Is Deluxe too much during summer?

[hollybearsmom]

I really appreciate all the input. There's a lot to consider.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

I think I would be worried about the time since we aren't staying very many days.

Being worried about time, I would suggest buffets. As soon as you get in and get seated everyone can grab a plate and get eating! You can also ask for your check right away since it's a set price, and that way you can leave once your family is done.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We have never done the Deluxe - with 2 kids who want to be in the Parks every waking second, it just isn't a good fit for us. That being said, I thought I would offer this info - We have been twice now during the HOT summer months. We have always been on the Regular Dining Plan - yes, the A/C is a welcome break - but the heat definately had an impact on our appetites. We had, what should have been, wonderful meals - but it got lost on us in the heat. After walking around World Showcase in 105 degree weather, we definately did not enjoy our steaks at LeCellier like we should have..I actually much prefered my Roasted Beet Salad at Sunshine Seasons earlier in the day - much lighter meal and still in the A/C. Just something else to think about.

 

[hollybearsmom]

buffets, lighter meals, all makes sense
I'm thinking that the deluxe just is not for us this trip

 

[3pletprincesses]

We are doing Deluxe with my triplets in a month. We have plan for a early caracter meals and signature dinner almost every day. Snacks will be used in the middle of the day between meals. I think it will be perfect for us.

 

[sanapp]

Personally I don't care for doing CS as I always feel like it is so hectic. I prefer to go in, sit, relax and be waited on. I like the idea of doing an early lunch (11:00 OR 11:30) and then dinner aroung 6:00/6:30. Could use a snack credit for breakfast and then a snack in between lunch and dinner or later at night. We typically go to DW every year though and even though my DD is only 8 she doesn't feel like we have to cram everything in. She is happy to do just her favorites. I believe that eating out at DW is a big part of the vacation and something that I really enjoy. Of course a big part of wanting to avoid CS is due to have a gluten intolerance and there are just better options at TS.

 

[hollybearsmom]

our dd is 12 but eats like a much younger child, kiddie meals for her will definately be better than a full meal and save us some money

thanks so much to everyone for chiming in

 

[egdanger1]

I have found that even if you are NOT on a Dinning Plan, you still have to make ADR's if you want to eat. We went one year without making any ADR's, with the notion that we were going to eat when we wanted to and where we wanted to (with the exception of CS). Well, that didn't work. . So, IMHO, this notion of not getting the dining plan because you don't want to be tied down to ADR's is delusional. Any experienced Disney goer knows that they better make some ADR's, especially during peak times. And they will most likely stick to them.

 

[egdanger1]

In 2008 myself and extended family did the DDXP.. After the trip was over I swore that I would never do it again.. But, back then.. I was just someone who LOVED Disney.. I knew a few places that I wanted to eat, but I didn't really pay attention to the signature dining or any of the shows..

Well, fast forward to this May and we are doing a split stay and I upgraded to the DDXP for the later part of our trip.. I did for the simple reason that I wanted to try a bunch of signatures and I knew I would be paying OOP (ALOT) if I just did DDP..
I also did a spread sheet.. I went through each restaurant that I wanted to eat at.. I also chose the foods that I know that myself, DH and DS most likely would order and it just made sense.. We are going for 9 days.. I scheduled my ADR's in such a way that the end of our DDP day we will start right away using DDXP.. We are going to Le Cellier.. Flying Fish, Narccoosses, Hoop De Doo Review.. right there that is a pretty penny.. and then you add on Ohana Breakfast.. Chef Mickeys.. Crystal palace. La hacienda and Via Napoli.. and it made sense for us..
I do however reccommend NOT planning more than 2 ADR's per day.. That was our downfall the last time.. We scheduled 3 meals a day and it did always seem like we were running from 1 place to another..

- Just because you have the option of planning 3 table service meals a day does not mean that you have to actually do it.

I like having all of the options that I can have. If I don't choose to use all of them, Oh well. We will still have a good time....and certainly NOT GO HUNGRY

 

[hollybearsmom]

I think we are going to go regular dining with sit down dinners each day.
Then if I decide (convince dh) to do character breakfast, we will pay oop for one.

thanks again for all the advice

 

[Wendy5055]

I was turned onto DlxDp a few years back due to the fact that I am a single mom travelling with my dd9 (began when she was 5). I also bring my Mom for company and extra set of eyes.

I prefer NOT standing in CS lines (just more lines) and my Mom appreciates the break from the heat (dd and I do as well).

I simply schedule our breakfast ADRs for before park opening times...and they are characters (so no waiting in lines in the parks for autographs) so it doesn't take time from the park.

I'm not sure...what does one eat at a CS meal...entree and often dessert and drink...the amount of food on the DlxDp is not so huge a difference to me other than the sit-down factor. Additionally, while we may not eat everything I always seem to feel satisfied that it was money well spent.

All that said...it is quite simply a matter of preference and what your familys needs/wants are. I am certain YOU know whats best for you!

 

[mcd2745]

Good thread with lots of great opinions. We are struggling with the same decision. We currently have the regular dining plan, but are probably going to upgrade to deluxe. We have a couple of 2 credit meals planned already (CRT and Le Cellier). We also prefer to do TS for breakfast anyway, but especailly this time since we're staying at the Beach Club (for the first time) and they do not have good CS breakfast options at all. So more than 2/3 of our credits would be used on breakfasts and dinners. The rest we'd use for CS lunches.

 

[gracy_hm]

Well

Day One-Brown Derby,Flying Fish
Day Two-Via Napoli,Le Cellier Dinner
Day Three-Yak and Yeti, Jiko
Day Four-Boma Breakfast,Raglan Road Dinner
Day Five-Room Service Breakfast, Spa treatment, Narcoosseey Dinner

I chose where I am going for the day Day one-Disney Studios
Day Two-Epcot
Day Three-Animal Kingdom
Day Four-Magic Kingdom
Day Five -Magic Kingdom

This layout of meals to theme park location cuts in that time wasted feeling and for me Disney is about slowing down. I don't have 1000 must dos just sit back relax eat drink and be merry.

For me the Deluxe allows freedom to enjoy restaurants I want to try and using this system doesn't become over bearing with the notion of three meals a day and with an average price per person OOP cost at of $210
for two people per day and the cost of the package of DXDP being about $160 for two people not including my snacks and or drinks in the hot august weather it makes since for us. I also like breakfast delivered to my room. The food is standard as far as room service goes but a waffle brought to me while I lay have asleep looking at giraffe tastes 2000 times better than one I have to get dressed and hike from my room to enjoy. Ultimately it boils down to what would work best for you and the people you will be going with. What ever you decide I know you will have a magical time! I just wanted to explain my standpoint and my logic for the decision to go deluxe this time around. The proximity to the theme park locations makes it do able. If I can ride Haunted Mansion and the new Star Tours I have seen all I need to see ride wise for me its about watching the world rush by while I rest watching the excited families pass by me and my loved ones and I having time to not rush around but indulge in good food, great environment and a palpable energy that words will always fall short in expressing.

Kyle.

 

[jazzielady]

It's going to work for us this year (I hope!). Our kids are old enough to let loose on their own with cell phones and instructions not to leave the park where we are. They will also have to check in with us periodically.

Dh& I will mostly be riding the benches this year and sitting back, enjoying people watching and eating

 

[jenneth79]

Like everyone has said before, it is a personal choice, but for my DH and I, the Deluxe Dining Plan was the right choice. While we may not order app / entree / dessert with every meal, this way we can without worrying what extra to budget for appetizers if we were going to want one.

Also, we have a lot of signature dining reservations, and less time for counter service. While the deluxe plan works "backwards" (you can use a credit for either TS or CS) with the regular plan, we didn't have enough TS credits and too many CS, which would have been a bigger waste of money.

Good lord, that sounded confusing.