Deluxe dining for a split stay

[lindsay mcfarland]

Hello!
My family and I are going to WDW on June 1 for the week. We are staying two nights at Coronado springs and 4 nights at PoRFQ. I have used the dining plan in the past but this trip I think I can save more money by not purchasing it. However, found this "hack" and now I got to thinking.... Am I understanding this correctly.. I can buy the deluxe dining package for the first 2 nights for the 4 of us for approximately $300.. and with that I can get 24 table service meals 8 snacks and 4 mugs? I know the table credits expire at midnight on the night of checkout but the mugs will stay active for the duration of the trip. But if I use 4 TS credits for dinner on 6/1, 4 TS for breakfast & 4 TS for dinner on 6/2, and on 6/3 use the same 8 TS for breakfast and dinner. Can I convert the remaining 4 TS credits to QS or Snack credits and stock up on sandwiches, fruit and muffins to defer the dining cost for the rest of the trip? Thanks all!!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm pretty sure you can...... it's not so much a 'hack' as it is a split stay..... I like the idea myself! I'd do that, or I'd book some double credit dinners,to use them up on the fanciest places.....

 

[lindsay mcfarland]

I'm pretty sure you can...... it's not so much a 'hack' as it is a split stay..... I like the idea myself! I'd do that, or I'd book some double credit dinners,to use them up on the fanciest places.....

I really feel like this can save our family a lot of money.. my little kids are not going to eat an appetizer, entree, and dessert at every meal.. so that means leftovers too! I have alerts set up for cinderellas table and the yachtsman

 

[elaine amj]

I did this. Ended up with a bunch of leftovers in takeout boxes (lots of desserts particularly) and just popped them in the fridge to eat over the next couple of days. I wouldn't worry about converting to QS - just order extra at your TS meals on your last day and take them with you to your next hotel. POFQ should have a microwave in the food court that you can use to reheat food. eg. we ate at Turf Club for our final deluxe dinner. DS didn't care much for his breaded chicken and left most of it. I cut it up into strips and boxed it up with the leftover rolls from bread service. The next day for lunch, I heated the sliced up chicken and the kids had them in the rolls.

Just remember that breakfasts aren't as good value for Deluxe credits. Also, I really enjoyed choosing restaurants with interesting apps since we typically get the regular DDP and don't get apps.

 

[katmatry]

Deluxe dining will cost more then $300 for 4 people for 2 nights....but still could be a deal for you.

 

[lindsay mcfarland]

Deluxe dining will cost more then $300 for 4 people for 2 nights....but still could be a deal for you.

Yeah, I guess your right.. my math was for only 1 night not 2... back to the drawing table

 

[cvjw]

And a dinner for 4 at cinderellas Royal table or yachtsman steak house will be 8 table credits, not 4.

 

[TwoMisfits]

It's not a terrible plan - for $600 + tips, you could do your 5 table service 1 credit plans for 4, you could get the mugs, you could get 1 QS to go for the next day of your trip, and you could use the 16 snacks (2/person x 2 days x 4 people) to have foods for your next room...you probably would come out financially ahead if you wanted to do the work to do it...

 

[Sleepy425]

We got the deluxe dining plan for 2A, 4k for $368. We are doing 1900 Park Fare with 4A, 4K (our friends will be there at the same time) and HDDR with 3A, 2K. 1900 PF alone would be $320. So definitely a big savings, not even looking at the snack credits and mugs.
If you plan your days correctly you can make it well worth your money.

 

[LovesTimone]

I would just go with the regular DDP - for all 6 nights - For me when I am on vacation the less hassle the better -

First 2 nights x 4 people( CSR) will give you 1 TS, 1 QS, 1 snack, plus a drink mug. for a total of 8 TS, 8 QS, 8 snacks, a 4 mugs -

Next 4 nights (POFQ) X 4 people will give you 16 TS, 16 QS. 16 Snacks and another 4 mugs -

Which is a total of 24 TS, 24 QS, 24 snacks and 8 mugs which makes great souvenirs.

Depending on what time you arrive you can play around with the numbers of credits and see how to get the most out of your credits. Maybe breakfast with the characters, or a 2ts meal with princess at the castle, or somewhere nice that mom and dad can really enjoy too.

Just make sure to use up you DDP from the 1st stay (CSR) on your check out/ check in day - using up extra snack credits for the room would work great here.

Not sure the age of your kiddo's but when our DD's were little we would do DDP and then pay oop for a appetizer if we wanted or needed it...cost wise it worked out better for us. Also sharing meals works and could add to your budget. Portions at Disney are on the larger side at least for us they are, so sharing for us is a no brainer.

I have another thought, we have friends that use the QS plan and pay out of pocket for TS meals, their family is fairly young the oldest is 7, twins 5 and the baby 3. They do just appetizer's and dessert at TS as they have found this is as long as the children will sit still, but they still get the experience of it.