For those who have had DDXP, was it worth it?

[goofy4tink]

I have used the regular ddp many times. More often than not, I use the TiW card. But, for our trip next month, we have decided to go with deluxe ddp. Why? Just two adult couples, both dh's love to eat. Going to WDW and eating is my dh's favorite thing to do. The other DH isn't a huge attraction person either. So, they'll eat like kings.
I have a late breakfast booked each day...around 10/10:30. More than likely it will be a character meal...what can I say, we like character meals. Then, for dinner, I have almost every night booked with a signature restaurant, at some time after 7ish. We can have a snack midday if we need it.

I have run the figures every which way from tomorrow. This is the cheapest way for us to do the eating we want to do. But, generally speaking, it doesn't work out this way for us. TiW is usually the most inexpensive way to go.

 

[sydneysmom]

We did the deluxe dining plan last Sept and LOVED it !! Our DD was 4 1/2 at the time, so we knew we wanted to do a character meal each morning. My DH liked the idea of the meals being all inclusive to the trip. We also liked to be able to use the snack credits while walking around the parks.

We did not find it to be a ton of food or a waste of park time in restaurants. We actually liked getting out of the heat and sitting down to a nice dinner. We were there 8 days, so what we did was every other day, we did a breakfast and a signature (or 2 TS ) dinner. On the other days, we did a character meal, a 1 TS sit down lunch (or a counter service) and then a 1 TS dinner (at about 7:30 pm) We didn't think it was a ton of food because of what we chose.... we didn't get dessert every time and we didn't choose the heaviest meal on the menu. At the buffets, we had alot of fruit and eggs and protein and not a ton of breads and sweets.

Even including all the tips, we still saved over $480 on the deluxe plan. The only thing we truly didn't utilize alot was the refillable mugs. We were at GF and Gasparilla's was the opposite way of our room, so we didn't go over there alot. For us, the deluxe plan was worth it.. we will definitely do this again on our next trip !!

 

[persimmondeb]

$69 + $24 is $93, so you are already ahead, even without any snacks, just not by a lot. Yes, most bottled water is tap water (although Pellegrino is naturally carbonated mineral water and tastes more like club soda), but a) it's filtered, and b) it comes from somewhere that the water tastes good, which is not Disney.

My example was not to suggest that everyone wants to eats that way every night, but to make an example of a relatively expensive meal that wasn't ridiculously large, or completely top of the menu in every regard. Now there are only three of us, (two active adults with physical jobs and a teenage boy), so while we wouldn't necessarily order three courses each every single time we went out, we don't usually have any trouble eating them, either, and I routinely serve three or four at home.

Some Disney fine dining appetizers are large enough to share among people who really just want a taste, but my experience is that the dessert is pretty small, and is meant to be a nice bite or two of something sweet, not half your calories for the day.

Assuming that I ordered the way I outlined (and I might have a different salad, or the filet), in the real world the way we would likely order on the DxDP is this-DH
Chef's Garden Heirloom Tomatoes Flatbread-$13
Oak-fired Filet of Beef-$44
Ice Cream or Chocolate Pudding off the children's menu-$5
Whatever they charge for Coca-Cola-maybe $2?
Total-$64

DS
Yellowfin Tuna Three-ways-$22
All-Natural Duck Two Ways-$34
Valrhona Chocolate Cake-$13
Coffee or iced tea-maybe $2?
Total-$71


DH doesn't always eat dessert (and definitely won't eat the fancy stuff) but if he truly didn't want any, we would likely get a cheese board (assuming it's permitted as a dessert) and DS and I would share it after our sweet. Also, I would probably get a glass of wine OOP to have in addition to my water, and DS would probably share my water and save his beverage for decaf with his dessert.

Does everyone want to eat this way? Of course not, but it's not a ridiculous amount for a special meal on vacation, and for me, a lonely entree off the bottom of the menu with nothing else is not much of a special experience.
Three times a day is too much, even for me, but for dinner after a heavy breakfast and a snacky lunch, sure. And I'm sure there are people who could put that away happily two or three times a day.

 

[havoc315]

I'm sorry, but that "tap water, no app, no dessert" really does sound kind of grim to me too. Not really a fine dining experience in my book.

I don't drink much soda either, especially with meals, but the DDP (and DxDP) does cover bottled water, which I would much rather see than Disney's tap water. Add in an appetizer, which doesn't need to be ginormous, and keep in mind that most fine dining desserts (and I haven't eaten at CG, but my experience of upscale Disney desserts would bear this out), are fairly dainty, and meant to be consumed by one human in a couple of bites.

You can easily come out ahead, without consuming a ridiculous amount of food for an active adult who has been walking around all day. It sounds to me that havoc does understand how to use the plan, but doesn't really understand why someone would want to.

I'm being dramatically misrepresented. The OP asked about the value of the DxDP IF you skip some entitlements, so I laid out several scenarios, and the no-app, no-dessert, was 1 of several scenarios I laid out. Here was the relevant part of my answer:

At someplace like California Grill --- If you got the $44 filet, plus $2.50 beverage, plus $12 dessert, plus tip -- It's about $62.
If you skipped dessert,but got a $20 sushi appetizer -- Then you would be at $70ish.
On the other side of the coin -- If you went to California Grill, drank tap water, skipped dessert, and simply had the Pork Tenderloin, then your whole signature meal would only cost about $35. You could have 2 similar signature meals, for less than the price of the DxDP!!

So it really depends, how many DxDP entitlements you anticipate skipping... How many of the TS credits you plan to use for CS, and whether you are going to order the pricier or cheaper entrees.

Now, a few general comments. We each come from different dining experience backgrounds. You said that no-app, no dessert and tap-water sounded "grim" to you for fine dining.

First off, you're making the assumption that California Grill is fine dining. What level of dining constitutes "fine dining" varies based on experience. Personally, I believe the only restaurant at Disney that qualifies as "fine dining" is Victoria and Albert's. I eat at restaurants of that quality, 3-4 times a year. At such restaurants, I am likely to order more than just an entree. I've done many multi-course menus at such restaurants, including an upcoming reservation in a couple of weeks for a 12-course meal at a Michelin starred restaurant. Daniel Boloud, Alain Ducasse, Dan Barber, Joel Rubochon -- these are the real purveyors of fine dining. White linen service, formal attire, etc. I'm not criticizing California Grill or the other Disney signature restaurants -- I like them quite a lot, but they aren't fine dining in my book. They are slightly upscale casual dining.
Now when I am eating in a truly fine dining establishment, what do I personally drink? Almost always, wine and/or tap water. I don't want caramel-ish carbonated sweetness ruining the delicate flavors prepared by the chef. And bottled waters are 1 of the great scams of our time. (Blind taste test after blind taste test, demonstrates that tap water performs just as well as bottled water in taste tests). (http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=728070&page=2)

So as I said, most "signature" restaurants are what I consider to be high end casual restaurants. Nothing really far out of the box. Good quality ingredients, but not exactly flying in foies gras from Paris. Good service, but not a Tuxedo'ed staff serving on fine China, Crystal and silver.
I eat at these types of restaurants at home, several times per month.
When I go out for sushi, I get a large plate of assorted sushi, just as good if not better than the California Grill. I don't eat appetizers or desserts.
At other similar restaurants, I do typically drink tap water or wine. I may sometimes have a soup or salad appetizer, or my wife and I may split an appetizer.
I do NOT find the desserts at the signature restaurants to be "dainty."
Dainty would be 1 tiny scoop or sorbet.
Most of the desserts at California Grill include some time of pastry, with a sweet sauce, plus ice cream. Such desserts are at least 500 calories, which is a huge portion after already completing a meal that may have been 500-1000 calories. (In an entire day, an adult should consume 2000 calories).
When I go to a casual restaurant at home like California Grill, or Artist's Point, or Narcoose's.... I never get my own dessert. Half the time, I skip dessert entirely, the other half the time, I'll share a dessert with 1-3 more people. (At a recent French American restaurant, we split an amazing dessert 4 ways).

For someone, for whom a restaurant like "California Grill" is special occasion fine dining, I can understand wanting to maximize the experience with as many courses as possible. But for people who eat at restaurants of that quality on a very regular basis, it is indeed overkill to constantly order appetizers and desserts for everyone in the party.

I do use the deluxe dining plan at Disney, if and when it's an upgrade from free dining. Because I do want to eat at signature restaurants almost every day, as it's the level of dining that I'm used to. And I do get enough appetizers, beverages (often coffee) and dessert, to make it worthwhile. But if I did have to pay full price for the deluxe dining plan, it would be a pretty close call in 2012 pricing.

 

[tiredsigh]

We seem to be DxDDP people and have been for the last 3-4 trips. I have severe food allergies to fish, shellfish and tree nuts. WDW trips are *my* time to eat and eat all different kinds of food.

So for me, it is worth it. I can see how people not in my situation may not find it worthwhile.

Keep in mind that my family is also a 3 meals a day kind of family. Some families are not.

 

[Cafeen]

I'm being dramatically misrepresented. The OP asked about the value of the DxDP IF you skip some entitlements, so I laid out several scenarios, and the no-app, no-dessert, was 1 of several scenarios I laid out. Here was the relevant part of my answer:



Now, a few general comments. We each come from different dining experience backgrounds. You said that no-app, no dessert and tap-water sounded "grim" to you for fine dining.

First off, you're making the assumption that California Grill is fine dining. What level of dining constitutes "fine dining" varies based on experience. Personally, I believe the only restaurant at Disney that qualifies as "fine dining" is Victoria and Albert's. I eat at restaurants of that quality, 3-4 times a year. At such restaurants, I am likely to order more than just an entree. I've done many multi-course menus at such restaurants, including an upcoming reservation in a couple of weeks for a 12-course meal at a Michelin starred restaurant. Daniel Boloud, Alain Ducasse, Dan Barber, Joel Rubochon -- these are the real purveyors of fine dining. White linen service, formal attire, etc. I'm not criticizing California Grill or the other Disney signature restaurants -- I like them quite a lot, but they aren't fine dining in my book. They are slightly upscale casual dining.
Now when I am eating in a truly fine dining establishment, what do I personally drink? Almost always, wine and/or tap water. I don't want caramel-ish carbonated sweetness ruining the delicate flavors prepared by the chef. And bottled waters are 1 of the great scams of our time. (Blind taste test after blind taste test, demonstrates that tap water performs just as well as bottled water in taste tests). (http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=728070&page=2)

So as I said, most "signature" restaurants are what I consider to be high end casual restaurants. Nothing really far out of the box. Good quality ingredients, but not exactly flying in foies gras from Paris. Good service, but not a Tuxedo'ed staff serving on fine China, Crystal and silver.
I eat at these types of restaurants at home, several times per month.
When I go out for sushi, I get a large plate of assorted sushi, just as good if not better than the California Grill. I don't eat appetizers or desserts.
At other similar restaurants, I do typically drink tap water or wine. I may sometimes have a soup or salad appetizer, or my wife and I may split an appetizer.
I do NOT find the desserts at the signature restaurants to be "dainty."
Dainty would be 1 tiny scoop or sorbet.
Most of the desserts at California Grill include some time of pastry, with a sweet sauce, plus ice cream. Such desserts are at least 500 calories, which is a huge portion after already completing a meal that may have been 500-1000 calories. (In an entire day, an adult should consume 2000 calories).
When I go to a casual restaurant at home like California Grill, or Artist's Point, or Narcoose's.... I never get my own dessert. Half the time, I skip dessert entirely, the other half the time, I'll share a dessert with 1-3 more people. (At a recent French American restaurant, we split an amazing dessert 4 ways).

For someone, for whom a restaurant like "California Grill" is special occasion fine dining, I can understand wanting to maximize the experience with as many courses as possible. But for people who eat at restaurants of that quality on a very regular basis, it is indeed overkill to constantly order appetizers and desserts for everyone in the party.

I do use the deluxe dining plan at Disney, if and when it's an upgrade from free dining. Because I do want to eat at signature restaurants almost every day, as it's the level of dining that I'm used to. And I do get enough appetizers, beverages (often coffee) and dessert, to make it worthwhile. But if I did have to pay full price for the deluxe dining plan, it would be a pretty close call in 2012 pricing.

I'm quoting and posting just to rile you up!

Ok, not really, because I agree with all of this. It totally depends on what you anticipate and what you desire your experiences to be in whether or not DxDDP is a good value.

If you plan on only entrees, and mostly 2TS meals, and tap water. Then you're not using the plan as designed and your chances of coming out ahead are far lower than someone like... well... me, who enjoys the appetizers, desserts, and has no problem with the "evil, unholy, anti-american soda" that it seems many people on these boards have (Yes, tongue is in cheek for that one, it's a joke!)

My background is a bit different, as we usually went out every so often, and rarely got apps and/or desserts. When I go out now (which is very often, since I don't cook because I hate cleaning up), it's much the same. Disney is my chance to splurge, so it works.

And that's the key to all of the dining plans, if they fit your style and what you intend to get out of the trip, then they'll probably work. If they don't, then they certainly won't.

And, I will agree that the sigs are not true Fine Dining. V&A would be Fine Dining. Sigs are pretty much a bridge between casual dining (non-sigs) and fine dining (V&A and formerly Bistro (from recent reviews, not sure if this stall falls into that category, I'm thinking not)).

And, it's a good thing that I ignore the rule about starting sentences with "And". And especially paragraphs.

(As far as bottled water... I like it for the bottle. It's much harder to carry around a handful of water without one )

 

[goofy4tink]

You really do have to sit down, with menus in front of you, and figure out, dollar by dollar, which way is the best way to eat on that particular trip. Needs change. I usually don't need the deluxe plan. Heck, I use my TiW card usually...have gotten completely away from any form of dining plan. BUT...for our trip next month, I know what our needs are. We are doing a lot of more upscale Disney dining....and our dh's will get both appetizers and desserts....so the deluxe plan is going to actually save us money.
But.....I have sat down, with my trusty calculator and the menus, with pen and pad in hand..listing each meal, and then comparing the costs....using TiW, or the deluxe plan, or the regular ddp with some TiW oop in addition. Using the deluxe plan worked out the cheapest...this time.

 

[Missyrose]

You really do have to sit down, with menus in front of you, and figure out, dollar by dollar, which way is the best way to eat on that particular trip. Needs change. I usually don't need the deluxe plan. Heck, I use my TiW card usually...have gotten completely away from any form of dining plan. BUT...for our trip next month, I know what our needs are. We are doing a lot of more upscale Disney dining....and our dh's will get both appetizers and desserts....so the deluxe plan is going to actually save us money.
But.....I have sat down, with my trusty calculator and the menus, with pen and pad in hand..listing each meal, and then comparing the costs....using TiW, or the deluxe plan, or the regular ddp with some TiW oop in addition. Using the deluxe plan worked out the cheapest...this time.

THIS! Originally I sat down and figured out each meal dollar for dollar to see if the regular dining plan would save us any money... it didn't because we like appetizers.

Then once I added a couple of breakfast ADRs, I sat down and again figured out each meal dollar for dollar and found the DxDP would save us money on both the meals and using the snack credits at the Food and Wine Festival.

But you have to put the work in to see if the DxDP will work for you/save you any money.

 

[havoc315]

If you plan on only entrees, and mostly 2TS meals, and tap water. Then you're not using the plan as designed and your chances of coming out ahead are far lower than someone like... well... me, who enjoys the appetizers, desserts, and has no problem with the "evil, unholy, anti-american soda" that it seems many people on these boards have (Yes, tongue is in cheek for that one, it's a joke!)

Even I never claimed to never drink soda. If I'm getting a burger somewhere, I almost always get a diet coke with it. But if I'm eating finer food, where I want to appreciate the various flavors, soda ruins the meal, instead of enhancing it.

I also don't understand people who can down gallons of soda per day. While not as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes per day, it is still a rather bad habit overall. (Even the diet sodas, have been demonstrated to have negative health effects).

What I really truly don't understand, is why anyone would want the refillable mugs for their Disney children (ages 3-9). There are really no beverages available for children. It really is a bad habit to give such young children soda or artificial juices.

And, I will agree that the sigs are not true Fine Dining. V&A would be Fine Dining. Sigs are pretty much a bridge between casual dining (non-sigs) and fine dining (V&A and formerly Bistro (from recent reviews, not sure if this stall falls into that category, I'm thinking not)).

I agree. I wouldn't want into V&A and announce, "I'll just have a salad." I don't really know much about the Bistro, so won't comment. But at the other signatures, there are appetizers I would enjoy. So if I'm in the mood for them, I can get them. But I don't feel like I'm missing out if I skip them. (Or if I get an app as my main and skip the entree).
At most of the 1-credit restaurants, the app is basically a waste. I may get a soup or salad, but I wouldn't be missing anything if I skipped the appetizer.

(As far as bottled water... I like it for the bottle. It's much harder to carry around a handful of water without one )

Yup, I occasionally get bottled water for the same reason-- convenience and portability. And then I end up re-using the bottles, filling them with tap water and sticking them in the fridge.

But in any TS restaurant, they will pour the tap water right into a glass for you! Refill it for free, as often as you want! It's also the healthiest beverage on the menu, the cheapest, and the most refreshing! What a great deal!

 

[Colleen27]

What I really truly don't understand, is why anyone would want the refillable mugs for their Disney children (ages 3-9). There are really no beverages available for children. It really is a bad habit to give such young children soda or artificial juices.

I think that's largely the "I want one too" factor when the kids see their parents and older siblings with cool, character-design mugs. Back when we were buying the mugs rather than getting them with a dining plan we bought three - one for my tea, one for DH's coffee, and one for the kids to share the occasional soda or hot cocoa (we travel when it is cool enough even in FL in the morning/evening that a hot drink hits the spot). The kids really didn't get their "money's worth" on the refills but it got enough use at WDW to be a cheap souvenir that still gets used at home.

 

[persimmondeb]

I am not, sadly, fortunate enough to be able to eat at Joel Robuchon, which is, of course, an entirely different level of restaurant altogether. If you look at these boards in detail, you will discover that there are plenty of posters for whom CG is insanely high-end, as well as people who eat that way every week.

My apologies for mistaking Havoc for someone who economizes on dining in his (her?) attempt to get out of a signature for $35 a head, particularly since I believe he (she?) characterized the entree as "amazing". I am also going to make it exquisitely clear that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with spending one's own money as one sees fit, whether that involves V&A or the food court at POP.

I did use the term "Disney Fine Dining", since of course it's not really the same as the real-world equivalent. I will posit, however that it should be taken the way it is intended, in three courses, with or without soda, decaf, or bottled water.

Disney tap water has a vaguely sulfuric aftertaste. I am willing to drink it, in a pinch, but I can tell the difference from bottled water. There are places (NYC, for example), where I really can't. I can certainly tell the difference from Pellegrino, which is what I drink for preference. I know some people find it either too salty or too bubbly, but I like it, and find it neutral on the palate.

Obviously Havoc's idea of dainty and mine differ, but it does make me wonder if he (she?) eats in chain restaurants much, since what my local Applebee's thinks is a regular dessert portion would make three or four of the cute little things I had at Yachtsman on my last trip.

I eat about 2500 calories a day (and yes, I'm a normal size, but I'm also very active), and of course individual requirements vary, with women with sedentary habits needing sometimes as little as 1200 and active young men needing as much as 4000, but it really should be possible to include a few relatively lavish restaurant meals on a vacation without regarding them as overly gluttonous. As best I can figure, the meal I originally outlined would come in between 1200-1500 calories, and Havoc's lonely pork tenderloin is probably around 700-800, assuming in both cases that everything on the plate was eaten.

Coming back to the original subject, every single post I've ever read of Havoc's regarding the dining plan (in any of its permutations) put forward the notion that it's not a value for people who order lightly (of course), and furthermore, that it is strange and gluttonous to order in a way that maximizes the value.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think it was worth it for me, but I think I enjoyed it more when I only had it for a week. The first time I used it, I had it for almost two weeks, and that got to be a litttle too much. But I like having it for the signature restaurants inparticular.

 

[havoc315]

Disney tap water has a vaguely sulfuric aftertaste. I am willing to drink it, in a pinch, but I can tell the difference from bottled water. There are places (NYC, for example), where I really can't. I can certainly tell the difference from Pellegrino, which is what I drink for preference. I know some people find it either too salty or too bubbly, but I like it, and find it neutral on the palate.

Obviously Havoc's idea of dainty and mine differ, but it does make me wonder if he (she?) eats in chain restaurants much, since what my local Applebee's thinks is a regular dessert portion would make three or four of the cute little things I had at Yachtsman on my last trip.

Coming back to the original subject, every single post I've ever read of Havoc's regarding the dining plan (in any of its permutations) put forward the notion that it's not a value for people who order lightly (of course), and furthermore, that it is strange and gluttonous to order in a way that maximizes the value.

I've never had any problem with the taste of Disney tap water --- and I drink NYC water on a daily basis. Taste is obviously highly subjective. If you personally find something in the taste of the tap water that you don't like, then I understand you avoiding it.

As to dainty desserts.. I don't think you can compare portions to someplace like Applebee's. It's like saying that an elephant is dainty-- compared to a whale.
A 3-course meal at Applebee's could easily run over 4,000 calories. Some of their appetizers alone are almost 2,000 calories.
You mentioned Applebee's and desserts -- they actually do have a few "dainty" desserts -- tiny dessert portions served basically in shot glasses. They are much smaller than the Disney signature desserts -- And these tiny dainty desserts have around 400 calories. The "full size" desserts at Applebee's have 1000-1540 calories. (The Chocolate chip sundae is 1540 calories).

So yes... compared to 1540 calories, Disney desserts may indeed be quite dainty.

I am quite glad that more restaurants in NY are listing calorie information, as you realize just how oversized most restaurant meals are.
I ate at Legal Seafood yesterday -- a chain, but it would probably qualify as a "signature" equivalent of a place like Narcoose's. I considered getting the tuna burger for lunch --- How bad could the calories be.... no side dishes, basically a tuna steak on a bun --- 1,400 calories. (I ended up with the lobster roll... 650 calories, then a couple hundred calories in side dishes. No apps, no dessert, and drank water).

Outside of the sugar free options and fruit, I doubt any adult signature desserts at Disney are under 500 calories -- I doubt any of them are under 750 calories to be honest. Most entrees run from 600-1500 calories. Salads without dressing would be low calorie, but most of the other appetizers are likely 500-1000 calories.
I don't think I'm exaggerating with these numbers. Meaning the smallest meal, of all 3 courses (unless you have a salad without dressing as your app), the smallest meal would run about 1500 calories.

Do I think it is strange and gluttonous to maximize the value? In some scenarios, yes I do.
I think it would be strange for a family spending the entire day at Magic Kingdom, to leave the park, go to DTD, just so they can get maximum value for their QS at Wolfgang Puck's Express. Not gluttonous, but I do think that would be strange.
For a family at MK, I do think it would be strange to get the kids meals and adult meals at different locations, solely as a means of maximizing value of the plan. Not gluttonous, but strange.
As to gluttonous behaviors -- you can get some value out of the plans without being gluttonous. For example, people who use their CS dessert for bottled water. And on the DxDP, you can still achieve good value while skipping some entitlements.

But, logically speaking, to "maximize" value -- then you would need to stuff yourself as much as possible. If you go to a buffet and only eat 1 plate, then you aren't "maximizing," by very definition.
And yes, I do think it is strange and gluttonous if you stuffed yourself to the gills at a buffet, and then had appetizers, entrees, desserts and several heavy snacks each and every day for a week.
Now -- you don't have to eat that way to get good value. I'm not claiming that everyone who gets good value eats that way. But you said "maximizing value"-- which by definition would require being glutinous.

 

[Cafeen]

One of the keys to having an enjoyable experience on DxDDP is learning not to "maximize" value. Doing so will have you eating 3 TS meals per day, with breakfasts at Buffets and the like and other high cost single credit meals.

Simply not worth it imo.

The key is to utilize the plan so you come out ahead, while maintaining what you desire to eat (be it healthy or not). If your style doesn't match the plan, then you're wrong! ... erm, I mean then that's all fine and good, just don't expect much (if any) financial savings.

Basically, this is a different perspective on the above, but still saying a similar thing .

I'll tell you that even though I do 2 TS per day, and they are sizable meals, rarely do I ever feel stuffed. Full, and probably a tad over full for some, yes, but sickeningly stuffed? No. Of course, they're usually spaced out by at least 7 hours or more, which helps a bit.

Then again, I do have a little extra room .

Coming back to the original subject, every single post I've ever read of Havoc's regarding the dining plan (in any of its permutations) put forward the notion that it's not a value for people who order lightly (of course), and furthermore, that it is strange and gluttonous to order in a way that maximizes the value.

For someone on (somewhat) the opposite side of the fence (really we say similar things, just from two different perspectives), I agree with him.

Maximizing value means getting the most food per dollar spent. It does not mean getting good value, it means maximizing it. This means eat as much as you can at AYCEs, it means getting the biggest and/or most expensive options at all the restaurants. It's not a normal way to eat.

However, getting a "good value" out of the plans is something different entirely and what I think is what people ACTUALLY mean when they say they're maximizing it. (Alternatively, they are maximizing it to the limit of their own styles, rather than just overall maximizing it).

 

[havoc315]

Maximizing value means getting the most food per dollar spent. It does not mean getting good value, it means maximizing it. This means eat as much as you can at AYCEs, it means getting the biggest and/or most expensive options at all the restaurants. It's not a normal way to eat.

However, getting a "good value" out of the plans is something different entirely and what I think is what people ACTUALLY mean when they say they're maximizing it. (Alternatively, they are maximizing it to the limit of their own styles, rather than just overall maximizing it).

Absolutely correct. One can get some savings out of the basic DDP, if their eating style fits the plan, without going nuts to maximize it. (Though such savings will be less than 20%). And one can get fairly good savings out of the DxDP without going nuts (though a bit less so with the significant 2012 price increases).

 

[dsnyrn]

We attempted the Deluxe Dining plan! Attempted is all we were able to accomplish! portions are large in my opinion, especially the apppetizers! Our plan was to have a breakfast or lunch and a late dinner. We love appetizers which is one of the reasons we upgraded to deluxe. We were only able to follow this plan 2 days! Way too much food!! (in out opinion) It was a great experience! Maybe in a few years we will be able to really enjoy it!