DP vs AP DP or Deluxe DP??

[newtodis]

Hey guys-

We've got free dining in September and we're taking full advantage of that! We're getting APs and I read somewhere that I can get a meal plan with that as well (something like 20% off or something??). Is it worth adding that plan to our APs as well? Also, how did you determine if your family would upgrade from the DP to the deluxe DP???

Thanks so much for the help!!

 

[carmie3377]

We opted not to upgrade as I feel that it would be too much food. The basic was enough for us. Even if we throw in an extra meal here and there, I feel that we wouldn't be spending the amount of the upgrade.

As far as the Disney Dining Experience (DDE), I can't comment on that as I have no experience with it. I'm sure someone else will chime in with that info

 

[newtodis]

Thanks so much!! I appreciate the help!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I always tell people that upgrading to deluxe depends on several things:

1) If this is your first trip or not. If it is, you won't be spending as much time in the parks with deluxe dining. If you've done all the parks before at least once, It would be okay.

2) If you have your own car. If you get deluxe dining, you probably will be dining at quite a few resort restaurants. It's much harder getting to and from the resorts from your resort with disney transportation than if you could drive yourself.

3) Picky eaters. If you have people in your party that don't eat much or are very picky, I would do the regular dining plan so that you wouldn't be wasting your hard earned dollars on food that will be thrown away.

4) Whether or not you eat at TS locations. If you eat mostly fast food or counter service or only order 1 appetizer, share an entree, etc. your not going to get your value.

5) Small children. If you get the deluxe, you'll have to eat at least a few very late dinners. If you eat earlier, you'll probably be still full from lunch so if you have small children who normally go to bed early, this probably won't work. The only thing you can do is eat a breakfast, then skip lunch and do a signature meal for dinner around 6 or 7pm which is still a decent time for toddlers to be eating. You could do snacks for lunch if anyone is hungry.

After considering all this, you can decide whether or not you want to upgrade to deluxe.

 

[aubriee]

If you have an AP you are then eligible to purchase the Disney Dining Experience card for I believe it is $65.00 now. With the DDE card you can get 20% off meals in most TS restaurants as well as CS at resorts that do not have a TS restaurant (all the Value resorts and POFQ). You can also get 20% off any alcoholic beverages. There are black out dates where you can not use the DDE (usually around holidays). Quite a few restaurants at DTD do not accept it as well as I believe Yak & Yeti and Planet Hollywood at AK and the Japanese restaurants in Epcot. With the DDE card you will now be charged an automatic 18% gratuity, also. I have used it for several years now, but chose not to renew it this year. Since AP holders can now purchase the DDP and since I travel alot just solo, I will be going that route.

I chose to go with the DxDDP both for my upcoming solo trip May 3rd-10th and for our free dining trip in Sept with my family, because we love the appetizers, we want to try some 2 credit Signature restaurants, and because we prefer TS dining over CS and with the DxDDP we get to choose which we want.

With just the AP you can get some discounts in some restaurants (some of the WS restaurants give 10% off for lunch, and some of the DTD restaurants (House of Blues, Portobello Yacht Club, and I believe a couple more) will also give like 10% for one meal and 20% for the other, but I forget which meals. I believe House of Blues gives 20% off for lunch and 10% off for dinner to AP holders.

 

[feistyf]

we chose DxDDP b/c our toddler is a BIG eater as is our 7 year old and my DH. since i'll likely be sharing with our 2yr old and it will be hot.. we'll enjoy the breaks in the AC for TS