DH still wants DDP

[chrystalc77]

So I read the other day that the dining plans have gone up.....not a big shock there!!! However what was a big shock was that my DH still wants to do the DDP!!! I suggested to him to put our dining on gift cards as I've read several people are doing these days. It's a no go for him....he loves the convenience of the plan. He doesn't want to put that much on gift cards and something come up and we have to cancel. He likes making payments on our whole trip and knowing that his food is included. He said if we didn't have the DDP he would always look at prices and order water and he's not spending thousands to go to Disney and worry about the cost of food. He said with the dining plan the boys can have that extra snack or two and h leant give it a second thought. So we are going to stick with the plan! Please don't flame me I know it's not the most cost effective method but it's what my DH feels comfortable with. So please tell me there is someone else out there that is sticking with the dining plan!!!!

 

[normmo]

My husband sounds exactly like yours and frankly it's a battle that I don't feel is worth taking on. I don't mind the dining plan and sometimes in life you pay a little more for the convenience and this is one of them!

 

[GaBelle]

My hubby too! He told me to save somewhere else...not vacation.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I'm not going to flame you-your husband thinks like me. I don't mind paying for the DP. I just factor it in as part of the cost of my vacation, and enjoy myself without worrying about it.

 

[n3rf]

in my case i am the DH

but i have chosen to stick with the DDP, becuase i have crunched the numbers and we come up ahead, this is mainly due to the fact that the DW wants/loves to do character breakfest with our two DD's, so in our upcoming trip of 9days we are doing 7 character breakfest which includes CRT for 2credits ... and the numbers end up in our favor.

But even when the numbers get closer to our gain/WDW gain I might stick with it; for all the same reason mentioned above...

I always want the DW/DD's to get what they want but then i budget my own choices when paying OOP, I always hold back on getting snacks i want to try to ensure i can spend those extra $ on our DD's, same goes for food ... by doing the DDP i don't have to worry or keep crunching numbers in my head to ensure we are still within budget

so helps my stress levels, lets me enjoy the food/snacks i want knowing my family also gets to enjoy what they want without worring about prices, etc.

 

[Marionnette]

So I read the other day that the dining plans have gone up.....not a big shock there!!! However what was a big shock was that my DH still wants to do the DDP!!! I suggested to him to put our dining on gift cards as I've read several people are doing these days. It's a no go for him....he loves the convenience of the plan. He doesn't want to put that much on gift cards and something come up and we have to cancel. He likes making payments on our whole trip and knowing that his food is included. He said if we didn't have the DDP he would always look at prices and order water and he's not spending thousands to go to Disney and worry about the cost of food. He said with the dining plan the boys can have that extra snack or two and h leant give it a second thought. So we are going to stick with the plan! Please don't flame me I know it's not the most cost effective method but it's what my DH feels comfortable with. So please tell me there is someone else out there that is sticking with the dining plan!!!!

There will always be plenty of people who choose convenience over cost, just like your husband and the PPs. And if price were the only sticking point for me when it comes to the DDP, then I would probably reconsider paying OOP. But for me, it's more about what the plan(s) include or don't include that turned me off. It's a personal decision. One size doesn't fit all.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

So I read the other day that the dining plans have gone up.....not a big shock there!!! However what was a big shock was that my DH still wants to do the DDP!!! I suggested to him to put our dining on gift cards as I've read several people are doing these days. It's a no go for him....he loves the convenience of the plan. He doesn't want to put that much on gift cards and something come up and we have to cancel. He likes making payments on our whole trip and knowing that his food is included. He said if we didn't have the DDP he would always look at prices and order water and he's not spending thousands to go to Disney and worry about the cost of food. He said with the dining plan the boys can have that extra snack or two and h leant give it a second thought. So we are going to stick with the plan! Please don't flame me I know it's not the most cost effective method but it's what my DH feels comfortable with. So please tell me there is someone else out there that is sticking with the dining plan!!!!

We will stick with it for this trip for sure, and likely for more to come. We too like the convenience factor of having it paid and not feeling like we should order something cheaper to save money.

 

[diskids2]

DH is the EXACT same way. I even showed him spreadsheets upon spreadsheets showing how OOP would be less expensive but he does not care. DH wants the convenience and not to have to worry about the costs of food on vacation. Like other PP's....I don't argue any further than showing him the numbers.

 

[wilkeliza]

We are the same way. If traveling with friends or logger than just a quick weekend the DDP is always our go to. Being able to pay the whole trip including food over time is best for us. My group is mid 20s so it helps us budget appropriately for the trip. We pay over time then brig enough for tips and souvenirs and maybe one extra meal. It allows us to be able to know up front a much better estimate and let's us not stress over what we will order and how much it will cost.

 

[bluejasmine]

My husband and I both like DDP, I decided to do the math and I pulled up all the menus and added up all the TS meals, all the QS meals an all the snack we would eat on our Sept trip and it will save us $203!
Do I normally eat dessert at lunch? No but I will take a bite or two on vacation, would we eat dessert at every dinner normally, no but again Id like to try some so it really works out for us. DH works a very laborious job, so he can eat anything he wants, and he does believe me, I just hope all the walking, swimming keeps me from gaining weight! lol

Hubby and I both agree that vacation is not something we want to skimp on, we always use some type of discount, I bought Target gift cards and saved us literally hundreds of dollars. At home we don't eat out but maybe once a week if that so we like to be comfortable and have extras on vacations.

DDP does make it easy, its all paid for, except tips and if we want a appetizer/cocktails so it is very nice not having to worry about that.

if you don't eat 1 full QS meal, 1 full TS meal and a snack a day no it probably isn't worth it!
Now next yr I will again do the math and see if its beneficial.

 

[btk2333]

There will always be plenty of people who choose convenience over cost, just like your husband and the PPs. And if price were the only sticking point for me when it comes to the DDP, then I would probably reconsider paying OOP. But for me, it's more about what the plan(s) include or don't include that turned me off. It's a personal decision. One size doesn't fit all.

I agree- this is my main concern- I don't eat dessert regularly and enjoy appetizers with most meals. I also prefer not to have pop with every meal (I'm a dentist... I don't like diet pop and don't like being a hypocrite drinking regular pop all the time...). If the DDP were more flexible I would pay the extra money for it sometimes for the convenience, but I can't justify it given what the plan includes.

I am glad that it works so well for people who do dine the way the DDP suggests, and I'm glad that people know that what works for them!

 

[jaykorf001]

I agree- this is my main concern- I don't eat dessert regularly and enjoy appetizers with most meals. I also prefer not to have pop with every meal (I'm a dentist... I don't like diet pop and don't like being a hypocrite drinking regular pop all the time...). If the DDP were more flexible I would pay the extra money for it sometimes for the convenience, but I can't justify it given what the plan includes.

I am glad that it works so well for people who do dine the way the DDP suggests, and I'm glad that people know that what works for them!

I feel exactly this same way. We don't drink coke/pop or eat lots of dessert. I also like apps -- maybe even as my meal.

I do have a question, however. We have an official Disney travel agent helping us plan a longer trip and maybe a cruise (I realized after our trip we just returned from we may not be on site people but didn't know this when we asked her to help). She has been pushing that dining plan like crazy. Reading the pros and cons on this board had already convinced me it wouldn't work well for us but boy has she dug her heels in. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I feel exactly this same way. We don't drink coke/pop or eat lots of dessert. I also like apps -- maybe even as my meal.

I do have a question, however. We have an official Disney travel agent helping us plan a longer trip and maybe a cruise (I realized after our trip we just returned from we may not be on site people but didn't know this when we asked her to help). She has been pushing that dining plan like crazy. Reading the pros and cons on this board had already convinced me it wouldn't work well for us but boy has she dug her heels in. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Never have and I have used several different agencies. I would just tell them you absolutely do not want it, so not to keep pushing it to you. Ic she does not honor that request a new TA may be in order.

 

[honeybunches]

I'm not going to flame you-your husband thinks like me. I don't mind paying for the DP. I just factor it in as part of the cost of my vacation, and enjoy myself without worrying about it.

We are doing the dining plan. It allows me to have a break from the ordinary. I don't even care if we spend more on it, it's just nice knowing that I don't have to worry.

 

[CuppieCake04]

we did the DDP last year and are doing it again this year. It a relief to know that all the food is taken care of.

I also like not worrying about the price of the entree and ordering what I want to eat vs what I would want to pay.

 

[scnrc00]

We are going on our 1st trip and we are on the DDP but it was free or we wouldn't be doing it. I think OOP would best suit my family and I hate having to worry with all the reservations and worrying about if we will be able to make it to them on time.

 

[lauradis]

My hubby loves the ddxp too but I hate prepaying for it lol. If we get it half price its great but I think i will do gift cards or prepaid visa if disney doesnt offer half price ddxp. If he says no I want the ddxp at full price, then you can bet the farm he will get his over price ddxp.

 

[DisMama3]

My hubby loves the ddxp too but I hate prepaying for it lol. If we get it half price its great but I think i will do gift cards or prepaid visa if disney doesnt offer half price ddxp. If he says no I want the ddxp at full price, then you can bet the farm he will get his over price ddxp.

Sorry if this is frequently discussed, but on average when does Disney offer half off the deluxe plan?? I've never heard of this or seen it advertised but we would definitely be interested. Thanks!

 

[pezaddict231]

I believe she means during free dining, you can pay the difference to get the deluxe plan.

 

[DisMama3]

I believe she means during free dining, you can pay the difference to get the deluxe plan.

Oh okay, that makes sense. Thank you!