3 Grannies, Disney Dancing & Deviltry! Oh, my!!

[Minnie&Nana]

6 nights give you 18 TS credits and 18 snacks.
And the cost will be around 510$
I think CP price depends on where you are going to eat, and HDDR is only a cat. 2. But it still leaves you with 12 TS credits for the three remaining days! Will you REALLY need so much food?
If I were you I would just add up how much I would spend on food if I had to pay OOP. Not sure you are going to need food for about 90$ per person per day?
And remember to take full advantage you would need to order starter, entree and dessert - as soon as this is NOT your style of eating it's wasting money.
I am ALL for Disney food as you know, but NEVER EVER AGAIN will we get the DxDDP! We felt so stuffed all day long and did not have time for anything else.

If you are okay with leaving credits behind - than it is okay, but to me it is still wasting money.

It IS a lot of food.

I believe last yr CP was 2 points no matter where because Disney added on the IllumiNations viewing area - or for whatever reason.

Guess I was thinking breakfast and supper/dinner would be 2 credits a day so that is the other 12....but I would like to enjoy a counter service rather than only TS and I rarely order an appetizer - though dessert is nice.

Definitely worth looking at ....and if one of us has an AP and the Tables in Wonderland, that is probably a better discount with the 20%. Have you tried that? I did years ago, but it has been so long, I don't remember if I liked it or not.

Thanks so much, Karin!

 

[dizneeat]

It IS a lot of food.

I believe last yr CP was 2 points no matter where because Disney added on the IllumiNations viewing area - or for whatever reason.

Guess I was thinking breakfast and supper/dinner would be 2 credits a day so that is the other 12....but I would like to enjoy a counter service rather than only TS and I rarely order an appetizer - though dessert is nice.

Definitely worth looking at ....and if one of us has an AP and the Tables in Wonderland, that is probably a better discount with the 20%. Have you tried that? I did years ago, but it has been so long, I don't remember if I liked it or not.

Thanks so much, Karin!

If one of you has an AP than TiW IS the way to go! MUCH better, as you are not tied down to the starter, main and dessert thing. The 20% works perfectly well and we have discovered that that way I really order what I WANT to eat and not have to get a certain amount out of every meal.
And yes, we get DDP AND have the TiW - wouldn't do it without the TiW again!
AND, you can even get a discount on SOME CS as well - AK comes to mind and the value resort food courts!

I do NOT want to talk you out of it, Christine, I just wanted to give you our view of it, since we have done it.
I had it all figured out, but it was SUCH a lot of food! It felt like we were constantly eating and even when we did not we felt far too tired from the food overload to just tour the parks.

You still have quite some time to think about it, but I would give it some serious thought if it really fits your eating habits. If you skip starter and/or dessert it does not make much sense in my book.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I have another 2TS one i would like to try Yachtsman Steakhouse ?????? tHAT WOULD MAKE 8 OF 18 SO 10 TS between 6 days with 4 already being 2TS so minus 4 leaves 6 between 2 days Take away a breakfast or TOGO meal for the Trip home day leaves 5 for 2 days which is doable right ???? How's that for FUZZY MATH!!!!
Now I have to go check out the menus again

?????

If we did the following:

2 for CP
2 for HDDR
2 for CRT
2 for YSH
that's 8 minus 18 leaves 10....even with a nice breakfast say for 4 days, it will leave 6 credits for 2 ngts???

Maybe my math is fuzzy too! GG Linda, where are you?!

 

[dizneeat]

?????

If we did the following:

2 for CP
2 for HDDR
2 for CRT
2 for YSH
that's 8 minus 18 leaves 10....even with a nice breakfast say for 4 days, it will leave 6 credits for 2 ngts???

Maybe my math is fuzzy too! GG Linda, where are you?!

That was exactly what I was thinking ....

 

[Minnie&Nana]

If one of you has an AP than TiW IS the way to go! MUCH better, as you are not tied down to the starter, main and dessert thing. The 20% works perfectly well and we have discovered that that way I really order what I WANT to eat and not have to get a certain amount out of every meal.
And yes, we get DDP AND have the TiW - wouldn't do it without the TiW again!
AND, you can even get a discount on SOME CS as well - AK comes to mind and the value resort food courts!

I do NOT want to talk you out of it, Christine, I just wanted to give you our view of it, since we have done it.
I had it all figured out, but it was SUCH a lot of food! It felt like we were constantly eating and even when we did not we felt far too tired from the food overload to just tour the parks.

You still have quite some time to think about it, but I would give it some serious thought if it really fits your eating habits. If you skip starter and/or dessert it does not make much sense in my book.

Karin, I very much appreciate your view - it helps me a lot to hear your experience, especially because I know how much you and Tom enjoy your ADR's.

How does the TiW even break even with the reg DDP? Of course, you usually have free dining and a room discount, yes? All a nice savings...if that was all out of pocket cost, would you do the same?

My problem with any of the DDP's is that I do not like looking at it for value, but rather convenience so I do not have be concerned with looking at prices. The times I've tried it, it was too crazy looking for where we'd get the best cost wise - I want to eat at my same favorite places and do not care if it is not the best value on the DDP. Make sense? With my limited budget, it is very nice not to think about cost once there, but rather know it is already paid.

So, I am trying to consider it from that angle as well - though most do not look at it that way. Does this make any sense???

 

[dizneeat]

Karin, I very much appreciate your view - it helps me a lot to hear your experience, especially because I know how much you and Tom enjoy your ADR's.

How does the TiW even break even with the reg DDP? Of course, you usually have free dining and a room discount, yes? All a nice savings...if that was all out of pocket cost, would you do the same?

My problem with any of the DDP's is that I do not like looking at it for value, but rather convenience so I do not have be concerned with looking at prices. The times I've tried it, it was too crazy looking for where we'd get the best cost wise - I want to eat at my same favorite places and do not care if it is not the best value on the DDP. Make sense? With my limited budget, it is very nice not to think about cost once there, but rather know it is already paid.

So, I am trying to consider it from that angle as well - though most do not look at it that way. Does this make any sense???

If money is not the main factor and you do not mind leaving credits behind, then you will be very well off.
To me it is always a cost factor. We usually get the DDP for free and/or the room discount (when booking with the Brits). But we have paid for it several times as well and as long as I break even than it is okay with me.
With the DxDDP I would have had a hard time breaking even if I had not had the free dining and just paid the difference between the two. That was a no brainer.
For TiW you need to consider that you have to spend at least 350$ (I think) to get back the cost of the card (75$ I think). And as I have mentioned before, we do not always order an starter each, but we share and Tom is not really huge with desserts, so he skips those and the TiW just takes 20% off of the whole bill. I can stick to my habits and save!

But if you want it for convenience than by all means go for it! (Yes, I am Uncle Scrooge in our family!)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

If money is not the main factor and you do not mind leaving credits behind, then you will be very well off.
To me it is always a cost factor. We usually get the DDP for free and/or the room discount (when booking with the Brits). But we have paid for it several times as well and as long as I break even than it is okay with me.
With the DxDDP I would have had a hard time breaking even if I had not had the free dining and just paid the difference between the two. That was a no brainer.
For TiW you need to consider that you have to spend at least 350$ (I think) to get back the cost of the card (75$ I think). And as I have mentioned before, we do not always order an starter each, but we share and Tom is not really huge with desserts, so he skips those and the TiW just takes 20% off of the whole bill. I can stick to my habits and save!

But if you want it for convenience than by all means go for it! (Yes, I am Uncle Scrooge in our family!)

Although I like the convenience, my travel companions might think diferently! I am very concerned with cost...so even though the DLx might be fun, it is very expensive and I for one would not be as comfortable leaving credits unused. On the reg DDP it would be easy to use all the credits and then perhaps a couple of out of pocket CS meals - though it does make me a little nuts paying OOP for even one meal when on any of the DDP's.

Thank you so much, Karin!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Ok Rosie & Christine I am here & read through most of this. Still have about 6 pages to read. And I am sure things may change AGAIN before I get to the end.

Ok so let me get this straight

First it was the two of you in Dec. this year.
Not sure which resort but I believe ended with BLT
Then the date has changed to Dec. NEXT year & still not sure on the resort...
Still not sure who the other grannie is yet.

The reports on POR & POFQ are alarming to me. We LOVE both resorts & have never heard they had such problems with bed bugs. We have stayed at POFQ at least 4 times & never had any issues. (yes I have checked the beds).

DH & I had Deluxe dining in 2010 & will never do it again. Just too much food & time spent on eating. Although we did enjoy the food..

Will catch up later...

Hi ... it's me the 3rd Grannie. I'm Grumpy Grandma .... nice to meet you!

Welcome and you have the scenario pretty well summed up !!! The 3 Grannies are me englishrose, minnie & nana , and grumpy grandma or at least that is the plan now , BUT the other 2 grannies have the assistance of the Queen of RC in planning this soooo changes are gonna happen frequently
I too have not done Dlx Dp before , but I am hoping to this time as we have some 2TS ressies we are looking at !!If we rent points I believe we can split the dining I am sure one of them will know

I haven't done the Dix DP either.

Doreen! So swee tof you to stop by! I am SO far behind in reading friend's TR's that I am terribly embarassed, but will try to catch up soon!

Try not to worry about the bedbugs - every Disney reosrt has had them and most any hotel anywhere. There is an infestation in the U.S. and has been getting worse for years. Even clothing and dept stores have had the things! We put every clothing item we bring home directly into the dry on low for 20 mins - that will kill any bugs or eggs. Not fun, I know, but it's the new reality.

Just check your resort (or any hotel) room (lots of info on line) and then do not take suitcases in the house until you wash and dry everything.

As for our resorts, we mostly talking about the possiblilities, so could not be considered true resort changers - once we book we'll not likely change, especially if we rent points. Even if we book through Disney, unless a great discount comes out for a different resort we won't change once booked. All in fun right now!



I think that changed last year? Not 100% sure, but think whichever DP we book will be for the stay. For us, dxdp might be fun because we could have at three 2 credit ADR's, right? So that would use up 6 credits each. It would be fun to try once, but if it takes too much of a toll on any of our budgets, then we'll do whatever works for all of us for sure. We are easy going, easy to please Grannies!!



Not a chance!!! We are getting ready for the drive to Florida this coming Saturday....12 hours with 3 1/2 yr old Sophia, 4 yr old Rosie Maltese and almost 17 yr old Jackie Maltese. Poor Rosie is so nervous in a car...sweet baby spent her entire life in a cage and all this is so new for her. We have valium and a homeopathic Tranquility med to help our sweet girl.

I think Linda/Grumpy Grandma is in So Ca enjoying the week and apt sitting for her DD over the weekend.

Rosie are you all ready for Lake George? Still no answers from the person I asked about Cape Cod restaurants. What I like to do is go on Trip Advisor, type in the town, or even just Cape Cod, MA - then click on restaurants and read the reviews. We have found that very helpful wherever we go...and then we also ask locals once there.

Sounds like a fun day even though you are working.

Yep I'm in So Cal.

Karin!

Our 3rd grannie is Grumpa Grandma aka Linda. You will like her so much when you get to know her!


We have been considering the DLx only because we'd like to do the Candlelight Processional Pkg which is 2 credits, as well as the HDDR, 2 credits and Rosie would like to book CRT, 2 credits. Doing that, would it still be too much food? We are thinking 6 ngts....and not eating at TS every meal, but perhaps a nice breakfast and supper.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Miss you! Haven't caught up on your threads - hope you, Tom and Pixie are doing well.

Christine I'm here. I raced thru all the comments about dining plans and will reread we I get back from the beach but here are my thoughts so far.

I gave up multi quoting! I think we need to run the numbers but in recent years I've always found the TIW card to be the best deal. I like it cuzz it saves money and you get to eat exactly what you want. As long as I go in Jan 2013 and then again in Dec 2013 I will have an ap and the TIW card. I've got to buy an ap voucher before the prices go up .... the DVC price for an ap is almost always cheaper for me than a PH so you can pretty much assume that I'll have it.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Christine I'm here. I raced thru all the comments about dining plans and will reread we I get back from the beach but here are my thoughts so far.

I gave up multi quoting! I think we need to run the numbers but in recent years I've always found the TIW card to be the best deal. I like it cuzz it saves money and you get to eat exactly what you want. As long as I go in Jan 2013 and then again in Dec 2013 I will have an ap and the TIW card. I've got to buy an ap voucher before the prices go up .... the DVC price for an ap is almost always cheaper for me than a PH so you can pretty much assume that I'll have it.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Linda! So glad you had a few minutes to stop by. I am counting on you for Jan and Dec 2013!! I'll be there too!

I've been considering an AP again, but with the FL trip on Saturday, the timing isn't good for a $600 voucher. I might invest in a basic 7 day or so tkt, then save it and upgrade to an AP in Jan for the RC trip. Cannot buy a discounted one or the AP will begin the day I first use it...oh, but wait...sure I could do that as well...am I thinking correctly: buy a discounted basic multi day through the mousesavers UT link, take it in Jan '13, use it once for full value, then take it to GS and upgrade to an AP...that way I don't have to put out the entire cost for an AP at one time. This worked in the past...anyone know if Disney has changed their policies? Must be a DIS board for such info!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I was pretty sure I knew the correct answer, but because we all know Disney can change the rules at any time, wanted to check for the current rules. The same as it has been:

Basically, any tkt can be upgraded to an AP. If it is a tkt purchased through a discount broker, then use the tkt once and go to a GS window at a park (or DTD) and they will upgrade to an AP - guest just pays the difference between the full tkt value and AP cost - Disney does not charge the guest the difference between a discounted tkt and regular tkt price.

It is more complicated with water parks added on to the tkt - then it can only be upgraded to a premium AP.

Since I never do water parks, I will purchase a basic tkt for as many days as I can afford, use it once and upgrade to an AP - will probably do this in Jan 2013, so it will still be good for our December trip!

Rosie, if you upgrade to an AP in October, just remember that it will expire in October '13. So if you want an AP for our Dec '13 trip, upgrade on your group trip in October of '13.

Clear as mud???

 

[englishrose47]

?????

If we did the following:

2 for CP
2 for HDDR
2 for CRT
2 for YSH
that's 8 minus 18 leaves 10....even with a nice breakfast say for 4 days, it will leave 6 credits for 2 ngts???

Maybe my math is fuzzy too! GG Linda, where are you?!

That was exactly what I was thinking ....

The 1 you are missing is for departure day !!Depending on time could be a CS brakfast or a To Go lunch for the trip home . So it does leave 5 for 2 days/nights !!With my Fuzzy Math anywho

 

[englishrose47]

I was pretty sure I knew the correct answer, but because we all know Disney can change the rules at any time, wanted to check for the current rules. The same as it has been:

Basically, any tkt can be upgraded to an AP. If it is a tkt purchased through a discount broker, then use the tkt once and go to a GS window at a park (or DTD) and they will upgrade to an AP - guest just pays the difference between the full tkt value and AP cost - Disney does not charge the guest the difference between a discounted tkt and regular tkt price.

It is more complicated with water parks added on to the tkt - then it can only be upgraded to a premium AP.

Since I never do water parks, I will purchase a basic tkt for as many days as I can afford, use it once and upgrade to an AP - will probably do this in Jan 2013, so it will still be good for our December trip!

Rosie, if you upgrade to an AP in October, just remember that it will expire in October '13. So if you want an AP for our Dec '13 trip, upgrade on your group trip in October of '13.

Clear as mud???

Oh yes I will upgrade on my Free 2013 trip !!!

 

[englishrose47]

Do we all need an AP , other than for the savings , which seems to me to be worth it !!But what do I have to do to get a TIW card ?????

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Do we all need an AP , other than for the savings , which seems to me to be worth it !!But what do I have to do to get a TIW card ?????

The TiW card is $75 or $100 I've never bought one because my friends had one, so it was not necessary for all of us to have one...and it didn't seem like it would break even for one person anyway. So, once you spend the cost of the TiW, the rest is pure savings.

Oh, no, we don't all need an AP - but if we have more than one trip planned within a year it is definitely worth it. Even if your family was going...you could book a room with the AP discount then add the DP and buy their tkts separately through undercover tourist mousesavers link....but this would not be as a good a savings at a value resort as free dining would be for a family of 5.

 

[englishrose47]

If I go again in October 2013 I will definately upgrade to an AP, but if one of us has the TIW card it sounds like we wouls be set !!! What discounts do you get with it !!!!???

 

[Minnie&Nana]

If I go again in October 2013 I will definately upgrade to an AP, but if one of us has the TIW card it sounds like we wouls be set !!! What discounts do you get with it !!!!???

With an AP? Usually room discounts can be booked about 3 mos out...sometimes these are great, but other times not so good.

Discounts in some of the DTD shops - I forget which other shops becasue it can change every year. All the info is in the little booklet that comes with the AP. Linda and Karin will know the latest for sure!

I haven't had an AP in a few years. No reason since I only go everyu 2 yrs lately. I used to go 3 or 4 times each year...and at least 2 or 4 times.

TiW is for a lot of TS locations and a few CS locations...and value food courts.

 

[dizneeat]

With an AP? Usually room discounts can be booked about 3 mos out...sometimes these are great, but other times not so good.

Discounts in some of the DTD shops - I forget which other shops becasue it can change every year. All the info is in the little booklet that comes with the AP. Linda and Karin will know the latest for sure!

I haven't had an AP in a few years. No reason since I only go everyu 2 yrs lately. I used to go 3 or 4 times each year...and at least 2 or 4 times.

TiW is for a lot of TS locations and a few CS locations...and value food courts.

AP:
Room discount
Dining discount - only for lunch and very few restaurants BUT - you can buy the TiW card for $75! (1 card is good for up to 10 people!!!)
Shopping - depending on your AP 10% (and I think 20% for premium) in ALL Disney owned stores at WDW (well at least it was that way in February!)

TiW:
20 % off all food and drink at all Disney owned TS restaurants (alcoholic beverages included!)
CS where there is NO Disney owned TS restaurant - so that would be AK and the value resorts' food courts.

Hope that helps!

 

[englishrose47]

AP:
Room discount
Dining discount - only for lunch and very few restaurants BUT - you can buy the TiW card for $75! (1 card is good for up to 10 people!!!)
Shopping - depending on your AP 10% (and I think 20% for premium) in ALL Disney owned stores at WDW (well at least it was that way in February!)

TiW:
20 % off all food and drink at all Disney owned TS restaurants (alcoholic beverages included!)
CS where there is NO Disney owned TS restaurant - so that would be AK and the value resorts' food courts.

Hope that helps!

I did some more Fuzzy Math and I still think the Delxe is th best way to go IF we want to do those special things. If not then the regular ddp and a TIW would be fine . I want the appies Grannies Rosie wants appies

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Karin so nice to meet you!!! I really appreciate all you advice and answers to questions!

My basic rule has been if I have an ap I have a TIW card .... I've always found that it makes sense that way. To me it seems like the deluxe dining plan is way too much food. I'm not even sure how I feel about the regular dining plan .... sometimes I think it doesn't allow me to eat how I want. There are times when it's fun to order an appy or two for the table to share and do the same with desserts ....this does not work so well on any of the dining plans! This is why TIW works so well for me .... I get to eat what I want and save money.

In the past I've done a spreadsheet to compare DP and TIW but I've never thrown the deluxe plan into the mix. I also haven't compared it with any 2 credit meals. But I have a feeling that cost wise the TIW will win out .... I could be wrong. I think the cost of $75 for the card would be made up very quickly especially with all the finer dining meals. When I get home I'll see what I can come up with.

Now I'm sure it's almost beach time! It's a hard life but someone has to do it!

 

[disneyfan61]

I completely agree with Karin. Like I said before DH & I did deluxe in 2010 & it was just soooo much food. And we spent all our time getting from place to place for our next meal.

This past trip we had AP's so I bought the TIW card. It paid for itself. You get 20% off the entire bill (including alcohol) so it paid for itself plus some.

You need to figure out what is best for you. I think Disney is getting cheaper & cheaper. First the dining plan included app's & tip. Then they did away with those & STILL raised the prices. I find that paying out of pocket is cheaper now than buying the dining plan. I have talked to a lot of people that feel the same way.

I know some people want to know the meals are all paid for so they buy Disney gift cards & put the money on those.

Rosie I know you want to do some 2 signature places so compare costs & see which way is the way to go for you.

I just know that for us the Dx plan was just way too much. Like Karin said all you do is eat & really are so full you don't feel like doing anything else. AND I also like to try some of those great snacks they have throughout the parks & I just had no appetite for them with the deluxe plan.

You need to make the decision that best suits YOUR trip. Good luck!!