Deluxe vs. Regular

[emcreative]

We got the "regular" dining plan included in our special pin code price, but now I'm second guessing myself! I thought since we were there 5 days it would be 5 table service credits, but just realized it was 4- and we already have reservations that use up *6* credits!

1. Would we be able to "up" our dining plan even though we used a package price?

2. What is the price difference between the two plans? We have adults, 1 child aged 12, 2 aged 3-9 and 2 that are under 3 (so their dining is free).

3. I'm mathematically incompetent. I really need someone to walk me through it like the moron I am to see if it's financially wise to "up" our plan.

 

[luckytobeme88]

You get however many TS credits with the number of nights of your package, not the actual days that you will be spending in WDW. We have always opt for the Deluxe plan because it gives us more TS credits to work with. Most importantly, my family enjoys dining out at "signature" restaurants which require 2 TS credits. The deluxe plan also include the appetizer which you don't get in the basic. We would never have enough TS credits if we were to get just the "basic" plan. Since you have already purchased the "basic" plan, it would be a difference of $32 for each adults and $10 for each child(3-9) So there you have it.
5 nights x 3(adults) x $32(upgrade to deluxe) = $480.00
5 nights x 2(3 - 9) x $10(upgrade) =$100.00

Total extra to bump the basic to deluxe =$580.00

I hope this would help you decide.

 

[TDC Nala]

Technically, you do not get TS credits on the deluxe plan. You get meal credits which can be used for either TS or CS, your choice. The deluxe plan costs $71.99 per night per adult and $20.99 per night per child.

Each person on the reservation (except the children under 3) would get 3 meal credits and 2 snack credits per night.

All dining is not "free" for the under 3's. It's free if they share off the family's plates, or at buffets and family style all you can eat places. If you buy an extra meal for a child under 3 at a CS or a la carte restaurant, you'll need to pay for the extra meal.

Call and make sure the discounted pin code package you booked will permit you to upgrade to the deluxe dining plan. Most of them will. Some, like the current 40% military discount package, won't.

 

[Colleen27]

We got the "regular" dining plan included in our special pin code price, but now I'm second guessing myself! I thought since we were there 5 days it would be 5 table service credits, but just realized it was 4- and we already have reservations that use up *6* credits!

1. Would we be able to "up" our dining plan even though we used a package price?

2. What is the price difference between the two plans? We have adults, 1 child aged 12, 2 aged 3-9 and 2 that are under 3 (so their dining is free).

3. I'm mathematically incompetent. I really need someone to walk me through it like the moron I am to see if it's financially wise to "up" our plan.

1. Yes, by all reports Disney is happy to let folks upgrade to deluxe on most (but not all) promos.

2. $32 per night for adults, $10 per night for kids 3 to 9.

3. For the most part, if you plan on using 2/3 of your credits for sitdown meals (including 2 credit signature meals), the deluxe plan makes sense. I have a spreadsheet in my signature that will let you input menu costs to compare to the cost of the plan. I just updated it for 2009 pricing and to give a plan cost for the FD upgrade as well as the full price of the plan.

 

[emcreative]

Thanks so much for the info so far.

Quick question as we crunch numbers: On the deluxe plan, do just the adults get the refillable mug, or kids too?

 

[TDC Nala]

Everybody age 3 or over gets a refillable mug.

 

[emcreative]

So far I'm thinking it will cost us $848 to upgrade to Deluxe from the regular plan (4 days, 5 adults/1junior and 2 kids). This is leaving the 2yo to eat from our plates.

I went though and figured that with the two meals we already reserved, another dinner in downtown disney, plus mugs we were already looking at $691 out of pocket...and still had 3 breakfasts and a lunch we hadn't added in.

SO...I'm guessing the plan will probably be economical for us. It will also probably allow us to make a few more reservations we wouldn't have otherwise.

It will all be dependent on calling the agent on Monday and finding out the actual price difference, of course.

 

[Faldred]

Also note that on deluxe, you will also get appetizers included at non-buffet TS meals that you would not get on basic, plus an extra snack per person per day.