Deluxe Dining Plan Recap and New Credit Pooling

[mustlovecats]

My family returned from a wonderful trip the second week of November. My DH and I were there for 7 nights in one room, my DM, DF, and DSister had a second room for 4 nights. My DSis was originally supposed to stay the week with us so she was on our reservation.

Our room was on the DxDP so we had a total of 63 meal credits that we planned to pool and share between us. Some friends joined us early in the week for meals and we planned to share with them as well.

I am happy to report that we didn't encounter a single problem at any time during the trip even though there were always more diners than room guests at every meal. We ate at the following places with the indicated number of guests:
Yachtsman (4)
Le Cellier (5)
Ohana (5)
Tusker House (5)
Narcoossee's (5)
San Angel Inn (5)
Crystal Palace-B (4)
Crystal Palace-D (2)
California Grill (7)

At San Angel Inn they did ask if we were all staying in the same room. I said yes and there were no further questions.

In terms of financial sense, the plan was definitely worth it. It cost approximately $2,300. After adding the totals up we would have spent $2,800+ paying out of pocket including snacks (mostly starbucks iced teas and frapaccinos and caramel apples). Tips cost an additional $500 or so although I didn't add them up. The service at every restaurant was wonderful so I did tip generously.

Now, would we have ordered that much food if we paid out of pocket, probably not but only because we wanted to keep costs down. The dining plan allowed us to get exactly what we wanted to order. I'm not sure we would have done so well if we couldn't share with people not staying in our room.

We felt that Narcoossee's had the best food but California Grill had the best ambiance (we were seated at the table next to the window nearest Cinderella Castle). Crystal Palace (both times because my DH overslept, missed breakfast and we had two credits left) beat Tusker House in terms of character interaction. We only waited more than 5 minutes to be seated at California Grill which was about 10 minutes but that table was worth every minute of the wait.

I think I've covered everything but I'm happy to answer any additional questions, including questions unrelated to the dining plan.

 

[Baklava]

I'm jealous of some of the places you ate!

We're going on the DxDDP in January but my spectrum 5 year old is not always fancy restaurant compatible, so we're opting to *not* inflict her on other diners. We're sticking mostly to stuff like the Hoop Dee Do Revue for our signatures.

My guys are going to end up with a Crystal Palace breakfast and a lunch- did you find it was reasonable to do twice? And I have not been able to confirm anywhere that caramel apples are snack credits- where did you get those?

 

[mustlovecats]

We definitely saw younger kids at California Grill, Le Cellier and the Yachtsman. If your kids are generally well behaved during long meals (about 1.5-2 hours each) you might be okay!

We got caramel apples at the Main Street Confectionery in MK and the Germany pavillion in Epcot. Both the regular and peanut apples were snack credits, anything specialty was not a snack credit.

I did it twice on the same day only because DH couldn't get himself out of bed for breakfast. We had a very good experience both times but I really preferred breakfast (and have in past trips). The dinner was good but it was a last minute, day-of decision. It's not a must do for us.

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Baklava]

My little one isn't *bad* exactly, but her autism means she's very active and sometimes cannot help herself. "Inside voice" is also not her forte. She's just not the kid anyone wants to be seated next to at their romantic date night or their carefully budgeted one indulgent meal. I try to be sensitive to that.

My guys wanted an in-park buffet while I take my daughter to CRT for lunch BUT my son also wants to try "breakfast lasagna," hence our double dip at CP.

 

[Nancyg56]

My little one isn't *bad* exactly, but her autism means she's very active and sometimes cannot help herself. "Inside voice" is also not her forte. She's just not the kid anyone wants to be seated next to at their romantic date night or their carefully budgeted one indulgent meal. I try to be sensitive to that.

My guys wanted an in-park buffet while I take my daughter to CRT for lunch BUT my son also wants to try "breakfast lasagna," hence our double dip at CP.

Not to influence you, but CG is not romantic in the least. It is expensive, but not at all a place for romance. LOL!