Pick on dining experirnce to do.

[snkasweet]

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I am thinking of not going with the Disney Dining plan. If that occurs we will treat ourselves to one disney dining experience. Which would you choose?

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[englanddg]

Size of group? Ages? Length of stay? Proposed budget?

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[snkasweet]

Size of group? Ages? Length of stay? Proposed budget?

Four of us. My husband,dd7,dd2 and myself. We stay for 8 days. Budget is somewhat open. Last year we did lunch at Cinderella's Royal table. We have not participated in the dining plan as we feel we can eat significantly cheaper than the price . If it were offered for free then we would but since we go during jan marthon it is not. . So we like to treat ourselves to a disney dining experience.

We were going to purchase it this year but seems more money then what we typically spend.

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[englanddg]

With 2 daughters, I'd say Royal Table is the best bet for the money. You can't beat eating in the castle and meeting all the princesses for two little girls.

Signature/Character dines can get expensive quick. I've found, while I can eat *cheaper* without the plan, I can easily make the plan a value by doing things that I would not do were I counting pennies every meal (e.g. I did Le Cellier with 3 adults and 1 child last year on the deluxe plan, and our meal came out to nearly 400 bucks...good thing I had Dining Credits!)

That being said, there are lots of character meal options. But, a great experience is the Luau. That's a blast. Dunno how well it works in Jan, perhaps someone else could chip in there?

Another one that's affordable and fun is the Hoop de Hoo at Wilderness Lodge.

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[snkasweet]

Maybe we should purchase the dining plan. hmm. I have been reading a few threads on ddp and it seems more people enjoy it then don't. Especially,those with little one. If we stay at a value resort can we purchase the dining plan with table service?

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[englanddg]

Maybe we should purchase the dining plan. hmm. I have been reading a few threads on ddp and it seems more people enjoy it then don't. Especially,those with little one. If we stay at a value resort can we purchase the dining plan with table service?

Yes, you can. All the dining packages are available to people staying at at any of the Disney resorts/campgrounds, with the exception of the Platinum package, which is only available at Deluxe Villas or Deluxe Resorts.

Dining / Snack credits are assigned based on the number of nights of your stay. So, if you are staying 4 nights, you'll get the number of daily dining/snack credits * 4 * number of people staying in that room. There are 5 levels of dining plans:

1) Magic Your Way Plus Quick Service Dining
2 Quick Service, 1 snack
2013 Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick-Service Dining | Vacation Packages | Walt Disney World Resort


2) Magic Your Way Plus Dining
1 Quick Service, 1 Table Service, 1 snack
2013 Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining | Vacation Packages | Walt Disney World Resort

3) Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining
3 Meals (Quick or Table Service), 2 snacks
2013 Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining | Vacation Packages | Walt Disney World Resort

4) Magic Your Way Premium Package
Similar to Deluxe, but with more features / benefits
2013 Magic Your Way Premium Package | Vacation Packages | Walt Disney World Resort

5) Magic Your Way Platinum Package
Similar to Premium, but with more features / benefits
2013 Magic Your Way Platinum Package | Vacation Packages | Walt Disney World Resort

Each table service credit (or meal credit if it's Deluxe or greater) gets each adult one appitizer, one entree and one dessert. Kids under 10 are required to order from the kids menu (if one is available), but they also get an appatizer / entree / dessert. Since I had 3 adults last year, we got 3 appitizers, 3 entrees and 3 desserts per restaurant. I found it very fun for us all to order different things and share with the other adults in my party last year.

Some character meals (though not all) are 2 credit. Royal Table, I know for sure, is a 2 credit experience. Signature restaurants are also 2 credit (such as Le Cellier at dinner, and Brown Derby). If you go this route, I'd set up a spreadsheet or something to track your credits. The Cast Member will tell you how many credits it takes when you reserve. I'd recommend reservations for popular restaurants / experiences (Luau, Royal Table, etc.)...but you don't *have* to make reservations to use your credits. You can use them as you please during your stay.

I find the deluxe is a good value. While it does add expense, I find that it relieves a lot of stress when I'm there, as I can pretty much eat anywhere I want, and the only money I have to spend at Disney is "fun money". Though it sounds like you might run out of credits, even with the Deluxe, I never have, and I know others who have the same experience.

To make it a value, all I have to do is eat at a few signature restaurants and do some character meals / dinner shows and it's easily paid for itself.

I linked the Disneyworld.com descriptions below each one.

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[laureliz13]

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So upset I can't do the deluxe dining with a cm discount boo

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