Is anyone planning to do the 2008 deluxe plan with little kids? (more chrar. meals?)

[jenniferma]

Hi- was just looking for anyone else that may be out there that is consdering the deluxe dining plan with little kids? My DH has nearly talked me into it-- our kids will be 20 months, 5 and 7. We realize we won't be saving money.. but our DD4 doesn't like the usual counter service fare-- no hamburgers or nuggets.. and we figure at least she'll eat fresh fruit and pasta etc.. (plus we like to eat ; and our kids are usually entertained by the characters)

Anyhow-- just looking for others planning around the younger set. I am hoping we won't have character meal overkill--but last trip we did one nearly every day and were ok.

thanks... I would love to find someone else trying to do ADRS with toddlers/preschoolers etc. in mind.

Jen

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Hi! I've done the DDP with kids now for 3 years. But, my oldest was just 3 this last trip... now she's 4. Anyway, next year we're going with the DDDP and I'll be paying for the 4 year old, but my 2 year old will still be "free". He eats more than she does so I always end up buying a meal too!!!

I'm looking to do a lot of character meals too. We never miss the princesses in Norway or Chef Mickey's, but this year I'll try to do CRT, LTT and GG possibly. Have you been to others you reccomend? I'm also going to take a few nights with my DH (to use our credits) and have my sister sit and we'll go to California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse I think. I'm really looking forward to it! I think the kiddies will have a great time too!

 

[Luv2trav]

We are seriously considering it just because of the character meals. I feel the extra money is worth it just for the pure entertainment alone. My children are 6 and 3 and everytime we do a character meal they are too preoccupied to act up! Plus it sure beats standing in line for pictures and autographs.

 

[Tiger926]

I'm confused by your statement that you won't be saving any money while on the Deluxe Plan. Of course you will - for only $19.95 per day, you will get 3 TS meals if you so desire, plus 2 snacks and don't forget your refillable mug. All of that combined together is worth more than $19.95. You will make up the entire cost of the child meal plan by just attending one character meal per day.

You should check out www.allearsnet.com in order to see the menus and prices.

Happy eating, Tiger

 

[jenniferma]

I'm confused by your statement that you won't be saving any money while on the Deluxe Plan. Of course you will - for only $19.95 per day, you will get 3 TS meals if you so desire, plus 2 snacks and don't forget your refillable mug. All of that combined together is worth more than $19.95. You will make up the entire cost of the child meal plan by just attending one character meal per day.

I guess what I meant to say is that we won't be saving money because we don't "need" to be eating three sit down meals ... we could do more CS etc... we just are considering the splurging..

We wanted to do the Castle meal (if we can..) and a lot of other character meals.. so we figured why not try it?

thanks for all of your advice-- jen

 

[DCDisney]

Personally I think with little kids it's just too much sitting time for all the sit down meals. My kids can handle one long meal per day but beyond that I think is pushing it. We have had occasional 2 sit down days on each trip and it's been fine for a few days but we could never do 3 in a day and even 2 per day is too much beyond a few days. To make it worth it in terms of money we'd have to do lots of 2TS meals and there just aren't that many my kids would be interested in plus the time for those meals is so long it would wipe out every evening.


It may work better for you financially having a 2 year old eating free but based on eating what we want not maximizing the plan financially we are way better off doing regular plan and paying for a few extra meals OOP (usually breakfasts).

Yvonne

 

[Tiger926]

I'm confused by your statement that you won't be saving any money while on the Deluxe Plan. Of course you will - for only $19.95 per day, you will get 3 TS meals if you so desire, plus 2 snacks and don't forget your refillable mug. All of that combined together is worth more than $19.95. You will make up the entire cost of the child meal plan by just attending one character meal per day.

I guess what I meant to say is that we won't be saving money because we don't "need" to be eating three sit down meals ... we could do more CS etc... we just are considering the splurging..

We wanted to do the Castle meal (if we can..) and a lot of other character meals.. so we figured why not try it?

thanks for all of your advice-- jen

No worries, just wanted to make sure that you realized that by just eating 1 TS character meal per day, you have already paid for your child meal plan at $19.95. You can then grab a quick service meal, skip a meal, or use your snacks. Regardless, at $19,95 for children under 10, it is a great deal!

In regards to sitting at 3 TS meals per day, you know your children best. My daughter has been eating in restaurants (I come from a restaurant family - no fast food for us) since she was a newborn. She loves going to restaurants and at age 4, she can handle several TS restaurants per day, as that is the only way we eat. When we did the regular DP last year to try it out as we are DVC members, we didn't care for it at all as she wanted to go and sit down in the restaurants as it's enjoyable for her. She has low blood sugar like myself, so we need to sit down and eat, at the same time, we get awesome character interaction which means less lines outside and more time to play! Hopefully, our newborn son will enjoy eating in restaurants as well!

Happy eating to all, Tiger

 

[momof3littlelilos]

We're looking at using the Deluxe plan next year. DH, myself and our daughters - 8, 3, and 18mos...
Honestly, the plan sort of confuses me. Are you allowed to choose either TS or CS for any of the 3 meals? And as I understand it the little ones can't buy into the plan but are free to share with mom and dad?
If that's the case that we could do 3 TS and the little ones are allowed to graze then I think the Deluxe plan could work out well for us. If we had older kids (or if my teenager was going onthis trip) it would be WAY to much food on either dining plan.

 

[Tiger926]

We're looking at using the Deluxe plan next year. DH, myself and our daughters - 8, 3, and 18mos...
Honestly, the plan sort of confuses me. Are you allowed to choose either TS or CS for any of the 3 meals? And as I understand it the little ones can't buy into the plan but are free to share with mom and dad?
If that's the case that we could do 3 TS and the little ones are allowed to graze then I think the Deluxe plan could work out well for us. If we had older kids (or if my teenager was going onthis trip) it would be WAY to much food on either dining plan.

Deluxe Plan is giving 3 credits per day, to be used on TS, CS or a combination of both (whatever you like), plus 2 snack credits and 1 refillable resort mug. Your 3 & 8 year old will cost $19.95/day, which is a great deal, and the baby is not allowed to purchase a plan, but can share with mom and dad at buffets or off of your plate. If you order him/her a child's meal at a counter service or table service, you will be charged, so only sharing from parent's plates, or, he/she can have own plate at the buffet restaurants.

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Personally I think with little kids it's just too much sitting time for all the sit down meals. My kids can handle one long meal per day but beyond that I think is pushing it. We have had occasional 2 sit down days on each trip and it's been fine for a few days but we could never do 3 in a day and even 2 per day is too much beyond a few days. To make it worth it in terms of money we'd have to do lots of 2TS meals and there just aren't that many my kids would be interested in plus the time for those meals is so long it would wipe out every evening.


It may work better for you financially having a 2 year old eating free but based on eating what we want not maximizing the plan financially we are way better off doing regular plan and paying for a few extra meals OOP (usually breakfasts).

Yvonne

I disagree, my kids need that sit down time after all the walking in the parks. And, at character meals they are up and down all the time anyway.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Hi- was just looking for anyone else that may be out there that is consdering the deluxe dining plan with little kids? My DH has nearly talked me into it-- our kids will be 20 months, 5 and 7. We realize we won't be saving money.. but our DD4 doesn't like the usual counter service fare-- no hamburgers or nuggets.. and we figure at least she'll eat fresh fruit and pasta etc.. (plus we like to eat ; and our kids are usually entertained by the characters)

Anyhow-- just looking for others planning around the younger set. I am hoping we won't have character meal overkill--but last trip we did one nearly every day and were ok.

thanks... I would love to find someone else trying to do ADRS with toddlers/preschoolers etc. in mind.

Jen

We have 3 DDs, age 8, 6, and 3. We are so excited about the deluxe plan!! I have made all our April ADRs and we will be doing character meals for breakfast, and 2 sig restaurants at nite (also the hoop de doo and spirit of aloha) and I am so looking forward to it.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'll be doing the deluxe plan in December 2008 with DH and DD5. DD is picky and she doesn't eat a lot but I think its still worth it. We get to try a lot of signature meals and relax in between park time. I'm going for 9 days so I think I'll have plenty of time for the parks too.

 

[lemondog]

Our daughters will be 7, 4 and 4 when we go in July 2008, and we are doing the deluxe DDP. For one thing, based on the menus of restaurants we like, plus all that is included (heck, I could drink $20 worth of diet coke per day at the resort, lol), it will be a savings for us.

My kids will really need the downtime. For one thing July is hot, and the sit-down meals will be a nice break. Also, my DH is not big on theme parks so we needed to plan a vacation that included down time/breaks from the parks. So we are planning in mostly TS meals, with a few hours every afternoon spent at the resort swimming and hanging out.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us. Our kids have never been (DH has never been either) and I want it to be magical for them. So we're doing LOTS of character meals, and trying some 2 credit restaurants as well. We are very excited!!!

 

[serene56]

What is the price for an adult for delux dining?

I see bunches of information regarding the regular dining plan but nothing for the Deluxe.

 

[Tiger926]

What is the price for an adult for delux dining?

I see bunches of information regarding the regular dining plan but nothing for the Deluxe.

There are lots of posts regarding the Deluxe Plan - DDDP or Deluxe Dining as subject, if you want to search.

Adults: $69.99/night = 3 meal credits (TS or CS or combination of both), 2 snacks, plus 1 refillable resort mug. Taxes are included, but tips at meals are not.

Children (3-9): $19.99/night = same as above, but kids must order off of kids' menu when available. Taxes incl., but tips are not.

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[susieq76]

We are! We are going to get the deluxe with twin 6 year olds and a 4 year old. We love Disney Dining- to us it's a nice break and the boys love the meals. For my kids- we need the relaxation of the sit downs. I am so glad Disney came up with the deluxe dining plan!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We are doing the Deluxe plan this summer. While we won't be doing 3 sit downs a days - we will be doing more 2TS (HDDR and Mickey's BBQ), DH and I will do the YSH, BUT the best part (for us at least) is now we will do b-fast in the parks before they open for early access. There is nothing more magical than being alone on Main Street. For our family, its not only the "food" aspect of the DDDP, but also the entertainment dollars we get out of it as well.

We only meet characters at meals...Even my kids won't stand in line for an autograph inside the parks

 

[itchin2go]

I disagree, my kids need that sit down time after all the walking in the parks. And, at character meals they are up and down all the time anyway.

Amen! We're doing DxDDP with our little one and can't wait!

 

[bweagle]

We are planning to take advantage of DDDP with our 4 and 2 year old next summer. Even with the cutbacks in the plan for 2008, I've looked at Deb's site and done the math and we'll be able to save some money using the plan. I don't mind having our meals planned out for us in advance at all. I think it will be great for the kids to have some time to sit down out of the heat of the summer sun and enjoy some good food and character interaction.

Snack credits will be great to use while waiting on parades or evening shows. Our plans are by no means set in stone, but here are my initial thoughts about how we'll be using the meal credits.

Day 1: Arriving following previous day at KSC
L: Olivia's
S: Chef Mickey's

Day 2:
BF: Pop Food Court
L: Castle
S: Tony's Town Square

Day 3:
BF: Pop Food Court
L: Garden Grill
S: Coral Reef

Day 4:
BF: Hollywood & Vine
L: Sci-Fi
S: 50's Prime Time

Day 5:
BF: Ohana's
L: Kona
S: 1900 Park Faire

Day 6:
BF: Tusker House
L: Yak & Yeti
S: Boma

Day 7:
BF: Akershus
L: Marrakesh
S: San Angel (or Le Cellier)

Day 8:
BF: Boatwrights
L: Going to Sea World - taking some items using snack credits to tote along
S: Spoodles

Day 9:
BF: Crystal Palace
L: Plaza
S: Liberty Tree Tavern

Day 10: (Departure Day)
BF: 1900 Park Faire

Glad you started this thread so parents of younger kids can get ideas of how to best utilize the plan!

 

[pilferk]

Hi- was just looking for anyone else that may be out there that is consdering the deluxe dining plan with little kids? My DH has nearly talked me into it-- our kids will be 20 months, 5 and 7. We realize we won't be saving money.. but our DD4 doesn't like the usual counter service fare-- no hamburgers or nuggets.. and we figure at least she'll eat fresh fruit and pasta etc.. (plus we like to eat ; and our kids are usually entertained by the characters)

Anyhow-- just looking for others planning around the younger set. I am hoping we won't have character meal overkill--but last trip we did one nearly every day and were ok.

thanks... I would love to find someone else trying to do ADRS with toddlers/preschoolers etc. in mind.

Jen

We're planning to do it for our Dec '08 trip. Our kids will be 2,4, and 6 at that point. So my figuring is for 2 adults and 2 kids (our youngest is too young for the DDP and eats off our plates).

We'll likely do a combination of all 3 options: 3 TS meals per day (breakfast and dinner) OR one CS and a Signature Meal (Jiko's one night, early, as well as a night at the HoopDeDoo, and POSSIBLY one CRT breakfast) OR 2 TS and one CS in a day. I worked it out and while the savings isn't INCREDIBLE, there's still some to be had. Here's 2 of our days broken down, that might work best for your "figuring":

Character Breakfast at CP:
2 x 18.99 = 37.98
2 x 10.99 = 21.98
Tax: 3.90
Tip: 10.79

Total Breakfast: 74.65

Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch:
Adult App total: 7.98
Adult entree total: 21.98
(We'll skip dessert)
Adult Drink total: 4.60
Kids meal total: 14.98
Tax: 3.22
Tip: 8.92

Total Lunch: 61.68

Whispering Canyon Dinner:
Adult App total: 15.98
Adult Entree total: 40.98
Adult Dessert total: 10.98
Adult Drink total: 4.60
Kids meal total: 14.98
Tax: 5.69
Tip: 15.75

Total Dinner: 108.96

Total Snacks: 25.56

Total for the day: 258.07

DDP cost for the day: 179.96 (DDP cost) + 35.46(tips) = 215.42

And that's NOT "maximizing" the plan by ordering the most expensive items or even ordering dessert at lunch.

The other day you might want to consider (since your daughter doesn't like most CS offerings):

Bagels for breakfast (snack credits):

2.29 x 4 = 9.16

Breakfast total: 9.16

Lunch at Prime Time Cafe:
(Adults skipping apps)
Adult Entree total: 30.78
Adult Dessert total: 9.58
Adult drink total: 4.60
Kids meal total: 14.98
Tax: 3.90
Tip: 10.79

Lunch Total: 74.63

HoopDeDoo Musical Review (Category 2):

2 Adults: 54.99 x 2 = 109.98
2 Children: 25.99 x 2 = 51.98

Total Dinner: 161.96

Total snacks: 12.78

Total for day: 258.53

Total for DDP: 179.96 (DDP) + 10.79 tip = 190.75

THAT's a good deal of savings, IMHO.