Anyone do DxDDP just for convience?

[Trina7020]

After we added a day to our trip and have all my ADRs set... I did all the math... and came up with total costs of...

$1097.60 = OOP
899. 09 = DDP (The cost of DDP + some OOP meals)
959.82 = DxDDP

When I figured out the cost though I figured all three as if we ate identically (like on the Deluxe... 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. Not sure if we would really eat that or now. But those numbers are based on the "if" we did.)


Really... either are not that big of a savings. Granted.. we are not doing any 2TS meals, which would greatly raise the value.

I am going back to thinking Deluxe would be so convenient. But really... is it that big of a deal just to charge everything back to our room and pay it off when we are done? DH is really rooting for Deluxe, just b/c he wants to eat when and what he wants without worrying about the cost while we on a vacation. I thinking that we would save several hundred dollars when all was set and done by doing DDP and paying OOP some.... probably save enough to pay all the tips...

:headache:

[a little bird]

Hi there--
I am doing the DxDDP completely for the sake of convenience on my August trip. As a single mom traveling with my 6 year old DD, I hate the pain of navigating a crowded CS place while holding a big tray full of food and making sure DD doesn't get lost or run into by someone. The idea of having a reservation in a nice, air conditioned place where someone will be waiting on us is a big plus, and a big worry off my shoulders. For us, the extra $$ is worth it just for that.
Also, I am a big foodie and am really looking forward to eating in some places I have never had a chance to try. DD also likes going to restaurants and is excited to eat at the Castle, Teppan Edo, etc. She still says that eating was the favorite part of her last Disney trip, and her picture album is filled with the evidence to prove it!

[jjohnson]

I'm going back & forth on it myself as we are having TS breakfast 4 out of 7 mornings and we never have enough snack credits.:rolleyes1

[cmwade77]

We are doing the premium plan for the sake of connivence, we don't want to worry about how many TS vs CS meals we are doing. Also we always want to do some of the included tours, but never end up spending the money to do them, so we will with this plan. Also, we always get the refillable mugs. (Most of the TS locations will refill it for you before you leave, depends on your server though of course) and with the premium plan they are included, as well as the miniature golf and other activities. It is also the only way that I can convince my wife to go to Cirque with me

[Trina7020]

I have already booked with the Basic plan.. I can still call and upgrade to the Deluxe right? How long to I have to decide that? We arrive May 31.

Also we will be there 6 nights... but really 7 WHOLE days... we will be in FL by 9am and don't leave the last day until 8pm

[Nicole721]

We're doing the DxDDP for convenience (and, well, because there's a lot of places I want to try!).

We figure that all of our meals are prepaid (save for tip) and we don't have to worry about ordering what fits in our budget over what we have a taste for or want to try :)

[carrie6466]

We are doing DxDDP partly for convenience, partly because we were planning a few 2TS meals anyway and a lot of character meals. Also, after figuring it all out based on menu prices and what we ate and spent at 3 OOP character or 2TS meals last year we will save about $200. When I figured it out, the savings was before figuring the snack figures, so I guess we'll basically be getting the snacks 'free' :cool1:

[mickey2000]

IMO DxDDP for convenience ???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/338378124_b8429fb3df_m.jpg

[Iggipolka]

A few years back, my wife and I did the Premium plan and really enjoyed not having to think about paying for food, tours or recreation. We had paid off the CC we booked with ahead of time and it was such a liberating experience to have a completely paid for vacation. By the middle of the trip, we both agreed that 3 TS meals per day was way too much food, but it was great to have the relaxation of TS meals, instead of the crowds and hassle of CS.
So yes, convience is certainly a good reason, imo, to book the DxDDP!

[NMW]

Well the deluxe plan is different than the premium plan in that signatures count as two meals on the deluxe plan. On the premium it doesn't matter. So, with the deluxe plan, you could have breakfast in the morning and then do a signature dinner at night. For lunch, you have the snack credits. That might make it work for some people.

[Pumbaa_]

I really want the DxDP, but can't do it. I did a spreadsheet of the places we would go and what we would order and added in the snacks and mugs. Then i compared it to the DDE. No comparison for us.

The thing I worry about is what if someone gets sick? And you have to cancel a couple meals. That money is just gone. With DDE, no biggie.

I also like to have flexibility. Where do you want to go today kinda thing. We travel in the off season and had no problem getting TS the days we wanted them at places we like.

So while the DxDP is SOOOO tempting, it isn't for us.

[wdwchamp]

i'm doing the Premium Plan for the convience in late August/Early Sept.

[Mississippi Mamma]

DH has resisted taking our family to WDW for twelve years on the grounds that it was "too expensive," "too commercial," "too artificial." I finally talked him into letting us go this spring. He is a real foodie and I think he will love the dining if nothing else. But I knew that if he had to pay those checks for the five of us three times a day it would make him sick. Therefore, I bought and paid for the DXDDP with wine when I booked our trip last October. He howled and yowled when the credit card bill came. He stormed and hollered. But that was four months ago. Now he has forgotten about it. I know that when we sit down to eat and he can order whatever appies he wants (and order for the kids too!) and feel like it is all "for free" he can have a great time. He won't have any problem paying tips with all that other stuff covered. It's not that we need all that food, but I decided to spend some extra $$ up front in order to smooth the way once we get to WDW. That may be the craziest reason anyone has ever given for DXDDP w/wine, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[libinatorsmom]

THere are many resons... convience is a huge reason thought that we choose the DDP... when you did your math did you include the snacks & mug??? more value there too...

I am like you DH with the DxDDP I will not even think about looking at prices just order what i want... I am a price looker... never want to order too expensive...

[Trina7020]

My DH is already griping about the prices and we are not even there! lol :rotfl2: At least with DxDDP I won't have to hear it on my vacation.

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

DH has resisted taking our family to WDW for twelve years on the grounds that it was "too expensive," "too commercial," "too artificial." I finally talked him into letting us go this spring. He is a real foodie and I think he will love the dining if nothing else. But I knew that if he had to pay those checks for the five of us three times a day it would make him sick. Therefore, I bought and paid for the DXDDP with wine when I booked our trip last October. He howled and yowled when the credit card bill came. He stormed and hollered. But that was four months ago. Now he has forgotten about it. I know that when we sit down to eat and he can order whatever appies he wants (and order for the kids too!) and feel like it is all "for free" he can have a great time. He won't have any problem paying tips with all that other stuff covered. It's not that we need all that food, but I decided to spend some extra $$ up front in order to smooth the way once we get to WDW. That may be the craziest reason anyone has ever given for DXDDP w/wine, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I think your reason is brilliant! You've probably already done so, but if not, be sure to make your ADR's! It would be aweful to pay for DxDP and end up eating CS because of the long wait at TS. Enjoy!! :)

[bbyee]

We are doing the premium plan for the sake of connivence, we don't want to worry about how many TS vs CS meals we are doing. Also we always want to do some of the included tours, but never end up spending the money to do them, so we will with this plan. Also, we always get the refillable mugs. (Most of the TS locations will refill it for you before you leave, depends on your server though of course) and with the premium plan they are included, as well as the miniature golf and other activities. It is also the only way that I can convince my wife to go to Cirque with me

Your post caught my eye - it's just my husband and I going in May 09, and I admit I'm not the biggest fan of the DDP after reading the reviews (no app included, can't switch app for dessert, how many credits will we lose, blah blah) BUT the Premium Plan caught my eye not so much because of the food (we'd just pay OOP without it) but that it includes some of the tours and that kind of thing. I just learned about the behind the scenes tours thanks to the boards and we want to do the 7 hr, $200 daylong tour....do you know if that is included as part of the Premium Package? Isn't there also a spa treatment of some sort?

I've seen other Cirque shows so that's not so much of a draw for me/us, nice to know it's offered and I'm sure you'll love it!

[Iggipolka]

I just learned about the behind the scenes tours thanks to the boards and we want to do the 7 hr, $200 daylong tour....do you know if that is included as part of the Premium Package? Isn't there also a spa treatment of some sort?

I've seen other Cirque shows so that's not so much of a draw for me/us, nice to know it's offered and I'm sure you'll love it!

We did the Premium Plan a few years back and loved it. Unless things have changed, the 7 hour, day long tour is not included in the Premium Plan, nor is the Dolphin's in Depth tour. These tours are included in the Platinum Plan. We did the backstage tour at Animal Kingdom, which was included and was fantastic. We also did the Keys to the Kingdom tour and another more history oriented tour at MK, Behind the Seeds Tour and the Segway Tour in Epcot. All of those Tours were included

The spa treatment is also not included in the Premium Plan, but is on the Platinum Plan. (http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/MYW/2007PremiumWDTCBrochure.pdf) Details about the 2007 Premium Plan are in the link.

We've seen lots of Cirque shows and also saw the one at Downtown Disney when we were on the Premium Plan. We both agreed that it was the best Cirque we've seen so far. Even if you've seen Cirque before, check it out.

We really loved having the recreation included and went Parasailing, used the Water Mice a lot, rented bikes along the Boardwalk, played mini-golf and went on trail rides. It was so great to have everything pre-paid!!

Quite a fun vacation and while in dollar amounts the Premium Plan may not be worth it for some who break everything down dollar by dollar, it was well worth it for our own personal enjoyment.

[poeticdiabetic]

I was really looking forward to the Deluxe Dining plan, but I went against it and booked the regular DDP. Why? It's the tips! Tipping would be a bill when we're all through.

Plus, there's absolutely no way that we're going to eat that much food. We eat a bird-like breakfast of breakfast bars and juice boxes. For lunch, we eat CS. It's quick. And we normally eat lunch around 11:30 to 1PM and the latest.

But then, we eat dinner around 5:30PM. If we eat lunch late, like 1PM, we'll be still full by 5:30PM. And eating later is out of the question, because by eating earlier, we actually lost weight while eating everything we want. Oh, and sometimes, we'll eat a snack, but sometimes we have multiple snack credits on our last day. Plus, we may even forgo lunch.

So regular DDP makes sense. Our ADRs are mostly with restaurants whose prices makes DDP a good value. Plus, we reduce our tipping expense by staying with lunch at CS restaurants. And we like desserts more than appetizers. And we put buffets in the mix for those times that we want an appetizer.

[*NikkiBell*]

Your post caught my eye - it's just my husband and I going in May 09, and I admit I'm not the biggest fan of the DDP after reading the reviews (no app included, can't switch app for dessert, how many credits will we lose, blah blah) BUT the Premium Plan caught my eye not so much because of the food (we'd just pay OOP without it) but that it includes some of the tours and that kind of thing. I just learned about the behind the scenes tours thanks to the boards and we want to do the 7 hr, $200 daylong tour....do you know if that is included as part of the Premium Package? Isn't there also a spa treatment of some sort?

I've seen other Cirque shows so that's not so much of a draw for me/us, nice to know it's offered and I'm sure you'll love it!

We've used the Premium Plan twice. The 7-hour tour is not included but most others are. Keys to the Kingdom is a great tour that IS included with your plan.

Spa treatments are only included with the Platinum Plan.

[*NikkiBell*]

We typically use the Premium Plan out of conveniene of everything included. This year, we are going to try the Deluxe Plan at least once. It'll be for savings and convenience combined.

[Mississippi Mamma]

I think your reason is brilliant! You've probably already done so, but if not, be sure to make your ADR's! It would be aweful to pay for DxDP and end up eating CS because of the long wait at TS. Enjoy!! :)
We will be staying in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness and plan to either eat breakfasts there or use snack credits. Our ADRs are as follows:
Day 1
L-Wolfgang Puck Cafe (and Disney Quest afterwards)
D-HoopdeDoo

Day 2
L-Yak and Yeti
D-Jilko

Day 3
L-counter service in Disney Studios. Starring Rolls??
D-3:50 Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood Brown Derby

Day 4
L-Crystal Palace
D-California Grill during "Wishes"

Day 4
L-Akershus
D-Tutto italia

Day 5
L-Chefs de France
D-Raglan Road

Day 6
L-Teppan Edo

That leaves us with one more meal credit. I guess we'll use it for breakfast at the place in Ft. Wilderness one morning.

Do these sound OK?

[RACHELSMOM1]

DH has resisted taking our family to WDW for twelve years on the grounds that it was "too expensive," "too commercial," "too artificial." I finally talked him into letting us go this spring. He is a real foodie and I think he will love the dining if nothing else. But I knew that if he had to pay those checks for the five of us three times a day it would make him sick. Therefore, I bought and paid for the DXDDP with wine when I booked our trip last October. He howled and yowled when the credit card bill came. He stormed and hollered. But that was four months ago. Now he has forgotten about it. I know that when we sit down to eat and he can order whatever appies he wants (and order for the kids too!) and feel like it is all "for free" he can have a great time. He won't have any problem paying tips with all that other stuff covered. It's not that we need all that food, but I decided to spend some extra $$ up front in order to smooth the way once we get to WDW. That may be the craziest reason anyone has ever given for DXDDP w/wine, but it's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I love your reasoning!! I am doing Delux for a similar reason. Once we get there and do all the nicer places, I am sure DH will love it and never want to go back to regular DP. I am the one who does the planning, and DH goes along with all my plans. We just got an AP rate and saved 644.00 and that helped a lot!! Once we got that discount, it was all a piece of cake!!!

[dreamer17555]

Here is the truth for us- the DxDDP is about convience. Sure since we are on it we are saving a lot over the OOP costs for the same resturants. But if we weren't on the plan we wouldn't be going to those resturants. I like paying once- a huge chunk and after that all I have to do is enjoy it. Since we picked so rather pricey TS (and we are doing all TS- not three a day but a Breakfast and a signature or dinner show) We are saving close to $250.

I will eat and try what I want without thinking about cost- something I would never do OOP. That Alone is worth it to me.

-Becca-

[Markstudy]

We have 7 days.... or 21 meals, where I won't have to think of money or worry about what anything cost.

If I see it... and want it, I order it.

Disney is about getting away from the real world.
Not having to look at the price of any items on the menus, just adds to my vacation feeling special and magical.

Vote anther one for Convince of not thinking about money 3 times a day.

Sure there is pain for 1 day, when I pay for my trip at 45 days out, but I've already forgotten about that by the time I get to my vacation...and thats the important part

[pigletforever]

I vote for convience as well. It is just easier to know that I can get what I want when I want and not have to worry about it. We are doing several "dinner shows" this time as well as some 2 credit meals. I hate having to stop and think now what have i spent and what can I get.

WHEN I AM AT THE WORLD I AM VERUCA SALT. I WANT IT ALL!!!!!!!!

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hi there--
I am doing the DxDDP completely for the sake of convenience on my August trip. As a single mom traveling with my 6 year old DD, I hate the pain of navigating a crowded CS place while holding a big tray full of food and making sure DD doesn't get lost or run into by someone. The idea of having a reservation in a nice, air conditioned place where someone will be waiting on us is a big plus, and a big worry off my shoulders. For us, the extra $$ is worth it just for that.

And that's why I'm doing it. :thumbsup2 In addition, since we're going at Christmastime, having the DxDDP hedges against the inevitable holiday 'surcharge'.

[stagemomx3]

We have 7 days.... or 21 meals, where I won't have to think of money or worry about what anything cost.

If I see it... and want it, I order it.

Disney is about getting away from the real world.
Not having to look at the price of any items on the menus, just adds to my vacation feeling special and magical.

Vote anther one for Convince of not thinking about money 3 times a day.

Sure there is pain for 1 day, when I pay for my trip at 45 days out, but I've already forgotten about that by the time I get to my vacation...and thats the important part
::yes:: I agree we have 11 days and I don't want to have to think about the cost of all of our meals during that time. It's paid for and I'm done with thinking about the money part. Ok I've still got to deal with the tip, but I can handle that.

[MegansMom]

How much is the DxDDp as opposed to the regular DDP? (Both adult prices and children's prices if you have them.) Thanks

[Wit]

I looked at it as a prepayment plan versus a savings plan. If we save, yipee! If we don;t...*shrug* I can now focus on spending money on things we want or things to do versus food, since I already paid for it.

[stagemomx3]

How much is the DxDDp as opposed to the regular DDP? (Both adult prices and children's prices if you have them.) Thanks

It's $30 a night more for adults, and $10 more for children. So $69.99 a night for adults, $19.99 a night for children. That includes 3 TS/CS meals a day including appetizer and dessert, and 2 snacks, plus a refillable mug.

[Crystal824]

We were fortunate to get the free dining package in 2006 and loved it. We choose to purchase the regular DDP for our upcoming trip. I would be interested in knowing how people like the Deluxe as opposed to the regular. For me, it seems the Deluxe might be a little much, but perhaps we will try it next time.

[MegansMom]

It's $30 a night more for adults, and $10 more for children. So $39.99 a night for adults, $19.99 a night for children. That includes 3 TS/CS meals a day including appetizer and dessert, and 2 snacks, plus a refillable mug.

Did you mean $69.99 a night for adults? I'm confused:confused3 ---thanks so much for the info!!!

[donaldseeyore]

Did you mean $69.99 a night for adults? I'm confused:confused3 ---thanks so much for the info!!!

Yes, $69.99 per night per adult is correct.


Dh and I did decide to go with DxDDP for this upcoming trip. We loved the idea of everything but tips being prepaid, 3 meals a day that were planned and so we knew how to plan our days. With a 7 yo and 3 yo going that was important to us. We also have sticker shock and never order what we really want or go where we really want to go because of cost. Now we don't have to worry about it and have some great ADR's.
We sat down the other night after making a few changes to the ADR's and looked at what we would order for ourselves and the 2 kids. After adding together 19 meals (2 are 2 credit meals) for the 4 of us, snack prices and the refillable mug price, we will be saving a little over $600 after subtracting tips from OOP menu prices. That is a decent chunk of change.:banana:

[stagemomx3]

Did you mean $69.99 a night for adults? I'm confused:confused3 ---thanks so much for the info!!!

Yep that's what I ment. ;)

[dislover11]

We were originally going with the dxddp. I had planned 2 credit dinners and TS breakfast. The only problem was when I figured out how much tips would run at the 2 credit meals. (There are 7 of us) it was just so much $$$.

I am still tempted to do the dxddp for the freedom...

[mefordis]

I'd do the DxDDP if gratuity was included.

I don't see it as everything being paid for since I still shell out for gratuity. Plus, it would make me want to do more signature restaurants which would mean even more gratuity to shell out.

[patsal]

I'd do the DxDDP if gratuity was included.

I don't see it as everything being paid for since I still shell out for gratuity. Plus, it would make me want to do more signature restaurants which would mean even more gratuity to shell out.

Precisely, that is why the DXDDP isn't really a great discount, heck for that matter the DDP is no longer a great discount and the conveience of an all inclusive is completely lost since I still need to shell out $$ for tips. The more you max the plan the more you pay in tips thus making actual savings much smaller. For me shelling out $3360 or so for the plan for 12 nights wan't the killer it was the idea that I'd be putting out an additional $1000 in tips that floored me. After doing that math it was easy to see that no DP would be more beneficial to my family.

[Markstudy]

conveience of an all inclusive is completely lost since I still need to shell out $$ for tips. The more you max the plan the more you pay in tips .

Yep, you have a good point.

I still get around this last loop-hole by using my Disney Visa rewards dollars (my free money) to pay the tips now

Pain-in-the-butt, that Disney is making me jump threw more hoops :surfweb: ....but I'm still holding on by the skin of my teeth that- its nice, not to have to look at the prices on the menu while I'm there for a week popcorn::

[mickey2000]

Precisely, that is why the DXDDP isn't really a great discount, heck for that matter the DDP is no longer a great discount and the conveience of an all inclusive is completely lost since I still need to shell out $$ for tips. The more you max the plan the more you pay in tips thus making actual savings much smaller. For me shelling out $3360 or so for the plan for 12 nights wan't the killer it was the idea that I'd be putting out an additional $1000 in tips that floored me. After doing that math it was easy to see that no DP would be more beneficial to my family.

Finally someone who sees the Deluxe plan for what its worth. The increased OOP tips kills any savings. As for convience :dance3: .
Where did that cocept come from. Gosh, I pay taxes to my employer for the convience. :scared1:
I also have a reward card that pays double the Disney one with no restrictions on where I can spend my rewards !
Lets face the facts this is not Fantasyland ......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/DisneyDad.gif its BIG BUSINESS

[billnang]

Ok, I just decided to do the Deluxe plan, but 17 restaurants x gratuity = a lot more $$$

back to the drawing board.:confused3

[Trina7020]

I am right there with you! If Gratuity was included it would be a no brainer!

I go back and forth every single day.

Now I have filled in Tricia Speadsheet... I just stare at the numbers! lol

[Markstudy]

The increased tips kills any savings.

I also have a reward card that pays double the Disney one

So with double the rewards compaired to our Disney cards, you can cover the tips like their nothing, :rolleyes1 no problem :thumbsup2

Sorry, I'm just having fun with you. pirate:

I never had a "rewards" credit card (debt card for me) But I got the Disney Visa for the rewards to offset my tips....seems like free money to me LOL ( I realize that people who have used credit card rewards for years are much more advanced in working this system) :hippie:

I do agree with you, the tip has taken the savings away. Problem is high-demand for seating in the parks... Disney sloves the problem by raising the price. The problem is limited tables and seats and huge demand... price goes up.

[mefordis]

I went back and forth on the deluxe dining plan vs ddp as well. Here is my conclusion:

Going with the DDP because....

1. If I use the dxddp, I'd be spending roughly $100 more. Maybe for convenience that would be worth it, but...

2. I have to pay gratuities no matter what, so it's not all inclusive (which we discussed in the thread)

3. Most importantly, I KNOW I would eat more than I need with the dxddp. I don't feel like I need to clean my plate, but instead of getting an appetizer to split, of course we'd each order one! With the regular ddp, for the oop meals, for example Beaches & Cream, my mom will split a burger then each order a sundae. Not so if I was on the dxddp. We'd each get our own burger because it is paid for. For me that is overeating. I know I can just order, take a bite, then throw it out. But I'd rather share and keep my $100.

4. Even with 1 signature restaurant, we still come out saving by doing ddp and oop.

5. What if someone in my family gets sick? That would be a huge waste of $$. With the regular ddp at least it isn't that huge of a loss, and you would probably only lose a few credits, but with the dxddp it would be a much greater loss.

I know the dxddp would work for us if we did a couple more ts or 1 more signature restaurant, but I don't want to add anymore adrs just to make the dxddp work.

One more thing: I always set out to have a mickey bar or dole whip on my trips, but with all the ts desserts I don't have room for them. I'm looking forward to paying oop for a couple of meals and getting my dessert elsewhere this time.

That's my situation.

[patsal]

Yep, you have a good point.

I still get around this last loop-hole by using my Disney Visa rewards dollars (my free money) to pay the tips now

Pain-in-the-butt, that Disney is making me jump threw more hoops :surfweb: ....but I'm still holding on by the skin of my teeth that- its nice, not to have to look at the prices on the menu while I'm there for a week popcorn::

I use my Disney Visa Rewards to pay for my AP's. But even using that card to pay the tips it isn't like the convienience that it used to be.

[kermer]

I am getting the Deluxe Plan for convenience.

We are going in 20 Days :goodvibes and invited my DM along.
I got the Deluxe plan so she will not worry about price. She is the kind of lady who would order the least expensive item on the menu, if someone else is paying, instead of what she really wants. With the Deluxe it is all "prepayed" so she ( i think ) will be more likely to order what she wants.

[JoanneNC]

I am getting the DxDDP because I want it and I can :)

Not everything is about saving a penny

My time is worth much more then a few dollars...

[mickey2000]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/koo.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/pizza-1.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/ImSoHappy.jpg

[kermer]

:rotfl2:

[patsal]

I am getting the DxDDP because I want it and I can :)

Not everything is about saving a penny

My time is worth much more then a few dollars...

OK, but how does this save time? DXDDP eats up your park time in restaurants and isn't all inclusive so you will still need to spend more money? If your rationale is that you don't want to think about food expenses than I can see that to an extent, but less so since you have to deal with paying out the tip. I know that everyone has a different situation or different view on what is easier/cheaper/less time consuming, so purchasing it for the convienience of not thinking about menu prices I can see, but saving time--I really don't see that:confused3

[mefordis]

OK, but how does this save time? DXDDP eats up your park time in restaurants and isn't all inclusive so you will still need to spend more money? If your rationale is that you don't want to think about food expenses than I can see that to an extent, but less so since you have to deal with paying out the tip. I know that everyone has a different situation or different view on what is easier/cheaper/less time consuming, so purchasing it for the convienience of not thinking about menu prices I can see, but saving time--I really don't see that:confused3

Yes, good question. I don't see it either. I'd do it in a minute if it did save time. I just can't rationalize doing it. Even though I love ordering appetizers, I factored those in oop and STILL would be losing about $100 if I went with the dxddp. I'm not the most frugal person -- don't use coupons and can be pretty wasteful with my money sometimes, but this I really can't see doing. Like I said, if gratuity was included I would do it in a heartbeat -- even if it were a bit more $$, but since I have to pay gratuity oop anyway, it's not all inclusive.

[62travelDisney]

We decided on the dxddp because I already had planned to have dinner at signature restaurants for my family of 6 (5 of us considered "adults" even tho 1 is 10) and when I looked at the prices ($30+ for entrees alone) I figured it would save us overall. (Thanks Tricia for the spreadsheet!) Granted, we could do WDW cheaper, but our stay is short and we are foodies and want great food to be part of our experience. It is probably too much food for DH and me but it will be nice for kids to have as much as they want, desserts and snacks. Our plan is to use 1 Ts in late am for lunch/brunch and 2ts for our signature dinners. We enjoy the dining breaks after all the running around and we have been to WDW enough times (never on a dining plan) to not feel like we have to go on every single ride. A sample day will be use snack credit for muffins in the early am, go for lunch at places like Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and dinner at places like Cali grill, Jiko, Flying Fish (my fave). Either way, with my size family, we will spend a fortune on food, and this seems to simplify that process. What do y'all think?:confused: :cool1: :rotfl:

[pigletforever]

We are going next January and the parks tend to close a little earlier. I am scheduling our dinners later than normal and plan on a snack in the afternoon to get us thru if needed. Plus we are there 11 days so I figure there will be plenty of time to do/see everything and still enjoy the food.

[Mississippi Mamma]

I decided to do dxddp for many of the same reasons. I think if you're a "foodie" who sometimes finds yourself not ordering your preferred items because of cost, and if you can afford it, the dxddp is a good idea. We got wine too. It would make me crazy to try and figure out which is the best deal, or what I would have to order to get my "money's worth." But I know I am going to enjoy not listening to DH complain about the prices on the menu, and I am looking forward to the restaurants, especially the signature ones we have scheduled (Hoop-de-doo, Jilko, Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill). And, although Tutto Italia is not a signature, based on the prices I've seen, I'm sure there would be a revolt at the table if we had to pay OOP there. Not every plan is right for every family; I'm sure that's why there are so many choices. A lot just depends on how important food is to your vacation. My husband and I have been known to take a four-day trip to New Orleans where all we do is eat, digest & rest, and eat again. We spend a lot of time teaching our three children restaurant manners, and we think this will be a great opportunity for them to really experience some places they would never see in our tiny Mississippi town.

[patsal]

I decided to do dxddp for many of the same reasons. I think if you're a "foodie" who sometimes finds yourself not ordering your preferred items because of cost, and if you can afford it, the dxddp is a good idea. We got wine too. It would make me crazy to try and figure out which is the best deal, or what I would have to order to get my "money's worth." But I know I am going to enjoy not listening to DH complain about the prices on the menu, and I am looking forward to the restaurants, especially the signature ones we have scheduled (Hoop-de-doo, Jilko, Hollywood Brown Derby, California Grill). And, although Tutto Italia is not a signature, based on the prices I've seen, I'm sure there would be a revolt at the table if we had to pay OOP there. Not every plan is right for every family; I'm sure that's why there are so many choices. A lot just depends on how important food is to your vacation. My husband and I have been known to take a four-day trip to New Orleans where all we do is eat, digest & rest, and eat again. We spend a lot of time teaching our three children restaurant manners, and we think this will be a great opportunity for them to really experience some places they would never see in our tiny Mississippi town.

While food is an important part of our vacation, and many days the plans center around it, it is unfortunate, but the DDP has really changed the menus so they are not the great foodie experience they used to be. Sure DDP makes some venues look like they are best served by it, and as you mentioned Tutto Italia is one of those, but many have become poorer values than they once were and many of the finer dishes served by the upscale restaurants have been compromised as a result of the DDP. And I absolutely agree that WDW is a great place for the kids to put on their best manners and enjoy places they would never experience at home! If your children are in the under 10 crowd, the DXDDP is a great deal if that is the way you eat while on vacation!

[patsal]

We are going next January and the parks tend to close a little earlier. I am scheduling our dinners later than normal and plan on a snack in the afternoon to get us thru if needed. Plus we are there 11 days so I figure there will be plenty of time to do/see everything and still enjoy the food.

Just don't be surprised if there is another round of changes in the DDP before you arrive in January. Be sure to hang around here in November to see what happens for 2009!

[graygables]

I just added the DxDDP to my June 3 night DVC stay. It will be me, 12yo and 9yo DDs. There are some places we've always wanted to try, but have put off for various reasons, penny pinching, 2 TS credits, wait 'til hubby's along, whatever. This time, I said to heck with it, we're going to eat where we want. We made a list and I made our ADRs. With Signature meals, plus a breakfast on our last morning, we'll be eating 7 TS meals over 4 days. We will share an appetizer and a dessert and have the other boxed up for us to save for another meal. We will most likely have a Mickey bar or two ;) , but most snacks are cashed in on the last day for our trip home. I have a scrapbook show to do straight after our trip, so leftovers will come in handy (we don't mind them and do have a fridge) for food for the weekend, too. I calculated what we will most likely be eating, plus tax (didn't consider gratuity, it is what it is OOP or otherwise), plus the mugs, and snacks (at $2 each) and figured we'll be saving $185 over the 3 night stay, PLUS, we'll have at least 3 "extra" meals from the saved appetizers/desserts.

This trip is less about the parks and more about relaxing and splurging, so we don't mind the schedule of the ADRs. There is plenty of time to hit all our favorite attractions in between and take an easier pace. Will I use it every time? Not likely, but this trip, it's definitely going to be a savings.

[cmwade77]

While food is an important part of our vacation, and many days the plans center around it, it is unfortunate, but the DDP has really changed the menus so they are not the great foodie experience they used to be. Sure DDP makes some venues look like they are best served by it, and as you mentioned Tutto Italia is one of those, but many have become poorer values than they once were and many of the finer dishes served by the upscale restaurants have been compromised as a result of the DDP. And I absolutely agree that WDW is a great place for the kids to put on their best manners and enjoy places they would never experience at home! If your children are in the under 10 crowd, the DXDDP is a great deal if that is the way you eat while on vacation!
I never got to go to WDW before DDP was implemented, so my view may be a little bit different, but I honestly think that in general WDW has some of the best theme park food I have ever had (although Sea World San Diego ranks up there too).

[pigletforever]

Just don't be surprised if there is another round of changes in the DDP before you arrive in January. Be sure to hang around here in November to see what happens for 2009!


I am always here. And I do expect there to be another round of changes. It should be really interesting. We arrive December 31 and leave Jan 11. I am taking my laptop to keep everyone posted as to the changes while we are there.

[Jersey Girl]

I would love to get the DxDP just so I can eat at every restaurant I want to, have it already paid for before I get there, and not have to worry about extra expense, except, of course, tax. We've done the DDP when we went two years ago and I did have to pay OOP for a few meals because it wasn't enough credit when you add it a luau and a Cindy castle breakfast. However after looking over menus for my kids (ages 8 and 9) I find I wouldn't be able to use up 3 credits a day. Lunches would be counter services wherever we are that day and the kids menus give no choices at all. I will be buying at least one and sometimes two meals from the adult menu each day because they won't want chicken nuggets more than once and don't eat the other selection offered.

[patsal]

I would love to get the DxDP just so I can eat at every restaurant I want to, have it already paid for before I get there, and not have to worry about extra expense, except, of course, tax. We've done the DDP when we went two years ago and I did have to pay OOP for a few meals because it wasn't enough credit when you add it a luau and a Cindy castle breakfast. However after looking over menus for my kids (ages 8 and 9) I find I wouldn't be able to use up 3 credits a day. Lunches would be counter services wherever we are that day and the kids menus give no choices at all. I will be buying at least one and sometimes two meals from the adult menu each day because they won't want chicken nuggets more than once and don't eat the other selection offered.

Your tax is included, it is tips that you must pay OOP.

[dishm12/08]

One, it's out honeymoon. Two because it works out the best for our eating habits. We are going to do a lot of signature dinning. Our only big meals are breakfast and dinner at the parks (first timers at Disney, but we love amusement parks so we're basing it off of them). During the day we snack. We'll be there for 8 days and 7 nights and we will have 5 signature dinning and 2 one credit dinners and 6 one credit breakfasts and CRT. Sadly that still leaves us with 1 additional credit each so we can have a CS in the parks if we want.

[emmabemmainc]

We're going in December and we decided to get the Deluxe Plan for a couple of reasons--I can't wait to try new restaurants and yes, it is nice to not have to worry about what to order.
I look at the tips this way--I'm going to be paying them if I'm not on the plan too, and if I do sign up for the plan, I get to go to all these places and save a little money too.

[Markstudy]

I think it has a lot to do with you trip priorities

I've been on all the rides many times.

So I rate my resort as 40% of my trips priority
Eating as 35% of my trips priority
Rides and parks 25% of my trips priority

For someone who's on their 1st or 2nd trip, and rates the parks and rides as 80% of their priority.... I don't think the DxDDP would be as important :teacher: Time seems more important and grabbing a counter meal seems to make a lot more sense than wasting time in restaurants.

[libinatorsmom]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/koo.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/pizza-1.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/ImSoHappy.jpg

HA HA HA HA :lmao: :laughing: :woohoo: :cheer2:

[ssjerauld]

We are definitely doing a dining plan--haven't decided yet between basic or deluxe. We're taking my parents, and unless it's paid for in advance, my dad will obsess over the cost of each meal--"this is more expensive--can the kid (I'll be 50!!!) afford this?" Not worth the aggravation!