Should we upgrade to the deluxe dining plan?

[missdorado26]

This will be our 1st time to Disney and I'm sure along the way I will be making some mistakes when planning out trip. We will be going 9/1-9/6, When the free dining plan is offered so we will be staying at the Caribbean beach resort. To upgrade from the dining plan that's included (1 TS, 1 QS, 1snack) to the deluxe dining plan it will cost us $400. We are a family of 4 (2adults, 2kids, but my daughter won't count cuz she's 2) so the dining plan will really be for 3 people. We were thinking that if we got the deluxe plan we would have enough food for our 2 yr old to eat too without having to order her her own meal ( she's a big eater, but sometimes doesn't want to eat so its iffy).
I like the idea of not having to budget for meals when we are there but at the same time I don't know if we will get Max savings with it since most signature dining are booked already. I keep hearing that the deluxe is too much food, but in which way? Is it that an appetizer, entree, and dessert are included or does each portion have a lot of food?
Also around September are the waits for restaurants long?
Is the Caribbean Beach resort good, or are the other moderate resorts better? Any particular rooms better to stay at at the Caribbean?
How should we plan our day to get 3 sit down meals in? We want to take advantage of the extra magic hours.
Any tips or recommendations is appreciated as I have no idea where to start with planning this trip .

 

[Bertnie20]

I have never done ddp because the reg. has always been enough food. With every meal you get an entree desert and drink, and for the most part they are huge proportions. If anybody in your family is a light eater you could easily share with the youngest. I personally would just pay oop since it would save more money for the youngest, and not worry about having to plan 3 sit downs.

 

[Groomer Gal]

Hello and welcome!

While I cannot answer all of your questions...I can tell you for our family that would be WAY too much food!
We do the regular dining plan and we still find it difficult to eat all that!
We order cereal and milk and a few odds and ends for our room...eat breakfast in our room....head off to the parks....have a snack....lunch....then a big sit down dinner.
It's plenty believe me! I can remember still being full the next morning!

I'm not generally a big eater....but on vacation....well, I'm on vacation! Even from my regular diet.

Plus the other thing to think about which would be a huge issue for me is the TIME you will spend in a restaurant. Each meal would be at least 2 hours give or take....that's A LOT of time spending just to eat.

So maybe 6 hours out of the parks....plus maybe your little one will need a nap?

You won't get to see and do a whole lot if you do that.

Before we had our first family vacation at Disney...I too thought about the deluxe plan....decided against it...and am so glad I did! Now, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[jaykorf001]

What you see a lot of people recommend on the deluxe plan is to have a TS breakfast and then dinner at a signature restaurant (vs three table service meals). The signature restaurants require 2 TS credits so that's how it works out.

 

[abdgeek]

I always get the deluxe dining plan when I go to WDW and it's not too much food if you do a TS character breakfast(or lunch) and a signature restaurant for dinner. The snacks should tide you over between the two meals. However, you bring up a good point. If you're finding that most of the signature resturants you would want to eat dinner at are booked, I wouldn't upgrade. You can call 407-WDW-DINE or go online to see how many of the signature restaurants you could book. If you can book the ones you want, then you can upgrade. I wouldn't rely on trying to walk-in and get a reservation. A lot of the signature restaurants won't have any available. Good luck!

 

[TDC Nala]

There's some preferences around stating that the Deluxe Dining Plan may be too much for first timers. If you want 3 sit-down meals a day, you should consider that you will be spending a good deal of time in restaurants rather than touring the parks. If that's what your family wants, then it won't be of much consequence, but there is so much to see and do.

Many recommend only two sit-down meals - a late breakfast or early lunch, and a signature dinner.

 

[TheDisney411]

This will be our 1st time to Disney and I'm sure along the way I will be making some mistakes when planning out trip. We will be going 9/1-9/6, When the free dining plan is offered so we will be staying at the Caribbean beach resort. To upgrade from the dining plan that's included (1 TS, 1 QS, 1snack) to the deluxe dining plan it will cost us $400. We are a family of 4 (2adults, 2kids, but my daughter won't count cuz she's 2) so the dining plan will really be for 3 people. We were thinking that if we got the deluxe plan we would have enough food for our 2 yr old to eat too without having to order her her own meal ( she's a big eater, but sometimes doesn't want to eat so its iffy).
I like the idea of not having to budget for meals when we are there but at the same time I don't know if we will get Max savings with it since most signature dining are booked already. I keep hearing that the deluxe is too much food, but in which way? Is it that an appetizer, entree, and dessert are included or does each portion have a lot of food?
Also around September are the waits for restaurants long?
Is the Caribbean Beach resort good, or are the other moderate resorts better? Any particular rooms better to stay at at the Caribbean?
How should we plan our day to get 3 sit down meals in? We want to take advantage of the extra magic hours.
Any tips or recommendations is appreciated as I have no idea where to start with planning this trip .

I NEVER recommend the deluxe dining plan to anyone new to touring Disney. And I especially don't ever recommend ever trying to fit in 3 huge sit down/table service meals per day - that can take a minimum of 6 hours out of your park day. We go to Disney about once or twice a year and have used the DDP numerous times since Disney introduced it in 2005. We REALLY prefer the regular DDP with 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack per person per day. We upgraded during a FD promo the first year they had the Deluxe Dining and by the third day my husband and kids were ready to kill me - nobody could eat that much food, and we LOVE eating at Disney and it took up way too much park time. I ended up canceling a number of TS meals on that trip and the family made me promise to never get the Deluxe plan again. Lesson learned!

 

[jenjersnap]

We enjoy the DxDDP very much but we do only 2 TS per day. Our under 3 DS enjoyed our appetizers very much. If you do it, consider the dining shows - Hoop de Doo (our favorite), Spirit of Aloha, Mickey's BBQ because they are a fun intro to Disney and all cost 2 credits. Cinderella's Royal Table falls into that category as well. I think this adds up to a memorable first trip, personally. . Also, it isn't the best use of the credits but you can always use your credits at CS as well. Though we are not fans of WDW's CS with a couple exceptions...

 

[amccu18007]

We only get dlxdp if we are doing a character breakfast and a signature dinner. Otherwise, for our family, it would be too much. However, if you kids can nap on the go you can use these meals as breaks from the parks in lieu of time napping at the room. Florida weather can take its toll and it is nice to have set breaks away from it. Only you know what is best for your family, however three sit down meals at Disney is too much for almost everyone even if that is how you eat at home. Good luck!

P.S. Please make your dining ressies ahead of time. That is the BIGGEST mistake that people who haven't visited the mouse make. There is a reason that it says all over the website, reservations are STRONGLY suggested Good luck and have a great time!

 

[meggiebeth]

We love the deluxe dining plan. We have it for 11 nights on this upcoming trip and are so excited! It is too much food strictly speaking, but perfect for our family- we love character meals and dinner shows. We usually have a two credit meal every day to use up our credits. There will certainly be enough food for your two year old on the deluxe- especially at buffets.

If you get deluxe, I strongly recommend Cinderella's Royal Table and the Hoop Dee Doo Revue- both take two credits and are really fun for the whole family! If your kids will love character meals then Chef Mickey's and Akershus are also musts! We never miss them on our trips to WDW.

I believe that Port Orleans resorts are both very popular resorts- Caribbean Beach is often not as popular. Coronado Springs and Port Orleans have both had room refurbishments recently and are beautiful. Port Orleans is a boat ride away from Downtown Disney which is another fabulous perk. If I had to choose a moderate resort I would definitely choose Port Orleans.

Make reservations ASAP! If you have a reservation the wait time upon check in is very short if any wait at all. If you plan to walk up to restaurants or there is no availability to book the restaurants you want to eat at now then I would probably leave the deluxe DDP to another trip. Many of the popular restaurants will turn away walk ups because they are simply so booked up- so make those reservations and you will have a fantastic trip! Make sure you get in some character meals!

If you would like to see how I fit meals from the deluxe dining plan into my trip, the link to my pre trip report is at the bottom of my post. There is a link there to my planned meals and you can see how I have incorporated meals into my schedule to accommodate extra magic hours. (Which are also fantastic too!)

Another good thing about the deluxe dining plan is that the snack credits come in handy. You can pick up a pastry or snack in your resort and then head to the parks to enjoy a few rides and possibly extra magic hours before having a late breakfast. You do get snack credits on the regular dining plan but not nearly as many.

I will add that the deluxe dining plan can actually be great for a first trip if you go to character meals among other restaurants. Instead of having to wait in line to see them in the parks and wasting previous park time, they come to your table and often spend more time with you.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

We love the deluxe dining plan. However, two things. 1) It is a lot of food and you spend a majority of your time eating. 2) Since it's your first trip to Disney, you will not want to spend the entire time eating. So I would suggest keeping the regular plan for your first trip and saving deluxe for when you've seen it all.

 

[shortnsassy730]

We do deluxe during food and wine. Then we do a really early character breakfast or lunch and a really late signature dinner. It's still alot of food for me but my bff is half my size and could eat even more lol. We hoard our snack credits during the week and then we do an early bfast one day and use our snack credits for lunch and dinner one day to enjoy all the food and wine stands! Since the Brown Derby is two credits for lunch and the only thing we really like DHS we do two signatures this day cuz we have extra credits from food and wine day lol

 

[brymolmom]

Honestly, I would only ever recommend DxDP for families who are total foodies or who consider restaurants/food to be a big part of their vacation enjoyment. For those who are just as happy at character meals and/or grabbing some decent food here and there - I think the DDP is way too much time in restaurants (especially with little ones) and is way too much food.

One thing I would do is think about which reservations you will be getting...If you are likely going to do a few character meals, and they are buffets - then you don't have to worry about paying extra for your 2 year old anyway - since 2 year olds eat FREE at buffets and family style restaurants.

When my kids were 2 - we usually were fine sharing an adult CS meal - maybe getting an extra snack credit to use (like an extra side). Also - it's so HOT at that time of year when my kids were young I found that they didn't eat large meals like they would at home. If you end up needing to pay for a few CS meals for your 2 year old...It will only end up being $25 or so - way less than $400. So I wouldn't do it for that reason alone.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Best advice anyone can give you is to not believe anyone's opinion on whether or not the dining plans are worth it. You've got to calculate it yourself. Use the spreadsheet linked in my signature and see for yourself. Most people who claim it saves them money never check to see if it's really true.

 

[missdorado26]

To be honest, we are foodies and like to try to experience new dining experiences whenever possible. And there's not many places where you can eat with princesses and not worry about the price of your meal. That's another reason I'm for the plan. I don't want to have to stress over money while we are there. I always try to get the best deal and I feel like I will be ruining our vacation by constantly checking prices and not allowing the kids to get what they want.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

To be honest, we are foodies and like to try to experience new dining experiences whenever possible. And there's not many places where you can eat with princesses and not worry about the price of your meal. That's another reason I'm for the plan. I don't want to have to stress over money while we are there. I always try to get the best deal and I feel like I will be ruining our vacation by constantly checking prices and not allowing the kids to get what they want.

If you're saving money with a dining plan, then do it. If you KNOW the dining plan is going to be more, then don't. It's simple math and easy to figure out before you get to Disney.

It sounds like what you're saying is that you like the plan because you do some kind of wacky mental gymnastics to absolve yourself of the guilt of spending a lot of money by spending more than you would otherwise. Please tell me that's not accurate. And if it's not, then please clarify your advice.

 

[TDC Nala]

To be honest, we are foodies and like to try to experience new dining experiences whenever possible. And there's not many places where you can eat with princesses and not worry about the price of your meal. That's another reason I'm for the plan. I don't want to have to stress over money while we are there. I always try to get the best deal and I feel like I will be ruining our vacation by constantly checking prices and not allowing the kids to get what they want.

Looks like in your mind you are already sold on the deluxe plan, not based on any moneysaving possibilities but on the "all-inclusive" feel of it (remember you still need to pay tips), and you are aware of the possibility that it would be necessary to spend a great deal of your touring time in restaurants on your first trip. If it is what you want, then it's your trip, go for it. It's just that for most first-timers, I wouldn't recommend a dining-centered trip and that's what you're going to have with the deluxe plan, but it also sounds as though that is what you prefer.

 

[robinb]

There's some preferences around stating that the Deluxe Dining Plan may be too much for first timers. If you want 3 sit-down meals a day, you should consider that you will be spending a good deal of time in restaurants rather than touring the parks. If that's what your family wants, then it won't be of much consequence, but there is so much to see and do.

Many recommend only two sit-down meals - a late breakfast or early lunch, and a signature dinner.

This is exactly how I feel about first-timers and the DxDDP. I don't think they really understand how much there is to see and do, how much time out of the day sit-down meals take and how difficult it can be to get from one place to another for an ADR. Given that the number of signature restaurants is limited it seems that the 2-meal alternative for the DxDDP is not going to work.

To be honest, we are foodies and like to try to experience new dining experiences whenever possible. And there's not many places where you can eat with princesses and not worry about the price of your meal. That's another reason I'm for the plan. I don't want to have to stress over money while we are there. I always try to get the best deal and I feel like I will be ruining our vacation by constantly checking prices and not allowing the kids to get what they want.

I have heard that argument more than once and I am always confused about it. If you really want the best deal, why would you even consider paying more than you have to for the same set of meals? Just pay out of pocket for any additional meals . Spending $400 just so you can tell yourself that "It's pre-paid" and not stress over money while you treat yourself is foolish IMO. You will have plenty of good food and plenty of character meal opportunities with the regular DDP. In addition, it's your first trip to WDW. Believe me when I say it will be special enough you don't have to make it Supercalifragimagical with character meals and long drawn-out meals every single day.

ETA: You could easily put together a quicky speadsheet that will tell you if you're saving money or not with the DxDDP. There are menus with pricing her on the DIS and over at All Ears.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We love the deluxe dining plan & get it everytime we go to Disney now....
but, we have been many times & rode everything in all the parks.

On our first 3 trips we didn't do any dining plan at all. We drove to get there & mostly dined off property. We wanted to see Disney & a fast food lunch & supper off property fit our touring schedule well. On these trips we had our teenage children along.

Next trip was just my hubby & I. We got a super deal & stayed at POP with free dining. It was the one with a snack, QS meal & TS meal. We loved that & enjoyed it. The next few trips we repeated the same dining plan with a stay at a moderate.

My hubby is not near as Disney nuts as I am. He takes me each year for my birthday as he knows I totally love going. He however, gets more enjoyment out of eating at neat restaurants & seeing different resorts & things like that. So we decided to upgrade once to the deluxe. Wow! we were hooked! We love dining at all the different resorts & trying all the different restaurants. We only eat one or two breakfasts max. each trip & we usually eat a nice early lunch & at a sign at night. When we fly in we always eat supper that day & the day we fly out we usually dine at LeCellier.

We use all our credits up by working it the way we do. We always save alot by doing the plan. We enjoy eating steaks & my hubby loves seafood so that is what we usually order. Also, we both like a salad with our meals & a dessert so we enjoy that part of the plan.

The only negative thing I can think of is tips are costly....

Also,it does take time to dine at TS each meal. We end up skipping nightime fireworks lots of the time & we go to a resort & dine instead. If all the fireworks & stuff like that are important to you it does take planning to work it all in. Going to a resort, eating & back again can take 2 to 3 hours depending.

Also, we aren't huge eaters...but we love the deluxe plan. However, we rarely are hungry to use a snack. You get 2 snacks each everyday. We use just a few of them all week long. We then use the snack credits for candy & goodies to bring home to our grandkiddos.