We are making our first trip to UA in Sept.
We are staying onsite at Portofino Bay. We are a family of four and thru Magical Journey's we have gotten a rate of $167 a night.
3 day park to park passes and Sea World tickets. We are staying 5 nights. It is much cheaper than the same at WDW, so this makes us happy. We do not have a dining plan but after perusing the menus at the restaurants at the parks and CIty Walk, they seem much more reasonable than comparable places at WDW. Will let ya know.
I do think the Onsite FOTL pass and early entrance for onsite guests coupled with the 4 star hotels at moderate prices and cheaper food, that we will surely get lots of bang for our buck.