On the Fence with DDP

[mfortis]

We (DW, DH, 2DK, 14 and 10) are going to WDW for Thanksgiving week and I am on the fence on wether to buy either the CS DDP or the TS DDP. Here is why.
First of all in either DDP it looks like we would have to order the most expensive item to get the full value of the plans. And thats only at the expensive restaurants. Also, my 10 yo preferes a plain burger or less expensive dish.
Next, if we want an appetizer we have to pay extra and if we dont have room for dessert we forfeit it. We could always take it with us, but lets be real.
Third, I don't think we get the same food choices when we are not on the plan. If I remember correctly, when you go to a sit down restaurant you are given a different menu when you say you are on the DDP.
Wow I think I just made up my mind. lol
What do you think?
BTW, I am a DVC member and get the TS DDP $39.99 pp.
:teacher:

[notaclue]

We did the DDP 2 years ago and it was great when it included appetizer and tip. Last week we had free dining so we upgraded to the DXDDP just to get the appetizer and have sit-down meals. I don't think we'll ever do any dining plan again unless it's totally free. Even with the DXDDP we were told there are certain items on some menus that we couldn't order which I thought was odd. We seldom ate the dessert so that was a waste. Many meals could have been split between DH and I so we ended up leaving alot of food on our plates which bothered DH. We would have been happier to just have an appetizer some of the time and paid OOP for what we ate. We felt obligated to do alot of meals that we would have bypassed if we didn't have the plan and still ended up leaving 4 credits unused. I don't think we were ever given a different menu because the servers never asked if we were on the DDP until they took our order.

[Nadjalu]

I would say if it doesn't work out for you financially then don't go with it. But I can say that the menus are the same whether you are on the plan or not. Not sure where that misconception came from.
Yes the appy is now gone and you get dessert, that is still correct.
But if it doesn't add up for you pass on it.
Personally we get a better deal with the DDP, and we don't always get the most expensive but we are steak eaters.
Of course it doesn't hurt to have FD either! :banana:

[mfortis]

I may have had a memory relapse :sick: regarding the menus. Maybe I am thinking its the same menu, just not everything is available when you are on DDP, excluding the appetizer of course. I just remeber being at the Chef de France and at the Moroccan restaurant and being told something about the menu.

[LilGMom]

As of now the menu for DDP guests is the same as the menu for non-DDP guests.

If you are unsure try running the numbers to see what works for you. This is what we did and we found that we'd save between $15-20 on the DDP as opposed to paying OOP assuming we used all of our DDP credits.

**Warning** I am a closet spreadsheeter and can find an excuse to use a spreadsheet for anything and that is what I did with DDP vs. OOP. I created a spreadsheet that listed the days that we'd be there and the ADRs that we would have. My DH & I sat down and figured out what we'd order regardless of DDP or OOP - sometimes this meant we were adding in an appetizer. We only did this for TS meals. I guesstimated an average CS meal cost and added in a $4 snack for each day. Then I plugged in the numbers, added tax and gratuity for the meals and added it all up. Did the same with the DDP costs and added an appetizer to some meals, and added tax and gratuity to all meals. Compared the two and it wasn't a significant savings for us. It was a good deal, for our family, when the appetizer and gratuity were still included in the DDP.

[dormouse72]

I think it depends on how you determine value -

For us, it made sense because our original reservation was for a tent site at FW with the QS plan. Since the tent site is so cheap (especially when the cost is spread out over a large party like we have), most of our money was being used for the QSDP. With free dining, we were able to transfer that money into an upgraded room at a moderate with the TSDP for about $900 more for the week (and spread out over a large number of people - it certainly made sense). Even if I don't eat the most expensive thing on the menu, it's already valuable.

It's nice to know that my meals are already paid for. I might buy some things OOP (extra snacks and such) but it's easier to budget for that then constantly worry that eating a big meal earlier in the vacation will blow the food budget for later in the week. Also, I can budget for tips and don't have to worry about the taxes. Less stress is a definite value.

I like being able to encourage my kids to be more adventurous diners. At home, on the occassions we do eat out I have to watch what they order - at least on a dining plan if my daughter wants shrimp, I don't have to worry about it as much. It's not as easy as when we go to an all-inclusive (where if they take a bite and say "I don't like it" they can always just pick something else) but it's pretty close. It's also nice to be able to indulge their sweet tooth - normally, I don't let them get desert.

Will we sometimes order the most expensive thing on the menu? I guess - the most important thing is that we'll order our favorite things on the menus. And that's fun.

[Alesia]

We did not get the DDP when we went in March and it was totally the right decision. We only had 3 TS meals in the 9 days we were there (CP for breakfast, CRT for lunch, and 'Ohana for dinner) and that was perfect for us. We aren't big eaters, so we usually split 2 CS meals between the 3 of us. We also really liked the flexibility of eating CS. We ate what we wanted, when we wanted. The best part is that we spent $300 less than we would have on the DDP.

[mfortis]

Well it looks like I made up my mind. No DDP this year. We will end up using TIW instead.
Reasons why:
Overall it costs the same, unless you have to have the most expensive item on the menu ALL the time.
Getting reservations at the 'higher end' more cost effective restaurants (Coral Reef, Le Cellier, etc) is difficult, if not improbable.
We are not tied to TS every day. If we want to just have CS one day we do not need to worry about losing or having to double up on a TS.
More menu selection. I can get and appetizer instead of desert. I still remember being limited on the entrée choices at some restaurants (Moroccan and Chefs) and had only a limited number of dishes that where available with the DDP.

BTW, I took a peek at the DDP for 2010 and there is no way I will pay for it. Aside for all the reasons listed above, the amount of restaurants is cut in half!
It seems to me that WDW may be trying to phase it out or discourage people from using it.

[Princess Disney Mom]

We bought the dining plan for our 20 year anniversary this past June and I did truly enjoy it.
Probably I won't do it again as it was expensive. It was $160 per day for the 4 of us and really I can buy a weeks worth of groceries for that and to have paid it every day for 7 nights. Too expensive for next year especially as it would be $24 dollars a day more.:scared1:

I'll never forget the check out CM at the food court at the Contemporary that acted like I was getting the food at such a bargin on the DP. She said something like" It does not matter to you how much it costs." I said "Well I don't consider $160 a day a bargin either." She seemed shocked.

[TDC Nala]

I still remember being limited on the entrée choices at some restaurants (Moroccan and Chefs)

I don't recall what the deal with Chefs might have been but you cannot order the multi-course platters at Morocco on the dining plan without paying an extra surcharge. The basic dining plan covers only the entree and dessert and not the extra courses, and that's how Marrakesh has chosen to handle it.

Chefs de France now has a three-course fixed price menu that you can purchase on the basic dining plan (and get all three courses) but you must stick to the items listed on that particular menu. You can still order from the regular menu, but if you do, the appetizer isn't covered.

BTW, I took a peek at the DDP for 2010 and there is no way I will pay for it. Aside for all the reasons listed above, the amount of restaurants is cut in half!
It seems to me that WDW may be trying to phase it out or discourage people from using it.

The 2010 restaurant list is not complete at this time. They cannot list the restaurants owned and operated by third parties until their contracts are renewed. There will be a new list before January 1.

[Ciciwoowoo]

We are going over Thanksgiving as well. You might want to check the prices of the places you will eat because there is the holiday surcharge at some of the places. That is sort of what clinched it for us to use the DDP. We are DVC members too and were going to just eat at a few places and not do the plan. Once we figured in the cost of the holiday surcharges (most of the places we were going to eat at our buffets) it made no sense NOT to use the DDP.

I do know that next year the DDP will have a holiday surcharge on it as well, making it much less of a bargain.

[mfortis]

Is the surcharge just on TG day or is it for the whole week? And how much is it? A percentage, a flat amount. Just when I thought I had it all figured out.:scared1:

[Get me to Disney!]

I don't know if this will help you or not. We had free DDP and so of course it was well worth it :) But, we did pay attention to what we would have spent had we had to buy all of that food. There are six - DH, myself, and 4 kids - 12, 10, 7 and 4. Our snack purchases ran about 20+ each time, lunch 60 and dinners were never under 150. Now, with that being said, if I were paying OOP for everything, I know I could have gotten away with the 60 for lunch and 60 for dinner each day. That's 120.00 per day for all of us to eat. Plus, I would have skimped in other ways like taking more of my own groceries, etc. so I know I could have done it cheaper. When your kids don't want the food that is brought to them and you didn't have to "buy" it, it takes the sting out but when you pay your hard earned money for a fantastic meal and they just would rather have a fry somewhere, it stinks....

Good luck!

[ADisneyQueen]

Usually the holiday surcharge would be for the whole week and would be $4 more per adult and maybe $2 for children at buffet restuarants only. But you need to check on that.

[LilGMom]

Is the surcharge just on TG day or is it for the whole week? And how much is it? A percentage, a flat amount. Just when I thought I had it all figured out.:scared1:

The holiday upcharge can be for a whole week or for a period of time that WDW deems "holiday".

The DDP can work great for some families and not so great for others. We used it when it still included dessert and gratuity and we did save some money. We used it again after the dessert and gratuity had been dropped and we about broke even. We don't change our dining habits or what we order based on if we are on the DDP or not - we order what we want. The two times we used the DDP we felt like we were forcing ourselves to eat and use up the CS meals and/or wasting food by ordering both kids a meal when they could have easily shared a meal. When you leave with unused dining credits you are wasting money and that happened both times, even with the forcing ourselves to eat. Now when my boys are older than the DDP will probably work out great for us or if we were taking a mom/dad trip only than we might get the DDP and try some places that we normally wouldn't with the kids.

[tony67]

In my opinion it does not seem worth it, especially if your kids are going to order burgers.
If you knew for sure that you would eat at a TS every day (and have ADRs) then you may break even.

I was going to purchase the DDP myself and I did the math. (I am also an Excel addict)
By the time I added the cost of the plan, the cost of tips (on overpriced food to make the plan look like a value - IMHO) and the cost of wine I would have with those TS meals (meals that I did not really want) it did not make sense. Instead I took the money I saved and booked a couple of meals I really wanted (some that are not on the DDP so I would have skipped if on the DDP) and got the QSDP.

I would not even consider the QS dining plan except for the fact that I am going during the F&W festival and you get 2 snacks per day to use at the booths. Even with the 2 snacks per day I will probably break even on the QSDP overall. But it is convenient.

The other big issue I had is you need to know well in advance what park you are going to be in each day and book meals accordingly. After I made all my ADRs I realized I needed to be at Epcot almost every night and since I did not have a car it would be annoying to try to get to some of the resorts locations. I really just wanted to go where I want each day and not worry about being somewhere at a specific time. But that’s me.

At the end of the day you need to sit down and crunch the numbers for yourself.
Do you want to be tied to being somewhere at a specific time?
Is it worth 200 a day plus about 25-30 in tips a day for the TS plan?
Can you even get the ADRs you want at this point?

Is it worth 150 a day for the QS plan? Do you really want a dessert with every CS?
2 snacks per person a day is no problem, but if you get the 2 bottle of water it just won't work out.

[Ciciwoowoo]

I'm not quite sure of the exact dates of the holiday surcharge, but if you make your reservations, you can ask at that time. Also, they are generally only at the fixed price places like Ohana or Chef Mickey. If you will not be eating at places like that, you won't have to worry about it.

I agree with what other posters are saying. Try to figure out the TS places you will be eating, and then glance at the menu to see how much it will run your family. Also, make sure you have your reservations in place!

One nice thing about being on DVC, you don't have to decide until a few days before you get there if you want to use the DDP. It will give you time to figure out if the plan is right for your family.

Sorry, didn't mean to change your mind on it but wanted you to be aware they had those sneaky charges hiding! :goodvibes

[ADisneyQueen]

I'm pretty sure anybody can add on the DDP up to 72 hours before your check in. You could wait till then to add it, but still have your reservations. I believe it is not only DVC people who have this option.

[mchelle77]

It's nice to know that my meals are already paid for. I might buy some things OOP (extra snacks and such) but it's easier to budget for that then constantly worry that eating a big meal earlier in the vacation will blow the food budget for later in the week. Also, I can budget for tips and don't have to worry about the taxes. Less stress is a definite value.

I like being able to encourage my kids to be more adventurous diners. At home, on the occassions we do eat out I have to watch what they order - at least on a dining plan if my daughter wants shrimp, I don't have to worry about it as much. It's not as easy as when we go to an all-inclusive (where if they take a bite and say "I don't like it" they can always just pick something else) but it's pretty close. It's also nice to be able to indulge their sweet tooth - normally, I don't let them get desert.

Will we sometimes order the most expensive thing on the menu? I guess - the most important thing is that we'll order our favorite things on the menus. And that's fun.

Exactly my thoughts on this!

My husband and I went to Disney for two weeks for our honeymoon and only ate at THREE TS restaurants (Le Cellier, 50's and ESPN). Why? Because we couldn't justify the cost of any more than that. We ate mostly CS and were really bored with it after a while (which is WHY we ended up eating at some TS places :laughing: )

This trip I thought about the DDP and my DH was on the fence about it. When it turned up that FD was extended, we jumped on it. I LOVE knowing that we get to try all different restaurants and not worry about spending an extra $1000 (give or take ;) ) on eating. I like knowing we can try new places, new dishes, etc. I'm budgeting for tips and alcoholic beverages (and F&WF stuff).

Would we have taken advantage if it weren't free? Not sure. *I* would have, but DH was resistant. I guess we'll find out next trip.

[TDC Nala]

I'm pretty sure anybody can add on the DDP up to 72 hours before your check in. You could wait till then to add it, but still have your reservations. I believe it is not only DVC people who have this option.

DVC members actually have up to 48 hours before arrival to add a dining plan to a a reservation. MYW packages must have it done at least 72 hours before arrival.

[curious3069]

I'm just back from 4 days of free dining and while it was nice to have everything but tips and drinks taken care of, plus we really really enjoyed all of our TS meals, if I had to do it again, I'd probably do the QSDP and maybe tack on a TS or two if we felt like it. As strange as it sounds, being tied to an ADR, even a free dining one, really didn't fit our travel style. We had plenty of variety at the CS we tried and really preferred the flexibility of eating when we were hungry, not when we had an ADR. Plus we enjoy the challenge of getting a walk-up at a TS location! (Oh yes, it can be done even during free dining)


All that said, I think using the TIW card sounds great for you...you can all enjoy what you like!!!!!

[tami82]

I would think it would be way too much food. The regular plan was good enough for us and more than enough food. I dont think i would be able to function eating 3 meals a day.

[kimgg]

All that said, I think using the TIW card sounds great for you...you can all enjoy what you like!!!!!


What is TIW card??

[disneystick]

TIW (Table in Wonderland) discount card. You have to be a Florida resident or a AP member to purchase the TIW card. I thought it is either $75 or $100 depending if AP or Florida resident. It saves you 20% on your meals including drinks, beer, wine...etc. All Disney own location takes it.

However, we did the math and we are going to go with the DDP and use the TIW for our drinks separate. I just printed out the menus of all the places we wanted to eat at, pretend ordering what we wanted (half the time it was not the most expensive item)...with the DDP we still saved more money vs. no DDP and just using the TIW card. Plus, if you use the TIW card, they add a automatic 18% tip on the bill...so I consider the TIW discount as paying for the tip. Some places I tip more and if service is not good I tip less.

But then we have grown kids and we like the sit down meals.