astronomical food cost

[sydneysmom]

We chose the deluxe plan last Sept and when you add everything we got up, including the tips out of pocket, we still saved $650 over the actual cost of the combined meals / snack credits / refillable mugs. That's pretty good money to me. Also, even if you do break even, it's money you would have spend anyway, only it's basically pre-paid.

We chose it for a few reasons.
1. our DD was 4 1/2 so we wanted the sit down meals for breaks. we welcomed sitting down to a family meal and not eating on the fly.
2. we knew we wanted a character meal each morning. If we did regular DP, that would have been our TS credit, so that would be it for the day. (unless we paid OOP, which DH didn't want to do)
3. We knew we wanted to try some 2TS. So we did about 4 of those.
4. We wanted the refillable mugs (which looking back, are kind of a waste... we didn't use them hardly at all)
5. loved the snack credits. My DH could drink Disney dry of diet coke and water... to not have to whip out cash everytime, that was priceless. it may not have been the BEST use of snack credits, but to us, it was better than cash.
6. it felt more like "a vacation" having everything basically inclusive with our trip.

The point is, it's NOT for everyone, which is why there are 3 different dining plans. Everything isn't going to be perfect for every family. YOU have to find what works best for YOUR family. Just like a resort.... there's different resorts for every budget / like / need. You just maybe have to try on different shoes before you find one that fits.

 

[ccgirl]

so I finally had some time to look at the menus for our upcoming trip and the prices and even called Disney dining to get the buffet cost. wow is all I can say after spending 3700.00 on the deluxe dining plan for 6 persons counted as adults. an additional 750.00 in tips. I am not so sure the dining plan is saving us a lot. I figured the cash price of meals to be 3521.00 without tips and add the snacks if we spend each one at a maximum of 4.00 a snack to be 192.00 and add on the extra cs we have to spend equaling 5 extra ones. If we can down 5 more meals after 2 sit downs each day. Although the basic plan is not enough. Imagine their science to this. Oh I for got our refillable mugs that we wont be at the resort enough to use. Tell me why I went this route again

Your really need to do your math before you decide no a DDP. The DxDP includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. Did you use all 3 of those in your calculation? It really depends on how you eat. My family likes the character buffets as I loathe waiting in line for autographs. My DH and myself (along with my children) like the signature restaurants as well. SO, for us, it works well. For everyone, it does not. If you are not going to want to sit down at a restaurant or order/eat app/entree/dessert the DxDDP is not a good choice. We have the DxDDP for our upcoming adults only trip during F&W. We can use the snacks at the food booths (some worth $8) so we will definitely end up coming out ahead.

 

[NoraG]

We are taking a family of 7 (4 adults, 2 Disney adults, and 1 child) and considered the cost of all 3 plans and OOP. I did a ton of number crunching and concluded that QSDP and paying for TS meals OOP was not a good idea as we'd wanted more TS meals, so we'd lose money. For the DDP, we just don't want that many desserts, and we run out of CS meals for our last day (5 nights, 6 days). DxDDP was just way too expensive to even consider and having done it with 2 adults for only 2 nights, we found it way too much food, though fun. Ordering all those apps, drinks, and desserts adds to the amount you tip on as well. We're going OOP, and we may split entrees, we may not. We can order apps instead of desserts and can order cups of water, saving soda money for extra snacks. It just gives us so much more flexibility.

However, if you want what is included with any of the meal plans, it's a great deal. For many people, they could never afford to do as many TS meals without the DDP, especially if using your credits at dinner. Unfortunately, I've found several restaurants' lunch menus to be more interesting than dinner. I have also received better service at lunch. I know though, that many prefer their sit-down meal to be dinner. So, to each his own. We'll be spending about $1900 on food. That is more than the cost of our tickets, which in the past have been our biggest expense, but we know we'll have a great time.

 

[Belle5]

I am kind of on the fence about the whole DDP thing when you have several teens or whatever. I do think it is great for a normally frugal family to tell their older kids (especially), "Order what you want. Yes, get a drink. Yes, get dessert. Go use your snack credit". There is something very liberating about the whole set-up!

However, in February (only four people this trip) we were on the DDP but paid OOP for our Via Napoli meal. Had we used our DDP there, we each would have ordered a pizza, a beverage and a dessert. As it was, we shared a family salad, shared a pizza...DIDN'T WANT DESSERT...and we each ordered one of those fruit waters that costs about $5. We got out of there for under $100 for four people. Had we been on the DDP we would have "spent" a lot more. I like to order "naturally"...not be told what kind of food I can order. In May of 2010 we took a party of nine to WDW for a week. We used the TIW instead. We gave each kid in our party $5 a day for snacks and $15 a a day for QS food. At dinner we told them to order whatever they wanted: French presses of coffee, entrees, desserts...we used our TIW discount. We came out WAYYY ahead of the game this way as it was so hot in May...many times no one was hungry!!! Often our kids did not even WANT dessert! Sometimes they would just want to order and appy and call it dinner. We came home at least $1000 under food budget by letting everyone order what they wanted. We had gone through the menus ahead of time and determined what we THOUGHT everyone would order and set our budget that way. We did not foresee how much sharing everyone would want to do because of the heat. We spent way more on icy beverages and pool drinks that we would have expected. We have thought that perhaps during our winter vacations we might have more appetite...we should not expect the budget to be as low as during times of heat. I think our past receipts would confirm that...

One more thing I wanted add: we are much happier paying for signature meals OOP than to use two credits for a dinner...it's such a bad value that way. TIW is a much better deal on the signature meals!

 

[DisGirl819]

We like the dining plans simply to have our meals prepaid. We then budget in our tips OOP and souveniers OOP and that is all the money we need on our trip. We usually break even on the plans and that's fine by me. We don't do it for cost savings, but if we do end up saving that is an added bonus.

 

[DizneeMommy]

We like the dining plans simply to have our meals prepaid. We then budget in our tips OOP and souveniers OOP and that is all the money we need on our trip. We usually break even on the plans and that's fine by me. We don't do it for cost savings, but if we do end up saving that is an added bonus.

This is exactly the reason we do the basic dining plan . . . of course, it helps that for our July trip we got a PIN for free dining!!
Having most everything prepaid makes our trip even more enjoyable. Our kids enjoy a couple of character meals so we don't spend time waiting to see them in the park, and we enjoy trying out new TS places that we haven't been to before! We usually make our evening TS ressies around 5:00 to get a break from the heat, and eat CS as an early lunch/breakfast. Those two meals and snacks are plenty for us! (We also often choose fresh fruit as our dessert, which the servers will gladly package to go for us. . .which is another great snack for later!)

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Nope, totally disagree. In fact, the DxDP allows for the most amount of savings of any of the plans, especially if you travel during peak season. If you eat just 1 character meal per day, and then eat 2 other TS meals, you will more than make your money back. But, the biggest savings is with kids between 3-9 years old. The cost of 1 character meal during peak season, is more than the cost of the actual dining plan, and you still have 2 more TS meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug to use. Remember, you also get appetizers with the DxDP too. Not sure if you've checked peak season buffet prices lately, but character dinners are close to $50.00/adult with tax and tip included!

Will totally disagree about Signatures as well. They are a waste of 2 credits as far as we are concerned, and not a good way to spend DxDP credits, IMHO.

We find the regular DP to not be much of a savings at all, as well as the Quick Serve plan.

Perhaps you find it a waste of money as you have lots of children to take into restaurants, which eats up a lot of time, or maybe they don't eat as much, but with respect to finances, the DxDP is a pretty good savings for most families, especially with younger kids and character meals.

The problem with the DxDP comes in terms of the total cost of it. When you multiple that by 7, 10 or 13 nights, like our summer vacations are always are, you have astronomical figures for food. The $4000.00 total mentioned by the OP is literally like 7 months of groceries for us!!! Yikes! BTDT though, and we won't do it again, as the total cost for long vacations is crazy!

Tiger

Yes, if you are actually going to eat 3 TS meals per day or do a lot of 2 credit meals, then then you can save money vs. out-of-pocket. But the first and only time we tried this, my kids and husband HATED it. Spending 6 or more hours per day going to and from ADRS, waiting for ADRs and eating is just too much time out of the park day. We love to do 1 TS per day and always do multiple character meals, which other an CRT are all 1 credit, so the basic plan works much better for us and there by saves us a ton more money. We bring some quickie breakfast items to eat on the way to the parks - granola/cereal bars, donuts, bagels, etc.- and then we eat an early CS meal around 11 or 11:30, have our mid-day snack and our TS for dinner. Works out great, we still have plenty of time to tour the parks, we still get to rest a bit and the kids are happy

 

[mousiemom]

yeah, we've done the fd reg. dp on many trips and that was fine but on our last 4 trips we've done the qs plan and it works out perfectly. we still get great meals, the 2 snacks are wonderful, and we don't have to tip. we've been to every restaurant in wdw and it is nice to go to narcoossees or citricos for those sit down meals but it is also nice to not be tied down to a ressie. i love eating in disney! i appreciated our restaurants whenever we did a vacation in disneyland. there were like 3 sit down places.

 

[ccgirl]

Again, it all depends on how you will eat. This is how we plan on eating for our October trip. DxDDP for 3 nights = 9 TS, 12 snack credits.

Day 1:
Lunch at country booths ($6 average - use 6 snack credits) = $36
Dinner at Boma $40 each.
Total: $80

Day 2:
Lunch at Teppan Ed
appetizer - $8 (x2)
entree - $30 (x2)
dessert - $4 (x2)
Total: $84
Dinner at Flying Fish
appetizer - mussels $18
entree - Scallops $34
entree - Strip steak $42
dessert - $9 (x2)
Total: $112

Day 3:
Lunch at San Angel Inn
appetizer - $11 (x2)
entree - chilaquiles $22
entree - mahi $19
dessert - $6 (x2)
Total: $75
Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse
appetizer - lobster bisque $9
appetizer - escargot $13
entree - strip steak $42
entree - rib eye $43
dessert $8 (x2)
Total: $125

Day 4:
Breakfast at Captain's Grille (approx $30 total)
Lunch: sample foods at Epcot ($6 average = 24)(4 snack credits)

Total of $566 and I still have 2 TS credits and 2 snack credits to use.

Cost of the plan is $79 per night so $474

So, we are $92 in savings without using the last 2 TS credits and the last 2 snack credits. Which we will use, we're just going to wing those. I also didn't include the refillable mugs in the total which are $13 each so another $26 in savings brings it to $118. Granted that is not a ton but to me, $118 is a lot in savings and since that is how we would eat anyway that is great. Sure, we could maximize our savings by eating at more expensive places but this is how we would rather eat at where we most desire to eat this trip.

 

[Diegosmom]

ccgirl
you also didnt figure any drinks in your calculation...Also not sure if $6 is the average on the F&W snacks...I thought I saw a post a few days ago that was showing most around $5 (although lobster roll was $9 I think).

 

[ccgirl]

ccgirl
you also didnt figure any drinks in your calculation...Also not sure if $6 is the average on the F&W snacks...I thought I saw a post a few days ago that was showing most around $5 (although lobster roll was $9 I think).

Drinks, non alcoholic, are included in the plan so I guess that's even more we'll save. I looked at the marketplace from last year and added up the ones I wanted to try and divided by the number of items to get my average. So, it is quite possible that my average is higher than the "true average". I also left tips out because I would tip the same regardless if we were on the dining plan or not so there would be no difference.

 

[DisOrBust]

Other things to consider:

If you or anyone in your party gets sick, and it happens, you will lose credits or try like hell to use them before the trip is over.

A Diser took what she would pay on the DDP put that amount on a gift card and used it for meals only. She ended up ahead significantly.

I have done both DDP and DXDDP many times and IMHO it's not worth it. Dining has decline and the menus are pretty standard now since they no longer purchase individually.

On the DDP you are "getting" desserts I would not eat anyways. On the DxDDP it's to much with appy/entree/dessert, IMHO.

They have cut out many snacks that were eligible before.

TIW is the best idea if it's available to you.

 

[bumbershoot]

I also left tips out because I would tip the same regardless if we were on the dining plan or not so there would be no difference.

That's true IF you ate in the same way either way. But many people order far more with the DDP (let alone Deluxe with the appetizer I believe is still included), which means they tip more.

 

[TisBit]

We have done the same math and it never works out to really be a savings for us. Actually, it ends up being a huge headache, I find myself thinking I need to order the most expensive things, even if thats not what I want. I would kick myself for ordering a simple sandwich or burger, even if that looked good....because I would be trying to recoup the cost of the plan. I also would not normally order a dessert...most of the restaurant desserts don't appeal to me much....I would rather use those dollars/calories later for a really good snack (so more than one a days...LOL). If you don't add in dessert, the costs is even worse!

I try to look at a menu and see what I would realistically order...and most of the time I find that it is not the most expensive things.

 

[disneychic]

.... Most people, unless you are doing a majority of 2 credit meals will not get a "value" with the Deluxe plan. We much prefer the Basic Plan with 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 Snack per day.

I agree

 

[twooley2]

Why are you paying for 5 CS meals OOP? I can't imagine that you will have to do that on the DxDDP. Most people say it is way too much food since appetizers are included too!

Maggie

Maybe I was not clear we will still have 5 meals to use that are on the plan even after using 2 sit downs a day and some of those are three sit downs a day

 

[ccgirl]

That's true IF you ate in the same way either way. But many people order far more with the DDP (let alone Deluxe with the appetizer I believe is still included), which means they tip more.

Yes, apps are still included on DxDDP. My Dh and myself are amateur foodies. So, we love getting an app, entree and dessert. However, we don't believe in the clean plate club regardless if we are on the plan or not. The plan does not guide what we eat. We decide how we want to eat first then decide if the plan is right for that particular trip or not. Sometimes it is and sometimes it's not.

 

[twooley2]

Your really need to do your math before you decide no a DDP. The DxDP includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. Did you use all 3 of those in your calculation? It really depends on how you eat. My family likes the character buffets as I loathe waiting in line for autographs. My DH and myself (along with my children) like the signature restaurants as well. SO, for us, it works well. For everyone, it does not. If you are not going to want to sit down at a restaurant or order/eat app/entree/dessert the DxDDP is not a good choice. We have the DxDDP for our upcoming adults only trip during F&W. We can use the snacks at the food booths (some worth $8) so we will definitely end up coming out ahead.

I did do the math and it appears that if we order the most expensive item on the menu in each category this is the amount with the exception of the refillable mugs and Cinderella's table and one dinner show so we do save a little. if everyone orders the most expensive item in each category and eats from each and every category each time. Can anyone critique any mistakes this is also during high holiday season up charge included... tax not included prices from calling disney dining direct.

28.75 X6 Donalds breakfast 172.50= 31.50 tip
39.40X6 Boma Dinner 236.40= 42.55 tip
24.49X6=Boma breakfast=146.94=26.44 Tip
39.40X6=Biergarten dinner=236.40=42.55 Tip
42.59X6=1900 park fair dinner=255.54=57.00 tip (60.00 of cinderella slippers added)=117.00 oop
26.62 X6 ohana breakfast=159.72=28.75 tip
39.40 X6 ohana dinner= 236.40=42.55 tip
42.59X6=cape may dinner=255.54=46.00 tip
35.14 X6=chef mickeys breakfast=210.84=38.00 tip
43.66X6=crystal palace dinner 261.96=48.00 tip

Yak and yeti lunch figures
8.00 appetizer
20.00 entree
8.00 dessert 3.00 drink (nonalcoholic)
39.00X6=236.40 tip = 42.55

Sci fi lunch figures
7.00 souvenir cup drink
8.00 appetizer
20.00 entree
6.00 dessert
255.54=46.00 tip

tappan edo(based on 6 adult)
8.00 appetizer
30.00 entree
7.00 dessert
3.00 drink(non alcoholic)
300.00=54.00 tip

Chefs de france (based on 6 adult)
12.00 appetizer
23.00 entree
7.50 dessert
3.00 drink(non alcoholic)
300.00=54.00 tip

cinderella Breakfast meal (no tip)
Hoop de doo (no tip)
snacks X 6 (2 each) (8 night)
refillable mugs. (6)

 

[ccgirl]

I did do the math and it appears that if we order the most expensive item on the menu in each category this is the amount with the exception of the refillable mugs and Cinderella's table and one dinner show so we do save a little. if everyone orders the most expensive item in each category and eats from each and every category each time. Can anyone critique any mistakes this is also during high holiday season up charge included... tax not included prices from calling disney dining direct.

28.75 X6 Donalds breakfast 172.50= 31.50 tip
39.40X6 Boma Dinner 236.40= 42.55 tip
24.49X6=Boma breakfast=146.94=26.44 Tip
39.40X6=Biergarten dinner=236.40=42.55 Tip
42.59X6=1900 park fair dinner=255.54=57.00 tip (60.00 of cinderella slippers added)=117.00 oop
26.62 X6 ohana breakfast=159.72=28.75 tip
39.40 X6 ohana dinner= 236.40=42.55 tip
42.59X6=cape may dinner=255.54=46.00 tip
35.14 X6=chef mickeys breakfast=210.84=38.00 tip
43.66X6=crystal palace dinner 261.96=48.00 tip

Yak and yeti lunch figures
8.00 appetizer
20.00 entree
8.00 dessert 3.00 drink (nonalcoholic)
39.00X6=236.40 tip = 42.55

Sci fi lunch figures
7.00 souvenir cup drink
8.00 appetizer
20.00 entree
6.00 dessert
255.54=46.00 tip

tappan edo(based on 6 adult)
8.00 appetizer
30.00 entree
7.00 dessert
3.00 drink(non alcoholic)
300.00=54.00 tip

Chefs de france (based on 6 adult)
12.00 appetizer
23.00 entree
7.50 dessert
3.00 drink(non alcoholic)
300.00=54.00 tip

cinderella Breakfast meal (no tip)
Hoop de doo (no tip)
snacks X 6 (2 each) (8 night)
refillable mugs. (6)

It's possible I added incorrectly but I got $3914 for the cash cost of the meals (without tips). So, you would already be saving $214 before you add in the $13 mugs ($78) so now you are almost up to a savings of $300. This is also before the snacks. That would be $8 a day per person so $48 per day for everyone. It looks like if this is the way you are going to eat regardless if you go the plan or not you would be saving quite a bit of money purchasing the DDP. Is the Cinderella Breakfast and Hoope De Doo in the total $$ amount as well. I didn't have them in mine. So, that would be an even bigger savings.

 

[twooley2]

I'm not getting that amount but the hoop dee doo and cinderella table definitely puts some savings in it either way. We also will still have 5 more that haven't been used meals to add somewhere. If we can do it.