Does DDP spoil spontaneity?

[photobob]

We have never used the DDP. I was seriously considering the DDP for an upcoming trip but I don't want to have my whole trip predicated on making it to a dining reservation. I've just about driven myself crazy planning on where to eat on a given day and what time would we need to get there etc.
I really like the idea of all my meals be pre-paid plus having the option of ordering what you really want a given restaurant, not just what looks best price-wise. The problem I see that I'm going to want to make sure that we get the most value out of our credits to make it worth paying for the plan, doing away with changes of plans and spontaneous decisions to do something else.

What are your experiences in this regard?

 

[hiwaygal]

Don't most people make ADR's for the restaurants they want?

 

[christa112]

I would not recommend not having reservations for sit down restaurants, especially if you have children and want to do character meals. I have never attempted it and never will.

Hiwaygal-- I love your siggie!!!

Don't most people make ADR's for the restaurants they want?

 

[DaParkers]

We have never used the DDP. I was seriously considering the DDP for an upcoming trip but I don't want to have my whole trip predicated on making it to a dining reservation. I've just about driven myself crazy planning on where to eat on a given day and what time would we need to get there etc.
I really like the idea of all my meals be pre-paid plus having the option of ordering what you really want a given restaurant, not just what looks best price-wise. The problem I see that I'm going to want to make sure that we get the most value out of our credits to make it worth paying for the plan, doing away with changes of plans and spontaneous decisions to do something else.

What are your experiences in this regard?

ADR's may hinder spontaneous dining. But, the DDP isn't the culprit. Even though it is suggested, you don't have to make ADR's. I made ADR's last year, but cancelled a few the very same day because we wanted to eat somewhere else. We just went to another place. Nothing is ever set in stone.

 

[photobob]

Don't most people make ADR's for the restaurants they want?

Yes obviously they do, but if you have a reservation for a TS restaurant and you change your mind about going, it is very difficult to just walk up and get a table at another TS restaurant, especially since we are going during a busy time of the year.

 

[DaParkers]

Yes obviously they do, but if you have a reservation for a TS restaurant and you change your mind about going, it is very difficult to just walk up and get a table at another TS restaurant, especially since we are going during a busy time of the year.

Not if you eat a little earlier or a little later. I did it last year and had no problems. I waited no longer than fifteen minutes when I walked up. That was at Wolfgang Puck's.

 

[photobob]

ADR's may hinder spontaneous dining. But, the DDP isn't the culprit. Even though it is suggested, you don't have to make ADR's. I made ADR's last year, but cancelled a few the very same day because we wanted to eat somewhere else. We just went to another place. Nothing is ever set in stone.

You make a good point. The DDP really isn't the culprit, it's more likely me just trying to get the most out of the plan and worrying that I'm not going to get maximum value if we don't make it to Rest A and end up eating at Rest B.

 

[hiwaygal]

Yes obviously they do, but if you have a reservation for a TS restaurant and you change your mind about going, it is very difficult to just walk up and get a table at another TS restaurant, especially since we are going during a busy time of the year.

Ahhh! Now I see the point you were trying to make!

I didn't think the DDP caused any problems either, but that's just my opinion.

No matter - I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time either way!

 

[Tricia1972]

I'm putting on my flame proof suit here and saying that for us yes it did spoil the spontaneity a bit.

In October we stayed on site with Disney transportation, but with even the regular DDP there were nights that we weren't hungry for another full TS meal. We'd have been happy snacking around World Showcase (or something) for dinner. Because we had the DDP and everything was prepaid for we'd make our way to our appointed ADR for the night.

In April we went without the DDP and there were quite a few nights that we had ADR's and called to cancel them at the last minute. Two nights we went off site because we weren't in the mood for the cuisine I'd reserved for that night and a few nights we just snacked for dinner.

For us that's fine, that's how we like to be and we're happy this way. We thoroughly enjoy TS and sitting down, but we don't need it every day to feel like we're on vacation. That is not how everyone is. If you need one TS per day then the DDP will probably work well for you - you can almost always get something somewhere at some point in the evening. But just be cautious you may well have to travel to a resort if you're traveling at peak times.

 

[photobob]

Not if you eat a little earlier or a little later. I did it last year and had no problems. I waited no longer than fifteen minutes when I walked up. That was at Wolfgang Puck's.

I have had some success with walk ups too, usually at lunch arriving at the time they open the doors, my last trip I was very fortunate. I got into Le Cellier for lunch by walking in at 11:10 and our group was one of five that got in as walkups, by 11:25 (they open at 11:30) they were taking no more for the day. That experience has made me make some ADR's for the first time in eleven trips. We are staying at BWV so we have many options in the very near vicinity. I can't tell you how many times in the last few weeks I've gone from "we are definitely go to do the DDP" to we "we are definitely NOT go to do the DDP." I'm usually pretty good at making a decision but I'm really struggling with this.

 

[photobob]

I'm putting on my flame proof suit here and saying that for us yes it did spoil the spontaneity a bit.

In October we stayed on site with Disney transportation, but with even the regular DDP there were nights that we weren't hungry for another full TS meal. We'd have been happy snacking around World Showcase (or something) for dinner. Because we had the DDP and everything was prepaid for we'd make our way to our appointed ADR for the night.

In April we went without the DDP and there were quite a few nights that we had ADR's and called to cancel them at the last minute. Two nights we went off site because we weren't in the mood for the cuisine I'd reserved for that night and a few nights we just snacked for dinner.

For us that's fine, that's how we like to be and we're happy this way. We thoroughly enjoy TS and sitting down, but we don't need it every day to feel like we're on vacation. That is not how everyone is. If you need one TS per day then the DDP will probably work well for you - you can almost always get something somewhere at some point in the evening. But just be cautious you may well have to travel to a resort if you're traveling at peak times.

No need for the flame proof suit. I'm looking for all opinions and yours is very valid. It's not for you and others swear by it. Since I've never used it, I'm looking for opinions from those who have, pro and con. So, thank you!

 

[Turtlegirl]

It's not the DDP that kills the spontaneity, it's the ADRs and fear that you won't get into the restaurant you want...

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Be warned, I am going to give a very waffling answer!

The ddp is great! I love that I can pre-pay and then not worry about the kids ordering what they want and the argument of whether to get desserts that are overpriced is taken out of the equation. The kids all like high priced meals and not having to say no to them is a very nice feature of the DDP.

BUT...the ddp does take away the spontaneity. With 2 teens, a child and a baby I MUST know where we are eating or meltdowns are likely. With this age range it is not possible to just wait for a table at 9pm and eating at 2:30 is not workable for us. I sit down for 2 or 3 days and pour through menus and choose places that have food everyone will like, I ask them to choose one place each. Then the dining gets booked at 6 months and it is set in stone unless someone is too sick to go.

BUT...I don't feel that it is a pain to do this and have the meal locations and times planned. We spend a good deal of time with the age old conversation of "What do you want for dinner?" "I don't know, what do YOU want?" It can waste an hour at home (yes, for one meal!) I am happy to not play that game at Disney. Instead it is "Ok boys, out of the pool, dinner in 45 minutes!" And there are no arguments or discussions.

BUT...Sometimes people are just not hungry on a schedule. We are then "forced" to go eat anyway, because if not then we have no reservation...oh, that is fine too...with one low blood sugar child, it is not an option to not eat just because another is not hungry. "Order or don't...no biggie...we can pack it up and you can eat it later."- often said to 14yo.

AND...I guess I don't really think it is the plan that restricts us so much as the business of the restaurants, which even if we didn't have the plan we still would encounter busy restaurants. That and the fact that my kids need food on a semi-set schedule (hypoglycemic episodes w/13yo)....so we can't just take a "whatever we get, whenever- is fine" attitude.

AND...I just don't want fast food all week. (which is me being a brat- i know ) It would however be the best way to save some cash and not have planned meal times, and still be able to eat whenever.

Goodness...did I mention this was a waffling answer...you should have heard the LONG version of this (aka- the conversation that hubby and I had to convince him that the DDP is good for us....he said yes...I think just to shut me up! )

Sheli

 

[bluslag]

WE just got back from vacation and being on the DDP for 12 days. Parts of it we loved and we certainly would have not eaten at all these wonderful places if we were paying OOP, but yes it does change the flow of vacation. We went with someone who never wastes a dime so we were not allowed to miss one snack credit. My husband and I are not that way but we went with the flow. When my husband and I go next fall I think I will still make resverations for dinner each night but if we are having a great time at the water park and we are just not that hungry we probably would cancel our resveration. I know that won't happen often but if we are not hungry we save money and pounds. I like being able to have a say in our day. WDW will have to change the DDP in order for me to get it again.

 

[photobob]

Be warned, I am going to give a very waffling answer!

The ddp is great! I love that I can pre-pay and then not worry about the kids ordering what they want and the argument of whether to get desserts that are overpriced is taken out of the equation. The kids all like high priced meals and not having to say no to them is a very nice feature of the DDP.

BUT...the ddp does take away the spontaneity. With 2 teens, a child and a baby I MUST know where we are eating or meltdowns are likely. With this age range it is not possible to just wait for a table at 9pm and eating at 2:30 is not workable for us. I sit down for 2 or 3 days and pour through menus and choose places that have food everyone will like, I ask them to choose one place each. Then the dining gets booked at 6 months and it is set in stone unless someone is too sick to go.

BUT...I don't feel that it is a pain to do this and have the meal locations and times planned. We spend a good deal of time with the age old conversation of "What do you want for dinner?" "I don't know, what do YOU want?" It can waste an hour at home (yes, for one meal!) I am happy to not play that game at Disney. Instead it is "Ok boys, out of the pool, dinner in 45 minutes!" And there are no arguments or discussions.

BUT...Sometimes people are just not hungry on a schedule. We are then "forced" to go eat anyway, because if not then we have no reservation...oh, that is fine too...with one low blood sugar child, it is not an option to not eat just because another is not hungry. "Order or don't...no biggie...we can pack it up and you can eat it later."- often said to 14yo.

AND...I guess I don't really think it is the plan that restricts us so much as the business of the restaurants, which even if we didn't have the plan we still would encounter busy restaurants. That and the fact that my kids need food on a semi-set schedule (hypoglycemic episodes w/13yo)....so we can't just take a "whatever we get, whenever- is fine" attitude.

AND...I just don't want fast food all week. (which is me being a brat- i know ) It would however be the best way to save some cash and not have planned meal times, and still be able to eat whenever.

Goodness...did I mention this was a waffling answer...you should have heard the LONG version of this (aka- the conversation that hubby and I had to convince him that the DDP is good for us....he said yes...I think just to shut me up! )

Sheli

Sheli,

Thanks for your response. Your waffling answer pretty much sums up all the waffling I've been doing. I know if I don't use the DDP we'll probably spend a little less than what the DDP costs. I also know for a little more money I can really upgrade the meals we eat and have a dessert which we normally would not do and (as we've both mentioned) order whatever you want on the menu. One other factor is my son(21) is taking his girlfriend with us and as a college graduation gift to her I'm footing the bill for everything, tickets, meals. The DDP would help her order what she wants instead of trying to make sure she orders cheaply since I'm paying. I'm still waffling. I think I'm making to much of the fact that meals may dominate our planning.

 

[photobob]

WE just got back from vacation and being on the DDP for 12 days. Parts of it we loved and we certainly would have not eaten at all these wonderful places if we were paying OOP, but yes it does change the flow of vacation. We went with someone who never wastes a dime so we were not allowed to miss one snack credit. My husband and I are not that way but we went with the flow. When my husband and I go next fall I think I will still make resverations for dinner each night but if we are having a great time at the water park and we are just not that hungry we probably would cancel our resveration. I know that won't happen often but if we are not hungry we save money and pounds. I like being able to have a say in our day. WDW will have to change the DDP in order for me to get it again.

Eating at all those wonderful places sounds good but I probably fall into the category of your friend who wants to make sure we get everything we've paid for! Still waffling.

 

[TarzansKat]

I know a lot of the waffling pps have described is based on getting the best "value" for the dining plan and the idea of spontaneity. I can totally identify with that! Now, I know the OP has more kids to deal with, so it's a little bit different than my situation. I know that in my family, with DS3, what works best for us is to vary it up a lot. We have a trip planned during Sept with free dining. I have done it for the past two years, and it has felt a bit scheduled.

This year to counteract that, I have scheduled only two dinners during our eight day trip. The rest are breakfast or lunch ADRs. I find, for us, personally, then we have our whole evening free to be sponatenous. Want to park hop and eat counter service somewhere else? No problem. Didn't get to go on a particular ride earlier? We'll catch it later. I think this will really work for us, so take a look at what your family's habits are like. Maybe I'm misreading, but I feel like a lot of posters get more overwhelmed when they "have to" make that dinner ADR. Perhaps if you only pick a few must do dinners, then you'll free up your evenings, and it may give you the spontaneous feel you're looking for.

 

[iheartdisney]

YES!!!!
I'm going CRAZY right now trying to figure out what I'm going to want to eat for 7 days five months from now!!!!!

 

[Tinka_Belle]

For me this year we have decided to try the DDP. Last year when we went we went with a budget for food and did not figure in snacks. We had one meal that was over our meal budget and the whole budget went down the drain. We then had to count how much we spent on each meal and each snack after that one meal. This year we have four TS ADR's. All of them are for around lunchtime, but not at lunchtime if that makes sense. We have decided to do the Deluxe dining, because this gives us breakfast (if we want it) and snacks and dessert (which can be taken along with us and eaten as a snack later). I like that we will be able to order whatever we want off of the menu without having to worry about overdrawing our bank account (like last year). The only thing I have to worry about is counting credits which I don't think will be a problem. DH is a BIG eater so I know that he might end up using some of mine and DD's CS credits as snacks. Those are the reasons why I am willing to use the DDP this year.

 

[Katiebell]

I think it depends on how your family vacations. I like to plan -- Disney or not. I research and do my homework, and we usually have a great vacation. Yes, it's a lot of work, but the anticipation is a lot of fun, too. And we get to see and do a lot more than if we just showed up and said, "OK, what do we do now?" Like the holidays -- everyone wants to relax and enjoy themselves stress-free, but there is a lot of planning and work involved behind the scenes. Can you imagine what Christmas dinner would be like if you just rolled out of bed Christmas morning and said, "OK, what should we cook for dinner?" and hadn't done any shopping or menu planning? And the stores wouldn't be open...no reservations at a restaurant... Maybe...hot dogs, ramen noodles, and PB&J?

Some families don't like planning at all. They want vacation to be totally free and spontaneous, never knowing what they will do next. And that's ok, some folks prefer that -- but it would make me crazy! And of course, lots of people are somewhere in between.

So...with the DDP, you want to make sure you can actually USE the TS credits you have paid for, and that does dampen spontaneity. The DDP has made the TS restaurants busier, even in the off season, so yes, if you want to be SURE you can eat at any of the popular places you have to make an ADR. 180 days in advance, sheesh You can always take your chances and cross your fingers for a last minute cancellation or a walk-up, but you risk being tired, hungry, disappointed, and eating CS. Not that there aren't some great CS restaurants, but not the same as eating at a nice TS. But if you are more "spontaneous" style vacationers, you could even leave and eat off site. But it could also be argued that shows, parades, EMH, and special events spoil spontaneity -- if you want to go to MNSSHP or MVMCP or the Candelight Processional, you have to buy tickets months in advance, know what park you will be in that day, and plan your meals near there so you don't miss the event.