After checking found the DDP is not worth it for us [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

myjourney

08-05-2009, 12:07 PM

Singinglizzie

08-05-2009, 01:20 PM

Good for you for taking the time to double check that it will or will not work for you. If it doesn't make sense, don't do it. Have a great trip too!!!

Mommy2SabrinaJeremy

08-05-2009, 02:02 PM

Everyone's experience is unique so it's good you checked it out.

For us, we did the dining plan last year and we saved about $325 over the cost of the plan. 2 adults & 2 kids

catne

08-05-2009, 02:13 PM

yeah, if character meals & buffets are big on your list, then chances are you will not see big $$$ savings on the dining plan. The other planning feature that tends to narrow the value of the DDP is planning a lot of breakfast & lunch table service meals...those tend to be lower cost meals anyway, so if those are your choices the dining plan might actually cost you more.

We eat few buffets, though, and do tend to prefer the higher-end entrees (and higher-end counter service choices, too.) So we save a pretty penny with the dining plan.

Good for you running the numbers, though...much better to do that in advance than to think you're going to save a bunch of money only to be disappointed with the reality.

Either way, enjoy your vacation!:thumbsup2

DrD

08-05-2009, 03:35 PM

Yeah, I didn't get it last time for that reason, also I didn't want to have to make ADR's for everything.

This time I'm doing it because it's free!!! So probably worth it. doubt I'll use all the table service because I don't know where I'll be every day.

This is the one thing I wish they did better, who wants to decide where to eat 3 months in advance?

dd50

08-05-2009, 03:49 PM

Good for you on running the numbers. I did that also and will just about break even and only staying with it because we are meeting my grown daughter and her two children and she will do much better than paying OOP. We are doing mostly character meals and they aren't that much.

raider97

08-06-2009, 05:54 AM

After getting all our ressies I went back and pulled up the menus and figured the most expensive thing on each, and it is just not worth it for us. If we ate the most expensive TS, CS and snack we might save $20 each. I think a big part of this is that we have several character meals and they are not that expensive.

Depending on when you are going make sure you add in the seasonal dining charges on you character meals. Most of December and some of November are now included in them.

septbaby

08-06-2009, 01:55 PM

Are there children 3-9 in your group? If you are doing character meals or buffets ALL of those cost more than the child's daily rate.

Also did you add the 6.5% tax for the meals you pay for OOP? The tax is included in the DP fee.

Just one example using a not too expensive meal for one Adult and one Child.
Chef Mickey's breakfast, CS lunch, 2 snacks.

Snacks: $5.00
CS Lunches: $14.55
- Child meal $5.31
- Adult meal of $6.49 pizza and $2.19 drink
CS Breakfast:37.96
- Child $13.48
- Adult $24.48

Daily Total: $57.51
Daily DP Fee: $50.98

Keep in mind I chose the less expensive buffet, cheap ice cream novelty snacks and skipped dessert for the adult CS meal and selected the cheapest entree. With the DP you could have gotten a Pizza and salad meal as the entree. At Cosmic Ray's the entrees are much more expensive.

The DP definitely isn't for everyone, however when you indicated several character meals I figured there might be a child in the group and wanted to make sure the taxes were included in your calculations.

Finally, $20 could mean an extra smile for and my nephew. That's enough money to get his haircut at Harmony Barber shop or play mini golf, etc. I can see how for many it isn't a big deal, but for me it would matter.

Good luck with your decision or congrats on picking the choice that is right for you.

purplebelle

08-06-2009, 04:33 PM

After getting all our ressies I went back and pulled up the menus and figured the most expensive thing on each, and it is just not worth it for us. If we ate the most expensive TS, CS and snack we might save $20 each. I think a big part of this is that we have several character meals and they are not that expensive.

How were you able to pull up the menus? I'd like to do this as well. Great research, Detective Myjourney.:thumbsup2

purplebelle

08-06-2009, 04:40 PM

yeah, if character meals & buffets are big on your list, then chances are you will not see big $$$ savings on the dining plan. The other planning feature that tends to narrow the value of the DDP is planning a lot of breakfast & lunch table service meals...those tend to be lower cost meals anyway, so if those are your choices the dining plan might actually cost you more.

That brings up an interesting point for me. I have free dining next month (instead of using the AAA discount) and we have mostly buffets and breakfasts:

Tusker House Donald Safari Breakast
1900 Park Fare with Mary Poppins Breakfast
Akershus Royal Table w/Princesses at 3pm
Captain's Grille 7pm
(on all different days)

Are the restaurants I selected on the more economical end? I guess having only one dinner, maybe I'm not using the free table service meals to the best deal. ?:confused3

Advice from the experts?

mwatson011

08-06-2009, 07:59 PM

septbaby

08-06-2009, 08:01 PM

That brings up an interesting point for me. I have free dining next month (instead of using the AAA discount) and we have mostly buffets and breakfasts:

Tusker House Donald Safari Breakast
1900 Park Fare with Mary Poppins Breakfast
Akershus Royal Table w/Princesses at 3pm
Captain's Grille 7pm
(on all different days)

Are the restaurants I selected on the more economical end? I guess having only one dinner, maybe I'm not using the free table service meals to the best deal. ?:confused3

Advice from the experts?

You have two wonderful character breakfast, a lunch which I believe is plated, but all you can eat and full service dinner. The best deal on the DP is to eat what you want and not worry about price. If you've done that you're getting great value out of the plan. By the the Princess meal you've selected includes a photo package so that really adds to the "value" of the meal too.

myjourney

08-06-2009, 08:39 PM

I forgot about the tax, I will run the numbers again. I am just figuring for my husband and I, but there are actually 14 of us, my kids and grandkids. We are going Oct 18 for 5 nights. I rented DVC points for four studios. We got all the ressiees we wanted including several we will pay OOP for, I am going to let my kids run their numbers and see if it is worth it for them.

purplebelle here is the link to the menus

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm

candielips

08-06-2009, 09:08 PM

Tiger926

08-06-2009, 10:15 PM

Excellent points in regard to your figures - need to include tax in your figures (DP does), plus add in surcharges if applicable.

We just returned from 14 days, and saved over $600.00 using the DP for 2 adults and DD6 (our baby DS2 is free, but eats more than I do!). We then took out desserts/beverages we wouldn't normally have ordered, and still got a savings of close to $400.00, but we then would have had to order the baby actual kids' meals, so it would have balanced out. Either way, we saved a bundle, and we only order what we can eat, drink water with meals, share desserts (sometimes no dessert) and don't order the most expensive items at all. Lots of character meals for us though.

Great for doing your research! Tiger :)

mickey&me

08-06-2009, 10:32 PM

In response to DrD who wanted to know who wants to plan meals three months in advance:

Me me me me! Pick me! LOL We get so excited that we actually keep reminding each other that in 44 days we will be eating dinner at Ohana at 6:30 p.m. The funny thing is that for occasions other than Disney events I do not make any plans period. I don't even usually know what I am going to cook for dinner until I dig in the fridge after work. Go figure. Disney makes me CrAzY

Hallowishes

08-07-2009, 08:02 AM

Tricia1972

08-07-2009, 08:20 AM

Glad you found what works for you. Every family is different, and even within a family your needs can differ from trip to trip.

An easy run on the tax that you're adding in - 6.5% of $600 is $39. So if your vacation food budget is at or above $600, that swings the DDP in your favor.

You won't need to worry about the surcharges because it's October, so that's a non-issue in your case. Though it's an important point for others to remember when crunching their own numbers.

purplebelle

08-07-2009, 09:24 AM

Let's see...you chose what your family will enjoy the most...sounds like the best value out there!

Now there's an easy & true way to look at it. Thank you!:cutie:

You have two wonderful character breakfast, a lunch which I believe is plated, but all you can eat and full service dinner. The best deal on the DP is to eat what you want and not worry about price. If you've done that you're getting great value out of the plan. By the the Princess meal you've selected includes a photo package so that really adds to the "value" of the meal too.

Another good point...not worrying about $. I only accidentally found out about the free photo after booking the restaurant and coming on here. I still get a free photo even though it's Free Dining? :woohoo:

septbaby

08-07-2009, 02:06 PM

Now there's an easy & true way to look at it. Thank you!:cutie:

Another good point...not worrying about $. I only accidentally found out about the free photo after booking the restaurant and coming on here. I still get a free photo even though it's Free Dining? :woohoo:

Yes, you get the photo package. You don't get second class treatment anywhere in WDW because you are on the DP, Free or not. Relax and have a great time!

Nancy for Disney

08-07-2009, 06:13 PM

I didn't figure taxes either in my estimates. Right now I have about a $30 difference in getting QS plan vs paying OP. QS plan is slightly more than what I think we will actually eat. Of course it is impossible to tell what you will actually eat. I am certain that QS plan will be more than enough. I have also included in my figures one TS meal. I do want to make sure that I understand the tax issue. My quote for my vacation package which includes the QS plan is approx $925. Is that before of after taxes? Allears shows the price of QS plan to be $29.99. Is that before or after taxes? I estimated our OP food expenses would be $330 before taxes. So if the $29.99 includes taxes it will be about the same because for 5 nights for 2 adults that comes to $300 for two people plus $62 for our meal (O'hana). Our food expenses would then be $362. My guess is that it works out to be about the same with taxes plus we will probably have extra SC to take home treats for the kids.

Hope that makes sense. :laughing:

I agree with a PP that $20 can make a difference. That is probably two extra cocktails for me and DH on our trip. :rolleyes1

Tricia1972

08-07-2009, 06:21 PM

If you are looking at the QS plan, you would add tax onto your QS total only. You'll have to pay tax at Ohana with or without the QS plan, as it's an OOP meal.

Your tax on $300 will be $19.50, so your OOP cost is $319.50

There is no tax added onto the $29.99 that you pay for the QSDP.

septbaby

08-08-2009, 03:59 PM

If you are adding up the amount of money spent on OOP meals you need to add 6.5% sales tax to those amount.

The Dining plan fees include taxes to you don't have to add tax to that number.

So just as a sample calculation for an adult on the QS Dining Plan:

Resort CS - Breakfast: $12.45
- Mickey waffle with breakfast $6.69
- 2 bottled beverages @ $2.50

Early Snack: $3.93
- Corn Dog $3.69

Lunch or Dinner: $16.58
- 1/2 Chicken meal at Cosmc Ray's $9.49
- Soft Drink $2.49
- Chocolate or Carrot Cake Dessert $3.59

Late Snack: $2.75
- Mickey Bar $2.75

The OOP costs for this day is $35.71 vs the QS nightly fee of $29.99. This adult would be better off withe the QS Plan this day.

The QS plan would also give this guest beverages with his/her refillable mug. So for example the guest uses the mug for the beverage they have with breakfast and takes those two bottled drinks into the park, saving snack credits during the park day. The guest could also use the mug at the end of the day to get a drink for the night once he or she is back at their resort.

Hope that helps with the tax question!

Nancy for Disney

08-08-2009, 05:52 PM

I am still a little confused although the answer to this questions is not going to impact any decision I have as I have made up my mind and am going with the QSDP. I was quoted $925 by disney for my full package that includes my QSDP. Wouldn't they add tax on to that?

Lets break down my package. These prices are only estimates by the way but are based on what I am going to pay. I won't go into details as it is a long story but I will be using retail pricing even though I am going during a free dining period.

Value resort: $500
1 day park tickt: $125
QS dining plan $300
subtotal $925.00
6.5% tax $40.63
Grand total $965.63

Or does that quote that disney gave me already include any taxes? I am pretty sure that it doesn't. Also there may very well be a difference in the hotel tax and the food tax. Or they may even tax everything seperately based on what is for and already include the tax in the $300 for dining.

Taxes, why do they have to be so complicated?:rotfl:

One more thing that doesn't have to do with taxes. The reason we decided to go with the QS plan was for simplicity. I don't want to have to think about every penny I am spending on food. It will stress me every time I spend $4 on snack. This way I won't worry about sticker shock and be able to eat what I want. Also I like the idea of having everything paid for before we get there. :goodvibes

idieh

08-08-2009, 07:32 PM

We are going Oct 13-22nd this year and staying at the Caribbean Pirate room. We originally (as we do every year) book the room only with a AAA discount. When the free Dining plan came out we crunched the numbers with a Disney rep and discovered that the room rate only discount of $109.00 a night was much better for us than free dining and rack rate for room. You can only get one discount a visit...so I was told. If I did the free dining plan it would have cost me and add'l $400.00. Crunch the numbers before deciding free is a better plan. As my 10 year old son says "there is no such thing as a free lunch."

66 days!!!!!!

KellyNY

08-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Unless it is free, I do not get DP. We usually do 1 or 2 restaurants during our stay. Thanks to free dining couple of years ago, we explored most of restaurants and have our favorites now and there are not as many to do everyday for us.
I personally do not care for most places at Epcot, as I can order in same origins food here at home and pay 10 times less.
However, it is me and everyone is different. We easily do appr. $20 per person a day + 1 or 2 days with restaurants, which is still cost us less then DP.

septbaby

08-09-2009, 01:25 PM

The price Disney gives you is a complete price, you don't need to add anythigng.

Our discussion of taxes here was just as it relates to the deciding whether paying for food out of pocket or get a dining plan. If you choose a dining plan you just pay that rate, but if you pay out of pocket you'll need to had taxes to your purchases. Once you do that and add up those totals you can compare out of pocket dining to a dining plan.

Yummy

08-10-2009, 12:12 PM

for me personally, it really isnt about the monetary savings. its more about the feeling of not having to worry about/budget money for food. its all paid for when i go down there. thats worth it to me :thumbsup2

I have to agree with Hallowishes on that one. We went to WDW for the first time ever last May and took the QSDP. We loved the fact it made our trip all-inclusive (no need to worry about overspending while in WDW), and we found out it was waaay enough food for the two of us (we even spent our last 6 or 7 snack credits at Goofy's Candy Co for yummy treats to bring back as souvenirs).

For us (2 adults, no kids), the Quick Service plan was a perfect fit. I had done my research on this board before going, and had figured out where to eat and what snacks to get, but didn't want to have to plan where I would be each day. I was very pleased with the quantity and quality of the food on the plan, and we did keep all our receipt to check how much the plan had cost us versus how much all the stuff we bought would have cost, and we bought for about 40$ more than what we paid for the plan. But just for the convenience, if the QSDP remains unchanged (2 meals, 2 snacks + free refillable mug), we'll take it every time we go to WDW.

Wow, I'm ramlbing :rotfl: