2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[kritter]

Hi, does anyone know if the Disney Dining Plan restaurants are now checking IDs when you use the dining points for the restaurants? They didn't do this in 2007, but I heard it's new for 2008?

Thanks!

Just came back from WDW on Sat. night and no they did not check ID's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tigergirl]

In looking at the prices on allears.net, does anyone know if these include taxes for the counter service meals? I know that many of the table service lists (particularly for the buffets) state that taxes are extra.

 

[wilderness gal]

In looking at the prices on allears.net, does anyone know if these include taxes for the counter service meals? I know that many of the table service lists (particularly for the buffets) state that taxes are extra.

according to Disney Travel when I booked our trip; the tax is included w/in the dining package, (I was concerned about that too); that's why I called them as we will be on the DDxP

is the tax included w/the prices shown on allears.net, I don't think so

Have a good day !

jean

 

[tigergirl]

Thanks for the info on the taxes. We've never used the DDP before, and I was just trying to decide if it makes sense to do so on our upcoming visit. While doing the spreadsheet thing of DDP vs OOP, I realized that the cost savings of 6.5% on $1500-$2000 worth of food starts adding up. Just wanted to make sure I was correct.

Since it does seem like a good value for our family, it looks like I'll be trying out the DDP for the first time.

 

[pilferk]

In looking at the prices on allears.net, does anyone know if these include taxes for the counter service meals? I know that many of the table service lists (particularly for the buffets) state that taxes are extra.

Whoops...edited because I misundestood the question and answered concerning taxes being extra on the DDP.

No, taxes aren't included in the prices on allears.net. They'd be in addition to that price.

 

[pilferk]

is the tax included w/the prices shown on allears.net, I don't think so



jean

You're right.

Taxes, in the menu prices on allears.net, are NOT included. You should add approx 6% (it might be 6.5..not sure) to whatever you get when you total up the menu prices in order to "compare it" to the DDP price.

 

[danceintherain]

I am frustrated, because I want to utilize the plan but neither plan work out right for me. I don't want to eat 3 table service every day, but the 1 TS and 1 CS wouldn't be enough for what I want to eat.

I want a plan that has 2 table service a day, and then I would pay OOP for counter service meals, but I don't think it'll happen.

Right now for a 9 night stay I have 18 table service and 4 counter service figured into my schedule, which would be perfect with a 2 TS a day plan.

I have some more numbers to crunch...

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Hi, does anyone know if the Disney Dining Plan restaurants are now checking IDs when you use the dining points for the restaurants? They didn't do this in 2007, but I heard it's new for 2008?

Thanks!

Just why would they check IDs?

 

[racefanof88]

I am frustrated, because I want to utilize the plan but neither plan work out right for me. I don't want to eat 3 table service every day, but the 1 TS and 1 CS wouldn't be enough for what I want to eat.

I want a plan that has 2 table service a day, and then I would pay OOP for counter service meals, but I don't think it'll happen.

Right now for a 9 night stay I have 18 table service and 4 counter service figured into my schedule, which would be perfect with a 2 TS a day plan.

I have some more numbers to crunch...

You don't have to eat 3 TS with the DxDP. You can eat 3 CS if you want or 3TS or any combination there of. You don't have to eat just 3 TS meals. That would be the most bang for the buck but you can mix it up anyway you want. You also get 2 snacks per day. You can also use 2 credits at one time to eat at a signature restaurant.

Hope this helps.

 

[danceintherain]

I know I CAN use the other meals for CS, however my calculations without the plan only have me spending around $55/night/person. I haven't however added the snacks in, and we are planning on spending a day snacking around EPCOT instead of actually eating a full meal. If we use up quite a few snack credits, and maybe an additional counter service, then it might make sense.

Right now I'm actually thinking of doing half the regular DDP and half the deluxe. We're planning on splitting our stay, so that would be the only way that would work. However, I don't want to get too attached to the idea, because we might end up doing a full stay somewhere depending on what kind of discounts we can scrape up.

 

[connie101]

so much food!! husband and i just came back from disney..wow!! the plan was absolutley wonderful!! we had 3 meals a day and 2 snacks per day each... couldnt even think about the snacks...but got to use our snack plans when we got ready to leave, so we didnt loose any points...would do this again..loved all different places to go..but u really need to make reservations for the good places...wonderful..loved coral reef!!!

 

[racefanof88]

I know I CAN use the other meals for CS, however my calculations without the plan only have me spending around $55/night/person. I haven't however added the snacks in, and we are planning on spending a day snacking around EPCOT instead of actually eating a full meal. If we use up quite a few snack credits, and maybe an additional counter service, then it might make sense.

Right now I'm actually thinking of doing half the regular DDP and half the deluxe. We're planning on splitting our stay, so that would be the only way that would work. However, I don't want to get too attached to the idea, because we might end up doing a full stay somewhere depending on what kind of discounts we can scrape up.

Oh ok I guess I didn't read your post good enough...........sorry. I agree with you on the cost. I just could not justify paying for the DxDP for my family. I have some very picky eaters so it was hard enough to come up with 1 TS a day for my group...................LOL. We plan on buying a refillable mug anyway as we love to have these at home.

 

[thefaultline]

I have my trip booked with the basic dining plan. I've had a few people on the boards tell me that I could save money by not doing the plan and ran some #'s and don't see how its possible without lugging around snacks to the parks and keeping lots of food in your hotel room?

If ds and I ate CS only it would cost us about $370 out of pocket for 2 cs meals [usually the cheapest stuff on the menu] and 2 snacks at $4 each per day. That's not including drinks with our meals..

With the dining plan it would allow us to have TS meals,snacks and cs meals for $336.

Am I over looking something? I'd love to save money and suppose that DS and I do not need all of the TS that we have booked, coral reef, boma, liberty tree tavern, and mama melrose could go.. i would want to keep chef mickeys, chrystal palace and ohanna [breakfast].

 

[bicker]

I don't think you can "save money" either way. The Dining Plan is priced very close, now, to what its individual components would cost if you purchased them out-of-pocket. You only "save money" not doing the Dining Plan if you wouldn't use all of its components to their fullest, as offered. Many of us, wouldn't use every last component that way, and so we are better off just paying OOP. Some folks would use every last component that way, and are better off with the Dining Plan.

Of course, if the Dining Plan is included in a promotional rate, then you might as well enjoy it.

 

[englishrose47]

The convenience of DDp and the ability to let everone pick whatever they want with no thought of price, these are what makes ddp worth it to me!!

 

[Mick00]

Hi if I dont use say a CS meal one day or a snack credit or TS credit one day can I get two of them the following day? thanks

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes.

You are allotted one of each credit type per person per night of your stay.

You can actually redeem them in any way you choose (except, of course, using adult credits for adults and children credits for children).

On a six night stay you could, for example, on one day have breakfast at CRT, lunch at the Brown Derby, and dinner at Hoop-De-Doo-Revue. You'll have used all six of your table service credits, but you can do it.

 

[danceintherain]

Oh ok I guess I didn't read your post good enough...........sorry. I agree with you on the cost. I just could not justify paying for the DxDP for my family. I have some very picky eaters so it was hard enough to come up with 1 TS a day for my group...................LOL. We plan on buying a refillable mug anyway as we love to have these at home.

From looking at it again it might be possible to do the Deluxe plan price effectively... I might just do it anyways as it will be my honeymoon and it would be nice to have the flexibility to eat wherever we wanted... I'm just worried about getting too scheduled, missing ADRs, and having to substitute too many CS meals.
Also, this may be the only time that I would get to try it. My family always stays off-property and eats maybe 1 TS meal for the whole trip. The last time we went the only places we ate were CS and the Garden Grill. All other meals were eaten in our condo, or brought with us. The only other place I remember eating at Disney was some dinner show they had in EPCOT during the early 90s.

It might be nice to try as many restaurants as possible in case I can never justify it again.

 

[momandseandodisney]

So far major differences seem to be:

On the "Basic" plan, there is no more appetizer with your TS.

Some restaurants (Epcot ones, esp.) are not included on the DDP.

Laren

Which Epcot ones are not included?

 

[JMADgrad]

Ditto that question! Also, when did Dis drop the gratuity in the plan (I just watched the vacation DVD again and they specifically advertised gratuity included...during the YOMD. Until I started reading this thread I did not realize it had been dropped)