Reviews of Disney’s DELUXE Dining Plan
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We have found that the DDP meets our modus operandi perfectly. We are a mature couple who enjoy meals at WDW as much as attractions at the parks. We don't think it is any loss of valuable time to spend a couple of hours at a quality Meal. We would rather spend the time at a meal than in line for a thrill ride. We use one credit for a late morning breakfast buffet after a few hours in the parks. Then we hit the parks again and eat a later dinner usually at a signature restaurant. That uses the 3 meal entitlements and we use the 2 snacks if we need something in the afternoon. We also tend to eat steak or seafood so we are often ordering the more expensive entrees. Since we eat late dinners, we often take desserts with us back to the room for a late snack or early morning treat! We paid out of pocket in July and tracked that we spent a lot more each day than the Deluxe plan fists. That's especially true if we can score a free dining plan and then upgrade to the Deluxe. Do you math well because if you don't use all your credits; have picky eaters who don't want what's on the menu; tend to want smaller meals without an appetizer and dessert or just want/prefer counter service the DDP may not be best for you. Using all 3 entitlements for table service seems to be the best way to be sure to save on the Deluxe Plan.
Pros:
Ease of use: opportunity to eat wellCons:
—Reviewed by Imjustababyduck Review Date: 11/25/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We love this plan and always get it when we go to Disney. It is great to have the meals paid for in advance (and just have to worry about the tip). We often will use 2 dining credits at the more deluxe places so it is not so much food in one day. We do always have snack credits left at the end of the trip, and come home with tons of stuff from Goofy's Candy Store in Downtown Disney. I know this last trip I bought over $123.00 in snacks with credits before we left to fly home. I think this plan is better value for the money than the regular dining plan. The only disadvantage I see is that sitting down to eat 3 times a day takes a lot of time.
Pros:
EasyCons:
NoneReviewed by onejasper Review Date: 07/28/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Cannot say enough good things about the Deluxe Plan.
Last year we had some credits left over with no possible room in our tummies to indulge so this year we planned to double up some of the credits and spent them at places like Cinderella's Royal Table, Crystal Palace etc...places we would not have normally eaten and certainly would have racked up serious dollars had we paid out of pocket.
I LOVE the Deluxe plan and would not choose any other plan as although we ate a lot of food, you're a) doing a lot of walking so you're working off the extra food b) you're inclined to try things you would not normally try and that gives a very interesting experience c) we went in July so in between the rain it is very humid so again...the weight is not going to go on. I actually lost 6lbs at Disney in 7 days and we all ate a TON of food.
Highly recommend the Deluxe plan so that you can add variety AND save money.
On the last day, we had 8 credits left for snacks and had learned that we could use them on the fresh baked goodies including fudge from our hotel's bakery counter. How delicious to be able to enjoy another Disney memory...at home...:)
Pros:
Freedom to try new places and new foodCons:
—Reviewed by cjwsrt6 Review Date: 04/14/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
The decision to upgrade to the deluxe dining plan was one of the best decisions of the trip. Let's be honest without the deluxe plan I wouldn't of tried some of the more "expensive" restaurants. With this we were able to try the Royal Castle as well as the steakhouse. The plan is very much worth it, you get tons of food at every meal. The best thing is the price, the plan cost us $800 extra for 2 people, 6 days, from no plan to deluxe $800, seems like a lot but we kept up with how much it would've cost which ended up to be $1500 worth of food, this to me is well worth it. Because of that, and let's be honest, without that, most people wouldn't spend that much at Disney. You would eat out of the parks and miss some great food and a great experience!
