Dxddp

[5fromsc]

We have the free ddp, it will cost 530 to upgrade to the dxddp. How do I convince my dh that we need to do this????
I think it is just a lot more food and if you look at paying opp for one or two meals, it is almost up to that amount.
Looking at all the menus has made me food crazy!

 

[Faldred]

Well, as you mentioned in passing, cost comparison is one way to look at it. IF you're going to want the extra food (i.e., you like doing sit-down/table service 2 times a day or more, like appetizer and dessert, etc.) and you're willing to plan your vacation more around the food, then it can be a good deal.

Remember to not just count dollars and cents, but to also reflect on what it will change (for the better and/or worse) in your overall vacation experience.

 

[catne]

The other thing to figure into your additional costs is the increased amount of tips you'll have to cover when you add all those table-service meals...this can be a huge addition on top of the actual $530 to upgrade. We've done both the DDP and the DxDDP several times...doing the deluxe really increases your restaurant time a lot, too. If you're doing signature dining places to use up 2 credits at a time, these places typically take 2 hours start to finish (they go very slow with each course...very paced service.) If you're going for 3 table service a day, allow at least an hour per meal restaurant time plus travel time & wait to be seated time (as much as another hour per meal.) And if you're eating 3 big meals a day, you will want to spread those out 5-6 hours apart or you will not begin to be hungry if scheduled closer (remember, with lunch & dinner, you're getting appetizer, entree & dessert...even if you don't finish everything, you'll be very very full!) If you're spreading your meals out, do you have little ones who can't do this? Can wreak havoc on your dining plans...

 

[bouncycat]

I have used the DxDDP on the previous couple trips, and I love it. Mostly what we do is a very early breakfast with characters, and then an evening table service meal, and counter service for lunch. Has worked good for us, we have done TS lunch, and didn't like the time it took out of the park experience. But, the beginning of the day, and end of the day is awesome times for TS meals!! I just wouldn't do lunch TS. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[Colleen27]

As others have said, it isn't a purely dollars and cents decision. It also has a lot to do with what sort of vacation experience you want to have.

We love the deluxe dining plan because it suits the way we eat on vacation. We just took a short non-Disney trip for a few days before Thanksgiving - in 3 days, even during the drive, we didn't eat one fast food/quick service type meal. We just don't like the hassles of that kind of dining with three kids, and that's even more true in places as crowded as Disney! I do cost comparisons for every trip, but don't even take the basic or quick service plans into account because they just don't suit us.

It does take more time out of the day to do multiple sit down meals, of course. If you (or your kids) are inclined to see dining as a necessary evil that interrupts park touring, the DxDDP isn't likely to work out. If, like us, you see dining as part of the whole vacation experience, it is a lovely addition that really gives the trip an all-inclusive feel. We have character breakfasts that we'd never pay for OOP because we're very light breakfast eaters ($30 for fruit & coffee just doesn't make sense), but on the plan we don't worry about that. And we have signature dinners most nights and very much enjoy ordering a variety of foods we can't readily experience at home in our little midwestern town.