Bye Bye DDP

[mjr0483]

I have been a huge fan of the DDP for years, but I wanted to experiment a cash trip. I just got back on 2/19 and I wanted to share my Cash experience.

We were there for 8 nights between Coronado and All Star Movies. The first day we went to LegoLand and the second day we went to SeaWorld. The rest was at Disney.
Even the days we were off property we ate dinner at a Disney restaurant.
We did purchase TIW for $75 with the annual pass discount.

Here are the money results for 2 adults and 2 children.
Disney Dining Plan would have cost us $133.12/night for 8 nights for a total of $1,064.96
Cash for 8 nights was $1,123.27 plus the $75 for a grand total of $1,198.27.
So we went over $133.31 or an extra $16.66/night extra.

First off, our approach was not to save money, but rather eat where we wanted, what we wanted and see how if flushed out.

Snacks - the snack entitlement for us would have been 32 snacks and we wound up eating only 28. The big difference is we were able to get things not covered by the DDP.
For example, we got a $7 souvenir Slushie Cup at LegoLand and one day I did get a large Carmel Latte.

Also for lunches on the DDP we would have been able to get desserts, which on cash we skipped, but we didn’t need or miss.

I also do have to say that my son who is 7 is not a big eater and MOST lunches and dinners we did not order him a meal. He shared food with us and his sister. Even when on the DDP we order a meal for him because we are entitled, but it goes uneaten except for the fruit cup. So we did save a little money there. So our personal example may be a little skewed.

A few of the examples of why we are in love with cash will be outlined below.
1. We ate at California Grill which would be considered at Signature and we had a $22 Kazan roll for an appetizer and only 1 dessert.,
2. We ate at Hoop-Dee-Doo Category 1. Another signature on the DDP and you can only get Category 2 or 3.
3. The night we ate at Kouzzina, we got the calamari appetizer and skipped dessert there and walked over to Beaches and Cream and had 2 sundaes over there Try that on the DDP!
4. We ate lunch one day at Blizzard Beach and instead of a regular soda we got an all day refillable mug.
5. The day we went to SeaWorld we got the all day dining for 2 adults and 1 child.
6. Some lunches instead of sodas we got slushies.
7. Dinner at Rainforest Café we got the volcano for dessert.
8. Dinner at Kona Café both kids got the Kona Cone (Not on the DDP) and we got the pot stickers for an appetizer.

Rounding out the dinners is ‘Ohana, Liberty Tree Tavern and Nine Dragons.
We are planning on going back this summer for 2 weeks, so the TIW will already be paid and will only add to our savings. Granted, every time you take out the room charge, you feel it a little more because it is money you are spending $$$ instead of credits. We tried not to deprive ourselves and I think we did a pretty good job. I really loved the flexibility of ordering appetizers instead of dessert. We also didn’t feel like we were loosing money if we didn’t order the most expensive thing on the menu and eat two desserts. Plus it wasn’t a mad rush of tracking snacks and making sure we used all of them. Plus having to get desserts at lunch so you feel you are not loosing value.

We certainly didn’t skimp on our entrees either. At the California Grill, I got the $40 snapper and my DW got the $47 Bison.
And Rainforest Café both our entrees were $30.
Plus the $193 for Hoop-Dee-Doo.

For us, the DDP has lost if value and the menus have suffered for it.
Unless Disney fixes the DDP I don’t see us going back.
Very wordy I know, but if anyone has any questions, just ask.

 

[Nikisha421]

we are only going to be spending one night at disney this summer pre cruise...and Im even having a hard timei finding the value in one day...

when we first started going the childrens price was 9.99 a day and the adult price was still fairly reasonable...but with this pricing im not too sure about the value...

 

[tink20]

Thanks for all the info. I will not be buying the dining plan either for awhile, DS just turned 10 and he also eats small amounts, we would never get our money's worth. But, of course I would do free dining.

OT, how old are your kids, and did they like Legoland, I was wondering if DS is getting too old to enjoy it, we have never been, but not sure if he is too old. A few years ago he would say he wanted to go. (the one in Californina) Glad you all had a great time!

 

[mjr0483]

My daughter is 9 and my son (Lego Nut) is 7. They both loved it.
We did get there for opening and we were the first ones on several rides. They even let us stay on and ride again.

 

[mjr0483]

But, of course I would do free dining.

I also wouldn't turn down free dining. But we did save 35% on the room.
And this summer we are doing 2 weeks at Beach Club Villas studio on our DVC points.

 

[frkymcky]

I have been a huge fan of the DDP for years, but I wanted to experiment a cash trip. I just got back on 2/19 and I wanted to share my Cash experience.

We were there for 8 nights between Coronado and All Star Movies. The first day we went to LegoLand and the second day we went to SeaWorld. The rest was at Disney.
Even the days we were off property we ate dinner at a Disney restaurant.
We did purchase TIW for $75 with the annual pass discount.

Here are the money results for 2 adults and 2 children.
Disney Dining Plan would have cost us $133.12/night for 8 nights for a total of $1,064.96
Cash for 8 nights was $1,123.27 plus the $75 for a grand total of $1,198.27.
So we went over $133.31 or an extra $16.66/night extra.

First off, our approach was not to save money, but rather eat where we wanted, what we wanted and see how if flushed out.

Snacks - the snack entitlement for us would have been 32 snacks and we wound up eating only 28. The big difference is we were able to get things not covered by the DDP.
For example, we got a $7 souvenir Slushie Cup at LegoLand and one day I did get a large Carmel Latte.

Also for lunches on the DDP we would have been able to get desserts, which on cash we skipped, but we didn’t need or miss.

I also do have to say that my son who is 7 is not a big eater and MOST lunches and dinners we did not order him a meal. He shared food with us and his sister. Even when on the DDP we order a meal for him because we are entitled, but it goes uneaten except for the fruit cup. So we did save a little money there. So our personal example may be a little skewed.

A few of the examples of why we are in love with cash will be outlined below.
1. We ate at California Grill which would be considered at Signature and we had a $22 Kazan roll for an appetizer and only 1 dessert.,
2. We ate at Hoop-Dee-Doo Category 1. Another signature on the DDP and you can only get Category 2 or 3.
3. The night we ate at Kouzzina, we got the calamari appetizer and skipped dessert there and walked over to Beaches and Cream and had 2 sundaes over there Try that on the DDP!
4. We ate lunch one day at Blizzard Beach and instead of a regular soda we got an all day refillable mug.
5. The day we went to SeaWorld we got the all day dining for 2 adults and 1 child.
6. Some lunches instead of sodas we got slushies.
7. Dinner at Rainforest Café we got the volcano for dessert.
8. Dinner at Kona Café both kids got the Kona Cone (Not on the DDP) and we got the pot stickers for an appetizer.

Rounding out the dinners is ‘Ohana, Liberty Tree Tavern and Nine Dragons.
We are planning on going back this summer for 2 weeks, so the TIW will already be paid and will only add to our savings. Granted, every time you take out the room charge, you feel it a little more because it is money you are spending $$$ instead of credits. We tried not to deprive ourselves and I think we did a pretty good job. I really loved the flexibility of ordering appetizers instead of dessert. We also didn’t feel like we were loosing money if we didn’t order the most expensive thing on the menu and eat two desserts. Plus it wasn’t a mad rush of tracking snacks and making sure we used all of them. Plus having to get desserts at lunch so you feel you are not loosing value.

We certainly didn’t skimp on our entrees either. At the California Grill, I got the $40 snapper and my DW got the $47 Bison.
And Rainforest Café both our entrees were $30.
Plus the $193 for Hoop-Dee-Doo.

For us, the DDP has lost if value and the menus have suffered for it.
Unless Disney fixes the DDP I don’t see us going back.
Very wordy I know, but if anyone has any questions, just ask.

Did you include the gratuity that you would of had to add had you been on DDP? Were they included in your cash amount? If you didn't include the gratuity in your DEPARTMENT total then you did actually save....

 

[frkymcky]

I have been a huge fan of the DDP for years, but I wanted to experiment a cash trip. I just got back on 2/19 and I wanted to share my Cash experience.

We were there for 8 nights between Coronado and All Star Movies. The first day we went to LegoLand and the second day we went to SeaWorld. The rest was at Disney.
Even the days we were off property we ate dinner at a Disney restaurant.
We did purchase TIW for $75 with the annual pass discount.

Here are the money results for 2 adults and 2 children.
Disney Dining Plan would have cost us $133.12/night for 8 nights for a total of $1,064.96
Cash for 8 nights was $1,123.27 plus the $75 for a grand total of $1,198.27.
So we went over $133.31 or an extra $16.66/night extra.

First off, our approach was not to save money, but rather eat where we wanted, what we wanted and see how if flushed out.

Snacks - the snack entitlement for us would have been 32 snacks and we wound up eating only 28. The big difference is we were able to get things not covered by the DDP.
For example, we got a $7 souvenir Slushie Cup at LegoLand and one day I did get a large Carmel Latte.

Also for lunches on the DDP we would have been able to get desserts, which on cash we skipped, but we didn’t need or miss.

I also do have to say that my son who is 7 is not a big eater and MOST lunches and dinners we did not order him a meal. He shared food with us and his sister. Even when on the DDP we order a meal for him because we are entitled, but it goes uneaten except for the fruit cup. So we did save a little money there. So our personal example may be a little skewed.

A few of the examples of why we are in love with cash will be outlined below.
1. We ate at California Grill which would be considered at Signature and we had a $22 Kazan roll for an appetizer and only 1 dessert.,
2. We ate at Hoop-Dee-Doo Category 1. Another signature on the DDP and you can only get Category 2 or 3.
3. The night we ate at Kouzzina, we got the calamari appetizer and skipped dessert there and walked over to Beaches and Cream and had 2 sundaes over there Try that on the DDP!
4. We ate lunch one day at Blizzard Beach and instead of a regular soda we got an all day refillable mug.
5. The day we went to SeaWorld we got the all day dining for 2 adults and 1 child.
6. Some lunches instead of sodas we got slushies.
7. Dinner at Rainforest Café we got the volcano for dessert.
8. Dinner at Kona Café both kids got the Kona Cone (Not on the DDP) and we got the pot stickers for an appetizer.

Rounding out the dinners is ‘Ohana, Liberty Tree Tavern and Nine Dragons.
We are planning on going back this summer for 2 weeks, so the TIW will already be paid and will only add to our savings. Granted, every time you take out the room charge, you feel it a little more because it is money you are spending $$$ instead of credits. We tried not to deprive ourselves and I think we did a pretty good job. I really loved the flexibility of ordering appetizers instead of dessert. We also didn’t feel like we were loosing money if we didn’t order the most expensive thing on the menu and eat two desserts. Plus it wasn’t a mad rush of tracking snacks and making sure we used all of them. Plus having to get desserts at lunch so you feel you are not loosing value.

We certainly didn’t skimp on our entrees either. At the California Grill, I got the $40 snapper and my DW got the $47 Bison.
And Rainforest Café both our entrees were $30.
Plus the $193 for Hoop-Dee-Doo.

For us, the DDP has lost if value and the menus have suffered for it.
Unless Disney fixes the DDP I don’t see us going back.
Very wordy I know, but if anyone has any questions, just ask.

Did you include the gratuity that you would of had to add had you been on DDP? Were they included in your cash amount? If you didn't include the gratuity in your DDP total then you did actually save....

 

[jupers]

I've always been a fan of the DDP too, but when we head down in June we are going to skip it. I'm going to take the money I would've spent on the DDP and put it on a DGC...This will also include tips and I'm hoping to come out ahead. Unfortunately, DDP is not what it used to be.

 

[DixieBelle]

We have come to the same conclusion. If free dining is offered, we take it. otherwise, we usually come out better with cash. For us the biggest losing point are the DD12 and DS 10. Both count as adults, but eat like kids in the heat. And believe me, we do not need a dessert each!

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Let me ask you all this...if you plan a lot of buffet meals that are one price no matter how much or little you eat, do you think DDP is a benefit? I think we ae going to decide on which restaurants we want to do first & then see what may work best.

 

[havoc315]

Let me ask you all this...if you plan a lot of buffet meals that are one price no matter how much or little you eat, do you think DDP is a benefit? I think we ae going to decide on which restaurants we want to do first & then see what may work best.

The ONLY meals that are beneficial under the ddp, are dinner buffets and steaks. For lunch or breakfast buffets, better off without the plan. (Crystal Palace lunch, for example, is $25. So it would be nearly impossible to break even on the ddp).

 

[yaksack]

What county is Westhampton?

 

[pumba]

we have been doing the AP and TIW card....the AP allows us a price reduction on our resort....and the TIW card is good for our hotel.food courts..FRENCH QUARTER or at Value resorts...we did make out better then with the DP ...We had free dining once and it was to much ...we dont usually do desserts ever...except maybe at the end of the day in our hotel food court...
I like doing the TIW card much better...
Doing it again in May ..I will keep track of what and where we ate ...and see what happens..

 

[catne]

thanks for the analysis...we have long been die-hard DDP fans, for all the usual reasons of convenience/pre-paid vacation/we like desserts/love ordering expensive steaks, etc. However, the more we go (up to about 4-5 Dis trips a year) the less enamored we are with the dining plan...seems like we were eating too much, and enjoying it far less. And yes, feeling like we were always chasing to the next meal, whether or not we were hungry...eating all the components just because it was already paid for, not because we actually wanted it. And yes, often wishing to order an app and skip the dessert. The dining plan just doesn't match up anymore.

We have recently taken a Disney weekend and just used the TiW card, no dining plan. We LOVED it. From now on, we would only consider dining plan if that discount worked out better than AP room discount.

 

[MolonLabe]

My family and I were set to do the Deluxe DP over Christmas... problem is this year it will be $330 for the 5 of us... A DAY!

Then tips on top of that. It's a fortune. I really enjoyed the deluxe plan last May, I forgot the deal we had if it was 30% off the room or an upgrade to deluxe from free but we came out way ahead.

This time around, I know on paper we will come out ahead but most of our deserts went half eaten (if they even had 2 bites) and we had to 'spend' about 15 snack credits on bagged popcorn and lollipops on the last night of our trip.

I don't think I can justify a plan this year. OOP is looking more and more attractive.

 

[summermac]

We are also skipping DDP this time. We have 5 adults going (and had 6 last time) with varying eating habits and being on the DDP was difficult b/c at least once every meal someone remarked "I am not even hungry!" We have 4 TS meals planned during our trip, 2 of which are character meals so these aren't cheap meals and with my calculations we will come out about $100 ahead non-DDP, even figuring in some of the most expensive meals at the restaurants. Now I didn't figure in desserts but we aren't dessert people with our meals anyway, usually get something later on instead. So there's a tip savings there as well.

I am certain that DDP costs us more OOP tip-wise by about $50 last trip b/c we made sure we got dessert with each meal and often picked more expensive things b/c we could.

I will have to report back after we return from our trip. Even if we break even I am going to be okay with that b/c frankly I am looking forward to a little more freedom and not having ADRs every single night this trip. We shall see!

Also when you tallied up your spending, did that include your meals while out of the parks? Because if so, then you def. saved more than you said.

 

[minniebeth]

We too have gone without the DDP for a lot of trips, and currently, with a lot of menu increases for both TS and CS, at first, to see the totals we were in a little sticker shock to pay out for each meal. But as we kept track, and totaled up our food expenses, in the end, it was fine. We tend to split meals, don't need or want the dessert, so it ends up good for us.

 

[summermac]

Also FOR us, there is not real value added by the refillable mug. All that did was increase the cost of the DDP. We will barely be at the hotel and I drink water (or beer, LOL) after 7 so wouldn't refill my mug then anyway. Most of the other times we'd get a drink with whatever meal we redeemed. And really do we need FOUR mugs adding to our clutter in the room? I think not!

 

[luvmyguyz]

I would really like to try OOP on our next trip, but my husband much prefers the convenience of pre-paid meals. When we went last June, we actually had several QS credits and a ton of snack credits left over at the end of the trip (I made sure we used all of the TS credits!) - I think it was just too hot to eat so much food! Of course we bought meals from the resort before checking out and took them with us to my mother's house for the kids to eat (we visited her after our Disney vacation), but they wound up going to waste in her refridgerator!

I wish I could convince my husband that it would make more sense to pay OOP. He wants to get the DDxDP this year - which means even more food that will go to waste. Oy vey.

 

[averysmom]

I love DDp - b/c I am cheap with myself, and I can relax knowing that everything is paid for - kwim? However, late August / early Sept. has always been our Disney time (I'm a teacher, and that time is the cheapest and least busy time that I am able to go), so we've only paid for DDP once - it's been free dining every other time.
AND ds will be 10 in June, so adult plan. Now - he needs the adult plan - he was outeating the kid's meals at 8 and was bored by the variety - but with the new pricing, I can't justify paying 180/night for the 4 of us - so to pay for it....

I think the next time we go, if FD isn't offered, we're going to try YES tickets (works for my family) which is an almost 600 dollar savings, and if we can get a room discount - even just 20% at a mod. - would be again, and a 300 dollar savings - we we're $900 up. There is no way the DDP will save us $900, IMO, not with my ds paying the adult rate.