Confused? Why do some people order stuff on DDP,

[caracap]

that they don't really want, instead they feel they need to order the most expensive item?????? I read one review on allears.net saying DDP wasn't great because they felt like they were just ordering the most expensive thing, and not really what they wanted to get. They needed to get the most "bang for their buck??" OK, that seemed ridiculous to me, but since then I have noticed more people saying that? I feel like for $38.99 a day, no matter what you order it'a a savings right??

 

[Tammysue5]

I agree with you! My kids are asking already if we think any of the restaurants have Macaroni and Cheese. My husband is like "Im not paying that for Mac and Cheese." I am thinking who cares as long as they are eating and it is not just junk food. (Believe it or not my kids love fresh fruit and veggies, so I am hoping that they have things like that available)
We are going in Sept 10-22... (free dining actually) but I still am going to let the kids order pretty much what they want and I know they will take what the like over what is the most expensive. Likewise,,, my 16 yr old will order for preference not cost.

Me; DH DS16 DD8 DD5

 

[DisneyKidds]

I don't get it either.

Someone could pay $38.99 for the plan, eat what they want that might have been $45 if they were paying out of pocket (thereby saving six bucks), but complain about the plan because they felt they had to order a whole bunch of stuff they didn't want just because they could "save more". It's insanity I tell you.

I don't see how someone couldn't save a few bucks with the plan even if they skip a few appetizers and deserts they don't want to gorge themselves on.

 

[JimMIA]

I see a lot of posts -- in a lot of places -- that just make me shake my head. First of all, I'm amazed at the twisted logic some folks use...like the examples you gave.

But secondly, WHY do they feel compelled to tell the whole world???

Haven't they ever heard "It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt???"

 

[Allentown5]

I completely agree that getting something because it costs more rather than ordering something you will like is nuts.
What we do, however, is order appetizers (which we normally would never get). We may only nibble or try each (there are five in my family, and usually the entree and dessert is plenty for us) but at least we get to try something new and it is "paid for". We also fully understand that the tip is greater when we order all that we are allowed. So we get everything we really want, no matter the price, but get to try things that we would never pay for!
(Granted, at places like Sci-fi those onion rings we would buy anyway )

 

[salmoneous]

If I worked for Disney, I'd have fun with this. Set up a tiny restaurant somewhere, put unusual items on the menu (so you can't compare prices), charge a fixed price of $100 per dinner, then put in on the dining plan as a 1TS credit restaurant.

People would be *ecstatic*. Look - I'm getting a $100 meal for my TS. Think of what I'm saving!!!! The place would be booked up by 9 AM every 180 days out.

 

[milleali]

I completely agree that getting something because it costs more rather than ordering something you will like is nuts.
What we do, however, is order appetizers (which we normally would never get). We may only nibble or try each (there are five in my family, and usually the entree and dessert is plenty for us) but at least we get to try something new and it is "paid for". We also fully understand that the tip is greater when we order all that we are allowed. So we get everything we really want, no matter the price, but get to try things that we would never pay for!
(Granted, at places like Sci-fi those onion rings we would buy anyway )

I am with you on this. We do the same thing, mind that my DS is a picky eater and HATES mac & cheese (whose child is he). So we order what ever looks appealing to us and have that no matter what the cost. We like the DDP because we dont have to worry about paying for meals while we are there.

 

[mrsnj91]

"It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt???"

I love that!

To stray a little in the reverse, I was in awe over how you can save your credits by sharing meals and spliting this and that to make it go farther. When I saw one post about how someone ordered a marshmellow treat that contained 4 marshmellows and then gave one per person for a snack so that there would be left over credits for donuts for breakfast, I clicked out. This is my vacation and the families vacation and if I want to order a whole marshmellow treat for just ME, I am going to do it dang it! Mine all mine! If I get most everything on the plan, that is great. If I run out of credits that is ok too. I will still spend less than if I paid for the whole week. Nobody is touching my dessert! But I also don't see the point in ordering the most expensive thing even if I don't want it just because I am on the plan Seems wasteful to me.

 

[kathyg]

Another person in agreement here. I hemmed and hawed about getting the DDP and finally went ahead and did it. For me, it's value is not only in money, but in the convenience of having everything prepaid. When first deciding I tried to anticipate what everyone would order...well, that was ridiculous...how can you possibly know 6 months in advance? I figure most of our meals will be a break even and some may even be a great savings. Not having to worry about the money is a definite plus.

So, for us we will just order what we normally order and not obsess over "maximizing the plan". In my opinion, those who do that are missing out on the purpose of vacation...and that is to "chill out".

That's only my two cents.

 

[scootert]

Count us in .... we were on the DP in May and didn't change our eating habits at all. We ordered what we wanted to eat -- can't imagine ordering something just because it's expensive. When all was said and done, we saved about $75 with the plan -- without spending time figuring out how to "max out" the plan. I think some folks enjoy the challenge. Me - I'd rather spend time enjoying the food!!

 

[chrismb22]

I'm doing the plan in January (for the first time) and what I like about is, it's paid for BEFORE we go on vacation. We don't have to think about money at all. Also, last time, I really wanted to go to California Grill and had reservations for our last night there. Well, my boyfriend and I saw some really nice pieces of art we wanted for the house so we had to decide -- art or a nice restaurant. It just wasn't in our budget to do both. Now we don't have to worry about that. That's what I'm thrilled about.

I'm telling you now, I will have counter service credits left over at the end of the week. We don't like counter service resaurants so more than likely, we won't be eating there (except for Casey's) Oh well, I'm not going to get upset over it. Whatever.

What we'll probably do is wind up (there are 4 adults going) is wasting cs credits on my best friend's boyfriend. He's a fountain soda feind and already has told us that's where all his snack credits are going. We're like "dude, Mickey bars, dole whips, POPCORN" but all he wants is fountain sodas. (And we're all going to be getting the refillable mugs.

(I have a feeling his favorite ride is going to be the lavatory loop

 

[septbaby]

that they don't really want, instead they feel they need to order the most expensive item?????? QUOTE]

Ego is a strange motivator. "I saved more than you"

We are going to Narcoossee's (2TS) and I think I'm going to order the kids banana split for dessert! The adult desserts are chocolate or too foo foo for my taste. Won't max dessert credit, but my tummy will love it!

 

[septbaby]

I'm telling you now, I will have counter service credits left over at the end of the week. We don't like counter service resaurants so more than likely, we won't be eating there (except for Casey's) Oh well, I'm not going to get upset over it. Whatever. ... all he wants is fountain sodas.

Don't overlook your resort CS for breakfast even if you share. Here are some options at Roaring Forks (I assumed you are staying at Wilderness Lodge):
Adult Breakfast Platter - with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes and a biscuit
Bounty Platter - scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes and a biscuit
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant Sandwich
Pancakes - with bacon

You can get a soda/juice/bottle water, etc. to go with any of those entrees so "dude" can go down and get the meals for everyone so he can get his soda while you all sleep in a bit; then you can use his snack credits for extra dole whips and Mickey bars

 

[william4192]

Well, we live near Orlando and will be moving there in Feb. We eat at Disney a lot. When we stay at the resorts, we get the DDP. When we are on the DDP, Normally, we order one entree we would usually never get (yes, this is usually something higher priced) and something that is a favorite (regardless of cost). If we don't like the one we are "trying", we split the other.


That's just how we roll Do we max it out? No. Do we try? Sure why not

 

[metsno1]

I admit it. I am a reformed DDP overstuffed bonehead.

Two years ago was our first time on the DDP. I was just so amazed to be getting the food for FREE that I did sort of take the "max it out" approach. And for our family, "max it out" meant booking a whole bunch of buffets and all you care to eat meals. So we did Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fair, WC, Boma, Askershus (did I spell that right?)....

Anyway, it was a poorly thought out mistake. Thank goodness we were walking so much, because we should have gained about twenty pounds in a week. I was uncomfortably full much of the time, and the food just took on way too much of a focus.

So this time (Sept), we've booked only mainly standard TS places, plus Boma and Garden Grill (character dinner). And I'll definitely only be ordering what I want....to heck with the prices. When it's FREE, it's all "maxed out" anyway!!!