2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[apostolic4life]

I've gone back and forth on choosing the ddp vs the dxddp and have finally decided to go with the regular ddp. The main reason is that I may very well not be hungry on a given afternoon/evening. If I choose to forgo my adr, I am out of $$ because I prepaid.

I came to this conclusion after eating lunch at a local restaurant the other day. I came away so full that I didn't eat anything else the rest of the day (just a small snack at night). This will more than likely happen at least once at disney -- even if it's a cs.

So, if you are prone to skipping a meal here and there, beware if you are choosing the dxddp. You could lose $$ on that plan.

If you're prone to skipping meals you would also lose money with the DDP. I would say someone who has a habit of skipping would not benefit from either plan.

 

[skoi]

Anyone know whether everyone on the reservation has to have an AP in order to buy the plan? I'm heading down in September, hoping to get AP rates on a room, and will have my 4 kids with me (14,10, 4 and 4). I'm trying to decide if I should buy the dining plan, or if I even can since I'll be the only one with the AP. They still have days left on their non-expiring passes, so I won't be buying APs for them.

Thanks!

 

[mefordis]

If you're prone to skipping meals you would also lose money with the DDP. I would say someone who has a habit of skipping would not benefit from either plan.

Good point. But I'm sure I'll do the 6 TS meals, which is what the ddp would give me. I did the math and I'd still come out ahead with the ddp. But with the dxddp I would struggle to get my money's worth and probably eat what I don't really want.

 

[rusafee1183]

how do you guys "do the math" to figure out how much you would spend if not on the ddp??? that may be a stupid question, but i just went ahead and signed up for it and now i'm curious if i'm going to be wasting money.... it doesn't really matter at this point, because i'm all paid up and leave in a little over a month, i just want to know for next round

 

[kaytieeldr]

See the menus http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm here

 

[rusafee1183]

oh, and then you just kinda guess what you would eat and add it all up???

 

[kaytieeldr]

Anyone know whether everyone on the reservation has to have an AP in order to buy the plan?

Interesting question...
The conditions for the original Dining Plan required all Guests on the reservation to start with the same park passes, and have the DDP for the entire length of their package.
When DVC members/Guests using points were allowed to purchase the Dining Plan, there was no ticket requirement but again, every person on the reservation had to get the DDP for the length of reservation.
It would seem - based on the 'everyone' conditions, above - that yes, that applies to the AP/DDP package. But you need to call WDTC to find out for sure.

 

[sharon_wv]

Before going on our trip, I was a bit skeptical and questioning our decision to do the DDP for our trip. We just got back on Thursday & I must say that I definitely think it was worth the $$. We were a family of 4 (DH, me, DD-12, and DD-2). DD-2 of course was free. We stayed at Coronado Springs and because the Pepper Market was included in the QS meals, we definitely got our $$'s worth. Tip (10%) and tax are included at Pepper Market. They have some meals (prime rib special w/ potatoes and vegetable) that cost over $20 + you get the drink & dessert as well. I think 4 of our QS meals were from Pepper Market. For Table service we did all character breakfasts or lunch & then the Hoop de doo review. Of course, we went over Easter, so the cost of meals was $4.00 more than on normal days for all of the character meals so that made our value even better.

I calculated (although I missed a couple snacks that I couldn't remember what we had), but I figured we got over $120 more food than we paid (which is pretty good). Now if we had used the QS meals in the parks instead of the Pepper market, I don't think we would have fared as well.

By the way, Pepper Market is fabulous & out of this world for those of you that are staying at CSR.

 

[kaytieeldr]

oh, and then you just kinda guess what you would eat and add it all up???

Well, yeah. How else would you propose to determine in advance how much you would spend if not on the DDP?

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyone know whether everyone on the reservation has to have an AP in order to buy the plan? I'm heading down in September, hoping to get AP rates on a room, and will have my 4 kids with me (14,10, 4 and 4). I'm trying to decide if I should buy the dining plan, or if I even can since I'll be the only one with the AP. They still have days left on their non-expiring passes, so I won't be buying APs for them.

Thanks!

what I have read is that one adult AP is required at checkin. I would guess that everyone in the room has to be on the dining plan.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Before going on our trip, I was a bit skeptical and questioning our decision to do the DDP for our trip. We just got back on Thursday & I must say that I definitely think it was worth the $$. We were a family of 4 (DH, me, DD-12, and DD-2). DD-2 of course was free. We stayed at Coronado Springs and because the Pepper Market was included in the QS meals, we definitely got our $$'s worth. Tip (10%) and tax are included at Pepper Market. They have some meals (prime rib special w/ potatoes and vegetable) that cost over $20 + you get the drink & dessert as well. I think 4 of our QS meals were from Pepper Market. ... By the way, Pepper Market is fabulous & out of this world for those of you that are staying at CSR.

I shortened the quote as indicated by the ellipsis, ..., anyhow I was so glad to hear this because I was wondering how Pepper Market would be handled now that tip is no longer included but Pepper Market is CS/QS. I am thrilled to hear that Pepper Market is included as other CS without any added tip needed to be paid by guest. With gratuity no longer included, I was worried... Now I know that I can put Coronado Springs back in the list of possible resorts for future.

 

[englishrose47]

I did aguess type estimate and the 7 of us would come out about $500 ahead with ddp! Could we do it a whole lot cheaper ..Yes but we would then be checking prices making the older kids choose cheaper things and no desserts. I figurs it is our time to splurge and enjoy so DDP is cost effective for us Staek and lobster lovers!!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Anyone know whether everyone on the reservation has to have an AP in order to buy the plan? I'm heading down in September, hoping to get AP rates on a room, and will have my 4 kids with me (14,10, 4 and 4). I'm trying to decide if I should buy the dining plan, or if I even can since I'll be the only one with the AP. They still have days left on their non-expiring passes, so I won't be buying APs for them.

Thanks!

I am an AP holder and with my AP only, I logged onto the WDW official site to quote reservations at different resorts with and without DDP and DXDDP. I didn't actually finish any of those ressies, but I was able to quote them without needing AP numbers for others in my party. So I assume that you can do the same and finish the ressie. As long as you have the AP for the AP rate when you check in, I don't think they'd care what tix the others in your room were on as long as you all paid for DDP. Good luck.

 

[Goofy22]

OK! Question this will be my very first time doing the dining plan whether free or paid for! I'm doing it! But I want to make sure I understand this correctly. If I am arriving on 8/26 and departing on 8/31 this means I will get 5 table service meals? And I can still use my credits until I officially check out?

 

[apostolic4life]

OK! Question this will be my very first time doing the dining plan whether free or paid for! I'm doing it! But I want to make sure I understand this correctly. If I am arriving on 8/26 and departing on 8/31 this means I will get 5 table service meals? And I can still use my credits until I officially check out?

You can use your credits until midnight of the day you checkout.

 

[Disneyof3]

OK! Question this will be my very first time doing the dining plan whether free or paid for! I'm doing it! But I want to make sure I understand this correctly. If I am arriving on 8/26 and departing on 8/31 this means I will get 5 table service meals? And I can still use my credits until I officially check out?

You are correct! It goes by the nights you stay not the days. Also to repeat the credits are good until the midnight you check out. Have fun

 

[Goofy22]

You are correct! It goes by the nights you stay not the days. Also to repeat the credits are good until the midnight you check out. Have fun

Thank YOU! Just wanted to be sure!

 

[ilovecountry]

I just want to make sure I'm understand this right since things apparently have changed (I've never been on it before, it's from a package we've seen).
*Does this mean I get a dessert w/ lunch & dinner? lol. Or has it changed where you only get one w/ lunch & dinner?

1 Table-Service meal including entrée, dessert or full buffet and non-alcoholic beverage
1 Quick Serve meal of either a complete Combo Meal or one entree with one dessert (Lunch or Dinner) or one juice (Breakfast)
1 Snack choice of a frozen novelty ice cream, popsicle or fruit bar, single serving grab bag of Frito Lay's chips, one 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dansani Water, single piece of whole fruit, medium fountain soft drink or apple juice

 

[kaytieeldr]

You get one dessert with each Table Service meal, and one dessert with each Counter Service meal... except you get unlimited desserts with each buffet

 

[porknbeans]

We just returned from our trip and we had the DDDP. Way more food than any of us could ever have eaten during the trip. By the end of our stay, we were looking at each other as if to say "Do we have to eat again?" We even ended with 2 extra meals and 20 extra snacks that we had to use up. The really nice thing about the plan is that it allowed us the freedom to eat in places that we normally would have passed up, or never even considered. We ate great food. When I get uncovered from work, I'll try to figure out how good of a value it was, but regardless, we will be doing the DDP next time, not the DDDP.