We are using the Dining Plan on our next trip. We have reservations that require 40 TS credits however we receive only 28 TS credits. 2 adults / 2 kids
Which meals should we pay out of pocket for that would make the most sense economically?
Try using https://www.distripplanner.com
It’s not entirely the most accurate, but it will tell you which meals it thinks you should pay out of pocket and a rough idea of what you’re likely to pay.
We went last year and I would say to definitely use it for Akershus. That was the only restaurant I remember seeing the bill for and it was about $180 for 2 adults and 2 children.
I am not an expert in the others, but from what I understand, breakfasts are cheaper than lunches and dinners so you may want to out of pocket the breakfasts. Good luck
I would probably second @lizzieanne771 about the breakfasts.
However there is another way of looking at it. Haven’t you already pre-paid CRT? In which case, it’s done, it’s paid and when you’re at WDW you won’t have any more meals to pay for.
Sci Fi very much depends on what you order too. I found our meal wasn’t too expensive really by Disney standards, but that would only account for 4 of the 8 credits you need to save.
Also another question. Is it mandatory for all guests in our CRT party to purchase the meal? I am not a fan of the food there and would rather eat something else before or after. I called and the cast member said yes each guest is expected to purchase a meal. However I did not know if that is strictly enforced.
I would recommend sharing meals where you can. For buffets or places with set plated menus ('Ohana and Garden Grill) that won’t be possible. But you could share at Yak and Yeti, Sci-Fi Diner, and BOG. Also, you don’t all have to pay the same way. We went to Kona and used two adult table service credits but paid out of pocket for our kids because the kids meals were more affordable than a kid’s meal at Garden Grill. It will take a bit of research, but go in with a plan of the best use of each credit and places where you could share meals and/or supplement with an appetizer.
I’m wondering why you have 28 credits? I thought the DDP entitled you to 3 TS per day per person. With a party of 4 that would be 12 TS credits per day.
Ok got it! I went through so many combinations when we were deciding if we should do a DP. Any meals that also offered a pass to show seemed to be best the value (like Tusker house with ROL or a F! package). BOG was a good QS credit. WDWprepschool.com has a list of best table service credits with average prices included.
With the Disney Dinning plan keep in mind just what you get. 1 table service per person per day. One quick service meal per person per day. 2 snacks per person per day. I have a hard time seeing where you will have to pay anything out of pocket if you plan your meals right. Table service meals require each person to give up one credit or two if it is a signature restaurant. Quick service on the other hand are good for breakfast and or lunches with no need to buy one per person here you can share. Now don’t forget snacks of 2 per person. Many quick service places will allow you to buy one food item for a snack credit. With two snacks per person that is a meal in itself. All credits are interchangeable so except for the Table service you can switch the rest around. I may be misunderstanding here what your looking for but most people do quick service credit or snacks for breakfast and or lunch not table service.
Thanks for your advice. I have the table service meals that we want to do on this trip decided understanding that I could forgo one or two of them and easily distribute our credits so that we would not need to pay out of pocket. However we definitely want to take the girls we are bringing to these meals which are mostly character. I am just inquiring as to what makes the most sense to pay out of pocket for,
I would do Sci Fi and Yak & Yeti, out of pocket. They are lunches and average less then Ohana and Garden Grill. Also keep in mind that Yak & Yeti also has a Quick Serve Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes.
