DDP For One & Only Trip?

[DisVT]

Hi -

We're booking this week for WDW 12/9-12/16, at Pop Century, with Park Hopper passes. My wife and I were there 18 years ago, but this is the first (and perhaps only) trip with the kids, 11 and 15.

We're trying to decide whether to include DDP when we finalize the reservations. It sounds like a money saver if we use all the credits, and we'd like to indulge in some TS meals.

But, although we've read quite a bit, and know there's some strategies to beat the crowds, we want to leave room to explore and enjoy areas that we especially like. It seems like we're losing the spontaneity of the trip if we need to make ADRs for every TS meal.

Is it crazy to get the DDP without making ADRs? If we're flexible on when we eat, should we be able to get into Morocco, Teppanyaki, Rose & Crown at Epcot, or, is WDW too crowded to do DDP TS without ADR?

I really appreciate any feedback you can give.

Thanks.

 

[dburg30]

Hi -

We're booking this week for WDW 12/9-12/16, at Pop Century, with Park Hopper passes. My wife and I were there 18 years ago, but this is the first (and perhaps only) trip with the kids, 11 and 15.

We're trying to decide whether to include DDP when we finalize the reservations. It sounds like a money saver if we use all the credits, and we'd like to indulge in some TS meals.

But, although we've read quite a bit, and know there's some strategies to beat the crowds, we want to leave room to explore and enjoy areas that we especially like. It seems like we're losing the spontaneity of the trip if we need to make ADRs for every TS meal.

Is it crazy to get the DDP without making ADRs? If we're flexible on when we eat, should we be able to get into Morocco, Teppanyaki, Rose & Crown at Epcot, or, is WDW too crowded to do DDP TS without ADR?

I really appreciate any feedback you can give.

Thanks.

To save your nerves, if you were going to get the DDP I'd get the ADR's first. If you are going to do some of the more expensive TS's, will eat the snacks, and also like a casual meal, then yea, it's probably worth it. You know if your family likes to snack or how much they like to eat..

 

[Luv2Roam]

If you want to eat sit down meals, you most likely are going to need ADRs regardless of being on the dining plan or not.
You can take a chance. But just be prepared to be more flexible and possibly spend extra time going out of your way to eat off the beaten path, or at off times, etc.
Without ADRs, you will probably just be eating more counter service meals than you might have anticipated.


And WELCOME to the Dis!

 

[septbaby]

If you can do the dining plan go for it. It will make your trip truly feel like a vacation. Your kids are also old enough to hang together and perhaps go to the park together one evening, eat CS meals, maybe a couple of snacks while you and your wife have a great 2TS meal at Narcoosee's, CA Grille, etc.

The dining plan gives you lots of flexibility, it'll be pre paid and you won't have to say no to the kids at meal time too often!

You are going at a popular time, so definitely work to make your ADRs as soon as possible. Have a great trip!

 

[butterfly8]

I would get the plan, not only is it a money saver but it's nice to have everything paid for ahead of time. It looks like you have planned to visit during a time that's not too busy AND since you will be there for a week you should have plenty of time to see and do everything, including a few nice, memorable meals.

Go ahead and make some ADR's and don't feel trapped by them, instead they free you to go and enjoy yourself and know that a table will be there for you and you won't have to stand in line with all the other poor schleps. You can have some downtime to relax and rest your tired, achy feet in a nice, cozy, warm restaurant. And just know that in most cases, the CM's are pretty sweet and will try to work you in, even if you show up for your reservation a little early OR a little late. Just put on a smile and explain why you're there early or late, and they'll do their best to help you out.

 

[DISNEYNY]

If your kids are good eaters and you think you will get your monies worth out of it then I would get it. Going in December you will still have appetizers and tip included. That is a big plus. I think you need to make ADR's as soon as possible though. That is a popular time and many places may already be booked. If you make a ressie and decide not to do it you can always cancel. We did have the dining plan the last 2 years. I agree that it is alot of food, but it was nice to have everything paid for ahead of time. Also, if you don't think you will be back it will be a great treat for your family.

 

[septbaby]

By the way you say one and only trip, but if Disney offers you free dining for booking your next trip, will you bite? We didn't plan on another trip. But after enjoying Disney and the dining plan we were hooked. Not only did we book on site, we upgraded resorts. Just for the record, you've been warned!

Hope you get the plan and have a magical trip!

 

[paycrock]

We loved the DDP and it really made our trip extra special. Things to keep in mind: you don't have to leave the park to eat, it ends up being as cheap as a combo from McDonald's and it just makes you feel like you get the full Disney experience. I was just talking to someone today that said the DDP was why they are going back.

 

[medalla74]

If this is going to be your one and only trip, then definitely do the DDP. It will no longer be the same plan going forward in 2008. So, take advantage of the prepaid meals. Like the someone posted earlier, I would make sure you can get ADR'S first before adding the DDP. Have a great trip!

 

[PlutoPony]

OK, I'll be the contrarian here

If this is the only trip you're going to make, how much time do you want to spend on dining? A table service meal takes 1 1/2 hours +, and add in time to actually get there and possibly wait to be seated. Is this time you want to spend EVERY day of your trip or would that time be better spent on rides, shows, etc.? This is a personal preference question... While many of us enjoy dining in WDW, IMHO the food isn't extraordinary - it's mostly the fact that you're eating out at nice restaurants and you're not at home . Again MHO but like at most vacation locations, the food itself ranges from OK to very good, and the latter category is often at the more expensive Signature restaurants.

If there are restaurants that you definitely want to visit, ADR's are required whether you're on the dining plan or not. You might want to decide how many sit downs you want and actually call Disney Dining to see if you can get ADR's there, then add how how many meals you'll be using and decide whether DDP is a good fit for you on this trip.

 

[powellrj]

If you would be happy with mostly counter service meals (and disney has lots of nice ones) than I would skip the dining plan. If you think that you would eat a table service meal at least once a day or go to signature meals than it would be worth the money to go with the dining plan.

We went on several disney trips before we ever had a table service meal and never missed them. If this is your one and only trip, I would make at least one ADR for a character meal even if you don't plan on using the dining plan.

 

[gregrmike1]

I would recommend making adr's prior to arriving. It can somerimes be very difficult use ddp credits without advance adr's.

 

[kimsuenew]

By the way you say one and only trip, but if Disney offers you free dining for booking your next trip, will you bite? We didn't plan on another trip. But after enjoying Disney and the dining plan we were hooked. Not only did we book on site, we upgraded resorts. Just for the record, you've been warned!

Hope you get the plan and have a magical trip!

That is what got us back for 2008! Our first trip (2007, with free dining) was our "only one"... until we got a chance to bounce back! I think it might be (a very pleasant) catch 22!

 

[KKB]

We had ADRs at the most wonderful restaurants; paid $1250 for DDP, and figure we had about $2000 worth of food! DS12 is a picky eater, but he was always cleaning up anyone's leftovers! ALL of us loved it...from 7 to 63YO!

We hit parks early and go hard until dinner (we had earlier ADRs w/ a 7YO...he is an early riser & needs his 10 hours of sleep!) But you could have later ADRs, eat and finish just in time for Fantasmic or Wishes.

Personally we found CS to be nothing more than adequate overall. I could not have handled eating CS every meal...YUK!

Actually you should still be able to get ADRs at most of the restaurants you listed.

Our meals lasted 1 hour to 1 hour 15 min (MAYBE one was 90 min...) I did schedule our meals at or near our park for the day to minimize travel time.

For us, it was a VERY special part of the trip, and SO worth it!

 

[beroh2253]

Check out all of the great menus and make your ADR's. If you find a place you would like to try while walking around WDW and can get in just cancel the ADR you have planed for that day. We did the DDP the last 2 years went over the menus, made the ADR's and went to every one, we didn't want to change one we were there, like some else said the table is there waiting for you no hassle when you have that ADR.
Oh yea, in 1995 we did our one and only trip o WDW, or we thought, since then we were there 95,96,97,98,00,01,02,03,06,07 and booked for bounce back in Sept. 08 @ POP.

In conclusion you are going during the Holiday decoration time the parks are beautiful along with all the resorts.

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