DDP (standard_ or DDP (quick service)??

[baleeve]

We booked using the Free DDP offer 12/21/2010 - 12/28/2010 at POP. We have the QS plan but wonder if it is worth it to upgrade to the standard TS plan?

I wouldn't choose to do a lot of TS normally as I'll be with my 18, 7, and 5 year old sons. They like to go, go, go. They love the character meet and greets but are really going for the rides. Boys!

However I'm worried about missing characters during the busy holiday time (standing in LONG lines), worried I'll need the sit down break after all the walking (1 year cancer survivor) or I'll get sick of QS meals.

What are your thoughts? Is it worth the 200+ upgrade or should we stick with QS as it will be a very busy time.

Thanks for any feedback. This trip marks my 1 year end of treatment anniversary , my middle son turns 8, and lets not forget Christmas!! So I really want this to be extra MAGICAL.

Also any other tips are greatly appreciated!

<3

 

[TDC Nala]

Do you have restaurant reservations?

If you do not have any, you should try and see how many you can make before you upgrade. This is the busiest time of year at WDW. If you do not have restaurant reservations, chances are you will not get into the restaurants at all or you may have a long wait, especially popular places like character meals. Just walking up to the restaurant may not get you in.

 

[baleeve]

Do you have restaurant reservations?

If you do not have any, you should try and see how many you can make before you upgrade. This is the busiest time of year at WDW. If you do not have restaurant reservations, chances are you will not get into the restaurants at all or you may have a long wait, especially popular places like character meals. Just walking up to the restaurant may not get you in.

I made a few reservations. One lunch at Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi, and Tonys in MK.

If you have a 12:30 ADR is it safe to say you will be seated within reasonably close to that time? Because my fear is wasting time waiting to be seated.

 

[Ash&Wes07]

Do you have restaurant reservations?

If you do not have any, you should try and see how many you can make before you upgrade. This is the busiest time of year at WDW. If you do not have restaurant reservations, chances are you will not get into the restaurants at all or you may have a long wait, especially popular places like character meals.

I agree with this. We're only doing the regular DP because I was able to secure the reservations I wanted at good times. I would have gone with QS if I didn't get them.

It sounds like you would be better off doing the QSDP. If you want to do one character meal, and can get a reservation, pay for it OOP. You can still sit down and relax when having QS meals. We love places like Columbia Harbor House for relaxing QS meals.

Congrats on your 1-year, too!! Lots of vibes for staying cancer-free.

 

[TDC Nala]

Be cautious with in-park reservations at MK at this time of year. If the park closes for capacity you will not be allowed in even if you have a restaurant reservation. If you miss your reservations because the park closed, then you are not out anything as they are not CC guarantee reservations; however, if you had dining credits to use, you would have to be figuring out another way to use them.

I have no idea how long it may take to get seated. Usually the ADR is a pretty good indication that you will be seated close to that time. Without an ADR it's pretty much guaranteed that you either won't be seated at all or you'll have to wait for it.

Is a $200 upgrade worth it to you for only three restaurant reservations on a 7 night trip or do you intend to make more reservations? You should probably try and get the reservations before you pay for an upgrade. If the three TS reservations are enough for you and you don't mind paying $200 just to have those, then it won't matter how many more reservations you can make, but if you have a 7 night trip you still have 4 TS credits to use.

You would also lose the extra snack per night and the refillable resort mugs, if those made a difference to you when you chose QSDP.

 

[baleeve]

Is a $200 upgrade worth it to you for only three restaurant reservations on a 7 night trip or do you intend to make more reservations? You should probably try and get the reservations before you pay for an upgrade. If the three TS reservations are enough for you and you don't mind paying $200 just to have those, then it won't matter how many more reservations you can make, but if you have a 7 night trip you still have 4 TS credits to use.[/QUOTE]


Based on the suggestions I was able to make some ADR for Coral Reef, Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine, Crystal Palace, Sci-Fi, for now....

So I guess I'm understanding you both to say it IS worth the upgrade?

 

[TDC Nala]

If it is worth it to you to have the table service meals and you were able to book them (I would not try it this time of year without restaurant reservations) then yes, you should consider making the upgrade. You appear to also be OK with losing the mugs and extra snack and from your first post you seem to understand that restaurant reservations will mean slowing down your "on the go" family (which, it appears, is what you wanted.)

If you're asking if it would be worth it to me...I don't do the dining plan at all.

Brown Derby costs 2 credits per person, in case you didn't realize.

 

[baleeve]

Brown Derby costs 2 credits per person, in case you didn't realize.[/QUOTE]

I didn't know that...thank you so much for pointing that out and for all your quick responses! I appreciate it!

 

[baleeve]

Congrats on your 1-year, too!! Lots of vibes for staying cancer-free. [/QUOTE]

THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!