Best Value for DDP?

[kgulley]

We are planning our 1st trip to WDW and as it stands right now are planning on doing the DDP, don't know if we will stick with that based on potential changes. I am trying to pick our TS experiences now, but I saw someone mention DDP value and not wasting DDP credits on something. With the exception of CRT and some on the really fabulous restaurants a TS credit is a TS credit, am I correct? I mean I understand if you are going to a less expensive TS restaurant you might want to pay out of pocket versus using the DDP...is that what they mean when they say value?
Also, what is OOP...out of pocket?
Thanks sooooo much.

 

[illiniowl]

OOP=out of pocket

Wasting credits means different things to different people. I would say the most common use arises when people want to do more TS meals than they have credits for, so they have to figure out which one(s) to pay OOP for. In other words, it would be a waste of a credit to use it on your least expensive meal and pay for a more expensive one OOP.

 

[beroh2253]

OOP=out of pocket

Wasting credits means different things to different people. I would say the most common use arises when people want to do more TS meals than they have credits for, so they have to figure out which one(s) to pay OOP for. In other words, it would be a waste of a credit to use it on your least expensive meal and pay for a more expensive one OOP.

Many would pay OOP for a TS Breakfast say at a resort manybe would run $15-20, that wouldn't cost too much and then use your TS DDP credit on say Le Cellier in Epcot which with App, Entree, Desert and Drink could run $50-60.
or if you are doing say SCI-FI getting a buger fries ,drink and desert may run $20 this I would do OOP and do Kona on the DDP credit get a APP, Steak, drink and desert and be $50-60

 

[beroh2253]

Remember it is important to make sure you use all of your DDP TS credits, If you do to much OOP you will have credits left over that you could have used on the less expensive meals.
With the 1 TS, 1 CS and I SC there is plenty of food with out doing OOP, the only reason for doing OOP is if you do several 2 TS credit meals and need and extra TS meal for a particular day and you would be out of DDP credits and in that case do OOP for you least expensive restaurant.
After making your ADR's if you run over in TS credits check the DIS or All Ears menus with prices and you can determine which restaurant to do OOP.

 

[buffalogirl]

This might help you: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rb/DIS/MYW Dining/DisneyDiningRanking.htm

 

[kgulley]

That LInk was really helpful, but sparked another question...looking on the list, lets say I am dealing with a CS meal...The Pepper Mill is twice the price of The Tusker House for the expensive choices....but on the DDP, the both count as a CS...is this correct? Thanks again.

 

[AnninIowa]

You'll have more fun and less stress if you try not to worry about maximizing the credits and just going where you want. Even if you end up "breaking even" (which you won't, you'll go "over" as it is so much food), the best part is not having to hand over the actual cash every time you want to eat!

 

[buffalogirl]

AnninIowa makes a good point. There's no need to stress about maximizing, especially CS credits. Most of the time it's just easier to eat wherever you are instead of taking buses back and forth. If you're staying at CSR and can grab a bite at the PM without too much hassle, then go for it!

 

[jcpuppy.com]

You'll have more fun and less stress if you try not to worry about maximizing the credits and just going where you want. Even if you end up "breaking even" (which you won't, you'll go "over" as it is so much food), the best part is not having to hand over the actual cash every time you want to eat!

I second this.
If you spend your time worrying that you are getting the most for your money, you will ruin the joy of the DDP. Choose places you want to eat that fit into your credits you have and then order food you want to eat because you want to eat it, not because it is the most expensive thing on the menu. Follow this advice and you will have a great time and enjoy great food at a reasonable price

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I have the DDP this time and I just booked what I wanted to book instead of really worrying about how much money I'm saving. I've figured it out that my mom and I will be getting at least $1,000 worth of food on our ten-night trip. I have two signature meals booked, and eight one-credit TS meals booked. So that's twelve credits worth of meals, and we only have ten credits each, so I'll have to pay for two one-credit meals or one signature meal OOP. I believe that I'll be paying for CP breakfast and one of the dinner buffets OOP, since those are the two cheapest.

As far as CS goes, I was originally looking at all of the CS menus, including the ones at the resorts. But it would be too much hassle to go from resort to resort at lunch just to get in more valuable CS, so those will be in park, except I might have to go to the Poly one MK day and try Captain Cook's, and I'll of course have a few CS meals at Pop, which is where I'm staying.

 

[Rylinhunter]

This is our second time going with DDP (this time free) and my husband and I both agree we would never go to without it. The fact that our food is paid for upfront and we don't have to worry about charging or budgeting for food is totally worth the DDP. My husband in an Executive Chef and quite honestly his thought is that if someone else is cooking for him and bringing him the food he is quite happy. I could care less what the price on the menu is... I already paid for it so it doesn't matter. It just makes my trip much nicer and less stressful (budgeting wise).

 

[DisGal520]

Rylinhunter

Oh you must let us know after your trip which meals at which restaurants your husband liked best. Does he ever ask for changes to the items on the menu? Like bring me the steak but teriaki instead of peppercorn???? Or anything like that?

DisGal

 

[Rylinhunter]

Rylinhunter

Oh you must let us know after your trip which meals at which restaurants your husband liked best. Does he ever ask for changes to the items on the menu? Like bring me the steak but teriaki instead of peppercorn???? Or anything like that?

DisGal

DisGal, no not really. I have to say he is very easy going guy. He does have his "Gordon Ramsey" moments in the kitchen, but overall he is pretty laid back. He is a stickler when it comes to his meat. Like if he asks for it medium rare... he expects it and will return it. He would love to see how Disney operates foodwise (other then seeing it on the Food Network).

Since this is only our second time going to Disney as a family we have booked totally different TS then the first time we went... however Tony's Town Square was his must go back to again (so we are doing that our first day). He loved it there... but pasta is his favorite. He loves home cooking/diner food (You know big hunks of meatloaf and mounds of creamy mashed potatos.... Paula Deane type stuff)... some day he wants to open his own diner (home cooking/diner food with a twist - know what I mean?).