2017 Disney Dining Plan? Should we do it?

[Elizhodge13]

I just made all of our ADRs for our January 2017 trip. I noticed that the restaurants I chose seem to be ones that would make the DDP worth it for this trip. I will post my ADRs below. Based on that, tell me if you think the plan would be worth it for 2 adults staying at a monorail resort.
Day 1: Ohana breakfast
Day 2: Tutto Italia dinner
Day 3: Chef Mickeys breakfast
Day 4: Ohana dinner
Day 5: BOG ppo breakfast and Mama Melroses dinner

Thanks!

 

[Capang]

The best way to know is just look up the menu prices and compare that to the cost of the plan. Pick out what you might eat at each place (not the buffets sine it is a flat price) and price it from there.

 

[B-Ride]

IMHO, Table Service for breakfast tends to lesson the value of the DDP.

 

[sharonabe]

The cost of the plan next year is $67.33. Assume $5 per snack, and you now have $57 to "spend." QS meals are just entree and drink, so maybe $15 for those. If you choose some of the more expensive QS, you can push that to $18-20, and of course, BoG is an excellent use. But if we use $15 benchmark, your TS meals need to be $42. Chef Mickey is $40.47, Ohana is $31.95 and $42.59. You should be able to hit the $42 at Tutto, but the only entree at MM that will get you there is the steak. Order anything else at MM, and you're $5-10 short.

I know, I know, I'm not figuring in the mug. If that's something you'll use, then your QS/TS meals can be a little less.

You're close to the break even point, but that really depends on your other QS and what you plan to order at Tutto and MM.

 

[Hopefully]

Only you can factually determine the answer. As others have said, look at the menus at allears.net and calculate the cost of what you would eat. I would factor in about 5% for the inevitable price increases, and then compare that to the cost of the DDP.
We get the DDP each trip. For us, we come out a little ahead or just about break even. It works for the way we eat and I like the convenience.
Have Fun

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The other risk I bring up is what happens if you change your mind or don't feel well. I have known several people who wound up at the end of a stay with unused credits just because of that.

 

[Valstew]

We like the plan and usually end up slightly a head but we like the convenience of it, and my hubby likes to eat.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) DDP seldom ever pays for itself.
2) Very seldom. *
3) One has to order the most expensive things on the menu to get close to FINANCIAL justification.
4) Poor uses of DDP
. . . any breakfast
. . . any dinner show
. . . almost every lunch
. . . most non-Signature dinners
. . . many Signature dinners
5) In many cases, taking a resort discount is financially better than taking FREE DINING.
6) After all, Disney gives away nothing to guests that is not profitable for Disney.

* Many people have done-the-math, including disBoards, and find DDP and DxDP lacking in payback. Some people say it is "more convenient", but charging to the room is just as easy, and less restrictive (you could order just appys and entrees instead of entrees and desserts, if your wish).

 

[mstephen87]

Day 1 - Ohana Breakfast-30$ snack-$4 snack-$4 QS dinner 18$ = 56$
Tutto Italia dinner 50$ (EASY!) snack- 4$ snack-$4 QS lunch 13$ = 71$
Chef Mickeys Breakfast 41$ snack 4$ snack-$4 QS dinner 18$ = 67$
Ohana Dinner 42$ snack 4$ QS snack-$4 dinner 18$ = 68$
BOG breakfast 27$ snack 4$ snack-$4 Mama Melrose 30-40$= 65$-75$
Your average day is 66.50$ with a cost of dining plan being 67$. Also you get the mug (18$ value) divided by your 5 days ($3.60/day) so your total day would be about 70$ per person. You would be better off with the dining plan. Of course I often spend my snack credits at starbucks so they are worth closer to 7-8$! haha And you are guarenteed a dessert on the DP for dinner. Tutto Italia desserts are 10$-15$ alone. Also note- in 2017 you get 2 snacks per day!

We have done both. I am a numbers person so I always want to make sure I am getting the best deal. We have 2 kids (much better value for a dining plan!) and we do mostly only dinner TS with characters so we generally save a fortune doing the dining plan. Ex. Kids dining plan - 24$ Kids Akershus dinner -$34 Kids chef mickeys $25.55 so 1 meal and you are in the green with kids. I would say get it- you definitely won't lose money!

 

[sharonabe]

QS dinner 18$

You may want to redo some of that math. With just an entree and a drink, it's going to be difficult to get $18 out of a QS credit. There are places where you can, but it will require more planning than just eating wherever you are when it's time to eat.

 

[mstephen87]

You may want to redo some of that math. With just an entree and a drink, it's going to be difficult to get $18 out of a QS credit. There are places where you can, but it will require more planning than just eating wherever you are when it's time to eat.

We always do flame tree (14-20$ a meal plus a 4$ drink), BOG (17$ plus 4$ drink), Columbia harbor house (11-14$ with a 4$ drink) the express at Wolfgang puck (11$-18$ plus a 4$ drink.) sure you can do it cheaper if you are looking to save, but to hit some of disneys best QS dining it can definitely get up there. Also, you may get one or two cheap meals, but the 20+$ meal will balance it out. Total personal preference, but these are some of our favorites! And being they aren't going until 1/17 I'm assuming they're planners!