So, what pushed you over the edge?
Well my mom wanted all these places and I explained to her, we could pay oop OR upgrade and dad said just do it...BUT I dropped the Royal Guest Rooms which is fine....id rather eat food
What has hubby and I thinking about upgrading is I always schedule our big meal at lunch. The idea is that we will walk the meal off. 
Well, we walk it off all right. We are starving again. So we would go back to the WL and pay oop at either the Whispering Canyon Cafe or room service for supper every night. 
And we have had some of the best steaks through room service. YUM!! Time to get to working on mine. 
All this talk about food!
I've decided that if FD is offered, then we'll go with that. I highly doubt the room-only discount at a value resort will be a better deal than FD. I've crunched some numbers and concluded that unless the room-only discount is at least 25%, it makes more sense to go with FD (QSDP). We will have to pay for a few TS meals OOP, of course. If Disney does no allow guests to exchange a QS meal for snacks, then i can see some of those credits going to waste. We will come out just slightly ahead with FD (including paying OOP for some TS meals) vs the usual room-discount for the values.
Are there any disers out there who're against the dining plan? I've been on the regular DP, but not the QS. So, I hope this works better for us. The regular DP is just TOOOOOOO much food. It was madness. And I didn't like scheduling my days around so many TS ADRs. It was all right for maybe the first 3 ADRs, then it became bothersome.
Lets just hope that we do not ever have to schedule ride times. (I have read rumors on this
)
All this talk about food!
I've decided that if FD is offered, then we'll go with that. I highly doubt the room-only discount at a value resort will be a better deal than FD. I've crunched some numbers and concluded that unless the room-only discount is at least 25%, it makes more sense to go with FD (QSDP). We will have to pay for a few TS meals OOP, of course. If Disney does no allow guests to exchange a QS meal for snacks, then i can see some of those credits going to waste. We will come out just slightly ahead with FD (including paying OOP for some TS meals) vs the usual room-discount for the values.
Are there any disers out there who're against the dining plan? I've been on the regular DP, but not the QS. So, I hope this works better for us. The regular DP is just TOOOOOOO much food. It was madness. And I didn't like scheduling my days around so many TS ADRs. It was all right for maybe the first 3 ADRs, then it became bothersome.
So I read that someone got a PIN and it was for free QSDP on a Moderate!! I hope this is not the sign of things to come 0_o
I do think you will be happy with this decision.
This sounds really good.
I'm not against the dining plan per-say.....But, like you I do not like making reservations 6 months in advance. With Disney being as busy as it is. We have had to just learn to go with it. I see it now as another fun layer to planning.
Im hoping its not too much food! I scheduled some breakfasts and lunches....I am not sure about a few though....still researching lolHey atleast it gives me something to do when its cold out!
Im not against the dining plan either. I dont mind having my dinner planned out because even if its a buffet, I can still have a choice as to what I want. I just hope the cc guarantee works out. I know we are NEVER late to any meal...always there 15-20min early so it shouldnt be a problem!
yeah, the sit down meals can be pricey. For our family of three, 2 adults and one 4yo, it was anywhere from $50 to $100 per sit down. I think Teppan Edo was our most expensive at $100, since we couldn't use our TIW discount there, nor AP since it was a weekend. It adds up fast!Well, it is definitely the DxDP for us. Even without the counter service meals counted, we will come out ahead with the dining plan. All those darn table service restaurants are $$$$!!Oh well, at least I have THAT figured out.
great list- you have some of our favorites in there! We haven't tried Deluxe dining, but I can say, even having one sit down meal a day is a lot for us. There were a few days on a trip in 2009 where our entire family went and they scheduled 2 sit down meals on a couple of days. it was way too much for us. We ended up spending probably 4 hours to do those meals, which took away from park touring time on already short days since it was in early december when the parks have shorter hours. WE felt like we spent all our time eating, and missing out on park stuff. So we vowed to go back to only one sit down per day. You have some fabulous character meals down! definitely try and schedule the breakfast ones before hte park opens (if you are early risers) and dinners, schedule late too- towards park closing and that can help minimize the hours you lose on touring. We've found most sit down meals take at least an hour, sometimes 90 minutes. On our trip with 15 of us, they regularly took 2 hours due to our party size and having to have them do 5 separate checks, since we all had separate free dining for each room. it was a mess each time we had to pay. took like 30 minutes!
Not against it, it is a great value for a lot of folks and other than a great value, it is a nice way for folks who have a hard time budgeting/saving to feel like their meals are prepaid, so they aren't struggling to pay for each meal when they arrive. We've done FD twice and enjoyed it (once back when appetizers were included). We've never paid for dining though and probably won't. I've found TIW to be a slightly better deal for us given the amount we eat (less than the DP). I think the DP is just too much food for us. If it is free, no biggie, but having to pay for it, it just doesn't work for us as much as TIW. it is different for everyone though depending on their tastes etc.All this talk about food!
I've decided that if FD is offered, then we'll go with that. I highly doubt the room-only discount at a value resort will be a better deal than FD. I've crunched some numbers and concluded that unless the room-only discount is at least 25%, it makes more sense to go with FD (QSDP). We will have to pay for a few TS meals OOP, of course. If Disney does no allow guests to exchange a QS meal for snacks, then i can see some of those credits going to waste. We will come out just slightly ahead with FD (including paying OOP for some TS meals) vs the usual room-discount for the values.
Are there any disers out there who're against the dining plan? I've been on the regular DP, but not the QS. So, I hope this works better for us. The regular DP is just TOOOOOOO much food. It was madness. And I didn't like scheduling my days around so many TS ADRs. It was all right for maybe the first 3 ADRs, then it became bothersome.
I think i read somewhere that sometimes on the Deluxe plan they will let you swap an appetizer for a dessert. or they are just paying OOP for the apps. It might all come down the server and what they will let you do.
OMG!! Im in shock!!! We are now doing the DxDP!!!!!
I am soooooo excited!!!I have always wanted to do the deluxe dining plan!!!
Now...... ahem *cough* *cough* where are you FREE DINING!!!
Those table service add up quick!! Free dining where are you?? 
For us, we don't want to be stuck eating counter service the whole trip, which is what we would do if we didn't have the DP. It works for us. I do think you will be happy with this decision.
I'm not against the dining plan per-say.....But, like you I do not like making reservations 6 months in advance. With Disney being as busy as it is. We have had to just learn to go with it. I see it now as another fun layer to planning.
So I read that someone got a PIN and it was for free QSDP on a Moderate!! I hope this is not the sign of things to come 0_o
yeah, the sit down meals can be pricey. For our family of three, 2 adults and one 4yo, it was anywhere from $50 to $100 per sit down. I think Teppan Edo was our most expensive at $100, since we couldn't use our TIW discount there, nor AP since it was a weekend. It adds up fast!
great list- you have some of our favorites in there! We haven't tried Deluxe dining, but I can say, even having one sit down meal a day is a lot for us. There were a few days on a trip in 2009 where our entire family went and they scheduled 2 sit down meals on a couple of days. it was way too much for us. We ended up spending probably 4 hours to do those meals, which took away from park touring time on already short days since it was in early december when the parks have shorter hours. WE felt like we spent all our time eating, and missing out on park stuff. So we vowed to go back to only one sit down per day. You have some fabulous character meals down! definitely try and schedule the breakfast ones before hte park opens (if you are early risers) and dinners, schedule late too- towards park closing and that can help minimize the hours you lose on touring. We've found most sit down meals take at least an hour, sometimes 90 minutes. On our trip with 15 of us, they regularly took 2 hours due to our party size and having to have them do 5 separate checks, since we all had separate free dining for each room. it was a mess each time we had to pay. took like 30 minutes!
I will add you and thanks for the info yeah, the sit down meals can be pricey. For our family of three, 2 adults and one 4yo, it was anywhere from $50 to $100 per sit down. I think Teppan Edo was our most expensive at $100, since we couldn't use our TIW discount there, nor AP since it was a weekend. It adds up fast!
great list- you have some of our favorites in there! We haven't tried Deluxe dining, but I can say, even having one sit down meal a day is a lot for us. There were a few days on a trip in 2009 where our entire family went and they scheduled 2 sit down meals on a couple of days. it was way too much for us. We ended up spending probably 4 hours to do those meals, which took away from park touring time on already short days since it was in early december when the parks have shorter hours. WE felt like we spent all our time eating, and missing out on park stuff. So we vowed to go back to only one sit down per day. You have some fabulous character meals down! definitely try and schedule the breakfast ones before hte park opens (if you are early risers) and dinners, schedule late too- towards park closing and that can help minimize the hours you lose on touring. We've found most sit down meals take at least an hour, sometimes 90 minutes. On our trip with 15 of us, they regularly took 2 hours due to our party size and having to have them do 5 separate checks, since we all had separate free dining for each room. it was a mess each time we had to pay. took like 30 minutes!
Not against it, it is a great value for a lot of folks and other than a great value, it is a nice way for folks who have a hard time budgeting/saving to feel like their meals are prepaid, so they aren't struggling to pay for each meal when they arrive. We've done FD twice and enjoyed it (once back when appetizers were included). We've never paid for dining though and probably won't. I've found TIW to be a slightly better deal for us given the amount we eat (less than the DP). I think the DP is just too much food for us. If it is free, no biggie, but having to pay for it, it just doesn't work for us as much as TIW. it is different for everyone though depending on their tastes etc.
I think i read somewhere that sometimes on the Deluxe plan they will let you swap an appetizer for a dessert. or they are just paying OOP for the apps. It might all come down the server and what they will let you do.
I haven't checked into the TIW. Like you stated, I've already worked up a spreadsheet with estimated cost. It helps to budget for tips also.
Looks great!! You have some great places!!
You'll get all kinds of different answers when you ask that question. It's different for everyone. There are plenty of people who are totally against it, and just as many who love the DP. DH loves the DxDP. I could take it or leave it, but if it makes DH happy, we do it.
I love making the reservations! I make up invitations that "Tinkerbell" delivers each day to tell us which restaurants we are going to. Until the invitation arrives, I'm the only one who knows what restaurants we are going to. Everyone decides together what we do for lunch.
DxDP gives you 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert, and 1 non-alcoholic beverage per person per meal! It can add up to a LOT of food! Several meals we got a brownie, cookie or something we could take with us for dessert. Also some restaurants have large appetizers that cost two appetizer credits so we would get that and share with the table.
We do two sit down meal a day, but like you said all of our breakfasts are early morning prior to park opening. All but one day we were done before the park opened. It's a great day to start the day, and we were ahead of the rope drop crowd!
Welcome!!
them!! Thank you all for the info on the park hours and Touring Plans website!
Glad we all could help...If you have anymore questions just ask! We have some time to kill Welcome!!
That is such a great idea!!
I think it looks good.
Have you ever thought about maybe POR or a resort with a trundle bed? I will add you to the list. I hope we get FD too! I do know what you mean about Disney 'adults' not eating alot. My DD will be 13 this trip and may only eat enough to justify the adult cost at half our TS ADR'sI still need to go back over it because I dont wanna be stuck with 3 sitdown meals a day......too much time BUT if its in Epcot, since we have 2 park days scheduled, we have some time to kill lol
yea we will probably take some desserts home with us too...this past trip with just DH and I we were only there for 3 days and came home with 4 cookies and 3 rice krispie treats.... I
I am thinking about these places too!!!! Just too many good places!
Has anyone ever done Hollywood and Vine Breakfast? What characters are there? That would be a 3 sit down meal day for us if we did it.....we want Sci-Fi lunch and 50's dinner but I think its doable. We are NOT park commandos by any means. A short break in the middle of the day and calling it a night at 8 is for us lol
More for me!! 
I think we are all waiting for the elusive free dining! 
