Resort/Dining Plan Dilemma

[scanne]

Here's another WWYD?

POR - with Deluxe Dining

WL - with regular dining

Contemporary - with regular dining

WL - with concierge and regular dining

Would like reasons/experiences.

This trip is becoming the hardest one to plan.

We are staying for 11 nights.

 

[elaw]

Here's another WWYD?

WL - with concierge and regular dining

....

With Concierge, for us, breakfast is covered. Lunch is usually just grabbing something when we're hungry .... generally no more than 2 or 3 TS's and ADR’s per trip. Mostly CS for us. Sometimes the evening offerings at the Concierge Lounge are enough food for us ... no need for a traditional dinner.

 

[scanne]

Does concierge have water bottles you can take into the park? Dasani and such? Do you do concierge with no DP? And pay oop for meals? We are annual passholders and I keep debating about getting a TIW card....

 

[elaw]

Does concierge have water bottles you can take into the park? Dasani and such?

They used to ... Now it's a 32oz glass bottle that you pour into glasses. You can ask for a whole bottle if you like. They have plenty of cans of soda and juice boxes available if you prefer.

Do you do concierge with no DP? And pay oop for meals?

we've never done the dining plan .... It just seems to be too much food for us and with concierge, we really only buy lunch and snacks. I just prefer to eat what ever I want when I want it.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at POR or CR (although we are trying the CR at the end of this year), but we love the WL . I think I would go with WL CL and consider getting the TiW card. I know everybody's situations are different, but depending on your party and how you eat, the TiW can save quite a bit. We are getting APs on our trip in December and after doing the math for our family of 4, I am planning on buying the TiW card as we would come out ahead with that vs the DDP. We always do a TS every night for dinner regardless of whether or not we stay CL. The lounge food is more like appetizers and I can usually make a meal out of them, but my DH and DSs need an actual meal. Good luck deciding, but I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose .

 

[pixarmom]

Do you do concierge with no DP? And pay oop for meals? We are annual passholders and I keep debating about getting a TIW card....

I agree with Mickeynut. Seriously consider the TIW card. We've been AP holders and will be again (in three short weeks!) We've done DDP and TIW. Everyone needs to do their own math: List the ADRs you'll have, take a look at the menus and estimate what you would actually order at each restaurant. When we did that, the choice was clear - TIW is much better for us.

For example, we have three boys, ages 5, 11 and 12 (so that's two "Disney adults.") Two of our boys always order kids' meals. Our oldest son either orders soup and an appetizer or shares and entree with me. I order either an appetizer or share an entree with him. My husband is the only one in our family who orders an entree, but he often wants an appetizer and no dessert. We never eat dessert with our meals, and we usually have two ADRs at TS restaurants per day. And the dinner ADRs are often signatures. Put that all together, and TIW is perfect. Again, everyone should do their own math, but TIW can be a great value and offers far more flexibility than DDP.s

I think I'd do WL with CL and TIW or CR with TIW! Good luck with your decision!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does concierge have water bottles you can take into the park? Dasani and such? Do you do concierge with no DP? And pay oop for meals? We are annual passholders and I keep debating about getting a TIW card....

When I stayed Club Level at the Contemporary they had mini bottles of Dasani. However when I stayed Club Level at the Boardwalk Inn they only had a huge glass bottle of Dasani that's kept in the lounge. Although if you wanted they would give you an extra bottle from the back to keep in your room. So basically the Club Level lounges don't have the same set up such as having bottles of water being available.

 

[padawans]

As much as I love Dxdp I would not downgrade to a mod for it. I am not a big fan of Wl or CR, but of your choices I would go with Wl Cl with no dining plan.

 

[jujube]

Unless you're big eaters and want to spend a lot of time in restaurants, I'd skip the deluxe dining.
On the same track, if you're going to stay concierge level, I'd skip the dining plan unless you're big eaters.
All of your resort choices are good.
It depends on if you want to be able to walk to the MK and use the monorail to get to Epcot, then stay at the Contemporary.
If you're feeling rustic and like the boat to the MK, stay at WL.
If you like the idea of a boat to DTD, stay at POR.

 

[Belle83]

I would pick Contemporary with regular dining or WL with regular dining. If Contemporary is in your budget, that would be my first pick (monorail access!).


I personally don't like the idea of paying for deluxe dining while staying at a moderate. I'd rather spend $$ on the hotel than food (my SO is the opposite). I think concierge is unnecessary and basically a glorified snack bar.

 

[disneymom06]

Of your options, I would consider POR with deluxe dining. Personally, the cost of 11 days with a discount at a deluxe is considerable compared to a mod. I do like POR and always have a car so I am partial to POR. I don't think that I could eat all that food on the Deluxe plan, so for me, DDP would be my choice.

But prices have really increased and I would really look into the TIW card. Eat what you want, when you want, without counting credits and probably at a much lower cost.

 

[DixieBelle]

Who are the members of your party? When we are going for a longer trip, and can work the budget, I like CL with the regular dining plan. We have two teens and a tween. I swear, it seems like they can eat their weight in snacks over the course of a day! They like the continental style breakfast better than eggs and bacon. If they come back to swim before us, they can raid the snacks. And we always stop in on the way out for evening plans.

I do agree with a PP. It is a little like a glorified snack bar. But it is an included glorified snack bar that I don't have to worry about restocking! or cleaning! or checking the prices on everything they eat to stay in budget!