Hi MaryAnn,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I adore multi-generational family trips!
I would definitely do the
Disney Dining Plan even if your grandchildren are not the best eaters. Food can be unpredictably expensive at the Walt Disney World Resort. Each time we visit and plan to use one of the Disney Dining Plans, I estimate the cost of our meals without the plan and compare that to the price of the dining plan. To estimate costs, I map out the restaurants we plan to visit during our trip, then I check prices using menus when those are available. We typically dine at Be Our Guest for breakfast, for example. The
breakfast menu currently includes prices. Since buffet restaurants typically do not post prices, I always call and speak to a cast member in dining at 407-939-1947 to obtain those prices during the dates of our trip.
When I do my food cost estimation, I also estimate the costs of two snacks per person per night of stay (at about $5 per snack) and drink costs. Without a dining plan, we have paid for drinks separately. We love the refillable mugs that come with the dining plan. When I have factored in the costs of entrees, snacks, drinks, and desserts (on the Disney Dining Plan, desserts come with table-service meals at lunch or dinner), a dining plan has always saved us money.
MaryAnn, remember that the total number of meals and snack entitlements you will receive is based on the number of nights of your trip. If you are staying for six nights, each guest 3-years old and over on the Disney Dining Plan will receive six quick-service and six table-service meal entitlements plus 12 snacks for the entire trip. You can use them in the order you choose!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell