First timer with toddler DDP?

[Poohs#1fan]

We just booked our first trip to the Poly for Oct '09 and we've been back and forth about the DDP. This is the first trip to the world for all of us (4 adults and DD2.) I really want to do the DDP b/c it will be paid for I won't have to worry about it and I think we'll do more sit downs. With that being said, is it going to be too much of a "schedule" with a 2 year old to try to stick to. I know every person's experience is different, but that is what I'm looking for. I want to know the good and/or bad experiences with the DDP and a toddler.
Thanks from a rookie

 

[Sherry047]

My DD3 went to the World back in March. We used the DxDP.

It had positives and negatives.

I liked that we had a place to rest. And it was INDOORS!! It was a bit chilly when we were there, so it was nice to not have to eat outside.

Another positive; we never had burgers and fries. We can get that at home. Granted, my dd didn't really leave her comfort zone when it came to food, but she went the ENTIRE trip without a french fry!

I loved that it was already prepaid. I didn't have to freak out about money for the food. I would have cringed had I been handed the bill for the meals. It doesn't seem to be as painful when you have already paid for the meal. At that point all you have to do is enjoy it!


The only negative that we encountered was the scheduling. We ate at 2-3 TS meals a day. Sometimes even though it is lunch time, you just aren't hungry, KWIM? Plus wouldn't it be fun to eat a funnel cake or soft pretzel with cheese for lunch? With the DXDP, we didn't really get to have that option.

I am currently torn, trying to decide if I am going to do the DDP or DxDP in December!

 

[Poohs#1fan]

Thanks for your reply! I know I only want to do the DDP, if we do that. It is our first time, so I don't want to spend too much of it in a restaurant.

Anyone else??
Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

You should note that you can't buy the DDP for a 2 year old - she is expected to eat off the parent's plates. Anything you order for her you'd have to pay for. DDP is available only for ages 3 and up.

Many parents with toddlers who have an appetite prefer to book buffets or all you can eat family style meals, because the child can eat as much of whatever they want for free at those types of meals.

 

[Gymbomom]

I always suggest buffets for parents with toddlers. You don't have to worry about serving and food times.

For other places, I always brought little toy figures my children could play with quietly. I also brought a few special snacks to hold them over in case service was slow.

 

[Poohs#1fan]

I know she can't have the DDP because she won't be 3, but thank you. I guess I want to know is it hard to stick to ADR's when running on a toddler's schedule. It's our first trip and I want to do what she wants, but at the same time I don't want to be doing CS for 10 days.
Just looking for other's experiences.
Thanks!

 

[buttercup10]

I guess I want to know is it hard to stick to ADR's when running on a toddler's schedule.

I find that on vacation, my kids function better if we stick to the same structure at home - esp. that we have a sit down dinner every night. When we took my DS when he was only 18 mos., we did get a little screwed up on evening meals, having to rush to reservations because he took a longer or later nap than usual because of an intense morning in the park, but if we tried to do CS in the parks for dinner or something like that, that structure wouldn't be there. On our Jan. trip my DD will be 2 and I want to keep the same structure - we will wing it with lunch CS most days, but I've made ADRs for dinner for 6 or 6:30pm every night, because despite whatever other meltdowns happen in the parks, I want her to be able to count on that structure of sitting down to dinner. I bet you'll find the same thing is good for your toddler. It's a nice opportunity too to re-group, figure out if you can deal with any evening hours, etc.
Good luck!

 

[kim_d]

We have been taking my kids to WDW since my oldest was 9 month (he is almost 6 now) and even before the DDP we always ate atleast one TS meal a day. For us, we enjoy eating out and my kids are used to it. I made our ADRs based on a loose schedule- we typically would do either breafast or dinner at a TS- lunch was too unpredictable. We never knew where we would be or who would be napping.

I would say if your DD is used to restuarant dining then I don't think it is a problem to schedule one TS meal a day.

 

[srdipert]

We have two children and always do the DDP. We are going this time with a two and half year old. It works out great for us It really isn't that much of a schedule. We plan the evening meal around 7 that gives him plenty of time to nap and us to make it to dinner on time.

 

[Poohs#1fan]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I really think that DD will do better if we have at least one structured meal a day. I'm sure she won't eat well at CS with no highchair or booster seat to sit in.
You guys have convinced me.
Thanks!!! I love the dis

 

[kristenrice]

We used the DDP in January when our DD's were 4.5 and just 2 years old. For our TS meals, I made sure they were ALL character meals. We did Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Liberty Tree Tavern, 1900 Park Fare and Cinderella's Royal Table. 1900 Park Fare was breakfast, Akershus was a lunch and the others were dinners. It might not have been the best use of credits, financially, but it had great advantages. First, DD2 could eat all she wanted without us having to pay. We were not charged for her at Akershus and they offered her noodles with cheese sauce for no charge at Cindy's. The biggest benefit was that the girls got to see all their favorite characters without having to wait in a single line. In fact, when they saw some of them roaming the parks, we'd ask if they wanted to go say hi. Their response was usually, "No, we saw them at the restaurant". It was so much easier having the characters come to you. Picture taking was a breeze....nobody else's kids got in the way! When I figured out what it would cost me to do those meals without the DDP, it came out to about the same as paying for the DDP. The convenience factor is what sealed the deal for me. I budgeted about $20/meal for gratuities, and we didn't have to worry about the price on the bill. The dinner at Cindy's would have given me a stroke if I was paying OOP for it!

 

[srdipert]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I really think that DD will do better if we have at least one structured meal a day. I'm sure she won't eat well at CS with no highchair or booster seat to sit in.
You guys have convinced me.
Thanks!!! I love the dis

Some of the CS places to have high chairs if they are not all taken. So be sure to look around...you might get lucky. But to me carrying trays of food and finding a seat with a toddler can be more stressful than any ts meal.