From DLR to WDW and Back Again: My Challenge With WDW Dining Philosophy at DLR

[albertamom]

I am partial to TGM, and if you join and read up on TGM you will be better prepared than 90% of the other WDW visitors. Yes, you have to learn transportation and ADRs. And you have to unlearn some of your DLR mindset. But WDW is a ton of fun.

Thanks a bunch! I've just bookmarked the site, and will definitely check it out.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I think WDW vets do this for a few reasons including:

o most WDW visitors are on vacation and need somewhere to eat

o WDW has lots of cool themed restaurants both inside the parks and at the various hotels

o WDW is larger and visits there tend to be longer - so WDW visitors tend to slow down a little more

o WDW has a couple cool dinner shows that do require reservations far in advance

Don't forget, WDW also has a DDP that makes sense economically (especially since people tend never to leave the "compound," unlike DLR where you can get the same fast food for a lot cheaper a 10 min walk away). If the DLR one was really a money-saver, more people would probably make reservations.

With DLR, there is one reservation that I ALWAYS do asap, which is first seating of the BB (I honestly don't think I've ever seen anyone be able to get in on the first seating without a reservation).

 

[Hound 109]

I did the dining plan 3 times at WDW (once free), & i liked it. Being a planner, I was able to use it to maximum advantage...trying out places I would never have tried & using it to not only eat, but to escape the madness of touring during the late afternoons.

I agree that since most people visit DLR for 2-4 days, a DDP patterned after WDW (which is a 5-10 day visit to the "compound") wouldn't be a benefit or as popular at DLR. Plus....since there are only a handful of "sit down" restaurants in the parks.....& only 3 DLR hotels, there wouldn't be anywhere near the selection.

The current DLR food plan is a joke...& imo does more damage to "visitor dining" than good. It sure doesn't encourage visitor dining like the WDW food plan does.

But...I'd LOVE to see a modified version of the DDP at DLR. & if most visit say an average of 3 or 4 days, there are MORE than enough restaurants that would make it enjoyable & doable. I'm actually surprised that they don't use one to increase out of town visitors during off season....which would put more heads on pillows & more fannies in restaurant seats.