Cancelled DDP!!

[kls]

I had signed up for the DDP for 2 adults and an 11 year old boy. I was not sure that it was a good idea to pay adult prices for an 11 year old...sure he eats more volume than a 2 year old but it will be a challenge to find anything acceptable on the adult menus...still, I thought we could make it work because it seemed like a pretty good deal.

Then we experienced a serious health issue in our extended family and we were not even sure until this past weekend that we would be able to make the trip at this time (March 24). So...I just started trying to get reservations 2 days ago. Admittedly, it is late, but there is nothing available that was on our list! I was starting to get concerned that we would not even use the credits or have to "settle" for places we really didn't want to go.

The straw that broke the camels back was when I found out that the plan that I thought that I signed up for didn't exist anymore. When I purchased the plan, I was not advised as to what was or was not included or any changes. I was just going by what I had read. I thought that appetizers and gratuities were included but, apparently, that is no longer the case (I only found this board last night! Darn!!). By then, I was VERY sure that this was not going to be cost effective for us!

Okay, the bottom line. Does anyone have any recommendations for getting some enjoyable meal experiences at Disney with no dining plan! Right now I fear that we will be living on hamburgers for a week! This is the first time that I have gone to Disney with a small sense of dread. We really NEED this vacation, but I have been so frustrated with the whole dining mess the last few days. It has just been such a disappointment.

Well, sorry to vent. I just need ideas since we won't be able to go to any of the dinner shows and I don't know if we will want to stand in line forever for the Fantasmic show (taking away too much park time...since we only have 4 days and I am sure all of the lines will be unbearable!). The 11 year old is really just a bit big for the character meals, so these were important to us.

Well, thanks.
kls

 

[Tricia1972]

Don't be afraid to call on a daily basis to see if reservations open up while you're down there. You may find a TS available in the park that you're going to be at for the day. People change and cancel all the time.

Beyond that, I suggest:

Beaches and Cream - Go early or at an off peak meal time. They have great burgers, sandwiches and wonderful ice cream. On the DDP it is a TS, because it's a sit down restaurant, but the prices are very CS.

Sunshine Seasons - CS, but they have a nice Asian menu, salads, Rotisserie Chicken, and probably the only good CS desserts.

Tangeriene - Another CS, but their platters taste and 'feel' like a TS meal. The Schwarma platters are wonderful.

Cantina de San Angel - Another CS, but no burgers to be found here. The Chicken Taco was very good. I didn't care for the nachos here, well I hated them, but I do not like beans. I ordered without beans but they wouldn't special order for me here.

Pinocchio's Village Haus - Turkey Panini sandwich and Figaro Fries, a match made in heaven.

Cosmic Rays - We didn't have good luck here, but they have a rotisserie chicken and Ribs combo.

Pecos Bills - Yummy Chicken wrap sandwich

Columbia Harbor House - Fried Fish, Chicken Strips (now called nuggets because the strips are small, but they're the same meat as a traditional strip and also deep fried like a strip). They also have a wonderful sandwich and soup combo

Studios - Mostly burger fare. Though at MGM you aren't too far from Epcot, you could boat to Epcot for dinner and hop back to MGM after dinner (if you have hoppers)

Animal Kingdom - Flame Tree BBQ has a menu that looks like it's not typical burgers and fries.

Downtown Disney - Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express. WPE feels NOTHING like a CS other than you wait in line to order. When your food is ready they bring it to you and they bus your table for you when you're done. The menu is WONDERFUL and we never had a problem with the quality.

 

[photobob]

I've never done the DDP and was seriously considering it for my upcoming trip until I ran the numbers. I looked over the the menus and figured out approximately how much we'd spend on meals giving our usually ordering habits and came up with a number of $750 which included tips. The DDP for our crew would be about $950. I was still considering DDP because it also included desserts and we could pretty much order whatever we wanted and not have to worrying about prices per entree. The I remebered I hadn't calculated gratuities into the DDP which would add another $150-$200 for the restaurants I had planned on going to. If gratuities were still included I was leaning towards using DDP but since they no longer are, it doesn't make good financial sense for us. I figure we can still splurge here and there and still come out cheaper paying out of pocket..

Have you tried making ADR's for lunch instead of dinner? You may have better luck there. Paying out of pocket makes lunch more appealing as well since prices are lower at lunch than dinner. We try to have our TS meal at lunch and then we wing it for dinner.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I would like to add, don't write off the character meals because you think your DS is too old. We are frequent Disney visitors, and still go to at least one character meal per trip. DD14 & DS11 both have a great time, some of my best pictures from our December trip were at Garden Grill, DD14 with Chip & Dale and DS with Chip (when Chip stole his hat and took off with it ) . We even took my Dad (63) for his 1st trip since I was a kid, and he had so much fun at the character meals

As a PP said, keep trying to make those ADR's. If you're staying onsite, check at the front desk or when you get to the parks each day. If you do get stuck eating more CS than you'd like, the PP suggested some of the best CS.

 

[patsal]

My advice would be to:
1. keep calling for the places you really wanted.
2. When you get to park, stop at guest services and have them look up wat is available for that day.
3. Disney counter service is not just burgers and fries htere are many diverse choices and I think you will be fine. Some examples would be the BBQ at Flame tree at AK, Ribs and Chicken at Cosmic Rays, great salads and it couldn't hurt for you to check allears for CS menus.

 

[Jets fan]

Must admit, we are a party of 7 staying for two weeks at OKW and we are considering cancelling the DDP as it just does not make sense to us now. We worked it out that if we eat at the California Grill which is 2 credits it's just not worth it and if you do a breakfast i.e., Boma, then it's equally not worth it. Also with the counter service you get a dessert which nobody ever eats as it's just too much food.

Think we will end up cancelling it as for us it's just not financially viable anymore. It's a great shame as we really enjoyed it last time.

 

[kls]

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions. I honestly think my guy would love the character meals (I mean, I sure do) but he insists he does not want to go to one !

Anyway, I am going to print out this thread to add to my planning materials and try everything suggested. Thanks again...I'm feeling more encouraged...just wish we weren't going at one of the busiest times of the year!

 

[rosiep]

Also- don't forget dining at the resorts. I've never had a problem getting a TS same day reservation at CBR and CSR.

 

[tipsytrtle]

definitly try the resorts,
and have guest services check daily for possible TS meals in the parks
good luck

 

[Microcell]

As others have said, call, call and call again!

I also second Tangerine Cafe, really good and feels like full serve portion and choice wise.

Also Sunshine Seasons is great for counter service!

Have fun, at least you will be at Disney!

 

[musicmom3]

During really busy seasons (Presidents' week), for same day ressies we were not able to book even resort TS. It's unbelievable how things get booked up. We just hunkered down and decided not to fret about having to eat CS...we found that there are plenty of places to get variety so that you won't be on "the hamburger diet." Also, never hesitate to drag children to a character meal! I forced my guys to do the character breakfast at Cape May and the Big Man (a college student at the time) probably enjoyed it the most!

 

[Goofy22]

Must admit, we are a party of 7 staying for two weeks at OKW and we are considering cancelling the DDP as it just does not make sense to us now. We worked it out that if we eat at the California Grill which is 2 credits it's just not worth it and if you do a breakfast i.e., Boma, then it's equally not worth it. Also with the counter service you get a dessert which nobody ever eats as it's just too much food.

Think we will end up cancelling it as for us it's just not financially viable anymore. It's a great shame as we really enjoyed it last time.

Can I ask if you staying at OKW why wouldnt you order groceries and make meals in youre room? Or even just dinner? We do this when we stay at OKW and it pays in the end! Unless you figure you are on vaca and dont want to cook! Just a thought! That would really save you some$$$