Not sure to DDP plan or not

[megnsamsgracie]

I got the 40% off PIN code and booked Poly for $204 a night.

But then thought about the DDP, it would be nice to eat at different places I would normally say NO to. So I priced and the only way I could afford it would be to do 2 rooms at POP. I really like the convience of the monorail at Poly or CR. But then again, with 6...the savings would be great. Although, a sit down meal is NOT a necessity. We loved the character meals we have done before but I guess we could just do quick CS meals. At MK we would order 3 double cheeseburgers with an extra bun for each and that was more than enough.

Ughhh so frustrated trying to figure out if I want to stay with the deluxe and eat OOP or just stay at a value and eat on the DDP. Or I guess with 8 nights, I can do 4 of each?

 

[septbaby]

Are PINs given out randomly and only via snail mail?

I say go with the Poly. It comes through loud and clear that's what you want.

Price the trip as DDP and Value rooms. Substract out the cost of the Poly PIN rooms. What ever balance is left is what you're "OK" spending on food. Buy some Disney gift cards for that amount and use them only for meals/snacks. That way it can feel like a dining plan.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would do the Poly. At the poly, would you need one room or two there too?

The difference between deluxe resorts and values is significant. Being able to hop a boat/monorail and get to two parks is very nice. The pools are also very nice with slides for the kids.

While TS is nice, do you want to spend the amount of time it takes to do TS meals every day? If so, then it is a good option.

I personally hate moving. I feel we lose a day (and I hate being homeless). Check out by 11 , and often can't get into a room until 4. Some people are fine with that, it doesn't work for me.

It comes down to what you want to try more - the Poly or Pop and the DDP (I vote Poly )

 

[megnsamsgracie]

I am looking at $1600 for 7n at Poly vs $2200 for 8n at POP. 8n at Poly would be $1800 but if I went with Poly, I would only do 7 to cut costs. We are flying in 1 day early and staying at a cheap hotel before we start our Disney trip so we can take full advantage of that "first" day and flying home the last flight out our last night. So its a difference of $600.. that would be $100 PP.. or $15 pp per day. But I think its the convience of it all with Poly.. we want to do MK and 1/2 and 1/2 AK and MGM. No one in my family minds CS meals or even if staying at Poly mailing food down (granola bars, cereal, etc). How do you guys all decide this?? I am horrible when it comes to decisions, hubby just says to decide and book it!

At one pt I am looking at some cool dining places and only having to worry about a tip, on the other hand I am looking at staying at the Poly which we never did!

Oh and one room at Poly

 

[septbaby]

You mentioned shipping a box down. With 6 people you can check 12 pieces of luggage so you could bring that box with you as I imagine you won't have 12 bags plus carry ons for your family.

Staying off site also implies a rental car. If you cancelled the car and used ME and Disney transportation could you stay at Poly that first night? You'll probably give up an hour on your return trip, but you'd make that up on your first night on site. We found ME to be very convenient. How cool would it be to check those bags/box at home and not touch them again until they were sitting in your room? Also on the return if you are flying a Disney airline you can check in at the Poly and not be bothered again until you are back at your home airport.

Hopefully you can do the dining plan too. If not just book a few TS meals and enjoy those. Breakfast buffets are generally the least expensive and if you book one at after 11am it's really lunch and can last a long time. We did this at Chef Mickey's there was plenty on the buffet and yes it was fresh and hot. If you have some morning people you could do the AM EMH or just be at the park at open, get in a couple of hours then head over for that meal.

 

[fakereadhed]

I decided not to add it this time. The main reason is that it is sometimes inconvenient to stop what you are doing to rush to an ADR for a sit down meal every day. Sometimes it's nice to have the freedom to stop for a snack or CS meal when you want rather than waiting for your ADR. The added tip this year really sealed the deal for me.

 

[tripplanner2]

I am contimplating the same thing. I think the feeling of the trip being paid for ahead of time is very comforting and we are able to enjoy the trip even more knowing that we won't have to pay extra when we get home. I like the idea of gift cards to pay for meals. This way we are still paying ahead of time but we are not forced into sit down every day. We have 3 kids and for the kids the dining plan is definately worth it but for the adults it is more expensive to do the dining plan (at least for my family).

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Well when I looked at the aspect of no tip being included this year and one of my kids is 10 so he will pay the adult price but he is a PICKY eater and wont eat that much I am thinking my best option is to pre-purchase gift cards to pay for food. This way its still paid for ahead of time but I am not locked into TS. I will splurge and maybe do 3 TS meals during the week but I have my heart set on Poly.

As for ME, we are going to use it. We plan on getting a hotel at the airport just for Saturday night (the 40% off doesnt start until Sunday). The CM told me that I could just bring the luggage back to the airport and get picked up by ME Sunday AM.

I am going to switch back to room only and add a package later if I still feel the need!

 

[bigbabyblues]

In your shoes, I'd go with the Poly and eat oop. It won't work for us, because we don't care much for counter service most of the time, but if you don't mind that, stay at the Poly.

 

[megnsamsgracie]

The thing is, we arent big meal eaters... So for breakfast it would be a quick thing. Pop Tarts, cereal bowl, etc. Lunch, my kids could live off sandwiches they would just be happy to be at Disney.. and dinner, there is plenty of CS meals to eat at. I am so torn but I really want the deluxe though... spoiled now!