Why do people say the Disney Dining Deluxe Plan takes more time ?

[maryj11]

I just wandered because I'm thinking of switching from Disney Dining Plus to deluxe.
I mean we will still be taking the time to eat breakfast lunch and dinner. Is it worth it or not ? I already have 3 reservations more then we need for Disney Dining Plus. I plan to pay out of pocket for 2 character breakfast. We enjoy eating at the restaurants but will do a few counter service restaurants also. There will be 2 adults and a 10 year old and we do not have free dining.
I just dont know if we should switch or not ? We always have used the Disney Dining Plus but we also eat 3 meals a day and maybe thinking of doing one 2 credit dinner reservation. If we dont switch we wont do the the 2 credit reservations though. I'm just not sure if it is worth the extra money ?
Any opinions or experiences on this ?

 

[Cafeen]

It depends on your dining itinerary really.

DxDDP requires multiple TS meals per day to work. DDP allots only 1 TS per day (well, night), and most people only do the one. The CS can be quicker than TS in most cases, if they're hitting it at off-hours and it's not busy.

When you figure that a standard TS meal may take 60-90 minutes each, plus any extra travel time. Then a CS meal may take 30-60 minutes, those extra minutes can add up.

Now, if you're already planning a high TS itinerary, DxDDP is unlikely to really increase time at restaurants all that much. There may be a little bit added, as you do get an additional course, but overall, it won't make that much of a difference.

Basically, it's all about the differences in itinerary planning that makes DxDDP take up more time than DDP (or OOP). Many people (myself included) do not eat 3 full meals a day at Disney (heck, I don't eat 3 full meals a day at home. In fact, I rarely eat more than 1...and sometimes, I even forget that )

As far as the question of worth, for you, since you're already planning 3 meals a day, it may very well be. You'd have to do the math and add up what you'd likely order where you go to see if it works, but if you're into the entitlements at each meal (app, entree, dessert, drink) and your 10 year old is likely to order off of the adult menu, then the chances are pretty good.

 

[maryj11]

It depends on your dining itinerary really.

DxDDP requires multiple TS meals per day to work. DDP allots only 1 TS per day (well, night), and most people only do the one. The CS can be quicker than TS in most cases, if they're hitting it at off-hours and it's not busy.

When you figure that a standard TS meal may take 60-90 minutes each, plus any extra travel time. Then a CS meal may take 30-60 minutes, those extra minutes can add up.

Now, if you're already planning a high TS itinerary, DxDDP is unlikely to really increase time at restaurants all that much. There may be a little bit added, as you do get an additional course, but overall, it won't make that much of a difference.

Basically, it's all about the differences in itinerary planning that makes DxDDP take up more time than DDP (or OOP). Many people (myself included) do not eat 3 full meals a day at Disney (heck, I don't eat 3 full meals a day at home. In fact, I rarely eat more than 1...and sometimes, I even forget that )

As far as the question of worth, for you, since you're already planning 3 meals a day, it may very well be. You'd have to do the math and add up what you'd likely order where you go to see if it works, but if you're into the entitlements at each meal (app, entree, dessert, drink) and your 10 year old is likely to order off of the adult menu, then the chances are pretty good.

Thanks for all the information. I will see what I can figure up for the cost.

 

[elaine amj]

Good luck on the decision!! It does take a bit more time as TS meals take about 60-90 mins and a CS is 30-60 mins. Plus, you will have to make your ADRs which sometimes means dropping what you are doing and racing across the park. One time my kids were doing Phineas and Ferb missions in Epcot and begged to do one more before dinner. I knew it was cutting it close, but I caved and let them do one last mission in China. Once that was done, we raced across the park to get to our Garden Grill reservation, getting there about 15 mins late (which is the max I allow myself to be late). That was NOT fun especially as it was super hot and humid that day. If we had a CS meal planned, we could have just strolled there without worrying about being late.

 

[catne]

Lots of travel time to all the restaurants, too. Even if you're eating breakfast at your hotel restaurant, and then eating lunch & dinner in the park you're at for the day/evening you still have to figure the getting-there time. For example, if you're riding Soarin' in Epcot and have a dinner ADR at 9 Dragons in China/World Showcase you have quite a hike to get from The Land over to China..would actually be a lot more convenient to just eat counter service at Sunshine Seasons in The Land building when you get off Soarin' (or eat at Coral Reef in The Seas next door. Still a bit of a walk, but not as far as getting over to World Showcase) And if you're going to other locations.like you'll be at Epcot for the day, but want to have dinner at Jiko/Animal Kingdom Lodge...if you're using Disney Transportation, allow about 60 minutes to get there. Even if you're driving, it will still be 30-60 including getting to your car, driving to & parking at the resort. So the whole experience could easily take you 3 hours including travel to & from & eating time. People underestimate how much time getting to & from restaurants...I read about people "just popping over to a monorail resort for dinner" from Magic Kingdom. Depending on where you are in the park when you start to go to the restaurant...and the crowds you have to get through...and how long you have to wait for the monorail...and where your restaurant is at the resort...it can take you 30-40 minutes to "pop over" to a monorail restaurant.

Also, if you have not done the Deluxe plan before, believe me when I say it is way too much food unless you're in the habit of eating huge meals 3X a day. You might eat 3X at home, but you're probably having a bowl of cereal & a glass of juice for breakfast, a sandwich & chips for lunch, and then a full dinner. On the deluxe, you're eating a breakfast platter (eggs,sausage, potatoes,waffles) or breakfast buffet (even more food) and then a full lunch including appetizer/entree/dessert/soda per person, and then repeat that for dinner. WAY more food than most people eat on a daily basis.

When we do deluxe, we have either just a pastry for breakfast (using a snack credit) or even more often, nothing, because we're still full from night before. Then a buffet or table-service lunch around 11:30-12:00 noon. Then a signature (2 credit) meal for dinner around 7:00. And we rarely use the snack credits at all, other than very occasional breakfast item. When everyone at the table gets an appetizer, entree & dessert plus rolls or bread & a beverage...you'll all be stuffed. If you were just sharing an appetizer that would be different. But 3 appetizers, many of which are large enough to share anyway...it's a LOT of food. It seems like you're not adding much, getting an appetizer, but even the way we do it with just two restaurant meals a day it's so much more food than the regular "plus dining" plan. Really.

 

[havoc315]

You need to remember, there is a big difference between eating 3 meals per day, and eating 3 Deluxe table service meals per day.
You can easily use the basic DDP to eat 3 meals per day -- many breakfast items count as snack credits. Can share CS meals. Or, you can just add a breakfast or lunch OOP for $10-$20 per person -- no need to spend $45 per night to upgrade.

Yes, lots of people eat 3 meals per day. But do you have a bowl of cereal and piece of fruit in the morning, or do you have an all-you-can eat buffet?
And after that breakfast, do you have a sandwich and chips for lunch, or do you have a restaurant appetizer/entree and dessert?
And then for a mid afternoon snack, do you have a few crackers, piece of fruit, couple of cookies -- or do you have a Ice Cream Cone AND a big cupcake?
And then when it comes time for dinner --- If you had the all you can eat breakfast buffet, AND a lunch appetizer/entree/dessert, AND an ice cream cone and a big cupcake... do you want a big dinner consisting of another appetizer/entree/dessert?

I think there is a common misconception of people thinking, "hmmm, I normally eat 3 meals per day.. so I guess I should get the deluxe which covers 3 meals."

For a family that eats a normal sized 3 meals per day, even the basic DDP can easily be toooooo much food.

Getting to your question about time, you really need to budget 90-120 minutes for each TS meal. More if you are "commuting." So you can easily be spending 5-7 hours per day dining, if you do 3 deluxe meals per day. I've seen people with reservations where they literally had to go straight from lunch to dinner. (Saw someone with a 1:15 lunch reservation and 4:30 dinner reservation... they got seated for their lunch late and didn't get out of lunch until 3:20.... they then had to hop a bus and get across property to make it to dinner in time or else pay the cancellation penalty.)

 

[figment_jii]

When you figure that a standard TS meal may take 60-90 minutes each, plus any extra travel time.

I've also found the DxDP takes more time per TS meal because you have to allow for an extra course (compared to the DDP). For most restaurants, this means the TS meal takes closer to 90 minutes. So if you plan three TS meals per day, you could be looking at about 4 hours a day of eating (45 minutes for breakfast, 90 minutes for lunch and 90+ minutes for dinner). So in that way, the DxDP does take more time.

 

[AimeeMichele]

I don't believe we spend any more time when we have the Deluxe Plan versus the regular plan. We have a character breakfast each morning and then have dinner at a signature restaurant or a dinner show. If I don't want to be at a restaurant for a good two hours I let our server know and they always speed up the meal for dinner (dinner shows excluded obviously). For lunch we just have a snack somewhere. Personally, we always come out well ahead compared to what we would spend out of pocket. Last year we saved ~$400 by using the Deluxe Plan that was after I subtracted out tips.

 

[havoc315]

I don't believe we spend any more time when we have the Deluxe Plan versus the regular plan. We have a character breakfast each morning and then have dinner at a signature restaurant or a dinner show. If I don't want to be at a restaurant for a good two hours I let our server know and they always speed up the meal for dinner (dinner shows excluded obviously). For lunch we just have a snack somewhere. Personally, we always come out well ahead compared to what we would spend out of pocket. Last year we saved ~$400 by using the Deluxe Plan that was after I subtracted out tips.

If you use the DxDP for 2 meals per day instead of 3, it doesn't have to take a LOT more time... but still takes a bit more time. Your character breakfast certainly takes longer than a CS breakfast. Even more so if you're traveling to get to the character breakfast, instead of just grabbing a CS breakfast on the run.

At a minimum (assuming you are using the credits), you are looking at spending an extra 30-40 minutes by being on the DxDP (using your case as an example, dinner being the same as the DDP but breakfast being 30-40 minutes longer at least). Quite often, being on the DxDP (for those who do 3 TS meals per day) can easily be 2-3 hours more than doing the DDP.

 

[KimberlyE]

We go in September/October each time and always use the Deluxe DP. We also eat 3 TS meals a day with ADR's. Frankly, unless you are going during a busy time of year and/or you plan ADR's outside of the park you are touring that day, I have never experienced the "takes too much time from touring" issue that is often cited as a reason to forgo 3 TS meals a day. We have never missed out on a ride/show/attraction because of a TS meal. We also don't feel any rush to get to an ADR either. But we only plan breakfast and lunch at the park we are touring that day. Sometimes dinner may be elsewhere. Yes, eating a TS takes more time than a counter service but that isn't always a negative. Many times the extra time is time well spent relaxing, recharging, being with my family and talking about our experiences that day.

We plan an ADR every morning for a character meal inside the park before rope drop. This allows us to eat and be inside before the park opens. We love seeing the park "wake up", so nice to get pictures without crowds and best of all - you're closer to getting on the most popular attractions.

We have an ADR for a TS at lunch - it's a wonderful way to relax and recharge from the morning's touring. Sometimes we go back to the hotel for a swim/nap afterwards. I've thought about CS at lunch but the idea of standing in line, jostling for seating, etc. just doesn't seem as relaxing as sitting at a table, being waited on and soaking up some atmosphere. Many of the TS places have wonderful decor, ambiance and are mini attractions themselves. So we are combining a break with a meal - time saver! Our evening meal is usually later and also a TS.

There are some tips for making your TS meal less time restrictive. First, review the menus before you go - we love talking about what we're going to eat and picking out new items to try! We also look at menus while waiting for our table and then order our appetizers with our drinks. When your entree comes, put in the order for your dessert and ask the server to bring your check with dessert. We also pay for tips/drinks with our KTTK card. This means that the server has only to swipe one card for our Dining Plan allotments and our OOP extras. Take less time.

As for the extra food, there's loads of debate/opinions on that. We aren't "clean our plates" people and we use the plan to try any items that we wouldn't normally try. We also share items amongst ourselves so that everyone gets a to try a variety. Yes, sometimes we get something that isn't to our liking but then we weren't ravenous anyway so it's okay to leave a little less full.

We love the 3 TS and Deluxe DDP because it enhances our touring experience (relaxing breaks), gives us a chance to branch out food wise, and we do get value for our money because we would still be ordering the same items and eating the same places OOP.

 

[gtpoohbear]

We always do 3 TS meals a day now - on our first trip we did at least 1 CS each day, and honestly, it usually took just as long at CS, and the food was not nearly as good. By the time you stand in line, wait for food, hunt for a table, clean you table, etc, it maybe saved us 10-15 minutes tops. Not at all worth it since TS is SUCH a better experience all around. In my itinerary, I allow 90 minutes for TS meals, but we are almost always out the door within 60-65 minutes of our ADR time.

For us it is definitely worth the extra money for the DxDP, in fact DH would rather stay home than go without it. The neat restaurants we get to try are part of what makes a WDW trip so unique!

 

[atisikitabasket]

We always do the DDP however when we took my mom with us we decided to try the DXDP we went in the off season when parks closed earlier this did make it hard because we did a lot of 2 TS evening meals and they took a long time so most of the time we couldn't make it back to a park before it was about closing time. Also we love food!!! but we did feel like as soon as we finished one meal if it was a 3 different TS meal day then we were getting ready to have to be at another one. The days when we did breakfast and a 2TS dinner it wasn't as bad. My mom had never been on a dining plan and she said she felt like we were eating more than she was in the parks. I don't think we will do it again because the DDP works fine for us but it was really nice trying it I think if you go during a time when park hours are later it could be really good. I would look at the cost paying OOP for extra meals with the DDP vs paying to upgrade to the deluxe! Have a great trip!!!