DDP and Children

[moparop]

I am at the beginning stages of planning a Disney trip for my family in late 2008. At that time, we will have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We all eat at least 3 meals a day. My kids tend to eat "adult" food more often than kid's stuff (eg last year at CP, my 2 year old liked the pulled pork and mashed potatoes better than the chicken strips and mac n cheese). DH and I are big foodies but tend to order most often based on price.

Are we the kind of people that the DDP is a bad choice for? Just looking for a variety of opinions!

 

[LizinSTL]

I am at the beginning stages of planning a Disney trip for my family in late 2008. At that time, we will have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We all eat at least 3 meals a day. My kids tend to eat "adult" food more often than kid's stuff (eg last year at CP, my 2 year old liked the pulled pork and mashed potatoes better than the chicken strips and mac n cheese). DH and I are big foodies but tend to order most often based on price.

Are we the kind of people that the DDP is a bad choice for? Just looking for a variety of opinions!

Not at all. But buffets may be a better use of your ddp TS credits than other TS restaurants. They are a great option for families with children who really enjoy adult type foods more than typical kid-fare.

You have lots of time to decide though and review the menus. The great thing about the DDP is that you can add it to your reservation after you book your package. So if they update/change menus in the fall and your trip is in the winter, you could always add it. Or if you decide that you'll prefer mostly breakfast TS meals and CS the rest of the day, you can crunch the numbers and decide to NOT do the DDP.

Since you and your husband enjoy great food but tend to choose lower priced stuff from a budget standpoint (I do that too), the DDP is a terrific thing! You want the $9.99 appetizer? No problem! $27.99 steak- you got it! Save room for the 8.99 dessert too. But if you were ordering based on menu prices and were anything like me, you'd have skipped either the app or dessert (or shared), ordered the chicken or pasta for 17.99 and felt deprived and bummed that you didn't get what you really wanted. You won't cry when you get the bill for $100 for your buffet dinner, either. On top of it all, your 2 yo will be FREE on the DDP at buffets and family style meals so you'll be wanting to plan lots of those (Boma, maybe WCC (someone can order the skillet), Ohana, CP, Park Fare, Chef Mickey....etc All good food, lots of variety for your little ones, good value on the DDP (not the best but not the worst either). Then add in one or two regular TS meals to the mix.

 

[illiniowl]

In '03 (pre-DDP) DW, DS 4, DD 1 & I spent $100/day on food & drink & tax & tips (including groceries for in-room breakfasts). We did 4 TS: Boma, Biergarten, San Angel Inn & Kona Cafe (for breakfast), the rest was CS and snacks (most often an afternoon ice cream). We love good food of all types but also are price-conscious (especially at Disney) and certainly wouldn't order steaks or other expensive entrees, not to mention appetizer AND dessert. Now, with the DDP, our cost is still $100/night for 2 adults & 2 kids (with some additional outlay for refillable mugs, the occasional alcoholic beverage, etc.) but we can do a TS every day and eat whatever we desire. IOW, I look at the DDP (for us) not so much as a way to save money compared to how we normally would eat, but a way to get "better," or at least more interesting and more varied, dining experiences for about the same amount as we would otherwise spend, and since you sound similar to us, I think you might find the same.

 

[KKB]

I am at the beginning stages of planning a Disney trip for my family in late 2008. At that time, we will have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We all eat at least 3 meals a day. My kids tend to eat "adult" food more often than kid's stuff (eg last year at CP, my 2 year old liked the pulled pork and mashed potatoes better than the chicken strips and mac n cheese). DH and I are big foodies but tend to order most often based on price.

Are we the kind of people that the DDP is a bad choice for? Just looking for a variety of opinions!

We, too, often order based on price, though I am definitely a foodie!
Buffets will allow your children to choose "adult" food.
Take a look at kids menus at allearsnet.com. You might be surprised...while many are the typical kidfare, there are some less typical as well!

We got DDP just so we could order whatever we want and not worry about costs...adding appetizers...desserts. DS12 will likely order from kids menu usually, but DD9 will probably order his adult meals! And yes, kids, you may have dessert everyday for lunch AND dinner! We will breakfast in room, saving snack credits for EPCOT F& WF or wonderful goodies like Mickey bars, make your own rice Krispie Mickey at DTD, etc.


We booked a TS everyday to force us to slow down over the week. Only one buffet (Boma), as I generally do NOT care for buffet foods. SO excited!