Just finished calculating - surprised! About This Page:

[musicteachermom]

I know, we went on our vacation in April, but I just sat down today with all of our receipts to figure out how we did budget wise. I was very surprised at our meal plan costs. If I did this correctly:

If we had been on the basic meal plan our cost would have been 51.54 pp. per day
There were 4 of us (2 adults, 2 teenagers) = $206 x 5 days = $1,030
This basically would have given us 5 tables, 5 CS and 5 snacks

We ended up spending $758 in tables and CS and I don't have all the receipts for snacks (only some), so let's round up to $800)
This is the price minus alcohol and 20% tips. (Our total price with alcohol and tips came to $934)
We ate at 7 tables and 3CS we also had probably 1 ice cream a day at Beaches and Cream since we stayed at the Beach Club!

So...I think we saved about $200 by not going on the meal plan and I feel that we had more freedom as well.

I just thought some people may be interested in this comparison, since we're always talking about Meal Plan vs. out of pocket.

Here is a list of the places we ate:

Beaches and Cream = lunch
Rose and Crown Pub = dinner
Sci-Fi Dine In = lunch
Cosmic Rays = dinner (CS)
Chef de France = lunch
50's Prime Time cafe = dinner
Flame Tree Barbeque = lunch (CS)
Via Napoli = dinner
Teppen Eto = dinner
Columbia Harbour House = lunch (CS)

I hope that this helps some people! I think that the next time we go we will probably stick to going this same way, unless we want to choose much more expensive restaurants, then it may be smart to go on the meal plan!

[HollyH]

Thanks for sharing! Our experience is similiar.

[MichaelF]

We kept track on our last trip too. We saved a lot of money paying out of pocket too.

[wmanderson]

Wow. Congrats!

[feonag]

The meal plan used to be a good deal but not anymore. It comes out way cheaper for us to now pay out of pocket.

[Ashli]

We have found the same to be true for us. We save quite a bit by not using the DP and also feel like we have more freedom.

[cdnmousegirls]

We have had the same experience!! Thanks for breaking done the numbers! It will help others with the plannning!!

[chezp]

Thanks for sharing. I've done a similar thing when we've been on the Deluxe Dining Plan and have always come out ahead.

[jenifermg0]

This is good to see as we will be going OOP this time. Of course we have scheduled fewer TS meals, but that just means more time for play!!!!

[Mary_Maas]

Yeah, I don't think it's for everybody.
I don't think I'd ever use it again (unless it included alcohol and tipping)

[mike56]

Congrats

we usually get the Deluxe DP for two adults-average savings of $300 all TS and alot of Signature dinings and characters.

[Fort wilderness Family]

........... Yeah, we wouldnt do it if it werent free when we go!

[kangelop]

I am seriously considering going without the ddp next time. It is always a gamble though, and I love the idea that everything is already paid for.

[tylerdylansmom]

Originally Posted by kangelop

I am seriously considering going without the ddp next time. It is always a gamble though, and I love the idea that everything is already paid for.

Put what the dining plan would cost you on a gift card, then use that gift card to only pay for meals. If you come out ahead then you have money for more souvenirs on your last day. ;-) or to book a bounceback. That way your meals are still paid for in advance.

[Fortissimo]

Originally Posted by tylerdylansmom

Put what the dining plan would cost you on a gift card, then use that gift card to only pay for meals. If you come out ahead then you have money for more souvenirs on your last day. ;-) or to book a bounceback. That way your meals are still paid for in advance.

This is an awesome idea!

We have never done a DDP because it wouldn't work for us. I have been tempted because it would be great to have everything paid off in advance, but we couldn't eat enough to get our money worth. Putting the money into gift cards is a great idea!