Cancel DDxPlan now that DD toddler is a tornado?

[akadada]

. . . so two months to go and my wife and I are probably needing to call an audible. .. .

As I posted in another chat area about hotel switches, we're new parents, so forgive how ignorant we are. When we booked this trip four months ago ,DD, currently 14mo's, hadn't really started walking yet. Super champ in the high chair, great at restaurants, etc. So Basically on her 1 year birthday she starts walking. . . since then, crazy tornado-toddler. Can not sit still; hates being held, high chairs are evil to her . .yikes.

That's somewhat of an exaggeration. . .she can handle it for like 15 to 45 minutes. We went to Perkins for BF Sunday as a test run and she was highchair bound for at least 20 minutes, but then wanting to get moving for another 20 minutes. No meltdowns though, just antsy and wanting to move.

Anyhow, she's still a champ for sleeping through the night. She's just starting to take long afternoon naps.

We bought the DDxPlan because a big part of the trip is the food for us, but now we're thinking we're probably kind of crazy to consider this. I spent a lengthy amount of time chatting in the forums about DDx v. OOP and I agree that DDx financially is a better deal assuming we actually want to eat alot.

So, here's the question. . . do we cancel DDxPlan, and simply try to get a few ADR's here and there and then just do QS, snacks and groceries all OOP? (Note we may also be moving to an offsite condo as well and so if we do that, we'd likely do some non-Disney dining anyway).

Worth noting, we're strongly considering at least four or five nights of babysitting service (out of seven nights) so we can go out to eat. . . DD goes to bed by 7:00 Eastern.

We appreciate your thoughts!

 

[mefordis]

Okay, we went in August right before my dd turned two. It was the worst trip we ever took. My dd is a hot head and tantrum thrower. I had to walk out of Le Cellier after ordering our drinks because she was just SCREAMING at the top of her lungs. Sooo embarrassing! I walked around Epcot with her thrashing in her stroller until finally she cried herself to sleep -- I was crying, too!

She turned me off of vacations, especially Disney for a while.

So, we enjoyed very few meals. Your child is obviously an individual with a different personality altogether, but I'd say I would not get the dxddp with a small child who is not well behaved in restaurants.

I'd like to add that my first child was much better behaved, so it depends on the child.

. . . so two months to go and my wife and I are probably needing to call an audible. .. .

As I posted in another chat area about hotel switches, we're new parents, so forgive how ignorant we are. When we booked this trip four months ago ,DD, currently 14mo's, hadn't really started walking yet. Super champ in the high chair, great at restaurants, etc. So Basically on her 1 year birthday she starts walking. . . since then, crazy tornado-toddler. Can not sit still; hates being held, high chairs are evil to her . .yikes.

That's somewhat of an exaggeration. . .she can handle it for like 15 to 45 minutes. We went to Perkins for BF Sunday as a test run and she was highchair bound for at least 20 minutes, but then wanting to get moving for another 20 minutes. No meltdowns though, just antsy and wanting to move.

Anyhow, she's still a champ for sleeping through the night. She's just starting to take long afternoon naps.

We bought the DDxPlan because a big part of the trip is the food for us, but now we're thinking we're probably kind of crazy to consider this. I spent a lengthy amount of time chatting in the forums about DDx v. OOP and I agree that DDx financially is a better deal assuming we actually want to eat alot.

So, here's the question. . . do we cancel DDxPlan, and simply try to get a few ADR's here and there and then just do QS, snacks and groceries all OOP? (Note we may also be moving to an offsite condo as well and so if we do that, we'd likely do some non-Disney dining anyway).

Worth noting, we're strongly considering at least four or five nights of babysitting service (out of seven nights) so we can go out to eat. . . DD goes to bed by 7:00 Eastern.

We appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Soon2B4]

I personally wouldn't waste the money. In my experience, you will end up frustrated and it will put a damper on your trip. We did QS and a few TS last week with a 20 month old and it was much better. He was good until about 3 weeks before our trip and then he didn't want to sit for meals. We did Ohana's and he was a nightmare. We canceled the rest of our sit downs and only did Chef Mickey's and T-Rex cafe (after buying him a new toy to occupy himself.) Others may have different opinions, but someone will end up leaving the meal with the little one and the other will feel bad....not worth it IMHO.

 

[purple figment]

The DxDDP is expensive and the rule of thumb is 2/3 of the credits should be TS for it to be financially worth while. From your description, it sounds like getting through that many TS meals will be difficult. Either you will be rushing through meals or one of you will be outside with the little one while the other eats.

I would save the money, have a few TS meals and do CS the rest of the time.

If you end up at the off site condo, all this will be moot since you will not be able to get the dining plan.

 

[Mrs D]

Our first family trip to WDW included DS@3 y.o and DD@14 months.
We do go to restaurants frequently and the kids are accustomed to being in restaurants yet they are still kids.

There is a lot to look at in the Disney restaurants particularly if you will be doing character meals. While your little girl might not want the character to give her hugs, she will enjoy seeing them and them interacting with her for a safe distance (think peek a boo). If you were thinking more like signature restaurants, I think I'd skip it with her.
On the regular DDP you would only have 1 TS a day. She may be able to handle that; however if after 3 days of TS meals if she's had enough it will be $ down the drain.
No matter, I'd bring toys from home, a few coloring pages and crayons (I've never seen them provided at Disney) and be prepared to entertain her in restaurants.

HTH!

 

[akadada]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I think we're probably leaning toward canceling the plan altogether.

If we stay at Beach Club, we'll maybe downgrade to the regular plan to get the snacks, one TS a day, mug refill, etc. If we go offsite, then as one poster noted, it's mute, we'll have to just cancel altogether.

We have three character meals planned - Crystal Palance; Cape May Cafe; and Norway.

Cheers!

 

[vicki_c]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I think we're probably leaning toward canceling the plan altogether.

If we stay at Beach Club, we'll maybe downgrade to the regular plan to get the snacks, one TS a day, mug refill, etc. If we go offsite, then as one poster noted, it's mute, we'll have to just cancel altogether.

We have three character meals planned - Crystal Palance; Cape May Cafe; and Norway.

Cheers!

If you downgrade to the regular (or plus it's now called) plan - you don't get refillable mugs. Not really a determining factor for you, I don't think - but just wanted to point it out.

Personally, I can't imagine deluxe dining with a toddler at all, but definitely not one that is just starting to come into her own and expressing her (dis)pleasure at being confined, sitting still, etc.!