Anyone do the DDP?

[nflder]

Just wondering if it is worth it? We are going back and forth on the decision and have analyzed it so many times. It looks like it could be good for us -but we are just concerened would we really want to eat all of that food when it is so hot and you are on the go so much.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,
rhonda

 

[Joann]

we keep going back and forth about getting it and we just don't think it is worth it for us! We spend mabey around 1000.00 on food for 10 days and the ddp will cost us about 1500.00 having to pay adult prices for my 11 and 13 year old to eat on it just does not make sense as of right now they won't eat that much food.

 

[DutchsMommy]

We have done it once before and are planning on it for this trip. While I realize I may not spend all the $$ I like the freedom and flexibility. If I did not do the DDP I know I would be looking at each bill and kind-of cringing (if that makes any sense?) and knowing I have already paid the DDP gives me more freedom and I don't worry about the bill. So, I guess for me it is more about piece of mind vs. getting every penny out of the deal.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

we did it for our 2 weeks in October - I know when people work out the prices for appetizer, meal, drink and desert as well as adding on a full counter service and snack you come out ahead but we certainly couldn't eat all that food - after the first week we got tired of eating... felt like that's all we did - we had so many credits leftover that we ended up treating a family we met and had dinner with and we bought counter service for a few other people (which I'm sure is a no no but the people appreciated it and I had paid for it!).

We are going again for 5 nights in August after our cruise and with the heat there's no way we'll be doing the dining plan. If I get 2 counter service meals that's more then enough for the 4 of us to share. Same for going to sit down meals - half the time we would order a meal for the 2 boys and it would get wasted b/c they just weren't hungry!! We will order much less this time and share - they can always have desert or a snack after if they are still hungry!!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

We've used it for the last 3 trips and we'll be using it for the 2 trips this year.

It is convenient and easy to use. It allows us to have some great table service meals without worrying about the final bill.

We share counter service meals so we don't feel overly full while walking around the parks but we each get our own table service meal. We often pack up some of our leftovers (desserts or meat) to have as a snack or breakfast back in the room.

 

[nflder]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. Everyone's got their own story on it. I'm still at a loss!!! I may just go ahead with it. That's the way I am leaning right now.

thanks!

 

[SnowWhite]

Don't be afraid to do a split stay and do half of it on the DDP. We personally like the DDP as we do alot of character meals. If you are just a counter service family than don't purchase the DDP but if you like some of the nice restaurants and character meals then it is a good buy. Again though, you can split your stay and do two reservations and that way get the dining plan for part of your stay.

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[nflder]

Don't be afraid to do a split stay and do half of it on the DDP. We personally like the DDP as we do alot of character meals. If you are just a counter service family than don't purchase the DDP but if you like some of the nice restaurants and character meals then it is a good buy. Again though, you can split your stay and do two reservations and that way get the dining plan for part of your stay.

Never thought of that - but it is too late now - we leave in 9 days!!!

Here is where we are definately planning to eat - even before we found out about the DDP. It's the places that we really wanted to go to - 50's Prime Time, Sci Fi, Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Hoop De Doo and California Grill. We are there for 11 nights 12 days.

I'm thinking instead of continuing to analyze this, just say shag it and go for it.

 

[stashf]

I have used it twice now and think it's well worth it. We usually do a CS for breakfast excluding the couple special character breakfasts we may do and a ts for dinner. Snack is more than enough in the afternoon. If you are going to be doing a TS everyday it is worth it, if you plan on only CS then I'd say no; but from looking at some of your selections the plan would be useful for you. The only time I find it not worth it is for the selections that take 2 TS ie CRT. It's better to use those for 2 separate TS than the one - you will get more money's worth unless you are going to substitute a CS meal. Anyways, I have saved money both times and have it already booked for the 2 trips I'm taking this year!

Stacey

 

[ChocolateMouse]

The DDP is a lot of food. I swear American meal portions are bigger than what we normally see in Canada!

The one nice thing is it takes money out of the equation. Since you pay a set price, you don't have to be afraid of ordering an expensive item on the menu.

Here's the thing about the DDP: if I eat wherever and whatever I wish, I come out ahead. Dinner for two under the DDP can often cost around $100 USD. I also get a chance to dine with characters and my meals tend to be at nicer restaurants. However, if I eat normally and economize where opportunities exist (like packing my own snacks), I wouldn't spend as much as what the DDP costs.

Last year, the DDP cost $38/adult. Yes, I can spend that much everyday. However, I can also spend less on my food everyday without much hassle. So really it depends if you want to eat well. If the answer is yes, then you'll easily save money with the DDP as long as you can get reservations at the restaurants you choose. If you want to save some money (like spending it on souvenirs instead), you'll spend less without the DDP.

 

[laura001]

We decided on the DDP this time, just DH and I. We like to have a very nice meal everyday when on vacation....with that, the cost is so reasonable.

If dinner for us normally costs anywhere between 100.00 and 150.00, then that easily pays for the DDP. Remembering that it includes gratuity and taxes (100.00 meal we would leave 20.00 tip at least) We figure that even if we still share an appetizer or dessert we should still come out ahead! That coupled with the fact that I know it is all taken care of money wise ahead of time, I don't even have to think or think about chinzing out...

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We are doing the DDP This May. It cost us $100 per day for 10 days. $1000. Heck we priced out our meals. We choose good restaurants with good meals on them. Only 1 meal ticket per meals we chose. We paid for the 2 meal ticket days. Like cinderella's breakfast. As it was only $125.00 for the 4 of us. It wasn't worth 2 meal tickets each. So we will do that and a early table meal the same day at another restaurant. That way we can save a counter meal for another day. If you plan it right it works great. Also if you have 2 small kids like us.DD8 DS5 then you can save other ways too. In epcot there is a mcdonalds there you can get the 9 nugget meal ,drink ,fries and sundee for one counter meal. Then all you have to do is use one snack to get another drink and you have a meal for 2 kids. Save another counter meal for another day. That way you can use 2 counter meals some days as well as a dinner meal. Plan well it works.

 

[Disney Kim]

We did it last year and I don't think we go without it for any further trips.
Without it I don't think we would have had a sit down dinner ever night, And without it I would order chicken in stead of steak, that sort of thing.. Its nice to not have to think about the money once you are there, so convienent.
I personally think its great! I would recommend it!!

 

[garytam]

We did the free DDP last year, we will never go to WDW without it. This July, we will be staying in BCV with full kitchen, but we still get the DDP. With the plan, it allows us to try food that we normally won't, also it ensure us having a sit down meal instead of running around for food.

 

[SplashMom]

We aren't doing it this time because we are spending a few days doing different things - Seaworld, Kennedy Space Center, etc. If we weren't planning to leave Disney property, I would definitely do it.

It is a lot of food but the value can't be beat. We also found that since we ate more table service meals, we actually ate healthier than we probably would have if we had counter service more often. Fewer fries and more veggies. We also felt better. Just beware--it is really easy to get used to eating wonderful desserts every day!!

 

[tribus121]

We got the free DDP last september and got to enjoy a lot of table service restaurants that we would not have gone to . to avoid wasting a lot of time waiting in line we ate early 4 pm for supper most nites .we would not go back with out the DDP even if we had to pay for it

 

[nflder]

Thanks everyone. The decision is made - we are going with the DDP. Only 7 sleeps - can't wait!! It will be so nice to get in the warm sun and away from the snow and freezing rain here and of course to get my hug from Mickey!!!

 

[Chester's Mum]

We have never used it before, we usually eat on the cheap most times, with one or two table service meals during our two week stays. Even when we do eat in a sit down restaurant we don't order appetizer and dessert usually one or the other.

It looks like a great deal though, and I've always wanted to try it, so we are taking ddp for the 1st week of our stay in May. So far it has been a lot of work and agonizing over where we will be each day, and getting dining reservations. I am a planner, but we usually decide day to day which park we will be in, but now we have to decide in advance for that week.

I hope it is worth all the advance planning, I'm really looking forward to trying out some restaurants that we usually would be too cheap to try.

39 days to go...

 

[nflder]

Chester's Mum - that's what I found difficult too - planning the ADR's so far in advance and our days. I made our ADR's based on the possibility of going with the DP. I'm sure it will work out for you. You are going at a great time of the year. We've gone twice before at the end of April, 1st week of May. Weather was fantastic and lines were on average about a 20 minute wait or a walk on! That is definately my favourite time to go. But school dictates this year that we go during Easter! yikes!!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

It wasn't that bad for us to decide as we always goto the parks with the EMH after hours. Then we just had to plan the meals. There were a few days without, we know from our past visits where we would end up so we planned it that way. This is our first time planning meals ahead also but am sure it will be well worth it. We are also going to be there May . From the 6th to the 16th.