deluxe dining program

[reed]

I'm looking at the deluxe dining program. Since we usually go to the nicer restaurants for dinner, the program looks really good at $69.99/day/guest for breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks per day.
Has anyone used it? Pros or cons?
Thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When we used the regular dining plan, we thought we just spent too much time worrying about our meals and eating. With the Deluxe plan, it would be overwhelming for this family. After doing the regular plan once, we decided never again and would use the Disney Dining Experience card instead.

We never eat three sit down meals day and seldom eat one a day. Usually one every other day, either a breakfast or a dinner and then counter service for the rest of the times (unless we eat in our villa).

 

[vwlvette]

We used the regular DP last year and loved it, The previous year we did not use any plan, stayed club level Poly, and were left out in the cold for meals most of the time. This year we are doing the DDP, It is well worth it if you enjoy nice dining experiences on your vacation, we use that time to take a break, enjoy wonderful conversation reflect on what we did and what is to come, With the DDP you don't have to spend anything additional on food, specially with the two snacks and the endless mug at your resport, We will use one snake and the endless mug for breakfast, a TS for lunch, then signature dining for dinner. Last year it seemed that the CS took as long as TS meals, by the time you wait in line to get your food, find a place to sit and eat, we just realized that having a ressie and place to sit and enjoy a good meal was great for adults, and kids got break to re-energize. Cannot wait for our next adventure to mouseland!!

 

[reed]

I should have mentioned that we will be three adults so we'll have the time for table service lunches and signature dining dinners.

When the kids were little it would have been a diferent story.

 

[reed]

I've looked at the menus of the restaurants we like and when I add up the meals cost for the week at those places the ddp seems to be an excptionally good deal. That's why I thought I'd check in with all of you to see if it's as good as it seems to be. I appreciate this feedback (no pun intended). If I include dinner shows and character breakfasts as meals it's even better!

 

[JimMIA]

Here's a link to the DIS DDP board. You'll find a lot more info, and probably get more responses over there.
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116

The only difference between DDP on a DVC points stay is that we don't have to buy park tickets. All of the other rules/requirements are the same.

 

[mopee3]

""""The only difference between DDP on a DVC points stay is that we don't have to buy park tickets. All of the other rules/requirements are the same.""

Jim,
are you saying if you are a DVC person staying on points you don't need a Pass to the parks to eat at resturant in the parks?

Moe

 

[DeeCee735]

Okay, we finally made our decision. We are going deluxe for all 4 nights (I have two separate ressies AKV/BWV) so I could have done basic/deluxe - one on each ressie. But we decided to go for it and see how it works out.
Being a mom that cooks alot, eating three meals a day at a sit down table service meal, not having to cook it or do the dishes is worth it right there to me!

These are our ADR's (I got every single one I asked for!) If there is something on here any of you would absolutely NOT do, please let me know - TIA.

Sunday April 20th - arrival day - won't be there for breakfast:

Tusker House Buffet - lunch AK Park 3:00 P.M.
Jiko - dinner AKL 8:30 p.m. (two TS credits)

Monday April 21st

Spoodles for breakfast - didn't make ressie yet
Beirgarten - lunch - Epcot 2:40 p.m.
Coral Reef - dinner - Epcot 8:40 p.m.

Tuesday April 22nd - non park day

Ohana Character Breakfast @ Poly 9:40 a.m.
Whispering Canyon Cafe @ WL 2:20 p.m.
Kona Cafe @ Poly 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday April 23rd

Cape May Cafe Breakfast @ Y&BC 9:30 a.m.
50's Prime Time Cafe (or Big River Grille) 2:00 p.m.
Le Cellier in Epcot (SAVING BEST FOR LAST ) 6:40 p.m.

 

[reed]

Thanks for the reference to the dining board. That's really helpful!

 

[beacher]

We used the regular DP last year and loved it, With the DDP you don't have to spend anything additional on food,

Keep in mind that both the DDP and Deluxe DDP have changed since last year. The DDP no longer includes the appetizer, but the Deluxe DDP still does. However, neither plan includes gratuities anymore. So you should be prepared to spend additional $$$ for tips based on the menu prices of what you've ordered on the plan.

 

[Tricia1972]

""""The only difference between DDP on a DVC points stay is that we don't have to buy park tickets. All of the other rules/requirements are the same.""

Jim,
are you saying if you are a DVC person staying on points you don't need a Pass to the parks to eat at resturant in the parks?

Moe

No, he's saying that you don't need to buy a base park ticket in order to buy the plan. We bought the DDP twice last year but never had to buy a Magic Your Way Package or a park ticket. We have AP's and were able to use those for park entrance.

 

[mopee3]

No, he's saying that you don't need to buy a base park ticket in order to buy the plan. We bought the DDP twice last year but never had to buy a Magic Your Way Package or a park ticket. We have AP's and were able to use those for park entrance.

So you do need a pass to the parks whether it's a AP (Annual Pass) or any other type of pass, Park Hopper, day pass, 10 park only, to eat at the restaurants inside the parks. Correct??

Moe

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

So you do need a pass to the parks whether it's a AP (Annual Pass) or any other type of pass, Park Hopper, day pass, 10 park only, to eat at the restaurants inside the parks. Correct??

Moe

Yes, it does not matter why you are going into a park, to eat or ride a ride, you always need a park pass of some kind to enter the park. Make sure you get park hopper passes if you plan to change parks to eat also!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Make sure you have lots of elastic waist pants to wear. I hope you can eat all that food. You might want to change that Le Cellier reservation to the first of the trip so you can make sure you reallly, really enjoy that meal. I would be sooooo full, I'm not sure I wouldn't just skip a meal or two.

And believe you me, I'm not one to skip meals.

 

[robemcdo]

When considering whether the Deluxe plan is a good deal, you must factor in the new clothes you will have to buy since your old ones won't fit you.

Advice would be to walk from park to park or resort to resort. Burn some calories.

We thought the old plan was too much food. Deluxe just overwhelms me.

 

[leahjade]

if the tip was included I'd buy DDP in a second but I'm already going to be spending at least $70 a day in tips just for dinner with the regular plan!

 

[LSchrow]

I'm looking at the deluxe dining program. Since we usually go to the nicer restaurants for dinner, the program looks really good at $69.99/day/guest for breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks per day.
Has anyone used it? Pros or cons?
Thanks.

if it fits your eating (& vacationing) style, it can be a great deal since the additional cost ($32A $10C over DDP) includes substantially more. the DxDP covers your 3 TS meals (appy, entree, dessert, beverage) & 2 snacks per night, as well one refillable mug per person per stay, so OOP would be tip & any alcohol (i cannot see anyone wanting more food than what it offers so doubt there would be much more OOP).

there are many who don't eat like that normally (myself included), but i can definately see the value for those that do. the majority of ppl that have used it say pretty much the same things: it is a lot of food, but the cost seem to be worth it to them.
a good way to minimize the "too much food" scenerio is to see what others have done: use the flexibility of the plan by eating at more signature restaurants. you can have a full b'fast or lunch one day, & use the 2 remaining credits for a signature dinner
2 snack credits daily can be used for a beverage & a food snack. & if you have leftover credits at the end of your vacation, you can stock up on rice crispy treats or candies to bring home.

whatever you decide, enjoy your vacation

 

[Topo Bella]

My family did the deluxe DDP and we found it was just too much food. In order to get the value out of the plan, it made the most sense to book mostly TS meals and we just felt like we were eating our way through the parks. (Although I will admit having a great time planning the meals!)

Our last trip we went with the regular DDP. It just seemed to fit our touring plans better.

 

[kamgen]

We just returned and did the basic plan. We toyed with the idea of doing the deluxe, but in our group of 6 adults, three of them didn't want to do it....so since we wanted to all dine together, we went basic. We ate one TS per day and while each meal was filling, I could have done two TS a day...say breakfast and dinner or an early lunch and late dinner. At the buffets there is a lot of food, but you choose to eat too much or just enough. And many of the TS places, including Le Cellier give small portions. I am glad you chose to do the deluxe and hope you will post your thoughts when you return!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We're looking at the deluxe plan, now we just have to see if it will be in the budget. I hope I can explain this so it makes sense.

If we were paying cash for all of our food, no dining plan at all, our budget would be approximately $180 a day; that is for me, DH, ds7 and ds5. I'm basing this on our 2004 trip, which is the trip we didn't have a ddp. On that trip, our budget was $140 a day and we used most of it; the youngest ds ate free/shared from our plates. $40 more may be a bit high for him, but the prices have gone up, and it's close. Throw in the refillable mugs and a snack or two, and it comes out about the same.

The deluxe plan for us is $180 a night, give or take some change, if I added it up right.

The last two trips, we've done the regular dining plan, and ended up doing a second ts meal at least 3 times during the trip that we paid cash for. It's just the way we like to eat at WDW.

I don't know if it makes sense, and I'm not looking to argue, but that's what we've come up with. I know it's not for everyone, but that's the beauty of it! We can all choose what works for us!