debating getting the DDP

[lovin'fl]

We are going the 20-26 of Dec with DH's entire family(15 in total). I am DVC member and have annual passes. We have 7 of us on our resie (my fam of 5 plus my MIL and FIL). We made all our ADRs way back in June (though are still keeping an eye out for that illusive Le Cellier). 1 of my 2 SILs are also DVC members who frequent Disney. They decided not to do the DDP as they like to get apps and not desserts and don't use the snacks. For them, it's best to pay OOP. SIL talked my MIL into not wanting/needing to get the DDP(MIL and FIL also don't care to get desserts) and since MIL is on our resie...we couldn't get the DDP. We were fine with that, since it is known that you can do 1TS and 1CS per day for less than the $48 cost of the DDP, but you'd have to do menu places(not buffets/family style) and not get dessert and not get the most expensive thing on the menu. Well, the inlaws like the buffet/family style places. We told them if we were going to pay OOP, that we'd prefer to keep the buffet/fam style places to a minimum. Here is what was picked:
12/20-nothing most of us were thinking a CS as our plane gets in at 3:45 (SIL 1 wants to try to walk up to Ohana because it's her family tradition to do it the 1st night, but I the earliest I could get it all week was the 23rd at 8:00- the 1st night was 9:45 and SIL 1 were the only ones wanting to do the late one)
12/21-Biergarten dinner(MIL and SIL 1 picked)
12/22-Bongo dinner(SIL 2 picked)
12/23-Ohana dinner(everyone picked)
12/24-Whispering Canyon lunch (my pick)
12/25-Rose and Crown lunch(picked by default...SIL 1 wanted Yachtsman or everyone wanted Le Cellier)

SIL 1 and MIL are also talking about doing the Candlelight Processional package with Rose and Crown,but want it on the 24th for Susan Lucci (and I can still get it). So I may be adding that for just SIL 1, BIL, MIL and FIL(nobody else wants to do it). Also, just to have something, I also booked Liberty Tree Tavern last night...for the 20th becuase my FIL and DH love that place and wanted to do it, but SIL 1 doesn't like it and that's why we didn't book it to begin with (I got a table for 7 and a table for 8 and we can cancel a table if the the SILs don't want to go) . I figure we will be at MK that night as it's opened the latest. So, here's my question. We were thinking of getting the DDP and getting it for MIL and FIL as a Christmas present to them. It's more than we typically spend on them and we aren't rolling in the dough right now. But my DH is paying for my mom and I to cruise in April as a Christmas present to my mom (and late birthday present to me) and that is costing a little more than we'd spend on both inlaws DDP. My calculations have the DDP being the same or even a bit better/cheaper than paying OOP. Plus, if 7 of the 15 of us have the DDP, than figuring out the bill will be easier for my 2 SILs. Should I go ahead and get the DDP for the 7 of us? Should I tell SILs that I'm doing it?

 

[Harlemgirl720]

I was just sitting here going over figures. I am going 12/22 to 12/29. Its my son and I and I do have to pay for him as an adult. Its a great thing being a DVC member because of the $45.99 but I don't think it will work out for me this time. I want to do TS for breakfast and dinner. We rarely snack in between. It comes out to roughly $100.00 less if I pay OOP. That $100 easily can be used towards snacks if we need to.

DDP may work in your case because of the large group. Creates less confusion because you know your meals were taken care of and not having to guess who pays for what. Oh and it may definitely may be better because I hear the prices are more expensive during the holidays. I am playing this by ear and see how much of a price increase it may be.

I am doing the CP on the 26th with Blair Underwood and dining at Teppan Edo. Kind of costly but worth it.

 

[lovin'fl]

I was just sitting here going over figures. I am going 12/22 to 12/29. Its my son and I and I do have to pay for him as an adult. Its a great thing being a DVC member because of the $45.99 but I don't think it will work out for me this time. I want to do TS for breakfast and dinner. We rarely snack in between. It comes out to roughly $100.00 less if I pay OOP. That $100 easily can be used towards snacks if we need to.

DDP may work in your case because of the large group. Creates less confusion because you know your meals were taken care of and not having to guess who pays for what. Oh and it may definitely may be better because I hear the prices are more expensive during the holidays. I am playing this by ear and see how much of a price increase it may be.

I am doing the CP on the 26th with Blair Underwood and dining at Teppan Edo. Kind of costly but worth it.

What doyou mean...because of the $45.99? What's that? Edit: I just researched and I think I found out that DVC members don't have to pay the $2 DDP increase for peak seasons. Correct? I did not know that. If that's the case...I calculated @ what I will spend at the places we'll go. DDP will save us a little, if we all order moderate-expensive entres...if anyone orders the cheaper stuff...well then we will break even or lose a little $$. So, now it may be that the convenience factor will push me towards getting DDP.

 

[darthtatty]

what about getting a table in wonderland card-seeing as you have an annual pass.
Not sure how it works but know you get discounts.

I wouldnt buy the DDP if it works out to be the same as what youd pay anyway. Especially as it would be a struggle for you.x

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

what about getting a table in wonderland card-seeing as you have an annual pass.
Not sure how it works but know you get discounts.

I wouldnt buy the DDP if it works out to be the same as what youd pay anyway. Especially as it would be a struggle for you.x

I agree. Check into TIW. Though you can't use it on Christmas Day. It's 20% off your TS meals (up to 10 people) including drinks. Also can be used at some of the CS locations in AK.

 

[lovin'fl]

what about getting a table in wonderland card-seeing as you have an annual pass.
Not sure how it works but know you get discounts.

I wouldnt buy the DDP if it works out to be the same as what youd pay anyway. Especially as it would be a struggle for you.x

I agree. Check into TIW. Though you can't use it on Christmas Day. It's 20% off your TS meals (up to 10 people) including drinks. Also can be used at some of the CS locations in AK.

I am looking into it. I called TIW # and was sent to voice mail. I think it'll work out better to get it. And 5 of my inlaws can use it too because it covers the card holder and 9 guests. It will definitely save us all some $$. We got our season passes in July while we were at Disney for my girls' softball world series. The only places we ate at was Biergarten 1 night (6 of us) and ESPN cafe at Wide World of Sports. If I got the TIW then, we would have saved $44...uggg, I am kicking myself. And it looks like we could have used it at ESPN cafe too. I didn't get TIW then because at that time our Dec trip was going to be the 21-26 and it cannot be used the 24th or 25th...so it would only be good for 3 meals. Then we added the 20th and we'll probably end up eating somewhere that night...I booked LTT, just in case. If we get the second TIW card...one for me and one for DH...could we use them on all 15 of our family group? Does anyone know the cost for DVC members for the first TIW card...is it still $75 or $50?

 

[lovin'fl]

Looks like SIL and I will get the TIW card, so all 15 of us can use the discount. We also changed up our dining plans and can use TIW for these:
12/20- Liberty Tree Dinner
12/21- Thinking of doing Hoop Dee Doo at 8:30
12/22- Bongos Dinner
12/23- Ohana dinner

No TIW these 2 days:
12/24- Biergarten lunch Candle Light Processional Package
12/25- Rose and Crown lunch

We will make up the cost of the TIW with just the Hoop Dee Doo alone...the other 4 will be savings. And I will use it at Flame Tree when we are in Animal Kingdom plus I hope to do at least 1 breakfast at our hotel (OKW's Olivias). I am excited!!!

 

[Cafeen]

I am looking into it. I called TIW # and was sent to voice mail. I think it'll work out better to get it. And 5 of my inlaws can use it too because it covers the card holder and 9 guests. It will definitely save us all some $$. We got our season passes in July while we were at Disney for my girls' softball world series. The only places we ate at was Biergarten 1 night (6 of us) and ESPN cafe at Wide World of Sports. If I got the TIW then, we would have saved $44...uggg, I am kicking myself. And it looks like we could have used it at ESPN cafe too.

Is that $44 after spending the money for the card? Or before? If it's before, than you did it right for that trip, as you would have ended up spending an extra $31 or $56 more than you would have.

I didn't get TIW then because at that time our Dec trip was going to be the 21-26 and it cannot be used the 24th or 25th...so it would only be good for 3 meals. Then we added the 20th and we'll probably end up eating somewhere that night...I booked LTT, just in case. If we get the second TIW card...one for me and one for DH...could we use them on all 15 of our family group? Does anyone know the cost for DVC members for the first TIW card...is it still $75 or $50?

You already know about the 2nd card thing (as evidenced with the quote below), but not sure if you got the cost answered.

The cost is $100 for FL Residents and $75 for AP holders. It is not available to DVC members who are neither FL residents nor AP holders.

Looks like SIL and I will get the TIW card, so all 15 of us can use the discount. We also changed up our dining plans and can use TIW for these:
12/20- Liberty Tree Dinner
12/21- Thinking of doing Hoop Dee Doo at 8:30
12/22- Bongos Dinner
12/23- Ohana dinner

No TIW these 2 days:
12/24- Biergarten lunch Candle Light Processional Package
12/25- Rose and Crown lunch

We will make up the cost of the TIW with just the Hoop Dee Doo alone...the other 4 will be savings. And I will use it at Flame Tree when we are in Animal Kingdom plus I hope to do at least 1 breakfast at our hotel (OKW's Olivias). I am excited!!!

Sounds like a good plan . After spending $375 (AP holders) or $500 (FL Residents), every time you use the card it's savings. Great for larger groups, as those numbers hit the marks VERY quickly!

 

[lovin'fl]

Is that $44 after spending the money for the card? Or before? If it's before, than you did it right for that trip, as you would have ended up spending an extra $31 or $56 more than you would have.

Before the $75 cost of the card. We would have saved $44 on Biergarten and @$8 at the ESPN club cafe place...so only $52 that trip, but then we'd be using it in December too. Now I'll get the TIW card for Dec and it'll be good for a year, but we have no plans to go back. Though there's a very slight chance my girls' softball team will do nationals at Disney in July again and I could use my TIW then.