Deluxe Dining Plan?

[rlahansler]

Just got back from Disney two weeks ago. My family of four, 3 adults (ages; 43.42,11) and one child (8) had the regular dining plan. We love food and while we do not need to have big meals every meal, quality is key. I paid $1200 for us on the dining plan, but was wondering for our next trip if we should gte the Deluxe Plan. We do like alot of the 2 service credit restaurants but also do not want to waste food or money. I figured we paid out of pocket at least $800-$1000 for tips/appetizers and some drinks (not big drinkers).

 

[Cafeen]

If you think you'll plan to spend at least 2/3 of your credits at TS locations, and you'll be using the majority of the entitlements (app, entree, dessert) at the meals, then you'll probably save some money on DxDDP. (The 2/3 thing is because, on average, DxDDP will break even at this point)

A good way to utilize DxDDP is to split the day up into two meals, this keeps you from stuffing yourself too much and limits the time spent in restaurants. Typically, what I like to do is have an early lunch (11:30-12pm reservation) followed by a later signature dinner (7-8pm). This can be shifted a bit earlier, 8-9am breakfast, 5:30-6pm dinner, just fine as well. The key is to keep the meals spread out and balanced so the meals aren't running the show, if doing 3 meals (which is fine if that's what you like) make sure to spread them out and possibly throw a lighter lunch in there (ex. 8am Crystal Palace, 1pm Plaza, 8pm 'Ohana)

 

[rlahansler]

Yay we are pretty good at spreading meals apart. My husband usually likes a big breakfast then a later dinner that night. This past trip we always seemed to get appetizers so of course we had to pay out of pocket. Desserts nver go to waste with my family!!! Snack credits are always good for us as well!!!

 

[julie4423]

I've been wondering about the Deluxe plan, too. I'm going for my honeymoon next month, and we want to splurge, but I also don't want to feel tied to reservations. I'd hate to pay for it and not really get my moneys worth. I don't think there is any way to know for sure without just trying it.

 

[went503]

We are doing our honeymoon next month as well so congrats. We have splurged for the DDXP and have spaced them out with the early breakfast early dinner or lunch and late dinner. All of our dinners are 2 credit meals and we did this so we werent eating 3 meals a day i didnt want to come back 50 pounds heavier.

 

[julie4423]

Oh wow, congrats to you too! We're only going a day apart.

We did the honeymoon registry, so I think we're going to see what the turnout on that is like. Then we'll decide what we want to upgrade. The wedding is 5-7, so we have a week in between to see what we have to work with for extras.

 

[Mom&RN]

My son and I did the Deluxe meal plan several years ago when Disney was having the buy 4 days get 3 free promotion. We were staying at Animal Kingdom and decided to upgrade from regular dining to deluxe. I must say that it worked well for us that year because we were able to eat at Boma for breakfast almost every single morning. My son is NOT an early morning person so no rope drops for us and he LOVED Boma (and so did I) and it wasn't really ever busy at the time of morning we went so I feel like that year we got our money's worth for the deluxe dining plan. That being said, I don't think I personally would ever do it again. It was really just too much food and we had leftover credits at the end of our stay so although we loved being able to go to Boma every day without feeling like we were "wasting" a table service meal I really wouldn't do it again. I think if you are really into doing the signature restaurants or if you are a big "foodie" and eating at as many of the nice restaurants as you can squeeze into your trip is important to you then I think you can indeed get your moneys worth out of the deluxe dining plan.

 

[Izjezted]

Good to know.

 

[TheCapellsMom]

Hi! My family of 5 (DS9, DD6, DS4) always does the deluxe plan and we love it! In fact, we usually stay in a value resort and splurge on the food!

Deluxe works well for us because my kids like to eat "real food" and they were really bored by the limited choices on the kids menus at Disney. (NO MORE MEATY MACARONI PLEASE!)

So, with the deluxe, we can order appetizers some of the time and the kids get to share them with us. We also do alot of buffets so they can choose whatever they want and try new things as well!

I think the choice comes down to what matters most to you on vacation. I love Disney, but I don't just go for the rides. I also go for the food. In my mind, a good vacation is one where I enjoyed everything! I honestly hate dealing with the lines & crowds at the CS restaurants...so I rarely go to them.

Also, you have to consider the length of your trip. We usually go for at least 7 days. If you are going for a short trip, I think you might spend too much time in restaurants if you go Deluxe. And then you'll feel like you missed out on too many attractions.

One more thing- my kids are still all young enough that we pay for 3 kids dining plans. It will be MUCH more expensive when they are older and we have to get the Deluxe Adult Plan for Five! So, be sure to consider the ages of your group!

Hope this helps!

 

[atheneze]

Excited to use the DxDP! We are big eaters!

 

[mickeynut1]

We always got the regular DDP but decided to try the deluxe on our last trip this past December and we loved it . We are a family of 4 adults (2 teens) so we got our moneys worth, although we did do a couple signature meals which we've never done before . We always get the refillable mugs so that was a plus that they come with the deluxe plan . We liked it so much that we will always get the DlxDDP from now on .

 

[smillerguy]

When we did reg dining I found myself wanting more sit down meals. Then we tried Deluxe. We felt like we were sitting too much and ended up with a lot of leftover snacks but then... We did Deluxe again and we figeured it out! Buffets where the kids can enjoy adult items like fish and fresh fruit and signature meals. I used snacks sometimes on WATER!! It was so nice not having to lug water around in the parks for my family. When it is hot and crowded itis so nice to sit down in air conditioning and have someone wait on you rather than wait inn long lines not being able to find a table and having to get up three times to get more straws, ketchup, utensils all while fighting the crowd.

 

[jennyf2]

I upgraded to the DELUXE plan this August I think it will be a TON of food but I have done a pretty good job of spreading our meals out. We are going to try some places we have always wanted to but never did. I am excited!!! We have been to Disney enough so I'm not worried if we miss some park time with our ADR's. Come on August

 

[dansyr2514]

We always do deluxe also. We are just 2 adults so we don't mind taking the time out to sit and have a nice meal. 3 meals a day were definitely too much for us. However, as some of the other posters said, we worked it out so we would do a breakfast and a signature dinner. If we got a little hungry in between we'd use a snack credit. The only time we found it a little too much was during food and wine. However our goal was to try something from every kiosk so we were a bit stuffed. Honeymooner's.... definitely splurge! There are some great romantic restaurants at Disney and you won't even miss the time spent in the parks because they will be part of your experience. Cali grill is a great spot. Try to book a reservation about an hour before the fireworks. If you note on your ressie it's your honeymoon, they may give you a window seat. However a little cuddling out on the viewing area is nice too.

 

[Minnie Annie]

We did the Deluxe Dining Plan last summer for a 2 week stay - we spaced out our meals, went to a lot of signature restaurants and really tried to not overdo it during our trip. That being said, it was just too much food. We were actually tired of eating by the end - it was becoming a chore to eat. My husband joked that we could hear ourselves getting fatter. LOL Deluxe is great - I definitely don't recommend it for longer than a 1 week-10 day stay.

 

[dolphinsleb]

did anyone save their receipts, how much would you have actually spent if disney didnt "force" you to eat because they provide so much food under the dining plan

 

[rlahansler]

did anyone save their receipts, how much would you have actually spent if disney didnt "force" you to eat because they provide so much food under the dining plan

Good question. Last month we did the regular dining plan, the problem with the receipts is once they hand them to you the actual cost of the food is taken off them, only the extra costs are on them, especially on the QS meals. I would watch them ring up our order than try and write it down on the recipe. For example we had at Pizza Planet in HS our family of 4. We all got the pizza meal that came with a casaer salad, drink and dessert. The total bill was $60 (wow right?) I believe the regular dining plan is worth it but as I originally posted on here still not sure on the deluxe!!!!!

 

[BarbossasWench]

We're doing the Deluxe Dining Plan and we think it'll be useful because you can use the meals for the day you arrive and the day you leave and also for Dinner Shows and Signature Dining Restaurants. It'll work out great! We're using the snacks for some of the meals like breakfast and lunch at the F&W.

 

[cmesq61]

We love the DxDP. We do big breakfasts daily and signature dinners every night, then sprinkle in a few lunches here and there. Works well for us and we always save money as compared to where we would eat, which would be table service anyway.

 

[NJDisneymom]

Just got back from Disney two weeks ago. My family of four, 3 adults (ages; 43.42,11) and one child (8) had the regular dining plan. We love food and while we do not need to have big meals every meal, quality is key. I paid $1200 for us on the dining plan, but was wondering for our next trip if we should gte the Deluxe Plan. We do like alot of the 2 service credit restaurants but also do not want to waste food or money. I figured we paid out of pocket at least $800-$1000 for tips/appetizers and some drinks (not big drinkers).

wow, that seems like a lot OOP for having the dining plan. Can I ask how much you ordered off the dining plan to end up paying so much?? We are going in 2 weeks and doing the regular DDP. It was $1300 for us (3 adults, 2 kids) - I looked into the Deluxe because I would have liked to maybe do 2-3 more TS meals then I get with the DDP - but it would have been $950 more. Not worth it for our park style - cheaper to pay for 1-2 meals OOP for me.

I am thinking gratuities and "extras" will be less than $500 for us - we have one OOP meal planned for $80, gratuities should run us about $200 and then I figure about $200 more for misc. foods not on the DDP. Just curious how you spent $800-1000 for one less person and if I should plan more.