Another should we DDP - Here's the scenario

[DisneyFan09]

It will be myself (I'll eat anything that's not moving), DH (somewhat picky big eater), DD10 (eats like a bird but very adventurous, her and I share quite often), and DD11 who eats nothing but mac and cheese and chicken strips. We are going the last week of January and our trip is paid for.

I have used allearsnet menus to figure out approximately what food for our 7 night, 8 day trip will be. We have 4 ADR's and plan to eat at ESPN and Planet Hollywood (only to use the $15 voucher we received with our package). I have figured dd10 and I will share when possible and also sharing of dessert at a couple of our TS meals. My approx. total including tax and tip is about $850 dollars. If we did the ddp it would be $1063. I like the idea of ordering whatever we want and maybe not sharing but I know that $200 is nothing to sneeze at. And I should add that we have never used DDP, we had reservations for free dining this past Sept. but had to cancel due to a job change.

I would love to get opinions from people who have gone using the DDP and also without it. Thanks so much for taking time to respond!!!

 

[Chuck S]

Since both of your daughters will be considered adults for the plan, and one only eats mac & cheese, it would be a tough call. I don't think I would book the DDP, unless you are able to go during a "free dining" period, if it is offered.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm a picky eater and I usually don't eat big portions. I'm lucky if I can finish half, but Dh eat all his food and what was left of mine most nights, so it was worth it for us. If you think you'll be throwing out most of your food because you can't finish it, then its probably not worth it. We loved not having to carry cash or pay the bill at every meal though.

 

[bicker]

I think the key is that you have DD11 who's basically going to deriving a -$25 value per day. We figured that we'll be deriving between +$6 and +$20 savings per person per day (the range goes from no appetizers and no desserts up to all the available appetizers and all the available desserts), so one out of four being a -$25 while the rest of us could be down around +$6 means we'd be losing money on the Dining Plan. Given that DH and DD10 are probably in the +$6 zone, I'd pass on the Dining Plan if I were you.

 

[canwegosoon]

IMO only reason why you would even consider a DDP is if you were primiarly doing buffets or character meals...other wise it really sounds like a waste of money in your case.

 

[karibritt01]

My husband is a burger and fries type of guy, and my kids eat well, but are picky. We did use the DDP last summer, and scheduled all of our meals at buffets. There was plenty for everyone to pick from (everyone can eat from adult and kids buffets) and I feel we got our money's worth. There were quite a few meals where my kids were eating as much as we were, and DH had his share of mac and cheese from the kiddie line! We figured we saved around $300 for a 6 night stay.

 

[dsnymomof4]

We are always on a budget, so when we go without the dining plan, we're always figuring out ways to get the most from our money - sharing meals, one large drink for the kids, etc., and definitely no appetizers or desserts! So, when we had the free dining in August, it was so different and really nice! We ordered whatever we wanted, everyone had their own meals, and the best part is that when the check came, we just gave them our card and that was it! It was so nice not having to worry about how much all of the food was going to cost us. Believe me, I know that $200 is a big deal - it is to us - but I can say that we enjoyed our dinners so much more with the dining plan! Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[laceemouse]

IMO only reason why you would even consider a DDP is if you were primiarly doing buffets or character meals...other wise it really sounds like a waste of money in your case.

Agree100% We have three kids who are "adults" and another who will be in a year. Two of them are picky/small eaters. I have worked it out every way possible and would not get the DDP unless it was free. We come out cheaper without it, and we generally do one TS per day and one buffet per trip. Mine are kinda over the character meal thing, although we may do one every once in a while. JMHO!

 

[blueroses]

I have used allearsnet menus to figure out approximately what food for our 7 night, 8 day trip will be. We have 4 ADR's and plan to eat at ESPN and Planet Hollywood (only to use the $15 voucher we received with our package). I have figured dd10 and I will share when possible and also sharing of dessert at a couple of our TS meals. My approx. total including tax and tip is about $850 dollars. If we did the ddp it would be $1063.

It seems fairly simple. If the food on the $850 budget is what you want to eat (or, to put it another way, what you would order if money were not an issue) then you're better off not doing the DDP and pocketing the extra $200. If the meals you would get using DDP are what you would order anyway, then buying the plan will save you money. Of course, you're most likely somewhere in the middle, so it's not quite that simple

Good luck! Either way, you'll be at DisneyWorld and that's always good!

Disclaimer: I haven't used the dining plan because I'm an AP holder and use DDE.

 

[Tess'smom]

I probably would use the DDP because the snacks that you inevitably have in the park ie; Dole Whips, ice cream, mickey rice crispy treats or fruit really add up. I love not having to open my wallet every two hours to put out money for food or snacks. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your trip.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I have used allearsnet menus to figure out approximately what food for our 7 night, 8 day trip will be. We have 4 ADR's and plan to eat at ESPN and Planet Hollywood (only to use the $15 voucher we received with our package). I have figured dd10 and I will share when possible and also sharing of dessert at a couple of our TS meals. My approx. total including tax and tip is about $850 dollars. If we did the ddp it would be $1063.

I would love to get opinions from people who have gone using the DDP and also without it. Thanks so much for taking time to respond!!!

Quick Question: When you reached the sum of $850.00, did that include tax and 18% tip? If not, you're at about the same rate whether you pay cash or using the dining plan. If this was the case, I would go with the DP, since I'd like knowing that the extra meals were there for a "cushion" if we wanted them, and the snack credits do come in handy. It's much easier to use a snack credit than to fork over $2.50 for a bottle of water, and we've been known to split snacks (including bowls of fruit).

 

[MEK]

My kids are boys - 12 and 13. The first time we did the dining plan they were 10 & 11. I did not book it because my kids are also very picky. However, when it was offered for free, it was a NO-Brainer. My picky kids suddenly started to try all types of things. They LOVED it.

The dining plan was so good that we added it to our last trip for the exact price that you quoted. I added up our receipts and we would have spent over $1600 if we had paid for everything seperately. We ate at Le Cellier, Spoodles, Crystal Palace, Prime Time Cafe, Boma, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Chefs De France. Some of the snacks that are offered, like ice cream floats and smoothies, were $4 a pop.

For our family of 4 we used 3 CS at lunch. I would use the other CS at breakfast. There are plenty of snack options that are breakfast items.

I was very skeptical about the plan before I tried it. Believe me, food expenses add up so fast. It is so much easier to NOT worry about what something costs. Your kids may really enjoy the dining experiences.

 

[Gillian]

I probably would use the DDP because the snacks that you inevitably have in the park ie; Dole Whips, ice cream, mickey rice crispy treats or fruit really add up. I love not having to open my wallet every two hours to put out money for food or snacks. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your trip.

For the convenience, plus the snacks, I'd probably go for it. Of course, if your family doesn't buy snacks, or you've included them in your $850, that's different.

Also, as another poster said, picky kids can turn into good eaters sometimes! DS 6 likes shrimp and fish from trying it on cruises.

 

[Harvestmooner]

It seems fairly simple. If the food on the $850 budget is what you want to eat (or, to put it another way, what you would order if money were not an issue) then you're better off not doing the DDP and pocketing the extra $200. If the meals you would get using DDP are what you would order anyway, then buying the plan will save you money. Of course, you're most likely somewhere in the middle, so it's not quite that simple

Good luck! Either way, you'll be at DisneyWorld and that's always good!

Disclaimer: I haven't used the dining plan because I'm an AP holder and use DDE.

The DDP does also cover the tip-was that worked in your numbers?? We used the DDP and loved it. We liked the fact we didn't have to worry about how much everything cost at everymeal and the kids felt like it was a big treat!!