Can someone help me figure out if DDP works for me?

[Stinky_Pete]

Hi -

I was originally hoping for an AP rate on a woods view room at WL in December, and wouldn't be eligible for the DDP. Due to the lack of room availability at even rack rate at the WL during that time I am thinking there won't be any AP discounts there in Dec - and certainly not on a woods view room. I simply won't pay $230/night plus tax for a hotel room (my AAA rate). So now I'm thinking of re-booking at a Mod and trying to figure out if the DDP would be a good option for us.

Here is why I question it: I like signature dining. I'm planning dinner at CG, Brown Derby and Artist Point. That's three dinners that would be two TS credits each. I know I can pay OOP for some (or all) but what would I do with all those credits if I paid OOP?

I'm even considering trying the Premium Package because it includes signature dining, but then I would feel compelled to do TS three times a day, simply because I could...Talk about a lot of food! I would be as stuffed as I was on my last cruise!

I'm so confused...hoping the great DIS minds can help clear things up for me.

TIA!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[patsal]

My best suggestion would be to look at your travelling goups dynamics and regular dining habits. Next look at menus and decide what you woudl really eat--not what you could have,but what you would really eat--then do the math. Remember that no matter what plan you choose the tip now comes OOP so you need to add what you normally tip percentage wise to your total as well--if you are a group of 6 or more you will automatically be charged the the 18%.
If you are going in 2007 most of what I said above will not matter, but for 2008 the plan is more complicated and more expensive. As I said before for my family of four all considered adults I'd be looking at about $300 per day in food spending--no way I'd spend that much OOP so not doing the plan is the way for me to go. Not all of us will be the same though--if my kids were kids prices and I wanted to do a lot of character dining the basic plan would still be a better deal than paying OOP for it. You'll really need to know the dynamics of your group and what/where you'll be eating to make your calculations.

 

[HaleyB]

The DDP (2007) can still be a good value at the Signature places. So long as you would want 4 courses. It is pretty easy to order $100 worth of food at CG.

Do you have a DDE card? That is another option. For some people it is a better deal.

In part it depends on your party make up (any kids?, any under 10?), length of stay, and dining habits. Do you always eat TS for dinner?

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Thanks for the ideas. The trip is this coming December, 2007, so the new DDP rules won't apply.

I did some rough comparisons and the DDP may not be that big of a savings. I don't tend to get dessert and usually will share an appetizer. But it really saves for the candlelight processional ($41.99 pp + tax + tip for lunch!). I guess I still need to do some more math...

I remember years ago they had the "food and fun card" that included full breakfast and dinner each day. After adding up the receipts we would have pretty much broken even except for that day we rented the water mice.