Deluxe Dining Tips/suggestions

[Tybee]

We did the deluxe dp last year and we found that doing a big breakfast reservation every day was just too much. I would suggest that if you are doing a big breakfast to make sure you don't get your reservation times too close together. On our trip last year we never had time to get properly hungry, As a matter of fact it was more like, "oh geez, it's time to eat again." A LOT of food went uneaten and I do not like to waste anything.

Or another option, as was suggested to me, was to do more signature meals and then use a snack credit for breakfast or lunch.

Totally agree. And that's exactly what we plan to do the majority of the mornings. On the days we have breakfast ADRs, we've booked them as early as possible and lunch as late as possible to allow us to build up an appetite again. And we booked quite a few signature meals.

 

[PenguinPrincess]

My husband and I used the Deluxe Plan on our honeymoon two months ago and had some mixed feelings. I got it because I wanted to try as many signature restaurants as possible...and also because I wanted to spoil us a little! While we ate like kings every day and had some of the best meals I've ever tasted...it is just sooo much food! I'm not going to discourage you from the deluxe at all, but here's my suggestion: don't feel guilty if you don't "clean your plate." If you're getting full on the appetizer (which trust me, will happen when you're eating your own app at every meal!), stop eating. Leave a few bites of your steak (nomatter how delicious it is). Just take a few bites of dessert (I know, I know, it's gonna be tough!). But trust me...you'll be so glad you did!

 

[Phonedave]

Tuesday (Epcot)

Breakfast: Use snack credits at Epcot, ideally at Kringla Bakery, but I don't think WS opens til 11:00. On days where you do not see any breakfast listed, we plan to use snack credits.

Correct, you will have to wait until 11:00

You may end up in Sunshine Seasons or, if you want to talk a walk, head over to the Bakery on the Boardwalk.


-dave

 

[Tybee]

Thanks for the tip, PP. We'll certainly be mindful to leave a little behind. This may be silly, but it kind of makes me wish Disney had a "leftover courier" service where they would send your leftovers back to your on-property room, as they do with merchandise. But that would be a costly logistical nightmare, and they certainly don't want to help you avoid having to buy additional meals!

Correct, you will have to wait until 11:00

You may end up in Sunshine Seasons or, if you want to talk a walk, head over to the Bakery on the Boardwalk.

-dave

That's a good tip. Would it be possible to take an early bus from Wilderness Lodge to Boardwalk, then enter the park through the World Showcase entrance, or do they only let people in through the front entrance when WS isn't up and running yet? I think I know the answer (last trip we did the behind the scenes WS tour and it ran during this period), but just want to confirm.

 

[MaleficentMama]

We have deluxe dining plan this coming trip and I made a breakfast ressie each morning and then a signature dining ressie each evening. We are going to use our snack credits midday if we get hungry. This seems to really work for us. We have gone before were we have a breakfast, lunch and dinner ressie and we were constantly running from one reservation to the next. At least that is what it felt like. I would try and get the most out of your plan by eating at signature restaurants and 2 credit experiences (Hoop Dee Doo)

This is exactly what my DS(9) and I do, too! We have a character breakfast almost every day, a breakfast at Boma, WCC and Kona Cafe and then do signature dining and Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review and sometimes Mickey's Backyard BBQ or Spirit of Aloha dinner show. We find that we rarely even get hungry enough to use our snack credits mid-day! And it's nice to get to see some shows and eat at restaurants we normally wouldn't spurge on like we can on the DxDP.

 

[Phonedave]

That's a good tip. Would it be possible to take an early bus from Wilderness Lodge to Boardwalk, then enter the park through the World Showcase entrance, or do they only let people in through the front entrance when WS isn't up and running yet? I think I know the answer (last trip we did the behind the scenes WS tour and it ran during this period), but just want to confirm.

Yes, they let you in through the International Gateway before WS opens, but no you cannot take a bus from WL to Boardwalk.

You would have to take a launch to MK (or even the Contemporary - a little longer walk, but not much) and then a bus from the MK to the Boardwalk.

You COULD take a bus to DHS and then walk or take a Friendship to Boardwalk.

You COULD also take a bus to Blizzard Beach and walk over, but thats pushing it.

If it were up to me, I would wait at WL and see what came first - EPCOT or DHS. If an EPCOT bus, I would take that, walk through the park (snag a Soarin' FP as I go by) and out the International Gateway to the Boardwalk.

If it was DHS I would take that and make a decision based on the situation when I got there - If there is a Boardwalk bus waiting - hop that, otherwise start walking. If a Friendship is arriving at the dock, take that. Otherwise, walk up to Boardwalk.

Thanks what I would do.


-dave

 

[Tybee]

Yes, they let you in through the International Gateway before WS opens, but no you cannot take a bus from WL to Boardwalk.

You would have to take a launch to MK (or even the Contemporary - a little longer walk, but not much) and then a bus from the MK to the Boardwalk.

You COULD take a bus to DHS and then walk or take a Friendship to Boardwalk.

You COULD also take a bus to Blizzard Beach and walk over, but thats pushing it.

If it were up to me, I would wait at WL and see what came first - EPCOT or DHS. If an EPCOT bus, I would take that, walk through the park (snag a Soarin' FP as I go by) and out the International Gateway to the Boardwalk.

If it was DHS I would take that and make a decision based on the situation when I got there - If there is a Boardwalk bus waiting - hop that, otherwise start walking. If a Friendship is arriving at the dock, take that. Otherwise, walk up to Boardwalk.

Thanks what I would do.


-dave

Again, awesome (and comprehensive) advice! Thank you!

Of course, the simplest thing (especially the morning we do the 5K) might be to just grab some snack-eligible breakfast items at Roaring Forks on our way out. Is the general rule for DDP snack eligibility "anything under $4?" Because I see they have oatmeal, sticky buns, and a few other things that meet that price criteria.