To dine or not to dine!?

[Howellsy]

We are off on our honeymoon in August/September, spending 10 nights in Disney and 6 nights in Mexico. We've booked our Mexico hotel and all flights but are still torn on what to do Disney-wise.

We're currently considering Coronado Springs with 14 day tickets and regular DDP with WDTC or Yacht Club with no dining plan and 8 day tickets through a US travel agent, with no option to add on DDP later as it is a special offer. Yacht Club is £700 cheaper and I've always wanted to stay there, but we are obviously trying to weigh up how much we would spend on food. Alternatively we could just book room only through the US site and potentially add on DDP if it's released for our dates (August 29th-September 8th).

I've always gone with dining in the past and we are both really keen on having meals at California Grill, Brown Derby, Be Our Guest etc. as it is our honeymoon, which would be easier with the DDP. But I think paying OoP for meals at signatures for the first time would really make me consider the cost of them more than when it's essentially pre-paid. I'm trying to calculate costs but it's really difficult to accurately guess snack/counter services as we don't really eat an awful lot.

Does anyone have any helpful advice/opinions??

 

[Kath2003]

It's $100 per day - but you'll barely spend anything the day you arrive/leave. Assuming you spent $18 per person per day on CS & snack, that gives you $360. If you think you'd spend more than $640 on table service, then clearly the dining plan is worth it.

For me, it would depend on where you stay in Mexico. We have stayed on the Mayan Riviera and the food was above Disney's "signature" - so if that were the case, I'd save the £700, do one or two special meals but stick to cheaper options to come within that £700.

 

[Howellsy]

Thanks Kath, we are staying all inclusive in Playa del Carmen so will definitely be eating a lot there. I'm thinking it may work out to be roughly the same but we would be paying more upfront id we go with the DDP whereas we won't need to save quite as much early on if we go with the YC.

 

[Elise79]

If you are looking at eating at signatures you will find even harder to make the DDP pay for itself as they are generally not double the cost of a 1TS meal.

I would take the deluxe hotel without DDP over CSR with DDP.

 

[Kath2003]

Thanks Kath, we are staying all inclusive in Playa del Carmen so will definitely be eating a lot there. I'm thinking it may work out to be roughly the same but we would be paying more upfront id we go with the DDP whereas we won't need to save quite as much early on if we go with the YC.

I'd look into the dining options offered by your resort. There are some spectacular resorts in that area of Mexico, and some exceptional dining. Read reviews, find out what to expect and see whether you want to make the most of the "fine" dining in Disney or wait until Mexico for those meals. Personally I wouldn't be shelling out $60+ for a meal at California Grill if I were going to be in a luxury resort with fine dining options a few days later. For us, we look for a la carte restaurants for at least lunch and dinner, room service/private dining and somewhere that does not accept reservations (I hate having the decide when and where I eat before it happens!). You should probably note that, at those kind of resorts, you won't be eating "a lot" but what you do eat will be superb.

 

[scoobydooby]

Try and decide before what will be your 180 day ADR window opens up which will be soon for those dates (assume you mean 2015) as the places you mention are some of the hardest ADRs to get if you don't book straight away.

 

[Howellsy]

Thanks for the help all. We have decided on YC with no dining, and will book whatever we can. We're flexible about eating times so not too concerned about the 180 day mark looming. We got engaged just after eating at Be Our Guest last summer and celebrated with drinks and food at CG the following week so are keen on returning to those but otherwise we are quite flexible!

Just excited to start proper honeymoon planning now

 

[Minniesgal]

If you are doing 10 nights on US tickets that is close to the break-even cost of an annual pass. You could consider buying at least 1 annual pass and getting a Tables in Wonderland discount card instead of DDP. Saves 20% on the cost of food and drink. If you eat Signatures but less credits than DDP might work out better for you. You also get annual pass discounts.

 

[disneyholic family]

i was going to suggest the YC!!
it's so much nicer than coronado springs - just no comparison.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
As far as ADRs go, most of the signatures aren't a problem getting ADRs (other than CG).
So you should be fine.

 

[scoobydooby]

I think you've made the right choice The Yacht Club is lovely and the location is a squillion times superior to Coronado Springs (which is also a nice resort). If you end up booking ADRs late don't give up. Despite my previous post it can be done. I booked me and DD on a Disney trip in February 2014 for a May arrival. No BOG and no Cinderella's Royal Table when I booked. I looked daily on the phone app several times a day (took a minute each time) and by April had both ADRs at times I wanted. Good luck. I had a similar honeymoon 17 years ago. A week in Orlando and a week all inclusive in Jamaica. Lovely. Enjoy