We've been to DW three times with our kids.
The first time, we also took my parents, so there were four adults and one child (and one infant). We purchased the DP, but were lucky enough to get a pin code, so saved a huge amount of money. It was definitely worth it for us. Our whole trip (POR Royal Rooms x 2) was just over $4500 for 7 nights. That was 5 years ago, and the prices since then, have gone up significantly.
The other two times, it's just been our family of five (2A, 3C). We've been able to get "free" dining both times.
For us, because we ARE dessert eaters, we like having something other than water to drink with our meals, and we always plan for at least one TS meal each day, it has been worth it.
Any room discount we could get (moderate stay 3 years ago, and deluxe last year) hasn't been matched by the free dining promotion.
My oldest is now 10, and by the time we go back to DW, our middle could be 10, so with one (or 2) Disney adults, I no longer think the DP will be worth it for us. Especially since now they've added alcohol as part of the plan. Yes, my husband and I generally will enjoy and adult beverage with our meals, but for a child, you're loosing some of that value. And if I drank all of the DP entitlements for alcohol, I would need to back to the room
I think the next time we visit, we will try without the DP. Especially if we can get a room discount. I think our next stay might be at AOA to try out the family suites for our youngest....
When we went last year, the difference between staying at AOA and paying the upgraded DP costs, was actually only about $200 difference than staying at the Contemporary with FD! That's how we ended up staying deluxe on our last visit
I admit, some of the appeal for me in the DP, is never looking at the prices. I'm frugal, and Canadian, so when I see that breakfast at CRT was going to cost our family about $250 US....I can breathe and remember, it's okay, we are on our free DP
However, I will definitely save our recipes when we go go OOP, and I suspect it may work out better in the end.
The first time, we also took my parents, so there were four adults and one child (and one infant). We purchased the DP, but were lucky enough to get a pin code, so saved a huge amount of money. It was definitely worth it for us. Our whole trip (POR Royal Rooms x 2) was just over $4500 for 7 nights. That was 5 years ago, and the prices since then, have gone up significantly.
The other two times, it's just been our family of five (2A, 3C). We've been able to get "free" dining both times.
For us, because we ARE dessert eaters, we like having something other than water to drink with our meals, and we always plan for at least one TS meal each day, it has been worth it.
Any room discount we could get (moderate stay 3 years ago, and deluxe last year) hasn't been matched by the free dining promotion.
My oldest is now 10, and by the time we go back to DW, our middle could be 10, so with one (or 2) Disney adults, I no longer think the DP will be worth it for us. Especially since now they've added alcohol as part of the plan. Yes, my husband and I generally will enjoy and adult beverage with our meals, but for a child, you're loosing some of that value. And if I drank all of the DP entitlements for alcohol, I would need to back to the room
I think the next time we visit, we will try without the DP. Especially if we can get a room discount. I think our next stay might be at AOA to try out the family suites for our youngest....
When we went last year, the difference between staying at AOA and paying the upgraded DP costs, was actually only about $200 difference than staying at the Contemporary with FD! That's how we ended up staying deluxe on our last visit
I admit, some of the appeal for me in the DP, is never looking at the prices. I'm frugal, and Canadian, so when I see that breakfast at CRT was going to cost our family about $250 US....I can breathe and remember, it's okay, we are on our free DP
However, I will definitely save our recipes when we go go OOP, and I suspect it may work out better in the end.