HELP! Deluxe vs. Regular....

[KateB]

Ok so I finally convinced my DH to make our next trip to WDW next August. As I need to start planning (its my personality and it keeps me going) I started to think about dining. It is just the two of us and it will be our 3rd anniversary. Probably our last trip before we have kids.

On ALL of our trips we have done DxDP and it is great! However, looking at next year's prices I am thinking that we might want to try the regular plan. For a 9 day trip we would spend at least $600 more for DxDP. We usually do lunch and a signature dinner but that would not be possible if we went with regular dining. We have also never eaten QS meals.

Any input would be appreciated....

 

[Cafeen]

If you think that you're going to stick to the offerings of the DDP, plus a few OOP extras, then you'll be fine. If you don't think you can manage that, then either DxDDP or OOP would be your best bet.

For me, personally, I'd likely go OOP before I went to DDP (depending on the trip, if I take my friend and her to be 5 year old DD next year, we'll likely to DDP, but for myself it'd be Dx or nothing). I prefer the sigs and apps and feel that I'd spend more OOP on the normal plan than I'd save. I also don't really like the CS meals, so really it wouldn't be an idea trip for me.

If you think you'd enjoy the different style, there's no harm in doing it, but if it's not going to fit, either bite the bullet or drop the plan altogether.

 

[sharonabe]

Since you've never eaten at any of the QS restaurants, I'd suggest looking over those menus. If you think you'll be okay having at least one a day, then you'll be fine with the DDP or OOP as PP suggests.

Since you only have 1 TS credit a day, you won't be able to do as many signature restaurants, but will that open up some other restaurants you haven't tried? It could just be a completely different dining experience from the ones in your past.

You have lots of time to make your decision and lots of time to look over all the menus to see where you want to eat.

Oh, and one other thing, if free dining comes along for your trip dates, then DxDDP could still be yours for less than you've ever paid!!

 

[havoc315]

The 2012 regular dining plan is *not* a great value. If you prefer TS over CS, and enjoyed the freedom of doing a lot of signature restaurants on the deluxe, then I would do the deluxe again.

Or simply pay out of pocket.

Look at it this way, the ddp is $51.
So, for $51, you can get a CS lunch, snack, and a 1-credit TS dinner.

Or --- For about the same price -- You can have a sitdown lucn at the Plaza Restaurant -- Grilled Chicken Sandwich, for $12.50. Drink water, skip dessert.
Have a mid afternoon snack for about $4.
And have your own signature dinner at California Grill - You can get a Triple Cheese flatbread (for $12) and the deluxe sushi platter. ($28).

All that, is about the same price as the DDP. But instead of only 1, 1-credit TS meal, I had a signature meal plus a TS lunch.

So really, based on your habits, I'd say you can probably eat quite well for $50-70 per person, per night, without any dining plan. (If you skip some desserts, go for some of the cheaper restaurants)
Of, you can bite the bullet, pay for the deluxe dining plan, and spoil yourselves a bit.

 

[havoc315]

For me, personally, I'd likely go OOP before I went to DDP (depending on the trip, if I take my friend and her to be 5 year old DD next year, we'll likely to DDP, but for myself it'd be Dx or nothing). I prefer the sigs and apps and feel that I'd spend more OOP on the normal plan than I'd save. I also don't really like the CS meals, so really it wouldn't be an idea trip for me.

Agreed. If I got free DDP, and didn't upgrade... then I'd basically be throwing most of the CS meals in the trash.

 

[Colleen27]

I don't think the regular plan for next year is worth doing unless the menu prices go up a fair bit between now and then. You really have to pay attention to where you're using your credits to come out ahead and to me that takes away one of the biggest perks of the dining plans - not having to think about prices.

If you're used to the deluxe plan and signature dining, I'd suggest either sticking with the deluxe plan or paying OOP. Personally, I don't think an anniversary celebration/last kid-free trip is the time to start limiting yourself to one-credit dinners and counter service in the parks.

Something else to think about - depending on discount availability, it might be worth getting an AP just for one of you to have access to AP room rates and the TiW card for your dining.

 

[KateB]

The free dining absolutely does not matter. We own DVC so we never get the luxury of free dining.

Thanks for the input. I am just trying to get a head start on which plan I am going to pitch to my DH.

 

[Colleen27]

The free dining absolutely does not matter. We own DVC so we never get the luxury of free dining.

Thanks for the input. I am just trying to get a head start on which plan I am going to pitch to my DH.

With the DVC discount on APs you'll definitely want to price out the AP/TiW route. For us, without the discount, TiW and DxDDP come out about even so for you it might work out to be the better/cheaper option.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Personally I think if you still like the way the deluxe plan works you might want to have it again for your last kid free trip. You might regret downgrading simply for price if you still intend to eat the deluxe plan way.

You also have to remember that some of the prices on the menu have also gone up as well.

I wouldn't consider downgrading until I had kids and intend on touring a different way.

JMO