DDP a good idea for this diabetic?

[MonorailMan]

I'll be going to WDW in September for 3 nights and, unfortunately, need to conserve as much cash as possible since the person I was supposed to be traveling with is no longer helping to pay the hotel expenses....but that's another story.

I'm a diabetic, and have rather specific dining needs. I've read the sticky FAQ about DDP, but I since it's been awhile since I've been to WDW I'm not sure about the meal prices, etc. Would the DDP be worth it for me?

On a daily basis I'd more than likely be getting:

-2-3 small snacks
-A small breakfast
-A small lunch, or snack
-A large dinner

I'll more than likely only be going to one theme park, and possibly one water park.

Without the DDP I'd prefer to only pay around $2-5 per snack, $5-8 per breakfast and lunch, and no more than $15 per dinner. (Wow. Do I sound like a cheapskate or what? Trust me, I'd prefer to eat at Chefs de France and Victoria and Albert's every night, but at the moment I can't do that.)

Should this diabetic go with the DDP? Thanks in advance.

 

[allyphoe]

I vote no. If you were going with a group and could split / share, I'd answer differently, but as is, you'll get 3 of your mini-meals (for a cost of $28) covered by the DDP - which will cost you $38 or so. The DDP could get you enough food to cover all your mini-meals, but the timing would be all wrong, and I'm assuming you don't want to carry around containers of leftovers to fix the timing.

I do think that your OOP budget is completely reasonable, assuming your dinner is a CS.

 

[MonorailMan]

I vote no. If you were going with a group and could split / share, I'd answer differently, but as is, you'll get 3 of your mini-meals (for a cost of $28) covered by the DDP - which will cost you $38 or so. The DDP could get you enough food to cover all your mini-meals, but the timing would be all wrong, and I'm assuming you don't want to carry around containers of leftovers to fix the timing.

I do think that your OOP budget is completely reasonable, assuming your dinner is a CS.

Thank you, allyphoe.

There always is the possibility that I'll splurge and go somewhere like one of the nicer table service places in the World Showcase in Epcot, but I'd probably only do that for 1 or 2 meals. (So long as I stay around 200 for meals on this trip.)

 

[nanadeb]

My DH and I are both Type 2 diabetics. We have done the DDP during Free Dining and there is way too much food involved. Too much of it, even with meals, is too heavy on the carbs. And after awhile, you get the DDP mentality, which makes you think you just have to get the most for your money (even if the DDP was free!) In order to stick to a good diabetic plan, you are going to waste a lot of food.
It would be better to check out the menus either here or on www.allearsnet.com and buy OOP only what you will want to consume.
HTH

 

[MonorailMan]

My DH and I are both Type 2 diabetics. We have done the DDP during Free Dining and there is way too much food involved. Too much of it, even with meals, is too heavy on the carbs. And after awhile, you get the DDP mentality, which makes you think you just have to get the most for your money (even if the DDP was free!) In order to stick to a good diabetic plan, you are going to waste a lot of food.
It would be better to check out the menus either here or on www.allearsnet.com and buy OOP only what you will want to consume.
HTH

Thanks for the info. I just wasn't sure because I tend to pig out during dinner time, and I noticed that the average table service entree prices of the places I was interested in started around $20+. At the moment I'm thinking I'll make out alright either way.

 

[Nicholfamily5]

My husband is Type 1, but also on the insulin pump (Which I SERIOUSLY recommend)
I'm so glad that we don't have to worry about the scheduling of meals, mainly just watch his BG's and act accordingly. He can eat " normally" we carry glucose tabs for emergencies.
That said, we are on the DDP because of the appetites, and it worked out to be the best value for us.
If you are on a regimented dining schedule, I'm not 100% the ddp would work out for you, unless you planned on bringing snacks or paying oop for them. If you were to get the dining plan, you will at least be able to have a nice dinner or lunch every day, and not be dependant on the fast food/ cheap stuff.
It'll be better for your body in the long run. I know if my DH had to eat burgers and dogs all week to save money he'd be one sick puppy by the end of the week.

And look into the insulin pump!! It's a life changer!

 

[MonorailMan]

Now that I think about it....I probably will be eating a large breakfast instead of the small ones I said I'd be eating. So the Plan more than likely will be a good choice for me.

My friend, who is also Type 1, insists that I get the pump, but I'm kind of afraid to get it. I tend to do a lot of intense choreography and would be afraid that it'd either tear/fall off if I bent my torso the wrong way, or that it'd get bumped off by some of the equipment I use. (I teach competetive color guard.) While I like the concept of the pump, I'm not sure if it's for me.

Thanks for your input, though. It's always nice to see I'm not alone in this.

 

[Nicholfamily5]

They have a wireless option now, called the omnipod. True, the part that is attached to you (the pod) is a bit large and bulky, but it is completely wireless and waterproof/sweat proof.
My husband is really excited now, as he just recieved the continuous bg monitoring system. He had to switch from the wireless pump back to a wired one, but this will constantly monitor his bg, and send insulin or alert for lows as needed! It will be a huge deal when he gets it running.
I strongly recommend you look into it. Lots of pro atheletes use the pump, there are many different styles you can get, I'm sure you'll find one that suits your needs. You won't believe the difference it will make in your lifestyle.
If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them for you.

 

[MonorailMan]

Thank you very much, NicholFamily5. That's very generous of you. I more than likely will have some questions about them in the near future.