Deluxe Dining 12/10 An Honest Review without the Hype! 20 Reviews with Lots of Pics

[DisneyFamily123]

2nd time here. Great food both times. Buffet has nice variety. We also dined at the dinner (no characters) in 2008 and liked the food very much... but Yak and Yeti is our new found love for lunch/dinner at AK Park.

Character greetings were great. The best thing is we can schedule our breakfast at 8am on a day when Animal Kingdom Park opens at 9am.... so on our way to breakfast, we can get lots of great pictures in an empty park without other people in the background of our photos. We finished right at 9am and it's a quick hop, skip, and jump to Kilmanjaro Safari. Total cost = $63 (or 1 DDP credit per person) not including tip for 2 adults and 1 child.

We had our picture with Donald outside and met the other characters (Mickey, Goofy, Daisy) inside. All are great in their Safari costumes. But, if you just want to meet the characters, they were all at Mickey and Minnie's greeting trail later, in the same or similar safari outfits. But the character breakfast would be a great way to meet them without long lines during busier times of year. Tip... our table was against a wall and that made it very easy to take photos without other people in the background. I think I'll request this at some other character meals.

Food -- all very good. I like that there is food other than the usual breakfast items. The coconut sweet potatoes are delicious. I also liked the plantains and basmati rice. And can't go wrong with the bread pudding.

Mickey Waffles, Potatos, Sausage, Bacon, Eggs

Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole, Vegetable Quiche, Potatos, Beef Bobotie

Oatmeal with Raisins, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar. Mealie Pap, Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

Ham, Plantains, Basmatic Rice with Lemon and Cinnamon

Breads - orange and banana, chocolate mango, mealie cornbread, coffee cake.

Yogurt Bar

Plain and Chocolate Croissants

Mini Pastries and Muffins

 

[DisneyFamily123]

First, I apologize no photos... I was so busy enjoying the fun and videotaping DS5 dancing with Agent Oso, I didn't take pictures of the food except a Mickey waffle.... So, in exchange... I offer a video of Agent Oso dancing at Hollywood and Vine.

3rd time here. 2008 for dinner buffet. I don't recommend dinner, food was not great and there are no characters. Better places to eat in Hollywood Studios. 2009 for lunch, 2010 for breakfast. We didn't care for the lunch buffet food, but I can't complain... it was good enough to eat.. but nothing great, and the waitress brought DS two big bowls of strawberries that were not on the buffet.

In contrast, the breakfast buffet was VERY good. Total cost = $68 (or 1 DDP credit per person) not including tip for 2 adults and 1 child. The usual breakfast items and mickey waffles, but all were delicious. DS5really enjoyed dancing with the characters here to Playhouse Disney Music, much better than the simple table greetings characters do at other restaurants. Agent Oso and Handy Manny were there this year so that was a treat for DS.

I'd return here again for breakfast... especially if I could do it at 8am before the park opens. This year, we came to Hollywood Studios at 8am for morning magic hours, rode Toy Story and got fast passes for later, than had 9am breakfast. By the time we were done, it was near time to get fast passes again.

Here's the Mickey Waffle! I assure you all the breakfast food was very good.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I posted a few photos under each restaurant review, but I figure we all know what hot dogs, nuggets, pasta, grilled chicken, baked fish, strawberries, apple sauce, and green beans look like. DS5 is a little picky but had plenty to eat. His favorites are Mickey Pasta, Chicken Nuggets, Beans/Peas, and Strawberries. He is normally picky about food (annoying) but easily worked up a hunger at WDW and was willing to try new things. He ate baked flounder (no breading) at Chefs de France and I was shocked... he dipped it in ketchup of course.

DS had strawberries with every meal. They are sweet and delicious. For some reason, the strawberries we get at home are usually from California, and very tart.

DS5 also has an egg allergy so we usually met with the Chef before our meal. Because of the allergy, he has never been interested in desserts much. On all three of our trips, the chefs were wonderful and accomodating. DS is also picky. Don't hesitate to ask for things that are not on the menu. Even without an allergy (we didn't note it every reservation), I've found that WDW restaurants are willing to please and be flexible when they can.

DS loves the character meals... We enjoy them all... it's so much fun to see DS enjoy himself... and I figure that's a fair reward since he is so incredibly patient to sit through long signature restaurant dinners with us. This is what I like about Disney... I understand that the food is not the greatest in fine dining, especially when considering the price... but the fun and smiles in the themed restaurants and character meals and dinner shows make it all worth it.

I'm not sure what the secret is to enjoying a 1 1/2 to 2 hour signature dinner with DS. But, by that time of the day... he is tired... and more than happy to sit. And he is hungry. The signature restaurants (except Brown Derby) are outside of the parks so there's no competition with his interest in rides and attractions. At our meals, we talk about our day, plan what's next, look at photos on our camera, etc... The signature meals all have some kind of distraction -- between courses, I'll take DS away from the table to give him a break from any boredom he might be experiencing. Here's some of the between courses breaks we took ---

• California Grill - walked outside on the observation deck to look over Magic Kingdom and see the sun set.
• Narcoosees - walked on the deck that goes around the restaurant to look at the castle all lit up, the fireworks from MK, and the lighted boat parade that passes by at about 9pm.
• Citricos - the main lobby is right outside the restaurant... the orchestra and piano player alternate playing music in the evening.
• Flying Fish Cafe - no break here... but was nice to have a seat by the window. Before and after dinner, we enjoyed the boardwalk entertainers right outside the restaurant entrance.
• Brown Derby - no break here... DS liked looking at all the pictures of Hollywood stars on the wall.
• Jiko - quick walk outside the restaurant to the lobby.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

WHY WE DID THE DINING PLAN...
We did the dining plan (DDP) in 2008 that included 1 table service (TS), 1 quick service (QS) - also called counter service (CS), and 1 snack x number of people x number of nights. We were a large group with several rooms, some of us did the DDP, some didn't. That worked fine because my in-laws were already paying for some of our meals. It seemed like a cheaper way to go. In 2008, we also liked having the dining plan for our family's older teens who were often on their own at the parks during the day and we would meet later for dinner.... with a dining plan, they could get their own meals/snacks without us having to worry about costs. We used the quick service credits for breakfast at the resort, and our table services for lunch or dinner.

When planning our 2009 trip, we wanted to go to more character meals and themed restaurants. Adding up the costs, deluxe seemed to be the way to go, then we were hooked... and did the same in 2010.

WHY GO DELUXE?

• If we did the DDP, we would end up paying out of pocket cost for some additional meals, some appetizers, a few more snacks, and the refillable resort mugs. That additional out of pocket cost was near equal to the cost of just upgrading to deluxe. And for that, we get to enjoy more table service restaurants.
• There were just so many fun restaurants to eat at WDW. The character meals, dinner shows, and themed restaurants are part of the fun for us at WDW.
• With Deluxe DDP, there's no need to pay out of pocket (except for tips) so no need to worry about costs or faint when the check comes. It's all done and paid for in advance.
• DS4 has a food allergy and the restaurants were much easier to accommodate (meet with chef 1st) than trying to figure it out on our own with counter service.

TOO MUCH TIME SITTING IN A RESTAURANT AND TOO MUCH FOOD?
I understand the argument that 3 meals a day is a lot... and that it takes time away from being in the parks. For us, a 9 or 10 day trip gives us plenty of time for parks. Sitting down in a restaurant is a welcome break from all the walking. We consider the dining to be part of our fun and park experience. We arrive early on our arrival day and leave late on our departure day, so we use dining credits then too. Most days, we only had lunch and dinner because we did 2 credit signature restaurants and dinner shows. When we did have 3 meals a day... we tried to make it an early character breakfast, a late lunch (1pm or 1:30), and a very late dinner 7:30 or so. Too much food? No one said you have to eat it all! And I thought calories don't count when on vacation... All the walking we did in the parks, I figured we were burning it off anyway.

DO YOU REALLY SAVE WITH THE DINING PLAN?
Well, given that the prices of restaurant dining in WDW are inflated... is it really saving? I can see how someone might save by eating off site, or having breakfast in your room... but you still got to eat. Counter service is less expensive, but we like the restaurants better for food and the experience. If staying concierge, I can see how that could save money too but who stays at the resort all day to eat? Would I order that much food if not on the dining plan? Of course not. It's also nice to not faint every time the check comes... with the DDP being prepaid. So here's the dollars and cents... I didn't count tips but of course that's part of the expense too when dining in a restaurant instead of quick service.

Comparison of Deluxe DDP vs. DDP, and Deluxe DDP vs. No DDP
I don't have the 2010 numbers, but for Dec. 2011, deluxe would be $76 more a night for 2 adults, 1 child... for that we can choose table service or quick service for all our meals, 1 more meal credit per night, appetizers 1 for each adult, 3 more snacks per night, and 3 refillable resort mugs - 1 per person. Even if we did the DDP, we would have paid out of pocket for some additional table services, some appetizers, some snacks, and the mugs.

Comparison of DDP and Deluxe DDP (for 2 adults and 1 child):
-$684 Additional Cost to Upgrade to Deluxe DDP for 9 nights
+$42 Value of 3 refillable resort mugs (we would buy these anyway)
+$74 Value of 27 additional snacks (est. $2.75 each)
+$260 Value of appetizers included with Deluxe (est. avg. $10 per appetizer x 2 adults at 13 restaurants, number is less than total #restaurants because appetizers not applicable at buffets and family style meals, some restaurants would be 2 credit signatures).
+$738 Value of 9 additional table service meals ($82 each = average cost of lunch and breakfast table services x 9)
So, while going deluxe costs $684 more, the value of the additional mugs, snacks, appetizers, and meals is $1114. That does not include the value of doing more table service with deluxe instead of the quick service that is included with the DDP.

But what if we really didn't need all that food and just used the DDP and paid out of pocket for some meals, appetizers, and snacks?
In the end... the cost for us to go deluxe DDP instead of the DDP is about $25 a night for 2 adults and 1 child. We would be fine with the DDP -- 1 table service dinner a night, quick service for lunches, bringing cereal for DS's breakfasts and paying for ours, and using snack credits for drinks in the parks. BUT.... on a 10 day trip using the DDP. I'd end up paying out of pocket for the things listed below not covered by the DDP (for 2 adults, 1 child).

Out of Pocket Costs if Used Plus DDP (Minimum):

some quick service breakfasts at the resort ($120)
2 character breakfasts not covered by DDP credits ($130)
2 extra quick service on our arrival/departure day ($50)
appetizers at some of our dinners ($80)
2 refillable resort mugs ($28)
additional drinks/snacks not covered by DDP ($55)​

The total out of pocket would be $463. The cost to upgrade to deluxe DDP is $684, or about $25 more a night (total for all of us). So, for $25 more a night... we get to do table service restaurants instead of quick service (including shows and signature restaurants), appetizers at every table service, more snacks to use in the parks (and to bring home some fudge/caramel/treats), and another refillable resort mug (for DS). But, an additional cost is we end up paying more for tips because of doing table service.

Overall Savings Compared to Not Using any Dining Plan:
-$1486 Cost of Deluxe DDP for 2 adults, 1 child, for 9 nights.
+$2204 Cost of Restaurant 22 table service meals if out of pocket, tax included.
+$42 Cost of 3 refillable mugs, included with deluxe DDP.
+$149 Cost of 54 snacks, included with deluxe DDP (est. $2.75 each).
$909 = Savings (About a 38% discount)

Average Cost (for 2 adults and 1 child) not including tips:
$157 Average Cost of a Signature Dinner (if paying out of pocket)
$92 Average Cost of our 1 credit lunches and dinners
$69 Average Cost of our character meals

 

[chocolateMinnie]

great pics so far, definitely looking forward to the reviews

 

[Miffy2003]

Thoroughly enjoyed your review of the Flying Fish, and will look forward to reading more

 

[flamom]

i'm enjoying your reviews and pictures, thanks for sharing, and looking forward to more.

 

[auntfrannie]

I really like how you laid out each restaurant as a separate review with them all listed together at the beginning of the review. It will be easier for me to keep up with the updates.

Great reviews! Thanks for taking the time!

 

[amandadisney]

Really great reviews! Can't wait to read more

 

[Kelrykengab]

I am enjoying your reviews and look forward to hearing more, especially since we are trying out the DDP next time. Thanks!

 

[katiebelle21]

Great reviews so far! Thanks for taking the time to post these!

 

[Jade+3]

Great reviews and photo's. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[prttynpnk]

Best review I've read in a while- thank you!

 

[Havana]

I love your review. I appreciate the time you put into this. It's great seeing the pictures too!

 

[floridascgirl]

Thanks for your super reviews.

 

[princessnpirate]

Loving your reviews! Most of the restaurants are ones I would pick or plan to on the next trip. I love Yak and Yeti (first time last April and was a BIG hit!!), California Grill and Flying Fish.

I am a huge fish fan and love the dishes your chose!

 

[MickeyMaz]

Thanks for taking to the time to put this together. Very educational...in the foodie way.

 

[ppoe65]

Thanks for the review...It is easy to read and you get right to point...Thanks

 

[missmun52]

great review! I really enjoyed reading your posts so far and cant wait to read the rest!

Ever eaten at Nicks Fish House in Baltimore?

 

[sjs314]

Subbing, we will be on the DxDP for the 1st time on our next trip and anixous to read reviews of restaurants we have never tried before.

Heading back now to begin reading