Analysis of recent trip using DDP

[drdrowsy]

This was difficult to do, but i tried to keep track of DDP uses on our recent trip to try to understand if it was worth it (tl;dr : YES!)

10 nights, 2 adults, 2 kids (6 and 9yo)
total price of DDP: around $2050
total cost of all purchases using DDP entitlements: around $3000

used 100% of all entitlements.
we did eat at multiple character meals, including meals at Tusker and H&V which gave us tickets to RoL and F!, respectively.
kids often ordered off of the adult quick service menus
we used excess snack credits to purchase chocolates/candies to bring home as gifts
1 adult often had an alcoholic drink with a meal, kids often ordered 'premium' non-alcoholic drinks
We did actively try to use all of the credits, but we did not try and maximize the value of each of the credits (did not try and order the most expensive items, some snack credits used on items <$5).

Would we have spent $3000 on food items if we didn't have the DDP? No way!
I think we still would have eaten at all of the same places, but we would have had fewer pricey drinks. We would not have brought home so many snack credit gifts, we would not have purchased 4 resort refillable mugs. Our outlay would certainly have been more than the price of the DDP though.

 

[siren0119]

Thank you! We have the DDP for our trip in August (just the first half of a split stay) and I'm coming from a similar angle as you - we are booking meals we *might* have done anyway but wouldn't necessarily order alcohol with, and we definitely wouldn't get 4 refillable mugs (we got one the last time we were at WDW and even that wasn't used much). But I think the way I have planned to use the credits will still put us out ahead vs paying OOP, especially since we can use DDP to cover the MOST expensive meals we want to do and just plan OOP for the less expensive stuff on the second half of our split stay.

I figure if nothing else, it'll be nice to be able to say "yes" every time my kids want a mickey bar or a slushie LOL

 

[smiths02]

This was difficult to do, but i tried to keep track of DDP uses on our recent trip to try to understand if it was worth it (tl;dr : YES!)

10 nights, 2 adults, 2 kids (6 and 9yo)
total price of DDP: around $2050
total cost of all purchases using DDP entitlements: around $3000

used 100% of all entitlements.
we did eat at multiple character meals, including meals at Tusker and H&V which gave us tickets to RoL and F!, respectively.
kids often ordered off of the adult quick service menus
we used excess snack credits to purchase chocolates/candies to bring home as gifts
1 adult often had an alcoholic drink with a meal, kids often ordered 'premium' non-alcoholic drinks
We did actively try to use all of the credits, but we did not try and maximize the value of each of the credits (did not try and order the most expensive items, some snack credits used on items <$5).

Would we have spent $3000 on food items if we didn't have the DDP? No way!
I think we still would have eaten at all of the same places, but we would have had fewer pricey drinks. We would not have brought home so many snack credit gifts, we would not have purchased 4 resort refillable mugs. Our outlay would certainly have been more than the price of the DDP though.

I think the key is 2 kids and using all your meal credits.

 

[drdrowsy]

I think the key is 2 kids and using all your meal credits.

Agreed, biggest savings is if there are kids-- per day DDP for kids is ~$25, you could hit that with some QS meals alone

 

[KayaWildfire]

Those character meals are pricey too, especially if you get a drink with them. The adults of drinking age could almost recoup the cost of an entire day's plan on one character dinner and a cocktail. We were averaging almost $70 per person with those over Christmas.

 

[LovePug]

Those character meals are pricey too, especially if you get a drink with them. The adults of drinking age could almost recoup the cost of an entire day's plan on one character dinner and a cocktail. We were averaging almost $70 per person with those over Christmas.

Exactly my thought. Every one of our ADRs are character/prix meals (during Easter trip) and right where we want to eat. I made the ADRs we wanted first, then did the math. The included alcohol and specialty drinks certainly contributed, also, to my decision to do the DDP.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Character Meals, kids, wise snack choices and alcohol can totally make the dining plan worth it for your family. Glad to hear it was a success for you!