$689, are they kidding??

[torinsmom]

I am always on a tight budget at home or on vacation. We don't eat out at sit down restaurants more than once a month at home. That's one of the reasons this single mom has been able to take her son to Orlando every year for the last 6 years.

I have done the DDP TWICE and other than one visit to LeCellier, I have never had food that I wanted to jump up and down about. The next time we went to LeCellier, it was not nearly as good. As I said, to each his own, but I can find better food offsite.

As far as wasting time to eat offsite, since we go in summer, we always leave around 12:30 or so anyway. We get fast food offsite(much better than WDW CS and cheaper) and relax in our room or condo(5-10 minutes from the parking lot to EI) or hit the pool, etc. Then we hit a restaurant on around 5:30 for dinner(sometimes sit down, sometimes fast food) before heading to the parks around 6 or 7pm. It's not really a waste of time for us. And on our whole trip--Universal and Disney---I used one tank of gas to the tune of $34, which is a pretty measly amount.

It is up to the individual person for sure. If I stayed onsite and did the DDP, we would get to go once every 2-3 years. Staying offsite(punishing myself with that 3 bedroom condo, LOL) and eating offsite for 75% of our meals, makes it possible for us to go every year.

Marsha

 

[blanq]

You don't get it. I'm not saying the price of the DDP is inaccurate I'm saying the price of the plan itself is a masive budget buster. You could easily cut that in half or more by simply eating somewhere else.

BTW, according to the government's latest Statistical Abstract the average weekly food expenditure for a family of four goes from $120 for a thrifty family to $272 for a liberal one. You have to get up into the moderate range to spend more in a month than this DDP charges for a week.

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/prices/food_cost_and_prices.html

How can you possibly compare the price of theme park food, or just eating out in general, to what a family spends when they eat at home? Of course, there is going to be a difference!

People have choices. Yes, they can stay offsite and eat in their condo and pretty much spend what they typically would spend it they ate at home. Or, they can eat every meal out because they are on vacation, don't want to cook while on vacation, and they build the cost in to their trip. I, for one, am not interesting in cooking every meal while I am on vacation. I know that eating out costs more than eating at home or in a condo, and I think most people here know that too.

 

[deerhart]

As far as wasting time to eat offsite, since we go in summer, we always leave around 12:30 or so anyway. We get fast food offsite(much better than WDW CS and cheaper) and relax in our room or condo(5-10 minutes from the parking lot to EI) or hit the pool, etc. Then we hit a restaurant on around 5:30 for dinner(sometimes sit down, sometimes fast food) before heading to the parks around 6 or 7pm. It's not really a waste of time for us. And on our whole trip--Universal and Disney---I used one tank of gas to the tune of $34, which is a pretty measly amount.


Marsha

That is the exact point I am making. You choose to spend your time differently then my family does. We don't head back to the hotel that often to rest during the day, we are in the parks. That is what the cost benefit analysis is for. You take what you want to do, the cost of doing that versus the costs of doing it differently. I pool/relaxing in the condo is high on your priority list, the cost of NOT doing that is much higher. On the other hand, if activities at the parks are high on your lists, things that take away from that have much higher costs.

As I stated, spending 6 hours of my disney vacation not AT disney in our eyes defeats the purpose. If we had your time frame, we would only spend about 6 hours each day in the parks instead of 11 or 12.

 

[okeydokey]

We never spend that much on food at Disney, but we also could never eat the amount of food that money buys. For us it would be a waste. I also hate to have to make adrs every day.

 

[Evi]

I don't know about you (OP) but when I go on vacation I don't plan to do groceries, spend hours cooking or hunting down the cheapest restaurant. I do the dinning plan and granted its not always the most fabulous meal I've ever had but I'm on vacation and I don't want to search for cheap restaurants I want to just walk in with my family and enjoy myself. I don't want go driving around searching for food. I say to each his own if you enjoy cooking on vacation, grocery shopping and searching for a bargain meal enjoy. But definitely its not my way of vacationing.

 

[jparc]

At home I average 100 a week on groceries for a family of four but there are many staples that I don't have to purchase every week... but on vacaction eating out we always budget $100 a day on food ( and that seems to me at least to be very modest budget considering that you could easily spend that on one meal-- Disney or not)
For us the diningplan is great when its free. Would I purchase the dining plan though...probably not simple becasue we don't eat that much food with the Florida sun and the heat. We tend to eat lighteer when there and share meals. And I wouldn't want to waste all that food. But I certainly don't want to waste my time on vacation cooking.

 

[DaniB]

You could easily cut that in half or more by simply eating somewhere else.

Sure you could. But our family is not flying out from Canada, staying onsite with the intention of renting a vehicle soley to leave Disney's property to reduce our eating cost!

It's a vacation. We prefer paying extra for the convience - rather than spending additional money on a car rental & insurance, and losing time spent in Disney. My husband feels the same way. I was toying with the idea of making a purchase from Garden Grocer for breakfast items to eat in our room. However, my husband reminded me while on vacation, do we really want to deal with food, cleaning dishes & cutlerly? Nope!

Not only is it more convenient (without loss of Disney time!) to eat on-site, but many of the TS restaurants we chose - we chose for the experience and entertainment!

But then, this is our first big vacation and we have never even gone on a mini-vacation (ie weekend trip). Since the kids were born that is.

We booked back in February, expecting to pay $965 for the DDP. Ironically the same day I discovered DIS and signed up. It was only after days of reading DIS I found we might get free dining! That was a nice amount knocked off our bill!

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't get it.

BTW, according to the government's latest Statistical Abstract the average weekly food expenditure for a family of four goes from $120 for a thrifty family to $272 for a liberal one. You have to get up into the moderate range to spend more in a month than this DDP charges for a week.

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/prices/food_cost_and_prices.html

Not sure you're getting that it's apples to oranges. You can't compare dining out to dining in. Those figures have *nothing* to do with dining out.

I'm using 3/4 of our December food budget towards food for our December trip. I can't possibly expect that, though we are on the higher side of home-food costs compared to others, to cover dining while we are at Disney, and I can't believe that someone really believes we should.

Sure, if we *had to*, we could do it. Could take a few trips to the store and make every single meal at the villa, since we'll have a 1 or 2 bedroom the whole trip. But that's not what this trip will be about.

Plus, you have to pay the tip OOP, which adds $ to total cost, especially when it is a restaurant where food is expensive. If you are saving $689, you will be paying $124 in gratuities on top of that(don't they add in 18% automatically?)

If you use the TIW card or if you are a larger party, then the 18% is added in automatically. Otherwise it's not.

But we're also budgeting 20% more of our food budget, for tips. That will be more than needed, because only one meal per day will be table service, but I'm happy to have more than needed!



All that said, the DDP isn't a good bargain for us. IN previous years I have priced out some value trips with the free dining...and yes, with no other discounts (AAA, etc) the prices pre-announcement are the same as post-announcement-plus-dining, so it's free. If you don't have any other discount. So it's possible we would use it then. But in that case, why would I CARE what Disney has valued it at in their marketing? And still free dining might not help us, because we might very well just want to make a meal of an appetizer, which we'd pay OOP for, and there goes the value, out the window, right?


Anyway, i don't see this marketing thing to be worth getting angry about. Dining in and dining out are very different, with different budgeted amounts, and shouldn't be compared.

 

[torinsmom]

That is the exact point I am making. You choose to spend your time differently then my family does. We don't head back to the hotel that often to rest during the day, we are in the parks. That is what the cost benefit analysis is for. You take what you want to do, the cost of doing that versus the costs of doing it differently. I pool/relaxing in the condo is high on your priority list, the cost of NOT doing that is much higher. On the other hand, if activities at the parks are high on your lists, things that take away from that have much higher costs.

As I stated, spending 6 hours of my disney vacation not AT disney in our eyes defeats the purpose. If we had your time frame, we would only spend about 6 hours each day in the parks instead of 11 or 12.

That's why in both my posts, I said this was my opinion. Obviously, everyone is free to have their own way of doing things. I totally understand if this is a once every few years or even once in a lifetime trip, or if just have the money to spend like that people would choose to do things differently. I also live close enough to drive, so there is no car rental issue for me. It is probably good that everyone does not stay onsite and do the DDP or the resorts and restaurants would always be packed. Likewise, if everyone chose to stay in a condo at EI, the rates would go way up.

The first trip we took when my son was 6, we stayed onsite and did the DDP. We did commando touring and never came back to the room from 7:30am-11pm or later. We were so worn out after the first 2 days that we kind of floated through the rest of the trip. Now, we do it the way I described and we ride everything we want to ride several times. We like to go, go, go, but we enjoy things much more if we take a break during the worst crowds and heat. The parks stay open later in the summer and we like to close them down.

Marsha

 

[njsweetP]

We just got back from Disney, stayed offsite, 7 nights. Had breakfast in the room for all the days but one. So for our family (me, DH and 2 teenage DD's) we averaged $100 a day in meals (lunch & dinner) for the week plus one breakfast out. We spent 4 days in the parks.
At home, I spend on average $75-100 on our weekly food bill.

 

[goNDmay9]

I could have misinterpreted it, but I think the OP was just trying to say that the ad pointed out how expensive it is to eat on property.

And I think that most of us here would actually agree with that! Heck, just going to Disney is expensive - else we would not have an entire board dedicated to how we can save up for it! LOL.

Like previous posters said, our opinions just differ because we all find value in different things and we all use this board differently. I am here because my goal is to save up as much as I can so I CAN splurge, stay and eat on property (we personally LOVE the food) and eat what I want etc etc. So I see the ad and think - 700 - PLEASE! you are saving me at least 1100!!!!

That same ad is outrageous to others. They are thinking...700 PLEASE! Who in the world would spend 700 just on food alone??

Other people may be here because the hotels and tickets are going to set them back so much that they could never dream of spending 700 on food.

But this board works for all of us! I mean, we can all probably go to a museum at home for FREE instead. But we don't, because a day with the mouse, is better than a day at the house!

 

[torinsmom]

For some reason, I thought I had read that during free dining, the gratuity is added automatically. I must have been reading that wrong. When we did the DDP, the tip and an appetizer were included, and I just added 2% more. Now, I would be more careful what I ordered, since the tip is based on the cost of the meal. And yes, I know tip is not required, but I am a minimum 20% tipper.

Marsha

 

[ohanaMAMA]

This is how I look at it.

cost of package including 5 night stay at Port Orleans Riverside, 4 day park tickets and FREE dining package for 2 adults, 2 15 yr olds, and 1 10 yr old

$2068.48

cost of

25 adult table service meals (Ohana, Whispering Canyon Cafe,Le Celier, Hollywood and Vine, and Crystal Palace breakfast)

25 adult counter service meals

25 snacks

Over $1000 before tax

$2068.48
- $1000.00
---------------
$1068.48


Tell me where I can take my family and get THAT kind of value for my vacation dollars! Yes. I could feed my family PB&J all week, we could drag a cooler through the parks and eat cheaper. and yes. $1000 could feed us on a non vacation budget for 2 months or more. but if I can get it for free...why is it a problem?

 

[disney1990]

I am always on a tight budget at home or on vacation. We don't eat out at sit down restaurants more than once a month at home. That's one of the reasons this single mom has been able to take her son to Orlando every year for the last 6 years.

I have done the DDP TWICE and other than one visit to LeCellier, I have never had food that I wanted to jump up and down about. The next time we went to LeCellier, it was not nearly as good. As I said, to each his own, but I can find better food offsite.

As far as wasting time to eat offsite, since we go in summer, we always leave around 12:30 or so anyway. We get fast food offsite(much better than WDW CS and cheaper) and relax in our room or condo(5-10 minutes from the parking lot to EI) or hit the pool, etc. Then we hit a restaurant on around 5:30 for dinner(sometimes sit down, sometimes fast food) before heading to the parks around 6 or 7pm. It's not really a waste of time for us. And on our whole trip--Universal and Disney---I used one tank of gas to the tune of $34, which is a pretty measly amount.

It is up to the individual person for sure. If I stayed onsite and did the DDP, we would get to go once every 2-3 years. Staying offsite(punishing myself with that 3 bedroom condo, LOL) and eating offsite for 75% of our meals, makes it possible for us to go every year.

Marsha

I could never follow your touring plan, because to me you are wasting valuable Disney time by spending so much time OUT of the parks. I find that Disney has some great options for even their counter service meals -- Chinese food, family style meals, barbeque. We find great variety and never touch a hamburger or French fries. To each his own.

I could have misinterpreted it, but I think the OP was just trying to say that the ad pointed out how expensive it is to eat on property.

Yes, it can be expensive to eat on property, but I find it more expensive to eat at a baseball game or when attending a concert. When I compare those, Disney is always less.

 

[MissBritt]

I agree with those who day you are not making an accurate comparison. What you budget for groceries for the month has nothing to do with the average cost of meals at a theme park. I have done DXDDP and QDP in the last several months, and saved money both time versus what we would have paid for meals at the parks without. When I am on vacation, I don't want to make meals in my room or lug food into the parks, so the DPs work for me, and I find them to be cost-effective.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, we go every year and we get everything we want done touring that way. We'd rather do 7 days that way than 4 days of commando touring. And we are getting to the parks at 8, so staying 4.5 hours, then going back at 6, staying until 11, so that is 5 more hours. That's 9 hours in a park, and plenty of time to get things done. Of course, we are not doing a sit down meal at the parks for 2 hours either.

Of course, with a 15 year old, we don't do the kiddie rides like Dumbo, and the Carousel. This year, at MK we did Space Mountain 4 times, BTMRR 3 times, POTC 2 times, Buzz 2 times, HM, Jungle Cruise, Snow White, Peter Pan, MIckey's Philharmagic, Hall of Presidents, Stitch, Monsters Inc, and that was just in one morning and one evening/night. We don't do the parades, but do watch the fireworks. We actually went back to MK several times as well, and rode more of the same. Same thing at Epcot, rode everything except Mission Space, which we don't do, and rode Test Track 4 times. Did all the countries at least once. We know what we like and how to work the FPs and single rider lines. AK and DHS are half day parks for us--we just don't care for much at either of these. TSM is lame when you compare it to Men in Black at Universal. Again, JMHO. We spent three days at Universal/IOA as well.

I guess if I had a little one, it would be a different story. Besides, in the summer, it is miserable to stay in the parks in the hottest part of the day. I also don't think I could ever be cramped up in one room with 5 people for a week, even if I did get "free" food.

Marsha

 

[disney1990]

Well, we go every year and we get everything we want done touring that way. We'd rather do 7 days that way than 4 days of commando touring. And we are getting to the parks at 8, so staying 4.5 hours, then going back at 6, staying until 11, so that is 5 more hours. That's 9 hours in a park, and plenty of time to get things done. Of course, we are not doing a sit down meal at the parks for 2 hours either.

Of course, with a 15 year old, we don't do the kiddie rides like Dumbo, and the Carousel. This year, at MK we did Space Mountain 4 times, BTMRR 3 times, POTC 2 times, Buzz 2 times, HM, Jungle Cruise, Snow White, Peter Pan, MIckey's Philharmagic, Hall of Presidents, Stitch, Monsters Inc, and that was just in one morning and one evening/night. We don't do the parades, but do watch the fireworks. We actually went back to MK several times as well, and rode more of the same. Same thing at Epcot, rode everything except Mission Space, which we don't do, and rode Test Track 4 times. Did all the countries at least once. We know what we like and how to work the FPs and single rider lines. AK and DHS are half day parks for us--we just don't care for much at either of these. TSM is lame when you compare it to Men in Black at Universal. Again, JMHO. We spent three days at Universal/IOA as well.

I guess if I had a little one, it would be a different story. Besides, in the summer, it is miserable to stay in the parks in the hottest part of the day. I also don't think I could ever be cramped up in one room with 5 people for a week, even if I did get "free" food.

Marsha

Like I said above, to each his own. You have found your Disney touring plan and it works for you and your family and that is what counts.

 

[Purseval]

I don't know about you (OP) but when I go on vacation I don't plan to do groceries, spend hours cooking or hunting down the cheapest restaurant.

Actually it doesn't tke that much planning because, unlike planning WDW vacations, families do it all the time and they already know what to look for.

And for anyone who actually thinks they are getting that food for free, well think again. Disney isn't in the business of giving away stuff for free. They will make it up one way or another by keeping you onsite 24/7 and throwing all sorts of temptations your way. There is obviously a huge markup on the food so it isn't costing them that much to begin with. Then they know that very few families actually eat enough to cover what the plan offers, that has already been noted here several times. They already know that every dollar you don't spend at Publix or Walmart is a potential Disney dollar. That's why they offer it. So you can always fall for it and say you're getting something for nothing. The folks at WDW know better.

 

[Disneyadore]

Actually it doesn't tke that much planning because, unlike planning WDW vacations, families do it all the time and they already know what to look for.

And for anyone who actually thinks they are getting that food for free, well think again. Disney isn't in the business of giving away stuff for free. They will make it up one way or another by keeping you onsite 24/7 and throwing all sorts of temptations your way. There is obviously a huge markup on the food so it isn't costing them that much to begin with. Then they know that very few families actually eat enough to cover what the plan offers, that has already been noted here several times. They already know that every dollar you don't spend at Publix or Walmart is a potential Disney dollar. That's why they offer it. So you can always fall for it and say you're getting something for nothing. The folks at WDW know better.

But what is your problem?
Nobody is forcing you to take the plan. I just don't get it
We love the Deluxe plan, oh the horror its even more expensive.
It is great to just relax eat where we want and when we want. Last time we spend $$ 400 on tips and we loved it. If I would suggest to buy groceries or eat "outside" we would be back on the airplane in an hour.

 

[Purseval]

But what is your problem?
Nobody is forcing you to take the plan. I just don't get it

Look at the header on top of this forum. This is the budget board and its goal is to look for ways to save money. If you want to blow a small fortune that's your choice. This thread obviously isn't geared towards you, it's for the people looking at other alternatives.