Advice for a single traveler

[brerbostonfan032]

Hello,
I'm going down in may and staying at all-star. I'm staying for 7 nights with the stay 4 get 3 free deal. I was just considering whether or not the quick service plan is worth purchasing? Or even the the next plan up? I usually get a soda or two while in the parks and always get the refillable mug. I also enjoy eating at the restaurants and am interested in the wave and other restaurants, but am not sure it would be worth it for me to get the plan considering it's just me. Or does the number of days of the trip make the dining plan more of a deal? Any opinions?

 

[PictureJumpr]

I use the ddp when I go solo, but that is because I generally use it on any trip since I like the whole pre-paid aspect, not because I am trying to save as much money as possible. I do regularly come out ahead, sometimes just a bit and sometimes quite a large margin, but that is not my primary reason for using the plan.

The only way to answer your question regarding value would be for you to consider your own answers to the key questions:

Do your normal dining habits include a full TS meal and a CS meal (or 2 CS meals in the case of the QSDP) for each night of your trip? With the 4/3, that means 7 TS and 7 CS (or 14 CS) meals over your eight day trip. If you would not normally eat close to this many restaurant meals, then no - probably not a good deal. If you typically would eat those meals, then the plan is something to consider.

Does your touring style allow for time spent dining in TS restaurants? If you are a 'commando' touring type, then perhaps not; if you are doing a 'stop and smell the roses' trip, then it may be a pleasant addition to your itinerary.

Would your meals paid oop regularly include dessert? And would the items you would order, TS plus CS or for the 2 CS, add up to the total of the plan you would choose?
Would you order steaks/lamb/more expensive menu items or are you a chicken/pasta/less expensive diner? Would you enjoy the 'freedom' to order more expensive things with dining credits rather than paying oop?
With all of the food, would you need/want the snacks included on the plan you would choose?

Would you benefit from the pre-paid aspect of using either plan? Do you feel it is worth the 'effort' of making ADRs to use the TS credits if you choose the regular DDP?

Many folks consider the mug included with the QSDP, but really I think of that as something they tossed in to make it more 'worth' the $30/day. The mugs are still $13ish so the 'value' of it on a 7-night trip would be less than $2 per day - in my mind, not a real consideration when determining 'value' for the plans.

 

[Condorman]

Welcome to the boards. I see this is your first post.

You stated that you like to eat in the restaurants, and that is key to getting the DDP. If you would rather not stand in line and eat hot dogs and hamburgers all seven days; if you would rather have a nice sit-down meal and you don't mind being away from the rides and shows for an hour+, then go with the DDP. On the DDP you will get (1) snack, (1) counter service meal and (1) table service meal consisting of an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic drink. The DDP sounds like it would work best for you, but of course you have to consider the cost.

If you look at the menus of the places you plan to visit on allears.net, and add up what you would order anyway, you might be able to do some cost comparisons and determine whether or not you will save any money.

Whatever you decide, have fun.

 

[brerbostonfan032]

Thanks for the welcome. And thanks to both of you for the advice. I have some thinking to do.

 

[septbaby]

I also do some solo travelling and have no problem eating solo. There are some great places to eat at WDW and the CS restaurant at the All Stars is not at the top of the list. Dining at WDW is half the fun and a treat/entertainment unto itself. This is your vacation so do things you want to do, don't worry about anyone else around you. I just did a short solo trip, not on DP, but man the places I would try with a week on the DP. I did have breakfast at Boma and would highly recommend it, for either breakfast or dinner.

There will be enough to eat and if you plan to spend time at the resort to get value out of the mug, just buy one for $12.49. I wouldn't choose the QS plan just to get a mug that you're used to buying anyway. At just one refill a day it would take just 5 days to get your $ back for the mug and you'd still have a souvenier mug to take home for "free".

The plan is a deal based on how you might eat. In your case you'll spend $40 a night for the plan. A CS meal with drink and dessert can cost $10-15. Any buffet at WDW for dinner is $30 and snacks can be valued at an easy $3. You are easily over the $40 cost of the plan.

Hope that helps!

 

[Disneyfan18951]

Not sure when your trip is planned for, but you may want to wait until you see what kind of ADRs you can get. It isn't a savings if you are eating somewhere just because it was the only place you could get in.

I would make a list of the TS you would like to do, look at the menus on ALLEARS.com make sure you like the selection, ie.. you don't want just an app and dessert, you can get an idea of prices too. Look at what parks you think you will do each day and once you are at 90 days out call WDW and see if you can get ADRs you can get that match up with your touring plan. *** Just saw that you are going in May, so you can call now to see what ADRS you are interested in are available****
I am doing the QSDP on my next trip because I am traveling with a 7yo child and since it only cost $9 a day for him it helped to bring down the cost. We are doing Chef Mickeys one night that I will pay OOP and no other TS. If it was just me it would be close to even but then you get the free mug so that puts it over a little bit.
On my solo trips I have looked into doing the regular DP but I don't do that many TS maybe only 2 or 3 during a 7 night trip. And with only 1 snack and no mug just doesn't make sense for me to "force" myself to do more TS just cause I am on "THE PLAN".

As you can see it is pretty much a personal thing on what will work best for you on that trip.

Hope you have a great trip