Dining plan vs Deluxe Dining

[mrlinck7421]

Im staying aug 14-22nd (2 adults) and wanted o know what you all think. is it worth the extra $ for deluxe?

 

[Cafeen]

It totally depends and is very highly subjective.

For me, yes. I prefer DxDDP to DDP, however, part of that is due to how I "do" Disney. For others, it wouldn't be. I know, probably not the sort of answer you're looking for , but hold on and we can try to figure it out together.

DxDDP works well if...

• You are looking to eat about 2 TS meals per day, each with 3 courses (or buffets/fixed price, etc).
• You are looking to do several signature and/or other 2 credit meals during the trip
• You will be limiting the amount of QS that you do
• You accept the greater investment (time and money) to make the plan work for you.
  • Money - beyond the raw cost of the plan, the amount you lay out in tips will likely go up since you'll be doing much more TS than QS
  • Time Before - Since you'll need more TS meals to make the plan work, you'll need to plan those meals out ahead of time. This involves the booking ADRs, as well as planning the meals out so you don't get overwhelmed.
  • Time During - A QS may average 30-45 minutes with little to no wait. A TS can average 60-90 minutes plus travel (since your more apt to us TS at resorts than QS outside of your "home" resort) and waiting for a seat. If you're used to being on the go, this can take a large chunk out of your touring time.

However, if you're good with all of that, and you're looking for a more dining oriented trip, then it certainly is a better value overall than DDP (better value as in you get more return for the money paid in, it is certainly not cheaper in any way, shape, or form!)

 

[mrlinck7421]

It totally depends and is very highly subjective.

For me, yes. I prefer DxDDP to DDP, however, part of that is due to how I "do" Disney. For others, it wouldn't be. I know, probably not the sort of answer you're looking for , but hold on and we can try to figure it out together.

DxDDP works well if...

• You are looking to eat about 2 TS meals per day, each with 3 courses (or buffets/fixed price, etc).
• You are looking to do several signature and/or other 2 credit meals during the trip
• You will be limiting the amount of QS that you do
• You accept the greater investment (time and money) to make the plan work for you.
  • Money - beyond the raw cost of the plan, the amount you lay out in tips will likely go up since you'll be doing much more TS than QS
  • Time Before - Since you'll need more TS meals to make the plan work, you'll need to plan those meals out ahead of time. This involves the booking ADRs, as well as planning the meals out so you don't get overwhelmed.
  • Time During - A QS may average 30-45 minutes with little to no wait. A TS can average 60-90 minutes plus travel (since your more apt to us TS at resorts than QS outside of your "home" resort) and waiting for a seat. If you're used to being on the go, this can take a large chunk out of your touring time.

However, if you're good with all of that, and you're looking for a more dining oriented trip, then it certainly is a better value overall than DDP (better value as in you get more return for the money paid in, it is certainly not cheaper in any way, shape, or form!)

-Awesome response, than you so much for your time. You helped me you alot!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

We are using the DxDP for the first time this trip. We usually do the reg DP. We have 2 TS meals scheduled everyday and a few QS scattered in there. I think itll work well doing a later breakfast and a signature dinner.

 

[rrali33tt]

My first disney dining plan experience was with the DxDP.My DBF and I are foodies and enjoy eating at nice sit down restaurants rather than grabbing fast food.
On the deluxe plan you are getting a LOT of food (an app, entree & dessert at every meal - except breakfast of course). The amount of food can be overwhelming.

For this year's trip we wanted to save money and I thought I would be content with the free DDP, but after thinking about it, we are now upgrading to the DxDP because we want to eat at a bunch of 2 credit restaurants and prefer to order an appetizer over dessert. Sometimes we would bring the desserts back to the room when on the DxDP.

I agree with Cafeen above -- If you don't mind taking the time to plan out ALL of your meals and you prefer to eat at nicer restaurants the DxDP is for you. If you don't mind eating "fast food" for most of your meals then I would suggest the DDP.

On our trip we mostly ate at signature restaurants, we did Spirit of Aloha, Hoop de Doo, Cindarella's Castle, 1900 park fare, and many others so it was worth the extra money.

What we didn't do was take advantage of all of the snack credits on the DXDP. If you are on the DxDP you get 2 snacks/day (1/day with DDP). There are tons of places in the parks that you wouldn't think count as a "snack". There are postings on the boards listing all the snacks you can get (def check them out!). We used our snack credits to buy packaged mickey rice crispy treats to take home for our families.

Enjoy planning your trip