Should we upgrade?

[alligatorfriend]

Just wondering if you all think we should upgrade to the DDP. Right now, we have the Magic Your Way package, so I don't think it should be impossible to add on to.

I know very little about the DDP and this is my first trip to Disney since I was 9. I am not sure if that even counts because I just did and ate whatever my parents made me do or give me to eat Here is some info:

We don't plan to eat breakfast in the park.
We would probably enjoy a snack (or 5)
We have reservations to the Canadian restaurant Le C____ ( Ican't spell it)
Those are the only reservations we have so far. We just booked the trip so we are adding the rest of the reservations today.
Neither of us are big meat eaters. For example, my plan at the steak house includes cheddar soup, poutine, and the maple creme brulee. It's not due to cheapness its due to what I like. He has very similr food tastes to me.
We may opt for a signature dining experience because this is a special trip, but neither of us are too excited about any of the selections.
We will be there 4 days.
We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge.

I really appreciate all your help. Like I said I am completely ignorant about this topic and trying to read up but the vacation is soon and we just booked it.

I am so excited tooo!

 

[scanne]

Hi!

Here is some info about the different dining plans.

QSDP (Quick service DP) 2 counter service and 2 snack credits per person per night of stay. So if you're there 3 nights, you would get 6 counter meals and 6 snacks each. You would also get refillable mugs for use at Roaring Fork for free beverage refills on softdrinks, coffee, tea and iced tea and hot chocolate.

DDP - (regular dining plan) gives you one table service (Le Cellier would count), one counter service and one snack per night of stay but no refillable mug. You have to pay for gratuity for any table service meal. At each table service you get an appetizer, entree and dessert plus beverage. Counter service gives you an entree, drink and dessert.

DxDP - (deluxe dining) gives you 3 meal credits and 2 snack credits per night of stay. 3 nights equals 9 credits each, 6 snacks each. This plan is good if you think you'll eat at a couple of signature restaurants. They are 2 credits each, so you could do a quick service for lunch then a signature dinner and use 3 credits in one day, plus you'll still have the 2 snack credits. You also get the refillable mug with the Dx plan. The credits on the deluxe plan are good for table service OR counter service. There is no differentiation.

You have to weight the pros/cons of each plan, the cost for your party and the places you will dine.

With snack credits, you can choose options like a bottle drink (water, soda, smart water, powerade), ice cream novelties, popcorn, candy, fresh fruit, etc. There's a sticky on this board with the 2010 snacks.

You will have to do some planning out ahead of time to see which plan suits your needs best. You can check out menus at www.disneyworld.com and www.allearsnet.com and there are great reviews on the review board here.

Hope this was helpful. Enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

When are you going? If you're going in a busy time (sometime soonish or even during free dining) there might not be much left in the way of ADRs for TS restaurants - something to think about.

I would price it all out - how much the dining plan will cost you vs how much you'll spend eating in the parks/ resorts etc if you paid OOP.

We love the dining plan but then again we have a child and love, love, love the character meals.

For some it works well for others it's better to pay OOP.

 

[Cafeen]

The dining plans work best when you eat as they are designed. They don't work so well if you don't plan to dine that way.

From the looks of it, neither the DDP (Disney Dining Plan) nor the DxDDP (Deluxe Disney Dining Plan) appear to really be up your alley. I'd look into the QSDP (Quick-Service Dining Plan) if you think you're going to eat mostly QS types of things. (And you can eat quite well at the QS locations).

However, you do mention making more reservations, so that suggests fewer QS meals. If you don't think you'd use all of them, then don't bother with that either.

My suggestion, based on what we have so far, is to forgo any dining plan. If your other meals you're adding are mostly buffets, there may be some value going to the DDP, but meals like the one at Le Cellier (app + side as entree) would be best paid OOP (Out of Pocket), even at the signatures.

 

[Kaleigh]

Since you aren't big meat eaters and seem to enjoy appetizers more than big meat entrees, I would pay out of pocket. Appetizers aren't included on the regular dining plan and I think the deluxe plan wouldn't make sense price wise. Really, you only get your money's worth if you eat the more expensive things on the menu, which it sounds like you wouldn't. The big advantage of the dining plan is prepaying for your food, but if you wouldn't normally even spend as much as the plan, then I wouldn't bother.

 

[sunshineNJ]

You do not get an appetizer on the regular dining plan, ONLY on the deluxe plan do you get an appetizer. We doe the regular dining plan and it is way more then enough food. I can see deluxe if you want to do a bunch of signature dining, those are 2 credit meals. Good luck!

 

[alligatorfriend]

You do not get an appetizer on the regular dining plan, ONLY on the deluxe plan do you get an appetizer. We doe the regular dining plan and it is way more then enough food. I can see deluxe if you want to do a bunch of signature dining, those are 2 credit meals. Good luck!

Thanks for all the advice We decided to forgo it. Neither of us eat enough to justify it.

We were able to make reservations at Le Canadian Place , Yak and Yeti, 50s cafe, and San Angel Inn. Then, we are packing breakfast and maybe lunch somedays. The rest will be counter service. We both really dislike buffets! Thank you for setting me straight on the dining plan. It seems great for food lovers!