CP Dinner Package worth it?

[fwm]

What exactly do you get with the dinner package? The better restaurants are about $40. For a family of 5, all over 13, the total is $200. Is this a good value?

 

[DancingBear]

At the menu restaurants (as opposed to the buffets), you get an appetizer, soup or salad (appetizers are generally more expensive and thus a better deal in the package), entree and desert. Also, importantly, the gratuity is included. If you price this out and make sure to lean toward the more expensive items (not necessarily the most expensive) it seems to come out about $3-$4 in the customer's favor. If you get cheaper items, you might be paying an extra $3-$4, which is not that bad for the preferred seating at CP.

Plus, you get 15% off shopping at Epcot on the date of your package.

 

[Doctor P]

Yes, it can definitely be a good deal. We spent about $20.00 less for our meal for the three of us than we would have if we just bought the meal. Not to mention the savings on our gift shop purchases. At the worst, the sit down restaurants are a breakeven. The buffets and Garden Grill are much less of a bargain.

 

[DebbieB]

We did the package in 2000 at LeCellier. I figured out the prices from the menu on wdwig and it came out about even. But then I saved $20 in discounts on shopping that day and got the reserved seats. So I thought it was worth it. If you are going the early part of the month and during the week, you should have no problem getting a standing room seat if you don't want to do the package. If you are going close to Christmas or on a weekend, I would do the package.

 

[CarolMN]

We think the Dinner Package is worth it even though we go in early December and do not need to worry about seating. We usually plan for one nice sit down dinner in EPCOT anyway and the special CP reserved seating section is a very nice added perk. It's also nice to have part of our "food bill" paid before the trip, LOL!

As others have already mentioned, you can usually save a few dollars on the price of the meal. It's really not a savings for us, because without the dinner package, we normally wouldn't order an appetizer or dessert. (Just don't normally eat all that much at one time). It's nice to "splurge" once in a while, though.

I really hope the 15% merchandise discount is included this year as it has in the past few years. I try to do the bulk of my souvenir (and Christmas) shopping on "CP Package Day" to take advanatge of the discount.

We make a point of scheduling a trip during early December to see the CP. It is truly beautiful and reminds us of what Christmas is really all about. If we can, we see it more than once while we are there.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[B3LM]

We did the CP dinner package last year and thought it was worth it. We did one of the less expensive restaurants. We had an early dinner at Garden Grill and then went to the 6:45pm show. The only thing about GG is that you have to allow enough time to walk back to WS. We got lucky and were able to catch the last boat launch of the evening.

Beth

 

[ZPT1022]

I am hoping someone can fill me in- what is the CP dinner package, where do I buy it, is it good anywhere (like Coral Reef for example) and how much does it cost?

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ZPT1022
I am hoping someone can fill me in- what is the CP dinner package, where do I buy it, is it good anywhere (like Coral Reef for example) and how much does it cost?

Details for this year have not yet been released. However, the dinner package hasn't changed much over the past few years. Here's a link where you can read all about it:

http://wdwig.com/h_cpfaq.htm

The info provided there should answer most of your questions. FWIW, I don't recall that the Coral Reef has ever participated. I know it didn't last year, for sure.

 

[Barb]

It's absoulutely worth it! We ate at Teppanyaki and I got lobster! Yum! Plus, as already stated you get the discount at MouseGear. Boy, did I get my shopping done!! And, the best part is you get incredible seats for the show! We were right smack in the middle! It's a fantastic show. We're doing it again this year, for sure!

 

[Kermit]

I also agree that it's well worth it. We did the Garden Grille last year. While it's not as great of a deal as it is at other restaurants if you order expensive food, we didn't feel the need to eat as much as we would have at other restaurants. We usually share an appetizer and an entree, so all that food was just way too much.

The shopping discount and the time you save by not lining up are a huge bonus. That's definitely worth a few dollars.

 

[Kaycee]

This year will be our first Christmas WDW trip so we haven't done the CP dinner package yet, but we are going to this trip. We try to budget wisely and not go overboard on meals at WDW, but this will be an exception for us. While the meal alone will not be a bargain, when we weighed all the issues involved we still decided it was worth it. My DH wanted to try San Angel Inn this time anyway, and so that is where we'll get the package. It will be a more expensive meal than if we just ate there normally, but our family is not much for waiting in line so that right there is worth some of the extra expense. Plus, we love Mouse Gears so I'll be able to recoup some of the expense while shopping there. And we usually make a couple of purchases from the countries at WS, so that will also help. All in all, when you add up the meal, the shopping discount, nice (covered) seats, and the time not wasted waiting in line, I'd say it's well worth it!

 

[smfnj]

Others have broken down the dollars very nicely for you. With the 15% discount all day at Epcot and not having to wait in line for a seat at CP it's a no-brainer......

steve

 

[Bete]

I don't want the hassle of the regular line. Remember, those people are probably wasting a 1/2 to 1 hours time more waiting in line over you with the package. I rather have that time for the park. I'm a park hound and every minute counts. Also, it's tiring standing in line that much longer. No thanks.

In the past there have been three price levels for the dinner package; so, you can be more economical. As the other posts mentioned you can get a bargain depending on what you order.

To me it's part of the total experience to go for a nice dinner with the CP event. It's like a mood setter especially if you go to dinner first.

If the budget can't allow it then just be prepared to be in line longer. We've taken budget trips; so, I can understand that side, too. Enjoy and feel lucky you are there during this special time of year.