Deluxe dining thread

[fey_spirit]

You know I can't argue with most of your logic - you're dead on.

But I keep seeing people stretch out how much the Refillable mug will save you per day when comparing the DDDP with paying OOP... but is that really a fair assessment? Shouldn't the Refillable mug only be counted once? I mean even if you paid for it OOP it would still cover the same daily, but wouldn't cost anymore to purchase.

Oh I think the DDP is a super deal... It has given us the opportunity to eat at every resturant in the world that we have dreamed of... we are eating at a lot of signature meals... and character meals... if you look at the prices of a signature meal with an app and desert and drink... that is your 69.99 right there... so you still have another credit to use and if you use it for a buffet character breakfast you are looking at a $20 or so value... PLUS you still get 2 snacks... which you could be a $8 to $10 value... PLUS you still get the use of the refillable mug... lets say you only fill it up once a day so thats about a $5 value... you you are looking at saving at least $33 to $35 per adult per day... and it could be more depending on your meal at the signature resturant.. and you 2nd table service credit... we are staying for 8 nights so $35 a day X 8 = $280 savings per adult (we have 2) = $560 savings (AT LEAST)for our stay... Plus as we look at the kids menus the $19.99 is going to give us a savings... of at least $10 to $15 per day... so there is another $80 to $100 savins for the trip... AT LEAST... so we are looking at saving in excess of $650 in food savings...

We had decided to go to disney before the DDP was announced and now we are even more excited.... and we just cant wait!!! and are super excited about the ddp... and we know they will get the kinks out by may...

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Cant agree with you all more... I hate seeing the complaints about two much food.... I cant wait to try the dining plan!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the Dark Side.

 

[Simbee3]

I read on another thread a while back where a poster stated that she and her family did not do the dining plan because she was so "disgusted" with the dining plan changes (no tip, no appy, etc), and she had read and agreed with so many naysayers on the dining boards, she felt she would show the "powers that be" that she was protesting the changes. Well, when she returned home she had big regrets, because paying OOP for all meals and not eating at many places where she had previously dined on DDP (thus, the family dining experience was not the same as before), she found she spent more money for less. Her family was disappointed. When I read her post I was sad for her.

For me and my family April can't come fast enough. We are going to dine like royalty and enjoy every bite!!!

I better continue to just look at this thread while planning our vacation. I don't want the same thing to happen to us because I have a 12 year old who is already my height, and both him and his brother love to eat. So I think if I plan it out correctly it should be just fine.

MsStinkerBelle, I see that you are from Philly. My boys keep trying to get me out there for Geno's. It's just been too cold for me to even do it.

 

[Disney_Angel]

I agree with what many of you have said..... The Deluxe ddp is a good deal.

We have free dining in Sept. 2007 and decided to upgrade to the deluxe ddp for Sept. 2008 hands it is a good deal with all the extras and the mugs.
This will afford us a chance to try a few 2TS restaurants and still revisit some old favorites.

Someone made the comment about going during the holidays and not wanting to wait in long lines for CS meals......I never though about it that way but the poster made a good point. I take comfort in knowing my meals are paid for and already planned. I like to know where I am going and when....I want to take my tme and have a plan.....nonetheless I do leave room for flexibility. Plus I enjoy the sit down dinner where I am spending quality time with my family and you can't but a price tag on that....
That is my humble opinion.

 

[NMW]

WE are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan in May. Very excited about it. It fits so much more in line with the way we dine at WDW than the old DDP did.

We always do character/resort breakfast and a TS dinner. Plus, a couple TS lunches here and there. We really hate CS places. I mean, REALLY hate CS places. We paid so much money OOP using the old DDP for breakfasts and a few lunches. I can't wait to go and have everything paid except alcohol and tip!

 

[ChicagoMommy2Two]

I'm so excited to see this thread! I agree I would rather have "too much" food than not enough! And since it is our first time I want to be able to get anything without worrying about the prices of everything!

Plus Dh and eat and eat and eat and eat... lol

 

[msr709]

Count me in, I'm going in Aug., staying at BC using the DxDP for 4, 3 adults (one really a junior, he's 10) and 1 child. The main reason I did this was because all the CS for children were soooo limited, and our child eats more than the jr. Besides, I wanted to take them to more character meals and the buffets work very well with our group since the jr. is such a picky eater. I figured the DxDP was the way to go.

 

[Disney_Angel]

FYI

Some of you may already know but STAPLES will ship cases of water
to your disney resort. They also offer other snacks.....including fruit cups with spoons. If you order fifty dollars or more you will get free shipping.
And the first day our delivery from Staples was brought to our room about 5:30pm

We did this last September and would put 4 bottles of water in each of our backpacks and some snacks. Then on the way to the bus we would drink another to start hydrating.

Before our trip we purchased those little juice packets that are made to pour in ONE bottle of water. Ofcourse come park closing while waiting for the buses to take us home we did get dirty looks when we pulled out our water and mixed some lemmonade followed with a little snack.

I know with the Deluxe DDP we get the two snacks that you could use for water but we are frequent water drinkers at home and like to drink on the go.
We ordered three cases of water for a 12 day visit for a family of three.....we had eight bottles left. I just asked another guest if they wanted them......they asked how much.....I laughed FREE were going home.

*** If you use powered formula this would also be a perfect option. Many stores sell a formula holder with three compartments that will hold three premeasured servings. Or you could just put the powder formula in the bottles then pour the water in when ready to feed. Just a suggestion.

 

[msr709]

And to add to Disney Angel's post, if you sign up for the Staples Rewards your shipping is always free. Thanks for reminding me about Staples. I use them for our ink cartridges at home and totally forgot about water. Thanks again!

 

[BarbieWannabe]

It seems to me DDxDP is great because it allows the adults to eat a higher end meal while there is appropriate food and entertainment for the little ones.Best of both worlds! We see enough CS type meals at home. I was wondering though, our 7yr old grandson is quite the picky eater. He lives on chicken fingers and fries. I know those are choices at some restaurants, but I have heard that some places will make them even if not on the menu. Has anyone had any experience with that???

I so agree this is a wonderful thread I was beginning to feel like all I wanted to do is eat!

 

[wezee]

I so agree about the Deluxe Dining, can you ever have too much food?? I remember reading another poster, who claimed to be boycoting(sp?) the DDP because of the change and will bring food from home and eat CS during their stay. That is not my idea of a vacation...... I want to be pampered all the way!!!!! Everyone enjoy and I hope we all gain 5 lbs!!!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I want to be pampered all the way!!!!! Everyone enjoy and I hope we all gain 5 lbs!!!!

I will enjoy, but don't remind me about the weight gain. I prefer to imagine the food at WDW has no calories.....and I will actually lose weight from all the excercise I will get .

 

[girli565]

I will enjoy, but don't remind me about the weight gain. I prefer to imagine the food at WDW has no calories.....and I will actually lose weight from all the excercise I will get .

What are you talking about!?! Food at WDW has always been calorie free!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I will enjoy, but don't remind me about the weight gain. I prefer to imagine the food at WDW has no calories.....and I will actually lose weight from all the excercise I will get .

I actually do lose weight in Disney! I think it's because I eat actual meals, and walk all the time in Disney, while at home I don't really exercise that much, and while my "meals" are usually Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones, I do snack on junk.

Last trip, I ate tons, and I lost two pounds! You have to love my Disney diet.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I actually do lose weight in Disney! I think it's because I eat actual meals, and walk all the time in Disney, while at home I don't really exercise that much, and while my "meals" are usually Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones, I do snack on junk.

Last trip, I ate tons, and I lost two pounds! You have to love my Disney diet.

There is hope for us all!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

MsStinkerBelle, I see that you are from Philly. My boys keep trying to get me out there for Geno's. It's just been too cold for me to even do it.

LOL! It is so cold outside I won't even go out to lunch.

I haven't had a Geno's cheesteak in ages. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

 

[wezee]

Actually I usually do not gain at WDW either, but with the Deluxe DDP, who knows. But if I do....I will consider it my reward for a job well done on the deluxe plan. Who knows, with 3TS per day, I may even throw in a salad or two on my vacation. I can guarantee, if I had to eat CS for 9 days, I would gain ( even with all the walking we do at WDW).

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Someone made the comment about going during the holidays and not wanting to wait in long lines for CS meals......I never though about it that way but the poster made a good point.

I don't think I said it but I'll reiterate---CS service during the holidays is . I kid you NOT. We weren't on the dining plan but 95% of our dining was done on ADRs. We only ate CS at the Polynesian, Casey's at the MK and at the AKL. The lines at Casey's was . We went there because we love the hot dogs and think they put 'crack' in them to make us want them so much.

 

[Turtlegirl]

Love this thread! Was actually feeling guilty about DDDP! But I've done the math and it seems as if it will truly work for us. Mostly snack credits for pastries in the mornings, except for Boma buffet, 1 character bfast, and Kona Cafe. We're also doing HDDR, HBD (lunch & dinner), Cal Grill, Narcoosees, Jiko, France, Italy, Japan...We're staying for 8 nights. Me DH DD6 and Grandmothers. I have an older DD17 an the 5 of us went in 1999 and the meals together are some of our more memorable highlights. This time it's 5 of us with the DD6 for the first time (DD17 will be in college in the Fall). Always wanted to do HDDR before and the DDDP gives us that freedom. Besides, if you don't want dessert, you don't have to order it and you're still ahead of the game. For us, it allows us to enjoy the finer restaurants without worrying about the bill at the end of the meal! Enjoy, everyone, we're on vacation!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm so glad some great reviews are coming out regarding the deluxe plan. I was worried people were gonna come back saying too much food, not enough park time, too much travel, but it seems positive right now!

Anyway, here are my plans:

We will have a total of 30 TS or CS each and 60 snack credits! I'm traveling with DH and DD5.

Day 1:
B: none
L: Flame tree (11am)
D: Flying Fish (8pm)

Day 2:
B: Akershus (8am)
L: San angel (1pm)
D: Teppan Edo (7:30)

Day 3:
B: Crystal Palace (8am)
L: snacks
D: Narcoossee's (5pm)

Day 4:
B: Chef Mickeys (9am)
L: snacks
D: Ohana (5pm)

Day 5:
B: snack
L: Sci fi (11am)
D: Cape May Cafe (8pm)

Day 6:
B: snack
L: Wolfgang express
D: Hoop Dee Doo

Day 7:
B: Tusker House (8am)
L: snack
D: California Grill (5pm)

Day 8:
B: snack
L: Tutto italia or Beaches n' Cream (11am)
D: Le Cellier (7:30)

Day 9:
B: snack
L: Marrakesh (11:30)
D: Yachstman (8pm)

Day 10:
B: snack
L: prime time cafe (11am)
D: Jiko (9pm)

Day 11:
B: Boma (9am)
L: snack
D: Whispering Canyon (7:30)

What do you guys think? By the way, I do have 1 more credit left. I just don't know where to put it!