Lagoon View or Deluxe Dining Plan??

[SeaSpray]

We're staying at the Polynesian resort in May, in a lagoon view concierge room. (Our DAunt(75) will be in a garden view concierge room).

I just realized that for the cost of the difference between lagoon concierge and garden concierge, we could do the Deluxe Dining Plan, for the same exact cost. Since DH and I dine at sit-down restaurants exclusively, this is *very* tempting to think about!

Here are more details:
We already own the DDE (Disney Dining Experiece) Card which gives us 20% off of food and drinks at almost all sit-down restaurants. That card would be virtually useless if we did the Dining Plan (We paid $65 for it on our last trip, and I don't think we've saved that much in the dining discount, as of yet).

We've only ever stayed lagoon view concierge at the Polynesian and that view is very special to us (ok, to *me*! DH does enjoy the view too, but he could probably live without it if I decided to change. LOL).

I just don't know if I'd get there and feel extremely let-down (at myself!) if I chose the Dining Plan over the view, and felt like I really missed the view.

On the OTHER HAND, maybe I wouldn't miss the view all that much, and we could really have fun with the 3 sit-downs per day! Currently, we have 2 sit-downs booked for each day (for lunch and dinner, with breakfast in the concierge lounge), but on 2 days we have THREE sit-downs booked because those are the 2 days that we'll have breakfast at the Kona Cafe. In all honesty, DH would LOVE to have breakfast there every single day, and I'm sure before the trip is over, we'll book at least 1 more breakfast there.

Ok, and LASTLY, the Dining Plan gives you WAY too much food! And we love to eat! LOL But we did the Dining Plan a few years ago, and it was the regular plan with only 1 sit-down and 1 counter service per day, and we could not eat all of the food that was included. Usually, we'll order 1 or 2 appetizers, split an entree, and then split dessert or just skip dessert. So the fact is, I like the idea of the Deluxe Dining Plan because we'd definitely enjoy sitting down at a restaurant 3 times a day, I just hate that it includes all the food. Of course, now that the tip is not included anymore, I bet the servers couldn't care less whether you ordered all of the components of the meal or not. LOL Back then, they WANTED you to order it all, so their tip would be bigger! lol

I'm going to make this a poll; Having read all of our usual eating habits and preferences, do you think I should stick with the lagoon view (which I absolutely LOVE and feels very surreal while I'm there on the balcony looking out), or should I try the garden view and just think about the Kona Cafe every morning??


Ok, you know what, I think I've just talked myself OUT of the Dining Plan, after typing this all out and thinking it all over. I think for what I'd be "getting" in return ("free food for the week"), I'd be giving up too much (the view that you just can't experience ANYPLACE else in the world).... I'm going to post the poll anyway, just to see what the rest of you would do!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

I voted to keep the view... that sounds like way tooo much food, and I rather the view, and the breakfast in the lounge rather then having to find a way to eat 3 big meals a day!

 

[simonkodousek]

Is this a trick question? Both options are so tempting, but personally I would go with the view. The DDxP would be WAY TOO MUCH FOOD for me!

 

[dishm12/08]

For three meals a day, I do think the DxDDP is a bit much. But when we're in the parks, we typically skip lunch and just snack. That's allowing us to have more Signature Dinning restuarants. If that's not appealing for you, do the view and call it a day.

 

[CoolPool]

There is a blurb on another website that put it so well. In order to take advantage of concierge stuff, you have to stay at the resort. That means you intend to spend a greater than average amount of your morning and evening hours there as opposed to being in the parks. With the Deluxe plan you have greater flexibility about where you are going to eat/be during the day. If you are at Epcot, then sit down and eat there w/o having to head back to the resort to make sure you don't miss out on the "free" offerings. Also you can eat at Ohanas or Kona anytime you want. Yes, I agree its too much food. LoL. But I'd prefer the flexibility of the dining plan over concierge.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the replies, everyone

CoolPool: We'd be staying concierge either way; my question was whether we'd switch to a garden view concierge room, instead of the lagoon view room, because the price difference would've been the exact amount of the Deluxe Dining Plan.

We'll keep our lagoon view, because the DxDP is really just too much food, AND I'm afraid I'd regret changing our view to garden (although I'm sure it's nice too!).

 

[G8r4evr]

Like myself, it sounds like a major part of your vaca is eating, so timewise, do you spend more time in restaurants on your vacation, or looking out the window at your hotel?

Definitely a really tough call, but I would probly go with the Deluxe Dining.

 

[CoolPool]

Thanks for the replies, everyone

CoolPool: We'd be staying concierge either way; my question was whether we'd switch to a garden view concierge room, instead of the lagoon view room, because the price difference would've been the exact amount of the Deluxe Dining Plan.

We'll keep our lagoon view, because the DxDP is really just too much food, AND I'm afraid I'd regret changing our view to garden (although I'm sure it's nice too!).

Oh dope slap to my head! Sorry!

 

[Native NYer]

Great choice with the lagoon view!

 

[HockeyMomR]

Seaspray - great choice to stay with the view....we just love the lagoon view from Hawaii building! Use your DDE card, I think you will be happy with your decision!

 

[frdeb1999]

We love the lagoon views from Hawaii and opt for them almost everytime. We deffinately miss it when we don't have it. Great choice!

 

[simonkodousek]

Great choice!

 

[hvivona]

I'd voted for the Dleuxe Dining Plan. For me that would be the best choice because we really don't spend much time in our room. And when we are in the room we are either sleeping or rushing to get ready and get to the parks.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

SeaSpray,

If I'm reading you correctly, the DxDP would cost the same as the Lagoon View without dining, right? Well, if that's the case, then the lagoon view is MUCH more expensive than the DxDP, because you will have to then pay (in addition to the room upgrade) all that $$$ for 2-3 sit-down meals per day.

I still think you should stick with the lagoon view, then you can be flexible with your meals and not have to feel like you're not taking full advantage of the DP.

On the other hand, maybe you SHOULD try the DxDP just once! You could eat at more signature places for dinner and still have sit-down lunches. (I guess I'm not being very helpful; that's why I didn't vote.)

 

[chip007]

What about your DAunt? Is she going to be traveling and eating with you?

If you do the DDDP and she doesn't, that might cause unintended conflicts in choosing restaurants. I think I'd talk it over with her and come up with a plan you all agree on.

Whatever you choose, have a great trip.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I say keep the view that is way to much food plus you are traveling with others who might not want that food plan.

 

[Pirate at Heart]

Keep the view and save your hips and waist and, dare I say thighs? Think of all the money you'll save not having to buy bigger clothes LOL.

When we do DDP I always over eat and gain weight.

We are doing Poly Lagoon View Club Level Nov 29-Dec7 and opted NOT to do the DDP.

What ever you decide have a great trip!

 

[Mike N Kathy]

You dont *HAVE* to eat 3 meals on the dxdp for us we are going to mostly be doing 1 signature a day and a regular TS... 3 Meals is alot but u dont have to do 3 meals!!!!!