Is using 2 TS for a Signature really worth it?

[dmw@lakenorman]

I was curious if the food/atmosphere, etc. is that much better in the Signature restaurants to use 2 TS vs. using it for two meals? I have a few signature reservations b/c I was not sure which restaurants I should use (before I found this site of course) and was wondering if I should stick with what I have or change them to regular table service meals. I currently have Flying Fish, Citricos, & California Grill leaving me with one more TS for a 7 night vacation. I am ok either way, just curious what y'all think. Thx bunches!

 

[Tricia1972]

For food and atmosphere 2TS locations are definitely worth dining at.

For best use of your credit, usually not. Consider that the average fillet at a 2TS is about $37(ish). That's TWO dining credits, which is approximately $76 of DDP. You get $50 worth of dinner, and that's getting the most expensive item each time. What if you're in the mood for chicken, that's more like $40 of value? The $26-$36 difference has to be made up by 2 cs meals and 2 snacks.

That's why the deluxe is so attractive to so many. It's still two credits, but you get about $7-$12 more of value because of the inclusion of the appetizer. You also get an extra TS credit.

For me, and what I order (usually chicken) I just pay OOP and end up paying less than using any dining plan.

 

[catne]

Personally, we did not think California Grille was worth 2 TS. It was good food, and a great location, but not worth 2 other table service meals. Now, many others will tell you it is...you'll find every possible opinion. The other issue we found with the 2 TS restaurants is they take a lot of time...count on at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours per signature restaurant...longer if you have to wait to be seated. That's a lot of "park" time to spend eating. Is that how you want to spend your vacation? We enjoy a nice dinner break in an air conditioned restaurant, but more like 60-90 minutes. If you have kids with you, that's another thing to consider with signature restaurants...even school age kids get tired of sitting around waiting for the next part of the meal.

I guess I'd suggest doing one 2 TS meal in a 7 day vacation.

 

[minster22]

My thinking on this is a little different than most others. I love the dining experience of the signature restaurants.I have eaten at each of your choices , Flying Fish many times, the other 2 several times each and they are definately a notch above the 1 TS options, partly in food quality but also in service and atmosphere. I don't mind using 2TS for some of my meals because I personally do not want to spend every evening at WDW sitting down for an hour or 2 having dinner. Upcoming trip is an example....4 night trip ...Kona Cafe (love it for a 1TS) Turf Club (1st time here) and then on our last night California Grille. We will probably use a CS for dinner at Wolfgang's Express or maybe Artists Palette. Many on these boards would not consider this a optimal use of the DDP, but we have done this many times and it works for us. Of course I would love to see the tip included and option of App or Dessert but ......

 

[MainStMandy]

Depends...after reading Tricia1972 I went to "price" out our dinner to CG.

Just entrees got us to $52...desserts are roughly $10 a piece, plus non-alcoholic drink. I for one really want to go, but wasn't looking to spend almost $100. Plus we aren't eating dinner on our arrival night, so we had an extra credit to use.

I say yes.

 

[SLM]

We've eaten at the Flying Fish and California Grille. This was in 2006-have there been changes to the plan since then? We (my husband and I) thought they were worth two credits-the CG has an amazing view-we watched a huge storm roll through while having a drink and waiting for our table. These dinners do take time-we were at the CG from 7:30 to 10:30-part of that waiting for a table (even with an ADR) but we didn't care-it was nice not to rush-we are empty-nesters. Just my opinion, but I would not take small or young children to CG or FF. Even with the fireworks from the deck, it's too long for them to sit-it's too nice a dinner not to enjoy it or feel rushed.

 

[dmw@lakenorman]

Thx everyone - I did not realize the dinners would take so long at the signatures. Most of the meals I scheduled for early in the evening thinking we could do the parks afterwards. Of course, this is before I realized the parks do not stay open that late in Sept. (I am such a newbie to all of this). Hmmm.... may have to rethink things and see if I can change some ressies. Thx again - y'all are soooooooo helpful!!!!

 

[angelmav]

Thx everyone - I did not realize the dinners would take so long at the signatures. Most of the meals I scheduled for early in the evening thinking we could do the parks afterwards. Of course, this is before I realized the parks do not stay open that late in Sept. (I am such a newbie to all of this). Hmmm.... may have to rethink things and see if I can change some ressies. Thx again - y'all are soooooooo helpful!!!!

Dont cancel anything unless you know for sure their is an opening! At this late date before your trip and the popularity of free dining its going to be really difficult to get decent ADR's to replace them.

 

[Tricia1972]

Depends...after reading Tricia1972 I went to "price" out our dinner to CG.

Just entrees got us to $52...desserts are roughly $10 a piece, plus non-alcoholic drink. I for one really want to go, but wasn't looking to spend almost $100. Plus we aren't eating dinner on our arrival night, so we had an extra credit to use.

I say yes.

I definitely agree, rather than losing the credit it's much better to use it. But it's good to look at what you'd order in general.

$52 Entrees $20 Desserts $7 Beverages. $79 of food for four credits purchased at $38 each, so about $152.

 

[aubriee]

I used the DxDDP for my solo trip this past May. I chose to do an early TS lunch each day then did a 2 credit signature restaurant each night. I ate at Flying Fish, Citricos, Narcoosee, California Grill, Artist Point, Jiko, and Yatchsman Steakhouse. In the past I have also eaten at CRT and Brown Derby. The only one I would use two credits on again, would be Narcoosee. If I chose to go to any of the others I'd just pay OOP. They're not worth giving up 2 TS credits for, in my opinion.

 

[MainStMandy]

I definitely agree, rather than losing the credit it's much better to use it. But it's good to look at what you'd order in general.

$52 Entrees $20 Desserts $7 Beverages. $79 of food for four credits purchased at $38 each, so about $152.

Yes and no...your right that the ddp is $38 each but I am also getting lunch and a snack that day so that math doesn't quite work out to that.

dmw@lakenorman I agree not to cancel anything unless you are sure. We are only doing one signature dining our whole trip and it's a night I didn't plan any park activities so if takes 2 hours than so be it.

Enjoy!

 

[JenSop]

We were just down for a 10 day trip. We were on the basic for the bulk of the trip, but on the Deluxe for the last two nights. (We split our DVC stay.) So we decided to do two signature restaurants. We ate at Narcoosee's and each got the lobster. That entree alone is $54. So it was definitely worth 2 TS credits! Then we ate at Jiko, which was also worth it.

We don't have kids, so the signature restaurants were a nice change. Not alot of kids in the restaurants, so a much nicer atmosphere. (Please don't take it that I don't like kids, but when they are tired and cranky on vacation, it can really be distracting to the other diners. We got to witness a nice temper tantrum when we ate at Le Cellier. Not enjoyable.)

Alot depends on what kind of atmosphere you're going for. For next year (depending on any major changes to the dining plan) we are going to go with the basic plan, then double up our TS's to use for more signature dining. That way we won't be full and stuffed each and every night of our trip.

 

[Krmrr]

First, my DW and I are going to several Signature places this year (on deluxe plan). Is it a good deal, No. One only gets one dessert, 1 appetizer, and 1 drink ' whereas, the entree chosen may be less in cost than at some 1TS spots. So from the view of value, it's not worth it. But, sometimes it's worth it to go for the upscale experience.

When we go to CG, we go back to our room; get cleaned up; I put on a suit; my DW a nice dress and we go out to have a GREAT time. I expect to be pampered. It's a whole different attitude from going down to CJ's for chili dogs after mowing the lawn.

If I had to choose between California Grill and dinner at both Marrakesh and Chefs de France, I'd choose the 2 1TS meals then pay OP for CG. Don't give up the meal, just choose wisely! IT'S MY VACATION. If I was that concerned about the money, I would go to Six Flags for 1 day and stay at a Motel 6 (no offense at either intended, I've done both.)

Enjoy your time at Disney!

 

[TDC Nala]

There aren't many 1 TS restaurants I think are good enough to go out of my way to visit anymore, but I'll do that for many of the signatures. Yachtsman is the only one I've never been to.

I don't use the dining plan, since I have found that I prefer to order only what I want from the menu without feeling like I have to order everything I have already paid for, or order something because I feel like I need to get the highest priced item to get value out of the dining plan.

I can think of a lot of things to say about signature at WDW but I am not sure you can get "pampered" at any WDW restaurant except V&A, they're just too busy. And, except for V&A of course, "no kids" is the exception, not the norm. I see kids in all the signature restaurants I go to, and lots of kids.

 

[Tricia1972]

Yes and no...your right that the ddp is $38 each but I am also getting lunch and a snack that day so that math doesn't quite work out to that.

dmw@lakenorman I agree not to cancel anything unless you are sure. We are only doing one signature dining our whole trip and it's a night I didn't plan any park activities so if takes 2 hours than so be it.

Enjoy!

I brought up the CS's and the snacks in my first post on this thread. I didn't want to sound like a broken record so didn't mention it again. Sorry if I gave you or anyone a false impression from reading just my second post.

 

[Jenvenza]

This will be the first time we are using the DDP, but we chose to use 2 credits at CRT on night. Since the DDP was free, we figured it cant be a bad deal. And we wanted to do something special that night since it is my 30th birthday.

 

[DVC Sadie]

There aren't many 1 TS restaurants I think are good enough to go out of my way to visit anymore, but I'll do that for many of the signatures. Yachtsman is the only one I've never been to.

I don't use the dining plan, since I have found that I prefer to order only what I want from the menu without feeling like I have to order everything I have already paid for, or order something because I feel like I need to get the highest priced item to get value out of the dining plan.

I can think of a lot of things to say about signature at WDW but I am not sure you can get "pampered" at any WDW restaurant except V&A, they're just too busy. And, except for V&A of course, "no kids" is the exception, not the norm. I see kids in all the signature restaurants I go to, and lots of kids.

I totally agree with your entire post!