DDP Experts Help me, Please

[mom2mykids]

We are going during free dining. We have 6 TS credits each, 4 adults and 1 child. Well, we have more than 6 TS meals booked. I was looking for some help deciding which to pay OOP and what to use on DDP.

Here is what we have:

CRT Dinner (2 credits) (on the fence about canceling, LOL)
Princess Storybook
Crystal Palace Breakfast/lunch
Hoop Dee Doo Review (cancled Mickey's Backyard BBQ) (2 Credits)
Donalds Resturansours (might cancel)
WCC dinner
Chef De France dinner
Chef Mickey Breakfast
Hollywood and Vine dinner (Fantasmic pkg.) (will probably cancel)

Any help and/or thoughts would be appreciated.......I think I have "over thought" this and now I've confused myself! I may just need to set is aside for a few days then go back to it.
Thanks!!

 

[pooch]

JUST MY OPINION!!!!

1. I would definitely cancel Donald's Restaurantosaurus, just not special enough. I'd also cancel CP breakfast unless you're dying to see Pooh & friends close up and one of the princess meals (ok so I'm a member of the "If I have to hug another princess, I'm gonna hurl!!" club) and are your DSs really going to want to go to 2 princess meals?

2. You have 6 TS credits and 11 TS's listed. It's Free Dining so maybe you don't mind paying OOP for a meal or two but 5!?!

3. H & V and Chef Mickey's are set price buffets so I'd probably pay for those OOP.

The opinions expressed here belong to POOCH alone, your opinions may vary!!!

 

[JimMIA]

I have a couple of suggestions.

CRT is something you have to do once if you have a princess (as we do!), but I would certainly consider paying OOP for that, rather than two TS credits. I think it's a really poor use of two TS credits.

I'm a little intrigued to see how you're going to eat all that food in six days! Many people complain that DDP is TOO MUCH FOOD, and you're doubling up!

If you start canceling TS meals, look at some of the CS options for your "big meal of the day." For example, at Cosmic Ray's, for one CS, you can get a full chicken dinner, rib dinner, or rib and chicken platter. That is a pretty substantial meal...and it is one CS. There are some other options like that.

We love CP and the Norway princess meal, and I wouldn't cancel one of those...especially if you haven't been. CP is way too much fun for the kids, and the character interaction at Norway is vastly superior to CRT. Same thing with Chef Mickey's. You have to do that once, and for many people, it's a must every trip.

 

[mom2mykids]

The boys, DH and I have done CP before but none of the others. I will for sure keep the Norway, Chef Mickey and the Mickey BBQ. I'll probably cancel the CRT since at dinner there are no princesses anyways. I've never eaten in the castle but there is always next time . DS10 said he is cool with not going to Donalds. But DD would like to eat with Pooh and Friends. Then DS11 wants the France one and DH WCC. I'm debating canceling the Hollywood and Vine also, and just taking our chances with Fantasmic without the dinner package.

I didn't realize the CS meals could be so large! My friend just got back from a July trip and she said it was at times too much food. But you know when you aren't sure just how long it will be before you go back you try to do lots....especially since its DD's first trip and she still believes in all the magic of the characters and such. Its hard not to do those meals

 

[HayGan]

CRT Dinner (2 credits) - Overpriced but if you absolutely have to see the Princesses pay for this one OOP!

Princess Storybook - Pick between this or Cindy's - I really wouldn't do both

Crystal Palace Breakfast - Great choice but good candidate for OOP!

Mickey's Backyard BBQ (2 Credits) - Haven't been but do really want to spend 2 credits on this?

Donalds Resturansours (might cancel) - Nothing special. I would cancel

WCC dinner - Great choice!

Chef De France dinner - Great choice!

Chef Mickey Breakfast - OK but I would choose another dinner somewhere else (such as 'Ohana) instead!

Hollywood and Vine dinner (Fantasmic pkg.) - Now remember this is just my opinion but I HATE this place! The food is AWFUL and the service isn't much better! This is the WORST meal we have ever had at WDW. I don't know what day you are going but since it is during Free Dining it is still in a slower time. You most likely won't need the special seating for Fantasmic (unless you are going on a EMH evening.)

 

[gigi1313]

CRT Dinner (2 credits) - Overpriced but if you absolutely have to see the Princesses pay for this one OOP!
isn't it only one princess nowadays (cindy)? imo it's a skip, we did breakfast when it was still one credit and it was okay but not nearly as special as i expected/wanted it to be...

Princess Storybook - Pick between this or Cindy's - I really wouldn't do both
a keeper imo... great princess interaction for only one credit, and good food too!

Crystal Palace Breakfast - Great choice but good candidate for OOP!
we like this breakfast too... but after you've been to one breakfast buffet, you've been to them all (sorta)... i'd only keep it if you have a real pooh fan

Mickey's Backyard BBQ (2 Credits) - Haven't been but do really want to spend 2 credits on this?
ditch it! it's hot, it's hectic, it's buggy (outdoors, no a/c) and not worth two TS imo... better off going to Trail's End and paying oop as it's the best bargain buffet on property!

Donalds Resturansours (might cancel) - Nothing special. I would cancel
our family loves this meal... i'd keep it! (diff't strokes) GREAT CHARACTER INTERACTION!

WCC dinner - Great choice!
DITTO!

Chef De France dinner - Great choice!
DITTO

Chef Mickey Breakfast - OK but I would choose another dinner somewhere else (such as 'Ohana) instead!
i'd skip... personally i think you get better character interaction at donald's, and better food too!

Hollywood and Vine dinner (Fantasmic pkg.) - Now remember this is just my opinion but I HATE this place! The food is AWFUL and the service isn't much better! This is the WORST meal we have ever had at WDW. I don't know what day you are going but since it is during Free Dining it is still in a slower time. You most likely won't need the special seating for Fantasmic (unless you are going on a EMH evening.)
we like it here! but i agree that it's not likely necessary for fantasmic and the seats they give you are not great...

my opinions are in red... good luck and enjoy, whatever you decide!

 

[mom2mykids]

Oh Boy, lots to think about! We will keep the Norway, WCC and Chef de France and most likely use DDP for those...now to decide for the others

I love all the imput and opinions, it does help to really consider what to keep and what to cancel!

 

[ibouncetoo]

If a visit with Pooh and Friends is a must, I'd consider making Crystal Palace a lunch (11:30A, first seating). I even prefer their lunch selection to the dinner ones. And except for the breakfast lasagna, breakfast is pretty much the same as anywhere else. I'll confess, that I'm a fried chicken lover and they (ususaly!) only serve that at lunch. Plus it gives you the opportunity to hit MK early, get in the all important Fantasyland and Adventureland rides in while crowds are light. Then a hearty early lunch will hold you all day. You could then do a counter service for dinner.

 

[septbaby]

Would you consider splitting the family for a meal?

Your DD4 would probably just die for the Playhouse Disney breakfast at H&V. Would you consider a girls bfast there while the guys go to WCC? Kind of a cool "girls and guys thing" within your family vacation. You won't need anymore credits, yet you get everyone something that they wanted? If MGM has a late Fantasmic and you can get naps in that day perhaps skip H&V dinner as an ADR.

Keep these: 7 TS Credits needed, Pay OOP for CP
WCC breakfast could also be OOP
Princess Storybook - Want to keep
Crystal Palace Breakfast - DD4 request
Mickey's Backyard BBQ (2 Credits) - Want to keep
WCC dinner - Change to bfast w/H&V
Chef De France dinner DS11 request
Chef Mickey Breakfast

Hollywood and Vine dinner (Fantasmic pkg.) - CANCEL, this has to be done at least 48hrs before ADR or you'll be charged!
CRT Dinner (2 credits) - CANCELLING
Donalds Resturansours (might cancel) - CANCELLING

 

[septbaby]

Just thought of this. Plan to pay OOP for Chef Mickey's instead of Crystal Palace. They are the same price, so no difference there. However, if your BBQ gets rained out you'll have the TS to pay for Chef Mickey's and won't need to pay OOP for anything!

Hope that helps!

 

[Pumbaa_]

ditto on the 2 princess meals. I would pick one. Maybe save CRT until your princess is a bit older.

We don't tend to do TS breakfast. During the hot hot days, we like to hit the parks in the morning and then do a TS lunch to get out of the heat and take a break.

Not sure about the Backyard Barbeque.

Also not a fan of H&V. The time of year you are going you should not need the Fantasmic package to get a good seat.

Will you be using your CS credits? Lots of food with an appy, entree and dessert. We usually only ate twice, especially with the heat.

And it is required to over think your DDP plans

 

[mom2my3kids]

OT- But I like your screen name..

 

[mom2mykids]

OT- But I like your screen name..

LOL, the mom2my3kids was taken! LOL I use to have an email addy that was mom2my2boy and then I went and had a girl so now I'm mom2mykids!

Well looks like the Mickey Backyard BBQ is out..... I replaced it with Hoop Dee Doo, So I'm still in a quandry trying to figure out what to pay OOP and what to DDP. But you all have given me some good advice that I will go over the next few days and "play" with the numbers again!
Thanks everyone!!

 

[mom2mykids]

I'm pretty sure we will cancel the CRT. I was waffling on that because I was able to get it for our arrival day and DD has a BBB appt right before at the MK location, but budget wise not such a great deal....something we can do on another trip. And to be honest she could care less about princesses, except Sleeping Beauty. CRT was more for DH and his dream for DD, LOL I think we will do CS on our arrival day since its a 1/2 day in the park and MK evening EMH, crazy I know

And the idea of paying OOP for the cheaper kids prices and saving those for a more expensive meal is a good idea too!

Thanks everyone....But if anyone sees anything else or wants to offer your opinion, please do!!

 

[Brygida]

I'm pretty sure we will cancel the CRT. I was waffling on that because I was able to get it for our arrival day and DD has a BBB appt right before at the MK location, but budget wise not such a great deal....something we can do on another trip. And to be honest she could care less about princesses, except Sleeping Beauty. CRT was more for DH and his dream for DD, LOL I think we will do CS on our arrival day since its a 1/2 day in the park and MK evening EMH, crazy I know

And the idea of paying OOP for the cheaper kids prices and saving those for a more expensive meal is a good idea too!

Thanks everyone....But if anyone sees anything else or wants to offer your opinion, please do!!

One more.... change Chef Mickey's to lunch and cancel the dinner reservation on that day!