Am I the only one who *hates* the DDP??

[*TheWigs*]

I remember the DDP being a MUCH better value several years ago...BIG bags of candy/multi-serving foods were sometimes considered a "snack" and there were few restrictions on what you could order at a TS restaurant . Nowadays, unless we BY CHANCE were to book our trip during free dining, I would ABSOLUTELY bypass the DDP! It's inevitable that I or one of my family want something from the menu that ISN'T included on DDP or we have a TON of snack credits left over . Two years ago, we did DDP and just weren't happy with all the "rules and restrictions" that were so different from years past. I'm not saying that one can't get a good value with the DDP or knock the convenience of being able to budget your food $ to the dime, but for the way our family eats and orders, it's just not for us...anyone else??

 

[Amy&Dan]

There are plenty of people on this board who will agree with you and plenty of threads through the years to prove that!

I too will never pay for the DDP again. I am okay with the restrictions, but its very expensive. We also frequently go during peak periods so its even more expensive. We can eat way cheaper and for a ten night trip, I refuse to pay over $200 a day plus tips for food. Especially since its more food than we want or really can eat.

I don't want to spend time maximizing my money spent on the DDP and since we would never eat two desserts a day (three if we use a snack credit for a dessert), the value isn't there, if we are paying for the DDP.

Now when its free, given that we stay moderate and are a family that are all "adults" by Disney standards, I love the DDP. But we found in March we felt over full and ended up trading in our last four ts credits for cs credits. Which is not a good deal, but since it was free and we just couldn't face another ts meal, it was worth it. Had I been paying, it would have been a different story.

When we go when its not free dining, we pay out of pocket, eat a few ts at places that are not buffets and at our favorite cs places.

Like everthing else that is a set "plan" or package, you have rules and guidelines associated with it and if those rules don't fit, you can always not get the plan or choose a different discount because if free dining is around, so generally are room discounts. Which in many cases will save more than free dining depending on where you stay and how many/how old your party is.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Me and DH have never used DDP, and probably never will. We like our appetizers too much for one thing (someone please tell me why kids get appetizers, but adults don't? ) We usually skip breakfast, so I guess 1 qs and snacks would be okay.

Now what we WILL do, is take advantage of the TIW offer to DVC members. At least the 20% counts on appetizers and drinks!

 

[Qltrgrl2]

W are trying the DDP in November because it is free with our three night stay. With numerous trips to Disney, we have never thought it would be good value, but for a short trip we are giving it a try.

 

[daisy112878]

I think it serves it's purpose for some people. We are not those people. We like apps and not dessert so right there we don't like it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I hate the DDP with the power of 10,000 Suns. The only thing I hate more is "free" dining!

 

[dizneyjill]

I don't understand why you can't have a choice of either a dessert or an appetizer. It makes so much sense...you could share an app and a dessert. I just can't eat a whole dessert.

 

[minnie mum]

I don't have the vehement hate for the DDP that Cheshire Figment does, but we're no longer fans of it either. It just doesn't work for the way we prefer to eat. I understand that any plan will have its rules and restrictions. And I understand that it just isn't practical to come up with a bazillion different types of plans to suit everyone. So for us it's strictly pay OOP for all our meals.

Quite frankly, I won't even do the FD thing- give me a good room only discount any day.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I don't mean this to you OP but this is just coming along at the "right" time...does there need to be so many threads scattered through the boards about this? All of the dining plans are an option, not a necessity, and it was never intended to work for everyone. If you hate it so much, don't get it. I'm at a loss why so many people get it only to kvetch about it when a little simple research would show if it would work for you or not. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I don't disagree that the plans are not always the best option but like I said, if you don't like it there's no one forcing you to get it.

OK sorry, vent over. For those who would flame, I add this little guy .

 

[Ro Z]

i hate the ddp with the power of 10,000 suns. The only thing i hate more is "free" dining!

agree!!!

 

[Ro Z]

I don't have the vehement hate for the DDP that Cheshire Figment does, but we're no longer fans of it either. It just doesn't work for the way we prefer to eat. I understand that any plan will have its rules and restrictions. And I understand that it just isn't practical to come up with a bazillion different types of plans to suit everyone. So for us it's strictly pay OOP for all our meals.

Quite frankly, I won't even do the FD thing- give me a good room only discount any day.

Or an AP discount and I can eat what I want. And the TIW helps us too.
But in Nov. I am buying the dining plan because DH likes to eat around the world during F+W. We saved enough on the room with our AP that buying it is 'worth' it to me on this trip. We did this last year too and using snacks at F+W we thought it was a good deal. He got things like the lobster claw that was $8. for a snack credit
but any other time we skip the DDP!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't mean this to you OP but this is just coming along at the "right" time...does there need to be so many threads scattered through the boards about this? All of the dining plans are an option, not a necessity, and it was never intended to work for everyone. If you hate it so much, don't get it. I'm at a loss why so many people get it only to kvetch about it when a little simple research would show if it would work for you or not. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I don't disagree that the plans are not always the best option but like I said, if you don't like it there's no one forcing you to get it.

OK sorry, vent over. For those who would flame, I add this little guy .

I couldnt agree more. I dont get it either. If you do your research beforehand you can decide if its worth it for you or not. I dont get why ppl feel the need to create a thread about it. You tried it once, hated it, end of story. Move on. Dont get it ever again. Why post a thread about it? I paid OOP for two nights/three days (just got back today), and had the DDP for the rest of our 6 night stay. I gotta say, we spent a forture paying OOP. How do ppl save money? I thank god for the DP cause it saves us a ton of cash. To each their own right?

 

[usd2bmd]

For the way we vacation in Disney, it works for us. But even if it didn't I would
Not be posting about how much I hate it or how much more I hate free dining. We are lucky that it is offered when we go. Plus I love the fact that I don't have to worry about budgeting for food.

To each his own.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[TrulyMadlyDisney]

I never understand the need of some ppl to bash Free Dining. Disney has many promotions, ppl chose the one that works for them. Why make ppl feel bad cause they chose a promotion you don't like?

I'll be enjoying my Free Dining in 7 days!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Well said!! I love free dining and always take full advantage. In all my years, i think i only travelled once without free dining (by choice). As you had mentioned, there are other promotions ppl can use if they dont like free dining. Thats the beauty of it, you have a choice! nobody is forcing you to get the DP.

I never understand the need of some ppl to bash Free Dining. Disney has many promotions, ppl chose the one that works for them. Why make ppl feel bad cause they chose a promotion you don't like?

I'll be enjoying my Free Dining in 7 days!

 

[Ro Z]

I don't understand why you can't have a choice of either a dessert or an appetizer. It makes so much sense...you could share an app and a dessert. I just can't eat a whole dessert.

An app costs more than a dessert. Period. Thats why it is not offered!

 

[si-am]

I think a lot of people hate the dining plan and free dining because of the perception/belief that it has been the reason for the dumbing down of menus. I'm one of those people.

 

[Tricia's mom]

I think a lot of people hate the dining plan and free dining because of the perception/belief that it has been the reason for the dumbing down of menus. I'm one of those people.

I have to agree with this... I also don't like the dp....It does NOT work for my family. I can't imagine eating that much food or having to manage whats a snack credit.. Just one less thing I want to manage.
Sometimes DH and myself split a meal or I eat just an app.Way to much food.

A co=worker recently went with her whole family ( her parents were treating everyone) They were using the DP... I thought how stupid it was to waste the money but then I remembered the Parents were paying and it was a way to just make sure dinner was paid for... NO awkward moments when the bill came.
I guess for some it has its privileges.

And Everyone is entitled to their own opinion....Even if they DIS like something...Don't read it if you don't want to read others opinions.

 

[*TheWigs*]

I don't mean this to you OP but this is just coming along at the "right" time...does there need to be so many threads scattered through the boards about this? All of the dining plans are an option, not a necessity, and it was never intended to work for everyone. If you hate it so much, don't get it. I'm at a loss why so many people get it only to kvetch about it when a little simple research would show if it would work for you or not. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I don't disagree that the plans are not always the best option but like I said, if you don't like it there's no one forcing you to get it.

OK sorry, vent over. For those who would flame, I add this little guy .

This is why I stressed at the end of my post WHY some may like the DDP...it just doesn't work with our WDW vacay style and was looking for like minded Disers...

 

[*TheWigs*]

I couldnt agree more. I dont get it either. If you do your research beforehand you can decide if its worth it for you or not. I dont get why ppl feel the need to create a thread about it. You tried it once, hated it, end of story. Move on. Dont get it ever again. Why post a thread about it? I paid OOP for two nights/three days (just got back today), and had the DDP for the rest of our 6 night stay. I gotta say, we spent a forture paying OOP. How do ppl save money? I thank god for the DP cause it saves us a ton of cash. To each their own right?

I posted a thread because I CAN...I was not intending to sway others to or against the DDP (I even stated reasons why one may LIKE the DDP) but rather was wanting input from others that find the DDP does not fit their particular WDW vacay style. Thanks for your post, tho!