Duluxe Dining questionm

[mickeyfan83]

I have no idea how early we will wake up or go to bed and i for one hate to be hungry and my kiddo is always hungry. i am debating about doing the dulxe dining plan because of the extra snacks, the resort mug, and more meals to play with means less - really none- out of pocket. my only conern is i dont know that we have enough time to eat all that food since we are only staying 5 full days. any comments, esp from plus size disney pro;s?

 

[caroline1851]

How many meals do you eat at home? I usually eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and usually have 2 small snacks at some point in the morning and afternoon. That's the same as the deluxe ddp? If you don't normally eat 3 meals a day, then maybe you'd find it too time consuming?

 

[Krmrr]

Remember your credits start with check-in, but depend on the number of nights you stay. If you arrive at 11:00, you could eat lunch and dinner using 2 or 3 credits. My wife and I have even checked in at 8 a.m. and gone to get breakfast at Boma. We have AP's and drive down and stay off site for the first night. On our last day, we have a buffet breakfast and get a take out lunch for the drive home from Earl of Sandwich or WPE, maybe both if we have the credits.
Of course if you arrive at 10pm and leave at 9 a.m., this does not help much.

Have a good trip.

 

[PortieOwner]

I find that one meal at Disney equals 2.5 meals in the real world. And you can also split some counter service meals.

 

[septbaby]

If you can afford the deluxe plan in your trip budget its worth consideration. We'll have a 3 night trip coming up and I am seriously considering the Deluxe plan, never thought I would. Because its only 3 nights upgrading will be "cheap" vs a longer stay. I haven't made a decision just yet, but kind of think Deluxe will be the way to go for me.

You already know that the snacks and mug will be helpful for you. Those on the Deluxe plan still get appetizers in their TS meals. For us the nice thing is the ability to add in a couple of 2TS meals. Last time we went to Narcoossee's so we had to pay for Chef Mickey's OOP, not a big deal. But on a 3 night trip if we wanted to do Boma(B), Jiko(D) and Chef Mickey's(D) we'll be over our TS allotment and out of TS meal credits in just 2 days of a 4 day trip. I loved having my meals and trip pre paid last time and the Deluxe plan will allow me to do that again. I might even get a Disney gift card so my tips are "pre paid" as well.

I hope this helps you decide. I think I'm getting closer too.

 

[PortieOwner]

Don't forget to figure tips into your budget. Eating at 2-credit places will be a larger bill and a larger tip.

 

[alldiz]

Depends....
I am doing deluxe for part of my trip....

late bkfst/or early lunch.....with a signature/show 2TS for dinner.....

eating 3 TS a day IMO.....just takes too much time....

but if you do 2 TS with a signature...it is worth it IMO.....
Kerri

 

[Aurora317]

Depends....
I am doing deluxe for part of my trip....

late bkfst/or early lunch.....with a signature/show 2TS for dinner.....

eating 3 TS a day IMO.....just takes too much time....

but if you do 2 TS with a signature...it is worth it IMO.....
Kerri

This is exactly why we're upgrading to the Deluxe plan for our 5-day trip this coming June. We're doing buffet breakfasts twice, with one dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table and one at California Grill. We have a party of 7 so everyone can split up and use the remaining meals for either private TS meals, or quick CS dining in the parks. Add in that our snack points can be used to buy some basic grocery items for our room, that will take care of breakfast on the remaining days, and still have plenty left over for Dole Whip!

 

[septbaby]

our snack points can be used to buy some basic grocery items for our room, that will take care of breakfast on the remaining days, and still have plenty left over for Dole Whip!

Just so you aren't surprised, snack credits can no longer be used to buy things under $4, such as a box of donuts or carton of milk. Snacks are now in the "single serving" size, not family size.

 

[chuckcorden]

I am seriously thinking about using the deluxe DDP for my 6-night trip in March. I've done an informal analysis of the costs of both the regular plan and the deluxe plan and after factoring in the 18% gratuity to both plans to get the actual costs (plan cost plus 18% tip on the food that you would most likely order) I've discovered that under both plans patrons get about 20-21% more value than their actual costs. Of course, that doesn't include the extra meals that the patrons with the regular DDP will most likely have to buy since they only have six TS credits (for a six night stay). IMO, this is the biggest disadvantage of the regular plan.

I like the idea of being able to order appetizers as well as the entrees and desserts and the ability to have (in my case) 18 TS credits. With so many credits, I plan on really trying out some of the signature restaurants. I will try out the California Grill, Flying Fish, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Jiko (an easy choice since I'm staying at the Villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge).

That would give me ten credits left which I will allocate among two dinners at "normal" restaurants, some lunches, and a few breakfasts. Maybe I'll try a few quick service eateries if I get tired of sit-down restaurants. That's not to mention the 12 snacks that I would be entitled to.

 

[chuckcorden]

x

 

[hmillerbarilla]

We also upgraded to the Deluxe DDP because we've been wanting to do more 2TS places, and now we can while still doing our Akershus lunch & Chef Mickeys breakfast.

We go to WDW to eat... and it is so great to be able to go out with the kids, and then leave them with my lovely sister (smiller) and go to Cali Grill. This year we'll try Yachtsman and others... the choices are endless! I'm really excited!

I think if you enjoy eating, and don't mind the time (unless you do a lunch or breakfast & a sig dining at night) it is an excellent choice. Plus, I love that you still get the appetizer!

 

[MommyBuzz909]

Would any of recommend upgrading to Premium or Platinum??
Do those dining plans give you all of the same restaurants options as the Deluxe?

 

[mpmluvstigger]

Doing Dxddp too! Three meals a day is a norm for us but three ts meals a day would be alot if your planing to spend alot of time in the parks, so we have opted to do alot of sig. restaurants and a couple buffets for breakfast. The rest will probably be CS. We just like the idea that if we want an appy and a desert we have that option and its already paid for. I think its a good deal but its whatever works best for you and your family.

 

[kellyg403]

We are also doing the deluxe for those 2 TS meals. Just me and DH and we are looking forward to doing some of things we never get to when the teens are with us. We are going PURELY to be at WDW, people watch, eat, shows, eat, shop, eat.....If we don't even do a single ride I don't really care! Looking forward to Hoop De Doo, breakfast in the castle, Brown Derby etc. All of the places the kids will not like but we would.

Not sure that I would go Deluxe with the kids in tow. With them, we are so busy making sure we hit all the things they want to do, we often are only eating breakfast and dinner and a snack. So, the reg dining plan when the kids are with us will be more than enough I think.

Kelly

 

[Pumbaa_]

Kelly that sounds like a great way to do DxDP.

Next time I do a friends trip, usually long weekend, we usually do a signature every night. The trip is all about being together, catching up and the food!

For a regular trip, too much planning required

 

[septbaby]

Would any of recommend upgrading to Premium or Platinum??
Do those dining plans give you all of the same restaurants options as the Deluxe?

Those plans are offer more activities the dining plan with those packages is the Deluxe plan. For a first trip to Disney I'd concentrate my time in the parks. The one exception for me would be if you plan to see La Nouba and you plan to play lots of golf the Premium plan may be a great choice. However, if your trip is a week or less I think the parks offer so much to keep you busy you wouldn't have time to take advantage of the perks of that plan. There are other specials available for golfers, so don't fret!

 

[chuckcorden]

For a regular trip, too much planning required

Gee, Pumbaa (and fellow Nutmegger), isn't planning the fun thing of going to WDW?

For myself, I love the planning stage of a WDW visit. My wife is more of a laid back traveler but she may not accompany me on this trip so I can plan all I want.

With the deluxe plan (six nights) I'm going to eat at four signature restaurants plus a load of "regular eateries". My planning is so detailed that I already know what I will probably order when I get to the restaurant (assuming no changes in the menus, of course). I can't wait to have the Buffalo Strip Steak at the California Grill.

Go UCONN!!!

 

[momof5gr8kids]

WEll, I'm in the beginning stages of the "planning" part, for me, DH, and 5 kiddos in tow in late Nov, and this DDP is soo confusing to me! Everyone has their own "thing"..but it's vacation, so who cares what you eat IMO, that's part of the fun. But ultimately, you can put your TS points toward bigger things, like character meals, right? Is there someone who can either tell me, or send me to a website that explains this so I can better understand?
Sorry..I'm just a "newbie!"
Thanks for the help tho!

 

[septbaby]

WEll, I'm in the beginning stages of the "planning" part, for me, DH, and 5 kiddos in tow in late Nov, and this DDP is soo confusing to me! Everyone has their own "thing"..but it's vacation, so who cares what you eat IMO, that's part of the fun. But ultimately, you can put your TS points toward bigger things, like character meals, right? Is there someone who can either tell me, or send me to a website that explains this so I can better understand?
Sorry..I'm just a "newbie!"
Thanks for the help tho!

Mom you have found the site where you can get your answers or at least information to make your decisions. The Dining Plan gives you a set number of meal and snack credits. On the standard dining plan they are divided into TS(Table Service) and CS(Counter Service). You get 1 of each of those for every member in your party for each night of your stay at a Disney resort. You also get a snack credit (ice cream, popcorn, bakery item, bottle of soda, order of fries, etc.) Price for this plan is $37.99 for Adults and $9.99 for Children(3-9yrs). This plan worked well for us last time (two adults and a 5yo boy).

The Deluxe Plan gives you 3 meals credits per day and can be used at TS or CS restaurants. Character meals are in the TS category. Most TS meals require one credit. However, there is a class of restaurants called "Signature" that will require 2TS or meal credits. Pricing for this plan is $69.99 per night for Adults and I believe $19.99 per night for children.

With either plan tax is included in the price, but tips are not. Also the Deluxe plan includes an appetizer with your lunch or dinner TS or Signature meal.

At the top of this page there are two links that will probably be very helpful to you (they were for me):

Dining - can show you a list of restaurants on the Dinin plan, menus, hours and pricing informtion

Chat - There is Disney chat each night at 9pm Eastern. I learned so much just watching the chat session and ultimately dove in and got many of my questions answered. The group there is so welcoming it was easy to feel right at home and not itimidated.

Happy planning!