Crunching #s for DP...and I HATE accounting!! Opinions needed

[coltsfanatic]

Ok, so that maybe just a little lie.

Anyhow, I know for a fact we don't want to do the DP for all of our stay. Some days will be simple food court breakfasts and quick service lunches with maybe 1 snack and simple TS dinners with entrees, so obviously not worth the DP cost. Wondering if we could do a half with/half without dining plan if we book 2 block of reservations separately. (We know that the DP would be too much food for 7 days.) Just seeing if this is an option, especially if in the second block we would like to try a signature and a buffet.

 

[leebee]

Yup, but you'll have to do two separate reservations. I would do the DDP ressie first with a park ticket for the full number of days you plan on being in WDW. The dining plan credits will expire on your check out day but your park tickets are good for up to 14 days, so you could still use these tickets for the non-ddp part of your trip. Look for a great room-only discount for this part of the trip!

 

[sharonabe]

Actually, signatures are not always the best use of DDP credits since they take two, and on the regular DDP that is still just an entree, dessert, and drink. To make it worth it, you would need to eat around $70 worth of food (one TS credit being equal to about $35).

Sounds like you might need to do a little more menu reading and number crunching to see if you want the dining plan at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

Some days will be simple food court breakfasts and quick service lunches with maybe 1 snack and simple TS dinners with entrees...

Apart from the dessert issue, isn't this actually MORE food than the normal dining plan provides?


If you do two reservations to get the dining plan for part of the stay, for ease, do the dining plan package first, and then just do a room only stay. Buy the ticket with the package so you can use it for your whole stay. But remember, the dining plan expires midnight of checkout day from the package...so it will be the days of plan, then days of no plan. You can't jump back and forth.

But having QS lunches and TS dinners and a snack...that's *exactly* the dining plan (along with desserts and a beverage).


But look at the menus here and on allears, think of what you truly might eat, add up the cost per day...see how it compares to the dining plan's cost.

 

[tinacaplan]

After two trips with deluxe dining, we decided to forgo any plan at all this time and we were quite happy with that decision. I will say that buffets are absolutely NOT worth the money unless you're on the DP. I also don't think that the TS places are all that wonderful. We had some of our best food at CS, actually, and really inexpensive places like Beaches and Cream. We spent a bit less than we would have for the dining plan, but we didn't have to worry about leaving credits on the table, either. We were free to do whatever we wanted, when we wanted. Personally, I don't think we'll do the dining plan again until our son is much older and has a bigger appetite and is old enough for a signature or two.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Basically, it's the ADR's that turns us off......making a reservation months ahead is a turn off....I don't know what I want from meal to meal in the same day let alone what time I'll be hungry....so the dining issue is out....

We enjoy alot of different CS across the property and head to where we know they have what we want, no reservations needed and time is no issue....meals being huge, even the hamgurgers can be shared and the wife and I easily share most meals......not cheap but no need to gorge oneself on vacation...we eat the same as we do at home...nothing huge, exotic or expensive....we like out pool lunches with groceries we picked up in route and for me, after a few days of restaurant food, I prefer my salami/ham sandwiches more then anything else on property......breakfast is breakfast....we want eggs, homefries and bacon and toast....don't need a dining plan for that and it too can be shared.....

Bottom line...we don't want our vacation ruled by ADR's...no time schedule to be here or there and stop what we're doing just to run somewhere to eat...as for saving money...we're ahead without Disney's dining plan...to each their own but we prefer to run loose in WDW.....

 

[hannahdrewmom]

1) Make sure to do the dining plan part at the begining so that your tickets are attached
2) Note that while they will try to combine you in one room they may not. So the dining plan may mean you actually have to change rooms mid trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've never, not once, spent as much just eating what, when, and where I wanted than the appropriate dining plan would cost. Usually, that's because I don't eat the "right" number of TS meals. But, even when I do eat the "right" number, some of them are inevitably less expensive. At the very worst, I've come within a few dollars of the plan, but was able to order much more flexibly and didn't ever have to worry about changing plans mid-vacation.

In other words, for me, the dining plan isn't a discount, but it is an upsell in disguise that also limits my choices. I suspect that's true for the majority of families, because Mickey never does anything that doesn't earn him more cheese, though there are some families for which it really is a good deal. You could spend the time figuring out whether you can save money on it, or you can play the odds, assume you wouldn't, and just pay as you go.

 

[sydneysmom]

If you're not all that thrilled about doing table service, why not just do the Quick Service Dining plan ? That way, IF you choose to eat at a TS, you can just pay OOP.

But w/ the quick service, you'll have that for your whole trip . You'll get 2 counter service meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug. This leaves you the freedom to go to a TS if you choose. (and pay OOP)

 

[sharonabe]

If you're not all that thrilled about doing table service, why not just do the Quick Service Dining plan ? That way, IF you choose to eat at a TS, you can just pay OOP.

But w/ the quick service, you'll have that for your whole trip . You'll get 2 counter service meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug. This leaves you the freedom to go to a TS if you choose. (and pay OOP)

If OP's trip is in 2012, you only get 1 snack with QSDP, and you have to work pretty hard to save ANY money with it.

 

[wdwpirates]

We used to do the dining plan all the time. Just a few weeks ago I decided to actually crunch the numbers and figure it out. I took the table service and quick services meals we have in place for our December trip and added up the prices of what we would theoretically eat. We will do most breakfasts in the room (cereal, yogurt, etc). QS for lunch and TS for dinner. Non-dining plan was WAY less expensive.

We determined that using our annual pass discount, DVC discount and Tables in Wonderland is a way better option!! I plan on saving all of the receipts from the upcoming trip to see how accurate our calculations were.

 

[coltsfanatic]

Thanks guys!!

 

[debbs0723]

I've never, not once, spent as much just eating what, when, and where I wanted than the appropriate dining plan would cost. Usually, that's because I don't eat the "right" number of TS meals. But, even when I do eat the "right" number, some of them are inevitably less expensive. At the very worst, I've come within a few dollars of the plan, but was able to order much more flexibly and didn't ever have to worry about changing plans mid-vacation.

In other words, for me, the dining plan isn't a discount, but it is an upsell in disguise that also limits my choices. I suspect that's true for the majority of families, because Mickey never does anything that doesn't earn him more cheese, though there are some families for which it really is a good deal. You could spend the time figuring out whether you can save money on it, or you can play the odds, assume you wouldn't, and just pay as you go.

Brian,
I always value your opinion so I'm wondering if you still feel this way when free dining is offered. It really makes me want to switch to onsite but my dh says no way.

Debbie

 

[POOHsie]

Also make note of a little-know fact. At CS places, the menu board lists combos at the predictable high combo price. You do not have to order a combo. Let's say you get a combo with fries. Other family members can just order the entree only, and share your fries. Saves money, plus who needs that many fatty sides? You can also order free ice water, instead of sodas/tea. Lots of people add their own water flavorings. However, don't do the free water + flavoring at a TS restaurant, it's considered gauche.