Any recommendations on deciding on a DP vs. no DP? (m)

[gailpet]

We're a family of 4 -- 2 adults, 2 kids (ages 5 & 7). This is our 1st trip to Disney. We're going in mid-October (we're not staying long enough for free dining).

Wondering if there is some way to figure out what makes sense for us: either buy a quick-service dining plan or just "wing-it" and be on our own?

Part of me would like to have it all paid for so we don't have to worry about prices during the actual trip. But I've read it's a lot of food (dessert is included) and some people have trouble using it all up. And since our kids aren't big eaters, I'm guessing we could share some meals between the 4 of us so maybe that will save money?

We're staying 5 nights but only have 4 days in the park (the 1st and last day are just travel days).

If anyone has ideas on how I can best evaluate what will work best for our family, that would be super!

 

[awoogala]

We never seem to think the dp works for us. We don't usually do dessert, and we do want a salad.
It never worked well when our kids were younger, either. My daughter always would rather have some yogurt and fruit, and maybe french fries, rather than the kid meals My son, on the other hand, wanted to order from the adult menu, and had to suffer through chicken nuggets rather than the salmon he wanted!
Some days we weren't that hungry, and we'd grab a snack instead of lunch, and then have to worry about the CS meals coming out ok in the end.
We found it was easier to just take the money and throw it on a Disney gift card-you are still. Pre-paying,essentially, but in a much easier fashion.
I also found that he had to check every receipt, since they would often get the meal numbers or types mixed up.
The only way I can see dp working, is if you eat a buffet or you eat a fancy Ts every day, and you enjoy desserts, and you don't want an appetizer or salad.

 

[cmwade77]

It really depends on your dining preferences. But don't do it thinking you are going to save money. Basically you will most likely spend around the same amount, but get more or better food than paying cash. At least that's how it works out for us.

 

[bookgirl2632]

If your kids aren't big eaters, I would go without the DDP. You'd probably be better off paying OOP. I like the suggestion of drawing up a budget and figuring out how much to put on a Disney gift card. You could take a look at the menus over at Allears to get an idea of how much you might be spending. Then if you put it on a gift card, it's like it is paid for upfront.

 

[smiths02]

It is hard to save money on the QSDP. Disney's own advertising has this be the least cost effective. Would you really purchase 4 mugs for a short stay? Would you really want dessert with every CS meal? Do you want a soda/soft drink every meal or could you drink water sometimes? Would you only use CS meals at Lunch and Dinner at the more expensive places (WPE, etc.)?

 

[max'sdad]

If you want to do a lot of character meals or eat at more expensive places, the dining plan may be worth it. But that's a big if. We found this year dining out of pocket for the first time that our famly of three spent half of what it would have cost to purchase the dining plan.

 

[meggiebeth]

Is there not a chance you could extend your trip to get free dining? Every trip we get free dining and love it because character meals are a must for us and we really enjoy them.

I would highly recommend character meals for first timers and either you could pay out of pocket or with the DDP if you choose to get it.

Personally, I would never pay to get the DDP, only to upgrade the one I got for free. It is really good value when you get it for free when your room rate is good too