Am I doing the math right? And how much are TS drinks, anyway?

[ksoehrlein]

I broke down and made my own Excel spreadsheet, but now I'm second-guessing my methods and would love some feedback. We are DVC Members and have DDE but are paying for the DDP for our upcoming trip. Since we don't plan ahead for CS and snacks -- we just grab these wherever and whenever we're hungry -- I'm only looking at TS prices. I figured that if the cost of the DDP was only slightly more than the cost of all of our TS meals would have been OOP, the overage would more than cover whatever we would have ended up paying OOP for CS & snacks.

To be specific, I added up what we would most likely order (entree plus dessert) when we sit down for our ADRs but I wasn't always sure how much to add for soft drinks. Is it $2.29 -- as found on a few menus on Deb's site -- throughout WDW, or do some TS places charge more/less?

At any rate, I totaled up all of our TS meals and multiplied by 0.8 (DDE discount) and then by 1.065 (total plus tax). To that number, I added the original, pre-discount/pre-tax total times 0.18 (gratuity) to get the total OOP cost using DDE.

For the DDP calculation, I again took that original, pre-discount total times 0.18 (same gratuity as above) and added it to the total price of the DDP for our family. [And then I did it again with a 20% gratuity, since that's usually what we tip when the percentage is not dictated by the DDE.]

The DDP plus tips ends up costing us $137.45 more [$145.49 more with 20% tip] than the OOP (w/DDE discount) cost of our 5 TS meals. That works out to $6.88 [or $7.28] per person, per day which would more than cover even the least expensive possible combination of CS meal plus snack per person. Right? My brain hurts! Thanks for checking behind me!

 

[septbaby]

I broke down and made my own Excel spreadsheet, but now I'm second-guessing my methods and would love some feedback. We are DVC Members and have DDE but are paying for the DDP for our upcoming trip. Since we don't plan ahead for CS and snacks -- we just grab these wherever and whenever we're hungry -- I'm only looking at TS prices. I figured that if the cost of the DDP was only slightly more than the cost of all of our TS meals would have been OOP, the overage would more than cover whatever we would have ended up paying OOP for CS & snacks.

To be specific, I added up what we would most likely order (entree plus dessert) when we sit down for our ADRs but I wasn't always sure how much to add for soft drinks. Is it $2.29 -- as found on a few menus on Deb's site -- throughout WDW, or do some TS places charge more/less?

At any rate, I totaled up all of our TS meals and multiplied by 0.8 (DDE discount) and then by 0.06 (tax). it's 0.65To that number, I added the original, pre-discount total times 0.18 (gratuity) to get the total OOP cost using DDE.

For the DDP calculation, I again took that original, pre-discount total times 0.18 (same gratuity as above) and added it to the total price of the DDP for our family. [And then I did it again with a 20% gratuity, since that's usually what we tip when the percentage is not dictated by the DDE.]

The DDP plus tips ends up costing us $139.06 more [$147.09 more with 20% tip] than the OOP (w/DDE discount) cost of our 5 TS meals. That works out to $6.96 [or $7.35] per person, per day which would more than cover even the least expensive possible combination of CS meal plus snack per person. Right? My brain hurts! Thanks for checking behind me!

The biggest difference is the flexibility the DDE offers. If there are of you in the group and you wouldn't order two desserts, but would actualy order and share one appetizer and one dessert the DDP will cost you extra or the appetizer and you'd "waste" a dessert. However, if you'd expect to eat the way the dining plan lays out your math says go for it. You can still use the DDE for your alcoholic drinks and if you decide on a must have appetizer not included in the plan.

 

[ksoehrlein]

You can still use the DDE for your alcoholic drinks and if you decide on a must have appetizer not included in the plan.

Good point. It seems having DDE (the cost of which was already justified over previous trips) and DDP truly is the best of both worlds!

Thank you for checking behind me! I just edited the tax rate, which makes DDP an even better deal.

 

[LizinSTL]

I broke down and made my own Excel spreadsheet, but now I'm second-guessing my methods and would love some feedback. We are DVC Members and have DDE but are paying for the DDP for our upcoming trip. Since we don't plan ahead for CS and snacks -- we just grab these wherever and whenever we're hungry -- I'm only looking at TS prices. I figured that if the cost of the DDP was only slightly more than the cost of all of our TS meals would have been OOP, the overage would more than cover whatever we would have ended up paying OOP for CS & snacks.

To be specific, I added up what we would most likely order (entree plus dessert) when we sit down for our ADRs but I wasn't always sure how much to add for soft drinks. Is it $2.29 -- as found on a few menus on Deb's site -- throughout WDW, or do some TS places charge more/less?

At any rate, I totaled up all of our TS meals and multiplied by 0.8 (DDE discount) and then by 1.065 (total plus tax). To that number, I added the original, pre-discount/pre-tax total times 0.18 (gratuity) to get the total OOP cost using DDE.

For the DDP calculation, I again took that original, pre-discount total times 0.18 (same gratuity as above) and added it to the total price of the DDP for our family. [And then I did it again with a 20% gratuity, since that's usually what we tip when the percentage is not dictated by the DDE.]

The DDP plus tips ends up costing us $137.45 more [$145.49 more with 20% tip] than the OOP (w/DDE discount) cost of our 5 TS meals. That works out to $6.88 [or $7.28] per person, per day which would more than cover even the least expensive possible combination of CS meal plus snack per person. Right? My brain hurts! Thanks for checking behind me!

Assuming you'll be eating all of those TS meals for sure and assuming you'll use those CS credits/snack credits up.... the DDP won't make you lose money. You'd be hardpressed to eat a CS meal and snack for $7/person/day at WDW, IMO. Even if that CS meal was breakfast and the snack was a bottle of water.

Since you already have the DDE, you can use that for any OOP expenses you have at your TS meals in conjunction with your DDP credits for those meals- so if you decide to get an appetizer or a cocktail, use the DDE for the discount off of those items.

Sounds like you are won't lose money on the DDP and could, potentially, come out way ahead on it.

 

[patsal]

I found the same thing, skipping a dining plan is the right move for my family. TS soft drinks range from $2.19-$2.79 on most menus that I checked.

 

[septbaby]

I found the same thing, skipping a dining plan is the right move for my family. TS soft drinks range from $2.19-$2.79 on most menus that I checked.

OP is getting the DP...what do you mean?

 

[LizinSTL]

Quote:
Originally Posted by patsal
I found the same thing, skipping a dining plan is the right move for my family. TS soft drinks range from $2.19-$2.79 on most menus that I checked.

Quote:
Originally Posted by septbaby
OP is getting the DP...what do you mean?

I find that people who don't like the DDP read into replies about it. I thought it would get a little better with the changes but apparently not. The OP won't be saving a fortune w/ the DDP ( $88- $260) but if it fits the way her family dines at WDW and she'll use the credits, it won't make her "lose" money. (Which is the conclusion she came to. )

I figure CS meals run between $8-12- drink included and snacks run between $1-4 depending on your choice. 5 nights of the DDP would be a value of between $225-400 in snacks and CS credits.

 

[patsal]

Quote:
Originally Posted by patsal
I found the same thing, skipping a dining plan is the right move for my family. TS soft drinks range from $2.19-$2.79 on most menus that I checked.

Quote:
Originally Posted by septbaby
OP is getting the DP...what do you mean?

I find that people who don't like the DDP read into replies about it. I thought it would get a little better with the changes but apparently not. The OP won't be saving a fortune w/ the DDP ( $88- $260) but if it fits the way her family dines at WDW and she'll use the credits, it won't make her "lose" money. (Which is the conclusion she came to. )

I figure CS meals run between $8-12- drink included and snacks run between $1-4 depending on your choice. 5 nights of the DDP would be a value of between $225-400 in snacks and CS credits.

What I meant by finding the same thing is that the savings is very minimal--but I suppose I should have clarified--I was running out the door to get to work--everyone needs to do the math as what works for some doesn't work fo rothers. Getting the DDP is worth it for some and not for others--but for me we'd be skipping it in favor of more flexibility since the savings were marginal at best.
BTW I don't dislike the DDP, it just no longer works for me--it isn't the same no brainer that it used to be and given individual circumstances it can still be worth it.