1 child $43

Total = $187 (uses 4 TS adult credits, 2 child TS credits)

Running Total = 673.50 (12 adult TS, 6 child TS, 10 QS, 2 snacks)

12/27 Caribbean Beach Food Court Breakfast
Western Omelet $8.99
Bounty Platter $10.49 - Ethan can eat
Kids Chocolate Chip Pancakes $4.99
Total = $24.47 (3 quick service credits)

Running Total = $697.97 (12 adult TS, 6 child TS, 13 QS, 2 snacks)

12/27 Be Our Guest Lunch 12:20

Turkey Sandwich $15.99

Vegetable Quiche $12.99

Kids Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup $8.49

2 cupcakes $9.98

Total = $47.45

Running Total = $745.42(12 adult TS, 6 child TS, 16 QS, 2 snacks)

12/27 Magic Kingdom Snacks

Cheeseburger Spring Rolls $4.50

3 Dole Whips $12.57

Total = $17.07

Running Total = $762.49(12 adult TS, 6 child TS, 16 QS, 6 snacks)

12/28 Be Our Guest Dinner 7:15

Braised Beef $32

Roasted Lamb Chop $32

The Grey Stuff x 2 $10

Beast Casserole $8.99

Total = $82.99

Running Total = $845.48(14 adult TS, 7 child TS, 16 QS, 6 snacks)

12/28 Epcot Snacks/breakfast

2 Frapuccinos $11.58

Bacon Egg and Gouda Artisan Sandwich x 2 $10.58

Sausage Egg and Cheddar Classic Egg Sandwich $4.79

Total = $26.95 (3 QS, 2 snacks)

Running Total = $872.43 (14 adult TS, 7 child TS, 19 QS, 8 snacks)

By this point I am out of TS credits unless I switch things around.

12/28 Garden Grill 12:55 p.m.

2 adults @ $89.44

1 child @ $24.99

Total = $114.43

12/28 Date Night at Spice Road Table 9:20 p.m.

Lamb Sliders $24.99

Vegetable Platter $22.99

Total = $47.98

12/29 Crystal Palace Lunch

2 Adults $60

1 Child $16

Total = $76

12/29 Dinner Dilemma

Ohana 5:00 p.m.

Cindrella's Royal Table 7:15

I have to cancel one, probably both of these and I'm just sad about it but I haven't yet.

So anyway, help me figure out what meal to cancel or pay out of pocket.  I'm sort of inclined not to cancel anything until much closer to the trip because I read about people waiting in two hour long lines for quick service meals during Christmas week. 

DH doesn't really care and wants to "go with the flow."

Well I just totaled it up.  I'm sure we'll use more of the snack credits for coffee but it doesn't seem to be saving me any money to get the dining plan.  I sort of want to bail on the HDDR but this was one of the few big group activities we planned with extended family.  I would cancel Disney Jr. since we're eating there already but I got Ben psyched up for this.  CRT and dinner at BOG were both things that I was looking forward to but they're not necessarily something the kids will enjoy.  I can't decide.

 

[Deleted]

Disney Math is my favorite Math. Try running your meals through something like this www.dadsguidetowdw.com/walt-disney-world-dining-plan.html or the see ya reel soon one and see how you come out.

Also that seems like a TON of food you are ordering. Do you really need 2 apps and AYCE meal a regular meal a kids meal and 4 desserts ? That just seems like a ton of food ( but I mean I love eating so ya know... It's all good)

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 10:13:46 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Disney Math is my favorite Math. Try running your meals through something like this www.dadsguidetowdw.com/walt-disney-world-dining-plan.html or the see ya reel soon one and see how you come out.

Also that seems like a TON of food you are ordering. Do you really need 2 apps and AYCE meal a regular meal a kids meal and 4 desserts ? That just seems like a ton of food ( but I mean I love eating so ya know... It's all good)

Oh no I agree it's a ton of food but the dining plan includes one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I'm googling to see if we can just not order anything for the three year old and have everyone share but I read it's @friwned upon."

[lishie]

Nov 15, 2016 10:41:00 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Nov 15, 2016 10:13:46 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Disney Math is my favorite Math. Try running your meals through something like this www.dadsguidetowdw.com/walt-disney-world-dining-plan.html or the see ya reel soon one and see how you come out.

Also that seems like a TON of food you are ordering. Do you really need 2 apps and AYCE meal a regular meal a kids meal and 4 desserts ? That just seems like a ton of food ( but I mean I love eating so ya know... It's all good)

Oh no I agree it's a ton of food but the dining plan includes one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I'm googling to see if we can just not order anything for the three year old and have everyone share but I read it's @friwned upon."

Did you get the Deluxe meal plan? Because when we had the meal plan it was just an entrée, dessert and a drink. With Whispering Canyon, a never ending milkshake can be your drink

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 11:01:59 GMT -5 lishie said:

Nov 15, 2016 10:41:00 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Oh no I agree it's a ton of food but the dining plan includes one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I'm googling to see if we can just not order anything for the three year old and have everyone share but I read it's @friwned upon."

Did you get the Deluxe meal plan? Because when we had the meal plan it was just an entrée, dessert and a drink. With Whispering Canyon, a never ending milkshake can be your drink

Ohhh! I think I was reading the wrong page. Okay thanks for telling me this before I picked eight appetizers. We just got the regular plan.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 10:41:00 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Nov 15, 2016 10:13:46 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Disney Math is my favorite Math. Try running your meals through something like this www.dadsguidetowdw.com/walt-disney-world-dining-plan.html or the see ya reel soon one and see how you come out.

Also that seems like a TON of food you are ordering. Do you really need 2 apps and AYCE meal a regular meal a kids meal and 4 desserts ? That just seems like a ton of food ( but I mean I love eating so ya know... It's all good)

Oh no I agree it's a ton of food but the dining plan includes one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I'm googling to see if we can just not order anything for the three year old and have everyone share but I read it's @friwned upon."

Oh you have deluxe! 

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 12:32:08 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Nov 15, 2016 10:41:00 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Oh no I agree it's a ton of food but the dining plan includes one appetizer, one entree and one dessert. I'm googling to see if we can just not order anything for the three year old and have everyone share but I read it's @friwned upon."

Oh you have deluxe! 

Oh no I caught my mistake. I thought I read that the regular dining plan had appetizers but I must have been reading about the deluxe. I edited my post!

[Deleted]

Quick tip- At CS your " kids meal" really counts for any meal. So you can order anything you like at a CS for your kid and split it if you want. In addition you can swap the dessert at any CS for a side.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 12:33:19 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Nov 15, 2016 12:32:08 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Oh you have deluxe! 

Oh no I caught my mistake. I thought I read that the regular dining plan had appetizers but I must have been reading about the deluxe. I edited my post!

Ahhhh gottcha! 

[Deleted]

Hmm I put everything into distripplanner even Cinderella's Royal Table and it seems that I am actually saving money with the DDP.  It says:

This dining plan would cost $1112.16 and covers the following amounts:
•Entrees & Drinks: $919.66
•Appetizers: $0.00
•Desserts: $27.74
•Snacks: $82.53
•Refillable Mugs: $53.97
•Taxes: $27.59

You would need to pay for these amounts out of pocket:

•Entrees & Drinks: $402.16
•Appetizers: $0.00
•Desserts: $21.98
•Snacks: $0.00
•Refillable Mugs: $0.00
•Tips: $133.43
•Taxes: $10.02
Pay for these meals with the plan:



Cost

12/23/2016 Dinner TS Whispering Canyon Café $107.48
12/24/2016 Dinner TS Hollywood and Vine $153.29
12/25/2016 Breakfast QS Old Port Royale Food Court $34.01
12/25/2016 Lunch TS Tusker House Restaurant $116.78
12/25/2016 Dinner QS Marketplace Snacks $37.51
12/26/2016 Breakfast QS Old Port Royale Food Court $34.01
12/27/2016 Breakfast QS Old Port Royale Food Court $34.01
12/27/2016 Lunch QS Be Our Guest Restaurant $56.73
12/28/2016 Breakfast QS Old Port Royale Food Court $34.01
12/28/2016 Lunch TS Garden Grill $112.01
12/29/2016 Breakfast QS Old Port Royale Food Court $34.01
12/29/2016 Lunch TS Crystal Palace $116.78
12/29/2016 Dinner TS Cinderella's Royal Table Includes Tip! $195.11

Pay for these meals out of pocket:

12/24/2016 Breakfast TS Hollywood and Vine $97.99
12/26/2016 Dinner TS Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Category 1 Includes Tip! $187.00
12/27/2016 Dinner TS Be Our Guest Restaurant $106.52
12/28/2016 Dinner TS Spice Road Table $85.33

[ilikedonuts]

That seems like so much food...

[L From The D]

If it were me, I'd cancel HDDR and WCC, which would give you back three TS credits. Move 1900 PF to your first night and keep Ohana on your last.

You could also try to change CRT to Akershus to save a credit.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 14:05:02 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

That seems like so much food...

I agree! I just don't know how best to plan since I already paid for the dining plan. I think if we cancel BOG dinner and CRT dinner is the best plan. CRT I don't really want to cancel though because I read that if you time your meal to end 20 minutes before Wishes they escort you right to the front of the castle to watch.  Maybe I'll cancel Garden Grill.  Screw Chip and Dale.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 14:19:41 GMT -5 L From The D said:

If it were me, I'd cancel HDDR and WCC, which would give you back three TS credits. Move 1900 PF to your first night and keep Ohana on your last.

You could also try to change CRT to Akershus to save a credit.

Hmm I was thinking about cancelling WCC but we get into Orlando in the early afternoon and have nothing planned so I thought we'd go to Wilderness Lodge which will be sort of an adventure to get to. I guess we can still go there but just not eat?

HDDR is a reservation for 25 people so I can't really get out of this.

I don't have 1900?

[L From The D]

Nov 15, 2016 14:24:02 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Nov 15, 2016 14:19:41 GMT -5 L From The D said:

If it were me, I'd cancel HDDR and WCC, which would give you back three TS credits. Move 1900 PF to your first night and keep Ohana on your last.

You could also try to change CRT to Akershus to save a credit.

Hmm I was thinking about cancelling WCC but we get into Orlando in the early afternoon and have nothing planned so I thought we'd go to Wilderness Lodge which will be sort of an adventure to get to. I guess we can still go there but just not eat?

HDDR is a reservation for 25 people so I can't really get out of this.

I don't have 1900?

Whoops, I saw your CRT and for some reason thought "Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner" at 1900 PF. It's a really good one, if you are interested. The characters are awesome and the food was varied and delicious. It's at the GF, so you can still have a resort walk-around night.

Also, just because HDDR is a 25 person ADR doesn't mean you can't back out. As long as the majority shows, there won't be cancellation fees.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 14:38:44 GMT -5 L From The D said:

Nov 15, 2016 14:24:02 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Hmm I was thinking about cancelling WCC but we get into Orlando in the early afternoon and have nothing planned so I thought we'd go to Wilderness Lodge which will be sort of an adventure to get to. I guess we can still go there but just not eat?

HDDR is a reservation for 25 people so I can't really get out of this.

I don't have 1900?

Whoops, I saw your CRT and for some reason thought "Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner" at 1900 PF. It's a really good one, if you are interested. The characters are awesome and the food was varied and delicious. It's at the GF, so you can still have a resort walk-around night.

Also, just because HDDR is a 25 person ADR doesn't mean you can't back out. As long as the majority shows, there won't be cancellation fees.

Oh ok.

I'll talk to my husband and see what he thinks about cancelling HDDR. I just don't want to be the one person who bails on the only big group thing planned. And unlimited sangria may make me feel better about the situation.

Maybe instead of going to WCC on arrival night we can go to Disney Springs and walk around? I'm afraid it will be a madhouse though.

[Deleted]

I think WCC is just the right amount of fun for a first day. OR you could just swim and hang at the resort with a pizza since you will have such a BIG week coming up. If you are at Port Orleans maybe consider booking a carriage ride?

I would cancel anything you have planned at H&V because I find the food there poor and the service HORRIBLE.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 15:21:27 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I think WCC is just the right amount of fun for a first day. OR you could just swim and hang at the resort with a pizza since you will have such a BIG week coming up. If you are at Port Orleans maybe consider booking a carriage ride?

I would cancel anything you have planned at H&V because I find the food there poor and the service HORRIBLE.

but Santa Goofy on Christmas Eve?

I feel like one of the Hollywood and Vines has to go but DH would rather do the breakfast than the dinner but I think it will be very festive to have dinner with the characters in seasonal attire.  I am stressing this too much. 

[Deleted]

The more I think about it the more I think we should nix the Minnie Seasonal Dine. I want to take a nap break in the afternoon and rest up so we can go back and see Fantasmic and Jingle Bam Jingle Boom so eating three hours before that happens means there's too much time to kill. We should probably be better off resting 2-5 and heading back around 6-7.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 15:45:26 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

The more I think about it the more I think we should nix the Minnie Seasonal Dine. I want to take a nap break in the afternoon and rest up so we can go back and see Fantasmic and Jingle Bam Jingle Boom so eating three hours before that happens means there's too much time to kill. We should probably be better off resting 2-5 and heading back around 6-7.

Do you think the park will close to capacity in the afternoon? In that case it will help to have that ADR.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 16:34:14 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Nov 15, 2016 15:45:26 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

The more I think about it the more I think we should nix the Minnie Seasonal Dine. I want to take a nap break in the afternoon and rest up so we can go back and see Fantasmic and Jingle Bam Jingle Boom so eating three hours before that happens means there's too much time to kill. We should probably be better off resting 2-5 and heading back around 6-7.

Do you think the park will close to capacity in the afternoon? In that case it will help to have that ADR.

Probably not. It says that HS has only ever closed twice in ten years and that was Phase 2 so I still could have gotten in with staying on site.

touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/capacity-closures

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 16:40:19 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Nov 15, 2016 16:34:14 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Do you think the park will close to capacity in the afternoon? In that case it will help to have that ADR.

Probably not. It says that HS has only ever closed twice in ten years and that was Phase 2 so I still could have gotten in with staying on site.

touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/capacity-closures

That sounds like a plan then!

[beantrees]

Ok maybe I'm looking at this wrong because I'm on my phone, but your breakeven point is $1,050 and your running total at the end is $872? So the dining plan is losing you money?! I'm probably looking at this wrong.

Regardless, from the math I've done on my own trip I think I would pay OOP for HDDR since 2 credit restaurants don't tend to be a good use of credits. And possibly Spice Road? I'm going to pencil this out and come back.

ETA: Ok if you pay OOP for HDDR, you can use those credits to pay for GG and CP and save $3 lol. If you pay for CP lunch OOP and go to Ohana on the last day you would save even more.

I think I would cancel a couple TS meals (not sure which, maybe the cheaper ones?) And pay OOP for QS. But I understand worrying about the lines. TBH it seems like you might come out better without the plan? But it's already done now right? I know the calculator usually assumes you eat like the dining plan, which is why it sometimes says you come out ahead. Whereas if you were eating without you probably wouldn't order dessert for every person, etc.

At this point though, it's already done so I would kick back and enjoy all the extra character meals that are already "paid" for. I think you will have a fabulous time!!

[ilikedonuts]

We love Hollywood and vine and have had many great breakfasts and lunches there. Lunch is basically the same food as dinner. Then again we love chef mickeys too even though it gets a bad wrap. I'd keep one of those and drop CRT to save credits.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 19:46:15 GMT -5 beantrees said:

Ok maybe I'm looking at this wrong because I'm on my phone, but your breakeven point is $1,050 and your running total at the end is $872? So the dining plan is losing you money?! I'm probably looking at this wrong.

Regardless, from the math I've done on my own trip I think I would pay OOP for HDDR since 2 credit restaurants don't tend to be a good use of credits. And possibly Spice Road? I'm going to pencil this out and come back.

ETA: Ok if you pay OOP for HDDR, you can use those credits to pay for GG and CP and save $3 lol. If you pay for CP lunch OOP and go to Ohana on the last day you would save even more.

I think I would cancel a couple TS meals (not sure which, maybe the cheaper ones?) And pay OOP for QS. But I understand worrying about the lines. TBH it seems like you might come out better without the plan? But it's already done now right? I know the calculator usually assumes you eat like the dining plan, which is why it sometimes says you come out ahead. Whereas if you were eating without you probably wouldn't order dessert for every person, etc.

At this point though, it's already done so I would kick back and enjoy all the extra character meals that are already "paid" for. I think you will have a fabulous time!!

I sort of got planning fatigue and stopped doing the math.  I'll edit my post tomorrow and finish adding it up but I have 12 more snacks and 2 more quick service meals so figure (12 x 5) + (2 x 15) = 90.  Plus the refillable mugs are like $15 each.  I also didn't add soft drinks to some of my meals.  I think it works out pretty much even.  I'm not sure if the math ever really works out because I wouldn't ever order a dessert in real life unless it was a special occasion.  I wish french fries counted as a dessert. 

Maybe I'll feel differently after I've been there and done it. I haven't stayed on Disney property as an adult so I've never used the dining plan. Stay tuned...

[nsl]

Two Hollywood and Vine meals in one day is possibly two too many in my book unless you've got a HUGE Disney Jr fan in your family. I'd switch the dinner to a dIfferent restaurant (my whole family loved Brown Derby, FWIW) because the food there is mediocre at best.

My issue with the dining plan is that it sort of forces you to get snacks and desserts and other more expensive extras that you might not otherwise purchase. Yes, you can do the math and figure out how to get more value out of the plan than you're paying in, but would you really have spent that much if you weren't thinking about the plan? We didn't, that's for sure, and I tend to think that we splashed out on meals (no plan, room discount) during our last trip.

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2016 21:34:07 GMT -5 nsl said:

Two Hollywood and Vine meals in one day is possibly two too many in my book unless you've got a HUGE Disney Jr fan in your family. I'd switch the dinner to a dIfferent restaurant (my whole family loved Brown Derby, FWIW) because the food there is mediocre at best.

My issue with the dining plan is that it sort of forces you to get snacks and desserts and other more expensive extras that you might not otherwise purchase. Yes, you can do the math and figure out how to get more value out of the plan than you're paying in, but would you really have spent that much if you weren't thinking about the plan? We didn't, that's for sure, and I tend to think that we splashed out on meals (no plan, room discount) during our last trip.

Yeah I gotta think about it some more before we go.  My three year old has recently gotten hooked on Doc McStuffins so I've been saying we are going to have breakfast with her but who knows the kinds of things he remembers/forgets/makes up.  I think we definitely want to meet Doc McStuffins and I'd rather be at a character meal than wait on a long line since I figure we have to eat anyway.

Maybe I'll post my Fastpasses/park plans and that will help narrow it down a bit.