Signature dining on DDP questions

[dsanner106]

Hi,
I am making a reservation for 1 sig dining experience for the end of my trip, and have some questions. I know it is a bit of a money waster to use the DDP at these places, but am looking over the menu and wondering if the rules are the same as far as what you get for your credits. Flying fish and others list first course, second course, etc. Do you only get the entree course and dessert or is first course included? Also, what would the best deal be as far as signature dining? I want a great meal and expect I can find one at each of these but don't want to feel like I have wasted my money entirely. What are your favorite sig. restaurants and meals?

Thanks
Drew

 

[Pakey]

Yes you only get entree and dessert plus non alcoholic beverage. Most signatures have smaller portions. The only meals I think are worth 2TS are the lobster associated entrees at Narcoosees.

There is good dining at some of Disneys signatures but I would not consider any of them great, especially without appetizers which are usually the best course with Disney dining.

Flying Fish is my favorite. They have a very good cheese plate and wine pairing. Out of entrees, my favorite is the yellowfin tuna.

 

[B-Ride]

Our first two times on the DP we ate at California Grill and really loved our meal. Of course, at that time the appetizer was included and the sushi at CG was expensive and excellent. However, once the appetizer was removed we stopped going. Personally, I feel that given that it is costing you two credits the appetizer should be included at signature restaurants. Disney, are you listening?

 

[EvilQueenT]

flying fish and citricos are our favorite signature places for disney dining. my third choice would be a tie between narcoossee's and california grill. we've been to each of the above a minimum of twice. at the first two we've had the best service and great meals, and imo plenty of food. the second two were a little less consistent. i agree that it's a bummer that your dining plan doesn't include an app but if you go you can always pay oop and share with your dining partner if needed. just a thought. we usually do the deluxe plan and schedule all signature restaurants for dinner and use the rest of the credits for a few lunches, snacks for breakfast or just snacks. by the time we get to dessert we're usually pretty full so it often gets taken back to the resort for a late night bedtime snack.

 

[w0rM]

There is good dining at some of Disneys signatures but I would not consider any of them great, especially without appetizers which are usually the best course with Disney dining.

The DDP includes appetizers.

With that said, I'm still not sure DDP is worth the money. If you do the math on price ranges and the cost of DDP vs OOP for the high end of menu items, the money you save on a typical trip doesn't add up to very much. In fact, if you don't eat the most expensive thing on the menu at every meal, it can actually cost more to get the DDP than the OOP cost.

 

[Pakey]

The regular dining plan DOES NOT include appetizers. Only the deluxe plan does or the premium/platinum vacation packages.

 

[Hopefully]

The DDP includes appetizers.

With that said, I'm still not sure DDP is worth the money. If you do the math on price ranges and the cost of DDP vs OOP for the high end of menu items, the money you save on a typical trip doesn't add up to very much. In fact, if you don't eat the most expensive thing on the menu at every meal, it can actually cost more to get the DDP than the OOP cost.

I disagree with this. First of all the regular DDP does NOT include appetizers.
Secondly, we have done the math and for our family, eating what we want - not the most expensive items, we have saved a bit over paying OOP. In fact the Unofficial Guide states that the average family saves $7/person/day.

That said, I am not sure that the Signatures are the "best"value for the credits. If this is a worry for you, and in any way will limit your enjoyment of your meal, I would suggest you pay OOP for your signature and use your credits elsewhere.
Have a Great Trip.

 

[w0rM]

I disagree with this. First of all the regular DDP does NOT include appetizers.
Secondly, we have done the math and for our family, eating what we want - not the most expensive items, we have saved a bit over paying OOP. In fact the Unofficial Guide states that the average family saves $7/person/day.

Sorry, my mistake... I was thinking DDP = Deluxe Dining Plan. I'm still learning all the abbreviations.

I'll have to go and redo my math then. Maybe I messed up somehow. I'm currently booked for the deluxe dining plan for my next trip and I'm trying to decide if I want to keep it. change it or cancel it altogether.

For our trip (2 adults, 5 nights), the deluxe plan is costing us an extra $790. If we add together the high end of the per person price listed on the Disney website, the total for all the same restaurants comes to $822.

I guess I need to pull out the menus and look at it meal by meal to be sure.

 

[lin7]

^^Maybe your not adding the two snacks a day per person and also don't forget the non-alcoholic drinks you get with your meal, and the refillable mugs. I think the deluxe plan saves you a substantial amount and the regular plan just saves you a bit.

 

[larryz]

That said, if you use 2 TS credits for the Fantasmic! Dinner Program (or the Candlelight Processional when in season), you DO get the appetizer.

So... there's nobody forcing you to sit thru F! after dinner...

 

[DisneyFamily123]

If just comparing dollars, I think the signature restaurants are worth using 2 credits depending on what you order. If you're just ordering chicken, no. If you are ordering seafood or steak (more expensive dishes), probably.

We were on the deluxe DDP, but cost if not using the dining plan would have been $135 to $178 for our signature dinners for 2 adults and 1 child. Our 1 credit lunches and dinners would have been $68 to $120.

If considering the overall food quality and dining experience, the signatures that are worth it for us are California Grill and Flying Fish Cafe.

Trying to figure out whether to pay for the signature or 2 other 1 credit meals is just math.... But, I think paying out of pocket for Brown Derby (fantasmic package) might be a good deal since appetizers are included with the package... and if you don't go to fantasmic, just give those passes to someone else to share a little magic. We liked Brown Derby a lot, and it's one of the least expensive signature restaurants.

My Dining Plan Savings Analysis