Would you do DDP again (not free DDP) and what did you not like about the DDP?

[shebjo]

Hi. Still trying to decide if I realy should add on the dining plan (not free dining because I got a 40% off room code that I am using at AKL at end of Aigust for 4 nights/5 days) - it will be me, dh and twin daughters who will be 7. We do like to eat ...but don't need to gain anymore weight (LOL). We aren't picky eaters ...just still not sure if I should do the DDP. For those who have gotten the DDP (not the free dining plan) ....1) would you pay for it again and 2) was there anything you didn't like about the DDP?

[TDC Nala]

No, I'd never pay for it again. I am single, though, have no children, and in my opinion the dining plan is too restrictive (many of my favorite restaurants don't accept it or have items I prefer to order that are not covered - like appetizers or alcoholic beverages).

[shebjo]

I am sure I will hear from others ...but thanks TDC as what you say is partially why I am swaying back and forth ....we like to eat appetizers and/or otherthings not included in teh DDP and we aslo want to ear at a couple of places that's not on the plan

[tpettie]

Yes, We went last year a group of 15 with 10 of those children. I don't know that we saved any money I do think we at lease broke even. We all liked the convience of knowing the majority of our meals were pre paid for. We did a lot of charater buffet dinner and enjoy them. The only down side was for children's menu was a very limited menu they can posibly end up spending a week eating mac and cheese. With the buffet meals we didn't find it that bad, but many of the menu selections for kids under 10 are 4-6 things over and over not much varriety. That being said our kids didn't mind at all. We are going back in Dec and will do DDP again.

[jog58]

It's just hubby and I, no kids yet. We personally really like the dining plan. I think it offers a good variety of restaurants and we like having the food prepaid, we don't always get apps or alcoholic beverages but when we do we just pay OOP for them. We have used the DDP 3 times and are going on 4 in two weeks.

[ntsammy5]

It's just hubby and I, no kids yet. We personally really like the dining plan. I think it offers a good variety of restaurants and we like having the food prepaid, we don't always get apps or alcoholic beverages but when we do we just pay OOP for them. We have used the DDP 3 times and are going on 4 in two weeks.

This could be us! But we have 3 kids - youngest 28. We don't always use the DDP but this will be our 4th time too in 3 weeks. It's a decent value depending on what we're doing.

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I am deliberating the same thing for our family trip this December. DS12 and I did the DDP for the first time in March. I loved having everything prepaid and not thinking maybe I should order this over that due to the cost. Also we ate more TS meals than we would have if we had been paying OOP and we found this to be a nice break. The negatives were, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was too much dessert. The CS desserts are not very good IMO and we would take a bite and just throw them out. We both gained 3 pounds from the extra eating.:guilty: And we really didn't save all that much money. I kept our receipts and tabulated what we would have spent if we had bought the food without the DDP (I know, too much time on my hands) and we only saved about $40. My DS is picky so we chose a lot of breakfasts, not the best usage of the DDP if you are concerned about maximizing your dollar. The other thing you might want to consider is with a short stay of 4 nights do you want to spend the time eating TS? We are only going for 5 nights our next trip and I'm not sure if we want to spend the time eating TS everyday.
Obviously I'm not that much help since I'm not sure what we're going to do. Hopefully some of this info has been helpful. I'll probably be asking the same question in a couple of months and maybe you can give me some advice.:rotfl:
Good luck!

[SuzieN]

We ALWAYS do the DDP!!! It makes our vacation almost all inclusive and it's great to not listen to my husband complain about the cost of food! We did like it better when the tip was included; then it really was ALL inclusive! If we were paying out of pocket for every meal we probably wouldn't eat at more than 1, maybe 2, TS restaurants. Good luck making your decision!

[catne]

We love DDP, and we always do the DDP, free or not...it works very well for us. But if you're going DURING Free Dining, keep in mind the Disney restaurants will be very busy and without ADRs you won't get your money's worth from the plan. Also, if you prefer appetizers, and will be choosing some non-plan restaurants it probably won't be a good match for you. Better to pay OOP when you do want to eat at Disney restaurants & order exactly the way you want.

[swmmom]

We are doing the DDP again this May. We definately made out ahead when we had it on our last trip. I never thought that I would like having every day planned out with ADR's for every meal, but I really do. We also would probably only have a couple of TS meals if we didn't do the DDP. I like having the meals prepaid for the most part, and I don't hesitate to order exactly what I want to eat without thinking of the cost at the end of the meal.

[3KidletsMom]

We had the DDP when we went in Oct 2007 but we will not be using it this time.

What I liked about it: everything was prepaid so I really didn't think twice about how much something was when I ordered it, having appetizers and desserts included.

What I didn't like: as a PP commented, very limited choices on kids menu, being tied to and planning around ADR's, feeling like I was eating all the time.

I believe that I'm in the minority though as it seems like lots of people do like it!

[Colleen27]

We've done the basic dining plan twice, once free and once paid, and the deluxe plan once. We wouldn't do the basic plan again. We like appetizers and dislike counter service so it just doesn't fit us well. We loved the deluxe plan and will be using it again on our Sept trip. As of right now, the plan for our December weekend trip doesn't include any dining plan. We're booked club level and we're going to use that trip to try a few places that aren't on the plan.

[sarahk0204]

We were able to add the DDP last year because we had a little extra money, and we loved it. Now we are doing it for this year's trip. We love the convenience of it being mostly prepaid, and we love trying lots of different restaurants. I have girl/boy twins, age 5, so we do lots of character meals. That said, we have some friends who will be at WDW the same time we are who never do the DDP. They don't enjoy being tied down to ADR's, etc. If it doesn't fit your touring style, don't do it. You can always make a couple of ADR's if there is something special you want to do, and you can even cancel those if you change your mind.

[dreamscometrue101]

I went to WDW in February with my mom, 12yo son, 5yo niece and 7yo nephew. It was my first time in the world with the DDP but I will definitely do it again.
I found that there was more than enough food and if I wanted an appetizer I just paid OOP.
For the counter service meals we usually got fruit or yogurt when available for dessert and actually used those for the next morning for breakfast.

I liked not having to pull my credit card out at every meal or try to keep track of what I was spending each day to ensure I stayed on budget.

Also, I loved the fact that we could go to the majority of snack stands and the kids could get a drink or snack without having to have cash for it.

We're already planning our next trip for October 2010 and my son has already asked for DDP again. He liked trying restaurants we hadn't done before and being able eat what he wanted without asking how much it cost.

[squirrel]

Unless it's free the DDP is not for me!

I found it to be too much food. In the parks I shared my meal with my niece and sometimes still had food leftover. I was eating way too many sweets-I do like them but not twice a day!

I did like that the food was all paid for. I was able to pick whatever was on the menu and not worry about the cost.

[P.I. Squirrel]

It depends on whether you are happy eating once or twice a day, and mostly counter services.

We added up our receipts for every meal we ate. Every TS meal was a minimum $75, CS was at least $30 for a family of four. Snacks would have added $20 daily. That is at least $125 daily. Keep in mind that some pricier TS would really add up quick. DDP is roughly $102 for our family of 2 adults and 2 kids.

It is worth it, for us.

[stemikger]

I didn't read all the replies, but here was my experience.

Two years ago I bought the DDP and loved it. Last year I wanted to save money and didn't buy and and ate mainly at the food courts and guess what I speant the same amount without going to many table service restaurants. I went to about 3 or 4 Table service restaurants.

After that I would always go for the DDP.

This year I'm doing free dining, so even better.

[PaulaSB12]

I have used the ddp 3 times twice solo and once with my sister and her children. I love it I like the fact that its paid for before you go and have to admit that on occasion last time we brought starters. This time (I will be giving Disney a break for a couple of years I will be doing the deluxe dining plan.

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