Deluxe Plan = Insane! :)

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

We are 2 adults who eat 2 TS a day, no CS, and usually one of the TS is a 2 credit place. The Deluxe plan will cost $140 a day, that's our average bill at Flying Fish, so that's getting another TS free. We do Slimfast for breakfast and get to the parks when they open. Eat lunch when the TS opens, and eat dinner between 6-7. We seldom use CS but will use the snacks. So it's a bargain for us.

 

[Merylj]

We`ll go for the DDP next year, TS breakfast and a 2 TS meal per night will work great for us
The snack credits - they equal a square of fudge to bring home - kept me going for weeks last time
Love the name Madam Mim - that has been my daughters nick name for the last 20 years ( I can be lovely, beautiful and fair.........)

 

[Colleen27]

I think each family/person needs to make the decsion for themselves... we are not eating three meals a day due to using severl 2 credit signature meals... as for snacks i am sure we will eat them up... for treats, pop, etc

We're doing a lot of signature dining too. And as far as snacks go, we're the "who cares about the value?" type - probably half our snacks will be used for bottled water. But snacks, IMO, are the easiest to use up, because there are so many good snack options that travel well enough to take home. My kids loved passing out Mickey rice crispy treats and sharing character-shaped pretzels and cookies with all their friends when we came home from our last couple trips.

 

[Guzzi]

Your master's degrees are really cool!, I am attorney, and an avid history buff. If you dont mind my asking, and its ok if you do what will you do with your degrees, teach, work with national parks, im very interested.

 

[Colleen27]

>>> don't have to eat every scrap of food on your plate.

Then, whatever the Deluxe plan does not have in terms of insanity, it makes up for with wastefulness.

Reminds me of the Disney packages of 10, 15 years ago where you have to choose what would be the most expensive items (fanciest restaurants, fanciest golf courses, etc.) to come out ahead financially compared with ordering and buying each item separately. Of course Disney hopes that some guests will choose less expensive items like tee shirts or mouse ears or 5x7 photos.

And whatever time people spend sitting in restaurants, that is time not spent on the crowded rides.

Well, the best way to avoid waste is to order what you'll eat. The portions at some restaurants are smaller than at others, especially at the signature restaurants, and just because you're entitled to an appetizer, entree and dessert doesn't mean you're obligated to order all three. For us, the portions work out well, because we've got a 9yo who will finish his kids' meal and then help me with my food and a 6yo who is a light but adventurous eater who likes to try a bite or two from our plates but still have the mac & cheese or plain grilled fish/chicken as her main meal. But we still sometimes skip dessert or order one to share.

When it comes to getting your money's worth on the deluxe plan, you don't necessarily have to make the most expensive choices for it to be a good choice. You just have to want to eat 2 or 3 TS meals a day. I did our financial evaluation of the DxDDP with 9 unplanned adult credits, 12 unplanned child credits, and no value assigned to the snacks or mugs, and came up with a savings of roughly 18%.

As far as time goes - We hate counter service, so that's a big part of why we like the deluxe plan. We don't want to eat at odd times to avoid the crowds, so our Disney counter service experiences have been largely negative. Long lines, slow service, interminable hunt for a table... We don't find TS lunches to take significantly longer than CS lunches, assuming we eat at a normal lunch time. Lunch at Pecos Bills on our first trip took over an hour; on our second trip, Pinocchio Village Haus took about 45 minutes. I'd much rather spend that time in a TS restaurant, with someone else bringing the food and drinks! And since we're going to be there for 12 days, I'm not concerned with squeezing the most into every minute anyway.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Nothing new to add here - we will be doing the DDDP, which to use translates into TS b-fast in the park (for early entry) and more shows and 2TS. DH and I will do "date night" at yachtman steakhouse and leave the kids at the Sandcastle club, we'll do Mickey's BBQ.

Last summer we used all our credits for CRT, HDDR and Yachtman's, and boy were we hungry for more that 1/2 of our trip. It was like either we we're stuffed or starving because we ran out of credits.






ITS A JOKE PEOPLE

 

[girli565]

My family and I are soooooo looking forward to the Deluxe DDP!! We are massive foodies and being able to hit up almost all of the Signature restaurants is going to be so exciting! We've already done Cali grill and CRT is not for us, but everything else is fair game.

We aren't really 3 meals a day people either but two meals a day is more than enough!!

 

[MadamMim]

We`ll go for the DDP next year, TS breakfast and a 2 TS meal per night will work great for us
The snack credits - they equal a square of fudge to bring home - kept me going for weeks last time
Love the name Madam Mim - that has been my daughters nick name for the last 20 years ( I can be lovely, beautiful and fair.........)

A couple other people have brought up taking fudge/cookies home with them. I never even thought of that! How great! Maybe I could use up all those snack credits...

Sword in the Stone was always my favorite movie growing up and I loved Madam Mim. (I was never the 'princess' type. I was more interested in Tiger Lily than Wendy or Tink, both of whom my four year-old self found annoying. ) Tell the other Madam I said hello.

Your master's degrees are really cool!, I am attorney, and an avid history buff. If you dont mind my asking, and its ok if you do what will you do with your degrees, teach, work with national parks, im very interested.

Well, the plan is to start a PhD next fall and eventually become a professor and author. I'm doing battlefield archaeology because it's a new field and it's the newest generation of academics that are trying to mend the rift between historians and archaeologists. So to up my 'street cred' as it were with the archaeologists I'll later be working with professionally, I decided it would be a good idea to get an advanced degree in their subject as well. Also, I'm primarily interested in naval history, and the link between maritime archaeology and terrestrial warfare has never, thus far, been developed. So that's something that interests me as well. ... I may be rambling, so I'll stop now.



Oh, and I never knew that my overly excited word choice would spark so much debate. I didn't mean for 'insane' to have a negative connotation and I thought I'd established the playful nature of my post. If I didn't, I do apologize. I never meant to offend anybody or make them feel like they had to justify themselves to me. I'll be better next time I promise!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

A couple other people have brought up taking fudge/cookies home with them. I never even thought of that! How great! Maybe I could use up all those snack credits...

We take home rice krispie treats. We also spend a week after WDW in South Florida relaxing at the beach. So on our last day, I go and buy the full size bags of chips, those gummy Goofy candies, chips and salsa, and anything else from the gift shop that is a snack credit and not perishable and voila, I have all our snacks for the second half of our trip.

 

[itchin2go]

Oh, and I never knew that my overly excited word choice would spark so much debate. I didn't mean for 'insane' to have a negative connotation and I thought I'd established the playful nature of my post. If I didn't, I do apologize. I never meant to offend anybody or make them feel like they had to justify themselves to me. I'll be better next time I promise!

Just to clear up, my response was not to you, but to others who have chimed in on this (and other) threads saying things like (to paraphrase), "Well, I could NEVER eat all that food" (hmmm, what does that imply?) or "We would NEVER waste all of our valuable park time spending 3 hours in restaurants" or the like. For some reason it just grates on me when I read things like that. I guess there's a fine line between informative and judgmental (which I know is not what you were being). Something like, "We've found that on the DDP, we spent more time in restaurants than we liked" is just straightforward informative, which might be helpful to someone deciding whether to book DDP or not. Some of the other comments seem kind of judgmental. I LIKE reading differing opinions on things. For instance, I've been lamenting that I'm booked at BW instead of BC, because I KNOW my daughter would love SAB. But then, I've read that some people dislike SAB because it's so large and hard to keep track of your little ones. That's good information for me. No one gets judgmental about that, though. Just straight up informative. I understand that some people dislike the DDP or the changes to the DDP or whatever. And that's fine. And informative. It's just that some of the comments come off more like slamming the people who do book DDP or DxDDP or whatever. And I totally don't get that. I'll step off my soabox now.

MadamMim - I'm really glad you started this thread, because it's been interesting to read about the different ways people plan to utilize the DxDDP. It just goes to show you that no two WDW vacations are alike!

 

[fey_spirit]

Actually this makes for fewer credits then I had the first time I went and I was fine with the number - eve had to pay for one or two meals out of pocket.

The first time we went we were on the premium pkg - that's 3 ts a day with even signature restaurants counting as only one credit. This time around on the normal plan, I'm paying OOP for at least 4 of our meals at TS...
I for one can't wait for the Deluxe Plan.

Before anybody thinks I'm being negative, I'm not. Honestly. I just happened to have some time to waste (I should be writing a paper, but procrastination is the academic way of life right? ) so I thought to myself 'self, let's see what would happen if you had 10 nights in Disney with the Deluxe Dining Plan and could go anywhere you wanted.' Well holy crap! I did every dining location I've ever really wanted to go, mostly table service with a few beloved counter services thrown in, and I still had 7 credits left for each person in the party, not to mention ALL the snack credits. How can anybody eat that much food?? I'm no shrinking violet, I'm a 6' tall woman who's built like a linebacker for the Pats... but still. After I finished listing dinners and lunches I couldn't even contemplate breakfasts (except Kona, because come on, Tonga Toast ). So really... is the Deluxe Dining Plan crazy or is it just me?

P.S. Feel free to say it's me. I won't disagree with you.

 

[asmit4]

MadamMim.....

I agree that 3 TS meals can be "a lot" of food but I have a different perspective.

First off, on vacation- everyone I know tends to eat more, more crap, more junk, more slushies, more snacks

Secondly, while on the basic DDP I think that most of us, at least those I know, tend to maximize credits. We use our snacks for larger items, not hot teas and coffees. On the 2007 plan, I order the calamari for appetizer instead of the 6.00 salad. I order the steak and lobster at Narcoossee's instead of the chicken choice. The difference in cost is over $20 more for the steak/lobster option. I also order dessert.

If I were on the Deluxe DDP I would not be able to stuff myself with french toast a juice and ham/eggs, then a mickey bar for snack, then lunch - a TS burger/fries, chocolate cake, then another mickey bar, then Calamari, steak/lobster/potatoes and make your own smore's for dessert

That doesn't mean the DDDP has no value to me though. If I did the DDDP I would probably eat like this:

2 pieces French toast for breakfast (skipping the ham/eggs, extra french toast slices or whatever else)

Snack credit = hot tea to drink in the park in the morning

Lunch = chicken salad at a TS place with an ice tea and I'd take the brownie dessert "to go" to eat along with my snack credit of soda below.

Snack credit = a diet coke in the park for the afternoon heat.

Dinner = a larger dinner along with eating the dessert at a TS.

I don't think the above plan sounds like "a lot" of food. Of course, some would say I'm not getting the full value of the DDDP but it's all about perspective. The DDDP allows for enormous choice in food selection and to me that in itself has value. I don't have to worry about where to eat, I can eat anywhere, I don't have to save credits for another meal, I can eat 3 meals a day.

Plus I'd space my meals out eating at 9, 12 and 5 is a lot different then eating at 8, 1 and 7.

 

[fey_spirit]

There is a difference between maximizing a plan for the sake of maximization, and using it to the best of your ability to get what you really want.

I really believe that people should be encouraged to try new foods - even if that means that they only take one or two bites of something (even if they know going in they are only going to be able to eat that one or two bites, at least they tried something new that they may not get a chance to try again in their lifetime.)

You better believe that I intend to order all three courses this December, just so I have a chance to try different things (I like picking stuff I have never eaten, and will probably never have the chance to - like the ono at Kona, and I've been told that their crab cakes are now to die for, so have to try those... then there's the kona cone - my all time fav Disney dessert ever - have to do that... will I end up eating every bite? Probably not, but I don't see it as wasted because it all went to a purpose.)

That said I never, ever order something just to maximize my DP...
And before anyone asks, would I eat like this OOP? Actually I would, and have budgeted to do so on those meals I have to pay oop for this trip.

All of that said, if the food I didn't eat was going to a good cause, I would think twice about my eating style, but the fact is this food isn't going anywhere charitable - whether I eat it or not. It's not like they at the end of the night Disney is going to say "Gee we have 10 pieces of cheesecake left over, let's send it over to the homeless shelter" - no all of that food nobody ordered because they didn't want to waste it is going to end up right where it would have if you or I had only eaten a bite or two to try it.
Which makes for a complete waste because it ended up serving no purpose at all... not even the purpose of brining a little culinary joy.

>>> don't have to eat every scrap of food on your plate.

Then, whatever the Deluxe plan does not have in terms of insanity, it makes up for with wastefulness.

Reminds me of the Disney packages of 10, 15 years ago where you have to choose what would be the most expensive items (fanciest restaurants, fanciest golf courses, etc.) to come out ahead financially compared with ordering and buying each item separately. Of course Disney hopes that some guests will choose less expensive items like tee shirts or mouse ears or 5x7 photos.

And whatever time people spend sitting in restaurants, that is time not spent on the crowded rides.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

So I guess the consensus so far is that the Deluxe Plan IS insane... but we love it!

I am by no means saying that the plan is bad, just that I was shocked to see what it really entails once you get into the nitty gritty of it all. Now my problem is trying to find the time and money to take that imaginary trip!

What consensus are you referring to? I have seen just as many posters who (like me) are looking forward to breakfast sit down meals and 2 credit meals for dinner. What is insane about that? I always hated having to figure out how to use up the CS meals with DP. Now, we won't have to fool with that, and we can go to all the 2 credit ressies we want to.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

What consensus are you referring to? I have seen just as many posters who (like me) are looking forward to breakfast sit down meals and 2 credit meals for dinner. What is insane about that? I always hated having to figure out how to use up the CS meals with DP. Now, we won't have to fool with that, and we can go to all the 2 credit ressies we want to.

I think the OP was using "INSANE" as in cool, hip, awesome. I believe somewhere within the thread she clarified that.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

For those of you saying that its too much time away from the parks, I disagree especially if you go off season. Last year, DH, DD and I were at Disney for 8 nights and we had more than enough time to do everything and rest in between. Unless its your first trip, I recommend trying the deluxe plan.

We were able to sleep in some days or just relax at the pop and go into the parks late. We did everything we wanted and had so much time left over that we did some things twice in each park. In fact, most days I wasn't even tired and could have kept going but I thought DD might need a nap.

Therefore, we plan to do the deluxe plan and since it will obviously take some time to travel to and from the restaurants and eat, we just won't take as many breaks this time. We'll pretty much be relaxing anyway by sitting down at the TS meals 2 or 3 times a day.

Like I mentioned in a previous post, if this was my first trip, I would not get the deluxe plan because I'd rather be in the parks every minute especially in peak season, but if you've gone before, why not try the plan and get to experience all those wonderful restaurants?

 

[MarieA]

For us neither dining plan is worth it. After crunching the numbers for the Deluxe Dining Plan (going through menus on Allears) and figuring out what we would likely order, even if we do a TS breakfast each day and a 2TS meal each night, it would be cheaper for us to pay OOP with the DDE. I figured that we would order appetizers, entree, dessert and coffee in the 2TS restaurants.

 

[SereneOne]

I wish they had several dinning plan packages to chose from.

I would love one with 2 CS, 2 snack and one TS...

We could use 1 CS for breakfast, we eat as soon as they open to get to the parks early.

One CS for lunch in the middle of the day and use our two snacks for a drink and a food snack later in the afternoon..

Then a TS meal for a late dinner.

I know we could do this on the deluxe...but to pay for three TS meals and use two CS meals might not make it financially smart....would have to crunch the numbers.

 

[Colleen27]

For us neither dining plan is worth it. After crunching the numbers for the Deluxe Dining Plan (going through menus on Allears) and figuring out what we would likely order, even if we do a TS breakfast each day and a 2TS meal each night, it would be cheaper for us to pay OOP with the DDE. I figured that we would order appetizers, entree, dessert and coffee in the 2TS restaurants.

I would think that the DDE is usually the best way to go for those who can get it. We're looking at about a 20% savings with the deluxe plan, so we're getting about the same deal as we would with the DDE but without the added expense of an annual pass.

 

[soonerlpn]

Am taking my DS5 for the first time in July...am truly thinking hard about deluxe due to the fact that we want to do the Poly show and HDD..also want to do some signature dining, possibly fantasmic. I think it would work out great for us!!