2008 Meal Plan Cost for our family - I did the math!!

[FanOfPixar]

I have been reading about the changes for the 2008 meal plan changes wondered really how much more it will cost next year. I decided to figure out what additional money we would have to spend if we ate at the same restaurants we are planning on eating at this year.

We are staying for 6 nights and have the following table service meals reserved and have basically picked out what we will eat. Here is the math per person:

O'Hana's Best Friends Breakfast:
Tip Cost: $3.79 - Appetizer Cost: n/a

Japan Teppan Dining:
Tip Cost: $12.99 - Appetizer Cost: $3.99

Mama Melrose:
Tip Cost: $5.66 Appetizer Cost: $5.99

Chef Mickey's:
Tip cost: $5.59 - Appetizer Cost: n/a

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show:
Tip Cost: $10.20 - Appetizer Cost: n/a

The total tip cost per person would be for the entire stay would be $32.57 and appetizers would be only $9.98 since our family likes to do the Character and Show Meals which are mostly buffets.

The average increase per person per day would be $7.09 for both the tip and appetizer increase.

With the decrease of $1.00 the 2008 increase would really be $6.09 per person per day. For our family of 3 for a six night trip it would cost us an additional $109.62 for the entire trip. We still would have overall savings, see below:
Now to get really complicated----

I figured that if we paid out of pocket for the meals at the above restaurants for table service and averaged about $14.18 for a counter service and $3.99 for a snack we would pay $50.74 a day including tips without the meal plan.

Our savings purchasing the meal plan would be:
2007: $11.75 per person per day - - $70.05 per person per 6 night stay
2008: $6.66 per person per day -- $39.96 per person per 6 night stay

It is not much of a savings but I think our family will opt for the meal plan anyway. We love the character meals and it is really convenient to just show you Magic Your Way Card rather than worry about carrying around cash.

It is definitely still a great savings if we get he food plan for free since we would only pay an additional $7.09 per person per day.

I think with all that figured we would still use the Meal Plan for our 2008 trip especially if we can use our Magic Your Way key to pay for the appetizers and the tips.

 

[Sabrina90744]

Thanks for the breakdown , if actually helped me on to figure things out. Its not the best deal like before, but it is still a good deal and we will be doing the DDP on our next trip!

 

[leahjade]

We may try it too, just to eat at some nicer restaurants that we normally can't afford to try! It looks like the 2008 is identical to the 2007 plan, is that correct? I do wish they had more choices at Downtown Disney. All the good places seem to be at Epcot.

 

[JLKennedy]

Actually, on the deluxe plan (not sure on basic), your tip is included on dinner shows (Luau & HDDR) and CRT.

 

[Sabrina90744]

We may try it too, just to eat at some nicer restaurants that we normally can't afford to try! It looks like the 2008 is identical to the 2007 plan, is that correct? I do wish they had more choices at Downtown Disney. All the good places seem to be at Epcot.

No, the 2008 basic plan does not include the appetizer or tip and is 1 dollar cheaper

 

[Mickiethepooh]

We may try it too, just to eat at some nicer restaurants that we normally can't afford to try! It looks like the 2008 is identical to the 2007 plan, is that correct? I do wish they had more choices at Downtown Disney. All the good places seem to be at Epcot.

No as stated the 2008 plan does not include the appetizer or tip, is $1.00 cheaper pp.
ALSO the list of restaurants that will be participating is not yet complete by any means.

 

[leahjade]

What does the previous poster mean by the list of restaurants not being complete yet? I just read the 2008 list on the Walt Disney World website - is that not current?

 

[septbaby]

Especially non Disney restaurants (run by outside companies) may not have committed yet to the plan. The list is likely to increase ie. more options, before 2008.

 

[barndweller]

FanOfPixar

It is definitely still a great savings if we get he food plan for free since we would only pay an additional $7.09 per person per day.

If you talking about getting the DDP free by paying rack rate for your room, have you added the cost difference between rack rate & discount room rates to your equation? You may not save anything except for the convenience. Just a reminder to consider the price of the room when making your decision. I hardly ever see those room rate dollars added to the cost when folks do their calculations.

 

[BeckWhy]

Japan Teppan Dining:
Tip Cost: $12.99 - Appetizer Cost: $3.99

Did you find the menu to this restaurant?

 

[Amyshubby]

FanOfPixar
Just a reminder to consider the price of the room when making your decision. I hardly ever see those room rate dollars added to the cost when folks do their calculations.

ABSOLUTELY! I see the same thing. Even if the DDP is not free, when you do an analysis like the one above you must factor what codes you might get for your room. If you can get the room $15 less a night, that eats up (pardon the pun) the savings.

I used $15 because the OP is considering staying at a Value resort. The difference becomes even bigger if you stay at a moderate or deluxe. Unless you are getting a discounted room on the Magic Your Way package or are going when their are historically no codes offered, the DDP doesn't seem to make any financial sense.

 

[leahjade]

QUOTE]Especially non Disney restaurants (run by outside companies) may not have committed yet to the plan. The list is likely to increase ie. more options, before 2008.

Which restaurants are run by outside companies - I wasn't aware of that? Does anyone know when the final plan will be published?

 

[septbaby]

QUOTE]Especially non Disney restaurants (run by outside companies) may not have committed yet to the plan. The list is likely to increase ie. more options, before 2008.

Which restaurants are run by outside companies - I wasn't aware of that? Does anyone know when the final plan will be published?

I'm no expert so I'd get my wish list together, with a couple of back ups and call the Dining line to make ADRs and ask if those places are in the plan. Sorry if I added any confusion.

 

[FanOfPixar]

Did you find the menu to this restaurant?

I found it on the DIS site. It was called Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room when it re-opens it will be called Teppan Edo. It is scheduled to re-open soon. It is located in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT World Showcase.

 

[RaineinMD]

Originally Posted by barndweller
FanOfPixar
Just a reminder to consider the price of the room when making your decision. I hardly ever see those room rate dollars added to the cost when folks do their calculations.

ABSOLUTELY! I see the same thing. Even if the DDP is not free, when you do an analysis like the one above you must factor what codes you might get for your room. If you can get the room $15 less a night, that eats up (pardon the pun) the savings.

I used $15 because the OP is considering staying at a Value resort. The difference becomes even bigger if you stay at a moderate or deluxe. Unless you are getting a discounted room on the Magic Your Way package or are going when their are historically no codes offered, the DDP doesn't seem to make any financial sense.

You can actually take this one step father and consider the price of tickets... the tickets right now are selling around 15.00 cheaper by a reputable broker for a 6 day base ticket...

 

[RJD]

Good work OP! I'm too lazy to do the math, but I figured even with the changes, DDP is probably still a good deal.

 

[BeckWhy]

I found it on the DIS site. It was called Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room when it re-opens it will be called Teppan Edo. It is scheduled to re-open soon. It is located in the Japan pavilion at EPCOT World Showcase.

I thought they were going to have different menus?

 

[lynn46356]

I've been calculating it also here at home like the OP. Of course, the savings isn't near what it was this year but I've also added the basic DP to our trip next February. The convenience of having almost everything paid for before the trip is great for us. As for the lack of appetizers for each adult, well I won't mind saving the calories, full stomach and will probably be able to enjoy my dessert much more. As for tips, well they'll be given according to service which I believe is how it should be. Its a preference for everyone. Yes we loved the original DDP but everything doesn't stay the same and I guess we all just have to role with the punches. Of course, this is just my opinion for what its worth.

Lynn

 

[FanOfPixar]

I thought they were going to have different menus?

I hope they do not change the menu. I might make back-up reservations since the opening is now delayed until 10/15 and we are going only a few days later. I guess I will find out what is going on when we are there. Thanks for the heads up on the menu change.

 

[FanOfPixar]

FanOfPixar



If you talking about getting the DDP free by paying rack rate for your room, have you added the cost difference between rack rate & discount room rates to your equation? You may not save anything except for the convenience. Just a reminder to consider the price of the room when making your decision. I hardly ever see those room rate dollars added to the cost when folks do their calculations.

That is something to think about, thanks for the input.