Deluxe Dining Plan

[jeneric10]

We are going in May and bought the deluxe dining plan. I have never eaten at any of the restaurants and have no idea where to make ADRs. Will we be able to get into any of the table service restaurants if we don't make ADRs. My DBF does not like things overplanned and we don't want to have to rush to get to reservations. Any suggestions?

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I highly recommend making advance dining reservations (ADR's). Some restaurants are very popular and the best ones get full months in advance. If I were you, I'd make the ADR's and then change them later if you change your mind or don't want it. That way, you can know that you at least have a table. The deluxe plan comes with the option of eating at a lot of Table service locations. Therefore, if most are full, you won't get your money's worth if you have no choice but to eat at counter service.

 

[Native NYer]

I agree with the PP. Make ADRs. It'll be very difficult to get into certain ts places. And if you're doing deluxe dining, I'm sure you don't want to eat cs at each meal. Remember you can always cancel and ADR once you're there if it no longer fits into your schedule.

 

[libinatorsmom]

you should get on the phone and make some ressies... we are going in May as well and made ours 180days out... and we were able to get everything we wanted... I changed a few ressies about 6 weeks ago and had to be flexible on times.... I would plan a few signature meals... especially since you are on the Dulx Plan.... to get your moneys worth (and you can) you need to take advantage of the Signature places... look into FLying Fish, Narcoosies, etc.... Do you want to do Character meals??? look at CInderellas Royal Table... you would be better off planning them and then cancelling them at the world if you change your mind....

 

[Melissa_E]

I would suggest you look at the menus and ask your DBF to look them over too and pick a restaurant or two that he really wants to go to. Do you have an idea of which parks you are going to do on each day? Even if you have a basic outline of "Epcot 1 day, MK 2 days, etc...." That way you can say, "alright, what meals are closest to those parks and then plan the meals around the parks. That lets you do the least amount of running around and you likely won't feel overscheduled because you'll be very close to the park when it comes time for your meals.

 

[septbaby]

We are going in May and bought the deluxe dining plan. I have never eaten at any of the restaurants and have no idea where to make ADRs. Will we be able to get into any of the table service restaurants if we don't make ADRs. My DBF does not like things overplanned and we don't want to have to rush to get to reservations. Any suggestions?

If you don't want to overplan, maybe the Deluxe Plan isn't for you. To get value out of that plan you'll need to book probably twice the number of meals as you would on the Basic plan. You would likely have 2 reservations a day vs 1 or none on the Basic plan.

You definitely need to make some ADRs though; good luck.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

You can make the ADR's by calling this toll free number:

1-877-939-3732

I think its option 3 when you get connected. Be prepared to tell how many in your party, the date and time, and any special requests.

 

[Tricia1972]

If you don't want to overplan, maybe the Deluxe Plan isn't for you. To get value out of that plan you'll need to book probably twice the number of meals as you would on the Basic plan. You would likely have 2 reservations a day vs 1 or none on the Basic plan.

You definitely need to make some ADRs though; good luck.

I agree. Getting value out of the DxDDP requires quite a bit of planning, or a LOT of flexibility.

If you are renting a car and have the freedom to get from park to resort - or get from resort to resort quickly then the DxDDP might work without a lot of planning. You can call the morning of and see what's available (be prepared to eat at potentially odd times). You can still go to your park and then quickly drive to your lunch or dinner reservation.

If you are using Disney Transportation - tack an hour+ of travel time onto many moves that you make. (Ex - you're in Magic Kingdom for the day, but the only availability for TS's are in the Epcot resort area)

 

[jeneric10]

Thanks for all the tips. We sat down last night and picked some restaurants based on what people have said on here and made reservations at our hotel for breakfast every morning, then made ressies at Coral Reef, Raglan Road, Capn Jacks, Le Cellier and Flying Fish for dinners. Still need a couple more dinners though. Any suggestions for the day we go to AK?

 

[Disney Fool]

I would definitely add some "signature" dinners in there. Places like Narcoosees's, Citrico's, California Grill, Artist's Point, Jiko,. These signature restaurants require 2 dining credits, which you can easily do on the deluxe plan because you have 3 meal credits a day, which are interchangeable either at a table service or counter service restaurant. skip breakfast or lunch on the days you double up on the credits. get the most for your $$.

 

[bsusanmb]

DH and I just returned from 7 nights on DDP. We did not use our plan for breakfast. We ate at table service restaurants for lunch and signature restaurants for dinner....we saved a LOT of money and had great meals.

I finally went to the Hoop De Doo...loved it...very entertaining.

Here is some of what we did
Japan Tokyo Dining lunch, HDDR dinner
Italy lunch (wonderful!), Narcoose's dinner
Mexico lunch, Ca Grill dinner
LTT lunch, Jiko dinner
Italy again lunch, Narcoose's dinner again (love the whole Maine lobster)
Japan lunch, Artist Point dinner

So you can see the pattern. We came out getting over $500 more than we paid for, however, when you add the 20% tip out of pocket, it adds up.

And you get 2 snacks a day...used those at Goofy's and took lots home with us.

Also, 2 free refillable mugs!

Loved it, but boy, it is a LOT of food....

 

[septbaby]

Any suggestions for the day we go to AK?

Book dinner at Boma after the park closes. Its a very short bus ride and you'll be looking for "what next" anyway so its a logical time for dinner. Grab a snack in the park, but not too much as the food at Boma is really good and you'll want to save room to try a lot of it and even have seconds.

 

[Tricia1972]

DH and I just returned from 7 nights on DDP. We did not use our plan for breakfast. We ate at table service restaurants for lunch and signature restaurants for dinner....we saved a LOT of money and had great meals.

I finally went to the Hoop De Doo...loved it...very entertaining.

Here is some of what we did
Japan Tokyo Dining lunch, HDDR dinner
Italy lunch (wonderful!), Narcoose's dinner
Mexico lunch, Ca Grill dinner
LTT lunch, Jiko dinner
Italy again lunch, Narcoose's dinner again (love the whole Maine lobster)
Japan lunch, Artist Point dinner

So you can see the pattern. We came out getting over $500 more than we paid for, however, when you add the 20% tip out of pocket, it adds up.

And you get 2 snacks a day...used those at Goofy's and took lots home with us.

Also, 2 free refillable mugs!

Loved it, but boy, it is a LOT of food....

Glad that you had a great trip. Just to clarify to avoid confusion. You mean the DxDDP not the DDP, right? (DxDDP - Deluxe Disney Dining Plan and DDP - Disney Dining Plan)

 

[bsusanmb]

Glad that you had a great trip. Just to clarify to avoid confusion. You mean the DxDDP not the DDP, right? (DxDDP - Deluxe Disney Dining Plan and DDP - Disney Dining Plan)

Yes, the deluxe dining plan. I was amazed at how you can really benefit if you use it wisely. Just the cost of those two mugs was $24 with the tax. And then we had 28 snacks between the two of us...lots of rice krispie treats and caramel/nutty apples to take home. The 3 pound lobster was amazing...and so was the buffalo sirloin in Artist Point...it is really a great way to hit restaurants you would ordinarily not go to with budget constraints.

BY the way, Italy is just wonderful....all new servers...very nice and polite, food was excellent and desserts to die for...desserts were $14 and $10 each! WOuldn't do it without the DDDP.
Susan