Is it just me? I am not seeing the value in '08

[kirasmom]

Hi,
Just started researching the DDP for 08 for our 7 night trip in March (me, DH & DD (4), and I am just not seeing the value. I added up the character dining buffets for TS (did 2 breakfast, 3 lunches, 2 dinners), plus an avg check of $26 for CS for 7 meals, plus snacks, and I am seeing about a break even, at best.

Is anyone else questioning whether to do it?

Thanks

[Uncleromulus]

With the loss of the appetizer and the addition of your own gratuity, lots of folks seem to be questioning the Basic DDP for 2008.

[bicker]

As with any offering, some folks will see value while others will not. There is no question that 2008's plan isn't the same, overly-generous plan we enjoyed in 2007, but there are a significant number of DIS members who have already relayed that they've evaluted the new offering and plan to purchase it in 2008.

[GC&S]

When the changes were announced for 08, DH said we would not be getting the plan. We've used the current plan 5 times. We just got back from WDW a couple of weeks ago and now DH is saying we would probably still go with the plan even if we just break even. For us, it's the conveniece of not worrying about paying while we are there and we really won't miss the apps. There was one instance this past trip that our waiter at a TS did not in any way deserve an 18% gratutity. At that time, DH said he could see the benefit of the 18% not being included. We do at least one TS a day so for us, the 08 plan will still probably work for us.

[LizinSTL]

Hi,
Just started researching the DDP for 08 for our 7 night trip in March (me, DH & DD (4), and I am just not seeing the value. I added up the character dining buffets for TS (did 2 breakfast, 3 lunches, 2 dinners), plus an avg check of $26 for CS for 7 meals, plus snacks, and I am seeing about a break even, at best.

Is anyone else questioning whether to do it?

Thanks

If you are at the break-even point, then you can consider it a budgeting tool vs a money saving tool. More dinners vs lunch/breakfast would throw it more into your favor, of course.

You have a few choices to make. Without the dining plan would you absolutely do these same meals? If not, then consider which ones you'd cancel and what you'd do for food instead of them. What would that cost you? Would it be CS instead? Would you skip those buffet dinners? etc...

Then the favor tips to skipping the DDP.

If you'd absolutely do the same meals no matter what, then keep the dining plan and consider it a way to budget your meals more easily. Figure that you can order whatever you want on the menu at CS w/o regard for price. Get a snack whenever you want without worrying about what you've already spent on food. And have a great vacation :)

[suzimar57]

we're not sure if the '08 DDP is for us either...

considering just eating CS and noshing the F&W booths, come next October's annual disney visit - without the appy and tip, maybe it's not worth it for us anymore.....

[magicaldisney11]

I sat down with the menu's and prices for all our favorite TS places and CS places and then figured in what the snacks cost, etc. and it is still a deal with only having to purchase breakfast each day. Even with the tips and no appetizers (so many Dis'er's mentioned that there was too much food on some nights) it still works for our family (there are 6 of us going.) I hate when we have to go out for a nice meal and have to have the boys watch what they are ordering because of our budget and I would hate it even more on vacation.
I loved the suggestions by some Dis'ers when they used thier snack points for items at the end of the night for breakfast the next morning if needed. :flower3:

[RACHELSMOM1]

Still a great deal for us, we have APs and are Fl residents. I would never go to LeCellier or Concourse steakhouse without DDP. We are even going with Deluxe plan - we will get 5 refillable mugs ($60.00 + tax if we bought them) 3 full meals a day, plus 2 snacks a day for each person (we always have to bring drinks and snacks for the room, costing according to what we want to bring) and we can now go to Cali Grill, Narcoossee's, Brown Derby, Hoop De Doo, Backyard BBQ, Spirit of Aloha, CRT, LeCellier, and all the character meals we would like all in one trip (appetizers are included, too), and don't have to feel guilty if we don't use up all those CS meals by trip's end. The CS are there only if we want to use the meals that way, and I only forsee us using the meals for CS at Casey's one evening during Wishes. So, there you have it, we will be dining like royalty in the happiest place on earth!!! :wizard:

[DCDisney]

Hi,
DD (4), and I am just not seeing the value. I added up the character dining buffets for TS (did 2 breakfast, 3 lunches, 2 dinners),
Is anyone else questioning whether to do it?

Thanks

It is very close to break even now for most people. Unless you are doing TS dinners it's very hard for it to work at all financially. We had originally planned on doing 2 lunches and breakfast but unless our TS are at least $25 we lose money. The other issue is that with kids you may like the flexibility of just paying OOP so you don't have to worry about what is or isn't on kids menus. The other issue for us is that we don't eat much of the CS desserts, tend toward the cheaper snacks like ice cream bars, and often would happily order tap water if drinks weren't included.
Even with the more generous 2007 plan we had some days where we barely broke even but also had a few days (Coral Reef and Le Cellier) where we ate about $50 more (2 adults 2 kids) than we paid.

Yvonne

[magicaldisney11]

We checked out the deluxe plan but doing ts for breakfast,lunch and dinner takes too much time from the parks and will be toooooo much food for us. It also added $700 to our 10 day trip over and above the basic DDP. In the 2008 plan there are no appetizers or tips included in the basic plan (just an fyi if you didn't know.)

[Pumbaa_]

Totally agree with the OP. The only problem with considering the DDP as a budgeting tool is what if you want to change your plans? Or someone gets sick? Happens. Then you have credits you may not be able to use and there goes your savings.

We are AP holders and will stick with the DDE card. Suits our style more and we like not being tied down to ADR's every single day.

Different options for different families. Gotta love choices :thumbsup2

[LoriZH]

Well, I think it may not be worth it, we're going to have to do some Mickey Math, including the Free Dining vs. a better code for room only. Right now we're doing bounce back, but if you factor in the tip for 5 of us (all eating as adults now because according to Mickey my children are adults and I wish they would stop asking for the keys to the car!) anyway, the tip for TS could be a good 40 to 60 bucks depending on where we eat. I know for a fact that we won't be doing any signature meals.

So depending on your family size it may or may not be worth it. If you have more children that they consider adults, then you kind of get the short end of the stick when vacationing with your family, but if you have just 1 or 2 young children it may be worth it for you. Again, gotta do the Mickey Math :)

[leahjade]

are tips and appetizers included in the deluxe? how much is that for adults?

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The Deluxe plan includes appetizers but not tips. No plans, not even the Premium and Platinum, include the tip as of 2008. The Deluxe plan is $70 adult, $20 child.

I like the idea of tip separately so you can base it on service, but then they turn around and say an automatic 18% tip added for parties of 6 or more. I have no problem with that, if the service warrants, but we'll probably raise a stink if the service is lacking.

FTR, we just decided today to use the basic DP for our trip next year. We were crunching the numbers, but MIL is coming with us, and she'll be on the basic plan, and we just decided it will be simpler if we all do the same plan versus us getting the DDE. The Deluxe plan wasn't in the cards--with 4 kids (2 of the "adults") for 11 nights, it was over $4k. No way! We're DVC so we'll do a few simple meals in the room.

[patsal]

Still a great deal for us, we have APs and are Fl residents. I would never go to LeCellier or Concourse steakhouse without DDP. We are even going with Deluxe plan - we will get 5 refillable mugs ($60.00 + tax if we bought them) 3 full meals a day, plus 2 snacks a day for each person (we always have to bring drinks and snacks for the room, costing according to what we want to bring) and we can now go to Cali Grill, Narcoossee's, Brown Derby, Hoop De Doo, Backyard BBQ, Spirit of Aloha, CRT, LeCellier, and all the character meals we would like all in one trip (appetizers are included, too), and don't have to feel guilty if we don't use up all those CS meals by trip's end. The CS are there only if we want to use the meals that way, and I only forsee us using the meals for CS at Casey's one evening during Wishes. So, there you have it, we will be dining like royalty in the happiest place on earth!!! :wizard:

Are you DVC? If not you have to add to that the cost of a 1 day ticket and you start losing value quickly, IMHO. Anyway I found that we could eat everywhere we wanted for much less than the DDP or the DDDP but we have 2 kids that are considered adults. Though they will order whatever they want, it still cam out less expensive for us than the DDP, especially in 2008 when we'd ahve to add apps and tips in.

[eventsdj]

We went with the basic DDP for Feb. 08 as a budgeting tool.
It is nice to know that all is paid for except for souveniers and minor things, and we are not shelling out $$$ at the end of the dinner.

Even if we only break even, I know if we didn't budget it in, I'd never eat at the places I have scheduled like Coral Reef, etc. because I'd be too cheap.
Now its paid for, so we have to!

Just like OP, its me, dh and dd (4)

[Booknut]

I think the dining plan is still good value if you are ok with 1 CS meal, 1TS meal and that snack every day. DH and I aren't that keen on CS meals and we tended to use ours for breakfast when we went (we had free dining) and sometimes we'd pay OOP for a light TS lunch.

When I did calculations on us eating at the places we enjoyed (mostly TS restaurants) and having CS breakfasts - we don't normally snack, last time we mostly got water and fruit with the snack credits - it came out almost exactly the same so we wouldn't pay for the dining plan. Why restrict yourself to save a couple of bucks?

BUT...if you can eat all those credits and are happy to have dessert each and every night then I think it can still be good value especially when you consider the cost of drinks.

Would *maybe* reconsider if they let us swap the dessert for an appetiser at dinner - although that wouldn't be very cost effective for the restaurants so I can't see that happening in the near future unless enough people complain or write in!

[paulh]

its worse val for us uk folks even thought there offering the free ddp for 2008 to us at moment.We have to stay in a moderate min to get it and have to buy a 7 day ticket min as well.Cost for 7 nights CBR with the uk version verses room only at pop $1,950.00.No brainer will stay at pop and pay oop
Paulh

[magicaldisney11]

We going with the basic dining plan too for 2008 for budgeting reasons and after I saw how expensive the dinners are for the ADR's we made it comes out to more than I would have spent OOP for the meals.
:cool1:

[RACHELSMOM1]

Are you DVC? If not you have to add to that the cost of a 1 day ticket and you start losing value quickly, IMHO. Anyway I found that we could eat everywhere we wanted for much less than the DDP or the DDDP but we have 2 kids that are considered adults. Though they will order whatever they want, it still cam out less expensive for us than the DDP, especially in 2008 when we'd ahve to add apps and tips in.

Nope, not DVC. I know about the added cost of the one day ticket, and that is not a problem - we just use the extra tickets toward the renewal of our passes (the one day tickets never expire) and pay the difference. There is no value lost with those one day base tickets. Also, we save up the passes to give to family members when they visit WDW with us. With the shows (Hoop de Doo, Spirit of Aloha, and also CRT) the tip is included as well. The 2 credit meals and the regular meals have the appy included with the Delux plan, but no tip. Even if I just break even I still get to eat at places I would never go to, as it would be cost prohibitive without DDP.

[micksterlee]

We are looking in to the DP but I am afraid what will happen is the wait staff will pay for the difference.I usually tip 20% but with Disney menu prices and the fact that I would much rather have an appetizer with my meal than dessert I will be cutting my tips back to make it more affordable.

[bicker]

With respect, it isn't appropriate to cut back on tips to make meals more affordable. There are a number of ways to make WDW vacations more affordable without abrogating the implied obligation to tip service staff appropriately. The most notable approach is to simply switch a number of meals from expensive TS meals into less expensive CS meals. Please be conscientious with regard to the diner's implicit obligation. Thanks! :thumbsup2

[frannn]

Right now, we have the deluxe DP reserved with the bounceback offer. I think it may work for us if we do early character breakfasts each day, some of the dinner shows, CG, and CR. We bought the refillable mugs OOP this year, and purchased the photo pkgs at CM and PSB (so we'd get value when choosing CRT). Also, we rarely order appetizers at home, so this is a big treat for me at WDW. I definetly don't think we'd order appetizers OOP if we did the basic DP, or just DDE. The additional cost for the deluxe over the basic (free) plan for DH, DD5, and I is 740. I'll have to add all the extra tips onto my spreadsheet for the TS breakfasts we'd be eating, though most would be buffet, so I doubt we'll be tipping 18% on those (more like 10-15%).
To offset the cost of the deluxe plan, we chose a standard AS room instead of a preferred. Plus, we have about 180 in credit with Jetblue because the cost of our 2007 tickets went down after purchase. Hmmmm.....guess those two savings will just offset the TS tips... Maybe I should start looking for a great deal on my 2008 rental car, LOL!

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Boy, frann, it sounds like you have a real plan there! Soon we'll be reading your blog on "Disney for $10 a day!" Well, maybe not, but good for you scoring those bargains.

AS a PP stated, for me it's more of a budgeting tool, regardless of the savings. We're trying to maximize the basic plan, doing dinners and character breakfasts. But it would absolutely KILL the tightwad in me to shell out the money for meal after meal, even if the bottom line was the same. I wouldn't order what I really wanted and fret about the children not cleaning their plates. It would be a cloud over my entire vacation, because the cheapskate would be whispering in my ear at every meal. So this way, it's paid for, end of discussion.

[solfan68]

We went with the basic DDP for Feb. 08 as a budgeting tool.
It is nice to know that all is paid for except for souveniers and minor things, and we are not shelling out $$$ at the end of the dinner.

Even if we only break even, I know if we didn't budget it in, I'd never eat at the places I have scheduled like Coral Reef, etc. because I'd be too cheap.
Now its paid for, so we have to!

Just like OP, its me, dh and dd (4)

My thought, exactly. In June '07 we did CRT one night(2 credits each) and so paid OOP for one of our other meals. It wasn't nearly as much 'fun' having to look at all of the prices that one evening. I'd much rather risk breaking even and have everyone just get what they want. :thumbsup2

[chaoscent]

I am still torn. I crunched the numbers. I have an AP, a DDE card and I am staying at OKW for 4 nights.
We are going to Dinner at Concourse Steak House, Ca Grill & Le Cellier. My dinner at Ca Grill will be $46. I figure part of the tax/tip will be covered by savings using DE card & added a few dollars as I tip higher than 15% if service is good. The other meals will be $35 for Concourse & $38 for Le Cellier. I figured in Counter Service and the snacks and figured I would either break even or it would cost me a few dollars more to buy the plan. As I will have my mom, DH & Sister with me (no children) I figure we are better off just paying out of pocket. We will sometimes be meeting up with niece who is doing the Deluxe Dining Plan for her family. But we will have breakfast in the our 2 br DVC and probably come back around lunch to either bring my 80 year old mom back for a few hours to rest or pick her up. Anyway, I am still deciding if it is worth it for us. :confused3

[MarieA]

For us neither the DDP or the Deluxe Dining Plan is worth it. We can do better using the DDE. We looked at the menus of the restaurants we are planning to dine at. We then priced out the most expensive thing on the menu that we would order, totaled everything, took the 20% and then added 20% tip. It was cheaper for us to use the DDE then either DDP. It will cost us approximately $140 for a 2 TS meal (with 1 drink each) and $30 for a TS breakfast. The Deluxe Dining Plan will cost $139.98 plus approximately $30 per day in tips. If you add another $20 for 1 drink each with dinner the Deluxe Dining Plan would cost us $189.98 per day (2 adults) vs. $170 per day with the DDE.

The basic dining plan doesn't interest us at all since we prefer appetizers over dessert. Our next trip will be the first time in 15 years we haven't been on a dining plan at WDW. We are also considering eating some meals off property since we will be renting a car.

[StrollPatrolMom]

I think its all what you make of it.

We are going again during free dining...if we weren't I'd pay for it a) as a budgeting tool and
b) if we paid OOP I couldn't and wouldn't justify the cost of certain dinners and extras

Even without the appetizer, I ate more than 38.99 worth of food...but we did 2 TS meals per day and used the DDP for the more expensive dinners and paid OOP for the character breakfasts...if I was only paying for mainly character meal buffets and having a CS lunch and then light breakfast or dinner (whatever the case may be)...it may be cheaper to pay OOP.