Dining Plan or Accommodation with a Kitchen? About This Page:

[nrogers]

Hi

We live in Australia and are currently planning our second trip to Disney.
We are torn between paying for the dining plan and paying extra for accommodation to stay where we have a full kitchen.
Any tips on where to stay within Disney that has full kitchen facilities? We would settle for a fridge and a microwave!
There will be five of us. Me my husband and three boys aged 8 6 and infant.

Thanks
nrogers

[Colexis Mom]

Welcome to the boards

You could look into the Fort Wilderness Cabins, the Family Suites at the All-Stars resorts, or any of the DVC properties (Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and they will be opening one at AKL).

[jhoshowski]

Ditto what Marnie said!
As far as what to do, it depends on your personal vacation style. Are you willing to go to a grocery store, or get them delivered? Are you willing to go back to the room for meals (and cook them)? Personally, when I am on vacation, I am NOT cooking!! But I know plenty of people do!

[eff051102]

Welcome! I think it also depends on how long you are staying at WDW and if your family are big eaters.

I think having a kitchen in your room (like the FW Cabins) would be a great idea. If ya'll eat breakfast in the room before you leave for the parks, then come back around 1:00 for lunch, a swim, nap or down time then you could either grab a quick dinner before you head out again or a CS meal.

Also if you are planning down time at your resort, a kitchen would really work well and would be a cheap option.

Something to keep in mind is the FW Cabins and the DVC resorts have larger spaces for a family of 5. The family suite does also in the Value Resort but it doesn't have a full kitchen.

Good luck!

[Caldercup]

I'm personally one of those people that would rather stick needles in my eyes than have to cook on vacation so, I'm all for the dining plan and just having drinks, snacks, and bagels in the room to fill in.

I personally find having a fridge in the room to be a godsend (and they come free with all Moderate and Deluxe resort rooms.)

All of the food courts have microwaves for you to heat up whatever you'd like.

But, as others have said, the DVC 1-bedroom suites, and the Fort Wilderness cabins have full (albeit small) kitchens with a full-size fridge, stove and sink.

The other option -- which might be good for a family of your numbers would be the All-Star Music suites. They are basically two value rooms connected together, but they've added a small kitchenette there for your use. You'd have two bathrooms, a room with a queen bed and TV and then a "living room" with a TV and pull out accomodations for 4.

You can read more about the suites here: All Star Music Fact Sheet

"Each suite will sleep up to 6, plus one child in a Pak-n-Play crib. The master bedroom and family room have a 27" flat screen TV as well as high speed internet access. There is a queen bed (sleeps 2), full-size pullout sofa (sleeps 2), convertible ottoman and chair sleeper (sleeps 2). The kitchenette will have a microwave and small refrigerator (4.3 cubic feet) plus a coffeemaker. There are two full bathrooms."

Good luck deciding!
Eileen

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I, too, am one who would never dream of using a kitchen while on vacation. I want only to be served. LOL! So, as stated above, you really have to look at your own personal vacation style. I won't reiterate all of the questions above, but they're all important ones to consider.

For me, I'd take the dining plan over a kitchen, for sure. But the thing about the dining plan is, it's only good on Disney property. So if you're planning to take, say, a two week vacation, and you only plan on really going to the parks for seven days, and plan on doing a lot of non-Disney things such as Universal, Wet and Wild, Cape Canaveral, etc... then the dining plan is probably going to be a waste of money.

You'll need to see what you've got planned, and decide what you'll get the most use out of.

Good luck! You'll have a wonderful time!

[ArielsMomto2]

Good Luck with the decision. It sure is a hard one. The one thing I like about the DDP is the chance to eat in restaurants that I wouldn't if I were paying full price. For my family of 5 with one over 18 it was a must do, cause I am not cooking at WDW. Too much to do and too much good food.

[iamgrumpy]

I would see what the cost would be for the time your going at the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness that would give you space the option to cook. But may not cost that much more to add the dining plan to get both.

I personally wouldn't cook on vacation and would do the Dining plan but the cabins can sometimes not be that much more then a room at one of the deluxe hotels and you get the option to cook if you want to.

[Linda S]

I don,t ever want to cook on vacation, especially WDW. My suggestion would be Port Orleans Alligator Bayou. It has two double beds and a pullout trundle bed. It is a beautiful resort and the transportation is exellent. I love the DDP the restaurant choices are numerous and teriffic. I guess your decison will depend on how much you want to spend. Good luck deciding. Have a wonderful trip.

[buttercup1]

I vote for the Dining Plan too. It does give you a chance to eat at restuarants you normally couldn't afford to eat at. Hey your on vacation relax and enjoy and don't worry about cooking!!!!

[HollyH]

Another vote for the dining plan! I don't want to be cooking on vacation! We found the DDP to be convenient and a really good deal.

[snoozin]

We're DVC members, and stay in a 1BR, full kitchen. I will say our first trip we cooked -- well, a little. We did manage to set off the smoke alarms for the entire building cooking bacon (that was amazing) -- it didn't burn or anything, just set it off for some reason. We did a couple dinners -- bought lasagna's, pasta, etc. However, we really didn't utilize it as I thought we would. Since then we've still gotten the 1 BR, because we LOVE the roominess of the room. But we do either OOP or Dining Plan for meals (DP this time) -- it's much, much easier, and a lot more relaxing than spending time at the pool or parks and then getting back to the room and having to cook.

The studio rooms at the Villas do have a microwave and fridge, if you want to go that route, but don't have "real" dishes -- they give you a couple days plastic/paper wear to use, but that's it.

The dining plan really does pay if you're going to do at least 1 TS a day.

[Nala]

Originally Posted by buttercup1

I vote for the Dining Plan too. It does give you a chance to eat at restuarants you normally couldn't afford to eat at. Hey your on vacation relax and enjoy and don't worry about cooking!!!!

I have to agree with that! We have stayed at the FW cabins four times and made good use of the kitchen. While the cabins are great and offer a lot of room, vacation is not the time I want to spend cooking! And when you consider all the wonderful place to eat at WDW that are on the dining plan, it is hard to pass it up.

Plus, a standard view room at the AKL or WL is cheaper per night than a FW cabin. Also, since FW is a huge resort, a golf cart, while not needed, sure makes getting around much quicker and easier. Add that to the cost of groceries and it may be a wash between FW and a standard view deluxe with the DP.

I would go for the AKL or WL standard view with the DDP. That would give you the chance to enjoy one of two wonderful resorts and some really great eats!

Good luck with your decision! It's a hard one.

[Tinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by iamgrumpy

I would see what the cost would be for the time your going at the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness that would give you space the option to cook. But may not cost that much more to add the dining plan to get both.

I personally wouldn't cook on vacation and would do the Dining plan but the cabins can sometimes not be that much more then a room at one of the deluxe hotels and you get the option to cook if you want to.

I can't brag enough on the cabins at Ft. Wilderness! Very spacious, quite and fun!
We stay there everytime we visit the world..and we also pay for the dinning plan!
It's well worth the money! Alot food for the buck! We are a family of 5 and we have stayed at the other resorts, but FW takes the cake!

[elizabeth shannon]

Wow - travelling from Oz - I thought going from the UK was a long flight

I would love to know how long you are staying at WDW. I guess a little while if you are coming so far. If you are on site for a 10 days more there are some other options worth considering.

If just one member of your party buys an annual pass, you can get great discounts on Disney accommodation, (up to 45% in quiet seasons). In addition for a payment of $65 US, you can join the Disney Dining Experience which offers 20% off meals and all drinks in nearly all table service restaurants, some food courts and all resort lounges.

Of course if you are there for 3 days you can ignore all the above LOL

Have a great time planning your trip.