What would you do???

[Luvmyfam3]

We are going to Disney for 6 days in July and are using the Dining Plan. It's my DBF, his DD3, my DD16, my DD16, my DD14. My daughters and I have been to Disney several times and have eaten in the castle. But, we have plenty of other restaurants that we enjoy and we didn't want to use 2 credits to eat there.

But, my DBF and his DD haven't been to Disney. Last night, his daughter was telling her grandmother, "Guess where I'm going!! Disney World!! I'm going to be in the castle!!!" It got me thinking that we really should try to eat in the castle. Would you just pay cash for this? Would you pay cash for two other ADR's and use the 2 credits for the castle? Of course, this is assuming we can even get an ADR (I was thinking I would try for a weird lunch time). Which way do you think would be best? OR, can we do the Deluxe DP for just one day and then switch to the basic?? I think my head is going to explode! Sorry for the long question...

TIA! Kim

 

[frannn]

I would definetly try, as it would be a wonderful experience for DD3. If you don't get it, as these are coveted ADRs and are grabbed quickly, even at 180 days out, there are other princess meals you could do. Park Fare (sp) has a dinner with Cinderella, and Akerus (sp) in Epcot in Norway has a multi princess meal. Both are available at 1 credit. Other special character meals you may look into are Crystal Palace (Pooh) in MK, and Chef Mickey's at the Contemp. These will be fun for kids of all ages (even the ones over 30)! Do you have your other ADRs made yet?

Oops, just reread your post, and see you are already "in the know" about all of the above. I never did the calculation to find out if it was worth it to pay OOP for CRT, or use 2 TS, because we enjoy Park Fare more. In your position, I would see how much you will be paying OOP for extras that the basic DP will not cover. Two of my DDs are teens, so I know how much they can eat! You may find that the DXDP wouldn't cost you much more than the breakfasts or other TS/CS/snacks you would be paying for OOP.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Yes, we have ADR's at Norway to eat lunch with the Princesses. I thought this would suffice. But, now I'm thinking that just the experience of actually eating in the castle would be very neat for her. I guess I'll just try and see if I can get the ADR. Any suggestion on how to work out the DDP with this would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Tricia1972]

For CRT, I would almost always advise to pay OOP, unless you have extra credits.

Breakfast - Value per TS credit $16.99
Lunch - Value per TS credit $17.99
Dinner - Value per TS Credit $20.50

Unless you are using a TS credit or two for Beaches and Cream I would think that you'll be giving up more value in the plan to pay OOP elsewhere and use credits for CRT.

 

[Wendy5055]

I ran into kind of the same dilemma with DD6. We satisfied her craving for the princesses by getting ADR in Norway (has alot of the princesses!!). However, I am booking an OOP ADR for Hoop De Doo Review which DD6 has never been to (she ate in the castle 2 years ago...and REMEMBERS it!!!).

I decided to do breakfast at Ohana's for a Ts credit. The first day, if we want something (we are arriving late) we can pay OOP.

Definately pay OOP for Castle...if you want to go to the lesser expensive option do breakfast or lunch (when most action takes place...she will get a wand!!!) as dinner is more sedate (to me anyway). When we did dinner 2 years ago, NOBODY came to the tables...we did get a nice picture with Cinderella though!!!

Enjoy your time in the World!!!!

 

[tina_la]

as someone who is paying OOP this year for CRT (don't want to use 2 credits) I would say YES! CALL NOW! IMO I would choose late breakfast (we did) as it is cheaper. If they tell you their are no openings (again happened to me!) we split into 2 tables. They had tables for 4 but not 5 for the entire week since the yougest is 2 and will need a highchair I am going to see when we check in if they will go ahead and sit us together otherwise we take the 2 tables. I cannot stress enough to call now!! That way you know if you even have the option.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Well, I think it was meant to be!! I called and the CM said, "Uh, I don't think we're going to have anything. That books 6 months in advance." Lo and behold, they had a 12:00, 12:15 and 1:00 that day!! In July!! Can you believe it??? So, yes, we're going to pay OOP for lunch that day and have a great time!! Thanks for all your help!!

 

[tina_la]

Hope you have a wonderful vacation. Sounds like it is already starting out right!

 

[septbaby]

Your DBF should take his little girl to the Castle and you should take your big girls somewhere else. It makes perfect sense for Daddy and baby girl to have some special time one on one time together and if she wants the castle so be it. You've already shared that magic with your girls, let him do the same. By the way it will be cute hearing her tell you all about Cinderella and the castle. As for evening out the credits let him pay OOP at another place and do the same for her to get that one credit back. There has got to be a place you'd love to take your girls where the little one wouldn't have so much fun or that DBF would be thinking, how did I get roped into this. Sometimes a little time apart can be the best thing on vacation.