Anyone NOT done the DDP??

[ella822]

Has anyone not done the DDP and kept track of what they spent on food and drink? I am still debating if the DDP is worth it for my family and want something to compare to. I will be traveling with DH, DD (3 1/2), and DS (11 mo.). We are staying at CSR for 8 nights. We always have 3 meals a day-but not always sit down. I would say most days we have 1 sit down meal (either breakfast or dinner). Some days we have 3 quick meals. I am doing 2 character breakfasts and 1 dinner. I also have ADR's at Boma and San Angel Inn. We are not big snackers- except for maybe ice cream once or twice during the trip. So, if anyone has had a similar situation and knows what they spent- I would appreciate the input.

 

[patsal]

I did this last year. On our large summer vacation (2 weeks) I got the DDP and kept track of everything, because of the tips/apps included it was a no brainer. we saved the full 40% with no work--even skipping some courses and sharinga nd not using all CS and snacks.

In Sept, DH had a conference and with the conference rate you could not add the DDP--a perfect experiment time! We saved a considerable amount of money by just eating where and when we wanted. We did have a few ADR's and there was a discount on a few meals with our DVC membership card (10% off at Raglan Road and Kona at the time). We saved money with no plan versus plan and really enjoyed ourselves. I'm glad I had that opportunity since it really helped me to know that going OOP for the big 2 week summer vaction in July of this year withthe DDP changes will be fine.

The only way I'd get hte DDP agian is if we were travelling with extended family and many buffets were planned as a group. I know I'd be better off using the DDP for character meals for the four of us since we'd break even on pretty much just the character meal and snack.

 

[Tricia1972]

We're leaving Friday and not doing the DDP, when we went in 2007 we did the DDP both times.

This visit we anticipate saving about $450 by not doing the plan, but we experience the savings because of how we eat. Not everyone could eat at as many TS's and experience savings like ours.

At CS Locations - we'd never ever order the desserts. Paying for desserts OOP is $30 per person.

At CS we also don't all necessarily order fries. The portions are so huge! We 'save' a few dollars by ordering some burgers/sandwiches a la carte.

At TS Locations - we'll order an appetizer and split between the group. Even one appetizer is no longer covered by the DDP. We can't eat three full sit downs per day, or even one big breakfast or lunch and a signature dinner. If we ate at that many restaurants per day we'd end up splitting meals, so the DxDDP wouldn't work for us.

We don't order desserts at TS locations either. That's about $50 less per person. We tend to leave comfortably full, because we're grazers and don't enjoy big complete meals, and then if we get a taste for something sweet later on, we'll grab a snack and might even share that snack between us.

We also have two members of our party who either don't or can't eat red meat, and another member who doesn't usually eat red meat. Chicken and vegetarian dishes are cheaper than the steak.

Adding all of those things together, we come out ahead not using the DDP. Not because there's anything wrong with the DDP, but because it just isn't set up for the way that our family eats.

I'll let you all know when we get back if we actually experience the savings I am anticipating.

 

[emma'smom]

This strategy works at ala cart restaurants...but we did a few OOP buffets at the end of our trip (after going off of the plan) and the cost (even with the DDE card) were outrageous. We missed our magical little blue card!!

 

[goofydebi]

We have never done the dining plan, we live in FL so I always just get 3 day passes and room only rates, so it has really never been an option either. Food is really not my biggest expense. Only DH is a big eater and would love all the sit down meals, but my DS and I are fine with burgers or chicken tenders for the few days we are there. I have a character breakfast planned for the first time this year but no dining plan. Don't know if it would be beneficial for us.

 

[LizinSTL]

Has anyone not done the DDP and kept track of what they spent on food and drink? I am still debating if the DDP is worth it for my family and want something to compare to. I will be traveling with DH, DD (3 1/2), and DS (11 mo.). We are staying at CSR for 8 nights. We always have 3 meals a day-but not always sit down. I would say most days we have 1 sit down meal (either breakfast or dinner). Some days we have 3 quick meals. I am doing 2 character breakfasts and 1 dinner. I also have ADR's at Boma and San Angel Inn. We are not big snackers- except for maybe ice cream once or twice during the trip. So, if anyone has had a similar situation and knows what they spent- I would appreciate the input.

You have 5 meals booked and you are staying for 8 nights. Unless your character breakfasts/dinner are at Cinderella's Royal Table, you could still add 3 more reservations for meals under the dining plan. Your total cost for the DDP would be $688. Your son is free. You CAN eat 3x/day on the DDP with little or no OOP cost. The way you do it is to share CS meals. It's a little trickier w/ 3 on the plan but it can be done with careful use of snacks, I bet. You can use your snack credits to enhance your shared CS meals (add a side salad or bowl of fruit, grab a bottle of juice or milk for the little one, etc)