DXDDP Issues

[bluwater]

You made an incorrect assumpation about how the plan worked and now want to blame Disney? If you have one adult and one child you can't purchase more than one adult meal per seating...I am not sure how that became unclear or complicated?

I used the word "restricive"...

The plan is restrictive. I stand by that word. It is.

If I had read the "fine print" (wherever it *might* be printed), I would have known - but that doesn't change the results, nor does it change my feedback. It is too restricitve for me. When I booked it, nobody read any rules, nor did anyone direct me to a policy guideline.

It's just an opinion.

There are people who will like it - and people who will hate it. That's how *everything" at Disney works, right?

It's new! I tried it to see what I thought of it and to give feedback. I don't think the average person will enjoy it or be able to enjoy it. I believe, based on my years of exeprience, that most people will waste money on it.

From those of you who are defending the DXDDP plan, I'd like to hear how YOU used the DXDDP plan...for adults and children. Really, would value your feedback.

As for the exaqmple using Character buffets, my DD doesn't like Character buffets. It isn't worth the extra money to me.

What I'd planned to do was use 2 TS meals per day. We cannot eat 3TS meals per day - nor can we eat 2 TS and 1 CS meals per day, with snacks.

We checked in at 8am and had a departing flight at 8:25 pm. This gave us a full arrival day and a full departure day. Even with that, we still weren't able to use all of the meals due to the restrictions.

"Restrictions" is the operative word.

As far as buffets are concerend, I try not to eat at too many of those. We did eat at Cape May, OOP, and enjoyed it.

 

[asmit4]

You mean that it was too restrictive for your child and that you would not recommend the deluxe plan with children that have a high end/adult palate. Yes, overall I would agree.

However, I have seen many many families that swear by the deluxe dining plan. Me? I could never eat 70 dollars worth of DW food per day...others love it.

I am by no means defending the plan. What I am saying is that when the average traveler/person spends 3 or 4K on a one week vacation- they ought to research and learn about the product they are buying. When I purchase a fridge for 2K, I go to multiple stores, read up online about what people thought of the product. Same goes for a trip that costs double that. It takes research.

I think that perhaps you are right- the 'average' traveler doesn't do those things and I think that's why for every 1 person that LOVES DW, there are 4 others that can't stand it. (I'm not saying you hate DW just using it as an example)

Most people don't do the research- they treat DW like Cedar Point or any other themepark. They pay the flight costs, buy a room and show up. DW is NOT like any other themepark. Many of us are on the DISboards for weeks, months, even years before our trips planning. Many people on here DO plan their meals in advance, they do book ADRs for all deluxe meals they also plan a day by day itinerary- want a 30 page excel spreadsheet? They got em on the dis for planning! LOL!

I guess what I'm saying is that the average traveler will not get the most out of DW, but that is not DW's fault. The info is there for the taking! You clearly found the DIS in May 2007, yet you didn't take even 10 minutes to read up on the details of the deluxe plan until AFTER you came back frustrated. This is exactly why people come back from DW and proclaim things like 'fast passes cost $$$', 'there is no transportation btwn parks', 'we couldn't find a place to sit down and eat'. COMMON mistakes of those that fail to plan before dropping wads of cash on what they presume is 'just another themepark'.

 

[bluwater]

The info is there for the taking! You clearly found the DIS in May 2007, yet you didn't take even 10 minutes to read up on the details of the deluxe plan until AFTER you came back frustrated.

Not the case. I read the DXDDP boards before I left - and I posted on them. I guess I spent about 4-5 (maybe more) hours on the DXDDP research, overall. IMO, that's enough time to spend researching the food for a 1 week visit.

Actually, I found Disney forums before I started going in 1995 with my now 21 yr old college student(after going as a child in the 70s)- Prodigy forums when ToT was first built and released- then AOL for 97 and 98 visits. Dis came sometime later, between the 2003 and the 2005 visits. Then I lost my screen name and changed names for an '07 refresh.

I am not new to Disney.

I did research the plan.

I am done defending myself here in the land of "Disney can do no harm and all else be damned".

 

[septbaby]

As for the exaqmple using Character buffets, my DD doesn't like Character buffets. It isn't worth the extra money to me.

What I'd planned to do was use 2 TS meals per day. We cannot eat 3TS meals per day - nor can we eat 2 TS and 1 CS meals per day, with snacks.

Boma, Tusker House, Trails End, Captain's Grille breakfast, Hollywood & Vine dinner, Cape May dinner, are also buffets that don't include character experiences. Whispering Canyon's skillet is also the same for adults and children and is "endless".

Hopefully you also enjoyed some Signature Dining as some of those places have "souped up" child meals: steak, fish, salads/soups and excellent desserts.

I'm not sure why you paid OOP for Cape May if you had meal credits available, but I'm sure you have your reasons.

 

[kim_d]

I used the word "restricive"...

The plan is restrictive. I stand by that word. It is.

If I had read the "fine print" (wherever it *might* be printed), I would have known - but that doesn't change the results, nor does it change my feedback. It is too restricitve for me. When I booked it, nobody read any rules, nor did anyone direct me to a policy guideline.

It's just an opinion.

There are people who will like it - and people who will hate it. That's how *everything" at Disney works, right?

It's new! I tried it to see what I thought of it and to give feedback. I don't think the average person will enjoy it or be able to enjoy it. I believe, based on my years of exeprience, that most people will waste money on it.

From those of you who are defending the DXDDP plan, I'd like to hear how YOU used the DXDDP plan...for adults and children. Really, would value your feedback.

As for the exaqmple using Character buffets, my DD doesn't like Character buffets. It isn't worth the extra money to me.

What I'd planned to do was use 2 TS meals per day. We cannot eat 3TS meals per day - nor can we eat 2 TS and 1 CS meals per day, with snacks.

We checked in at 8am and had a departing flight at 8:25 pm. This gave us a full arrival day and a full departure day. Even with that, we still weren't able to use all of the meals due to the restrictions.

"Restrictions" is the operative word.

As far as buffets are concerend, I try not to eat at too many of those. We did eat at Cape May, OOP, and enjoyed it.

I guess I don't understand why you would purchase the plan that included 3 meals per day but you knew you were only going to use 2 TS per day unless you were doing a lot of signature dining- otherwise you would have quite a few credits remaining.

Just curious, if you had credits remaining why would you pay OOP for Cape May- especially since it is a buffet with the same menu for adults and children?

 

[bluwater]

[/B]

I guess I don't understand why you would purchase the plan that included 3 meals per day but you knew you were only going to use 2 TS per day unless you were doing a lot of signature dining- otherwise you would have quite a few credits remaining.

Just curious, if you had credits remaining why would you pay OOP for Cape May- especially since it is a buffet with the same menu for adults and children?

Becaus the DDP begins when you check in and ends at midnight on the day you check out. If you plan it right, you can use 2 TS per day and use the DXDDP on your check in and check out days.

Cape May was visited before we began Disney Dining. We were at another Disney resort doing a split stay.

 

[bluwater]

Boma, Tusker House, Trails End, Captain's Grille breakfast, Hollywood & Vine dinner, Cape May dinner, are also buffets that don't include character experiences. Whispering Canyon's skillet is also the same for adults and children and is "endless".

Hopefully you also enjoyed some Signature Dining as some of those places have "souped up" child meals: steak, fish, salads/soups and excellent desserts.

I'm not sure why you paid OOP for Cape May if you had meal credits available, but I'm sure you have your reasons.

Yes, we had ADRs for 2 meals per day. Lots of planning and research. Ate signature at Cali Grille and thought it was ok.

If we weren't hungry at the times we had ADRs, and we wanted to eat later, we couldn't get into TS places....this is when muffins and sandwiches - and wasted money came into play.

It wasn't that we didn't KNOW and research, it was that we didn't adhere to the schedule at all times, which caused the problems. Trust me, I had ADRs for every meal with an Excel workbook of all "intersting" restaurant menus - not just those where we had ADRs (can send to anyone interested) - with tabs for lunch and dinner/ kids and adults. I had this downloaded to my Blackberry with reminders for ADRs - and alternate park menu plans.

For anyone who is pushing back on my opinion, you will have had to tried DXDDP during a period as busy as mid-summer - with a child.

 

[septbaby]

I am done defending myself here in the land of "Disney can do no harm and all else be damned".

Hope you don't really feel put upon. You shared you opinion/frustrations and others don't get some of those frustrations or opinions. Certainly many of us who read and post on these boards have an affinity for Disney. DIS is also a place to vent when we feel Disney had done something "not so magical". You've done that. Speaking for me and me only, I tried to give you some other options that might have been helpful for a more magical stay. We are a vegetarian family with a somewhat picky little boy so the child menu and DP were of concern to me. The hints I posted were things we did (share, buffets, etc.) and we had a wonderful time on the the 2007 DP getting plenty to eat. Wished your experience was more like ours.

 

[Narnia]

I still have 3 months to go but I'm 100% sure I'll love the deluxe plan. My kids need to eat and we will beable to eat 2-3 times a day. I booked mainly charictor meals(CRT,LTT,akershis(sp?),CM,CP,.....) I belive only coral reef and boma and tony's are the only non we have. I personally do not wish to wait in a 1/2 hour line just to get a signature. It also allows us to rest. I like the snack credits too because instead of icecream that melts I can get them a milk shake and guess what they won't have to share( they would have if I paid oop). Of corse my kids are 3 and 6 so they actually love pizza ,burgers and chicken fingers.

We have 3 2 credit meals booked, hoop de doo, the luau and CRT

 

[victorandbellasmom]

As far as buffets are concerend, I try not to eat at too many of those. We did eat at Cape May, OOP, and enjoyed it.

We were behind in the meals and looking like we'd leave up to 6 meals on the table. I asked a manager if I could use one of my Adult plan meals to buy her an adult meal - I was told no.
...
Anyway, I bought her meal out of pocket - more than once.

Thanks for your review of the DxDP, but I was curious as to why you were paying oop for a buffet, when you'd possibly have extra meal credit unused. I can see paying OOP for an adult entree for your child at a non buffet, but at Cape May Cafe .

I get that you had all your ADRs set and the muffins came into play when you veered off your original ADR schedule and no other table service was open. We're doing DxDP for our trip and are aware that we need to try and stay on point as much as possible to maximize the value of DxDP. We 're going during free dining and we know that it won't be easy to reschedule an ADR and can see that the DxDP (even the DDP) can be restrictive(trying to get into a TS restraurant.

 

[TDC Nala]

The OP has clarified that they were not on the DDP at the time they went to Cape May as they had a split resort stay and only had DDP on one reservation.

 

[septbaby]

I still have 3 months to go but I'm 100% sure I'll love the deluxe plan. My kids need to eat and we will beable to eat 2-3 times a day. I booked mainly charictor meals(LTT,akershis(sp?),CM,CP,.....) I belive only coral reef and boma and tony's are the only non we have. I personally do not wish to wait in a 1/2 hour line just to get a signature. It also allows us to rest. I like the snack credits too because instead of icecream that melts I can get them a milk shake and guess what they won't have to share( they would have if I paid oop). Of corse my kids are 3 and 6 so they actually love pizza ,burgers and chicken fingers.

Boma is a buffet with a lower kids section right in the middle: mac & cheese and chicken are front and center for them. My 5yo nephew loved his apple slices, pizza and sundae meal at Coral Reef. He thought the fish were cool too. CM's was his ultimate meal he just loved it or loves it? as he still talks about it a year later!

Brace yourself: you'll still be in character lines in the park; there is something about reptition at those ages; they don't quite get the fact that Goofy already signed their book; they see Goofy and want another hug, photo or whatever and guess what you'll be pressed to say NO! Just blow a snack credit and grab that Dole whip, get in line and wait!

 

[bluwater]

Septbaby -thank you. Your advice about the buffets was very sage.

Yes, if we had done buffets, my DD would have been able to eat from the adult menu without question. This is a fair option for kids of this age.

If I was forced into a WDW trip with DXDDP in the future, I would certainly book a dining itinerary full of buffets. It wouldn't be my choice for dining, but would satisfy my DD.

Overall, I think my choice would be to book a room with a kitchenette and be able to warm up anything at any time...without a dining plan ir ADRs. For this mom and daughter, flexibility is key. It is not about cost, it is about choice and flexibility.

 

[racefanof88]

OK, I have been reading and I just have to add my .02. I have to agree with the OP. We went in May and used the basic plan and found the TIME to be too restrictive. I felt like all I did was make sure I was at the right restaurant at the right time. And my 9yo son found the menus to be less than appealing. He is a very picky eater, not quite the same situation but close. I would not use the DxDDP as I didn't even like the regular DDP, and there is no way we could use all the credits. On our last night we went on a "spending" spree in the food court and gift shop.........

We may use the new CS plan as we prefer to spend time in the parks instead eating. We missed the Studios this year due to trying to keep up with ADRs. And yes we did plan, plan, plan, but between going from place to place we were just too tired to make it to HS. We don't go to Disney to eat and we learned a valuable lesson this past trip.

 

[septbaby]

We may use the new CS plan as we prefer to spend time in the parks instead eating. We missed the Studios this year due to trying to keep up with ADRs. And yes we did plan, plan, plan, but between going from place to place we were just too tired to make it to HS. We don't go to Disney to eat and we learned a valuable lesson this past trip.

You are brave, willing to feed a 19/20yo male w/o a DP in WDW.

I can't see not going to WDW and eating. The rides will be for our 6yo, but the dining experiences are the treat for me.

We actually went to DHS because we had an ADR there. If not for the ADR we would have likely just stayed at the Magic Kingdom a while longer which would have been just fine with me. As it turned out the meal and time in DHS were wonderful.

 

[racefanof88]

You are brave, willing to feed a 19/20yo male w/o a DP in WDW.

I can't see not going to WDW and eating. The rides will be for our 6yo, but the dining experiences are the treat for me.

We actually went to DHS because we had an ADR there. If not for the ADR we would have likely just stayed at the Magic Kingdom a while longer which would have been just fine with me. As it turned out the meal and time in DHS were wonderful.

You got me on that one......... That boy can eat. He is like me though he will eat pretty much anything.

I was very upset that we missed DHS . It isn't my favorite park but, I like to at least go to all the parks for a few hours.

 

[LisaInNc]

If you were on the deluxe there should have been enough food at any meal for you AND your 9 year old to share.

 

[planitdad]

What an informative thread! OP- you have taken a few hits here, but through your feedback and so many well-spoken points of view, many no doubt can now apply better judgement as to whether the deluxe (or any dining plan) might suit them.

Any dining plan can be restrictive and the deluxe IMO is definitely a planning challenge. We are doing the deluxe this August after doing the regular plan a couple of times.

I feel the deluxe is for us because we were able to get ADR's that made sense in our plan (no bouncing around). Our kids also don't care to ride any of the biggies like TOT, EE, etc. so that makes it easier. They don't do character meets any more having done that enough. We don't even feel the need to stay at a character meal until we've seen all the characters. When were done eating, it's time to go.

All these plus our dislike of hard to find seating at CS locations make the deluxe a good fit for us (this yr. anyway).

These are the kinds of issues your thread points out so others may avoid leaving disappointed. So thanks for your post and better luck next time!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I used the word "restricive"...

The plan is restrictive. I stand by that word. It is.

If I had read the "fine print" (wherever it *might* be printed), I would have known - but that doesn't change the results, nor does it change my feedback. It is too restricitve for me. When I booked it, nobody read any rules, nor did anyone direct me to a policy guideline.

It's just an opinion.

There are people who will like it - and people who will hate it. That's how *everything" at Disney works, right?

It's new! I tried it to see what I thought of it and to give feedback. I don't think the average person will enjoy it or be able to enjoy it. I believe, based on my years of exeprience, that most people will waste money on it.

From those of you who are defending the DXDDP plan, I'd like to hear how YOU used the DXDDP plan...for adults and children. Really, would value your feedback.

As for the exaqmple using Character buffets, my DD doesn't like Character buffets. It isn't worth the extra money to me.

What I'd planned to do was use 2 TS meals per day. We cannot eat 3TS meals per day - nor can we eat 2 TS and 1 CS meals per day, with snacks.

We checked in at 8am and had a departing flight at 8:25 pm. This gave us a full arrival day and a full departure day. Even with that, we still weren't able to use all of the meals due to the restrictions.

"Restrictions" is the operative word.

As far as buffets are concerend, I try not to eat at too many of those. We did eat at Cape May, OOP, and enjoyed it.

Well, we love the deluxe plan. We used it in April, and it was never "restrictive"!! We did character breakfasts, and 2 credit TS meals/shows for the evening meal. If we had wanted to do so, we could have done an early dinner at 5pm and a later dinner at 9pm. We never exceeded 2 adults and 3 kids at any one meal (that is how many were on our ressies). If our kids were still hungry after dinner there were always the 2 snacks (we did have 10 per day between all of us). For snacks there were always fries and Mickey bars if we wanted/needed them. I would never take the word of one CM as being the last word concerning our meals or any other part of our trip!!

Why would you buy the Deluxe dp if you only planned to eat 2 meals a day? Makes no sense to spend the extra money for the plan if you knew you couldn't possibly eat all the food. As far as maximizing the plan, using the credits for CS would be a better use of credits than paying OOP and leaving the unused credits - and you were disappointed when you came home.

 

[septbaby]

Keep in mind the OP really didn't plan on eating CS meals and the Deluxe plan is the only plan that gives you at least 2TS meals. It is possible to eat $70 of value with 2TS meals, even if you don't make one a Signature. If one chooses a Signature meal that meal alone could be $70 (Lobster meals at Narcoossee's $54+ $12 App. + $8 Dessert + $4 beverage = $78 before tax

I think the OP ran into two "walls":1) she tried to stick with the strategy of not "eating" CS on the plan 2) choosing to skip her ADRs and expecting to be able to get replacement ADRs. If she was staying at a Deluxe resort she'd have the fall back of room service daily. Otherwise she'd have to be flexible in accepting the replacement ADRs OR choose to spend time waiting at places on the plan that don't take ADRs. If she had been willing to spend the credits on CS skipping the ADRs wouldn't have been such a big deal and she would have had fewer credits left at the end of the trip. Things usually change at WDW so having a plan B and C is helpful. Also ADRs can be tough to get, so if you have to cancel either be willing to skip the meal or chose something that won't require an ADR.

On the bright side if they weren't hungry at ADR time that gave them more time to enjoy some non food Disney magic!