DxDP Is it worth it?

[MegRaeWhay]

My husband and I are going to Disney in December for 6 nights and we are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Is the deluxe dining plan worth the cost for 2 adults?

 

[patsal]

It is so dependent on how and what you eat. IF you are really big eaters, eat three three course meals per person per day or enjoy the signature dining venues than it might work well for you. For us, nto really something we'd be into since that would be way too much time spent eating and way too little time seeing and doing things. I'd say think about what and where you woudl be eating then compare the plans to see if one fits withthat. If you are very into character meals, eat a big TS breakfast each morning and enjoy signature dining each evening then it would get a yes. If you like a quick breakfast, share CS lunches or eat a tTS lunch and then kind of grab and go as you get hungry then maybe not so much. Would you spend $140 per day plus tips for two people to eat or is this considerably more than you would spend?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

We stayed at AKL while on the Deluxe Plan too. It is worth it 100% if you make good use of your meal credits. We always do at least one sit down meal per day and the majority of them are signature restaurants. I posted more about it on another thread: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2056231

 

[summersalt]

My husband and I are going to Disney in December for 6 nights and we are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Is the deluxe dining plan worth the cost for 2 adults?

My husband and I are going in May to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I went to allearsnet.com and looked at the menus of the restaurants that I think we'd like to try. Since there are no kids on this trip, we want to try a signature every nite. I added up the cost of what I think we'd eat and we will probably break even on the meals. However, if I add in the snacks and the drinks from the refillable mugs, we'll probably save a few bucks. I like the idea of having everything paid up front so we opted for the DxDP.

 

[bigredbill]

We just returned from POR and the Deluxe plan. For us, it was just too much food. We had a three-night stay on the plan, used multiple points for a character breakfast and the California Grill, and still did not use all of our meals. One thing also to keep in mind is tipping. Appetizers, entrees, and desserts for six tends to add up each meal. Tipping at 20% can hit the wallet after a few days. I bet we easily spent over $150 in tips alone during those three days. We decided to do the regular dining plan next time we visit the parks.

 

[WAHMto5]

I would say that like the PP mentioned, if you are BIG eaters it would! I consider our family as big portion/eaters and we are always STUFFED by the end of the day on the regular DDP, I could not imagine the deluxe

 

[patsal]

We just returned from POR and the Deluxe plan. For us, it was just too much food. We had a three-night stay on the plan, used multiple points for a character breakfast and the California Grill, and still did not use all of our meals. One thing also to keep in mind is tipping. Appetizers, entrees, and desserts for six tends to add up each meal. Tipping at 20% can hit the wallet after a few days. I bet we easily spent over $150 in tips alone during those three days. We decided to do the regular dining plan next time we visit the parks.

I can easily believe the tips thing.
Last year when I ran the numbers just for the heck of it I learned that the 4 of us would be putting out very close to $1000 extra in tips. No not going to do that plan!

 

[tnd]

We did it and liked it a lot, but we're big eaters and we did 3 signature meals throughout the trip. Even for us, it was a lot of food. Most of the restaurants are very happy to box up desserts to go, so we did that sometimes, and had the desserts later in the evening or for breakfast! The cheese plates from Jiko and Narcoosee both made yummy breakfasts. We still had 2 meals left at the end since we skipped breakfast on the last day, but I didn't feel too bad since we had already saved several hundred dollars over the cost of the plan. We also did 4 character meals while we were there, which was fun. I suspect we'll do the deluxe plan every time we go. My husband doesn't love counter service, so even though we did eat some of it, we weren't locked into it every day.

 

[Tammy296]

Well... consider reading this article before you decide:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-disney-dining-plan-infuriate-wdw-guests.aspx

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You won't like what I have to say...

The 2008-2009 DDP is not like it used to be when it first came out. Appetizers and Tip is NOT INCLUDED anymore. Plus, Disney has taken a lot of the fun out of snack credit use especially at Epcot. It used to be that anything under $5 was good to go.

Finding a counter service place to eat in some of the parks is also a big We found ourselves going off site a lot because the CS offers didn't appeal to us. Had there been more mall-like food court offerings (soup, salad, sandwiches) for CS maybe we would have been happier. But nasty turkey legs and dried-out burgers did not appeal to me. Even at a mall food court for around $8 you can get decent chinese food!

Honestly, when you add up what you'll spend in tips for the TS - probably not.

The way people are going, they'll end up eating off site again pretty soon!

 

[Justsyd2]

We feel like it is completely worth it, but you must decide if it is worth it for you and yours.

My husband and I love to eat at high end establishments, but we don't do it everyday. Disney is our one BIG vacation this year, so we are prepaying for the Deluxe Dining Plan, and we are going to use it!

We have scheduled to use $45-50.00 for breakfast (except CRT where it will cost $100.00), around $100.00 for lunches, and probably $150.00 - $200.00 for dinners.

If you figure that it only costs us $140.00 a day for both of us, plus we get 4 snacks and resort mugs, we come out ahead.

 

[AngVT]

My son and I were on the deluxe dining plan... WAY too much food... too many constraints on time (because of ADR's); and too much money (tips/plan... $$$$) My daughter and I are doing the QSDP this year, and I'm looking forward to splitting meals, and prolonging the credits!

I like to eat well, and the deluxe was just too much food...(we ate salads for the last 2 days! ) If you are a big eater, love to go to signature restaurants, and don't mind taking a lot of time to eat, then the plan may be for you... otherwise, Disney offers 2 other plans that may work also... For us, it was just way too much.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Well... consider reading this article before you decide:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-disney-dining-plan-infuriate-wdw-guests.aspx

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You won't like what I have to say...

The 2008-2009 DDP is not like it used to be when it first came out. Appetizers and Tip is NOT INCLUDED anymore. Plus, Disney has taken a lot of the fun out of snack credit use especially at Epcot. It used to be that anything under $5 was good to go.

Finding a counter service place to eat in some of the parks is also a big We found ourselves going off site a lot because the CS offers didn't appeal to us. Had there been more mall-like food court offerings (soup, salad, sandwiches) for CS maybe we would have been happier. But nasty turkey legs and dried-out burgers did not appeal to me. Even at a mall food court for around $8 you can get decent chinese food!

Honestly, when you add up what you'll spend in tips for the TS - probably not.

The way people are going, they'll end up eating off site again pretty soon!

Yes, because Jim Hill is always correct?

Just out of curiousity, where couldn't you find mall-like offerings at Disney? MK has Columbia Harbor House with salads and fresh sandiwiches. DTD has Earl of Sandwich. Sunshine Seasons in Epcot has soup, salads, sandwiches, etc. The Studios even has several kiosks with these things. It sounds to me like you were a bit quick to say you "had" to go off site before you really considered your options. Just MHO.

Quite honestly, there is a dining plan for absolutely everyone. I personally feel the Deluxe Plan was way too much food for me (not for my DBF), but the convience of it and ability to do a lot of signatures is worth it in itself. However, others may prefer another plan. That's the beauty of these plans; there's something for everyone.

 

[Disneyfan71]

Considering if you eat the buffets and such that can add up, a family of four at say $40 a pop..that's expensive. Not saying that's how much the buffets cost. But in the long run the dining plan does save money.

I honestly don't have a problem with the gratuity--waiters only earn so much an hour and gratuities is how they make money.

As far as the deluxe dining plan goes, we've decided on it b/c of the signature dining such as Brown Derby and Cinderella's Royal table..I'd rather have enough than not.

From my understanding, the DxDP is three meals a day. Is this counter service, table or anyone you want?

 

[BayouMickey]

Well... consider reading this article before you decide:

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...-disney-dining-plan-infuriate-wdw-guests.aspx

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You won't like what I have to say...

The 2008-2009 DDP is not like it used to be when it first came out. Appetizers and Tip is NOT INCLUDED anymore. Plus, Disney has taken a lot of the fun out of snack credit use especially at Epcot. It used to be that anything under $5 was good to go.

Finding a counter service place to eat in some of the parks is also a big We found ourselves going off site a lot because the CS offers didn't appeal to us. Had there been more mall-like food court offerings (soup, salad, sandwiches) for CS maybe we would have been happier. But nasty turkey legs and dried-out burgers did not appeal to me. Even at a mall food court for around $8 you can get decent chinese food!

Honestly, when you add up what you'll spend in tips for the TS - probably not.

The way people are going, they'll end up eating off site again pretty soon!

that blog has so many discrepancies, it's far from being relevant.
For starters, you still get an appetizer with the plan. you get an app, entree, and dessert.
It's also looking like this guy is trying to make a case for the businesses outside WDW, due to the fact his strongest case, revolves around people having to stay on ground to use all of their credits.
And I love how he uses a quote from "a veteran food service staffer". So he asked a server who basically knows just enough about the plan to run the card in the computer.

Look if boils down to this, if you plan to take full use of the star rated cuisines in WDW, the dining plan is well worth it. If your goal is to grab burgers and fries then you are better off pay OOP. I go as far as adding the wine option to my deluxe plan, and I love it. The deluxe plan was basically made for people who enjoy top quality culinary experiences WDW has to offer. The thing is you have to know how to make the plan go in your favor. If you go to Narcooses and just get the salad entree, then you are not using the plan in your favor. Grabbing the Surf and Turf? That's using the plan in your favor.

UPDATE:

Taken from the 2009 Dining Plan Brochure:

 

[BayouMickey]

From my understanding, the DxDP is three meals a day. Is this counter service, table or anyone you want?

It counts on anyone you wish.

 

[maggiew]

that blog has so many discrepancies, it's far from being relevant.
For starters, you still get an appetizer with the plan. you get an app, entree, and dessert.
It's also looking like this guy is trying to make a case for the businesses outside WDW, due to the fact his strongest case, revolves around people having to stay on ground to use all of their credits.
And I love how he uses a quote from "a veteran food service staffer". So he asked a server who basically knows just enough about the plan to run the card in the computer.

Look if boils down to this, if you plan to take full use of the star rated cuisines in WDW, the dining plan is well worth it. If your goal is to grab burgers and fries then you are better off pay OOP. I go as far as adding the wine option to my deluxe plan, and I love it. The deluxe plan was basically made for people who enjoy top quality culinary experiences WDW has to offer. The thing is you have to know how to make the plan go in your favor. If you go to Narcooses and just get the salad entree, then you are not using the plan in your favor. Grabbing the Surf and Turf? That's using the plan in your favor.

UPDATE:

Taken from the 2009 Dining Plan Brochure:

Just to be clear, the blog was about the regular Dining Plan which does NOT include appetizers. The OP was asking about the Deluxe Dining Plan, which DOES.


Maggie

 

[Matt71]

I have been going back and forth about switching to the DxDP. As it stands now, we will be paying out of pocket for at least 2 TS meals on our trip. They are both buffets at $25 per person, so we will still be saving by using the DDP.

The conflict is this: DW and I really like getting appitizers. Last year we paid OOP for them at at least half of our TS meals. Getting them included would be nice. We would also like to have TS for lunch and dinner the majority of the time, but not being big breakfast eaters I have been unable to work it out so we would use all of our credits on the DxDP.

I have considered sticking with the DDP and paying OOP for extra TS meals, but then we would have a bunch of unused CS meals.

I think Disney needs more options for using 2 TS credits.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Considering if you eat the buffets and such that can add up, a family of four at say $40 a pop..that's expensive. Not saying that's how much the buffets cost. But in the long run the dining plan does save money.

I honestly don't have a problem with the gratuity--waiters only earn so much an hour and gratuities is how they make money.

As far as the deluxe dining plan goes, we've decided on it b/c of the signature dining such as Brown Derby and Cinderella's Royal table..I'd rather have enough than not.

From my understanding, the DxDP is three meals a day. Is this counter service, table or anyone you want?

Yes, it is three meals a day of any type. If you want all TS, go for it. If you want all CS, go for it. If you want a combo, you can do that too. You also get two snacks per day plus refillable mugs.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I have been going back and forth about switching to the DxDP. As it stands now, we will be paying out of pocket for at least 2 TS meals on our trip. They are both buffets at $25 per person, so we will still be saving by using the DDP.

The conflict is this: DW and I really like getting appitizers. Last year we paid OOP for them at at least half of our TS meals. Getting them included would be nice. We would also like to have TS for lunch and dinner the majority of the time, but not being big breakfast eaters I have been unable to work it out so we would use all of our credits on the DxDP.

I have considered sticking with the DDP and paying OOP for extra TS meals, but then we would have a bunch of unused CS meals.

I think Disney needs more options for using 2 TS credits.

I think you should switch over to the Deluxe Plan. It really fits your situation here and you could focus on signatures for your TS meals. We rarely have breakfast in the morning. That'd leave 1 TS per open. It helps when you want the majority of your meals as signatures. We did this, in fact, in April and it was great. Appetizers were also included.