Help!! I'm really torn!!

[disneydreamer1970]

I have booked the QSDP and am now thinking about changing to the DDP. We have never been on the dining plan before and I'm not sure what would be best for my family...myself, DH, DS 17, DD 8 and DS 2....What do you all think are the pro's and con's of each plan??

Help!!!

Thank you!!

Trish

 

[beroh2253]

With the QS there is no planning involved and whenever you are hungry you just stop and find a CS place to eat, which is probably the best plan if you are planning more for doing the rides (which may be the case with DD8 and DS2) then spending time getting to the place you have your ADR for the TS and spending 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a meal.
Now we are now in our 50's and our children grown and like the regular DDP and splitting time between rides and sitting down to eat. Also the planning months ahead, looking at the menus and getting the ADR's to the restaurants we want is kind of fun, this helps you get into the vacation mode months before the trip.
I remember when our DD was 8 when it was time she wanted to eat that is when we headed to eat right then and there and having a paricular ADR time an hour or 2 later would have never worked.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I agree with the PP in the idea that how you like to tour the parks can make the QS plan a better idea for some folks.

We like the regular, because we like to unwind in the evenings with a nice sit-down meal and (even though we are in our thirties ) we really like several of the character dining experiences too.

The basic DDP is great if you want to hit a few character meals since it covers all of them, and since they can be seen as 'overpriced' if not purchased using plan credits... and the upside is they are all all-you-can-eat affairs (which may be a bonus for 17-yr-old and Dad). It may help too with the 2-yr-old if he has much appetite, because he will be allowed his own plate and beverage at all-you-can-eat restaurants with no additional charge even though he will not have any credits of his own.

If you prefer not to deal with ADRs and would rather have the ability to stop and eat where and when you decide to , then the QS DDP is probably more of the way to go.

 

[kath1210]

Considering that the DDP is only $10 more per day than the QSDP, it is worth switching to the DDP even if you do only a few TS meals. Also, most CS places will let you use a TS credit for a CS meal if you don't want to do a TS for every night of your trip.

I think the QSDP allows you to have 2 snacks per day, but who needs more snacks when you already get a dessert with lunch and dinner?

JMHO...

 

[beroh2253]

Considering that the DDP is only $10 more per day than the QSDP, it is worth switching to the DDP even if you do only a few TS meals. Also, most CS places will let you use a TS credit for a CS meal if you don't want to do a TS for every night of your trip.

I think the QSDP allows you to have 2 snacks per day, but who needs more snacks when you already get a dessert with lunch and dinner?

JMHO...

I agree the snacks if used as a snack during the day are hard to use up because with the DDP the CS and TS meals keep you pretty full. So we use our Snack credits for a lot of breakfast items like a hot sticky bun at POP are great or a blueberry muffin or even a parfae (how do you spell that) so using them for breakfast really uses the snack credit up quick. Also for a late night creat your own ice cream sundae andin at POP are great.
If you choose the regular DDP maybe even try the HOOP DE DOO this uses 2 credits each but you get a meal and a show all in one. Our DD really liked the ribs and bbq chicken.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Considering that the DDP is only $10 more per day than the QSDP, it is worth switching to the DDP even if you do only a few TS meals. Also, most CS places will let you use a TS credit for a CS meal if you don't want to do a TS for every night of your trip.

Just to clarify the PP's response, the basic ddp costs $10 more per night for adults, but only $2 more per night for children. In the OP's case, the cost for her family will increase by $32 per night of their stay to upgrade the family to the regular ddp from the QS ddp.

Results on using TS credits for CS meals is spotty and varied, though, and I would encourage you not to anticipate being able to do so. Disney has been known to encourage people to do this during free dining/high volume periods to take some pressure off of the TS restaurants and accomodate guests who waited too long to make ADRs and could not get any practical bookings - but it is not part of the policy under the standard usage of the plan.

 

[nzyycguy]

Hi there,
I got the Regular Dining plan, 1 table, 1 counter and 1 snack, and loved it.
I love things like burgers etc, but it was really nice to have a full service meal each day. I think you would get quick of counter service really quickly.

 

[summersalt]

I would upgrade to the DDP. You will enjoy the break a TS restaurant gives you. Plus it's a good opportunity for the kids to get some character time without waiting in line. I think you'll like the DDP.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

After reading your posts and discussing this with the family we have decided to upgrade to the DDP!!! When I sat down my family and asked them where they wanted to eat, they each had a different favorite restaraunt in mind!! Everyone will be happy!!

Thank you all again, for your responses!!

Trish

 

[MinnieLove]

Family of 6 with DDP (quick). I just made our reservations yesterday and was able to get the restaurants we wanted. For the cost difference it sure made a lot of sense, I think my two five year olds will really appreciate the rest time (if not the food)

 

[caroline1851]

I would never consider the Q plan because the best part of the ddp when we went in Oct was having that planned break time to sit down and have a nice meal. I actually liked using the ts credits for lunch-it was a great way for my kids (6, 2) to take a relaxing break in the middle of the day. Also, i like to have a good meal instead of always eating on the go. the lines were huge for all the CS places and when we did eat those (besides the Pepper market) it was not relaxing at all.