Upgrade

[garethanders]

Hi guys

Myself and DW travel next August to Old Key West, we are getting free dining with this. If i wanted to upgrade could i do it when i check in or would it have to be before i go through virgin.

Thanks

 

[Chilly]

What sort of upgrade?

 

[Rohais]

If you're referring to upgrading from free dining, you go via Virgin as I don't think you can do it at the desk upon arrival

 

[garethanders]

Yeah the dining, I will have to look at the money situation over the next few months see if its worth budgeting for!!

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Do you mean upgrading to the deluxe dining ? If so I wouldnt, it would be way to much food ! We did the regular plan this year and that was plenty !

 

[dixonsontour]

Regular DDP which you get for free with OKW deal is alot of food.

If you are going to upgrade to deluxe do it in time to get your reservations 180 days out.

 

[Rohais]

We're staying at POFQ and have upgraded from the free QSDP to the normal DDP. I considered the DxDDP but this would be simply

a) far too much food for us, especially for 18 nights.
b) far too expensive. If I recall correctly, it was something like an extra £800 EACH to upgrade to the DxDDP (for 18 nights that is)

Each person is different, but if you're thinking about upgrading from the DDP to the deluxe, then could you cope with 3 table service meals a day. You're not required to eat 3 table service meals a day - you could eat two and then a counter service - but I think to get the most out of it, and your moneys worth, you'd have to. Don't forget you get appetizers, entrees and desserts with all your table service, as well as additional snacks per day.

Its a lot of food - would the trip become more about the food? You would *have* to stick to your itinerary/ADRs too...

 

[2Tiggies]

a) far too much food for us, especially for 18 nights.
b) far too expensive. If I recall correctly, it was something like an extra £800 EACH to upgrade to the DxDDP (for 18 nights that is)

Remember to add in all the extra money in tips. If you spent a modest $140 per day in value eating at say 2 TS a day, that is nearly $30 per day just on tips, on top of the upgrade cost. In reality you are likely to spend a lot more than that.

Its a lot of food - would the trip become more about the food? You would *have* to stick to your itinerary/ADRs too...

That can be very restrictive and ultimately dictates where you have to be each day.

Of course, if you really love dining experiences and want to use your credits for signature meals and dinner shows which take 2 credits per meal, the DxDDP will probably save you money and allow you to do what you couldn't otherwise afford if paying OOP.

To answer your original question I can confirm that you will not be able to do it at the desk. It has to be done prior to departure. In fact, if you booked with a UK travel company you will need to upgrade before they issue your tickets and vouchers.

 

[Rohais]

Thanks Lee - I cleanly forgot about the tips! We've budgeted $250 in tips for 18 table service meals. Thats for just entree+dessert+non alcoholic beverage. If you're going for 14 nights thats like, 42 table service meals (at the most, if you didn't have any counter services). Even if you count signature restaurants, you'd be paying the same amount in tips roughly as signatures are far more expensive. For two people, considering appetizer, entree, desserts and drinks you'd be looking at around $20 per standard table service, maybe even more. Multiply that by the number of table services you'd be having and WOW. Like Lee says, thats on top of the upgrade cost.

BUT, if thats what you're looking for and can afford it - and, more importantly, would benefit and get the most out of it - then go for it. Just bear in mind every additional costs, so you don't get bitten in the backside

I thought about the DxDDP, then looked at it properly i.e. menus, tips, extra drinks etc and quiiiiickly changed my mind! If we want to do any extras, we'll take any breakfasts out of our DDP ADR list and pay for them OOP, seeing as they're the cheapest. For the extra restaurants we'd like to do, the cost of the upgrade just isn't worth it.

Try thinking - would you, in an ordinary week, be able to eat that much..let alone two weeks (or however long) on the trot? A full sit down breakfast, followed by a full sit down lunch and then rounded off with a full sit down dinner. All with three courses? Not to mention the snacks in between.

Just a disclaimer, not trying to dissuade you from something you want to do - just want you to think logically (and include money!) in your thought process. For a long time, I was thinking of my belly...eyes too big and all that jazz!