My sample DxDDP meal plan...

[lemondog]

Some people have been asking for sample plans when on DxDDP. Our 180-day window opens on Tuesday so I have been working on finalizing our choices and where/when we want ADRs. Here is what I came up with. Please keep in mind a few things...

1. We LIKE having 2-3 sitdowns per day
2. We KNOW it will take time away from the parks, but it will be hot as hades in July, we have small kids who will need lots of breaks, and DH HATES theme parks with a passion. Doing the DxDDP was our compromise on even going to Disney in the first place.
3. I have run all the numbers, and we are saving $200-$300 on DxDDP, even accounting for all the tips.
4. I KNOW it's a lot of food, but we don't HAVE to eat everything on our plates! I look at this as a good way to sample many different things (apps, entrees, desserts), rather than having to gorge at every meal.
5. We will have our car, so we plan on driving to many of our destinations

With that said, here's our plan. We are arriving Sat. around 5pm, and leaving on the following Sat. first thing in the morning for a total of 7 nights. Anyone with suggestions...bring 'em on. Obviously if I can't get the times I want I may have to rework this a little.

SAT ~ D: 1900 Park Fare, 7:30 pm (celebrate DDs 7th bday)

SUN ~ B: Chef Mickey's, 7:00 am
L: CS (counter service), around noon
D: Liberty Tree Tavern, 6 pm

MON ~ B: Princess Storybook Breakfast, 8 am
L: Coral Reef, 12:30 pm
D: Le Cellier, 7:30 pm

TUES ~ B: Tusker House, 8 am?? (first seating, not sure what time it opens)
L: CS, around noon
D: O'hana, 7:00 pm

WED ~ B: Boma, 8 am
L: Raglan Road, 12:30 pm
D: Citricos, 7:30 pm (DH and I only, kids will be at Neverland Club)

THURS ~ B: CS at hotel (Poly), 7 am
L: Mama Melrose, 12 pm
D: Brown Derby, 7 pm

FRI ~ B: Ohana, 7:30 am
L: Liberty Tree Tavern, 12:30 pm
D: Crystal Palace, 7 pm

 

[Disney Fool]

You've got two reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern. How about Sci_Fi Diner for some fun burgers? Your 7 year old will love the idea of eating in cars. Or, how about 50's Prime time Cafe for more fun?

I would definitely add Jiko to my list (it's a 2 credit signature meal); but since you have some breakfasts that are sit-down meals, how about skipping lunch and snacking, and doing a couple of signature meals, like Jiko. You won't be disappointed. Also, have you thought of the Hoop-de-Doo revue? Your DD will have a blast.

 

[patsal]

Since LTT Lunch and dinner are two completely different experiences I'd still go ahead and keep them. LTT lunch is one of the best TS lunches!

Any way so long as you are happy with your dining choices and you know how that will affect your park time I think your plan is great. If I had small children and that much character dining on my agenda I'm certain that I'd have chosen one or another form of the DDP.

 

[lemondog]

Thanks for the input.

DH is a VERY PICKY eater. I mean, it's crazy! We went through all the different menus and he just wasn't getting into any of the things at Jiko, even though I am a foodie and would eat there in a hearbeat! I also wanted to try Cali Grill, but we decided it was not very kid-friendly (ours are not the most well behaved in restaurants), and since he liked the look of Citricos menu better, we are doing that for our "date" night.

As far as LTT, just as the PP said, it's so different from lunch than dinner, and I have heard good things about the lunch menu, so we decided to go for it. It is a possibility to switch Mama Melrose with Sci-Fi or 50's PT...will have to talk to DH about that and look at the menus again.

 

[luckytobeme88]

I like to share how we solved our friends' dislikes of vacationing in Disney in the middle of August last year. By the way, they will return to WDW with our family this July. An important part of dissolving the dislikes are planning (you did a wonderfull job) Last August, we sleeped in and never participated in any rope drops. We had coffee in our rooms (refill mugs will be included w/DDDP) and sometimes we had a chocolate crossiant too. We would have lunch in the theme parks noon'ish. Returned to our resort room/pool around 3'ish (hottest time of the day) After the breaks, we would then go out to dinner (usually around 7pm in the evening) By then the sun was gone, temp was cooler too, we continued our ventures thru the parks (one with the EEH)
Need I say more, it worked last year. This year's plan will be more or less the same. With the exception that my DH and buddy and my dad will be fishing off the Canaveral coast for a FULL day.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Your plan is similar to mine, except I have a lot of signatures I'm planning on booking. My only concern would be eating at too many buffets in one day, like on Friday, you have a buffet, a sit-down meal, followed by another buffet. I have three meals a day too, but I tried to limit myself to three meals a day with just one buffet, or if I did two buffets in one day, just to have those two meals, and not an additional meal in addition to two buffets.

Your choices look good though, though if it were me, I'd be eating at more signatures like I said. Since your husband is picky though, it's probably best to keep it as is. Maybe do the Fantasmic dinner at Brown Derby though, same amount of food, but you do get reserved seating for the show. You'd have to eat early though.

Also have you considered Boma or Kona for dinner, those are both excellant restaurants without being too exotic. Okay, well Boma is, but you do have the mac and cheese and chicken fingers to fall back on.

Also, as far as signature restaurants go, Flying Fish isn't too exotic either, unless you're not a fan of seafood, and CRT is a nice restaurant, and since you're on the plan, you wouldn't have to worry about the cost.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I didn't see CRT on your list. I would change LTT and maybe skip or pay OOP for a CS. Dining at the castle is a must do for us.....even though our kids are grown.

 

[epicureangirl]

Value-wise, 2 credit meals are a poor value. However, if you are willing for some of your lunches to be QS, why not skip one or two and head to Cali Grill or Flying Fish?

I must say though I have to recommend Jiko as well. Even most fussy eaters like Pizza (aka flatbread) and Steak (filet w. mac & cheese). Yum!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Value-wise, 2 credit meals are a poor value. However, if you are willing for some of your lunches to be QS, why not skip one or two and head to Cali Grill or Flying Fish?

I must say though I have to recommend Jiko as well. Even most fussy eaters like Pizza (aka flatbread) and Steak (filet w. mac & cheese). Yum!

True, but 2 credit meals are a better value than CS. You kind of break even on some of the dinner shows....they are the only ones that include tax and gratuity. I would definitely rather dine at CRT than 2 CS or 1 CS or 1 LTT. LTT has been getting terrible reviews lately. I cancelled my ressie at LTT.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Your sample plan looks great. I'm planning on doing almost the same thing. We will have our own car too and I think we'll do okay spending a little time away from the parks resting and eating since we will be there 10 nights/11 days anyway and we'll have more than enough time to do everything at the parks.

 

[marianas00]

Looks great! Sounds like your family will have a wonderful time due to your planning.

 

[bigbabyblues]

You plans look great to me! Very similar to the way we would do it......

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

I think your plan looks great too! I can't wait to try the deluxe dining plan!

 

[Simbee3]

I too like your plan, and think that you have done a wonderful job. Though I would add CRT especially with 3 little girls.