New to DDP - Get it or forget it?

itutorfortravel · Jul 28, 2015

Good morning! In all our trips to Disney, we have never used the dining plan. We've either stayed offsite or used TiW as it gives us a great discount on table service and then we've paid for counter service OOP. All those trips have been family trips...

I will be taking DD and a friend to Disney in the next couple weeks for a quick 4 day getaway. (Both girls are 13). I don't think we will do table service meals on this trip, so while I was considering renewing our TiW card, I think I will wait till our next family trip to do so.

My question is whether the QS dining plan makes sense for us. Is it going to make my life any easier or does it really not make much difference? I'm looking at a lot of the QS meals for lunch and dinner (what we would mostly do), and the cost seems to be hovering around $15 pp for an entrée and a drink. Two meals like that total just $30 per day and the meal plan I believe is $42 per day plus tax, right? I know there are dessert credits and snack credits and the mug, but is that adding enough value to make the plan worth it?

Even if it's a "wash" in terms of cost I will consider it if it somehow makes things easier. Staying onsite I would use our magic band to pay for everything so I don't know if it does make life easier or if it truly is more economical to do the DDP or if there's something else about it that makes it worth doing.

Any input is appreciated! Thank you!

lovndisney12 · Jul 28, 2015

I would say it all comes down to how much the 2 thirteen year old girls will eat. If they are not big eaters, then I would say go OOP. If they are going to want a snack, drink with meal (rather than water), and dessert - go for the plan as it will make it a lot easier. Also, who is paying for the friend's meals? If it is her family, then the dining plan would make it a lot easier.

The best part of the dining plan for our family is not worrying about who is ordering what at a meal. There is no worry about how much the food is adding up to and trying to keep track of it all.

itutorfortravel · Jul 28, 2015

Thanks for that feedback! We have never done the dining plan so will it be confusing to the girls what they can - and can't get - in order to not use more credits than they should at one meal? I know they can use as many as they want at a time, but I don't want them burning through all their credits up front because they don't understand how the plan works.

itutorfortravel · Jul 28, 2015

And to answer your question, I am paying for the friend's meals.

MakiraMarlena · Jul 28, 2015

There's 2 kinds of credits on the quick service plan. Meal credits and snack credits. A meal credit can be used for a full meal. General allotments for a meal are for an entree, dessert and drink. Now you can trade out either your dessert or drink for a side if that is what you want to do.

You can also trade one meal credit for 3 snacks at certain locations (all 3 snacks must come from the same location).

Snack credits can be used for snacks at the QS restaurants, or in many stores or snack outlets (candy stores, etc.).

What you should realize is that all the credits are pooled per room. So the girls need to know how many meal credits and how many snack credits are theirs to spend. If they don't keep track of their credits, they could spend all the credits up front. There was a post here awhile back where a family group had the DDP and one member ended up using all of the group's snack credits and most of their QS meal credits. They wanted to know if Disney would refund them the money for the credits their errant family member used. They won't, so make sure your group is clear on how many credits are theirs.

supersnoop · Jul 28, 2015

In my opinion, it's easier to just order what you want and charge it back to the room. I don't think there's any added convenience with the dining plan.

sharonabe · Jul 28, 2015

Not knowing the relationship dynamics, it might be easier for the friend with the plan. She would know she could order any entree, dessert, and beverage and not worry about the cost to you.

Once you add in the dessert and snack, the cost does become pretty close. Desserts are usually at least $4 plus tax, and snacks will probably average out to the same. So if your initial assessment is around $30 without those, then you're now easily at the $42.

You know your DD and her friend. If you explain to them they get 2 meals and 1 snack, will they keep to that? It's really not that hard to figure out what you can order for your meal, and the CMs can help if they're not sure.

happymommy · Aug 2, 2015

In your case, I'd just pay out of pocket. The girls may want to snack more, or share meals sometimes. It's just more flexible to do that.

Nancyg56 · Aug 2, 2015

sharonabe said:
Not knowing the relationship dynamics, it might be easier for the friend with the plan. She would know she could order any entree, dessert, and beverage and not worry about the cost to you.

Once you add in the dessert and snack, the cost does become pretty close. Desserts are usually at least $4 plus tax, and snacks will probably average out to the same. So if your initial assessment is around $30 without those, then you're now easily at the $42.

You know your DD and her friend. If you explain to them they get 2 meals and 1 snack, will they keep to that? It's really not that hard to figure out what you can order for your meal, and the CMs can help if they're not sure.

I agree that considering the dynamics on this trip, the DDP is the best bet. There are a lot od desserts, snacks and beverages in WDW, and they add up. If you just tell your friends you ae on a dining plan and they can get that cupcake with every meal, and to make sure that they leave room for a SUndae, ice cream sandwich, or any other special treat they want, I bet you wil remove any cost anxiety they may have.

The teens will probably be a little shy if they look at prices knowing you are paying, but if they know they can have whatever they choose, that removes any roadblock to ordering the chicken and ribs instead of the side salad and fruit, if that is what they really want. And then they also have permission to enjoy the treats that are so stinkin pricy, so theymight just pretend they are good without the popcorn during BATB or Fantasmic.

Sometimes it is best to pay a little more upfront to remove any potential problem down the line. We are doing that same thing in AUgust. WE booked the DxDDp on one room and will have appetizers times 4 already paid for. ANd snacks galore for the Princesses (and my overgrown ice cream loving son!) so they will not be shy about trying every Mickey treat available!

Have fun this trip!

Stinky_Pete · Aug 3, 2015

I don't think it's any easier. How would it be easier to have to deal with what is covered by the plan vs. what isn't covered as opposed to just purchasing what you want when you want it?

I also can't image you'd save any money. Like you said, most QS entrees and drinks together would be about $15, or $30 for the two meals per day that would be covered by the plan. If you think an average snack price of $5, that's still only $35.

I don't know about you, but I don't have a dessert after every meal. Even on vacation. That's just not how I grew up. Also, I don't find most of the QS desserts very interesting. I'd much rather have a Dole whip or a mickey head ice cream bar mid-afternoon or late in the evening myself. So the whole dessert after every meal option actually makes me not want the dining plan at all.

GrumpyDad1974 · Aug 4, 2015

Unless the DP is free I would just pay OOP. Last trip we had an experiment on cost and OOP was cheaper and easier. We sometimes skipped meals when using the DDP we "felt we needed to get one." OOP we would just get a snack instead of a meal and keep walking around also we would never get dessert at a meal, we would just get it later.

lovndisney12 · Aug 6, 2015

itutorfortravel said:
Thanks for that feedback! We have never done the dining plan so will it be confusing to the girls what they can - and can't get - in order to not use more credits than they should at one meal? I know they can use as many as they want at a time, but I don't want them burning through all their credits up front because they don't understand how the plan works.

I don't think it will be confusing. If they know they have 1 snack and 2 QS meals per day and stick with that, all should be fine. Everything is labeled pretty well so they should know what they can and can't get with their snack credits. If the girls are into planning, you could even have them take a look at some of the QS menus in advance. Also, many places have cookies for dessert so they could always grab one and save it for a snack later. Here are the questions I would ask to determine which route to go:

1) Relationship with your daughter's friend (and her family) - How comfortable will she be ordering when seeing the price tag next to something? For example, some kids who aren't use to a burger costing almost $20 might feel very bad and always try to order the cheapest thing. Will she speak up when she is hungry and wants a snack and feel OK asking you to purchase it? If you have taken her with on other outings where you have purchased stuff for her you may already know the answers to these questions. If she has no problem, then go OOP. If she does, it might be easier and more comfortable for her to know she has 1 TS and 2 QS meals per day and then not have to worry about how much it is all costing.

2) Your financial situation - Do you need to stick to a very specific budget? Are you OK if she likes the more expensive item at each meal? I always suggest to my kids when ordering out to order something in a similar (or less) price range as those that are paying the bill. (I hope they have taken my advice) But I do know my husband had a friend growing up whose family always ate out and she would order one of the most expensive items. The Dining plan will help you know what your food budget will be but OOP may save you money. (But DDP can also be cheaper depending on how much they eat and where you eat)

Also - Extra credits - And if the girls end up not using all their credits you can convert them and purchase items at places like Goofy's Candy shop to bring home. This might be nice if the girl you are bringing has any siblings back home and then she won't feel bad about "waisting" the credits / money.

catmom46 · Aug 7, 2015

I'm a fan of the dining plan, but I think in your case if you're looking for what's easiest, then that would be paying OOP. The dining plan is usually more economical if you plan or know ahead of time what you're going to eat, which I would think isn't something most teenagers want to do.

Misha72683 · Aug 11, 2015

I think the mug is $17 (so roughly $4.25 a day for your trip), snack credit is valued around $5 and desert around $4, so QSDP has a value of around $47. But I personally like the idea of the QS for the convience and the security of knowing it's all paid for. Plus, as PPs have pointed out your friend and her daughter may feel more confident ordering if they don't have to worry about the price.

mkh531 · Aug 13, 2015

I think its best to get the DP because then it's Cast Members enforcing rules about what they can and cannot order, and not you. So you can be more relaxed.

itutorfortravel · Aug 16, 2015

Thanks everyone for the advice. Just wanted to let you know what we did and how it worked. We actually decided to pay OOP for this girls' trip. I had already decided I would buy the refillable mugs for the girls and myself and was very pleasantly surprised that my TiW card got me 20% off of those

We decided to do mostly QS type dining and "go with the flow" in terms of when we ate. It really made it nice not to feel like we couldn't get in a "short" line for a ride because of a dining reservation. Our TS included 50's Prime Time Café and Beaches and Cream, both using TiW and between both I spent about $150 with tip. Not too shabby IMO considering we had full meals and desserts. I was also very happy that Artist's Palette at SSR allowed the TiW discount, as we ate there once as well. Our other QS meals were at Contempo Café, Captain Cooks, Gasparillas Café, and various places throughout the park. My daughter's friend was very comfortable ordering what she wanted so that was good. Honestly, some days we ordered bigger meals and once or twice some of us ordered a kid's meal because we just weren't that hungry or it was so hot and we didn't want to feel sluggish after a big meal. We also got snacks when we wanted them and enjoyed ice cream, dole whips, Mickey ice cream bars, Starbucks, and cookies (1 adult + two 13 yo girls) so I didn't think that was too bad. (fyi, we ate breakfast in our room, just a simple breakfast of bagels and fruit...the girls slept late so it was just enough to tide us over until lunch.) I also really enjoyed this trip immensely! I missed my DH, but he truly enjoys the experience of eating out. I realized on this trip how much more we were able to do without having to work around TS reservations. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Nancyg56 · Aug 16, 2015

itutorfortravel said:
Thanks everyone for the advice. Just wanted to let you know what we did and how it worked. We actually decided to pay OOP for this girls' trip. I had already decided I would buy the refillable mugs for the girls and myself and was very pleasantly surprised that my TiW card got me 20% off of those We decided to do mostly QS type dining and "go with the flow" in terms of when we ate. It really made it nice not to feel like we couldn't get in a "short" line for a ride because of a dining reservation. Our TS included 50's Prime Time Café and Beaches and Cream, both using TiW and between both I spent about $150 with tip. Not too shabby IMO considering we had full meals and desserts. I was also very happy that Artist's Palette at SSR allowed the TiW discount, as we ate there once as well. Our other QS meals were at Contempo Café, Captain Cooks, Gasparillas Café, and various places throughout the park. My daughter's friend was very comfortable ordering what she wanted so that was good. Honestly, some days we ordered bigger meals and once or twice some of us ordered a kid's meal because we just weren't that hungry or it was so hot and we didn't want to feel sluggish after a big meal. We also got snacks when we wanted them and enjoyed ice cream, dole whips, Mickey ice cream bars, Starbucks, and cookies (1 adult + two 13 yo girls) so I didn't think that was too bad. (fyi, we ate breakfast in our room, just a simple breakfast of bagels and fruit...the girls slept late so it was just enough to tide us over until lunch.) I also really enjoyed this trip immensely! I missed my DH, but he truly enjoys the experience of eating out. I realized on this trip how much more we were able to do without having to work around TS reservations. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Sounds like so much fun! Your plan mirrors what I would do if just Kady and I were in WDW. SHe is turning 14, so dining is not as important to her. We would do CS, with maybe one or two TS on our "off" days.

catmom46 · Aug 16, 2015

itutorfortravel said:
Thanks everyone for the advice. Just wanted to let you know what we did and how it worked. We actually decided to pay OOP for this girls' trip. I had already decided I would buy the refillable mugs for the girls and myself and was very pleasantly surprised that my TiW card got me 20% off of those We decided to do mostly QS type dining and "go with the flow" in terms of when we ate. It really made it nice not to feel like we couldn't get in a "short" line for a ride because of a dining reservation. Our TS included 50's Prime Time Café and Beaches and Cream, both using TiW and between both I spent about $150 with tip. Not too shabby IMO considering we had full meals and desserts. I was also very happy that Artist's Palette at SSR allowed the TiW discount, as we ate there once as well. Our other QS meals were at Contempo Café, Captain Cooks, Gasparillas Café, and various places throughout the park. My daughter's friend was very comfortable ordering what she wanted so that was good. Honestly, some days we ordered bigger meals and once or twice some of us ordered a kid's meal because we just weren't that hungry or it was so hot and we didn't want to feel sluggish after a big meal. We also got snacks when we wanted them and enjoyed ice cream, dole whips, Mickey ice cream bars, Starbucks, and cookies (1 adult + two 13 yo girls) so I didn't think that was too bad. (fyi, we ate breakfast in our room, just a simple breakfast of bagels and fruit...the girls slept late so it was just enough to tide us over until lunch.) I also really enjoyed this trip immensely! I missed my DH, but he truly enjoys the experience of eating out. I realized on this trip how much more we were able to do without having to work around TS reservations. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Yay, glad it all worked out! It's always nice when it does, right?

New to DDP - Get it or forget it?

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