Actual amounts paid for gratuities and appys on DDP

[Crazy Mother of Two]

Wow! Things have changed a lot since I was last at Disney back in 2007!!! We had gotten the DDP the last time but it included appys and gratuities. I have been trying to figure out our budget and keep coming up with needing about $1000 extra for tip,appetizers and 2 oop meals for 4 adults. Could that be right? What have you paid above and beyond the DDP for 7 days?

 

[aaarcher86]

Wow! Things have changed a lot since I was last at Disney back in 2007!!! We had gotten the DDP the last time but it included appys and gratuities. I have been trying to figure out our budget and keep coming up with needing about $1000 extra for tip,appetizers and 2 oop meals for 4 adults. Could that be right? What have you paid above and beyond the DDP for 7 days?

Seems high to me, but I usually get the DXDDP so we have apps included.

We do a sit down breakfast/dinner every day and tip whatever the recommended amount is on the receipt (I think it is 20%) and our tips were only around $250 or so.

The OOP depending upon where your going, I'd just assume would be a smidge more than a normal restaurant.

I'd rather estimate high and spend less though, than overspend off the budget so maybe $1000 would be safe

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

We do a sit down breakfast/dinner every day and tip whatever the recommended amount is on the receipt (I think it is 20%) and our tips were only around $250 or so.

Then my estimate is about right. I forgot that I had also included about $20/day ($150/week) for morning fruit, milk, muffins and such to eat breakfast in the room with cereals and granola that I am bringing.
Thank you for your reply

 

[THEJOEL]

OK 2 stupid questions...Sorry but I have too.

1)Why do you need to order apps when you have 4 adults? That's 4 desserts per meal.

2) Why are you paying OOP for 2 meals?

We budgeted 20% for meals for tips at the most expsensive items for 7 meals and it was well under $300 for tips.

Not trying to offend but we find the standard DDP to be more food than we can eat.

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

OK 2 stupid questions...Sorry but I have too.

1)Why do you need to order apps when you have 4 adults? That's 4 desserts per meal.

2) Why are you paying OOP for 2 meals?

We budgeted 20% for meals for tips at the most expsensive items for 7 meals and it was well under $300 for tips.

Not trying to offend but we find the standard DDP to be more food than we can eat.

No offense taken!!

1) I am not really a dessert person. I would much rather have a appetizer and skip dessert.

2) the DDP allows for the number of nights you are staying - which is 6 but we will be there for 7 days. So we would be eating 7 dinners and 7 lunches. Currently I am planning for 1 of the dinners to be at a signature restaurant - which is 2 TS credits. May have to scrap that idea though.
We are bringing cereals and granola and buying fruits and milk in the mornings.

 

[THEJOEL]

No offense taken!!

1) I am not really a dessert person. I would much rather have a appetizer and skip dessert.

2) the DDP allows for the number of nights you are staying - which is 6 but we will be there for 7 days. So we would be eating 7 dinners and 7 lunches. Currently I am planning for 1 of the dinners to be at a signature restaurant - which is 2 TS credits. May have to scrap that idea though.
We are bringing cereals and granola and buying fruits and milk in the mornings.

Maybe enjoy your signature dining for your 2 TS credits and go for really good CS..Like a WPE or BOG for your OOP meals?
That would cut down on over all expense.

What are your over all plans for ADRs??

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

Maybe enjoy your signature dining for your 2 TS credits and go for really good CS..Like a WPE or BOG for your OOP meals?
That would cut down on over all expense.

What are your over all plans for ADRs??

One of our OOP meals is for Planet Hollywood. I know, I know....nothing great but we didn't go last time and my kids really wanted to so we are going! Plus we get a $25 voucher towards the meal. But since it's so expensive I expect it to be around $150 inc tax and tip.

What is WPE and BOG? hahaha! Can't figure them out!!

Since we have a while before we can book we are still deciding but here is a good guess:
1) Teppan Edo - Epcot
2) Le Cellier - Epcot
3) Cape May - Beach Club Resort
4) Planet Hollywood - DTD
5) Sci-Fi - Hollywood Studios
6) Crystal Palace - MK
7) Chef Mickey - Contemporary

Only have been to Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier before so I am still doing some research.

 

[THEJOEL]

One of our OOP meals is for Planet Hollywood. I know, I know....nothing great but we didn't go last time and my kids really wanted to so we are going! Plus we get a $25 voucher towards the meal. But since it's so expensive I expect it to be around $150 inc tax and tip.

What is WPE and BOG? hahaha! Can't figure them out!!

Since we have a while before we can book we are still deciding but here is a good guess:
1) Teppan Edo - Epcot
2) Le Cellier - Epcot
3) Cape May - Beach Club Resort
4) Planet Hollywood - DTD
5) Sci-Fi - Hollywood Studios
6) Crystal Palace - MK
7) Chef Mickey - Contemporary

Only have been to Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier before so I am still doing some research.

WPE=Wolfgang Pucks Express in Downtown Disney and BOG=Be Our Guest (Lunch Service) in the new Fantasyland Expansion. Both are sit down style places for CS credits.

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

WPE=Wolfgang Pucks Express in Downtown Disney and BOG=Be Our Guest (Lunch Service) in the new Fantasyland Expansion. Both are sit down style places for CS credits.

Ohhhh thanks for the clarification!

 

[lucifie]

I hope your estimate is high or I'm not budgeting nearly enough. LOL. We're going with 2 adults and 4 kids (one under 3) and we'll probably pay for one or two meals OOP and I'm figuring $100 each, plus $20-$30 for tip for each TS meal, except CRT, where it's included. We're going to bring some quick breakfasts from home for most mornings. I'm thinking about $350, maybe a little more depending on how often we need to pay OOP for our 2 year old. I've read many times that meals are big enough to share and we're doing 2 or 3 buffets, so I don't think we'll need to do that often.

We don't normally get appetizers or desserts when we go out, so the DDP sounds like plenty of food for us. I think at least sometimes we'll save our desserts for a snack later and use snack credits for pastries that we can have for breakfast the next morning.

I haven't been there in a lot of years, but I would assume ~$10 each for appetizers and adult beverages. I guess that could add up quickly if you have 4 adults and you each get an appetizer and a drink. Even once a day that would be $560 for a week. Have you looked into upgrading to the Deluxe dining plan? It would be an extra $44/person/night so for 4 adults for 6 nights it would be $1056 more and you would get 3 meals (your choice of TS or QS) and 2 snacks and TS meals come with an appetizer as well.

 

[Suellen]

I'd say it is about right. We tend to do 8 nights with three adults and two kids and get DxDDp. We easily spend $100/day on tips and are not even paying for our appy. BUT we do pay for tip on the app and the desert... which drives your tip up.

Now we just do Tables In Wonderland and we get exactly what we want... i.e. appetizer and no dessert... plus I usually drink water instead of soda.... and save 20%. Plus they add the 18% tip... which saves me at least 2% because my DH tips wicked high.

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

I hope your estimate is high or I'm not budgeting nearly enough. LOL. We're going with 2 adults and 4 kids (one under 3) and we'll probably pay for one or two meals OOP and I'm figuring $100 each, plus $20-$30 for tip for each TS meal, except CRT, where it's included. We're going to bring some quick breakfasts from home for most mornings. I'm thinking about $350, maybe a little more depending on how often we need to pay OOP for our 2 year old. I've read many times that meals are big enough to share and we're doing 2 or 3 buffets, so I don't think we'll need to do that often.

We don't normally get appetizers or desserts when we go out, so the DDP sounds like plenty of food for us. I think at least sometimes we'll save our desserts for a snack later and use snack credits for pastries that we can have for breakfast the next morning.

I haven't been there in a lot of years, but I would assume ~$10 each for appetizers and adult beverages. I guess that could add up quickly if you have 4 adults and you each get an appetizer and a drink. Even once a day that would be $560 for a week. Have you looked into upgrading to the Deluxe dining plan? It would be an extra $44/person/night so for 4 adults for 6 nights it would be $1056 more and you would get 3 meals (your choice of TS or QS) and 2 snacks and TS meals come with an appetizer as well.

I'm sure we won't be eating 4 appy's a night. More like 2 to share now that I think about it. But drinks (sodas or those high priced drinks Disney sells to kids for around $6) and tip plus the appy's really do add up! I mean I really don't think about the price when doing the DDP but I wouldn't normally spend $25 on an entree. I would look for the cheap end of something I like. But in order for the DDP to make sense we have to order the higher priced items to make it worth it and .... it is vacation!

I think your approx is fairly correct!
I'm not sure the DxDDP would help too much because it is around $30pp/per night more and that doesn't add up for us.

Let's see....If I spend an average of $100 on 4 entrees
$25 on 2 appetizers
$15 on 4 drinks
$140 + $28 tip = $168 each on 2 oop

$53 for appy and tip on 5 TS = $265

168 + 168 + 265 + 150 (breakfasts) = $750

Well, I see that it is less than $1000 but still high and I would probably still take closer to $1000 just in case.

I'd say it is about right. We tend to do 8 nights with three adults and two kids and get DxDDp. We easily spend $100/day on tips and are not even paying for our appy. BUT we do pay for tip on the app and the desert... which drives your tip up.

Now we just do Tables In Wonderland and we get exactly what we want... i.e. appetizer and no dessert... plus I usually drink water instead of soda.... and save 20%. Plus they add the 18% tip... which saves me at least 2% because my DH tips wicked high.

Lucky! I would love to do TIW!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Have you considered the deluxe dining, it includes the appetizers and it gives you 3 table services daily!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Since the changes in the dining plan, this plan seems to be the best value since you get 3 sit down, 2 snacks, the refillable mug and your sit down include the appetizer!

 

[vinotinto]

I agree with Mom Poppins. If you know for sure that you will need 2 additional meals (for a 6-night period) and appetizers, then definitely look into the DxDP. You can then do some Signature dining, which is very worth it.

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

I don't know if the DxDDP helps me out at all. We only need 1 sit down per day. And don't need the extra snack. So the only thing it does for me is includes an appetizer for $30-35/per night per person - unlessI i am misunderstanding something about the plan. The reason I need an extra oop is we would like to do 1 signature meal.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

What we look at as the cost of those extra meals and appetizers and if it comes out close to the same we add deluxe instead. You don't have to do sit down every meal you can do quick service it's whatever you like. We just find more value in the DDeluxe in dining. If when you add the cost of those extra meals and the appetizers then you will know if deluxe is a better option for you. To us it means no surprise cost since there is always more than enough credits for meals and snacks.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Let's see....If I spend an average of $100 on 4 entrees
$25 on 2 appetizers
$15 on 4 drinks
$140 + $28 tip = $168 each on 2 oop

$53 for appy and tip on 5 TS = $265

168 + 168 + 265 + 150 (breakfasts) = $750

Take the 140 + 140 for two more sit downs 150 for breakfast that equals = you are already 430 out of pocket before considering your ordering appetizers. We look at what the difference is to upgrade and look at what the price to add on and what we would be getting in return over what we would be paying for those 2 out of pocket meals.
If you are doing a signature meal then even better. You can use 2 of your 3 credits for your signature meal daily. Eat a brunch at a sit down and everything is included on the Deluxe plan. Since they have changed the DDP over the past few years the best bang for your buck unless you have free dining is the Deluxe plan. The others just break even this one actually does saves you. Happy Planning!

 

[Crazy Mother of Two]

Since the have changed the DDP over the past few years the best bang for your buck unless you have free dining is the Deluxe plan. The others just break even this one actually does save you. Happy Planning!

When you put it like that it does seems like a better deal. Have to sit down a do some more figures. Thanks for your input!!!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I know it's hard to decide, we have been there. Your staying six nights so you can also keep in mind these credits do not have to be used until checkout on midnight. We always spread our credits out the duration of the trip from check in morning until dinner of checkout day.
I see your staying 6 nights with 4 people, the deluxe plan would give you 72 dining credits to use over 6 nights and 7 days. It saves you money on those extra meals plus food on your checkout day, breakfast all week etc.

I am just trying to be helpful, love the disboards!