is any 2 credit EVER worth it on DDP?

[dawnmommy]

I know that conventional wisdom is that 2 TS credits aren't the best deal on DDP. However, as I look at some of our choices, I wonder if we are better paying OOP for something like the Tusker House lunch, then doing either Cali Grill (dh and I would love it!, and the kids do fine at nice restaurants) or Dinner at CRT. We are already planning on akershus.

thoughts? My kids are well-behaved at restaurants, and would probably love character meals all the time, but I'm trying to add in some non-buffets. My son has egg allergies (among others), so we generally don't bother with breakfasts out. also we plan to be at rope drop for the most part.

any advice from the "experts" is appreciated!

 

[Faldred]

On basic DDP, it's hard to justify from a "price" perspective. During non-peak, I value a basic DDP adult TS credit at $26, which means your meal needs to run $52 just to break even. Possible, but only ordering off the top of the menu at most 2 TS places, and break-even at best for dinner shows and CRT.

On the other hand, if you're in the situation where you have that "odd credit", it would certainly be more justified using it to make a 1 TS meal a 2 TS meal rather than letting it go to waste.

It's better on DxDP. Meal credits there are closer to $22 each, which makes the break-even point lower, and you have a lot of credits to account for.

 

[TillyMarigold]

It really depends where else you're eating. We find that the signature restaurants still come out to more than twice the cost of, say, most breakfasts, or lunch at the Plaza. It looks like lunch at Tusker House runs $21.29 for adults after tax, whereas I personally would probably order at Cali Grill the $37 salmon, $12 dessert, and let's say a $3 soda, which means $52 before tax, or $26 per credit. So in that case, using the credit for Cali Grill and paying OOP for TH makes sense. But if it were between Cali Grill and dinner at TH ($28.75), then it would make more sense to pay for CG OOP and use the credit at TH.

In general, I find a mid-range entree, dessert, and drink at a signature restaurant runs $45-50 or so. So the break-even point to whether you should use the credits at the signature or elsewhere is if the other thing is more or less than $22-25/person. If it's more, use the credits on that. If it's less, use the credits on the signature.

 

[mb_uh]

I think they tend to be better if you are doing deluxe and get an app which can be 12-16 plus a 40 dollar steak and 10 dessert you are at 62 before tax and drink. You paid 72 for deluxe and get another meal (any 1 ts), 2 snacks, refills in your mug.

 

[rootbeerkid]

Our family has enjoyed Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. We thought it worth 2xTS and would make the same choice again. HDD is family style with a limited menu - the show is the added value that makes it worth it.

Extracted from allears: The Dining Plan can be used for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue for Categories 2 and 3 seating. TWO table service credits will be deducted for these shows. Effective August 19, 2007, the Dining Plan can also be used for Category 1 seating at the 9:30 p.m. show, using two table service meal entitlements.

Disney website: Category 1 - $61.99/adult, $31.99/child, Category 2 - $56.99/adult, $27.99/child, Category 3 - $52.99/adult, $26.99/child.

That would be about $30/credit/adult and $15/credit/child. Unsure how this compares with other 2xTS options from a cash-value perspective.

 

[cjdj4]

Our family has enjoyed Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. We thought it worth 2xTS and would make the same choice again. HDD is family style with a limited menu - the show is the added value that makes it worth it.

Extracted from allears: The Dining Plan can be used for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue for Categories 2 and 3 seating. TWO table service credits will be deducted for these shows. Effective August 19, 2007, the Dining Plan can also be used for Category 1 seating at the 9:30 p.m. show, using two table service meal entitlements.

Disney website: Category 1 - $61.99/adult, $31.99/child, Category 2 - $56.99/adult, $27.99/child, Category 3 - $52.99/adult, $26.99/child.

That would be about $30/credit/adult and $15/credit/child. Unsure how this compares with other 2xTS options from a cash-value perspective.

I totally agree. HDDR is worth it.

 

[SKWDW]

I know that conventional wisdom is that 2 TS credits aren't the best deal on DDP. However, as I look at some of our choices, I wonder if we are better paying OOP for something like the Tusker House lunch, then doing either Cali Grill (dh and I would love it!, and the kids do fine at nice restaurants) or Dinner at CRT. We are already planning on akershus.

thoughts? My kids are well-behaved at restaurants, and would probably love character meals all the time, but I'm trying to add in some non-buffets. My son has egg allergies (among others), so we generally don't bother with breakfasts out. also we plan to be at rope drop for the most part.

any advice from the "experts" is appreciated!

Depends on the 2 TS credit choice. The Brown Derby was totally worth 2 TS to us for a birthday celebration.

 

[gigi1313]

the two TS places that we consider "worth it" (financially) are the ones where gratuity is included...

 

[StuckInKS]

Like other PPs said, it depends on where you are eating that 2TS and where else you plan to eat. Le Celliar and CRT are the most expensive meals we have planned so far and we would still have some TS credit left over. While we also plan to eat at someplace like the Plaza, paying for that and Sci-Fi or CP breakfast OOP will be cheaper than paying for CRT. Actually, if we are counting CRT as two meals since it costs to credits, we will be paying $110 per 'meal' ($220 total) which is just $5 less than Le Celliar will cost ($115.)

Based on the other places we will be eating, if we decided to do Mickey's BBQ, it would also be worth 2TS, since it is $170 for my family. Divided by two, it is $85 which is more than I think we will pay at Plaza or CP breakfast or maybe even Sci-Fi.

 

[kehlyrsmom]

What are your guy's thoughts on Narcoossee's? I usually try to avoid meals that require 2 TS but this is sort of our Anniversary dinner, the night before it anyway. I thought about the Grand Floridian Cafe in it's place and use the other TS for something else another night.

 

[2Tiggies]

I would think 2 credit meals are only really worth it if you are probably going to have some left over. I know this is less likely to happen with TS than with CS credits as you make ADRs, but there are times when people cancel because they either just can't make the ADR / dont feel like eating a big meal or have a change of plans. Otherwise, I wouldn't, unless as someone pointed out, I was on the DxDDP.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

the two TS places that we consider "worth it" (financially) are the ones where gratuity is included...

Brain drain here ---- which TS places have gratuity included? Thanks!

 

[gigi1313]

Brain drain here ---- which TS places have gratuity included? Thanks!

HDDR, SoA, CRT, MBYBBQ... basically the "dinner shows" (and three out of those four also include unlimited adult bevs!)

 

[tortoni]

I don't look at it just from a price perspective. When we have had the DDP (usually free dining), we go to signatures to try them out, which we might not do out of pocket because of the cost. So it gives us a chance to try a new place and usually the atmosphere, service and food are very nice. I would say, from a price perspective, that the Yachtsman is a good value for 2TS since the steaks are very pricey. DS and I split a porterhouse (2TS for both of us) and it was still too much to eat and delicious.

 

[Huff]

We booked HDDR for our upcoming trip for the four of us. We plan to use 4 TS credits and pay OOP for the rest cutting the bill in half. That allows us to have enough credits for a TS dinner another night.

 

[Emme]

I think Narcoossee's is totally worth the 2TS credits. Oh my that restauurant is a delight. Here is why I think this...

1) Amazing view of Wishes in the evening...
2) Food is superb (imo)
3) Lovely calming restaurant
4) Here is the cost of one of our meals:
Some sort of smoothie roughly $6.00
Surf and Turf - Two twin medallions of Filet Mignon and Butter-poached lobster tail, with potato gratin and choron sauce. - $58.00
Almond-crusted Cheesecake - Inspired by the Year of a Million Dreams and served with Lambert cherry sauce. - $8.00
Total around $72.00

So basically I guess I could have gone to two restaurants costing $36 per person and come out the same BUT I feel it's vacation and Narcoossee's is so worth it~

 

[Chris Rex]

Narcoossees does make sense financially, as the above poster pointed out. The Brown Derby, as much as some people like it, does not break down to a good FINANCIAL value for 2 credits. You cannot put a price on fun (and for that reason a place like the Derby might be worth using a 'spare credit' on...), but the numbers alone would say to not drop 2 credits at the Derby.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

I made ADRs for a CRT lunch because the tax and gratuity are included, we get some pictures for Grandma (Christmas present!), DD gets some little toy to carry around, and total cost is about $140, which I figure is $23 a credit. Also, since the gratuity is included with CRT, I figure that's 18% of the bill we won't have to pay for a tip, which brings that "per credit value" to $27.50.

With a picky 9-yr-old, and I have a GF allergy and don't like seafood, we aren't going to be getting to some signature places where we would get a better value of our credits, so I figure we can do the castle once with the DxDP and be done with it.

 

[beroh2253]

Our family has enjoyed Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. We thought it worth 2xTS and would make the same choice again. HDD is family style with a limited menu - the show is the added value that makes it worth it.

Extracted from allears: The Dining Plan can be used for the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue for Categories 2 and 3 seating. TWO table service credits will be deducted for these shows. Effective August 19, 2007, the Dining Plan can also be used for Category 1 seating at the 9:30 p.m. show, using two table service meal entitlements.

Disney website: Category 1 - $61.99/adult, $31.99/child, Category 2 - $56.99/adult, $27.99/child, Category 3 - $52.99/adult, $26.99/child.

That would be about $30/credit/adult and $15/credit/child. Unsure how this compares with other 2xTS options from a cash-value perspective.

And don't forget all the beer or wine you can drink and tip are included

 

[princessallegra]

We love the signature restaurants, and do at least one per trip. We find that we've come up ahead every time at Cali Grill, our favorite signature. Everyone's needs are different though, which is the beauty of Disney! There is something for everyone!