Deluxe Dining Plan - Did You Like It?

[Loveallthingsmouse]

We love the DxDDP! I love the fact that everything is paid in advance, other than tips (which I figure we'd pay anyways) so I don't worry about what everyone orders or what treats/snacks they want. I have a family of steak lovers, so it's very easy to break even for us. We do a breakfast/brunch and then a 7ish signature. I'm looking forward to Brunch at Cali Grill...I'd never pay OOP for my family of 4 to eat there, but on the dining plan...no worries!! I've crunched the numbers, for my family we save and I relax.

 

[Nancyg56]

We sometimes use it and enjoy it when we do. We book one TS meal in the park and a signature meal in the evening. I think that it depend on who is joining us, the time of year, and how we want to tour.

We are not commando folks so stopping for lunch is a nice break. If it is hot I want TS so I KNOW we have a place in mind that we can get out of the heat.

If my DH joins us he eats. He wants breakfast, he likes appetizers. WE like desserts. I found out the hard way that all of my planning ahead did not change how he likes to eat, and we spent that money anyway.

We do not choose it every trip. It is a commitment to stopping to eat, and to finding your way to a destination if yo booked TS breakfast or lunch. We do not always want to be that scheduled, although we are comfortable with scheduling dinners and a few breakfasts or lunches.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

the ability to order off of the adult menu, but with that current policy, the value is TREMENDOUS.

Does this mean kids (ages 3-9) can order off the adult menu, so the table service credits in the deluxe dining plan aren't differentiated? (The waitstaff doesn't make kids using the DXDP order off the child's menu?)

 

[Nancyg56]

Does this mean kids (ages 3-9) can order off the adult menu, so the table service credits in the deluxe dining plan aren't differentiated? (The waitstaff doesn't make kids using the DXDP order off the child's menu?)

It is up to the restaurant. Most allow kids to order from the adult menu, but there will be a chance that they cannot. Via Napoli comes to mind.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

It is up to the restaurant. Most allow kids to order from the adult menu, but there will be a chance that they cannot. Via Napoli comes to mind.

If there's not a distinction between adult and child credits, and you're allowed to use credits to pay for anyone you wish, than could some of those theoretically child credits be used to pay for adult meals?

I.e., adult(A) and child(B) are on the DxDP. They have one day of credits (3 adult, 3 child). Could they invite adult(C) to meals and use those 3 child credits to pay for C and pay OOP for B? (I don't have any intention of doing this - the regular dining plan is too much food for us - I'm just curious since I thought child and adult TS were differentiated and they were sticklers for making kids order off the child menu when using a dining plan)

ETA: Actually, the DxDP might be good for our kids since they tend to like a lot of non-"kid" foods, and 2/4 are under age 3 (more food to share in an adult meal than a kids meal). But we'd still have too many adult credits (and no way we'd each eat an app, entree, and dessert)

 

[Lisa F]

Does this mean kids (ages 3-9) can order off the adult menu, so the table service credits in the deluxe dining plan aren't differentiated? (The waitstaff doesn't make kids using the DXDP order off the child's menu?)

Exactly, it is like the QS credits on the regular plan... it's just one big pool. You should not have a problem at any Disney owned restaurant, but some of the independent ones do make kids order off the kid menu if you are on any of the DDPs. they also make everyone at the table order their own meal, no sharing (I did some sharing on the DxDDP, it was plenty for lunch a couple of times).

We did 10 meals and 2 of them were shared app/entree/dessert and 3 of them were non-shared app/entree/dessert (2 out of 3 were signatures, one was the candlelight processional package). The rest were AYCTE where it doesn't matter.

 

[Nancyg56]

If there's not a distinction between adult and child credits, and you're allowed to use credits to pay for anyone you wish, than could some of those theoretically child credits be used to pay for adult meals?

I.e., adult(A) and child(B) are on the DxDP. They have one day of credits (3 adult, 3 child). Could they invite adult(C) to meals and use those 3 child credits to pay for C and pay OOP for B? (I don't have any intention of doing this - the regular dining plan is too much food for us - I'm just curious since I thought child and adult TS were differentiated and they were sticklers for making kids order off the child menu when using a dining plan)

ETA: Actually, the DxDP might be good for our kids since they tend to like a lot of non-"kid" foods, and 2/4 are under age 3 (more food to share in an adult meal than a kids meal). But we'd still have too many adult credits (and no way we'd each eat an app, entree, and dessert)

On the DxDDP the credits are all credits. You use them interchangeably for CS meals, TS meals and adult vs. children's meals. The credit is the credit. If you want to use those credits to feed someone else, you can. The language that prohibits that has been removed from the brochure, so it is not an issue. When we make the decision to use this plan we look at the overall dining schedule we have, and run some numbers. Normally we do order appetizers, but we would share, same with dessert. The plan simply allows us to order more freely than we would give ourselves permission to at other times. Anyway, I build a sheet, enter the restaurants and credits we would choose, look up the entrees, etc and use the figures that my family normally orders.

The too much food argument is not one I worry about. I calculate what we would order and if it's close I use that as my guide to which plan to get. TO be honest, it is a non issue if my DH joins us...I learned the hard way. Also, if your kids do like the adult menu, this may be a good time, when they are under 10. I think the value is better for DxDDP at that age, and even moreso if you have someone joining you who needs a few credits at dinner.

 

[Lisa F]

On the DxDDP the credits are all credits. You use them interchangeably for CS meals, TS meals and adult vs. children's meals. The credit is the credit. If you want to use those credits to feed someone else, you can. The language that prohibits that has been removed from the brochure, so it is not an issue. When we make the decision to use this plan we look at the overall dining schedule we have, and run some numbers. Normally we do order appetizers, but we would share, same with dessert. The plan simply allows us to order more freely than we would give ourselves permission to at other times. Anyway, I build a sheet, enter the restaurants and credits we would choose, look up the entrees, etc and use the figures that my family normally orders.

The too much food argument is not one I worry about. I calculate what we would order and if it's close I use that as my guide to which plan to get. TO be honest, it is a non issue if my DH joins us...I learned the hard way. Also, if your kids do like the adult menu, this may be a good time, when they are under 10. I think the value is better for DxDDP at that age, and even moreso if you have someone joining you who needs a few credits at dinner.

I took my 8 year old to WDW on the DxDDP and it worked out great for us. Just to give you an idea of value, I paid $577 for 4 nights and we had two signature meals - CA Grill and Narcoossees. My son was allowed to order off of the adult menu and the value of those two meals was close to $400 alone (not counting tip but counting tax). So $177 for another 8 meals is pretty much a win any way you look at it. I haven't added up the final numbers yet but pretty sure I came out way ahead. We did 2 meals a day, and 3 of those 10 meals required 2 credits. It was not too much food overall (in that 2 TS a day is not too much) but I did find an app/entree/dessert a lot for me in one sitting. I usually finished app but left some entree and had a few bites of dessert. Which is just fine by me, I generally only WANT a few bites of dessert but I would probably skip it entirely if I was paying oop... but with the savings it was pretty much free for me to be able to indulge in the way I prefer to eat (without another adult to share with) and not deny myself any of the courses because I knew I could not finish them entirely and would be wasting the money. Not sure if that makes sense. If I'm paying $577 for $1000 worth of food, I don't feel so bad about pitching 3/4 of my dessert... if I paid OOP I would not have ordered it at all but might have ended up paying more overall.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We've used it a few times, usually if we are there for free dining we will upgrade to the DxDDP but what killed it for us was the time extension from the end of the entree, to the dessert and check. I didn't mind packing and walking around with dessert but even if we asked almost immediately it took forever to get out of the TS restaurant. Never mind trying to argue we didn't want dessert at all just the check please. We always eat TS and with 4 apps, 4 entrees and 4 desserts coming out it took a lot more time.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

It was too much food for us, and we are big eaters. I felt stuffed the entire trip. I think the big thing is that we would never go to a restaurant and order multiple appetizers and multiple desserts in the same meal. We would order 1 appetizer and if we weren't stuffed, we would share one dessert (in fairness....we might get more than one dessert if I wanted creme brulee and someone else wanted lady fingers).

If I did it again, I would plan very early breakfasts and very late dinners. We like lunches as break time from the parks, but big lunches were too much along with a big breakfast or dinner.

The other thing I would do is to make sure I was using the deluxe dining during colder weather. We just aren't as hungry when it is hot outside. We did it on a September trip, and with the heat, full stomachs all the time was just too much.

 

[GillianP1301]

I love the deluxe dining plan. The TS restaurants are a big part of our overall touring plan for WDW, so we don't consider them a waste of time, or taking away from our overall experience, but rather that it adds to it. I did find that the first couple years we did it, I was always really full and not able to really enjoy snack options. I have since figured out that I actually don't need to do all TS meals or always order an appetizer and dessert at every meal to get my money's worth. Since, I got that figured out, it's much more enjoyable. It also helps that I have an under 10 yo and have been able to order off of the adult menu for him in most cases,so that certainly ups the value. He will be 10 next year and I'll be back to the calculator to see if it will still be worthwhile, but I'm guessing that it likely won't be at least until he's consistently ordering off of the adult menu.

 

[GC&S]

We upgraded a couple of times during FD to the Deluxe plan. When our dd was younger it made sense as it gave us a break during the day and we did a lot of the character dining. We also did a lot of the signatures and shows. But as PP said, we did not factor in the tips and that was an eye opener (especially for signatures). We also didn't use all of our snack credits but did stock up things to bring home. It was a lot of food and a lot of planning. We probably wouldn't do it unless it was just DH and myself. DD is older but is a picky eater. We spend more time in the parks now and she is happy with CS so the Deluxe would not be a good value for us.

 

[Diana or Di]

I'm always a little amused by the comments that it's too much food. In my home, I'm very much a waste not, want not type of chef and eater. If I'm at a restaurant though, I recognize that the value of what I'm paying is only in part for the food. I don't have a problem leaving things on my plate if I'm getting full but I'd like to try a few bites of dessert, etc. To me, my $$$ vacation isn't worth making less magical by feeling like my stomach is distended because I've eaten too much in an effort to "get my money's worth" out of a meal.

Planning a trip this May with my oldest son and will definitely be doing DxDDP. He will be 12, and knowing his appetite on a normal day, I can only imagine with a busy 7-10 miles per day appetite. Additionally, it will be a short stay (2N,3D) and our flight home is after 10pm on D3, so we'll be able to take advantage of unused credits fully the last day.

My preference with eating, is to do character dining whenever I can get availability because I loathe waiting in lines for meetings, but so some of those can be breakfasts. Outside of that though, I'll send a box ahead to my resort with non-perishables for breakfast. I'd rather be at extra magic hours and beating the heat than bothering with a sit down for breakfast. Then we'll Starbucks a snack mid-morning, go somewhere that maybe isn't trending right now for a TS lunch to rest and get out of the heat, and then do a late dinner which tend to be easier reservations to get, and ideally at my resort. If we're full and tired, we can just go to bed, but if we have the energy, we can head back to the parks and walk it off. I'm definitely in the camp of, I like knowing it's taken care of ahead of time and that's part of the value of the cost for me.

I can see though, how longer stays may not make it as valuable if dining experiences aren't part of what make a vacation fun for you. We're foodies; some people aren't.

 

[nkereina]

it seems like a TON of food and a TON of time eating.

It is. And that's why we weren't fans of it. We're two adults, no kids. There's never an instance in ordinary life when we'd EACH order an app, entree, and dessert. We also would typically order water and an alcoholic drink, not a soft drink or non-alcoholic drink. By the time our entrees came out, we were mostly full and by the time dessert came out? Forget about it. We wasted so much food that trip, and there were even ADRs we cancelled because we just weren't hungry. The heat of September wore us down and we didn't feel like having large meals like that. We had credits leftover, so it was a waste of money for us.

I do think the TS breakfast and signature dinner are a better and more practical approach to using the credits, but it's still quite a bit of food. And you do pay for it in the cost of DxDP, so it's not really much of a financial savings. Our approach now is to just book what we want when we want. If we are able to get free dining, cool. We'll pay for any extra meals OOP. Otherwise, we pay for all dining OOP and do what we want.

 

[nkereina]

I'm always a little amused by the comments that it's too much food. In my home, I'm very much a waste not, want not type of chef and eater. If I'm at a restaurant though, I recognize that the value of what I'm paying is only in part for the food. I don't have a problem leaving things on my plate if I'm getting full but I'd like to try a few bites of dessert, etc. To me, my $$$ vacation isn't worth making less magical by feeling like my stomach is distended because I've eaten too much in an effort to "get my money's worth" out of a meal.

I hear what you're saying, but do keep in mind that the DxDP is priced so that EACH of you receive that app, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink. If you are not consuming that, you are still paying for it. The plan is not necessarily discounted, but some people can come out ahead on it if that's how they eat when they vacation. If you're skipping parts of the meal or leaving it on the plate, you're likely losing money on it.

 

[Faldred]

I hear what you're saying, but do keep in mind that the DxDP is priced so that EACH of you receive that app, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink. If you are not consuming that, you are still paying for it. The plan is not necessarily discounted, but some people can come out ahead on it if that's how they eat when they vacation. If you're skipping parts of the meal or leaving it on the plate, you're likely losing money on it.

At the 2017 adult rates for DxDP, you can probably still break even or better and skip either an appetizer or a dessert per meal, unless you're ordering the cheapest things on the menu or burning credits on counter service. You need to beat appx. $30 (pre-tax) menu per credit to be ahead, and in most places you can do that easily with an entree, beverage, and either a dessert or an appetizer.

 

[illinidp]

Adding to what a PP said, if you don't necessarily want all of the items, travel with mostly or all adults, eat at several signatures, order a lot of alcoholic beverages, and/or make multiple trips in 12 months, you can be several hundred dollars better of with the TIW card or even paying cash. On one trip I put together a spreadsheet pretty quickly after we made our ADRs using what we would typically order, and either DDP was more expensive for us because we like signatures.

 

[Tall Todd]

One more thing to keep in mind being on the Deluxe Plan is the TIPS! Gratuities add up A LOT. I can't remember off the top of my head, but on our 8 day trip I think we paid out something like $400 per person in tips (we only ate at counter service twice). This is a huge cost that some might not consider, so I thought I would point that out!

This is by far the single biggest mistake I made when doing Free DDP. Somehow it slipped my mind that they weren't included with the program.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PP - gratuities do add up. If you are the type who tips 15-20% at a restaurant, which is the norm, that will be 15-20% of your bill - which includes however many apps, entrees, desserts, and non-alcoholic drinks per person. Assuming you maximize the dining plan and order those items. And these are at Disney prices, so it could easily be a $50+ tip per TS meal.

 

[nkereina]

At the 2017 adult rates for DxDP, you can probably still break even or better and skip either an appetizer or a dessert per meal, unless you're ordering the cheapest things on the menu or burning credits on counter service. You need to beat appx. $30 (pre-tax) menu per credit to be ahead, and in most places you can do that easily with an entree, beverage, and either a dessert or an appetizer.

This may be the case, but I was pointing out that if you don't typically order an appetizer, dessert and/or non-alcoholic drink at each meal, you'd likely do better paying out of pocket. We often order alcohol and have no interest in the apps or desserts so we'd inevitably lose money with DxDP. Someone considering the plan for the first time should consider all angles based on how they eat.