Just booked my trip (YAY) and can't decide DDP

[mstmp]

I know a lot of people ask this, but I just do not know what to do and I have plenty of time to decide.

We are going for 8 nights and the ADR's I have planned so far is already taking 7 TS so that leaves us with 5 nights without a TS. Should we do the Deluxe? It will be $608.00 more for my family of 3 for 8 nights. Anyone have experience with this. My son will be almost 5 at the time.
I really need help with deciding


October 15th - Mickey's back yard BBQ (2ts)
October 16th - Brown Derby (1TS) this is not set in stone but we will be at MGM so not sure best place for dinner. But I do not it will be (1TS)
October 17th - Crystal Palace Breakfast (1TS)
October 18th - Hoop Dee Doo (2Ts)
October 19th - Germany for dinner (1TS)
October 20th - not sure yet
October 21st - not sure
October 22nd - not sure
October 23rd - departure day

 

[Faldred]

8 nights on deluxe is 24 credits per person. You currently have 8 used. [Brown Derby is a signature (2 TS).]

If you added 4 more dinners, you'd be up to 12-16 credits used, depending on how many of them are signatures or dinner shows.

Adding a breakfast on 7 additional days (assuming not on arrival day but yes on departure) gets you up to 19-23 credits used.

That leaves you 1-5 credits per person for additional lunches (TS or CS at your discretion).

As for value, it is a very subjective question. Rather than deal with cost comparisons, I usually ask the simple question: is the experience you are going to get worth the cost that you are expected to pay?

The truth is, you should be able to eat cheaper than a dining plan, if cost is your primary objective. But that means limiting your options. The dining plan offers a lot more options, and more food, along with a heavier reliance on pre-planning. How everyone sees those trade-offs may vary. Significantly.