Half-board or full-board dining?

[DisDiana]

Hello!

I'm about to book a trip to DLP for myself and my husband during our first trip to Europe this late August. I'm trying to make sense of the dining situation and wonder if I should upgrade to full-board dining.

My question is: is it worth it to use the coupons or will I still be owing any money out-of-pocket at a table service restaurant (budgetary concern)? If I'm going to owe money, would a counter service meal put me ahead in my budget?

When we're in Orlando, we usually do one table and one counter service meal per day, but we'd be open to exploring recommendations at DLP.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ware Bears]

I wouldn't pay for a dining plan at DLP, if you book under an offer where it's free fair enough but I wouldn't pay for it. IMO the set menus are too restrictive so you may only end up using them at face value and having to pay extra. Then the only advantage is that you've part-paid in advance.

Also, bear in mind that the counter service meals at DLP aren't really a good choice, it's far better to spend the extra on a buffet or table service meal. We've always found that we manage fine at DLP with two meals a day, we have a good breakfast which will be included if you're staying at a Disney hotel (not Davy Crockett) then either a table service/buffet lunch or dinner with an ice-cream as a snack.

 

[@MinnieFan2016]

we didn't opt for a meal plan, as we make lunches from the breakfast counter coz you can eat as much as you like and then tea in the village, maccies is cheapest but gona try and stay away from it this time lol xx

 

[DLPdaft]

nope, I wouldn't pay for any meal plan at DLP.

 

[MouseFan Down Under]

So I have just booked, staying at Sequoia Lodge (5-8 October), I got a deal that included the 'half-board', so then upgraded to the 'full-board'.

After reading the brochure I am now a little confused as to where I can actually use these vouchers... I can't find on any of the paperwork what my 'dining option' is (hotel, standard, plus or premium) which therefore tells me what restaurants I can book... can anyone help?

Thanks!

 

[A Small World]

If you are staying at the SL it will be plus I think

 

[KarJeje5]

I'm staying at SL with half board and A Small World is right. You get the Plus so you can basically book any restaurant except Inventions, Auberge and the cowboy show one (forgot the name). Cafe Mickey is part of the Plus plan.

 

[raffles]

The meal plans on the UK site seem very expensive, the top of the line food package is £88 per day. Is the table service places pricey. I couldn't find any menus online to have a look at these place and see what they serve.

When I've been to WDW and TDL I've been more than happy with counter service food. I think I only did table service on two occasions and that was for breakfast. I mean for it to be worth while you would need to be having two sit down meals a day and who has time for that.

 

[DLPdaft]

DLPGuide.com has sample menus and prices.
Personally I wouldn't pay for any dining plan at DLP, they are much more restrictive than the ones at WDW.

 

[A Small World]

Carrie Cat also does a good job of keeping the menus up to date on the restaurant sticky on this site.

The meal plans are not worth paying for though

 

[adr2.8i]

Do any of the dining plans save you any money these days?

Do you save any money at all if you get the Premium plan and dine at the top restaurants and visit the Buffalo Bill show?

 

[Ware Bears]

I'm not sure but I reckon the answer's no unless you get them for nothing!

I know I said earlier in this thread that I wouldn't pay for a meal plan but I did end up with half board meal vouchers a few years ago, I paid something like £15 total a day for all five of us when I re-shopped under a different offer. I can remember working out that if we had paid full price for them and ate only at buffets or off the set menu at a table service they were worth it purely because of the drink included - so not a massive saving. However I felt they were so restrictive that we ended up using them all at buffets because we didn't all like the set menus. And I'm sure if you use them at face value you lose the included drink.

 

[LWoods]

Hi. I've just booked for July - got free half board and staying at Sequoia Lodge - does this mean its half board plus please?

Also travelling from CDG airport with my mother (in a wheelchair) - can anyone recommend a stress free transfer to DLP please?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Irishfae]

I think the SL is half board plus.

We got the gift of full board plus for our trip so god knows how we are going to eat that amount of food, we are going sit down meals for lunch and then buffets for dinner so hopefully that will help a little

I think the easiest for you would be a private transfer. That way you can book a transfer which is wheel chair friendly. I don't the the magic shuttle would work unless your mother is able to climb stairs onto a coach?

I have no experience with The TVG train but if might be very stressful if you miss it etc