DDP - Lunch versus Dinner

[joeathome167]

Our last trip to WDW was May, 2005. We decided that trip we would eat TS meals at lunch and CS meals for dinner. It worked great because the kids got a break mid-day to sit, eat and refresh.

We are now planning a trip for Dec 8-15, 2007 and we will be on the DDP for the first time. My DW and I thought we should do TS meals for dinner and CS for lunches to make the most of the DDP. However, the parks especially MK close early in Dec. (like 7pm) and Spectro and Wishes are at that time. I am worried we will miss the nighttime activities like wishes and parades b/c we will be eating. Any opinions on using TS's for lunch and being on the DDP.

 

[Disneyolic]

We are a family of 5 and will be using most of our TS on the DDP for lunches. We thought the same - having a nice break from the heat. Then we don't have to worry later on. We will just have a CS when we feel hungry. The kids tend to be in better moods in the lunch time, at least for us they are.

 

[Hope73]

I really like the buffet at AK. It has Mickey & Donald. Both hot and cold food are served buffet style. We always hit this one.

 

[eliza61]

Our last trip to WDW was May, 2005. We decided that trip we would eat TS meals at lunch and CS meals for dinner. It worked great because the kids got a break mid-day to sit, eat and refresh.

My DW and I thought we should do TS meals for dinner and CS for lunches to make the most of the DDP.
.

Don't stress over trying to get the max out of the DDP, makes way to much work and since you had great success the first time with a sit down lunch, my motto is "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it." No matter when we travel to wdw or whether we are using the DDP or DDE card, we always have our big meal during lunch, we love it. Gives us a chance to unwind/refresh during the middle of the day and some times after a long day in the parks my kids would be really irritable or sleepy at dinner. Most restaurants have pretty much the same menu for lunch as dinner, so just pick the ones you want to eat at.

 

[Simba's Mom]

What makes the DDP so enjoyable is that you eat what you want when you want. Ordinarily, I like to eat my big meal at lunch. However, the first time I used the DDP, I wanted to "maximize" my savings. So I ate all my TS meals at dinnertime, ordered the most expensive thing I could, and yes-I saved big time! The food would have cost almost twice what the plan was. But it wasn't really enjoyable. The next time, I went back to my former ways-ate my big meal when I felt like it, usually at lunch time, ordered what I REALLY wanted. No, I didn't save as much, but I did save about 25% overall, and more importantly, loved the DDP.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Maybe you could do both! On some days you could do TS for lunch and for others, maybe at a park that has evening EMH, you could do dinner. Or, you could do an early dinner at 4:00 or 5:00 then you'll be refreshed for the evening. I would also recommend not selecting meals specifically to get the best "value", but rather, doing what fits your family and what you enjoy.

 

[Brian Noble]

Don't stress over trying to get the max out of the DDP

Agreed. Don't let the dining plan dictate your meals. Rather, decide what your meals will likely be, and *then* decide if DDP is a good fit for you or if you're better off paying as you go.

 

[IckyMickey]

We went last October when the parks also closed early (I have a DS9 & DS4). I also wanted to get the most out of our DDP. We would usually have a small breakfast - usually get the doughnuts with a Snack Credit from the hotel or share a breakfast plate and be at the parks when they opened at 9:00am. We would have our CS lunch around 11:00-11:30 before it got too crowded and then have TS around 5:00pm.

It worked great! We got to get in everything we wanted before it got busy in the afternoons and then took an hour break for our TS dinner at 5:00. We would unwind at dinner, discuss what we wanted to do and were usually out by 6:00. We then enjoyed the final few hours on rides, watching parades, shows and firewords (MK is open until 9:00 on Wed's so that's when we went).

This worked best for our family and we will definitely do it the same way next time we go! I just wish I knew when that would be!

You know best how long your kids can go with a shorter break and a long one (and if they will want to stop in the middle of the day when there are lots of things to ride and see still.)

 

[dizneytrip]

Our family has found it to be much more relaxing to use the TS credits at lunch--it is easier to get in many restaurants at an earlier hour too.