How many DVC'ers use DDP??

[edk35]

Now that the DDP is available to DVC members...do you use it?

IF so do you have kids? Or are you a couple? Or single?

I am curious since a lot DVC people stay in 1 and 2 bedroom villas if they still use DDP?

Do you feel it is a " DVC PERK" if you choose to use on your DVC stays? In other words are you happpy :banana::cheer2: you have the choice?

[florep1]

We used DDP for our Christmas stay and we loved not having to worry about prices. Made the vacation a lot less stressful on Christmas week especially since mist places charge a holiday surcharge. We are using QSP again this summer for a week followed by regular DDP for another week since DH is sold on the convenience part. We'll probably still get a TIW card for TS meals the first week though as we plan on returning before it expires next year to maximize APs. BTW, we have 3 kids, 2 that are "disney adults", and one child. We used all our credits last time and plan to do it again this time.

[DVC Mike]

The two of us stay in a 1-BR, rarely use the kitchen, and use the TIW/DDE card for our dinners.

[BWV Dreamin]

Now that the DDP is available to DVC members...do you use it?

IF so do you have kids? Or are you a couple? Or single?

I am curious since a lot DVC people stay in 1 and 2 bedroom villas if they still use DDP?

Do you feel it is a " DVC PERK" if you choose to use on your DVC stays? In other words are you happpy :banana::cheer2: you have the choice?
Hi Denise!:wave2: We use it when its just the hubby, myself, and one son. If more than that go, we use the kitchen! Just too many people to try and coordinate sit down meals. Now maybe the CS plan might work better for the boys when they are out and about without us. But mostly, no, I will cook when its anymore than 3 of us.

[dairyqueenmom]

We have used it the last two DVC trips, but our upcoming one we will be forgoing it. Our two oldest children are considered adults now and they do not eat like adults, so sadly it is not worth the price. I love the convenience. We will cook more in our 2bd. and get the TIW card for our TS dining.

[FOXFIELDZOO]

We use it every time we go, found it to be a better value for a family of 8. It gives us the chance to relax and not worry about the budget and we plan so far ahead its no big deal with resv.

[robandkelly13]

We use the DP when we go with our DD (it's only the 3 of us), even though we stay in a 2 bedroom for 10 days we never use the kitchen. We feel that character dining is part of the experience - our 3 year old loves it. However, DH and I are going for a couples get away and we don't plan on cooking, but we're not getting the DP. We're going to pay out of pocket and only schedule only breakfast ressies. It's going to be nice to have an unplanned trip for once. DH and I are so excited!

[OurDogCisco]

Now that the DDP is available to DVC members...do you use it?

IF so do you have kids? Or are you a couple? Or single?

I am curious since a lot DVC people stay in 1 and 2 bedroom villas if they still use DDP?

Do you feel it is a " DVC PERK" if you choose to use on your DVC stays? In other words are you happpy :banana::cheer2: you have the choice?

I'm not sure what you mean by now it is available to DVC members. Hasn't it always been. We did use it on our trip in Dec 2006/Jan 2007. Back then, it was a great bargain especially when they included tips and the appetizer in the price. However, we normally go every other year to WDW so, we normally don't get an Annual pass. However, this year we got the annual pass because we went in Nov 2008 and we are going again in June 2009. So, we are using the TiW card instead. Right now, the TiW is a better value because we have an eleven year old and sometimes she wants to eat off the adult menu and sometimes off the children's menu. It just depends so, DDP wouldn't be a good value for us now. We are a family with two dds ages 7 and 11.

When we used in it in 2006/2007 we felt it was a great perk and I'm glad they offer to us. However, we are the type to have at least one sitdown a day or sometimes 2. But this is because we travel during the VERY crowded seasons. We aren't willing to wait in a CS line for 45 minutes then, look for a table while our food gets cold. During Christmas time, table services work out better.

We normally stay in a one bedroom with a kitchen. Since the DDP only includes 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 snack per day we still needed to feed the kids breakfast. We like the one bedroom for other reasons like 2 TVs, Washer/dryer, more floor space, etc..

[Chuck S]

We never used it, even when it included the gratuities. The DDP was at best break even for us, usually more $$ than our normal dining expenses. Plus it no linger covers appetizers, and we don't always want desserts. I like the freedom to decide what I want to eat rather than relying on what Disney wants to feed me.

[Chuck S]

I'm not sure what you mean by now it is available to DVC members. Hasn't it always been.


No, the DDP initially was for cash resort guests as part of a package only. It was made available to DVCers several months (maybe a year) after it was available to the public. And it took a whole after that to be made available to those staying in AP discounted rooms, as they were considered "room only" reservations.

[plymouthmom]

We have used it twice as for us, DH and I and four kids, it was a better price breakdown using the plan. We did TONS of research and really got our money's worth. We had two kids as adults last trip and two as kids, not sure if we will do it next trip as they will all be adults! Kids on the DDP is a no brainer, at least for me :).

[danielle782001]

We are a family of four and we always get the basic plan...We find that we save hundreds of dollars because the kids plan is so cheap...I do not know if the savings would be as great when the kids are older...I have not done the math for that yet...But I always figure out a ball park figure of how much each meal will cost after I make my ADR and I always came out ahead...Then I do the math when we get home to make sure my math was correct and I have been right on the majority of the time...We love character meals and we like eating the 2 and half times a day that we get with the plan...

It works well for us :thumbsup2

[WilsonFlyer]

We B 3. :)

We use TIW/DDE. We think DDP is a waste of money and way more food than the three of us would eat. Besides, we like to wing it way too much to be on a schedule like DDP forces people into IMO.

[dcfromva]

Now that the DDP is available to DVC members...do you use it?

IF so do you have kids? Or are you a couple? Or single?

I am curious since a lot DVC people stay in 1 and 2 bedroom villas if they still use DDP?

Do you feel it is a " DVC PERK" if you choose to use on your DVC stays? In other words are you happpy :banana::cheer2: you have the choice?

I am happy that we are given an opportunity to buy it, if we want. The plan can really work well in certain applications. Like having a couple of teenage boys who eat a lot and who want to go off and do their own thing.

Having said that, I am less likely to choose this option since they have made it more of a hastle with taking off the appetizer and making the tip separate on the table service meals. And, in the future if we do elect this option, I don't think we will use it for signature dining.

I am glad we had a chance to try it out.

[Disney_Villain]

We are now using TIW instead of DDP - starting this year. Up to now, we had used DDP since we first became DVC members.

We found that DDP was just way too much food for us, esp. with multiple desserts throughout the day. DDP also recently dropped the included appetizer from the deal, which disappointed us as we used to get salads for appetizers.

[DisneyHumbug]

We have never used it. My "kids" are all adults now, and I find the TIW works best for us since it includes "adult" beverages. Lately we've only been able to go for long weekends, so cooking is not an option.

[Castillo Mom]

We're new DVCers but are happy that we have the option to purchase the DDP. I'm a single mom with 3 sons ages 15, 17 and 19. Without DDP I'd be paying a lot more $$$ for food. Even just with my 17 year old and I going next trip, I went ahead and added it on because I feel it'll still be a good value even though it'll be just the two of us.

[edk35]

DDP is not for everyone.

I think it is a good value if you have kids that fall in the 3-9 category if you are going to a lot of character buffets. However I would think if you weren't some of those kids meals would get old because it is pretty much the same thing everywhere and you pretty much are stuck with that if you have DDP.

The old DDP would have interested me far more especially when the appetizer and tip was included.

I don't like being tied down to TS meals daily. Sure we might book a TS meal each day but sometimes we end up cancelling one or two.

I think the DDP is less flexible.

I loved the TIW card, but we don't have AP's right now so that will not be an option for us in July that is why I was considering the DDP.

The more I read on Dis about DDP.....I just don't see it working for us right now. I think if it were just DH and myself for a short trip....it would be worth trying. Paying for 5 adults when one is 10 and one is 15 and is very very picky and eats off the kids's menu sometimes.

Thanks everyone.

[Tiger926]

We have used DDE several times, as well as Dining Plans and for now, we find the dining plans are a better value, especially the Deluxe Plan. We are 2 adults, 6 year old and almost 2 year old, so for us, the plans are a better value as we eat 3 meals per day, plus snacks as we have low blood sugar. We don't eat fast food, drink pop or eat junk food, so we use our snack credits for food, fruit or water.

We have just completed extensive spreadsheets for all food options, and the Deluxe Dining Plan is a better deal for us than the TIW card. This is because we need food for our very hungry toddler, as well as snacks, which are not covered on the TIW card, but are on the plan. We love the Deluxe Plan because we use our appetizers and snacks to feed our very hungry toddler.

We do Signatures, as well as lots of sit downs and a few character meals as they have slipped over the past few years. We contemplated doing the basic plan, as well as supplementing with eating in our room for breakfast and dinner, but we don't care for CS that much at all, so this option doesn't seem as great for us. We love our 1 beds, but we really don't use them for the kitchen - while the kids are young, it's easier to go to TS restaurants and enjoy the air conditioning as we always go for 2 weeks each July as I'm a teacher. Once they get older, and meal options increase in price, we might do a combination, or go back to TIW. We re-evaluate each and every trip as to what is best for us.

Happy eating to all, Tiger :)

[stopher1]

We're a family of 5, with now 4 of us in the "adult" category. We have done the basic dining plan with and without the appetizer/gratuity portion. Regardless of how much food it was, we definitely preferred it when the tip and appetizer were included. Our younger son is 100% thrilled to finally be OFF the kids' plan, since they are all so generic and pretty much limited to only a few options. We're considering giving it a go once more in Jan, but are also weighing the TIW option instead. We're not sure yet. We're running the numbers and basically waiting to see what the 2010 pricing will be.

My sons and I will be going down at the end of May for a long weekend (for SWWs) and will be trying the Quick Serve version of the plan. We like that the beverage cups are included, and none of the 3 of us want to sit down and spend so much time in a restaurant, let alone deal with ADR's. They have now outgrown the character meals (only my DD remains as a reason for those).

While I like the overall concept of the plan (the convenience factor), I'm not really thrilled with the execution or the price.

[tgropp]

We always use it. I wish that you could just buy as many days as you wants as opposed to everyone in the room for the entire length of the stay. As a pp had stated, doing the DP at Christmas time saves the holiday dining charge

[edk35]

We always use it. I wish that you could just buy as many days as you wants as opposed to everyone in the room for the entire length of the stay. As a pp had stated, doing the DP at Christmas time saves the holiday dining charge


:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 Yes I agree. I mentioned this a couple of times on other threads. It could be titled "Disney Dining Done Your Way" You could pick how many days you want the basic, or the deluxe or maybe the QSP then maybe a day or two with no plan. I would be all over that. I bet a lot of people would use the plan then.

[jodifla]

NEVER use it. HATE IT! Holding a severe grudge against it, in fact. It's really caused the formerly great WDW dining of the late 80s and through the late 90s to tank.

DDP actually used to be a pretty good financial deal, but it's not anymore that they dropped the appetizer and the tip.

We use the DDE/TIW when we use anything. It's a much better fit for us.

[dgaston]

We have used both DDP and TiW. For the Family Gathering Trip in September I'm recommending everyone get the DDP. We'll do a few Signature Meals, the young adults will be free of us for their CS meals, and I'll have the TiW for adult beverages.

[edk35]

NEVER use it. HATE IT! Holding a severe grudge against it, in fact. It's really caused the formerly great WDW dining of the late 80s and through the late 90s to tank.

DDP actually used to be a pretty good financial deal, but it's not anymore that they dropped the appetizer and the tip.

We use the DDE/TIW when we use anything. It's a much better fit for us.

Did they used to have a plan in the 80's and 90's? I don't remember even though we were at WDW in the 90's.

[Chuck S]

Did they used to have a plan in the 80's and 90's? I don't remember even though we were at WDW in the 90's.

I'm pretty sure Disney had a plan for cash guests as part of an upgrade package. There was like a Magic plan, Gold Plan and Platinum Plan, but they were quite pricey. There was also a Food'n'Fun Card available to DVC, the first year they offered it, it was OK. Then they gutted it and essentially you pre-paid $50 for $55 worth of food.

That seems to be the history of Disney plans. Introduce them, then when they become popular, gut them so they aren't such a great deal.

Remember that pre-paid or all-inclusive plans, no matter where the location, are rarely designed to save $$, they are designed for convenience, and you usually pay a premium for that.

[Lynn5700]

Yeah we do. We love the DDP.

[pinnocchiosdad]

How can you go wrong? It costs under $40 for the day. If you order a steak at a Disney restraunt its about $38. This makes the rest of your food for the day fre.

[pinnocchiosdad]

We used DDP for our Christmas stay and we loved not having to worry about prices. Made the vacation a lot less stressful on Christmas week especially since mist places charge a holiday surcharge. We are using QSP again this summer for a week followed by regular DDP for another week since DH is sold on the convenience part. We'll probably still get a TIW card for TS meals the first week though as we plan on returning before it expires next year to maximize APs. BTW, we have 3 kids, 2 that are "disney adults", and one child. We used all our credits last time and plan to do it again this time.

What is a TIW card?

[Dean]

What is a TIW card?Tables in Wonderland and former Disney Dining Experience. It's a card FL residents and pass holders can buy that give you a discount at most (but not all) Disney table service restaurants. The discount is 20% and includes alcohol, valet parking is also included where applicable. There are a few blackout dates, but those are days I wouldn't want to go anyway.


We look at each trip independently. We have used it for some, not for others. We have bought the DDE (TIW) some years and just look at the individual discounts available to use as DVC members and often pass holders for other trips. We rarely eat a full meal in when it's just the two of us but eat in more for a larger group. Generally we'll have a danish, oatmeal of similar int eh AM with a larger lunch some days and a smaller dinner, other days we'll reverse the process with only a snack or light meal at lunch and a larger dinner. IMO, the DDP only makes sense for groups that have some combination of the shorter stays, more expensive single ticket restaurants, teens that eat a lot and kids that fall into the 3-9 category. Sometimes multiple units can also impact the decision of you can arrange the occupancy of the various units to your advantage as can arrival and departure time. I'd look at the menu's and keep your usual eating style and the above situations in mind then do a few calculations.

[alldiz]

I have used the DDP...I actually combined that with the DDE card for maximum savings:goodvibes

I probably won't be buying an AP anymore....so I will stick with the DDP. DH likes to know the costs upfront....works for me.

I do stay in 1BR's but we don't cook. Snacks and bkfst. I use the microwave and toaster. Haven't used the pans yet.
Kerri

[edk35]

I'd look at the menu's and keep your usual eating style and the above situations in mind then do a few calculations.

See that is just it. I think a lot of people eat more than they normally would or choose different places to eat on the plan vs. not on the plan. Probably to get the best bang for their buck.

I could so see my dh and me trying it on a couples only trip but when you add in kids that don't fall into the 3-9 category....it doesn't always seem to be a value. I think we are going to try it for our 2 days at the Poly before moving over to the BCV but afte that we won't.

One day I am sure my dh and I will eat at more TS restaurants..... that right now don't interest the kids. I have a 15 year old that is perfectly fine eating chicken strips, burgers/fries and pizza for his entire stay at WDW. Even when we go to the buffets....we pay an adult's price and he eats very little.

While at Poly we are planning on eating at Whispering Canyon for dinner the day we arrive (Tuesday), then saving the other TS to use for dinner at Cape May's the day we check out of Poly and check into BCV. We will probably use the two CS meals at MK on Wed. at Cosmic Rays and maybe Pecos or Harbor House.
We are also eating at Ohana for Breakfast on check out day so that we will pay OOP and not use a TS credit for.

However once we are at BCV no DDP for us.....we are planning a lunch at Le Cellier (if we can get it) and maybe a breakfast at Tusker House, the Big River Grill on the Boardwalk, spoodles window for pizza and beyond that we are not sure. When we move over to AKV after BCV we have plans to dine at the T-Rex at DTD and Boma's for breakfast. I think other than those TS places we are going to wing most meals. Sometimes my dd and I will eat a TS lunch somewhere in EC and the guys will eat CS. This is why I don't think the DDP will work for the rest of the trip.

[edk35]

I'm pretty sure Disney had a plan for cash guests as part of an upgrade package. There was like a Magic plan, Gold Plan and Platinum Plan, but they were quite pricey. There was also a Food'n'Fun Card available to DVC, the first year they offered it, it was OK. Then they gutted it and essentially you pre-paid $50 for $55 worth of food.

That seems to be the history of Disney plans. Introduce them, then when they become popular, gut them so they aren't such a great deal.

Remember that pre-paid or all-inclusive plans, no matter where the location, are rarely designed to save $$, they are designed for convenience, and you usually pay a premium for that.


Yep I now remember that plan. When we first wen to WDW in the early 90's I remember booking packages for the first 3 trips and I remember those plans now. We never got the food plans though.

[JLitfin]

When I travel with my sister and her daughters, usually in January we always get the DDP, we love trying the different restaurants. But on the other hand when I travel with my DH and DSs we never get the DDP. My DH feels it's to expense and we can do better by cooking in.

[Jeremy&Susan]

We used to use it when it was just the two of us and it included appetizer and tip. We thought it was a marginal bargain then and way too much food. We never used all the credits.

Now with a child and the price going up, we will not use it. Again still too much food, no tip is included and no appetizer (not that we need it but occasionally we would like to try one on the menu).

We would like to see a plan that had just diners included, including at least one or two special character / theme diners for a weeks stay. Or a plan where you could just buy what meals you want ahead of time (counter, table, snack) and then let the computer tell you what the cost of that package would be. The last option may cause way too much confusion though for many, I have been in many restaurants at Disney where patrons were arguing about the bill after the normal DDP was used.

[Dean]

See that is just it. I think a lot of people eat more than they normally would or choose different places to eat on the plan vs. not on the plan. Probably to get the best bang for their buck.

I could so see my dh and me trying it on a couples only trip but when you add in kids that don't fall into the 3-9 category....it doesn't always seem to be a value. I think we are going to try it for our 2 days at the Poly before moving over to the BCV but afte that we won't.

One day I am sure my dh and I will eat at more TS restaurants..... that right now don't interest the kids. I have a 15 year old that is perfectly fine eating chicken strips, burgers/fries and pizza for his entire stay at WDW. Even when we go to the buffets....we pay an adult's price and he eats very little.

While at Poly we are planning on eating at Whispering Canyon for dinner the day we arrive (Tuesday), then saving the other TS to use for dinner at Cape May's the day we check out of Poly and check into BCV. We will probably use the two CS meals at MK on Wed. at Cosmic Rays and maybe Pecos or Harbor House.
We are also eating at Ohana for Breakfast on check out day so that we will pay OOP and not use a TS credit for.

However once we are at BCV no DDP for us.....we are planning a lunch at Le Cellier (if we can get it) and maybe a breakfast at Tusker House, the Big River Grill on the Boardwalk, spoodles window for pizza and beyond that we are not sure. When we move over to AKV after BCV we have plans to dine at the T-Rex at DTD and Boma's for breakfast. I think other than those TS places we are going to wing most meals. Sometimes my dd and I will eat a TS lunch somewhere in EC and the guys will eat CS. This is why I don't think the DDP will work for the rest of the trip.That's the benefit of having the menus. You can decide what you'd normally get AND/OR what you want to try. Having a 15 y/o can be a great way to do it. One option is to send them off to use the CS options while you use the TS options yourself for around 2 meals a day. Or hit a few Signatures and just pay OOP for the kids meals for the light eater. Regardless, you have the info to decide whether you can/will get a value from this options. IMO, unless it saves you around 20% if you order what you normally would OR it is a break even but allows you to splurge on choices that would cost at least 20% more, one should skip it. What if someone gets sick during the trip for example.

For your short stay that involves the DDP, I'd suggest you consider a different approach. Pay OOP for the 15 y/o on the TS meals and eat 3 TS meals instead of 2, one possibly Wed night. Even if you do Ohana or a Buffet for that extra usage, you'd still only have to pay OOP for one adult meal. The same idea could be used for the CS options, possibly use them for breakfast and lunch with OOP for the kids meals CS. Cosmic Rays is likely your best value for the CS at MK as it has the half chicken and the rib chicken combo plus the burger bar. Lots of options if you put your mind to it.

Take our trip coming up in a few weeks. I am till trying to decide what to do but we arrive early on the first day and can stay until dinner on the day we leave. We have reservations at places like Morocco, Le Cellier, Shutters, Coral Reef, Wolfgang Puck, and the Wave so we can certainly show a value. We likely will use on TS per day for dinner and a few for lunch as well but only 1 credit for most of those options. Then use the CS for breakfast and/or lunch then also often using one credit part of the time depending on timing and the rest of the plans. So I can easily show a value used this way and it is close to how we normally eat anyway other than we usually do a light breakfast in the room.

[pyrxtc]

Unless I am staying concierge, we do it. I like knowing it's all paid for and not worrying when I make my ressies since we like to enjoy a full dinner and not just CS while there. We usually stay in a 2 bedroom and never use the kitchen! I am not on vacation to cook!

That being said, we will be going next January and if we switch resorts, we will then ahve a kitchen and don't plan on spending much time in the parks so we will shop (driving down and will have car) and cook simple meals in the room, mostly breakfast and sandwhiches, so still not really using the kitchen.

[december14disney]

Its just SO darn convenient! Its just the 2 of us and we do a sit down meal everyday--something we look forward to as a major part of our trip. I love not worrying about prices, etc. Its hard for me to compare DDP versus not using it because if we werent using it we'd be saying ....well thats expensive...lets split that...etc etc. We would probably come out spending less because of that. But whats vacation when you are worrying about prices and splitting meals to save cash?! :cool1::thumbsup2 Love the DDP. I think of it like an all inclusive resort or cruise...its probably overpriced but worry-free. :)

[Dean]

Its just SO darn convenient! Its just the 2 of us and we do a sit down meal everyday--something we look forward to as a major part of our trip. I love not worrying about prices, etc. Its hard for me to compare DDP versus not using it because if we werent using it we'd be saying ....well thats expensive...lets split that...etc etc. We would probably come out spending less because of that. But whats vacation when you are worrying about prices and splitting meals to save cash?! :cool1::thumbsup2 Love the DDP. I think of it like an all inclusive resort or cruise...its probably overpriced but worry-free. :)We often split meals even with the DDP if we get it since we often don't order drinks other than water and rarely get dessert otherwise and we tend to like the same things.

[BWV Dreamin]

We often split meals even with the DDP if we get it since we often don't order drinks other than water and rarely get dessert otherwise and we tend to like the same things.
Same here Dean! We do the exact same thing! :thumbsup2

[dairyqueenmom]

See that is just it. I think a lot of people eat more than they normally would or choose different places to eat on the plan vs. not on the plan. Probably to get the best bang for their buck.

I could so see my dh and me trying it on a couples only trip but when you add in kids that don't fall into the 3-9 category....it doesn't always seem to be a value. I think we are going to try it for our 2 days at the Poly before moving over to the BCV but afte that we won't.

One day I am sure my dh and I will eat at more TS restaurants..... that right now don't interest the kids. I have a 15 year old that is perfectly fine eating chicken strips, burgers/fries and pizza for his entire stay at WDW. Even when we go to the buffets....we pay an adult's price and he eats very little.

While at Poly we are planning on eating at Whispering Canyon for dinner the day we arrive (Tuesday), then saving the other TS to use for dinner at Cape May's the day we check out of Poly and check into BCV. We will probably use the two CS meals at MK on Wed. at Cosmic Rays and maybe Pecos or Harbor House.
We are also eating at Ohana for Breakfast on check out day so that we will pay OOP and not use a TS credit for.

However once we are at BCV no DDP for us.....we are planning a lunch at Le Cellier (if we can get it) and maybe a breakfast at Tusker House, the Big River Grill on the Boardwalk, spoodles window for pizza and beyond that we are not sure. When we move over to AKV after BCV we have plans to dine at the T-Rex at DTD and Boma's for breakfast. I think other than those TS places we are going to wing most meals. Sometimes my dd and I will eat a TS lunch somewhere in EC and the guys will eat CS. This is why I don't think the DDP will work for the rest of the trip.

You sound like you are in the same boat we are with the "adult" kids. We will continue to evaluate each trip and how our kids tastes change(maybe someday they might want to order off the adult menu). We will have AP's for our Aug. trip so we will be able to buy the TIW card and I have checked each TS we are thinking of and it looks like we will save money over the DP by using that. I love the convenience but I don't want to just waste money for convenience.

[Podgieree]

DH and I like to stay in a one bedroom, but I don't want to cook on vacation. We do use the DDP. I have celiac (gluten intolerance) so I need to make dining reservations anyway. Last time I used my leftover snack credits for GF brownies which I took back home. (They are great!) For us it works.

:mickeybar

[dr&momto2boys]

We used it on our last visit. There were ten of us, 6 adults and 4 kids in three families. Only one of the kids was old enough to have to get the dining plan. It was great because we never had to split checks or offer to buy stuff for each other. (This was back when appetizers and tips were included too.)

I definately consider the ability to buy the dining plan a perk. It's nice not to have to buy a ticket to get it either.

Next time we might try the DDE/TIW card. Since even if we all got the dining plan we'd still have to worry about splitting tip costs--it's not really more convenient--we may as well split everything up. We'll see.

[pennst8r]

I like having the kitchen for breakfast and snacks at night. But I'm on vacation! :goodvibes I don't cook lunch or dinner. We've used DDP for the past few years. (3 DSs 13,12 and 8.) We always eat TS for dinner, so it works well for us.

[La2kw]

We've never used it. We prefer having an occasional appetizer to share or a salad with our dinner, and an occasional dessert to share. We also don't like to eat at TS places daily. We also prefer to have a few meals in our room since we get tired of eating out so much.

[Nikisha421]

i use it each n everytime n love it...my dd6 eats what she likes when she like andthat makes me happy

and frankly when she is considered an adult i'll still b fine with that bc then we can share two adult meals.

:goodvibes

[edk35]

That's the benefit of having the menus. You can decide what you'd normally get AND/OR what you want to try. Having a 15 y/o can be a great way to do it. One option is to send them off to use the CS options while you use the TS options yourself for around 2 meals a day. Or hit a few Signatures and just pay OOP for the kids meals for the light eater. Regardless, you have the info to decide whether you can/will get a value from this options. IMO, unless it saves you around 20% if you order what you normally would OR it is a break even but allows you to splurge on choices that would cost at least 20% more, one should skip it. What if someone gets sick during the trip for example.

For your short stay that involves the DDP, I'd suggest you consider a different approach. Pay OOP for the 15 y/o on the TS meals and eat 3 TS meals instead of 2, one possibly Wed night. Even if you do Ohana or a Buffet for that extra usage, you'd still only have to pay OOP for one adult meal. The same idea could be used for the CS options, possibly use them for breakfast and lunch with OOP for the kids meals CS. Cosmic Rays is likely your best value for the CS at MK as it has the half chicken and the rib chicken combo plus the burger bar. Lots of options if you put your mind to it.

Take our trip coming up in a few weeks. I am till trying to decide what to do but we arrive early on the first day and can stay until dinner on the day we leave. We have reservations at places like Morocco, Le Cellier, Shutters, Coral Reef, Wolfgang Puck, and the Wave so we can certainly show a value. We likely will use on TS per day for dinner and a few for lunch as well but only 1 credit for most of those options. Then use the CS for breakfast and/or lunch then also often using one credit part of the time depending on timing and the rest of the plans. So I can easily show a value used this way and it is close to how we normally eat anyway other than we usually do a light breakfast in the room.


Very interesting approach. I never thought about it that way. I guess I just assumed you had to use the adult TS meals for everyone in the party at a particular restaurant. I never thought about sharing a meal at CS either. That is a good idea since Cosmic Rays' has huge meals.

Thanks Dean....I have said it before and I will say it again.....THANKS :thumbsup2

[Dean]

Very interesting approach. I never thought about it that way. I guess I just assumed you had to use the adult TS meals for everyone in the party at a particular restaurant. I never thought about sharing a meal at CS either. That is a good idea since Cosmic Rays' has huge meals.

Thanks Dean....I have said it before and I will say it again.....THANKS :thumbsup2That's the beauty of batting things around, you can get ideas of what will work for you.

[DIZZNY]

We have used both the regular DDP and the Quick Service. With the DDP, we felt too tied down to our reservations even though on previous trips we had always had about 1 TS per day. I think it was a mental thing but regardless, it added a stress to the trip we never had before.

We just used the new QS plan and that was much easier and worked very well for us. We have 3 adult(1 DD is 10) and 1 child. The selection was much better than expected and we save quite a bit of money. It was nice for each of us to have a cup and to get snacks and not worry about the $$ adding up. We will probably do it again next time.

[LSchrow]

we've found DDP better for short trips ~ after a few days of it, we don't want to eat anymore!!
the TIW/DDE can give a nice savings, but only if you've a large group and/or will use it multiple times a year.
we'll prob finish out our year of TWI (expires aug), & wing our meals from now on. there are a number of restaurants outside of WDW that we've been wanting to visit, but haven't because of WDW dining plans (remember the vouchers? they were a pretty good value).

[edk35]

We have used both the regular DDP and the Quick Service. With the DDP, we felt too tied down to our reservations even though on previous trips we had always had about 1 TS per day. I think it was a mental thing but regardless, it added a stress to the trip we never had before.

We just used the new QS plan and that was much easier and worked very well for us. We have 3 adult(1 DD is 10) and 1 child. The selection was much better than expected and we save quite a bit of money. It was nice for each of us to have a cup and to get snacks and not worry about the $$ adding up. We will probably do it again next time.

I have batted this plan around some too for our 5 nights at BCV but I am pretty sure we would still want a TS meal or 2 in a 5 day trip.

My boys would do much much better on a CS plan.

[Joann]

is there a thread or a web page with info on the TIW card where do u buy this card from ... we are ap holders and never heard of this

[daisyduck123]

is there a thread or a web page with info on the TIW card where do u buy this card from ... we are ap holders and never heard of this

Here you go:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

[Uncleromulus]

Never would even consider the DDP--very happy with TIW/DDE.

[christa112]

I can't believe you guys are complaining about too much food!!! :scared1: My DH loves the food, I think the only reason he likes WDW! :lmao:

We love the DDP we had used it on our three non-DVC vacations and will definately use it on our 1st DVC vacation.

Like others have posted I love the fact that your meal is paid for (except tip) and you basically can eat and go. No budgeting or worrying about running out of money. We get the basic DDP, which I feel has the right amount of food for our family.

[TK Brown]

We have used the DDP each time we have used DVC rooms. There are 3 of us and it has been great each time. It has saved us $250 on each of our last 2 trips. We like it!

[Dean]

We have used the DDP each time we have used DVC rooms. There are 3 of us and it has been great each time. It has saved us $250 on each of our last 2 trips. We like it!$250 on what you would have spent without the program OR the retail price on the menus was $250 more than you spent?.

[bobbiwoz]

Without children we sometimes use DDP. It's good for us at Christmas for the Candlelight Processional package, and Fantasmic Package. Otherwise, we're happy to use the TIW card which isn't valid for those two things.

We like eating at Artist Point, and I enjoy appetizers more than desserts in general, that's another reason that the TIW is better for us.

I'm trying the Quick service plan in June. I figure that since we're in a studio, we can get water, some cereal, banana as snacks, and I won't have to worry about bringing anything from home. It's going to be me and DH. Since the quick service meals also include a dessert, those things will suffice as snacks for me. It's a split stay, so I am satisfying our "need" for a LeCellier steak during the non-Quick service time!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[dianeschlicht]

We have used the DDP each time we have used DVC rooms. There are 3 of us and it has been great each time. It has saved us $250 on each of our last 2 trips. We like it!

I find that hard to believe! We did a very detailed accounting for two trips using DDP and two trips without DDP but using the TIW card instead. We came out $250 ahead of the game when we used the TIW card versus the DDP for us. We find we like to have appetizers instead of desserts, and we like the signatures as well as having a table service each day. We also do NOT use the counter service much, so we ended up way ahead using the TIW over the cost of the DDP. We wont be using the DDP ever again.

[Tiger926]

I find that hard to believe! We did a very detailed accounting for two trips using DDP and two trips without DDP but using the TIW card instead. We came out $250 ahead of the game when we used the TIW card versus the DDP for us. We find we like to have appetizers instead of desserts, and we like the signatures as well as having a table service each day. We also do NOT use the counter service much, so we ended up way ahead using the TIW over the cost of the DDP. We wont be using the DDP ever again.


I think this could be possible, depending upon the ages of the kids. As we've already discussed, if you have kids 3-9 years old, then the DP is more than likely going to be better, especially the DxDP. You have to factor in that savings into the mix as well.

I will admit though, that the regular DP since they changed it by removing tips and appetizers, isn't as much of a savings as it once was, but it still is a savings.

We have just done extensive spreadsheets comparing DP, combo of DP & DxDP, TIW and DxDP, and for us as 2 adults, 6 year old and 2 year old, the DxDP is the way to go. The TIW card, actually will cost us several hundred dollars more over the DxDP and that is because snacks aren't covered, as well as the fact that we would need to purchase kids' meals for our very hungry toddler, but with DxDP, we can use the appetizers for that.:thumbsup2

It really does depend upon the situation, but for us, we only order what we can eat, and so we only compare apples to apples, so in our comparisons where the TIW card would cost quite a bit more, that was only ordering base meals, no beverages, 1 kids' meal and 1 appetizer or additional kids' meal for the baby, and the TIW card still comes out to be a lot higher for our family situation (we also do not drink alcohol, so we wouldn't be using if for that either).

Good luck to all - it seems so many DISers don't care for the Dining Plans, and always seem to favour the TIW (we've used it 2x now), and in our opinion, it's not that simple.

The good thing is that Disney offers so many dining choices now, that there is bound to be something to fit most family's needs.

Tiger :cool1:

[dvcdisney]

We have used DDP since it was offered to DVC members. We are a family of 2adults and 2 children. We thought it was a great deal in the beginning. Then they changed it and although it didn't seem like such a great deal, we still did it. We used it on our last vacation about a month ago. We have a split vacation in the summer, so we have decided to get the DDP for one week and not for the other.

We have stayed in studios, 1 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms and not once have we used the stove or cooked anything. We do use the fridge for drinks and get milk, juice and water.

[lisa3635]

We use the dining plan. We have 1 child. We stay in studios. I've never stayed in a 1 or 2 bedroom. I don't like to cook on vacation. We look forward to going out to a nice sitdown dinner everynight. I feel like we'd only use a full kitchen water and soda. I think it would certainly make since for a large family. We also use the magic express so getting groceries can be expensive. if you drive or rent a car i think that makes a difference too.

[BWV Dreamin]

Without children we sometimes use DDP. It's good for us at Christmas for the Candlelight Processional package, and Fantasmic Package. Otherwise, we're happy to use the TIW card which isn't valid for those two things.

We like eating at Artist Point, and I enjoy appetizers more than desserts in general, that's another reason that the TIW is better for us.

I'm trying the Quick service plan in June. I figure that since we're in a studio, we can get water, some cereal, banana as snacks, and I won't have to worry about bringing anything from home. It's going to be me and DH. Since the quick service meals also include a dessert, those things will suffice as snacks for me. It's a split stay, so I am satisfying our "need" for a LeCellier steak during the non-Quick service time!

Bobbi:goodvibes
I changed my dining plan from regular dining plan to the quick service. Its only for 3 days post my cruise...I'm hoping I can use a snack credit for those parfaits at Roaring Fork! :wizard:

[Ron from Michigan]

We used the DDP for the first time on our just completed trip. Since there were 7 adults in our party we thought it would work great. It worked out great for us.

[TagsMissy]

We'd definitely continue with counter service plan.... regular dining plan I am not certain -- we just found it was too much food for us to every day have a sitdown and counter -- plus we had to plan vacation around reservations and I don't like that.

[whamma]

We just got back from a 3/20-3/28 stay and used the DDP. We kept all of our receipts and I plugged everything into an Excel spreadsheet. We (me, DH, DS and DD 6 yrs old) spent almost exactly the same on the DDP as we would have if we'd paid out of pocket (without any discount) for the food we purchased using the plan.

Our 11-year-old son is a very picky eater so paying the adult rate for him doesn't pay off for us anymore. When we go again in July I'm thinking about trying TIW. Back in the day when I had 2 at the child rate AND tip was included--the DDP was a BARGAIN! But those days are gone. :sad1:

[Dean]

I find that hard to believe! We did a very detailed accounting for two trips using DDP and two trips without DDP but using the TIW card instead. We came out $250 ahead of the game when we used the TIW card versus the DDP for us. We find we like to have appetizers instead of desserts, and we like the signatures as well as having a table service each day. We also do NOT use the counter service much, so we ended up way ahead using the TIW over the cost of the DDP. We wont be using the DDP ever again.My assumption was they used the price paid vs the price the items they got would have cost. For most people a difference of $250 is NOT a savings of $250, often no where near. Would one have ordered the same choices on cash, what about other discount options (TIW, DVC, AP)? It might still be a reasonable choice but it WOULD NOT be a savings of $250 for 99% of people for the situation I described.

[Disneymom2266]

Our family has never done it, with 2 kids adult age, it would cost us $160.00 per day! I can`t see eating that much, plus when we drive, we like to go into Orlando and eat at a regular restaurant. We usually go for 8-10 days, so Disney food starts to all taste the same to us after awhile. Some days we eat a huge bfast and then snacks. The DDP to us makes you feel you have to eat so much. If I went by myself with friends, for $40 a day, it would be worth it.

[La2kw]

I can't believe you guys are complaining about too much food!!! :scared1: My DH loves the food, I think the only reason he likes WDW! :lmao:

We love the DDP we had used it on our three non-DVC vacations and will definately use it on our 1st DVC vacation.

Like others have posted I love the fact that your meal is paid for (except tip) and you basically can eat and go. No budgeting or worrying about running out of money. We get the basic DDP, which I feel has the right amount of food for our family.

Your meal is not paid for if you still have to leave the tip. That tip also varies depending on what you order, since tips should be based on what the meal would have cost you if you paid for it. I find it much more convenient to charge my meals to the room using my DDE card for a discount. After all, even with the DDP, you still have to pay for the food. I just pay at the end, instead of in advance. I can eat at a TS restaurant if I want. I can eat an appetizer if I want. I can eat three appetizers and no entree if I want. I can eat an appetizer and three desserts if I want. I can eat every meal at TS if I want. I can eat 0 meals at a TS if I want. I don't have to eat what Disney says I should, I can eat what I choose to eat. To me, that's convenience.

[La2kw]

Our family has never done it, with 2 kids adult age, it would cost us $160.00 per day! I can`t see eating that much, plus when we drive, we like to go into Orlando and eat at a regular restaurant. We usually go for 8-10 days, so Disney food starts to all taste the same to us after awhile. Some days we eat a huge bfast and then snacks. The DDP to us makes you feel you have to eat so much. If I went by myself with friends, for $40 a day, it would be worth it.

We feel exactly the same way. $160/day is what it would cost us. For 14 nights, that's $2240! In the 20+ years we have been going to WDW, I have never spent that much on food.

Some of our favorite places to eat aren't even on the DDP. Ghiradelli's, HOB, Bongo's, RFC, Picabu, and BlueZoo aren't on the DDP. Sorry, but we can't survive without our Ghiradelli sundaes! ;)

We also enjoy heading offsite for a couple meals. We enjoy Qdoba, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Whataburger, Jersey Mike's, Panera Bread, and BJ's Brewhouse. We also enjoy Emeril's, Tchoup-Chop, and Margaritaville at Universal.

[christianweecare]

Do we use the plan?

Most of the time unless we have a very brief stay (over night).

DH & I own at SSR. We take trips by ourselves and with extended family. We like having access to the dining plan.

We mainly stay in studios when we stay.

[edk35]

We have used both the regular DDP and the Quick Service. With the DDP, we felt too tied down to our reservations even though on previous trips we had always had about 1 TS per day. I think it was a mental thing but regardless, it added a stress to the trip we never had before.

We just used the new QS plan and that was much easier and worked very well for us. We have 3 adult(1 DD is 10) and 1 child. The selection was much better than expected and we save quite a bit of money. It was nice for each of us to have a cup and to get snacks and not worry about the $$ adding up. We will probably do it again next time.

How long were you there using the quick service plan?? Did it get old?? What places did you eat at and did you eat at any TS out of pocket?? Thanks

[edk35]

I changed my dining plan from regular dining plan to the quick service. Its only for 3 days post my cruise...I'm hoping I can use a snack credit for those parfaits at Roaring Fork! :wizard:

Hey Hope...let me know how you like the quick service. I am sorta on the fence about that one too. I think my boys would would like that plan the best. I mean even if we did one or two table service meals it would work out better in the long run.

[edk35]

I think this could be possible, depending upon the ages of the kids. As we've already discussed, if you have kids 3-9 years old, then the DP is more than likely going to be better, especially the DxDP. You have to factor in that savings into the mix as well.

I will admit though, that the regular DP since they changed it by removing tips and appetizers, isn't as much of a savings as it once was, but it still is a savings.

We have just done extensive spreadsheets comparing DP, combo of DP & DxDP, TIW and DxDP, and for us as 2 adults, 6 year old and 2 year old, the DxDP is the way to go. The TIW card, actually will cost us several hundred dollars more over the DxDP and that is because snacks aren't covered, as well as the fact that we would need to purchase kids' meals for our very hungry toddler, but with DxDP, we can use the appetizers for that.:thumbsup2

It really does depend upon the situation, but for us, we only order what we can eat, and so we only compare apples to apples, so in our comparisons where the TIW card would cost quite a bit more, that was only ordering base meals, no beverages, 1 kids' meal and 1 appetizer or additional kids' meal for the baby, and the TIW card still comes out to be a lot higher for our family situation (we also do not drink alcohol, so we wouldn't be using if for that either).

Good luck to all - it seems so many DISers don't care for the Dining Plans, and always seem to favour the TIW (we've used it 2x now), and in our opinion, it's not that simple.

The good thing is that Disney offers so many dining choices now, that there is bound to be something to fit most family's needs.

Tiger :cool1:



Yeah I just wish they had a mix of plans for one stay. I would try it for sure then. It would be nice to have a couple of days with the DDP, the QSP and then just wing the rest. Oh well.....

[saremca]

We don't eat enough to justify it, so no.

[Hopefully]

We have always used the plan, but I was unsure about our upcoming trip.
For sure it was a bargain when it included appetizers and tips and I believe we saved money, but at any rate we liked the convenience it offered, plus DH likes the fact that it is paid in advance. (At that time we were booking DVC through CRO).
After much thought and research for our upcoming trip we have decided to go with the basic DDP AND the TIW card. This trip we will be 4 adults. We will use the TIW to cover the occasional (or frequent :-) ) appetizers and the "adult" beverages in the evening. Also, since we will be attending the F & W event we will be able to use our snack credits for food samples, which is a good deal for us.
We may not save much, but it works for how we normally eat and we enjoy it.
I will order breakfast items, water, juice, soda, beer, wine and some snacks from wegoshop.com for breakfast and snacks in the afternoon.
Also we plan to go to Vero Beach next fall and the TIW will still be good to use there.
HTH

[eliza61]

I tried the DDP once, never again


At best it saves my family of 4 $75.00 really not all that much
still had to pay oop for too many things
Hated to have to constantly think "Is this on the dining plan or Can I use the dining plan at a signature restuarant?"
If we changed our minds and wanted to skip our TS meal, I hated the "but we can't skip it or we waste the TS credits" feeling.


I know some people can plan their restuarants to maximize the credits but thats not me so it just didn't save me all that much money to make it worth the time.

[jgazda]

We are using the deluxe on our upcoming trip and if we order what I think we are going to order (thanks allears) it will have saved us a bundle. We can share apps/entree's with our two year old and not have to order her anything extra.