Should I get the Deluxe Dining Plan ???

[JustAGirl]

Ok its official...It's just me and the two kiddos going to WDW.... Im wondering if i should get the deluxe dining plan...I do like to eat alot Im pooh sized Ill admit it LOL...I hear that with that plan you get TOO much food so I figured I can splurge and use up the credits by doing two Cinderella's Royal Table's because dd LOVES princesses and it includes two photos so it's like a guarantee she will meet atleast one princess...or should I stick to my QSDP and pay OOP for one visit at the Royal Table

with the QSDP it was 1272 ...with the Deluxe plan the total was 1527

I will have peace of mind knowing that we will have more than enough food no matter what but i went through the menus and i didnt really like most of the stuff offered so i would be using some of those table service credits on quick service meals...which wont make it that good of a deal.

I have another question I heard in the Fall they offer free dining and the hotel rates drop...I just need a ball park figure.....If I stay at a value resort and get the free dining for like 5 or 6 days...How much do you think the package will cost ??? It's 1 adult 2 children ages 3 & 5

 

[KKB]

Ok its official...It's just me and the two kiddos going to WDW.... Im wondering if i should get the deluxe dining plan...I do like to eat alot Im pooh sized Ill admit it LOL...I hear that with that plan you get TOO much food so I figured I can splurge and use up the credits by doing two Cinderella's Royal Table's because dd LOVES princesses and it includes two photos so it's like a guarantee she will meet atleast one princess...or should I stick to my QSDP and pay OOP for one visit at the Royal Table

with the QSDP it was 1272 ...with the Deluxe plan the total was 1527

I will have peace of mind knowing that we will have more than enough food no matter what but i went through the menus and i didnt really like most of the stuff offered so i would be using some of those table service credits on quick service meals...which wont make it that good of a deal.

I have another question I heard in the Fall they offer free dining and the hotel rates drop...I just need a ball park figure.....If I stay at a value resort and get the free dining for like 5 or 6 days...How much do you think the package will cost ??? It's 1 adult 2 children ages 3 & 5

Not a fan of Deluxe, but for $300 I would definitely choose it over QSDP. What does the regular plan run? We found that to be PLENTY of food.

Value resort is around $100/nt plus park tickets.

 

[Dixiemom]

We had the DDP but switched to the Plus Dining because we'll eat breakfast in our room. There are 2 adults and 2 kids and when we switched from DDP to Plus it saved us $420, which more than covers our hotel on the way to Orlando and on the way back. In fact, I think we'll still have about $270 left! We always take snacks into the park and a few water bottles. (I carry my old Diaper backpack, it holds a ton and is more comfy to wear on our back than carrying a bag).....Plus I had forgotten that the DDP meals don't roll over to the next day as the other plans do, so it's use 'em or lose 'em...JMO

Oh, does your 3 year old eat free? Even if not, check in is like 3 p.m. so you will have already lost 2 DDP meals. With the Plus Dining, you can have quick service for dinner at your resort and use your table service credits for Cinderella's table, so no OOP!!!! As soon as I figured that out I changed it!

 

[poohfriend]

It sounds like you already know you will enjoy it.

it can be a great value. In addition to Cinderella's Royal Table, I'd do Hoop De Doo review. You might also consider doing one signature dining restaurant if you think your kids would enjoy.

Another plan is to do a late breakfast or early lunch sit-down followed by a dinner. Even if you don't use all your meal plan credits, you're still getting your money's worth. And there are other treads that talk about using up your meal credits/tips.

Yes. It is too much food...but you don't have to eat all of it. It will allow you to do every character meal you want without any guilt because you know it's paid for (with the exception of tips).

Other good points: Appetizers at non-buffet meals. The refillable drink mug (great to take home!), and additional snack credit are also nice.

Usually you pay only the difference in the meal plans if you upgrade to deluxe during free dining. Last year at the value resorts, only quick service dining was free. SO, you'd pay the diff between quick and deluxe. To get an idea of prices....price out your dates with hotel and tickets. This is how much free dining would cost.

Although free dining is a great plus for adults, it's not a huge savings for kids under 10...so be sure to compare prices if other discounts come out. Don't assume you're getting the lowest price with Free Dining. (Although it is a GREAT plan!)

I went with my 3 kids and did deluxe dining. Loved having every meal taken care of . Loved doing Cindy's ... other meals we've enjoyed that we might not have done without Deluxe dining: 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Chef Mickey, Whispering Canyon, Yak and Yetti. Plus we did our favorites: Crystal Palace and Sci Fi. Love the meal plan. Deluxe dining is not for every family or even for every trip. But I can tell you my stress level was reduced because I didn't have to worry about breakfast in the room or paying too much for food after we arrived. All-inclusive vacation.

 

[candielips]

Check out the Dining Plan subcategory under the Disney Restaurants.
You will find lots of great advice and tips over there.

 

[SandrA9810]

It's a good deal if you like doing signature places or ordering room-service. Both take 2 credits. So you'd still get two meals, plus your snacks.

I've never heard of use em or lose em with the credits. I thought you had till midnight of your check out day to use all remaining credits.

 

[Golf4food]

It's a good deal if you like doing signature places or ordering room-service. Both take 2 credits. So you'd still get two meals, plus your snacks.

I've never heard of use em or lose em with the credits. I thought you had till midnight of your check out day to use all remaining credits.

NOT a good deal if you want to use up all your credits on Signature and Room Service. Those type meals use twice the credits but do not cost twice the money if paying OOP so you are actually wasting credits if you do only signature or room service. Better to pay OOP in a true value sense.

Credits expire at midnight the day you check out, yes.

The deluxe plan is a waste if you intend to mostly go to counter service. If you mostly plan on eating at signature I'd suggest calculating those meals OOP and see if the price difference is worth it. We have done the DxDP and did 3 TS meals per day except the day we arrived (after breakfast) and used that extra credit to do one signature meal and had a blast (but we didn't stuff ourselves or try to overeat since portion sizes are way too big to be healthy anyway).

 

[squirrel]

If you are going with the DxDP here is what I would do:

Add Akershus - photo with Belle
Add HDDR (2TS credits) - show and dinner includes gratuity

Book TS breakfasts and dinners. Use CS or snacks for lunch.

If you use 3 TS meals each day, you will have little park time left.

The credits are calculated by how many nights you stay and expire at midnight of your check out day.

 

[JustAGirl]

Thank you guys for your advice...I still dont know what Im going to do . I probaly wont do the deluxe dining but the only reason why I probaly wont is because Im just not in love with the disney menus . I have a sorta tgi fridays,red lobster etc. kinda taste and to be quite honest the cinderella's royal table meals dont sound very good to me . I dont eat stuff like coucus lemon LAVENDAR chicken YUCK ...i dont even like to smell lavendar much less eat it .I would basically only be paying for the photo ....I just have to find a way to get my dd to meet a princess without a huge line or paying an arm and a leg .

If I did the CRT it would have to be breakfast...but they dont serve pancakes and my kids dont eat waffles or french toast so it would be another waste of money

 

[JustAGirl]

Ok I made a decision....Im going to do the Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast and pay cash. DDP sounds nice but i dont like the menus so it would probaly be a waste. Ive already planned some meals for downtown disney anyway like T-Rex and im going to go to wolf gang puck and use our qsdp to order out and take it to the room for the next day's lunch ,dinner or snack so we should probaly do OK...Thank you everyone for your input..

1900 Park Fare sounded like a good character meal but I was wondering how was i going to get there riding the magical express...it would probaly be really confusing so i just said ill forget that and just do the royal table because atleast i can easily find it and it comes with pictures cant beat that...Now I have to just hope I can get a reservation

 

[happymommy]

Glad you came to a decision - and I hope you all have a wonderful vacation!

I have to say, we tried the regular dining plan once (December 2008, when they did offer both a room discount plus the dining plan free), and the first night my kids and I were really tired from travel, then an afternoon at Epcot, so we ordered room service (DH didn't get in until two days later, so we had a few extra credits to use). Now, the food, honestly at BWI for room service was nothing to write home about, but the service, even at our many stays at higher end hotels like Ritz Carltons, was the best we've ever had for room service. They set everything up for us, then the guy had me sign (it was way over $100 for the 3 of us, and we just got stuff on the plan, which included dessert). He then informed me that tip was included, so no need to add a tip. Um, even at other places, they know that there is already a "service charge" but sometimes they seem to wait to see if you'll add more... He was telling me not to! And my son has food allergies, so they got him rice dream for his dessert! Then I called when we were done, and they came back into the room and cleaned it all up for me - really nicely too!

I guess what I'm saying, is that if deluxe dining was an option for me ever, I'd do room service at least every other day! I also like that tip in included - with deluxe I don't know if it is at TS restaurants (that bugged me, as I tip nicely since we got for the most part excellent service that trip).

Still, even regular dining was too much food for us - we also have snacks and breakfast in our room (we're not big breakfast eaters). Seemed like we were always eating on the plan! I'd do it again if it were free.

 

[sarah4770]

Akershus in Epcot has a princess meal, even for breakfast.....no guarantee you will see Cinderella, though.
To get to 1900 park faire, take the bus to the magic kingdom, then take a boat or monorail to the Grand Floridian.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Your trip is in 3 months--please check the ADR policy before you get your heart set on CRT or Akershus. I know the policy has changed since I last did ADRs, not sure what it is now. But, you may not be able to book either. jsut so you know.

Another thing to consider with TS meals--don't your children have disabilities? Will they be able to sit through TS meals? My little guys do better at buffets, where they can eat right away. Deluxe Dining would have you at sit-down meals every single day--it probably makes more sense to plan on CS, where you can work around your children's needs. Also, most TS dining does require those ADRs, which means you have to eat at a set time--again, maybe not so easy with young children with disabilities. Heck, even older kids can have issues with leaving the rides to go get food.

IMHO, the real advantage to the dining plans is the prepaid aspect. If that appeals to you, consider the QS plan--you can still have CS meals and snacks on whatever schedule you like.

 

[bamor]

No on the deluxe.
I would consider the Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway (Epcot) instead of CRT. Make it a late breakfast (10:30) and call it brunch.

 

[brekin67]

If you have any table credits left when you check out, you can exchange themfor free snacks and drinks. We load up on Mickey rice krispy heads and give them to co-workers. We have never bought the DDP, but still have had credits left. I would like to do the DDP sometime, to go to the lua, BBQ, and HDDR

 

[mjkacmom]

I would only do the deluxe if I wanted 3 ts meals a day, which I'm guessing you don't. We did the regular, because we wanted 1 ts meal a day. I have complete opposite food tastes than you (but love food) - you couldn't pay me to eat at Red Lobster, or really most chains. I love foo-foo food, where each items takes up a paragraph on the menu! I'm one who orders a salad at Burger King, not to save calories, but because I don't like the taste of fast food.