DDP Noob - Help! What would you do?

[LlamaFace]

I hate being the odd man out, but we must all be at this position on any subject first. An experienced WDW planner, yes.......DDP no.
Decided to give it a go on this trip and after doing hours of searching and reading here I still would like some opinions.
Here is the sit: July 27th through Aug 2nd. (6 nights with 6 dine days, yet we have a half day the 27th (evening) and a half day on the 2nd (morning). 2 adults and 2 children. Staying at the Wilderness Lodge! Pretty excited about that

Here is the plan: Please let me know what you would do as far as $$ vs. DDP and what would be the best way to make it work. Suggesstions on changes or different ideas on breakfast would be GREAT!

Friday 27th:
Arrive at 1PM - Dinner reserved (5:10pm) at Prime Time 50's cafe (traditoinal first meal and park).

Sat 28th: MK all day.
WL - Whispering Canyon Breakfast res
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern character res (5:10pm) - also a traditional meal

Sun 29th: Epcot day
Epcot - Garden Grill character (lunch - 11:40) 1st time on this one.
Probably take boat to Beaches and Cream (dinner) for full grown burgers, dogs and ice cream

Mon 30th: MGM early - split day

• 
  WL- Whispering Canyon Breakfast res.
  MGM - Momma Melrose res (12:10 - lunch)
  
  Tues 31st: @ MK all day or split day
  WL - Mikey's Backyard BBQ res (6:30pm)
  
  Wed 1st: AK - probably a split day
  AK - Restaurantosaurus character breakfast res (8:00am)
  Evening at MGM
  
  Thurs 2nd: MK (EMH until 2pm.....then home )
  WL - Whispering Canyon breakfast res
  
  Any help, suggestions, ideas and anything else would be spectacular.
  
  Thanks in advance all!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Um, well, for starters you don't seem to be planning to use ANY of your Counter Service credits.

Really, the DDP is more or less 'designed' for Guests to have one Table Service meal, one Counter Service meal, and one Snack, per day (day= consecutive 24-hour period). Are you really going to eat at WCC three or four times for breakfast? Have you considered Roaring Forks? I mean, one day you’re planning (apparently early, if you’re planning ‘until 2) EMH at Magic Kingdom AND breakfast at WCC? I dunno….
Anyway, right off the top, Beaches & Cream is a really poor use of Table Service credits. Pay cash.
Beyond that, look at the menus. See which meals appear cheapest, and pay for them. Note that Mickey’s BackYard Barbecue may also not be optimal use of points, given that it requires two TS credits each.

 

[LlamaFace]

Kaytie - thanks for the intro into what I am looking for. I need other suggestions for breakfast. What worked for you, what do you like, hints on great breakfast items that satisfy yet you just walk up and get when you get into the parks. I can always cancel the breakfast res.
I know there is a million options........was just looking to try and narrow it down and get some ideas on which direction some of you may go. Some CS suggestions for the parks would be helpful as well. This is kind of difficult because we have always just winged the decisions other than the few reservations in the past.

Had concierge service the last couple of trips, so breakfast was never really planned other than CRT breakfast both times.

Thanks again!

 

[n2mm]

First off you need to decide which meals you plan to use your TS credits for. Since you have 10 TS ADRs and one is a 2TS, which totals 11 Ts credits, you have to decide where you're going to use your 6 TS credits and which meals you plan to pay for OOP. I almost always choose to pay OOP for breakfasts. You need to check out the menus and prices to plan your strategy.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Do you have an AP? Seems like with all the TS meals you have planned, the DDE card would be a better option for you.

Otherwise, you can use your CS for breakfast - MK bakery, roaring forks, etc.

ANother option is to share meals with the family. Each TS meal comes with an appy AND an entree AND a desert. Unless you usually order that way, of course

For your TS, which are the least expensive? Usually lunch is cheaper than dinner. Pay OOP for lunch maybe and use TS credit for dinner.

Have fun!

 

[illiniowl]

Here's my two cents...
Friday 27th:
Arrive at 1PM - Dinner reserved (5:10pm) at Prime Time 50's cafe (traditoinal first meal and park). This is traditional for you, so I won't suggest any changes. Enjoy! This is your 1st TS credit.

Sat 28th: MK all day.
WL - Whispering Canyon Breakfast res Do you have an ADR already? Anyway, it looks like you really like or want to try WCC. You do have plenty of MK time planned for later in the trip to make up for touring time you will lose by eating a sit-down breakfast. However, if you do eat breakfast here, pay OOP. Or try WCC for dinner on Sun. 7/29 (instead of B&C) and use TS credits, and go to Pecos Bill's around 11 or 11:30 for an early lunch and use your 1st CS credit.
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern character res (5:10pm) - also a traditional meal OK - so far this is your 2nd TS credit use.

Sun 29th: Epcot day
Epcot - Garden Grill character (lunch - 11:40) 1st time on this one. Pay OOP.
Probably take boat to Beaches and Cream (dinner) for full grown burgers, dogs and ice cream Pay OOP if you cannot get an ADR for WCC for dinner. Or you could go to Yacht Club Galley, or any Epcot/Boardwalk area TS, or frankly, almost any other TS in WDW, and get a better use of your 3rd TS credit.

Mon 30th: MGM early - split day

• 
  WL- Whispering Canyon Breakfast res. If going early to MGM, skip a sit-down breakfast and use a snack credit or 2 to get some donuts/juice from Roaring Fork or the WL's general store.
  MGM - Momma Melrose res (12:10 - lunch) This is your 4th TS credit. Use your 2nd CS credit for dinner at whatever park you will be at in the evening.
  
  Tues 31st: @ MK all day or split day
  WL - Mikey's Backyard BBQ res (6:30pm) Use your 5th and 6th TS credits. Use your 3rd CS credit for lunch.
  
  Wed 1st: AK - probably a split day
  AK - Restaurantosaurus character breakfast res (8:00am) Pay OOP. Use your 4th CS credit for lunch.
  Evening at MGM Use your 5th CS credit for dinner.
  
  Thurs 2nd: MK (EMH until 2pm.....then home )
  WL - Whispering Canyon breakfast res Again, use snack credits for on-the-go breakfast and use your 6th CS credit for lunch. If you have 1 more CS left over because you didn't use it on 7/28, go to DTD and pick up a CS lunch to go.

 

[septbaby]

Here is how I would align your choices.

Friday 27th:
Arrive at 1PM - Dinner reserved (5:10pm) at Prime Time 50's cafe (TS1)

Sat 28th: MK all day.
WL - Roaring Forks (CS1) Breakfast, Snack in park or
share CS and get one for Breakfast and one for lunch in park
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern character res (5:10pm) (TS2)

Sun 29th: Epcot day
Snack credits for Breakfast(donunts, milk cereal for the room w/snack credits)
Epcot - Garden Grill character (lunch - 11:40) (TS3, all you care to eat)
Great choices in Epcot (CS2), including adult pizza or fish & chips w/ a child CS credit!!!
Beaches and Cream (dessert or OOP for a shared meal)

Mon 30th: MGM early - split day

• 
  WL- Roaring Forks (CS3) Breakfast, Snack in park
  MGM - Find a (CS4) in MGM, MM gets too many iffy reviews to waste on lunch
  
  Tues 31st: @ MK all day or split day
  WL - Mikey's Backyard BBQ res (6:30pm) (TS4&5)
  
  Wed 1st: AK - probably a split day
  AK - Restaurantosaurus character breakfast res (8:00am) (TS6)
  Evening at MGM (CS5)
  
  Thurs 2nd: MK (EMH until 2pm.....then home )
  MK - CS in Park (CS 6)
  
  If you really want a Whispering Canyon meal, I'd trade out the Restaurantosaurus meal as you already have 3 character meals in 6 days. Consider a meal(late lunch or dinner) "at home" before heading to MGM. That is also a long day for you. You'd have to be up for AK before 7am and out at MGM past midnight, yikes!
  
  Hope this "picture" is helpful.

 

[beroh2253]

Here is how Me and DW have 1/2 day to start and 1/2 day to end planned. But no kids this time, both in college.


Arriving Sept. 21 @ POP
CS first night at Pacos Bills
Sept, 22 San Angle
Sept. 23 Captain Jack’s
Sept. 24 Coral Reef
Sept. 25 Le Cellier
Sept. 26 Ohana
Sept. 27 Rose & Crown
Sept, 28 Nine Dragons
Sept. 29 Boatrights
Sept 30 breakfast @ Boma then heading home later in the day, if a CS remaining will try Pepper market for lunch.

There are just so many different ways to go but our ADR's are made and next time will try different ones.
HAve a great trip

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wow! illiniowl and septbaby - GREAT jobs!!!!

 

[pooch]

for 1 cs credit you can get 2 eggs, home fries, pancakes, bacon, a biscuit and a beverage. DH and I would regularly split one of these in the morning and use a second cs credit to split a lunch. I'd cancel all of the WCC breakfasts in favor of Roaring Forks CS. WWC is a hoot though and I would highly recommend one meal there. Not the most healthful of breakfasts but you can also get a box of Entemann's donuts and a half gallon of OJ for a snack credit each at the Mercantile at WL, ok for a quick breakfast. Remember, the DDP is a lot of food and TS do take up some time. IMHO one TS per day is plenty!!

Hope this helps!

 

[gigi1313]

i agree w/the suggestions made by illinoiwl and septbaby but want to add a little of my own experience...

the bakery at MK is a great bang for your CS buck and has lots of good shareable "breakfasty" items (french toast loaf, egg sandwiches, and a bunch of other deliciously decadent breakfast treats)... i would go there on my MK day for breakfast, esp w/an "early-ish" dinner at LTT and share a meal or two of CS for lunch (we loved to share the chicken salad at CHH or the rotisserie chicken/ribs at cosmic rays -- and that's a GREAT use of CS credit!)

at epcot we enjoyed sampling around the world... get a combination of some of these fine CS choices for a late dinner before illuminations ('cause you'll likely be stuffed for hours from GG and this plan will leave you in a prime illuminations viewing location!)... a sampler platter CS to share in mexico... later get a sweet treat or two w/snack credits at one of the bakeries (norway and france are our faves!)... for a burger fix go for the double cheeseburger at America and request an extra bun (usually $.80) to share the meal... in china share some shrimp fried rice/egg roll... in morocco share the sampler platter (it has a fun name, i just cannot think of it)... try the combo plate at yakitori in japan...

since you're traveling during the peak summer season you might want to try to get MM for dinner and use your TS to combine it w/the FDP (fantasmic dinner package)...

i hope that helps... enjoy your trip

 

[LlamaFace]

Perfect, perfect and perfect. You all rock.......even if you didn't know you did..lol!

I will probably keep the first breakfast at WWC as the MK does not open until 9:00am that day and our ADR is at 7:30. We are early people and use to eating breakfast at 4:30am (Dads are), so we will be waiting for them to get busy!
(Just a side note for some clarification. We are two Dads taking our children. No DWs this trip. I am bringing my DD who will turn 9 during the trip and he is bringing his DS7 on their first trip to WDW. This will be my DD 3rd trip to WDW and we are so excited. I am equally excited to see all the wonder through my good friends eyes along with his son. So we are trying the DDP to see if it will fit for us when we return next fall with my DW and my other DD3.)

Most all of the breakfasts will be as suggested now.....Roaring forks and MK bakery - love that place anyway.....ice cream sandwiches there are super, maybe even for breakfast .

Was planning on paying out of pocket for Mickey's BBQ. This is the only one that worries me, as far as entertainment value is concerned. If the kids love it, then it will be worth it. Seen so many mixed reviews. Most are not positive, but I know a few people who say it is great. We will take the gamble and hope for smiles from the kids.

That should free up quite a few and now I have to get it all planned again and printed out for the book.

Our plan is there, but I must say we are really flexible. So the all day park plans usually include a mid day trip back to the lodge for some swimming/naps and then back out for evening festivities. Only day that will be a grind is the Sat....first day at MK. We will make it all day on that one.

We will also be packin'....both Dads will have a couple of water bottles, lunch size snack Cheetos, crystal light singles for mixing in H20 bottles, mist fans, and 900 pounds of cameras each day ....that is a joke, but I do carry the necessary tools .

Along with my new plan I am printing each one of these out to take along for change in plans ideas.....they are all great!

Maybe I can stick a real time cam on my head, give all of you a live feed during meal planning time and then you can all make suggestions on the spur of the moment.....lol. Hmmmmm.....Mickey cams.

You all are tops! *******CONGRATS Gigi on 5000 posts.....WoW!******

Special thanks illini and septbaby for all your time!!!!! Thanks everyone!

 

[septbaby]

Perfect, perfect and perfect. You all rock.......even if you didn't know you did..lol!

I will probably keep the first breakfast at WWC as the MK does not open until 9:00am that day and our ADR is at 7:30. We are early people and use to eating breakfast at 4:30am (Dads are), so we will be waiting for them to get busy!

Was planning on paying out of pocket for Mickey's BBQ.

Pay OOP for WCC breakfast for the adults. At $10.99 you will not find a cheaper TS. For the kids their TS kids meals are often less than that so pay for one of those instead. In your case I would definitely use credits for the BBQ. Paying for WCC twice would barely equal half the cost of the BBQ.

Roaring Fork opens at 6am and would only cost you a CS.

If you allow ice cream sandwiches for breakfast, you will ROCK!

 

[illiniowl]

HTH!

Here's the thing about the BBBQ: at $45/adult, it's obviously not the World's best use of 2 TS credits, and one would usually be better off paying for it OOP and using the 2 TS credits at 2 other TS meals (especially non-buffet dinners, where you get the most value). However, at $27/child, you actually are getting good value for using 2 child TS credits here. Plus, in your case, paying OOP for your two cheapest TS meals that you already have planned (GG and Breakfastosaurus) will be cheaper than paying OOP for BBBQ and if you didn't want to cancel any of your ADRs I'm not sure where you'd plug in 2 additional TS meals to use up the 2 TS credits and since you're going in less than 2 weeks it may be difficult finding replacement ADRs at times/places that will work with your schedule anyway.

One last note/clarification: if you do decide to go to B&C for dinner and you don't make any other changes to your TS lineup, you'll probably be better off using a TS credit there rather than paying OOP; I think you can run up a tab there (plus tax and tip) that will exceed the cost of your next-cheapest TS which is Breakfastosaurus.

 

[gigi1313]

ice cream sandwiches there are super, maybe even for breakfast

i wanna travel with YOU!

Was planning on paying out of pocket for Mickey's BBQ. This is the only one that worries me, as far as entertainment value is concerned. If the kids love it, then it will be worth it. Seen so many mixed reviews. Most are not positive, but I know a few people who say it is great. We will take the gamble and hope for smiles from the kids.

have you considered HDDR instead? at 7yo my son found it soooo funny he literally fell off his chair! it was priceless!

Maybe I can stick a real time cam on my head, give all of you a live feed during meal planning time and then you can all make suggestions on the spur of the moment.....lol. Hmmmmm.....Mickey cams.

WHATTA GREAT IDEA!! i'd log in for sure!

You all are tops! *******CONGRATS Gigi on 5000 posts.....WoW!******

thanks for pointing that out! i had not noticed! LOL! (my goal was 5000 before my august trip... looks like i've succeeded! LOL!

 

[LlamaFace]

HDDR - on the night we had planned that only the "section 1", or something like that, was available. Only "2 & 3 sections" are covered under the dining plan.
Kicker.... section 1 is center and the seats left are in the front. $59 for adults and $39 for children......that better be one heck of a show

A little dissapointed.....maybe next time

Still taking notes....keep them coming.

Thank you again 'O Great Ones of the DDP

 

[gigi1313]

i don't think the cost of HDDR is that much more than MBYBBQ...

okay, i had to go check...

HDDR Tier One = Adults (10 and up) $58.99 including tax and gratuity
Children (3-9) $29.99 including tax and gratuity

MBYBBQ = $44.99 Guest ages 10 and up, tax and gratuity included
$26.99 Guest ages 3-9, tax and gratuity included

imo, if you're going oop for it anyway, the cost difference is worth it 'cause (again imo) HDDR is superior in many many ways, in addition to a super fun show... including the building is air-conditioned, no mosquitoes, and you are served as opposed to buffet... plus the fried chicken at HDDR is super top-notch!