Do DxDP or stay with DDP?

[lilandvisma]

Been toying with the idea of going deluxe and here is why. We will be staying in WDW for 8 nights, 9 days in March with our 3 children. We will not have our own car so everything we will be eating will be coming from Disney Our little one is 9 months old but eats a lot of table foods already and will most likely be wanting his own snacks and such throughout the day when we are there (and the girls do NOT share lol). We already have extra TS meals planned that I can't bring myself to cutting. This includes CRT lunch, Tusker House BF and Ohana BF ,all which will be oop.

Sooo...here is where my confusion comes in. IDK if we should go ahead and just upgrade to the DxDP or not. It would basically cost an extra $350 just to go to those 3 character meals for the 5 of us and for less than $300 more we can upgrade to Deluxe and not have to worry about bothering with CS for the most part. Ughhh...what to do, what to do

A part of me thinks that the extra breaks would be great to have in the day but another is a bit nervous about whether or not this will just be totally too much food and cut way into our park time?? At the same time, I have to worry about it being "spring break" and I keep hearing that its a big hassle to even grab a table for CS which leans me towards just going with DxDP as well. I'm thinking that by the time you wait in line and get your food then find a place to sit down *if you even can* and then serve the kids yada yada yada that it will probably consume just as much time as it would take to be served in a restaurant.

I know it seems like a lot to see the initial cost upfront but in reality I highly doubt we'd have to buy a single extra thing if we go deluxe which would be good in the long run. I think we would probably end up spending the difference anyhow so I should just do it right? LOL.

Any suggestions guys? I know this is random and all over the place but my time on the computer is limited these days ! Thanks!

 

[JJsmama]

how old are the kids? If they are all still 'kids', I think DxDP would be great. I have dxdp booked but have realized my oldest two are charged as adults but still definitely eat extremely small portions. It makes a lot of difference if they are 10 or older to me, because then DxDP gets really expensive and mine eat frequently but not much at one time. for teens who eat a lot, it goes back to sounding like a good idea to me.

However, I just re-read your post. Sounds like you've answered your own question if it is $50 cheaper to upgrade.

 

[deannanb]

If you are saving roughly $50 to upgrade the to the DXDP, then I would do it!


you will get an extra snack per day - and a refillable mug

and you can still do a counter service meal if you want instead of TS -
and the girls can get their own meals.
I had ADRs for every meal of our trip last summer - and cancelled a few for a counter service or to have a meal at our hotel instead of going back to the park.

 

[juliebean]

We are doing the deluxe for pretty much the same reasons - wanted to do CRT and a couple of other spendy ones, counter service was a nightmare the last time we went (also spring break) and it just didn't make financial sense to pay out of pocket for the extra meals. However, I cannot figure out where you are getting your numbers for the deluxe...for us (2 adults and 2 kids) it was about $80 a day to upgrade. If you are staying 8 nights, it would appear that the deluxe would cost you around $640 more (plus tips). Not to discourage you, but I think it's more than $300, unless I'm missing something...

 

[Kudrah]

We are doing the deluxe for pretty much the same reasons - wanted to do CRT and a couple of other spendy ones, counter service was a nightmare the last time we went (also spring break) and it just didn't make financial sense to pay out of pocket for the extra meals. However, I cannot figure out where you are getting your numbers for the deluxe...for us (2 adults and 2 kids) it was about $80 a day to upgrade. If you are staying 8 nights, it would appear that the deluxe would cost you around $640 more (plus tips). Not to discourage you, but I think it's more than $300, unless I'm missing something...

I think she means only $300 more after she factors in what she's going to have to pay OOP.

 

[juliebean]

That makes more sense than how I was interpreting the post. I figured it will cost us about $300 more and I went ahead and did the deluxe - hey, it's vacation and it's not that much to do some things that we wouldn't have done otherwise.

 

[lilandvisma]

Yes, I meant $300 more (roughly) to go Deluxe after we pay for CRT and the other TS places we wanted to go to. It does seem like a lot to me initially...but after you figure in buying the mugs and anything else extra we'd end up paying for then it just makes the most sense in the long run. Right?? LOL. I just need some reassurance to digest this one I guess haha. Thanks guys

BTW my kids will be turning 9, 3 1/2 and DS will be turning 1 year

 

[sammysmom]

We love the Deluxe Dining Plan!! Love not worrying about paying for meals/snacks once we get there!!

 

[goofy2008]

We like the deluxe too, We are always eating each others snacks..
My sister once ate 15 snacks in one day...

 

[Faldred]

Traveling with three young kids, we found that the extra breaks were well appreciated by all. It is a lot of food, so you may find yourself passing on some appetizers and desserts, and try not to overdo it on the buffets.

You can mix in some CS for lighter meals, and use some credits on signature meals and dinner shows, though those tend not to work all that well for some with small kids.

 

[juliebean]

Have to agree - going near spring break, with a 3 yr old and a baby - I'd go with the deluxe and have someone else worry about getting highchairs and extra napkins. Assuming the extra $300 and extra tips won't bother you or your bank account...

My older daughter is almost 9 and I do hope that she will be okay with the kids meals - honestly look awful...One more thing to consider, I'm hoping sharing appetizers with us and dessert will pacify her!

Have a great vacation! -

 

[DisneyFamily123]

For us, if we just did the Plus DDP, we would still end up paying out of pocket for some additional table services not covered, and some appetizers, and the refillable mugs. That additional out of pocket cost was more than the cost of upgrading to the deluxe DDP.

We really enjoy giving our feet a break from the walking and having some fun in the themed restaurants and character meals. During a busy time, it's an easy way to meet characters without waiting in line, and that saves park time.

By dinner time, DS is tired enough to relax at a signature restaurant. And the shows (2 credits) are fun too. We also get to WDW early on our arrival day and leave late on our departure day, so we used dining credits then too. We did ALL table service in 2009 and 2010. In 2008, I remember waiting forever in line to get counter service, it was annoying.

Things to consider... the deluxe DDP includes the refillable resort mugs, more snacks, more meal credits. You can do all table service if you want (or counter service). Appetizers are included for adults (great way to try different foods!). When paying with the DDP, it includes tax. When doing more table service, tips can add up.

And calories don't count when you're on vacation.....

My Deluxe Dining Plan Savings Discussion

 

[Nicole276]

I can't really speak from experience becuase we leave for our trip on Sat, but we feel pretty much the same as you. We booked during the free dining promo, but decided to upgrade for $300. Our family is two adults, one child, and 1 infant. However, we are only going to the parks two day becuase our kids are so young, and knew we would enjoy character meals, dinner shows, etc on our "off days". Pluse we knew that we wanted to do CRT and Hoop Dee Doo, both 2 credit meals, and if we would have paid OOP for those, it would have been very close to the cost for us to upgrade to deluxe. Totally worth it for us. Though the two days we are at parks we have two TS meals scheduled, and then leaving one meal for CS somewhere. So that still gives us some flexibility there. I really think for us, we are going to enjoy the Deluxe plan.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

BTW my kids will be turning 9, 3 1/2 and DS will be turning 1 year

You sound like us. Mine are almost 10, 6, 4 and almost 3 (at travel time). I'm leaning towards Deluxe to make up the food difference since my youngest will eat as much as the 4 year old, and my oldest will eat more than a kids meal. So I'll be paying for extra food OOP anyways, we'll just use the appetizers to fill the difference.

 

[lilandvisma]

Have to agree - going near spring break, with a 3 yr old and a baby - I'd go with the deluxe and have someone else worry about getting highchairs and extra napkins. Assuming the extra $300 and extra tips won't bother you or your bank account...

My older daughter is almost 9 and I do hope that she will be okay with the kids meals - honestly look awful...One more thing to consider, I'm hoping sharing appetizers with us and dessert will pacify her!

Have a great vacation! -

Thanks I called and switched to DxDP. It just seems like the best thing to do for our family. $300 isn't much compared to the total cost of what we are spending lol. I'm also taking older DD into consideration as well. She will be 9 in less than 2 weeks and can eat more than me (I'm a light eater but LOVE desserts).

For us, if we just did the Plus DDP, we would still end up paying out of pocket for some additional table services not covered, and some appetizers, and the refillable mugs. That additional out of pocket cost was more than the cost of upgrading to the deluxe DDP.

We really enjoy giving our feet a break from the walking and having some fun in the themed restaurants and character meals. During a busy time, it's an easy way to meet characters without waiting in line, and that saves park time.

By dinner time, DS is tired enough to relax at a signature restaurant. And the shows (2 credits) are fun too. We also get to WDW early on our arrival day and leave late on our departure day, so we used dining credits then too. We did ALL table service in 2009 and 2010. In 2008, I remember waiting forever in line to get counter service, it was annoying.

Things to consider... the deluxe DDP includes the refillable resort mugs, more snacks, more meal credits. You can do all table service if you want (or counter service). Appetizers are included for adults (great way to try different foods!). When paying with the DDP, it includes tax. When doing more table service, tips can add up.

And calories don't count when you're on vacation.....

My Deluxe Dining Plan Savings Discussion

We despise waiting in line for characters as well

You sound like us. Mine are almost 10, 6, 4 and almost 3 (at travel time). I'm leaning towards Deluxe to make up the food difference since my youngest will eat as much as the 4 year old, and my oldest will eat more than a kids meal. So I'll be paying for extra food OOP anyways, we'll just use the appetizers to fill the difference.

And thats exactly what I am going to do with my extra food since I don't eat that much. I'm sure DD will want more than what the kids meals offer and with 2 snacks per person per day I can actually share mine with the baby instead of having to purchase extra. Just makes the most sense for us at this point in our lives!


THANKS everyone

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Deciding what dining plan is best really depends on a family's eating habits.

For us, DW and DS5 are ready to eat 3 meals like clockwork and I better feed both of them or they will get grouchy. Now me, I can eat on any schedule. One day I could be fine with a cup of coffee for breakfast, then slurping down a milkshake (or 2) from 50s Prime Time, then having a nice late sit-down dinner with all courses. Another day, I could have a big lunch and just have an appetizer and a beer (or 2+) for dinner.

We did find that we needed to space our meals further apart than we do at home.... especially when having appetizers, entrees, and desserts at many meals. If we had lunch at 1pm, we would not be hungry until 7:30pm+ Good thing there's a lot of walking at WDW.

 

[Colleen27]

We love the deluxe plan largely because it means never having to hassle with overcrowded park QS locations. My kids were 12, 9, and 16mo on our last trip and the deluxe plan was great - no juggling trays while hunting for a table, meeting all the must-see characters without waiting in lines, and plenty of food to share with the baby!

 

[juliebean]

Good for you! I love the idea of the pp of doing character dinners & shows on "off" days! The advice about spacing meals is great too. We also have our lunches and dinners spaced out pretty far apart and even with the deluxe I have only one breakfast planned. I used the extra credits to get dinner at Boma the night we arrive, and to go to Cinderella...both things we wouldn't have done otherwise.

There are a lot of things to consider, I'm trying to not second guess it, it's not really that big of a deal financially, compared to the whole cost. I don't know if I could do it if we had our teenager along (at restaurants he always picks ribs, ribs, or hamburgers if there are no ribs - all in large amounts) - but he's going to be with his marching band for the days we are doing the deluxe plan...can you imagine feeding a hundred teenagers - talk about a tough job! And I don't think we'll be back for a while, so I think this will be the last chance to get my 8 yr old willingly to princess dinners and I do not see myself paying for the the deluxe for 4 "adults" and a child in a couple of years - yikes!

After you get back, please post if you were happy you did the deluxe...we go in April