Deluxe Dining Plan

[kchughes]

Have done both DDP and DxDP. We love the DxDP. But we prefer as close to an all inclusive plan as we can get. We know we will at least break even with the deluxe plan. We have found that we cannot physically eat 3 TS meals per day. So we are planning 6 signature meals (2 credits) for our up coming 9 night trip. Last year, we were in the food court on the morning we were leaving trying to use up 11 meal credits and 18 snack credits. Luckily we drive and just got a bunch of snacks and drinks for the road.

 

[catra121]

I am a HUGE fan of Deluxe Dining Plan...will never go without it. Why do I like it SO much? Convenience. I also will eat every meal at a TS if possible and if you spread out the meals and use them on the first and last day plus a couple of 2TS meals...it's worth it. But not having to differentiate between how many TS and how man CS meals you have is great too because even if it lessens the "value" in terms of what you get for the dollars, it's a great convenience. Plus the 2 snacks and the refillable mugs? We used one snack and the mugs for break fast and the second snack for drinks in the park. I totally recommend it even if only for the convenience. With your plans I think it's worth it.

As far as tipping...unless you are a large party it is not included so you should tip what you want. I usually overtip and go for 20% even on high priced meals just because that's the sort of person I am...unless the service is REALLY bad and then I adjust down. But tipping is a personal preference and I always charged it to the room key. Even with my generous tipping I was surprised how low the bill was. But again...tippinf is a personal peference.

 

[qtsugarangl]

We LOVE the DxDP!! We have used it twice and we will always recommend that plan and use it whenever we can.
We love the plan because we can eat wherever we want and not have to consider prices/budget. Every meal is already paid for and if we want steak & lobster we don't have to worry that we have 3 days left and only $100 left in our food budget. We find it is very stress free to have the DxDP. We do have a couple of 2 credit meals in there each trip, whether it be a dinner show, Narcoossee's, etc.
We obviously can't eat an appetizer, entree and dessert with each meal but we eat a little bit of everything.
HTH and have a wonderful time at Disney!!

 

[Disneyhayes]

thanks for all the input. We are planning on the DxDP and I already have my ADRs picked and written down for the 180 day mark. Now if I could just get free dining then I would just have to pay for the upgrade then maybe stay longer at Disney

 

[newserenity]

I am doing it because I want to eat 3 meals a day and have plenty of snack credits to not have to stress about it. My DH and I would end up arguing about where to eat or not to eat and how much it costs etc. at some point otherwise. I like that we have already paid for it and made reservations and now we can just enjoy all the great food- worry free!

 

[sunshineNJ]

I find the regular dining plan to be too much food, BUT if you plan to do alot of 2 credit meals it can be worth it.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I find the regular dining plan to be too much food, BUT if you plan to do alot of 2 credit meals it can be worth it.

We are now thinking about switching to the DDP and then staying an extra night...we would still save some money We would have to give up some signature meals but we're fine with that.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

These are great comments. I am planning on using the DxDDP for '12 trip. There will be 6 of us, one under 3. I am so looking forward to using the Plan! It is 3 meals per day for each night you stay, correct? So if I am there 10 days and 9 ngihts, that 27 dining points, right?

 

[Disneyhayes]

These are great comments. I am planning on using the DxDDP for '12 trip. There will be 6 of us, one under 3. I am so looking forward to using the Plan! It is 3 meals per day for each night you stay, correct? So if I am there 10 days and 9 ngihts, that 27 dining points, right?

it is 3 meals and 2 snacks per person per night. so for you it is 27 meals and 18 snacks...have fun with those!!!!

We switched back to the DxDP...i think

 

[dznystar]

We're using DxDP for the first time in June. I'm getting ready to make my ADRs! Can't wait!!!!

 

[Disneyhayes]

We're using DxDP for the first time in June. I'm getting ready to make my ADRs! Can't wait!!!!

in June of this year? Hope you already made those ADRs cause you're well within the 180 day period...good luck!

PS...I love the wedding pics. My hubby and I are thinking about renewing our vows in 2013 for our 5 year anniversary. It's been a rough couple of first years

 

[dznystar]

in June of this year? Hope you already made those ADRs cause you're well within the 180 day period...good luck!

PS...I love the wedding pics. My hubby and I are thinking about renewing our vows in 2013 for our 5 year anniversary. It's been a rough couple of first years

I was a little worried that availability would be limited, but the only ADR that I had trouble with was Hoop Dee Doo.

Thanks! It was definitely a memorable occasion. We're hoping to do a vow renewal there for 10 years. Next year (our 5 yr) we're planning to go to Disney's Aulani in Hawaii.

 

[Chrisvee]

I tried the DP on my last visit. It was a little more work than I wanted trying to figure out CS vs. TS and then I ended up doing some 2 credit meals and paying for some meals out of pocket.

I'm trying the DDP for the first time during my Nov trip. I want to try quite a few more of the signature restaurants this trip so I plan to do quite a few of the 2 credit meals for dinner then use the remaining credit for lunch or breakfast, with a snack making up the other meal.

From the analysis I did, you have to do TS meals to make the $ worthwhile.

 

[smitette]

I did not realize that there were more than 1 kind of dining plan!! Am I reading this correctly?? Just curious....We may do it if the Deluxe is better!

 

[Disneyhayes]

I did not realize that there were more than 1 kind of dining plan!! Am I reading this correctly?? Just curious....We may do it if the Deluxe is better!

There are many...the main 3 are as follows

Quick Service Dining Plan (QSDP) - 2 Counter service meals; 2 snacks and resort refillable mug
Dining Plan (DP or DDP) - 1 CS; 1 Table service and 1 snack (no mug)
Deluxe Dining Plan (DxDP) - 3 meal credits (CS or TS); 2 snacks and resort refillable mug

 

[helloconnie]

We love the DDDP as well. We love being able to eat at the Signature restaurants and the character meals. This past summer we actually lost money on it though because it was so hot that we did not feel like eating all the meals we had booked.

I will say that eating 2 - 3 sit down meals a day does consume time. So if you plan on going during a really busy time or you want to really focus on riding as many rides as possible, the DDDP might get in the way.

Have fun!

 

[irishtigger]

We have used the DxDp every time we go. It makes life so much easier. We always do character dining (CRT, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and signature dining at Cali Grill and Narcossees) so it pays for itself. But everyone's different. I say if have those reservations for dining getting the DxDP is the way to go. Have a great trip!