DDP caluclations?

[DjdBrit]

I have been pricing out trip and am suck with a question... Is there a simple way to figure out how much we would spend on food off the DDP verus on it. We have taken 3 trip as a family on the dining plan and while I really do feel its a great value for what you can potential purchase food wise its not how I always want to eat.

We have been debating forgoing the DDP and booking a trip using a 40% off code. This works out cheaper but we would have to add on cost of food buying everything OOP.

I am at the point now where I want to relax and not feel like we are constanly dragging to get somewhere to eat. And I don't always want a big meal. My kids certainly wasted a ton of food and I am sure we left for home with CS credits.

My plan would be to book 1 or 2 table service and eat the rest counter. I know we wouldn't be eating as much and would split food. Our family will be 3 adults (the eldest child is turing 10) and 2 kids. Not sure if anyone else has an experience with this or advice.




Sorry about the spelling didn't read this back and it won't let me change the title.

 

[ReneeA]

If you check out the menus by clicking on the "dining" tab above and trying to estimate where and what your family would eat, that should give you a general idea of how much you'd spend OOP for food.

 

[TDC Nala]

exactly - look at the menus, determine where you might eat and what you might order both on the plan and off the plan, and compare the two.

My plan would be to book 1 or 2 table service and eat the rest counter.

Basic DDP would likely not be of value to you if this is the way you intend to eat - check on the offerings for the quick service dining plan and see if using that and paying OOP for the few table service meals you want would suit your group.

 

[Faldred]

If none of the plans fit the way you want to dine, then the math is pointless - don't do DDP.

If a plan fit at least closely, then it would be worth it to talk price comparisons.

 

[dd50]

I have been pricing out trip and am suck with a question... Is there a simple way to figure out how much we would spend on food off the DDP verus on it. We have taken 3 trip as a family on the dining plan and while I really do feel its a great value for what you can potential purchase food wise its not how I always want to eat.

We have been debating forgoing the DDP and booking a trip using a 40% off code. This works out cheaper but we would have to add on cost of food buying everything OOP.

I am at the point now where I want to relax and not feel like we are constanly dragging to get somewhere to eat. And I don't always want a big meal. My kids certainly wasted a ton of food and I am sure we left for home with CS credits.

My plan would be to book 1 or 2 table service and eat the rest counter. I know we wouldn't be eating as much and would split food. Our family will be 3 adults (the eldest child is turing 10) and 2 kids. Not sure if anyone else has an experience with this or advice.




Sorry about the spelling didn't read this back and it won't let me change the title.

From what you are saying it seems that paying OOP may be the best plan for you. You could also look into the QSDP but if you want to share meals at times and don't want to maximize it (get most expensive) it may be cheaper to pay OOP.

We are going to pay OOP because that is how we eat and I don't want to worry about credits and having to run around on the last day using them up. What I plan on doing is getting some Disney cards so I wouldn't need to bring a lot of cash and won't have to put every thing on my credit card.

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

We have always done OOP. I've debated it every time, but especially now that I (and you) have 1 child you have to pay for as an adult, it's just not worth it to us. We are only doing 2 table service meals and we get stuff for breakfast in our room (pop tarts and cereal). I am actually debating about packing pb&j's a couple of days because sometimes you get tired of those same counter service meals all week.

 

[DjdBrit]

The 3 times we have done the DDP I have always felt that not only I didn't need dessert at a CS, but 50% of the time I didn't need one at dinner. I also think that as a family of 5 we don't need to be ordering 5 CS meals every time, it just way too much food. Add to the fact that my kids would rather eat the adult offerings than the kids. I was really thinking dollar for dollar which is almost impossible to do since who knows how I will feel on any given day how much I eat is often guided by when I last ate. In WDW we tend to eat meals at odd times and end up not being hungry at traditional times often grabbing a snack is all we need rather than a meal.

I think I just answered my own question Thanks folks!

 

[TDC Nala]

It sounds like OOP is the way to go for you...personally I no longer do it any other way and I do have some TS meals.

 

[Ava]

I have been pricing out trip and am suck with a question... Is there a simple way to figure out how much we would spend on food off the DDP verus on it. We have taken 3 trip as a family on the dining plan and while I really do feel its a great value for what you can potential purchase food wise its not how I always want to eat.

This is why I feel like its almost impossible for me to figure out if the DDP is a good deal for us or not. There are definitely ways to maximize its value, but that's not the way we normally eat. Our last trip was in 2006 & back then we decided to forgo the DDP because it just seemed like WAY too much food. We never order an appetizer (which were included back then) & a dessert for each of us at a TS meal. If we ever order either of those things, we get one & share it. We also would never order a dessert at CS. I have no idea if we spent more on food OOP that what DDP would've cost us on that trip though.

I am considering it for next trip though, partly because of the group we'll have (my dad is the type who likes a sit-down dinner every night on vacation, which would get expensive OOP) and because I like the idea of pre-paying for all my food and then not having to think about it. We'll also have a 2-year-old, so if we're on DDP we can just do a lot of the (overpriced, IMO) buffets so she can eat whatever she wants & not be limited to eating some of what we order (or us buying her something OOP).

 

[Cafeen]

This is why I feel like its almost impossible for me to figure out if the DDP is a good deal for us or not. There are definitely ways to maximize its value, but that's not the way we normally eat. Our last trip was in 2006 & back then we decided to forgo the DDP because it just seemed like WAY too much food. We never order an appetizer (which were included back then) & a dessert for each of us at a TS meal. If we ever order either of those things, we get one & share it. We also would never order a dessert at CS. I have no idea if we spent more on food OOP that what DDP would've cost us on that trip though.

If it's not the way you normally eat (on vacation), then chances are you're not going to have the best experience. You also won't get the value out of the plan if you aren't taking advantage of the offerings and/or splitting a majority of meals (and thus having credits left over). In other words, sounds like you made the right choice for last time

I am considering it for next trip though, partly because of the group we'll have (my dad is the type who likes a sit-down dinner every night on vacation, which would get expensive OOP) and because I like the idea of pre-paying for all my food and then not having to think about it. We'll also have a 2-year-old, so if we're on DDP we can just do a lot of the (overpriced, IMO) buffets so she can eat whatever she wants & not be limited to eating some of what we order (or us buying her something OOP).

This, on the other hand, is a very good case for using the DDP. With a party that enjoys (or wants to) have at least 1 sit-down meal per night of stay, it lends itself directly to the DDP. Savings can happen using all TS for breakfast (though, just barely, and it will require some snappy planning), but the more dinners you plan, the more you'll end up saving. With a 2 year old and a majority of buffets, it makes it even better for reasons you already mentioned.

Pre-payment is good, if you either save money, or are at least close enough for it to be worthwhile. It can be a pitfall though for those who don't plan it out and end up coming in quite a bit under.

For the OP, I agree that OOP would be the best bet. DDP would be a waste since you're only planning a couple TS meals. QSDP would restrict your under 10 crowd to kids meals, which it doesn't seem you want. You'd also have a hard time coming in even if sharing the majority of the meals (which it sounds like you plan to do).

The plans are nice (well, for this year, next year may be a different story ) if you plan to dine the way the plans lend themselves to, but if you don't it's typically much better to pay OOP.