We're Baaaaack!! **The WLV's groupies & Trivia Thread chapter 3

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi Eliza - We only did the DDP when it was free in 9/07. We felt it turned our trip into an eating fest and we were always heading to the next meal. I guess it depends on how your family likes touring. I like to have a plan but my troops often revolt so it doesn't work for us. We make reservations but like to have the freedom to cancel and change our plans on the fly. The DDP makes this difficult especially if you are paying for it. If you are going for more than 10 total days within 12 months I like the annual pass with the TIW card. We find we make out better with the 20% off since we do a lot of sit down meals. My wife is very lucky walking up to the podium and getting us a table at even the busiest times. It has become a running joke between us. I have walked up and been told nothing available. She has tried within a half hour of me being turned away and gotten us a table with a 10 minute wait. One thing is for sure, the DDP has made getting some reservations for your favorite places a MUST.

This echos our thoughts exactly on the DDP. And the only time we have done it was also free dining 9/07 - maybe we were there at the same time DisneyNutzy! At that time, as I understand it, it was more food than now since you also got an appetizer and even DH, who can eat a ton, decided it was too much food. But the app appeals to us more than a dessert every meal since Mickey Bars are a big draw for DH and those are snacks - not desserts.

We also realized we didn't like having to schedule around eating, and with the DDP you need the ADR's or you might end up losing the value by not getting in to eat your TS. The last trip we got the TIW card and I far prefer that. The only other DDP I might look at is the new counter service, but I'm not certain if that's even available to DVC members.


On another note - thanks DisneyNutzy for the great trip report and pictures!

 

[Happydinks]

Ok, I trust my groupies way more than those other dissers so here it goes.

Generally we go during low attendance times (either the first week in september or Jersey week, which is the 2nd week in November) so we've had great luck getting ADR's at the last minute. I'm also lucky that "the old guy", sid and Rizzo will pretty much eat any thing that doesn't move and they can put ketchup on.

Do you guys like it? No likey?

What's your take gang?

Hmm - we're with DLI - we like the DDP. We've used it the last 2 trips in combo with TIW - so doubled up on the discounts. We did the same thing as DLI and figured out cost based on menu prices and come out ahead with the DDP. The other thing is we do like a little more "stucture" (i.e. knowing that we've got a place to eat in the parks or DTD) and just plan our days accordingly. We've even cancelled existing ADRs and moved them while in WDW. We did Narcoossee's last year - and even the 50.00 lobster was included on the DDP (it did take 2 TS credits - but still!) The new plan is not as much food as the plan 2 years ago - but we found using one TS credit for breakfast and one for lunch each day - worked well and we never felt "stuffed" for dinner. Depending where you are eating - most of the restaurants will let you take your dessert "to go" for the room later.

Just our take on it - we're fans of the plan - and paying up front for us and not worrying about it works for us.

We just booked our tickets to WDW - non-stop - through Airtran for
150.00 each! That's a big out of Richmond!!

 

[ammo]

Hi Everybody,

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I am not a good DIS searcher. Can you walk to the Poly from the WL? Aerial maps make it look like the road at the far end of the parking lot leads to the back of the TTC. However, it crosses the road to CR and the bus route to MK.

Does anybody have any comments about this?

 

[Muushka]

Hey Ammo. I tried to talk Mr Muush into the walk, but he muttered something about safety....walking along that road with all the cars and no sidewalks!

Instead we did the wonderful walk from Poly to GF. We love that walk!

 

[ammo]

Hey Ammo. I tried to talk Mr Muush into the walk, but he muttered something about safety....walking along that road with all the cars and no sidewalks!

Instead we did the wonderful walk from Poly to GF. We love that walk!

Haha! I'll have to remember that excuse the next time DW wants me to go on one of her speed walks.

We would like to head over to Poly for a meal some time, and we are looking for the quickest route. There isn't a boat from WL to Poly is there? That's why I am interested in walking, as opposed to taking two different boats.

 

[KeepSwimmingDory]

9 more sleeps until we leave!

ammo - the only way we have done it is WL by boat to Contemporary and then monorail to Poly but it is not very quick. Fun little adventure though.

 

[ammo]

9 more sleeps until we leave!

ammo - the only way we have done it is WL by boat to Contemporary and then monorail to Poly but it is not very quick. Fun little adventure though.

Thanks Dory. Have a safe trip.

 

[Muushka]

9 more sleeps until we leave!

ammo - the only way we have done it is WL by boat to Contemporary and then monorail to Poly but it is not very quick. Fun little adventure though.

I'm with Dory on this one. We look at it as an adventure. We always have a car but really enjoy the boat/monorail combo. Makes the meal taste better!

9 more sleeps! Have a great trip Dory!!

 

[DiznyDi]

Hi Eliza
RE: DDP: We used this free in 2006, paid for it twice in 2007 and once in 2008. Obviously when it was free, it was great. In 2006 and 2007 included both appetizer and dessert and tip. In 2008 appetizer omitted as well as the tip. Prior to the changes made for 2008, I was an advocate for this plan.

For us, this is no longer of value. We are not big into desserts and very much enjoy appetizers. So in addition to the cost of the plan, we now have to pay for the appetizer and include a tip. Last time we checked, they were not substituting appetizers for desserts. All of a sudden, our $42.00 plan has jumped into the $60.00+ per person per day range. Echoing what others have said, we find the TIW card much more to our tastes.

IF we are traveling with others, the DDP is fine for CONVENIENCE, not value. Like Muushka, we also will still participate in Dec. during our split stay for use at the CP.

If Sid and Rizzo are big eaters, you may very well find the plan to be beneficial to you. Try it and see. You won't really know for sure until you've given it a try. It is easy to use and the CM's are all very helpful.

My current MO is to pull out all my cards; Annual Pass, DVC Member, TIW and my AAA and just ask if any of these are taken. If so, great, if not, oh well.
Di

 

[jimmytammy]

Ammo

The boat to Contemp then Monorail to the Poly is best bet. Walking wouldnt be so terribly far, but crossing at that stoplight

 

[MiaSRN62]

This echos our thoughts exactly on the DDP. And the only time we have done it was also free dining 9/07 - maybe we were there at the same time DisneyNutzy! At that time, as I understand it, it was more food than now since you also got an appetizer and even DH, who can eat a ton, decided it was too much food. But the app appeals to us more than a dessert every meal since Mickey Bars are a big draw for DH and those are snacks - not desserts.

We also realized we didn't like having to schedule around eating, and with the DDP you need the ADR's or you might end up losing the value

I have to agree 100% with Kat's above statement as well as DisneyNutzy's views on the DDP. We also MUCH prefer the TIW card ! We just renewed this month and within 3 sit down meals, we had recoup'd the price of the card.

Can't tell you how many times we thought we had planned our trip out. Just happened this past trip. We knew we wanted to ride Space Mtn because it would be closed on our next trip in May. Get to the MK and it's mobbed. We decided to go back the next day. Had I planned out meals in the parks, this would have messed everything up. We like to mostly wing-it for meals. We do plan a few sit downs (this past trip we had 4 planned sit downs during our 7 day stay). That's enough for us. The rest we wing. And we mostly go during the busy summer August time period because of school.


Maria

 

[ammo]

Ammo

The boat to Contemp then Monorail to the Poly is best bet. Walking wouldnt be so terribly far, but crossing at that stoplight

Thanks Jimmy. I was looking at that intersection on aerial maps and imagining trying to get my three little ones across there. It looks dicey, but it's also such a short walk!

By the way, I love Elon. I'm not so crazy about the commute, but otherwise things are great.

 

[wildernessDad]

Hi Everybody,

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I am not a good DIS searcher. Can you walk to the Poly from the WL? Aerial maps make it look like the road at the far end of the parking lot leads to the back of the TTC. However, it crosses the road to CR and the bus route to MK.

Does anybody have any comments about this?

You don't want to walk it. You could take the boat to the MK, subject to MK's hours of operation, and then take the boat over to the Poly. I think it stops at the GF first though.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I do agree that since you have to have ADR's it can restrict your freedom as far as making sure you make it there in time for your reservation. Although if you would have the ADR's anyway I guess it wouldn't matter. When we were down there this month we kept a record of what we ate so we would know how the dining plan stacked up financially. It saved us over $272 over paying cash for what we ordered. So it definatly saves you money, you just have to decide if you want to eat that much food in order to make it worth it for you.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

This weekend the Omaha Symphony is doing a concert of all Disney music and Jodi Benson is going to be performing with them! Oh how I wish I could go!!! I would love to hear her performing her Little Mermaid songs!

 

[tea pot]

Hi Groupies...
Eliza... DDP... DH had been very reluctant to use it... by the time we decieded to try It was the year that they took out the appetizers and the tip....so on our next trip we didn't use it but I tracked all of our food purchases and comparied it with the cost of the plan and we came out just about the same. With that and suggestion from a friend, on our last trip We purchased a TIW card and it paid for itself in 2 sittings esp because we often take my DSIL and her family out at least once in a trip. If my kids were still little or even 10-12 ish and not interested in TS the new counter service plan would of worked out great. If you have a split stay planned your could try it... and see if it works for you.. Let us know...

Dory Happy Dance
don't you just love the single digit count down


OT My friend from Alabama is comming for a week... she is flying up from Huntsville and should arrive late this afternoon..
We're planning to have a great visit.

So take care and have a great day

 

[tea pot]

I do agree that since you have to have ADR's it can restrict your freedom as far as making sure you make it there in time for your reservation. Although if you would have the ADR's anyway I guess it wouldn't matter. When we were down there this month we kept a record of what we ate so we would know how the dining plan stacked up financially. It saved us over $272 over paying cash for what we ordered. So it definatly saves you money, you just have to decide if you want to eat that much food in order to make it worth it for you.

Hmmm I didn't track what we ordered but we don't usually order dessert but do usually get an appetizer/salad....and we do like TS and can do a couple a day on most days.. $272 is a savings...I'll to have keep track of what we order and the TIW discount next May and see how it "Stackes Up"
Thanks

 

[LVSWL]

On DDP topic, we use the DDE/TIW card. We love being able to save 20% off the top of our bill, and that of our friends also. We have looked at the DDP several times, but we really just don't eat that much. We do breakfast in our villa, and one CS and one TS per day, but we don't always order an appetizer each or a dessert each. Plus, it is nice to have the discount on the adult beverage..not that I'm a lush or anything, but at WDW those puppies can sure add up

 

[Granny]

On DDP topic, we use the DDE/TIW card. We love being able to save 20% off the top of our bill, and that of our friends also. We have looked at the DDP several times, but we really just don't eat that much. We do breakfast in our villa, and one CS and one TS per day, but we don't always order an appetizer each or a dessert each. Plus, it is nice to have the discount on the adult beverage..not that I'm a lush or anything, but at WDW those puppies can sure add up

This is pretty much our take as well. We've found DDE (now TIW) to be the better deal for us. In all honesty, we are also influenced by the fact that we have a car at WDW and eat off site dinners once or twice every trip.

Personally I'm not a fan of the DDP program since I think it has dumbed down some of the menus at WDW as well as slowed things down at CS locations as I always seem to get behind the person who argues about why they can't count an extra order of french fries as a dessert!

I don't blame anyone for taking advantace of the program if it works for you...my lack of fondness for this program is directed squarely at Disney.

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks Jimmy. I was looking at that intersection on aerial maps and imagining trying to get my three little ones across there. It looks dicey, but it's also such a short walk!

By the way, I love Elon. I'm not so crazy about the commute, but otherwise things are great.

That sounds wonderful! Im glad things are working out for you so far. Stay safe on the road