5 adults. Does the QSDP ever make sense?

[eeyoresmom]

Anyone think the QSDP can be a money saver for adults???? I am planning a trip for next spring. There will be 5 adults in 2 seperate rooms, so we could get any DDP for one, two or NO rooms. We almost NEVER buy a DDP anymore. Used to like the QSDP until they raised the price and lowered the snacks......I am paying for the trip and would like the adult kids to order what they want. We will mostly be together for meals, but there may be a few we are not. We will most likely do only two TS meals since DD and her boyfriend are only coming for 5 days and he has never been,so dont want to spend a lot of time in restaurants. Long explanation, I know but I just did a trip with DH where the regular DDP saved us a lot of money because we did all expensive character meals at peak pricing, so I know that SOMETIMES a ddp can be a money saver. TIA

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Yes, it can. If you do two counter service meals a day plus 1 snack per person every day, and always order a non-alcoholic drink, appetizer, and dessert with every meal, then it will work out. The savings will probably be approximately $2 per person, per day. Whether that's worth the trouble of the QSDP, that's up to you.

 

[Kristibo42]

It's nice to have the DDP. We have used it several times. It just nice not to have to worry about paying for it when you get there.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Well there are no appetizers with the QSDP (or regular ddp for that matter), but we will definitely use all entitlements.

 

[TDC Nala]

Not sure what you mean by "make sense." Are you more concerned with saving money or basically on whether it's an enjoyable addition to your vacation?

If you're really more interested in saving money it works out if:

The refillable mug means a lot to you and you will either use it or you will value it as a souvenir.
Your party likes to each order their own meal (no sharing) including dessert and a beverage other than water.
You don't use the QS credits for breakfast.

Even if you meet all these criteria it will probably not save you much money. But as some of the posters say, it can be nice to have, even if it loses a little money.

 

[bdklein]

Yes, it can. If you do two counter service meals a day plus 1 snack per person every day, and always order a non-alcoholic drink, appetizer, and dessert with every meal, then it will work out. The savings will probably be approximately $2 per person, per day. Whether that's worth the trouble of the QSDP, that's up to you.

Hey you better fix your post switfly regarding the appetizer before some other jump on this like they did on soem of the other dining posts of yours.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Nah. I'm providing an example on how it can save money, so I think they'll give me a pass on that mistake.

 

[bdklein]

Nah. I'm providing an example on how it can save money, so I think they'll give me a pass on that mistake.

Well if they do, I'm not coming to your defense!!!

 

[briannesmom]

The QSDP worked out really well for us on our Easter trip this year. When I ran the numbers before we went it looked like we would about break even. On the long car ride home I added up what we actually ordered and we ended up saving about $130 over a 7 night stay for 2 adults and one child.

It may work out well for you in a convenience sense if you still want to be able to pay for every ones meals even when you aren't dining together. They would be able to order what they want and just swipe their card and use a QS credit.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Yeah, I think I am going to have to do a lot of math. It may make financial sense only if we do the most expensive cs...although, I could get it for one room and not the other and just use ddp credits for the most expensive meals. One DD and I only drink water, but another loves those expensive coffee drinks, etc. Yup, definitely a lot of math

 

[bluejasmine]

I haven't used QSDP yet ( I may in Sept) but Im sure it does, I know that the CS meals for 2 adults and 2 teens were anywhere from $40 to $65 per meal so yea I think youll make your money back! That's not even counting the snacks and the refillable mug which will save you if your coffee/soda drinkers!

 

[bdklein]

but Im sure it does, I know that the CS meals for 2 adults and 2 teens were anywhere from $40 to $65 per meal so yea I think youll make your money back!

You maybe make your money back at $65.00 per meal. No way at $40. Do the math.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

The problem with the plan is that you're "forced" to do two counter service meals (including dessert and beverage) and a snack every day. If you don't the savings begin to evaporate. You don't get a lot of leeway on the definition of snack, either. A 20 oz bottle of soda or an ice cream bar is a snack, but a corn dog is not. It doesn't matter the relative cost. (In fact a single corn dog will count as a CS meal!)

In the past, unofficially, you could usually use table service or quick service credits for snacks. However, this is explicitly prohibited in the 2013 rules. You also can't use two quick service credits for a table service. In short, you REALLY need to be sure of you dining plans before you go.

If you end up not using all your snack credits, you can use it to buy candy in the shops. You're not just limited to the carts. I hope they haven't closed this loophole in 2013, too.

 

[TDC Nala]

No, they haven't. You can buy candy in the shops. But it must be a single serving size, they won't sell you a "family size" bag of candy for a snack credit.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Well, just saw on Allears that the price is now $37.58 per day per adult, so even at $65 per cs for 4 adults you may just break even. You are paying $150.32 per day... 2 cs at $65 each =$130 plus 4 snacks at the high end of $5 each = $150. I'm still doing the math for my group but it doesn't look good for qsdp.............

 

[3pletprincesses]

QS never makes sense unless you get everything and order the most expensive items. I've notice it's easier to come ahead with DDP and even more with DxDDP but it also depends on what you order.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I think the only time the dining plan makes sense is when you get it for free or if you just have to have everything pre-paid and don't really care if it saves you money.

Most CS meals are $9-$11 (MOST) If you don't usually eat dessert at every meal or if you don't use the crap out of your refillable mug you can eat much more cheaply paying OOP. If you buy 2 CS meals a day for $10 each and one $4 snack you have spent $24. The QSDP cost $37 a day per person. You can really cost yourself as much as $13 a day in over paying per person due to the high cost of the plan.

We have used the QSDP and the DDP but it was free. The time we used the DDp we got the QSDP for free and paid $20 a day per person to upgrade to the DDP. I would never pay full price for any dining plan because you can eat cheaper out of pocket.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

If you were going in a group such that you were split across two rooms and you only did a QSDP for only one of the rooms, you might be tempted to use it for both parties to ensure you spend it all. But that would be against the rules, so you shouldn't do it.

 

[mb_uh]

I see it as 37.50 - 4 snack- 1.50 per day for mug so 32 or 16 per meal. Drinks are about 3 with tax so 13 for entree and dessert.

At many places entrees easily run 10-13 some more before tax, try wpe and you are talking 16 for entree 5 for dessert. Many desserts can be fruit or pasries saved for breakfast and with free coffee in mug you get 3 meals for under 40 a day. It depends on where and what you want but it can save you.

 

[cuteduck223]

I rarely find QSDP to be a good value. I love the regular DDP (we do lots of character buffets), but QSDP doesn't seem as great to me. I can usually budget that better than I can sit down meals I guess. I also think all the Dining Plans are a better deal when you have children (some meals our DD eats everything and wants more, other days she just picks at her food, and you can't tell before you order whats going to happen).