Dlx Dining plan rules for 10 year old?

[rdaky]

WOW!!! Gluttony?????? Perhaps you mean it comes out cheaper for YOU to skip a dining plan, however it may not for others, and those of us who choose a plan do not need to be rolling down Main Street like an Ooompa Loompa to get the value. I do not always purchase the DxDDP, however when I have my family has found it to be a good value. WE book our meals before choosing a plan,tend to enjoy signature dining and character meals, and have always allowed our kids to order off of the adult menus even as a child. This was especially helpful when we took the two little ones on our street with us. They ordered adult meals most of the week, which is how they eat at home, and we booked a slew of expensive character meals, both for breakfast and dinner, depending on the day.


Perhaps it would be more helpful to suggest how to cost out the plans vs OOP, rather than to not only dismiss them out of hand and then insult people by tellinghem their way is gluttonous.

I agree that costing it out makes sense. If you're going to eat at lots of signatures and would like 3 solid meals per day with at least 2 TS per day, it might be a good deal if you price it out. But I always think it's a good idea to price it out. I *just* saw some friends post on Facebook about their Disney trip planned by a planner, and they had the dining plan, and they used their credits on lots of breakfasts and less expensive meals in general. There is no way that they came out ahead. But if you price it out and you're ahead, then by all means go for it. I'm still iffy about paying for that for a 10 year old, though.

 

[Disneypro1]

WOW!!! Gluttony?????? Perhaps you mean it comes out cheaper for YOU to skip a dining plan, however it may not for others, and those of us who choose a plan do not need to be rolling down Main Street like an Ooompa Loompa to get the value. I do not always purchase the DxDDP, however when I have my family has found it to be a good value. WE book our meals before choosing a plan,tend to enjoy signature dining and character meals, and have always allowed our kids to order off of the adult menus even as a child. This was especially helpful when we took the two little ones on our street with us. They ordered adult meals most of the week, which is how they eat at home, and we booked a slew of expensive character meals, both for breakfast and dinner, depending on the day.


Perhaps it would be more helpful to suggest how to cost out the plans vs OOP, rather than to not only dismiss them out of hand and then insult people by tellinghem their way is gluttonous.

No one had a sense of humor anymore. That’s sad. As far as my opinion. It’s just that.
I feel the dining plan is gluttonous. You have to constantly eat every meal and snack to get monies worth. Most people won’t do that. There was even a pod cast on this subject. It was basically about having to eat your way to a savings.

 

[sbdis]

Thanks everyone for the additional opinions on the Deluxe Dining plan. I actually did go ahead and book Deluxe for all of us including my niece. I think because my brother has not been to Disney in many years and he is a single father, he wants everything to be really special plus its her first trip. I agree that it will not be the most cost effective for her to get this plan, however, I am going to book a good mix of 2 table service meals and fun kid meals. And, from the responses, it appears that most, if not all, the restaurants will work with us.

Once I booked Deluxe meal plans in the past, it has been hard to go back to the basic plan, lol. If I were paying OOP for meals, I know that I would not get apps. and desserts most times (nothing wrong with not getting them, but it is just nice to not have to look at prices when you are there). The deluxe plan is definitely a splurge just like staying club level, which by the way, I love to do. But, not staying this trip.

 

[DazzleT]

Since you have two rooms, you might want to consider having one as deluxe, one as standard or even quick (though watch the thread on sharing). That might give you better flexibility/freedom to get what you want.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that costing it out makes sense. If you're going to eat at lots of signatures and would like 3 solid meals per day with at least 2 TS per day, it might be a good deal if you price it out. But I always think it's a good idea to price it out. I *just* saw some friends post on Facebook about their Disney trip planned by a planner, and they had the dining plan, and they used their credits on lots of breakfasts and less expensive meals in general. There is no way that they came out ahead. But if you price it out and you're ahead, then by all means go for it. I'm still iffy about paying for that for a 10 year old, though.

My Nola and lee enjoyed their stak, scallops and pork beeely. They order off of an adult menu at home, so this was just an extension of that.

We also booked many character meals, although their cost was low because at the time the oldest was 8

 

[Nancyg56]

No one had a sense of humor anymore. That’s sad. As far as my opinion. It’s just that.
I feel the dining plan is gluttonous. You have to constantly eat every meal and snack to get monies worth. Most people won’t do that. There was even a pod cast on this subject. It was basically about having to eat your way to a savings.

I do not find calling someone gluttonous funny. It is one thing to have an opinion, and another again to call folks gluttons and tey to pass it off as a joke. I find that sad.

You actually do not need to "eat" all of the food. Our favorite snacks are the venti drinks in Starbucks. WE usualy book two meals a day, and snack in between. How that is gluttonous, I have no idea. My DH wants a hot ts breakfast and I agree that starting the day with a character meal is a blast. We also enjoy the Plaza to begin our day. We tend to gravitate towards the signature meals, and as you know the portions tend to be smaller.

I dont care what anyone else does, and I have no interest in following another perspn's logic, but what I do understand is that we all roll differently. My family loves the dining portion of a disney trip, and thought that the character meals for our two Princesses were a Godsend becuase most of their trip was filled with torrential thunderstorms that went on for hours, (we are not troopers, we skeddaddled soaking wet and done) so the meals gave them the opportunity to stretch their character interactions and vacation feeling.

 

[Disneypro1]

I do not find calling someone gluttonous funny. It is one thing to have an opinion, and another again to call folks gluttons and tey to pass it off as a joke. I find that sad.

You actually do not need to "eat" all of the food. Our favorite snacks are the venti drinks in Starbucks. WE usualy book two meals a day, and snack in between. How that is gluttonous, I have no idea. My DH wants a hot ts breakfast and I agree that starting the day with a character meal is a blast. We also enjoy the Plaza to begin our day. We tend to gravitate towards the signature meals, and as you know the portions tend to be smaller.

I dont care what anyone else does, and I have no interest in following another perspn's logic, but what I do understand is that we all roll differently. My family loves the dining portion of a disney trip, and thought that the character meals for our two Princesses were a Godsend becuase most of their trip was filled with torrential thunderstorms that went on for hours, (we are not troopers, we skeddaddled soaking wet and done) so the meals gave them the opportunity to stretch their character interactions and vacation feeling.

I didn’t call anyone gluttonous. I simply stated you have to eat your way to save money with dining plan. And that’s gluttonous. Not one individual was called anything. I stand by what I said. You DO have to eat your way to save money.
But I wasn’t calling anyone a name. And you are correct. We all roll different. But my opinion is as valid as yours.

 

[maxiesmom]

No one had a sense of humor anymore. That’s sad. As far as my opinion. It’s just that.
I feel the dining plan is gluttonous. You have to constantly eat every meal and snack to get monies worth. Most people won’t do that. There was even a pod cast on this subject. It was basically about having to eat your way to a savings.

That is bull. No one way is right with regards to anything. The few times I have had the plan I have run the numbers ahead of time, and came out on top having the plan. And I am not one to eat until I am stuffed and can't move.

 

[Nancyg56]

That is bull. No one way is right with regards to anything. The few times I have had the plan I have run the numbers ahead of time, and came out on top having the plan. And I am not one to eat until I am stuffed and can't move.

This is an argument made a lot. I just do not get it. At home, don't people have two or three meals a day? My goodness, my DH is 6'6" and built like Paul Bunyan. The plan works for us because that man is HUNGRY. We eat, but we seldom overindulge.

I know my family and I know what it costs to feed us. I know what we all likely will choose, so I know the plan works for us. I also know that since wine was added to the plan, I am one happy camper. I may have a beverage when we are home and dinign out, but DH cannot. He is a CDL driver and will never jeopardize his license by having more than one drink at dinner, if that. In Disney he can have his drink and never worry about driving, so a beer included at lunch or wine with dinner is an added value. And if someone does nto want their wine, pass that baby over to me and I wll take it off your hands! LOL! I guess I am a gluttonous lush! LOL!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Yes!

I always go on the deluxe plan for the exact reason you stated. Lots of 2 credit meals/shows and I like everything paid for before I go. My DD, now 15, would never order from the adult menu (last time at Disney she was 13..maybe this year she'll like something). It has never been questioned, frowned upon, We've never been given any sort of strange look, nothing. It was a non issue for breakfast because we mostly did character buffets.

What is different, is at many places, they will see her card, see she is paying adult deluxe and either offer to supersize the kids meal, or just supersize it without letting us know ahead of time. My daughter not only just likes the kids options, she doesnt eat much and the meals were much too big. One that I will never forget, when she was 11, was at the Plaza, she ordered PB & J. They put it on Texas Toast bread, club style. There were 4 pieces of HUGE texas toast with PB&J in between. It was massive. She took maybe 2 bites, then ordered an ice cream! Many places will also throw on a couple extra chicken tenders, or a larger portion of salmon/chicken etc... If your niece is not a big eater, I recommend mentioning when ordering that you only want the regular sized kids meal.

Also, as tempting as it is to order her appetizer for the table, dont do it! I thought heck if I already paid for it, just order something extra...but no. Way too much food!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Thats why we NEVER do a dining plan...to get your monies worth you HAVE to eat alot.

You dont have to eat a lot. My typical day is character breakfast, signature meal or dinner show.

3 people, me, hubby and daughter over 10 who eats from the kids menu. $348.75 per night for DxDDP (though last time we went it was $105pp)

Breakfast character buffet - 3 adults - $120 (shell be charges as an adult due to her age) (Every morning because if I wanted a non character breakfast of eggs and bacon, I could just stay home. When at Disney, do things you cant do at home....my philosophy)

Signature dinner - 2 adults, one child meal average $220 (every night..Im on vacation! I can eat pizza or a chicken dinner at home)
Dinner show - 3 adults average $210

Ice cream and drink in between meals - average $30 / $10pp (Ice cream!! Im on vacation, remember!!)

We would pay Average Day - $360 - $370 OOP.

I dont think a nice breakfast with characters and a nice dinner is eating a lot with an ice cream in between. And the best part is its all paid for before we go and can order anything we want off the menu.

 

[cm8]

Since you have two rooms, you might want to consider having one as deluxe, one as standard or even quick (though watch the thread on sharing). That might give you better flexibility/freedom to get what you want.

She can still get what she wants regardless? Those table service credits can also be used as counter service options as well? It doesn’t matter what plan she has, they will allow her to order off the kids and or adult side no issues.

 

[DazzleT]

She can still get what she wants regardless? Those table service credits can also be used as counter service options as well? It doesn’t matter what plan she has, they will allow her to order off the kids and or adult side no issues.

I guess more from the mental side. My 12 year old daughter would actually be upset at the idea of getting a quick service meal not a table service if that’s the credit type. My 8 year old would not care one bit. With my husband’s family, using a credit for quick service would be sacrilege. Though to be honest with his family, ordering anything less than the most expensive meal would be an issue.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hi, I have not been on boards for quite a while. It's nice to be back. My question is:

My brother, 10 year old niece and myself are going to Disney in July. I've been many times however, my brother has not been in over 15 years and this will be my niece's first visit. We are doing the Deluxe dining. I've done is many times and it is worth it to me. My brother does not want to pay out of pocket at all for meals. He wants everything paid for in advance. Because my niece is considered an adult regarding dining, I absolutely realize Deluxe is way too much for her. However, we plan on doing a lot of nice table service including signatures and Cinderella's Castle. This is why I will probably leave her on the Deluxe plan.

My question is, will all the restaurants allow her to get a child's meal in some instances where there is nothing that appeals to her on the adult menu. Or, get a child's appetizer and adult entrée. Basically, mix between child options and adult?

So far we've almost always done the deluxe dining plan when we travel with the "mini mes". The now 13 y/o rarely orders off the children's menu but the now 10 y/o goes back and forth (last trip he was on he was still a Disney child); never had a problem or was questioned when either ordered from whichever menu. Our big meal of the day is generally at signature restaurants (my gift to the adults ) and I enjoy knowing that they can eat at any price point on the menu w/o me worrying if it will break the bank; their parents also appreciate that their palates are maturing. Never once had a trip where a child looked at the menu and couldn't find something to eat and nope no chicken nuggets have ever been consumed in my presence, LOL.

 

[sbdis]

I appreciate hearing everyone's experience with the Deluxe Dining plan!!!