Agonizing over whether to do DP due to HDD

[Lovemydog]

Hello! I am agonizing over the decision about whether to purchase the basic dining plan and here is why: We are definitely taking my mom to the Hoop-De-Doo because she LOVES it! You can use two TS's BUT can only get 2nd or 3rd tier seating with those tickets. If I were buying I would definitely purchase the first tier--front and center ground floor. You cannot pay to upgrade from 2nd to 3rd--I asked.
I won't buy the DP if I also have to buy tickets to HDD--so WWYD? Is the DP worth the trade off in seating? How are the second tier seats (sides of ground floor and center balcony.)
The plan otherwise makes sense for us, because we will also use 2TS's for CRT, and do at least one other character meal--in addition to my mom we have three young children.
THANKS!

[wilderness01]

We have done HDR twice, once sitting in the very front on the main floor (tier 1) and once sitting up in the balcony. I know others will disagree, but we enjoyed the balcony more. I didn't like the front and center, felt the performers where too close and it was too loud. Just my take. Have a good time.

[Lovemydog]

Thanks-- it sounds like you felt enough a part of the action in the balcony? And you could see everything? What about the sides of the ground floor--do you remember if those have blocked views? I haven't been in 15 years....trying to remember!!

[mmps108]

I totally agree with wilderness01, we have been on the floor before (which is nice) but the sides of the balcony were where we were the last 3 times I saw the show and it was a great view of the show!! Don't forget, if you go to the 9:30 show you can get Tier 1 with the DDP.

BTW, we're debating the same thing!! We're going Jan 26-Feb 2 and we've had the DDP the last two visits but it was before the no app/tip policy and we're just not sure what to do this trip.
If we decided to go to the HHD on the DDP, we're going to either go to the 9:30 show and get Tier 1 or Tier 3, I would avoid Tier 2.
I'm doing weight watchers and will be close to goal by our trip (I hope) and I'm just not sure about all the food. But when you do the math...I'm just not sure. Plus, it is nice not to have to worry about paying for food when we are there, the pre-pay aspect really appeals to us. But realizing that we'll have $20 tips for some of the big dinners scares me too!

[beroh2253]

We went to the HDDR in Sept. and paid OOP for it, this way we used the 2TS for breakfast 1TS at Crystal Palace and we added Coral Reef to our last night with the other TS. By paying OOP we were right up front all the way to the left hand side.

[joyfulscrapper]

We had the DDP and got the center balcony seats for HDR. It was great for the kids, they sat closest to the rails, and could see everything. We loved it. And we still had performers come to our table and talk with us. 18 years ago we were there for our honeymoon and were on the main floor. I don't think it was really any better then. Great both times. I would go with the DDP, we felt we really got our money's worth. I would recommend using your TS meals mostly for dinners, though. I don't think I'd have eaten as much or gotten as much out of it for breakfasts.