Using Deluxe plan on split room

[stockdogg]

Hi all! New here but not to Disney planning. I've been told to bring my idea to here to get a 2nd opinion so here goes.
Going May 20-25...myself, DW, Ds17, dd16, ds 13...was looking at ASM suite but decided on getting 2 rooms at Sports. Adjoining preferred but not a deal breaker. So, with 2 different deposits, looking at getting myself only on one room with deluxe plan and other 4 on another room with no plan. Thought here is that because Deluxe dropped in price to 103 a day for 2017 (from 115) I can knock out our 3 most expensive "would have done anyway" TS meals...save anywhere from 100-200 (even after difference in mugs)...also might do myself and onecchild on deluxe for 6 total TS meals for 5 day trip. That leaves the entire rest of the trip to be paid OOP and, in my mind, a better way to save...ie eating at end zone (instead of feeling like we are wasting QS credit there).
I've done the math and a TS break even point on a deluxe meal is 34.6 and that's not even considering the appetizer. What do you think? Thanks for any feedback!
Disney really seems to be pushing the deluxe plan with the drop in price.

 

[kayteekt]

First of all welcome to the boards!

About your question, I think it's a great idea. We have done the Deluxe Dining Plan a good many times. You will find some disagree, but we have felt it is a good value for what you are getting. The hang up, is you are getting A LOT...too much in fact. This is the reason we've forgone using any type of DP on our more recent trips. The regular is not enough for the way we eat (DH doesn't tolerate much QS) and the Deluxe is too much.

However, in your case I think it would work out beautifully. Personally, I would do 2 people in each room, so you'd be getting the DDP for 2 disney adults. This would give you 6 TS credit per day + 4 snacks. Most likely, this would cover the bulk of your meals. At the TS meals, you'll be getting an App, Entree and Dessert per credit used. So depending on how your children/family eats, you very well could use 3 credits per meal (of course this wouldn't work for the buffets). If not enough you could add on a side, a kids meal, or just an entree and come out pretty good. Use the snacks for snacks or for breakfast.

Anyway, really depends on how your family eats...but my opinion is it's a great option...makes me want to do a 2 room reservation

 

[stockdogg]

tHanks! yeah I confirmed the 2 rooms thru CM today. She said "that's a great idea splitting the Deluxe plan like that!" and went on to mention sharing stuff like you did! I'm excited. $4020 for 2 connecting rooms at Sports for 5 days with 30 table service credits and 20 snack credits. I was looking at paying 5200 for music suite with dining plan for everyone. I'm happy!

 

[stockdogg]

so yeah, I did what you said and got 2ppl on deluxe and the other 3 on no plan.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

This is a great idea and sounds like something that would work for my family as well.

 

[Dakota731]

This may work for me! So can adults share meals on the dining plan?

 

[stockdogg]

yes you can share! Yeah on the Touringplan chat veterans are commenting the same thing you guys are. If you look at the 2017 price changes to dining plan, quick went up 2 regular went up 4 and deluxe went DOWN 12 a day. that's huge if you ask me. So if you divide that out it comes out to 34 dollars a table credit to break even...and that's before you even start talking about the appetizers!! so we did deluxe on 2 out of 5 ppl and I think its going to work out just fine.
Now I will just use disney target gift cards for quick service meals and not worry about maximizing QS credits.

 

[stockdogg]

The CM said we were able to share as long as we were in same rooms under same house/family. I think that's the way I understood it, anyway. I'm also guaranteed a CONNECTING room at all star sports.

 

[stockdogg]

My theory is that the deluxe must really be tanking. I think Disney would do better if they start letting you pick your days you want dining or park hoppers. I'm sure if enough ppl get deluxe this year just to do what I'm doing the price may go back up but I still think it would be a good deal.
I mean, isn't it hard to make QS meals work on dining plan unless you go to BOGO or get big combos at certain places?

 

[DisMommyTX]

Y'all got me thinking, and that can be dangerous (and expensive!) We have never done a dining plan because it is way too much food, but this seems like a great deal, unless I am figuring wrong...

We are also doing a split stay for 6 nights; one room has Dad and DS 8, other has mom and the DD12. IF we added the deluxe dining plan for the room with one adult and one (8yo) child, then we would have a total of 6nt x 3 = 18 table service credits for the adult and the same for a child.

If the 12 yo orders a kids meal (which she always does anyway) can she use a child's TS credit? If not, we can just pay out of pocket for hers, but then we would have a lot of child's TS left over. I know that the child's table service credits can be used at quick service too, but do they have be used on a kid's meal? I thought I remembered that some (maybe all) QS didn't differentiate between adult and child credits, so you could get an adult QS meal with the child's credits. Is that correct? If so, 3 adult TS + 3 QS + 6 snacks sounds like a really good deal for $140/day.

Am I missing something?

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Y'all got me thinking, and that can be dangerous (and expensive!) We have never done a dining plan because it is way too much food, but this seems like a great deal, unless I am figuring wrong...

We are also doing a split stay for 6 nights; one room has Dad and DS 8, other has mom and the DD12. IF we added the deluxe dining plan for the room with one adult and one (8yo) child, then we would have a total of 6nt x 3 = 18 table service credits for the adult and the same for a child.

If the 12 yo orders a kids meal (which she always does anyway) can she use a child's TS credit? If not, we can just pay out of pocket for hers, but then we would have a lot of child's TS left over. I know that the child's table service credits can be used at quick service too, but do they have be used on a kid's meal? I thought I remembered that some (maybe all) QS didn't differentiate between adult and child credits, so you could get an adult QS meal with the child's credits. Is that correct? If so, 3 adult TS + 3 QS + 6 snacks sounds like a really good deal for $140/day.

Am I missing something?

Just an FYI, there is no distinction between children and adults on the Deluxe Dining plan but it DOES cost less for a child. This is great news for you! Book one adult and your DS8 on the Deluxe plan. It will cost less and DS8 will be able to order from adult menu even if the meal is not for him (perhaps you and DW have adult meals and your children have kids meals)

We just returned from a trip using Deluxe plan for me, DW, and DD8 (also DS2 but he had no credits from dining plan). DD8 ordered from adult menu at all of our TS meals without any trouble.

*Again this is for the Deluxe Dining plan only. When using the regular dining plan, children must order from children's menu at TS when using children credits. *

 

[eeyoresmom]

My theory is that the deluxe must really be tanking. I think Disney would do better if they start letting you pick your days you want dining or park hoppers. I'm sure if enough ppl get deluxe this year just to do what I'm doing the price may go back up but I still think it would be a good deal.
I mean, isn't it hard to make QS meals work on dining plan unless you go to BOGO or get big combos at certain places?

As much as we would love this I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. Disney actually allowed DVC members to split their DDP up into any combo they wished a few years ago. It didn't last long, months IIRC. It was great while it lasted though. What they really need to do if they want to sell more plans is at least make the plans break even price wise for a mid level meal. Yeah, I know we can save a bit with the QSDP if we eat at a few select places.I don't want to have to "work" to maximize the plan. We are taking 8 adult kids and their significant others to DW in March. I would LOVE to get the QSDP for them so they are not choosing the cheaper option etc. but the math just doesn't add up.

 

[hodad]

OP, one of the two people in the dining plan room has to be at a meal to redeem credits.

By the way, you can save about $100 if you get three park tickets from a third party vendor:

All Star Sports Room 1:
Adult and 1 kid, with deluxe dining plan and 5 day non-parkhopper tickets
Fun & Sun room + ticket discount: $2314

All Star Sports Room 2:
Adult and 2 kids
Fun & Sun room only discount: $581

5 day non-parkhopper tickets for people in room 2 from officialticketcenter.com, for example: $1030

Total: $3925

 

[stockdogg]

yeah but I got

OP, one of the two people in the dining plan room has to be at a meal to redeem credits.

By the way, you can save about $100 if you get three park tickets from a third party vendor:

All Star Sports Room 1:
Adult and 1 kid, with deluxe dining plan and 5 day non-parkhopper tickets
Fun & Sun room + ticket discount: $2314

All Star Sports Room 2:
Adult and 2 kids
Fun & Sun room only discount: $581

5 day non-parkhopper tickets for people in room 2 from officialticketcenter.com, for example: $1030

Total: $3925

yeah but I got pay for 5 get 6 day hopper thru disney. I'll run numbers again and see but I thought they were exactly the same. thanks for info tho.
and yeah I figured that about dining, we will all eat together im sure (at least for table meals)

 

[stockdogg]

ah

OP, one of the two people in the dining plan room has to be at a meal to redeem credits.

By the way, you can save about $100 if you get three park tickets from a third party vendor:

All Star Sports Room 1:
Adult and 1 kid, with deluxe dining plan and 5 day non-parkhopper tickets
Fun & Sun room + ticket discount: $2314

All Star Sports Room 2:
Adult and 2 kids
Fun & Sun room only discount: $581

5 day non-parkhopper tickets for people in room 2 from officialticketcenter.com, for example: $1030

Total: $3925

ahhh...I see, I do say 5 days. getting there sat at noon and leaving Thursday night. But yeah, 5 nights 6 day base ticket.

 

[hodad]

You can still save money if you buy tickets from a third party vendor. The effort of changing your reservation might not be worth the savings, but the savings are there if you want them.

 

[stockdogg]

I'm not seeing it. I tried Park Savers and officialticketcenter and both are showing 1825 for park savers, 1835 for official ticket center and 1817.51 for Disney. All 6 day base tickets. I get that there are no "deals" right now for either of the 2 3rd party vendors, but I dont think the statement "the savings are there if you want them" applies in this case. and thats not counting the 5% gift card bonus thru disney, either. I'm not trying to be argumentative, and by all means if you can prove me wrong please tell me because I do like to save money! But yeah, it would have to cross the 5% Target gift card threshold for me...from what I've seen, the savings are much greater in the park hopper tickets (buying 3rd party)

 

[stockdogg]

Disney is adding the 6th day free, which I think is the equalizer.

 

[hodad]

To get the best ticket savings, you should have an account at touring plans. Heck, you should have one anyway, given how amazingly useful its reservation finder alone can be!

Now that I'm thinking of it, you can book two rooms at All Star Sports using the Fun & Sun room only discount. Then call to turn one of them into a ticketless package with deluxe dining plan. Then use the touring plans ticket calculator special link to get five adult 5-day park hoppers for $1945 (saving 9%), or you can get non-parkhopper tickets for $1715 (saving 10%), all of which you can upgrade to 6-day tickets at guest services once you arrive at Disney World for an additional $80. Either way, you save money over getting tickets from Disney directly.

Alternately, you can hold off on buying park tickets until a better offer appears, since you don't need them until you book fast passes. But then you run the risk of facing the expected February ticket price increase.

 

[afan]

all of which you can upgrade to 6-day tickets at guest services once you arrive at Disney World for an additional $80. Either way, you save money over getting tickets from Disney directly.

But then she could only make 5 days of fast passes, which defeats the savings and hassle from getting what she needs from the start. We got our last hoppers from UT to save but for all the days we needed so we would have fps.