Can. Not. Decide.

[Hoosier37]

QSDP or pay out of pocket?

IF we eat like we normally would it comes out about the same. Maybe slightly cheaper OOP because we wouldn't eat dessert very often, and would probably drink water most of the time. But then again, going in June, we don't tend to eat as much in the heat so I don't know that we need that much food.

But then again having the prepaid plan is very nice too.

I've done the math. Still can't decide. We'd either pay OOP and eat mostly CS meals with maybe one or two TS meals...or we'd get the QSDP and pay OOP for a TS meal or two...

 

[havoc315]

So either way, you're not totally pre-paid, as you would pay for some TS, out of pocket.

You have 4 "adults" -- Would the kids always want adult meals, or ever want to order kids meals? Do you want 4 adult desserts at each meal, or more comfortable sharing/splitting skipping desserts?

For true total pre-payment, have you considered loading up a gift card? Then you can truly pre-pay everything, including the TS, tips, and anything else not covered by the dining plan.

Personally, I'm in the camp of not seeing any big benefit of "pre-paying." It's just as easy for me to pay it all off at the end of the trip, as it is to pay it off at the beginning.
So I look at the plans purely on whether they are likely to save money. If savings are unlikely or minimal, then I don't personally see the point.

 

[lisakramer]

We normally get the standard ddp and it's about even for us as well. I find that we stress less about making frugal choices and just try to enjoy the food when we are using ddp vs oop.
I think it's better for us since we just don't worry about our meals, eat what we want and are more inclined to try new things since everything is already paid for.

 

[Hoosier37]

My kids would probably get adult meals, and we would either split desserts or skip them entirely. It would be $912 for us to add QSDP to our trip, and about $1368 for the DDP. We might like to eat at 2-3 TS restaurants, so we'd probably spend the equivalent of the DDP, maybe we should consider that. I was figuring at least around $900 and up to $1400 for food. If I just added the plan, we'd not be dealing with constant sticker shock...

Like I said, I cannot decide at all.

 

[sharonabe]

At $37.58 pp/pd in 2013, it's going to be difficult to maximize the value of the QSDP. Even if you ALWAYS get a $5 snack (which is doubtful), you'll still need to spend $16 at EVERY meal to just break even.

If you then add the 2-3 TS meals, and if any of those are lunch or dinner, you're then using a QS for breakfast where you only get an entree and drink and there is no way to make that $16 mark.

Let's say all of you get a $10 entree, you get two sodas and two desserts. The total is around $55. You do that twice a day for $110. Your QSDP for the four of you is right at $150. So you've "saved" $40 that you can use toward your TS meals. Again, if one of those QS OOP meals is breakfast, you won't hit the $55 and save even more.

I vote for money on a card and OOP, but that's just me.

 

[feistygalkmc]

I find that we stress less about making frugal choices and just try to enjoy the food when we are using ddp vs oop.
I think it's better for us since we just don't worry about our meals, eat what we want and are more inclined to try new things since everything is already paid for.

I agree with this, although I have just done the QSDP, I find that I don't stress as much about how much I am spending on food and in all honesty I probably wouldn't really eat as much without the DP. I know that sounds a little crazy since the money is already spent and I would most likely spend less without the DP but not feel as satisfied with my meal. I wouldn't buy the meal deals with fries and everything for example if paying OOP because I would be trying to 'save money', kind of what you are referring to with the sticker shock. I don't have to worry about how much it costs with the DP, its already paid-that alone is what I love about it. I'm not a fan of Disney burgers or chicken nuggets but I have had some really good QS meals while at the World, there are lots of options for QS you just have to read your menus before hand and seek them out.

I also like the tip about loading up a gift card. I never thought of that! Since I do like to also do 1-2 TS meals each trip that would be a great idea.

ALso, something I have found is that in some places you can get a dessert that you can stick in your bag and save for later or even bring home. Rice Krispy treats & brownies etc. I came home with a bag full of dessert treats my last trip. We would also split meals, such as for breakfast & lunch especially. Some QS give you quite a bit of food-so much that I won't eat it all so sometimes we just use 1 QS credit and share it.

 

[Hoosier37]

I had considered loading up gift cards, but honestly I'm leaning more and more towards doing the regular DDP. The cost is going to be similar. When we were there last time with the QSDP, I realized that we needed more sit-down time in the afternoons/evenings, and the DDP would give us this.

Now to convince my DH, and then call WDW to add it to my package...well, I don't have to make ADRs until December and final payment isn't due until April, so no big rush besides my own desire to plan

 

[Hoosier37]

After discussing it with DH, I have made a decision. We are not doing QSDP or paying oop. We are going to go with the DDP.

Our reasons:
1 - we had QSDP on our first trip, and we have lots of TS places we would like to try this time. This way, we can try 6 of them

2 - the sticker shock of paying oop would take away from our trip. If it is prepaid then it isn't an issue mentally for us.

3- The cost of the DDP falls within the amount I figured for our out-of-pocket expense anyway

I can't make ADRs until December 11, so at some point before then I'll call and add this to our package.

 

[asaj]

We need to make the same decision. We just booked yesterday, looks like we may be going the same week...

We have gotten the DDP free a couple times, and we paid for it once when we rented through DVC. We did like it for ease of use, and just the fact that it's done and paid for already. However, we were leaning towards not doing as many TS meals this trip, as sometimes they are a bit long and take away from the day....but....this will be our first June trip, and I am thinking an hour or two in the air conditioning each day would be good. So, I'll need to ponder this as well.

Andy