Deluxe Dining?

[River Country]

Right now i am booked with the Magic your way plus dining. Has anyone used the Deluxe Dining which is the next level up that would give you 3 TS meals per day? Any thoughts? Worth the upgrade or just go OOP for less expensive meals?

 

[disneywatcher]

2nd trip here and 2nd time getting the DxDDP.

I can say that we enjoyed it and it was well worth it the first time...so much so that we went that route again

We did A LOT of TS meals though (even made some TS reservations for lunch in the parks if we saw something we thought we would like). This time we have breakfast and dinner ressies and are leaving lunch open to CS or calling to see what TS is available during that time. We are a family of 5 though so in the end it worked out for us with that much food and having a almost 2 year old who shared off of all our plates. We had enough snacks left over before we left to get snacks for the plane as well.

 

[mickeynut1]

We tried the DlxDDP on our trip this past December (always had the basic DDP before) and we loved it . I couldn't decide whether or not to upgrade from the basic plan because I kept thinking the deluxe would be way too much food......now we won't go without getting the deluxe DDP . In December we tried a few signature places and had a few more breakfasts than we've done in the past with the basic plan . I also did the math paying for the deluxe plan w/no OOP costs for food vs the basic plan w/a few OOP meals and it was cheaper for us to upgrade the meal plan . Whether or not it's worth it is an individual choice, but I can say for my family it is definitely worth it for us .

 

[jennyf2]

We are also upgrading from the FD pin to the Deluxe! I am SOOOOO excited.. I was actually just writing down some stuff & if I figured it out (for the 100th time ) We (my 2 boys & I) are staying 7 nights which equals 63 dining credits????

Does that sound right???

I can't wait to try a few signature restaurants that I've wanted to try in the past...

137 days left

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i've done the dxddp 3 times in the past year and another coming up in may

its wonderful to have everything paid for, you can do 2 TS meals which are fantastic!! on the other dining plans, we found that we paid a lot out of pocket... but all we pay with this is tips. you get 3 TS credits per night, 2 snacks per night and a refillable resort mug. it's the only way to go for us!! we also prefer table service to get out of the heat for a bit and relax!!

have a great time!!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

When we go in May it will be our second time using DxDDP. We love it so much. Eventhough it is a lot of food, it is a great way for us to really slow down and not be so commando in the parks. Also, since we love to do the character meals and signature restaurants, it is so worth the money just for those reasons. Good luck deciding

 

[SondraC]

We are also upgrading from the FD pin to the Deluxe! I am SOOOOO excited.. I was actually just writing down some stuff & if I figured it out (for the 100th time ) We (my 2 boys & I) are staying 7 nights which equals 63 dining credits????

Does that sound right???

I can't wait to try a few signature restaurants that I've wanted to try in the past...

137 days left

Yes, it is 63 credits.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

We love love love the deluxe dining plan. Again it is a lot of food but by doing a breakfast and signature dinner with snack in between it's much more managable...and tasty!!

We won't go to Disney without it cause it's the way we normally eat at home. We've even had to upgrade DS8 to adult because the kids meals aren't enough for him anymore.

Even with the extra cost of tips we always eat enough to more than pay the deluxe price per person. We time our meals so that we get the most out of touring day as well. We like rides and relaxation. I find nothing relaxing about getting in more lines to wait for food then waiting for a table, possibly in the sun, at counter service venues. Give me table service with a waiter for each and every meal!!

 

[TDC Nala]

The credits you receive with deluxe are not TS credits. You can use them interchangeably for TS or CS. It's obviously a better deal to use as many of them as possible for TS.

 

[Wendy5055]

We always enjoy the DlxDP every time we have used it (the past few years).
-I like the comfort level it gives me to have our meals basically paid for ahead of time
-The convenience of not having to decide while on vacation where we will eat our meals (we do all TS)
-It never feels like too much food
-It gives us a break out of the heat
-We make an effort to try different restaurants each time
-Have done the dinner shows & signature dining
-Have done ALL of the character meals (no siggys needed in parks for dd)

Some things we have learned:

-Early ADRs for breakfast outside parks work well and we even make it to park openings (some like the ADRs in the parks...personal choice)
-Meal spacing is key to not feeling like you are overeating
-No requirements to finish your meal or have dessert if you don't want it
-We order a "grown-up" drink once in a while if we want it
-Lunch is arranged for the park we are planning to be in (less running around)
-Snacks are useful especially on EMH days (later park openings)
-I don't worry over the "best use" of a snack credit...sometimes it's just water
...but if that's what we want that's what we get

 

[jacqueline'smom]

i posted this to another thread but think it may apply here better...i am wondering... if you have the disney dinning plan for ten days and only plan on staying six days can you use the points on sit down meals for the six days you are there? My family of three are planning on a six day stay but the quotes i am finding on the wdw site seem to be only 45 dollars more for a ten day package verses a seven day package so that would leave us with a bunch of points to use on the six days we are there....is this too good to be true??? i am new to this so forgive me if i am being unrealistic...i am crossing my fingers for good news from you guys...

maybe i am seeing this wrong...maybe it was too good to be true

 

[TDC Nala]

I posted this on the other thread but I think you really need to check those numbers...booking the dining plan for an extra three nights should cost you a lot more than $45, not to mention the cost of the room, assuming it's the same resort and you're not downgrading to a cheaper resort.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

It is really wonderful, under the right circumstances.

Grab a quick breakfast of a snack credit and refillable mug. A nice piece of fruit, yogurt parfait, or yummy baked good.

Hit Rope Drop!

Late Character breakfast in or very near the morning park.

Head back to room for nap and quiet coolness.

Signature Dinner or Dinner show at "regular" time.

Head back to park to use up the fast passes from this morning that I collected like a good little ant preparing for winter.

Use the last snack credit for a late night snack.

Go Night Night and start all over again.

I will say that Deluxe was something fun when we had older kids who didn't mind a change up from the regular and who were able to really sit down, relax, and enjoy a nice adult meal.

We find ourselves once again with a toddler, and besides the financial changes that brought about since I am once again at home and not brining home a paycheck, we would not be doing the deluxe plan as it would just not mesh with our toddler's schedule.

She has three meals a day, thank you very much, at very specific times unless we want a little girl with an upset tummy and disrupted sleep patterns.

But, someday, we will not have kids in college, braces, and strollers at the same time.

I am looking forward to that a great deal.

 

[Cafeen]

It's all in what you want to experience. I like DxDDP considerably, this year will be the 2nd year that I use it. But, I go solo, it's not my first trip, and I am going for 10 days. This means that the time that it'll take to dine (and tavel) won't hinder my vacation too much.

The other part of this is that it's how I want to spend my vacation. I like the restaurants and trying new things I normally wouldn't. I plan to dine in the way DxDDP suggests so that's why I pick it up.

If you're already looking for an average of 2TS meals per day (erm. night ), and you desire to eat an Appetizer, Entree, and Dessert at each meal, then this plan wil suit you. If you feel that you're going to be stuffing yourself or making reservations just because you have the credits to burn, then it probably won't.

Do the math and see what you come up with, use something reasonable that you'd order at the restaurants rather than always picking the highest price option. What is a good value for me, may not be such a great one for someone else.

If you do decide to go DxDDP, remember that you don't have to spend ALL your credits. I know it sounds strange, but you can come out ahead with about 2/3 of your credits spent at TS locations (while leaving the rest of the credits unfulfilled, doing CS with that remaining 1/3 will keep you ahead). Of course, your savings won't be as much as they can possibly be, but you'll still come out ahead of where you'd be if you paid OOP for everything which is what really matters.

An example, my next trip is 9 nights on DxDDP, with early arrival and late(ish...they moved my departing flight up ) departure. I'm spending about 22 or 23 credits at TS places (out of 27) and only 1 or 2 CS. I'm saving over $140 what I would if I were OOP. I could save more by booking the rest of the credits, but I'd stuff myself too much at that point so it's not worth it to me.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

What does a TS entail? Is it an app, entree, and dessert? Along with a non alcoholic drink?

 

[catne]

What does a TS entail? Is it an app, entree, and dessert? Along with a non alcoholic drink?

On the regular ("plus dining") plan, a TS entails entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

On the Deluxe Dining Plan, a TS entails appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

on either plan, a Counter service meal is entree, dessert & non-alcoholic beverage (or combo platter, dessert & non-alcoholic beverage)

 

[TDC Nala]

On the regular ("plus dining") plan, a TS entails entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

On the Deluxe Dining Plan, a TS entails appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage.

on either plan, a Counter service meal is entree, dessert & non-alcoholic beverage (or combo platter, dessert & non-alcoholic beverage)

Except breakfast. A la carte breakfast on either plan is an entree or combo platter and a beverage. No dessert, no appetizers.

 

[River Country]

I went 2 years ago in Dec and we did Dxddp, this time we are doing the basic dining with only 1 TS Credit per night. I guess i will have to see waht the price difference is. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

137 days left

We have 137 days too!

 

[supermom0726]

It is alot of food, but like others have said theres tons of perks!

1. - I never worry about planning food money or even bringing extra snacks

2. - when my kids want stuff at the parks like candy, ice cream, etc that I know will go wasted I let them have it - we have PLENTY of credits and vacas are supposed to be fun right?

3. we save tons of time not waiting to see the "main" characters - we do a character meal at least once a day! and their faves we do twice sometimes!

4. we can order whatever we want - without looking at the price

5. we always end up with extra credits - we use snack credits for candy at gift shops or Goofy's Candy Co
extra meal credits - we figure out the day before we leave how many we have left and spread "pixie dust" in resort food court by paying for someones meal if we see they are using cash and will buy "bakery goods" to take home like Mickey Krispie ears at resort food court (they usually do 3 per meal credit)

Overall, we may not save tons vs OOP but the peace of mind we get not worrying about meals is priceless!!!