Question About Changes

[AggieTexan]

I have just started planning our WDW visit for June 2011...our last visit was in June 2007. I remember the DDP including more...I think we got an appetiizer with our TS meals, and 2 snacks per day. The plan for 2011 has no appetizers, and only 1 snack/PP/PD. Am I crazy? Am I remembering something that didn't exist?

Now I'm thinking about going with the DXDP, but I know I'll have to book 2 credit restaurants every night to even begin to use the credits. Have you done the deluxe plan? What were your experiences? It's just two of us...would I be better off doing the regular DDP and just paying out of pocket for the extras?

We'll probably be staying at BWI or BWV, so access to restaurants is not a problem.

 

[Cafeen]

The original DDP did include apps (and tips), but they have since been removed. (Happened a couple years back). So, no, you aren't crazy (well, at least in this sense ).

As far as DxDDP vs DDP + OOP (can I get any more acronyms/abbreviations in there?) it really depends on how you plan to dine.

The best bet will be to sit down and figure out what you want to do first and then see which (or if!) a dining plan will fit that. Typically, if you find you want to do an average of 1TS per night of stay, then the DDP will work. If you find you want to spend at least 2 TS credits per night of stay, the DxDDP will likely be best.

Keep in mind the entitlements too, if you think that you're not going to use most of them at each meal, or you think you may want different courses in place of entree, then the plans may not work as well either.

So, my off the cuff quick checklist if DxDDP or DDP is right for you would go like this:

1. Do I plan to order an entree at every meal, and a dessert at most? Do I also plan to order an appetizer at most? - If yes, then continue, otherwise a plan is not right for you.
2. Do I plan on having at least 1 TS meal per night? Do I plan on spending at least 2 credits at TS locations per night? - If yes, continue, otherwise the plan may not be best.
3. Do I plan at dining at restaurants on the plan? - If yes, then continue.

At this point, if you've still continued, then chances are that a plan is right for you. As far as which, well that was kinda covered in the first 3 questions above.

If you plan to order apps at (most) meals as well as entrees and desserts, AND you plan to spend at least 2/3 of the given credits at TS locations, then take a serious look at DxDDP. If not both of the above, then take a look at DDP.

Now, after all that is done, you can also do a "fun little" mathematical comparison to see if (and how much) you're saving on the plan you choose, however, if you're following the plan as it was designed, chances are you will be saving something.

 

[AggieTexan]

Thanks! I will probably end up with the Deluxe plan, in part because I LOVE the convenience. Another factor is that the two of us can easily rack up a $200-250 tab at dinner (with wine), so this is probably a great way to go for us. We also VASTLY prefer TS to CS, so that's a consideration as well.

We'll have 24 meal credits between the 2 of us, and I like that they can be used for either TS or CS meals. If I get ADR's for 4 dinners at the 2TS restaurants, that knocks out 16 of the credits right there. That would leave us with 3 lunch credits each for our park days, and either a TS or CS breakfast the morning we leave. If I use the snack credits for light breakfasts, I can make this work.