Beating the DDP

[disney-inspired]

I don't see where your formula takes into consideration that the QS DDP is charged per person.
($57 adult, $24 3-9 child)
You would need to figure the cost per meal / person for the day, not the Family 'ticket' for one meal.

Alcohol is a benefit on these plans.
Looking at that receipt, your alcohol was $39, without that the meal was $100 / $25 per person using your math.

The Mug refill - depending on frequency at resort is a perk and the snack could be used as a breakfast item. But this is a bare minimum food plan per day - which I still think you'll have some additional food/beverage costs.

I see it as "pay for the basics before or pay as you go".

I think OP had the standard dining plan, not the QS one because their second post was about Teppan Edo, which is a TS.

I did the math for myself by taking a few random QS meals I have eaten or would eat in various parks, adding a non-alcoholic drink, tax and then took the average. I'm not a huge drinker so didn't bother to factor in an occasional alcoholic beverage. My average was about $20, so the QS DDP didn't make any sense for me.

Also, I've realized I eat less meals at the park - just not as hungry in the heat and distracted by the rides.

 

[Wendy5055]

The TS credit has a range of value depending on location, $35-$60, doesn't include tip.
I think your figuring QS eating in the beginning of thread but using the TS DDP $ in the end.
QS DDP is cheaper than the TS DDP , your calculations appear to be 'apples to oranges'

I am only comparing OOP to DDP (not QSDP) and Per Day (not the entire trip). The $170 average includeds the tax and gratuity for the table service restaurants we would use for the dining plan. No tip for quick service so i figure $30 is a decent average cover a quick service breakfast.

 

[accm]

Interesting thread! If I am planning to pay OOP for my meals I will average $170 for two people (going by WDW posted prices for each restaurant) minimum at a table service restaurant. I then think I need to conservatively guestimate at least $30.00 per person for quick service restaurants...so + $120 for breakfast and lunch 2 people...then $20 per person for water and snacks (again conservative guestimate...snacks and water are expensive!). So I am already at $330 for one day...how can having the dining plan be more expensive as I am paying $94.75 per person for a table service meal/quick service meal/snack $189.50 + $60 for breakkie = $249.50
I see that I would end up *saving* $80.50 per day! Am I off in my calculations? I am aware I could add an additional $40 for snacks and souvies and still come out ahead...what am I missing?

I think you're overinflating the OOP prices.
You'll have a hard time spending $85/person for a table service unless you're going to the more expensive character dinners and ordering the most expensive drinks. You're looking at more like $50/person plus any appetizers and tip.
Same for quick service. While you can spend $30, we find we end up spending $45 for two adults and two kids for quick service without any alcohol. To get to $30, you'd need to be ordering the most expensive item, and the most expensive drink. Keep in mind you can't even order alcohol at quick service locations in MK, so that'll be at most $20.
Then of your snacks/water, only one of those will count towards the dining plan, so that's only about $6.
Altogether, you're looking at $86/person/day.

Is it worth it to some people? Yes, which is why it's so popular. Can you spend more than $94.75? Absolutely. But if you're looking at it from a purely financial point of view, and want to spend the least amount of money, I'd recommend looking at actual prices of where you actually plan on eating.

 

[_19disnA]

This topic comes up every so often. Some like to pre-pay for their meals with the dining plan since it gives them a sense of an 'all inclusive' vacation, but clearly that is hard to quantify. The main benefit to Disney is you are less likely to eat off property if you have already paid for all of your meals to be with a Disney associated restaurant. If the math happens to work for you depends on what/where you like to eat and if that includes alcohol.

 

[Cfabar1]

A few thoughts:

short stays work well for the dining plan - longer stays we tend to eat less (can only eat 4k calories a day so many days in a row!), want to use our full kitchen in our villa, etc.

If you're going to 2 credit locations on your visit avoid the dining plan

If your kids are at the age that lots of character breakfasts make sense please use the dining plan

For some the dining plan is a good budgeting tool, saying "I will only eat what is on the plan" can be helpful, though not really our style and we like the flexibility.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I don't see where your formula takes into consideration that the QS DDP is charged per person.

Sorry that wasn’t clear. I’m using the DDP, I figure $6 snack, $23 for QS and $60 for TS.

I ate at Chef Mickeys. First time in 8 years after I said I would never go back. I have to ask, has the quality improved? We had a very good meal! The total cost for 4 covers was $308. Good use of a credit.

 

[Aussie RJ]

Having now finished the plan; a few thoughts:

Best for the shorter stays or split stays and purchasing on the first leg of your trip.. that gets you the best use of the resort mug. (14 days for me)

If you don’t drink alcohol, I wouldn’t bother. That’s where the value was for me.

Best bang for buck on the plan:
TS - Teppan Edo or ohana
QS - Polite Pig
S - Anything from the Plaza Ice Cream Shop

 

[disney-inspired]

A few thoughts:

short stays work well for the dining plan - longer stays we tend to eat less (can only eat 4k calories a day so many days in a row!), want to use our full kitchen in our villa, etc.

If you're going to 2 credit locations on your visit avoid the dining plan

If your kids are at the age that lots of character breakfasts make sense please use the dining plan

For some the dining plan is a good budgeting tool, saying "I will only eat what is on the plan" can be helpful, though not really our style and we like the flexibility.

My family may end up buying the DDP for our trip next year as there will be 5 kids traveling with us and we plan to do a lot of character meals or buffets. The two youngest will be almost 2 so they can eat off mom/dad's plates at buffets a lot easier. But also BIL is a big steak and lobster person so would order the very expensive items.

 

[HairyChest]

Having now finished the plan; a few thoughts:

Best for the shorter stays or split stays and purchasing on the first leg of your trip.. that gets you the best use of the resort mug. (14 days for me)

If you don’t drink alcohol, I wouldn’t bother. That’s where the value was for me.

Best bang for buck on the plan:
TS - Teppan Edo or ohana
QS - Polite Pig
S - Anything from the Plaza Ice Cream Shop

Thanks for the tips! I’m planning my trip and dining plan places and found some really helpful stuff on here and youtube. How did you like Teppan Edo?

I saw this video that listed all the restaurants from the most expensive to the least which is really helpful. And an interesting take on a couple 2 tableservice credit locations that actually are worth it.

 

[Aussie RJ]

How did you like Teppan Edo?

By the time I had eaten at 2 buffets, Teppan Edo was a welcome relief with fresh food cooked there in front of you. The kids loved the entertainment. And the steak was cooked perfectly. Desert was nothing special but I felt it was well worth the experience.

 

[FreemanFam]

Alcohol adds a lot of cost to the meals.

We are doing a one day TS dining plan. Without getting the mugs, we'd probably would just break even.

Alcohol does add a lot of cost. I have typically avoided alcoholic beverages in past trips in order to save money, but also because it’s hot. We plan to try the DDP this Nov and we don’t really care so much as to whether we “beat it” or not, but rather ordering whatever we want from the menu without having cost be a consideration in the first place. This should aid in keeping our vacation a true vacation with one less worry to consider.

 

[MickeyP]

We used to like getting 3 "snacks" at the food and wine festival instead of using a QS credit. That is now gone, so maybe better to go $$$ instead.
Also, if you're thinking of the clam bake at Cape May, they no longer offer crab legs on the buffet. You are welcome to purchase them by the lb, which I think was 30.00/lb.

 

[JayMass]

Just got back from a 5 Day trip using the DDP. It's the first time we used it (DW, DS18, DD18). A couple thoughts:

The Good:
1. It was a fun new twist on eating at Disney because we'd never used it before.
2. It was fun to look at a menu and look for the MOST expensive thing I would like to eat instead of the LEAST expensive thing I would like to eat.
3. My wife and I both drink, so it was fun to order a fancy cocktail we wouldn't normally order. Also, my kids were able to order mocktails which they liked.
4. It was nice to have pre-paid and not be checking the credit card balance every day.

The Bad:
1. I told myself to not worry about "beating the dining plan," but I couldn't stop thinking about it.
2. We ate at Ohana on the first night and it was so much food that it became hard to eat a full meal the next day.
3. I wish it was either dessert OR appetizer. We rarely get dessert when out, but will regularly get an appetizer.
4. We lost a QS meal because it's a lot of food and DD just couldn't get something one of the last days.

All in all I think the DDP was fun to try, but is probably not something I would do again. I wish you could purchase it for only part of a stay and use it for the whole stay. In terms of "beating the plan," we did, even with the loss of a QS. However, it was more food than we would have eaten if we were paying out of pocket, so did we actually come out ahead?

 

[Lesverts]

Funny. On my recent trip I wish I had had the dining plan so I just didn't have to think about it. After the 95 dollar meal at Crystal Palace I knew I'd get my money's worth if I had had the plan. I did 5 character meals and Ohana. I would have been comfortable just using the TSC and not being as bothered with the QSC as much. Plus my Starbucks use would have made getting through the snack credits smartly a breeze.