3 nights DxDP: Good for the Tummy, Wallet, or Both? (All the math!)

[DISbot]

Hello Again!

I previously threw in a retro-active review of my February trip to see how our personal habits compared to those of the dining plan.

I'm Brittany - I am a Computer Eningeer by day, improviser and Disney lover by night. I love doing all of the math on the various options for trips, and understanding when and how different discounts or deals are worth it.

Towards the end of this month I will be taking a 4-day, 3-night trip to Disney for the Star Wars Half Marathon (my first half marathon...) This was originally going to be a solo trip, so I decided to add on the Deluxe Dining plan and make it all about the food and running! Since then, my bestie (we will call her C) decided to tag along.

I am going to try to take some actual food photos and keep reviews as we dine to share back here, as well as the math and total savings (if any).

I started this now so I can share some of the plans and my "expected" outcome of this trip.

So , hang tight, and let's see how it pans out. Will the food be too little (nope!), too much (probably!), or just right? Will the savings be nonexistant (probably not), too little (maybe), or justifiable?

 

[DISbot]

The reservations:

Arrival Day
Lunch at Tutto Italia
Dinner? Or just a Snack from Pop Century (race in the AM)

Sunday
Brunch at CA Grill
Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse

Monday
Lunch at Yak & Yeti
Dinner at Skipper Canteen

Tuesday
Lunch at 50s Prime Time

There is one floating credit that will be used either for Dinner on arrival night, or at some other point. It will likely be quick service, and while that isn't the best use of a credit, as you will see in the math below I don't expect it to matter too much. C may also skip Tutto and go elsewhere, but we will see.

 

[Vernie822]

Hey there! Good luck on your race. I'm an actuary so I'm also a constant number cruncher, but that's part of the fun, right!?

Your lineup sounds awesome. I think CA Grill post-race is such a fun idea. And Yachtsman- that's like the best food day ever!

 

[DISbot]

Hey there! Good luck on your race. I'm an actuary so I'm also a constant number cruncher, but that's part of the fun, right!?

Your lineup sounds awesome. I think CA Grill post-race is such a fun idea. And Yachtsman- that's like the best food day ever!

Thanks! It will be an adventure, and of course, without numbers, what's a vacation? Got to have all the fun numbers as well as the yucky budget math as well.

I've heard great things about the CA Grill brunch and am hoping it won't disappoint.

 

[DISbot]

The Initial Math:

So, I took all of the menus, and added up each item calculating a min, max, and average for each item first just to see if the plan even makes sense based on the offerings.

I don't factor the mug into my calculations because I rarely use it and probably would not choose it as a souvenir.

I base savings on the dining plan costing $104/night as I booked before the Feb increase in price.

See attached for the min/max/average for each location.

For my minimum and maximum extremes I took a moderate eater vs. a super eater. The minimum assumes you get the cheapest entree, skip a drink, and either get dessert or an appetizer (the cheaper of the two) but not both. The maximum assumes you get the most expensive app, entree, dessert, and drink. The minimum assumes all snacks are $2.50 and max assumes they are $5.25 (conservatively if you're going during an Epcot festival).


Restaurant | Min Cost | Max Cost | Variance
Tutto Italia..............28....................77....................49
CA Grill...................80...................80......................0
Yachtsman...............41...................99.....................58
Yak & Yeti................26.48...............51.97.................25.49
Skipper's Canteen.....25...................58.50.................33.50
50s Prime Time........20.50...............51......................30.50
Random QS..............15...................18.......................3
Snacks....................15....................31.50.................16.50

Food Total..............250.98..............466.97................215.99
Taxes......................16.31................30.35.................14.04

Final Total..............267.29..............497.32................230.03
"Savings"................-44.70..............185.32

The Conclusions:

Given these numbers, as long as I get an appetizer or a dessert at each meal, it would be difficult to loose money on the plan. With the $230 in cost variance, and the low end only "losing" $44 compared to the plan I think it's low risk to go with the plan (this will be confirmed with my predicted meals).

Unlike my minimum cost individual I will always use my snack credits for maximum cost, so that will give me an extra $15 on the min person (even if I did order the least expensive choices). This means as long as I am $30 higher than the cheapest of everything I have "broken even". This is easily done by getting the milkshake at Prime Time for my drink, the dessert as well as app at Yak & Yeti, and getting a soda here or there with the meals.

I believe with the above restaurant selection, for a short trip, it is very possible to get your money's worth out of the plan. If you are familiar with the plan and your entitlements and generally get an entree for your meal with one other item that it would be hard to loose money on this plan.

 

[DISbot]

The Predictions:

Note: One change that recently occurred is that C is going to skip Tutto Italia and meet some FL local family for lunch at Tusker House instead. I told her to go ahead and use our two floating credits to get 3 adult meals at Tusker House and that we will just pay OOP if we want to grab something else (dinner before the race, etc) as that will be a better use of the credits. She’s going to tell them it’s a thank you for driving her to/from the parks, and then will buy one or two of my fun drinks to offset me losing a credit. This means my credit I calculated as $15ish for a quick service will cover closer to $40 in food, and I will see like $20-$30 in value from it since fancy drinks with glow cubes cost more than quick service!

Below is what I expect I will want from each restaurant. I tried to account for fullness/exhaustion from the day, as well as what I can reasonably consume – but I also added in some things that I don’t intend to finish but would get to try. My thoughts are basically if I am willing to pay 20% of the cost to try it (since I’ll be paying the tip on it), then I’ll get it to try.

Images were stolen from all of the places…we will see how they compare to the actuals (assuming I remember photos…)


Day 1 – Tutto Italia (1 Credit)

Appetizer – Calamari!...............$18.00
Entrée – Tortiglioni (1st Choice) or Fettuccine Campagnole (2nd)……………$26 or $27
Dessert - Torta di Ricotta (1st) or Gelati e Sorbetti (2nd) or Panna Cotta Delle Langhe (3rd)……………$12 or $10 or $13
Drink – Maybe a soda (no alcohol pre-race)……………$3

Minimum Cost: $54
Maximum Cost: $61
1st Choice Cost: $59

Thoughts: If this is actually how I feel day off, I’ll be off to a great start. I really want to try the calamari, and I figure in Italy I have to try a dessert. Hopefully this will all be a good choice that sits well for the race the next day, as long as I don’t compound it with a junky dinner before heading out of the park. The reservation is close to 2pm in the hopes that it will be sufficient and I can just eat some fruit for dinner.


Day 2 – CA Grill Brunch (2 Credits)

This one is a fixed price, so no brainer. I probably will not get alcohol or anything extra here, just lots of water.

Cost: $80

Thoughts: This is $40/credit, so still worth it on the Deluxe plan. I will limit my commenting beyond this, but with the regular dining plan I just don’t see any way to really realize the value of the credits. This would still mean an almost $20 quick service for two meals, which is very rare to find. Even Tuttos would drop down to $41/credit value. This is why I more and more am seeing the value in Deluxe on short or shared trips but struggling to justify the normal dining plan for trips without kids.

Day 2 – Yachtsman Steakhouse (2 Credits)

Appetizer – Shrimp Cocktail (1st) or Artisanal Cheeses (2nd)……………$19 or $18
Entrée - 10 oz Black Angus Filet Mignon (1st) or 18 oz Kansas City Strip Steak (2nd)……………$54 or $59
Dessert - Chocolate-Peanut Cake (1st) or Skip Dessert……………$12 or $0
Drink – Probably bypass soda in exchange for a wine with dinner or dessert, so not included in the dining plan

Minimum Cost: $72……………$36/credit
Maximum Cost: $90……………$45/credit
1st Choice Cost: $85……………$42.50/credit

Thoughts: I really don’t think I need 18 oz of steak (I normally only eat like 6) so it is super likely that I get the Filet Mignon (should be a preferable cut too). I’m really not sure about the dessert, I’m kind of meh on it. For $3 I will probably still get it to try though.

Also given the Disney food blog photo of the Yachtsman’s Cheese Plate, I will almost certainly be getting the Shrimp Cocktail!

 

[DISbot]

Day 3 – Yak & Yeti (1 Credit)

Appetizer – Pork Pot Stickers (1st) or Pork Egg Rolls (2nd)……………$9.99
Entrée – Sweet and Sour Chicken or Bhaktapur Duck……………$19 or $27
Dessert – Fried Wontons $8.99
Drink – Probably bypass soda in exchange for a cocktail, so not included in the dining plan

Minimum Cost: $37.98
Maximum Cost: $45.98
1st Choice Cost: $37.98

Thoughts: I kind of want the duck, but I’m also scared of it. I’m not sure if I just want it because I know I can or not (sweet and sour chicken is always my safety net) so we will see here. Maybe I will branch out and picking something else beyond my predictions!

Day 3 – Skippers Canteen (1 Credit)

Appetizer – Hot & Sour Soup or Baladi Salad……………$8 or $9
Entrée - Noodle Bowl with Duck or Beefy Baked Pasta or "Tastes like Chicken"……………$23 or $21 or $23
Dessert - Kungaloosh! or Quick Sand…………..$8
Drink - Schweitzer Slush or Water……………$5.50

Minimum Cost: $37
Maximum Cost: $45.50
1st Choice Cost: $44.50

Thoughts: I’m a little leery of this try. I originally had 1900 Park Fare, but realized we wouldn’t see Wishes, and that reservation overlapped with Wishes. I wasn’t able to move it, so I knocked it to this earlier in the evening so we can be in the park for Wishes.

Day 4 – 50s Prime Time (1 Credit)

Appetizer – Onion Rings or Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese……………$7 or $9
Entrée – Fried Chicken or Stuffed Pork Chop……………$21 or $25
Dessert/Drink – Apple Crisp and/or Milkshake……………$6 or $6 or $12

Minimum Cost: $34
Maximum Cost: $46
1st Choice Cost: $40

Thoughts: I will probably want a cocktail, which means I will either/or the Apple Crisp and Milkshake (unless I get the Apple Crisp to go and eat it at the airport…but that means carrying it the rest of the day, so probably not). If I bypass the alcohol, I may go ahead and get both, since I believe I can.

 

[DISbot]

Remaining Credit (lent to C for her family)

Tusker House: $38 for an adult lunch buffet

Prediction Summary:

The following are for meals only, additional spending for snacks will be factored into the prediction later.

Minimum Likely Spend: $358.98 + $22.94 (tax)
Maximum Likely Spend: $406.48 + $26.42 (tax)
Most Likely Spend: $384.48 + $24.99 (tax)

Cost of DDP: $312

Results: Profit!


But Wait…There’s More!

The curveball to all of this math is that I currently have an annual pass, and therefore could theoretically obtain discounts at select restaurants!

I did not do the math on Tables in Wonderland, as I didn’t see the possibility of spending enough to come out ahead on it this year. The first trip was on free dining for food & wine, second was over princess weekend with little to no alcohol consumption, and moderate dining (as seen in my other math report), and this trip is the only other trip that would be taken before the TIW expired. Given free dining for the first trip, I knew I wouldn’t come out ahead with TIW.

AP Discounts would have saved:

10% off

-Tutto Italia…..$5.40…..$6.10…..$5.90
-CA Grill…..$8.00
-Yak & Yeti…..$3.80…..$4.60…..$3.80
-50s Prime Time…..$3.40…..$4.60…..$4.00

20% off

-Skippers Canteen…..$7.40…..$9.10…..$8.90

Savings on minimum cost: $28
Savings on maximum cost: $32.40
Savings on likely cost: $30.6


Adjusted Predicted Costs (accounting for AP savings lost to the DxDP):

Minimum: $330.98 + $21.51
Maximum: $374.08 + $24.32
Likely: $353.88 + $23.00

Results: Still Profit!

Note: I did not include the discount for Tusker House as C doesn’t have an AP and I wouldn’t be there for them to get the discount.

Well - these are my predictions on spending...Only 3 weeks until we will know how accurate they are!

 

[Sailormoon2]

I LOVE DISNEY MATH!!! WooHoo! You did so much prep work

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

This is awesome! So glad I'm not alone. I've been doing the same calculations with ap and deluxe for the past few days. I keep going back and forth on restaurants ...

 

[DISbot]

I LOVE DISNEY MATH!!! WooHoo! You did so much prep work

Thanks! I needed something to keep me busy, and it gave me a focus point to think on when I do my training for the race.

This is awesome! So glad I'm not alone. I've been doing the same calculations with ap and deluxe for the past few days. I keep going back and forth on restaurants ...

Once you lock down the restaurants the calculations become much easier. Mine have changed slightly (1900 PF -> Skippers and Quick Service -> Tusker House), but I didn't even start weighing the dining plan options until most of the ADRs were set. Way too many variables when you look at all of Disney dining!

What restaurants are you debating?

 

[DisOrBust]

Well..since you like math,lol What about looking at if you used your AP discount on what you really would/do eat. I am curious when your done if you felt you really wanted to eat a app and dessert at every meal or was it ordered because it's part of the DXDP. Plus the increased tip on items your "meh" on. Don't get me wrong I agree on a short trip you can profit on the DXDP on paper. But, I have read so many trip reports where guests ordered dessert even though they were about to bust because it was on the plan.

 

[DISbot]

Well..since you like math,lol What about looking at if you used your AP discount on what you really would/do eat. I am curious when your done if you felt you really wanted to eat a app and dessert at every meal or was it ordered because it's part of the DXDP. Plus the increased tip on items your "meh" on. Don't get me wrong I agree on a short trip you can profit on the DXDP on paper. But, I have read so many trip reports where guests ordered dessert even though they were about to bust because it was on the plan.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/would-the-ddp-have-been-better-a-quick-numbers-analysis.3587621/

I pretty much did just that on our last trip (see the link). I have found that out of pocket is the other extreme, where I still dont order what I "want". I have done Disney both ways and have a fairly good handle on serving sizes and what I would or wouldn't eat and made my predictions based on this.

I think in the above I did a pretty realistic balance, but we will see when we get there. I don't have a dessert and app planned at every meal, as well as the fact that I am good at not feeling the need to clean my plate.

As far as the increased tip, that is where I said I will only get a meh item, or item I think I would be too full for if I believe it is a good value at 75-80% off. This means, if I think it is worth the tip cost, then I am willing to try it. It is similar to paying $8 for a le cellier fillet sample at food and wine, even if I would shy away from the $50 cut of steak.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

What restaurants are you debating?

It's more a debate about picking a certain restaurant in a place I'm not sure I want to be on a specific day. IOW I'm struggling with the whole WDW conundrum of how much planning and how wedded I want to be to certain parks/places ahead of time and/or how much moving around I want to set myself up for.

For example, I would love to try California Grill, but that means I need to set out a large block of time for transportation, going back to the room to change, and then getting back in the park after. We love taking short breaks from the parks, and sitting down for most if not all our meals will be welcome in the summer heat (we're going at the end of July/early August), but that essential kills a large chunk of one evening and makes certain parks more convenient after (MK or Epcot because of transportation). So I'm trying to pick restaurants that will leave room for as much flexibility as possible on a 4-night/5-day stay.

I'm a Disneyland vet and we don't do any--any--planning there. Maybe an occasional ADR if we have a large party. I've been to WDW a few times, but that was before FP+. So I'm trying to get over my resentment/resistance of having to plan parks ahead of time in the first place, LOL, which isn't easy. [Aside rant: I really hate that Disney essentially forces you to do ADRs 180 days ahead of time for the hard to get restaurants and yet (1) they don't have some of the fireworks schedules up past June and (2) you can only do FP+'s 60 days ahead. So all these plans I'm making could be thrown out the window if we can't get our priority rides on a certain day or the Star Wars fireworks are only on a certain night. END RANT]

We're staying at Kidani/Animal Kingdom Lodge (cash rates even though we are DVC), which we've stayed at before and loved. But the distance from everything but AK makes the back and forth calculations a little more difficult. I'm planning to move around mostly by Uber and/or the express transportation option through WDW if they are still offering it. We won't have a car. I'm leaning toward deluxe because I have two foodie kids (DS20 and DD17) who also like character meals (my son is special needs), and we almost always get appetizers or a salad. I'm not big on dessert, but the kids will sometimes get it.

Here are the restaurants I have ADRs for:
--Be our Guest (lunch)
--Cinderella's Table (character dinner; 10% off AP)
--Trattoria al Forno (character breakfast; 10% off AP)
--Boma (breakfast; 10% off AP)
--Sanaa (lunch; 20% AP right now)

Considering:
--California Grill (10% off AP)
--Jiko or Tiffin (both have AP 20% off right now)
--Teppan Edo (10% AP M-f lunch)
--Tokyo Dining (10% AP)
--Akershus (10% AP if my son hasn't had enough characters, LOL)
--50s Prime Time (on HS day--10% AP)
--Brown Derby (on HS day--20% off AP right now)
--San Angel (10% AP; I'd love to do Frontera but don't want to deal with DS)

My son is also a huge Star Wars fan so that makes it likely we'll be to HS part of at least two days, which sucks for dining plans as the restaurants there don't appeal to me as much. Anyway, probably *way* more than you were asking, LOL

 

[DISbot]

It's more a debate about picking a certain restaurant in a place I'm not sure I want to be on a specific day. IOW I'm struggling with the whole WDW conundrum of how much planning and how wedded I want to be to certain parks/places ahead of time and/or how much moving around I want to set myself up for.

For example, I would love to try California Grill, but that means I need to set out a large block of time for transportation, going back to the room to change, and then getting back in the park after. We love taking short breaks from the parks, and sitting down for most if not all our meals will be welcome in the summer heat (we're going at the end of July/early August), but that essential kills a large chunk of one evening and makes certain parks more convenient after (MK or Epcot because of transportation). So I'm trying to pick restaurants that will leave room for as much flexibility as possible on a 4-night/5-day stay.

I'm a Disneyland vet and we don't do any--any--planning there. Maybe an occasional ADR if we have a large party. I've been to WDW a few times, but that was before FP+. So I'm trying to get over my resentment/resistance of having to plan parks ahead of time in the first place, LOL, which isn't easy. [Aside rant: I really hate that Disney essentially forces you to do ADRs 180 days ahead of time for the hard to get restaurants and yet (1) they don't have some of the fireworks schedules up past June and (2) you can only do FP+'s 60 days ahead. So all these plans I'm making could be thrown out the window if we can't get our priority rides on a certain day or the Star Wars fireworks are only on a certain night. END RANT]

We're staying at Kidani/Animal Kingdom Lodge (cash rates even though we are DVC), which we've stayed at before and loved. But the distance from everything but AK makes the back and forth calculations a little more difficult. I'm planning to move around mostly by Uber and/or the express transportation option through WDW if they are still offering it. We won't have a car. I'm leaning toward deluxe because I have two foodie kids (DS20 and DD17) who also like character meals (my son is special needs), and we almost always get appetizers or a salad. I'm not big on dessert, but the kids will sometimes get it.

Here are the restaurants I have ADRs for:
--Be our Guest (lunch)
--Cinderella's Table (character dinner; 10% off AP)
--Trattoria al Forno (character breakfast; 10% off AP)
--Boma (breakfast; 10% off AP)
--Sanaa (lunch; 20% AP right now)

Considering:
--California Grill (10% off AP)
--Jiko or Tiffin (both have AP 20% off right now)
--Teppan Edo (10% AP M-f lunch)
--Tokyo Dining (10% AP)
--Akershus (10% AP if my son hasn't had enough characters, LOL)
--50s Prime Time (on HS day--10% AP)
--Brown Derby (on HS day--20% off AP right now)
--San Angel (10% AP; I'd love to do Frontera but don't want to deal with DS)

My son is also a huge Star Wars fan so that makes it likely we'll be to HS part of at least two days, which sucks for dining plans as the restaurants there don't appeal to me as much. Anyway, probably *way* more than you were asking, LOL

It's all good. I love see how other thought processes work. Some day I would love to write up a program that can run monte carlo or other statistical analyses to help determine possible scenarios for the trips.

WDW definitely does require some planning with the fastpasses and ADRs. I typically plan either a morning or evening park (not both) in advance. I drive hard to get ADRs and fastpasses around that, and it leaves half days of flexibility (I will occasionally add in easier ADRs as we get closer or day of.

HS studio food definitely isn't the best, but it does have fun theming. You could plan to go there after a resort lunch and target a late dinner once you leave? If your family is flexible on eating tomes there are lots of ways to work it - I would love to see what you end up deciding!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

It's all good. I love see how other thought processes work. Some day I would love to write up a program that can run monte carlo or other statistical analyses to help determine possible scenarios for the trips.

WDW definitely does require some planning with the fastpasses and ADRs. I typically plan either a morning or evening park (not both) in advance. I drive hard to get ADRs and fastpasses around that, and it leaves half days of flexibility (I will occasionally add in easier ADRs as we get closer or day of.

HS studio food definitely isn't the best, but it does have fun theming. You could plan to go there after a resort lunch and target a late dinner once you leave? If your family is flexible on eating tomes there are lots of ways to work it - I would love to see what you end up deciding!

OMG too funny--if you ever do pass it on this way. My statistics and excel skills are nowhere near that good, but I love using other people's

That's pretty much what I'm trying to do--think about it as half days, with the exception of the Epcot day. I think we'll probably only spend one full day there so I'm planning to do the late brunch/early dinner thing there. I'll likely also do that with any signatures we end up choosing. Once I can get my FP+ situated I'll firm up more. I'm sure I"ll go back and forth on the dining plan up until the last minute, but I'll try to post back with what I end up doing. Thanks so much for posting this again though--it's all very helpful! Can't wait to see how accurate your numbers turn out to be.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Glad you should be making some savings off the deluxe plan! We go with Table in Wonderland since it allows for savings on alcohol and sometimes we just can't do three courses. I rather not have the obligation to feel tied towards something.

Sounds like a good plan for the trip! Enjoy your first half marathon!

 

[DISbot]

But it only looks good on paper?!?!?

Well, since I have another week to go I figured I would more clearly address why I am willing to try the dining plan as well as eunning more scenarios and numbers to highlight some features of the plan. First, my decision to add the plan is largely driven by the restaurant selection for this trip and does not translate to all trips.

A lot of criticisms I hear is that it is possible to make it look good on paper, but people cannot fathom eating dessert at every meal, or a soda, or for the deluxe an appetizer everywhere. I understand that sentiment, which is why I didn't plan to have everything at every meal.

So, I decided to do the "entree only" math.

The DxDP cost $312 for the 3 nights.

Buying the cheapest possible entree at each of the selected restaurants would cost: $218.....or $232.17 with tax
The average cost entrees at each of the selected restaurants would cost: $255.90.....or $272.53 with tax
The most expensive entrees at each of the selected restaurants would cost: $304.....or $323.76 with tax

So - it is even possible to break even on this plan, with this restaurant set only eating entrees. No apps, no desserts, no soda - but it does require menu picking.

That being said, looking at the totals - if you go for cheap entrees, but think you will spend $80 on apps, desserts, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages, the plan is also probably worth it. And for middle of the road individuals, it's $40 in desserts, apps, beverages, and snacks - or in other words 1 app, 1 dessert, and 2 mickey bars.

For my case above, taking entrees only (1st choices), I expect to spend $261, or $277.97 on entrees alone. You will see that this is very close to the average, as I don't always leap for the most expensive item.

This means I need to reasonably want to spend at least $35 on apps, desserts, snacks, and sodas in order to make the plan a viable option.

For this trip my must try foods include:
-Tutto Italia Calamari - $18
-Yak & Yeti Fried Wontons - $8.99
-50s Prime Time Onion Rings - 7

Total $33.99, or $36.20 with tax. At this point, I haven't even factored in the occasional soda or any snacks, but I am at the point where I see it hard to not have the plan with this dining selection.

This is why I do see the DxDP as having value on the right trip with the right meals planned. One of the big things I want to point out is only 3/9 credits are fixed price/buffet.

The other arguement often used is the swing in tip cost. Personally I expect to see up to a $50 swing in cost, which is minimal tip impact, but I did recognize up to $230 between the minimalist and plan maximizer. For one person I am not concerned about the tip swing, but I may be able to understand the concern for larger parties. Still, stand by my "would you sample it for 20% of the cost" philosophy when ordering and as long as the "but it's included" pull doesn't sway the sample stance, then the inflated tip is acceptable.

 

[DisOrBust]

But since your an AP holder did you include your discount?

I agree about the DXDP for a short trip, I hav even done it as a split stay in the past having the DXDP for the first 3 days and then recheck in at resort as room only. One year I did DXDP for 3 nights, then 3 nights room only and the 2 nights DXDP. Crazy? Yes but when your with a party of five it was worth doing for the savings.

 

[DISbot]

But since your an AP holder did you include your discount?

I agree about the DXDP for a short trip, I hav even done it as a split stay in the past having the DXDP for the first 3 days and then recheck in at resort as room only. One year I did DXDP for 3 nights, then 3 nights room only and the 2 nights DXDP. Crazy? Yes but when your with a party of five it was worth doing for the savings.

I factored in the AP for my predicted, but haven't factored it in to the bare minimum math. Lazy answer is it would mean another 20-30 in expected spending beyond entrees at most (10% everywhere except yachtman and Tusker house - I won't be at the TH adr, and 20% at skippers canteen). Given my must-try apps and desserts have me at the break even before this, I will argue that a fancy nonalcoholic beverage or milkshake, a soda, and 2-3 snacks will easily hit the adjusted break even point.