Can you change your dining plan options later?

[Azza1987]

Hello All

Just a quick one, I am about to book SSR for a week next May, and it comes with the free Disney Dining Plan. If I wanted to 'upgrade' it to the Deluxe Dining Plan at a later date am I able to do this? Obviously pay the extra £'s there and then? I'm currently not sure if we need the deluxe one or not, but I dont want to risk not having it as an option if we change our mind!

Many thanks guys xxxxxxxx

 

[wayneg]

If you are not sure I would almost guarantee you don't need to.
I like my food, eat far more than the average man and I have plenty on the regular DDP. There is no way I would want deluxe. You would spend half your holiday in restaurants and the tips would cost you a small fortune.

Try look at a few threads which cover DDP, my latest from this summer is here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2954922
It will give you an idea of the meals you get. I have others from previous years if you want links let me know.

 

[disneyholic family]

i totally agree with Wayne!!

the regular DDP is so much food, i can't imagine being able to eat any more than that!!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm with Beth and Wayne. Unless the only thing you want to do on your trip is get to a reservation, wait to be seated and get to the next one .... I'd skip it. You will have so much food with the regular DDP and it will still be cheaper to just buy the extra odd meal or snack here and there out of pocket than to upgrade everyone on your reservation.

Regarding when you can upgrade your plan, it can't be done there. You must do it before you go through your travel agent or whoever you made your booking through and I'd personally do it before the full balance is due at 56 days, preferably sooner, so that confirmation is all on the paperwork you receive

 

[chmurf]

I'm with Beth, Wayne and Lee ... lol

Regular DDP is plenty of food.

I used to be called the "2 legged stomach", still I never got hungry on the regular DDP (back in the days I did the DDP and could eat way more than I do now)

Deluxe Dining plan is just too much food, too much food wasted, and too much time wasted.

Do the DxDP if going to restaurants is the primary objective of your vacations, and only in that case

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks guys! I booked today with just the free regular dining plan! I'm not a big eater anyway so OH can always use my snack credits! I would like to do evening meals but otherwise during the day I want to be out at the parks having fun!

Thanks for your help guys definitely don't think I'd need the deluxe based on your comments! Xxxx

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes you can book and then upgrade later - we did that booked through complete orlando.

It has been much debated in our household but we are trying DxDDP for the first time in 2 weeks.

We prefer more TS places than QS. We would have paid for some TS extra anyway and the upgrade cost wasn't much more.

I've planned 2 adr's a day - a character breakfast or early lunch then a 2 credit dinner or show.

We have 14 days dining at OKW but are staying an extra night at art of animation so are using the credits over 15 days. We are just doing disney this trip so have multiple days each park so am not worried about the time eating.

Will do a food report when we are back.

 

[dixonsontour]

For a first visit i'd definitely stick with ddp.

Where do you fancy eating?

 

[katiec]

We are doing DxDDP for 7 nights next Sept. we had 2 nights paid for DxDDP last summer & loved it.

We are planning on doing breakfast and Signature restaurants in the evening.

We are looking forward to trying all the lovely restaurants & we would normally go out for dinner every evening anyway so having an ADR isn't a problem.

There is just the two of us so we pretty much know what we like

We are having 3/4 nights on I-Drive & 3 nights at Anna Maria Island so will also be eating at our offsite favourites too

Katie x

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes you can book and then upgrade later - we did that booked through complete orlando.

It has been much debated in our household but we are trying DxDDP for the first time in 2 weeks.

We prefer more TS places than QS. We would have paid for some TS extra anyway and the upgrade cost wasn't much more.

I've planned 2 adr's a day - a character breakfast or early lunch then a 2 credit dinner or show.

We have 14 days dining at OKW but are staying an extra night at art of animation so are using the credits over 15 days. We are just doing disney this trip so have multiple days each park so am not worried about the time eating.

Will do a food report when we are back.

I can understand you going DxDDP because (a) the character meals and (b) and most importantly, you go often. The reference to it being a first trip in the OP's signature made me particularly skeptical of this being a good choice however, even if the quantities of food were modest, purely based on the sheer volume of things to experience for the first time vs the amount of time taken out of each day for reservations, waiting, transport, etc.

 

[dixonsontour]

I can understand you going DxDDP because (a) the character meals and (b) and most importantly, you go often. The reference to it being a first trip in the OP's signature made me particularly skeptical of this being a good choice however, even if the quantities of food were modest, purely based on the sheer volume of things to experience for the first time vs the amount of time taken out of each day for reservations, waiting, transport, etc.

Yes defintely agree.

 

[wayneg]

We are doing DxDDP for 7 nights next Sept. we had 2 nights paid for DxDDP last summer & loved it.

We are planning on doing breakfast and Signature restaurants in the evening.

We are looking forward to trying all the lovely restaurants & we would normally go out for dinner every evening anyway so having an ADR isn't a problem.

There is just the two of us so we pretty much know what we like

We are having 3/4 nights on I-Drive & 3 nights at Anna Maria Island so will also be eating at our offsite favourites too

Katie x

It works for you, being experienced you know where you want to eat and you can use the credits, for someone new I don't think its an upgrade worth paying for.
I know I certainly wouldn't be able to use all the credits but I couldn't eat a breakfast every day, one character breakfast per holiday is 1 too many for me. I also know I don't want to be sat in a restaurant upto 2 hours for either breakfast or lunch. 1 TS per day is perfect. We also don't enjoy the signature dinners, done Cali Grill & Yachtsman (twice) and would rather use my 2 credits on 2 regular meals than at a signature, just don't get the value in them.
We all dine in different ways but I think OP would be better trying regular DDP first before paying to upgrade.

 

[katiec]

It works for you, being experienced you know where you want to eat and you can use the credits, for someone new I don't think its an upgrade worth paying for.
I know I certainly wouldn't be able to use all the credits but I couldn't eat a breakfast every day, one character breakfast per holiday is 1 too many for me. I also know I don't want to be sat in a restaurant upto 2 hours for either breakfast or lunch. 1 TS per day is perfect. We also don't enjoy the signature dinners, done Cali Grill & Yachtsman (twice) and would rather use my 2 credits on 2 regular meals than at a signature, just don't get the value in them.
We all dine in different ways but I think OP would be better trying regular DDP first before paying to upgrade.

Hi Wayne

We are just the opposite - the 1st time we ever went to an onsite restaurant we paid OOP for Cali Grill - I have no idea now why we picked that one!!!
It's about the only time DH has said he wants to go back to a restaurant...... So last year we rented 2 nights DVC & paid for 2 days dxddp and we also went to the Yachtsman which he also loved

The DDP vs DxDDP debate is complicated as we all like different things. We are quite happy to spend a couple of hours over dinner in the evening on holiday - makes a change from dinner on our laps at home

We deliberated for ages on whether to upgrade & I'm sure we'll be sick of breakfast buffets by day 4!!!

Katie

 

[2Tiggies]

The DDP vs DxDDP debate is complicated as we all like different things. We are quite happy to spend a couple of hours over dinner in the evening on holiday - makes a change from dinner on our laps at home

I agree with you that we all have different preferences and needs, but again, would you have done that on a first trip, having never experience the [way too much to do in one trip] that all the parks have to offer? I am not saying DxDDP does not have it's value to certain folk but I would never recommend that for a first trip. Maybe I'm wrong, but even food aside, a lot of park time has to be sacrificed for these meals.

 

[katiec]

I agree with you that we all have different preferences and needs, but again, would you have done that on a first trip, having never experience the [way too much to do in one trip] that all the parks have to offer? I am not saying DxDDP does not have it's value to certain folk but I would never recommend that for a first trip. Maybe I'm wrong, but even food aside, a lot of park time has to be sacrificed for these meals.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as DDP until last year - and my first trip was in 1994. Lol!!

I agree looking back that just getting from park to park was stressful enough, let alone being in a specific place at a specific time ;-)

It is really now on our 6th trio that we really know how we like to spend our days on holiday, park in the morning, pool/chilling/shopping in the afternoon & dinner in the evening.

Katie x

 

[Azza1987]

Hi Guys

Thanks for your help! Defnitely seems like the DxDDP would just be 'too much' for us on a first trip! We are only going for a week, and I dont think I want to waste hours sitting down for B, L and D!

Because we are staying at SSR we will have a little kitchenette, so I think we will just have breakfast before we leave (OH is grumpy without food!) like cereal or fruit, and then get a QS lunch whilst we are out in the parks, and then have a nice TS meal in the evening. Then any snack during the day, its came free so I can't complain really!

Now just to plan my ADR's for the evenings but I suppose I can do that nearer the time, not too near though I dont want to miss out anywhere XX

 

[wayneg]

We like to get to the parks for opening, I struggle to eat before 10-11am so if I do want something to eat before lunch I use a snack credit somewhere like Main St Bakery has fantastic cinnamon rolls (big enough to share for many) https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...pw.r_qf.&fp=5ae368edc5153432&biw=1440&bih=708
Or in Hollywood studios starring rolls have lots of choice for 1 snack credit This my favorite, its delicious. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...pw.r_qf.&fp=5ae368edc5153432&biw=1440&bih=708

Book ADR's as soon as you can, many popular places book up early. You can always change later.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks Wayne for your help

Yeah I've read that the popular places fill up fast! Any recommendations for a first time couple that we definitely shouldn't miss for TS?

 

[wayneg]

Thanks Wayne for your help

Yeah I've read that the popular places fill up fast! Any recommendations for a first time couple that we definitely shouldn't miss for TS?

It is so difficult as we all enjoy different things. For example one of the most popular is Cali Grill signature for 2 credits, we disliked everything about it.

Done DDP 4 times, all 4 times eaten at Grand Floridian Cafe, one of our favourites, latest pics on this page from July http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2954922&page=18

Also done Hoop Dee Doo every time, 2 credits but includes all you can eat, show, 2 hours of alcohol & tip. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2954922&page=30

Yak & Yeti been twice, really like the food here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2954922&page=27

So many, you need to read thru threads like mine or others on Dining forum, read menus and try pick food you like. Ask anything you are not sure about, I have pictures from most restaurants or can point you in the right direction to more info.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks again Wayne! I'm off to read your trip report now to help me make decisions!