ms.ojo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2005
OK, I have always booked everything alacarte: AAA room ressie, tickets through a ticket broker and our meals on our own. But this dining plan has me intrigued. So I sat down and plotted out where I thought we'd eat for a 5 night stay and est our food costs w/ snacks at just under $500 for our family of 4. (I could probably cut this back a bit if I had to but for the sake of this arguement we'll say $500)
Under the dining plan it would cost our family $490. My first thought was gee, then I wouldn't have to be concerned about anything, maybe we should go for it. But when I looked at booking through Disney for a MYW pkg at a value resort (pref location) My cost was $1388 w/out dining (4day base tickets) and $1877 w/ dining. Ala carte I'd spend $1263 w/out dining or possibly $1763 w/ food estimated. By going ala carte w/ AAA discount and the ticket broker I save $125 or $115 respectively. HOWEVER, when it's free dining...the plan would save me almost $400.
Seems like you pay a premium to book in one place w/ a MYW pkg and not have to worry about it. And the premium isn't huge...just over $100 for this length stay. Is that what others found??? For me, since I have a hard time handing things over to someone else (have only used a TA once) and I'd be making all my own ADRs...I feel I might as well save the $100+ dollars and continue booking ala carte. Am I missing something? Is there any way to get a MYW pkg w/ a AAA discount??
Now if free dining were to be extended again into Oct or Nov I would DEFINITELY book a MYW pkg and go for a quick trip before our next big planned trip in April 2007. (I can't book in Aug/Sept unfortunately and take advantage of the current pkg)
Anyway, my question really is about paying for the dining plan. it just doesn't seem to make sense. Also, I then feel limited in my TS and CS choices. We often eat more CS (quicker) and while I'm sure I could use a TS at a CS it wouldn't be the best use of it.
Hope some of you who have crunched the numbers and used the plan can give me some add'l insight. Thank you!
Under the dining plan it would cost our family $490. My first thought was gee, then I wouldn't have to be concerned about anything, maybe we should go for it. But when I looked at booking through Disney for a MYW pkg at a value resort (pref location) My cost was $1388 w/out dining (4day base tickets) and $1877 w/ dining. Ala carte I'd spend $1263 w/out dining or possibly $1763 w/ food estimated. By going ala carte w/ AAA discount and the ticket broker I save $125 or $115 respectively. HOWEVER, when it's free dining...the plan would save me almost $400.
Seems like you pay a premium to book in one place w/ a MYW pkg and not have to worry about it. And the premium isn't huge...just over $100 for this length stay. Is that what others found??? For me, since I have a hard time handing things over to someone else (have only used a TA once) and I'd be making all my own ADRs...I feel I might as well save the $100+ dollars and continue booking ala carte. Am I missing something? Is there any way to get a MYW pkg w/ a AAA discount??
Now if free dining were to be extended again into Oct or Nov I would DEFINITELY book a MYW pkg and go for a quick trip before our next big planned trip in April 2007. (I can't book in Aug/Sept unfortunately and take advantage of the current pkg)
Anyway, my question really is about paying for the dining plan. it just doesn't seem to make sense. Also, I then feel limited in my TS and CS choices. We often eat more CS (quicker) and while I'm sure I could use a TS at a CS it wouldn't be the best use of it.
Hope some of you who have crunched the numbers and used the plan can give me some add'l insight. Thank you!