DDP Always Works For Us

[Pyxie]

This is the age old question. Is the dining plan worth it?

By my calculations, we usually at least break even but for me the value is not stressing over ordering what I want. Would I order an alcoholic beverage with every meal without the plan? Probably not, but not because I wouldn't want to. I'd be stressing over the price and limiting myself.

I know this doesn't make sense to everyone, but that's ok.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Wanted to circle back after our trip with some thoughts and numbers. As I mentioned above, we used to do the Deluxe Dining plan and always came out way ahead. This time we also came out ahead, but the experience wasn't nearly as satisfying, and I'm not sure I'd do it again.

A few observations:
1. The portions were noticeably smaller at our two non-buffet TS restaurants Teppan Edo and Sanaa (two of our favorites). I was really disappointed by my half-full bowls of rice and the 5 tiny pieces of chicken in my butter chicken (Sanaa). The noodle portion at Teppan Eco was also disappointing. How much extra does rice cost? Both Sanaa and TE gave small bowls, and it seemed just silly and unnecessarily cheap.
2. We don't enjoy Quick Serve restaurants and having to eat at those was a challenge. This is probably the biggest reason I wouldn't do it again.
3. I miss the additional snacks credits, which we would use for breakfast and coffees. I paid out of pocket a lot more on this trip than I did with previous Deluxe Dining Plan trips.
4. The included alcohol at Quick Serve restaurants was disappointing. With one exception, they were all canned. Tracking down QS restaurants that include decent alcohol was a challenge (and forget about it at MK!).
5. The Morimoto QS was good (although small portion of ramen), but when we went back for a second time they were out of everything. (Ramen, Sushi, etc.) It was 7 pm and seemed crazy to me.
6. Not having an appetizer included was the biggest change for us. I paid out of pocket for one of our meals for an appetizer. We also aren't dessert eaters and passed on dessert at one of our TS meals (Sanaa) so it's kind of a double blow--no appetizer and paying for a dessert we don't want.
7. We were there for 4 days so ended up paying out of pocket for 50s prime time dinner and Boma breakfast.

The stats: DDP 3 nights at AKL Kidani for 3 adults (me DS27 and DD25) at a total of $848.58

Snacks (9): total $47.99 (not including ice cream)
4 Starbucks drinks (grande ... we could have done Ventis but didn't want them)
1 Donut
2 Oatmeals (Sanaa breakfast)
1 Cinnamon Roll (Sanaa Breakfast)
1 Soft Serve Ice cream (missed price for this one)

QS Meals: total $240.83
Morimoto (can't find receipt but $80 not including tax) (3 beef ramens, 2 sakes and 1 hard seltzer)
Cantina San Angel $100.11 (3 orders tacos, 3 alcoholic beverages)
Fish & Chips at Cooke's: 60.72 (fish and chips and 3 canned hard ciders)

TS Meals: total $645.66
Teppan Edo Dinner: $223.65 (3 beef/shrip combos, 3 alcoholic mixed drinks, 3 green tree soft serves)
Tusker House Lunch: $263.59 (buffet)
Sanaa Lunch: $158.42 (3 butter chickens and 3 alcoholic drinks, didn't order included desserts; I paid out of pocket for bread service not included in above)

Mugs: $22.99 each
We used these for coffee every morning (4 mornings since we arrived on a redeye), which saved us money ($50 ish?) for sure, but I didn't include that in totals.

So not including the mugs and the missed ice cream receipt, our total was $934.48 meaning we "saved" $85.90 (+ the one missing ice cream and coffee costs). Basically 10%.

Summary ... as many others have said, if you do expensive character buffets it isn't hard to break even. Also much easier to come out ahead if you drink alcohol! We were there for a festive RunDisney race, and we all drink so that was easy

 

[tx911]

Wanted to circle back after our trip with some thoughts and numbers. As I mentioned above, we used to do the Deluxe Dining plan and always came out way ahead. This time we also came out ahead, but the experience wasn't nearly as satisfying, and I'm not sure I'd do it again.

A few observations:
1. The portions were noticeably smaller at our two non-buffet TS restaurants Teppan Edo and Sanaa (two of our favorites). I was really disappointed by my half-full bowls of rice and the 5 tiny pieces of chicken in my butter chicken (Sanaa). The noodle portion at Teppan Eco was also disappointing. How much extra does rice cost? Both Sanaa and TE gave small bowls, and it seemed just silly and unnecessarily cheap.
2. We don't enjoy Quick Serve restaurants and having to eat at those was a challenge. This is probably the biggest reason I wouldn't do it again.
3. I miss the additional snacks credits, which we would use for breakfast and coffees. I paid out of pocket a lot more on this trip than I did with previous Deluxe Dining Plan trips.
4. The included alcohol at Quick Serve restaurants was disappointing. With one exception, they were all canned. Tracking down QS restaurants that include decent alcohol was a challenge (and forget about it at MK!).
5. The Morimoto QS was good (although small portion of ramen), but when we went back for a second time they were out of everything. (Ramen, Sushi, etc.) It was 7 pm and seemed crazy to me.
6. Not having an appetizer included was the biggest change for us. I paid out of pocket for one of our meals for an appetizer. We also aren't dessert eaters and passed on dessert at one of our TS meals (Sanaa) so it's kind of a double blow--no appetizer and paying for a dessert we don't want.
7. We were there for 4 days so ended up paying out of pocket for 50s prime time dinner and Boma breakfast.

The stats: DDP 3 nights at AKL Kidani for 3 adults (me DS27 and DD25) at a total of $848.58

Snacks (9): total $47.99 (not including ice cream)
4 Starbucks drinks (grande ... we could have done Ventis but didn't want them)
1 Donut
2 Oatmeals (Sanaa breakfast)
1 Cinnamon Roll (Sanaa Breakfast)
1 Soft Serve Ice cream (missed price for this one)

QS Meals: total $240.83
Morimoto (can't find receipt but $80 not including tax) (3 beef ramens, 2 sakes and 1 hard seltzer)
Cantina San Angel $100.11 (3 orders tacos, 3 alcoholic beverages)
Fish & Chips at Cooke's: 60.72 (fish and chips and 3 canned hard ciders)

TS Meals: total $645.66
Teppan Edo Dinner: $223.65 (3 beef/shrip combos, 3 alcoholic mixed drinks, 3 green tree soft serves)
Tusker House Lunch: $263.59 (buffet)
Sanaa Lunch: $158.42 (3 butter chickens and 3 alcoholic drinks, didn't order included desserts; I paid out of pocket for bread service not included in above)

Mugs: $22.99 each
We used these for coffee every morning (4 mornings since we arrived on a redeye), which saved us money ($50 ish?) for sure, but I didn't include that in totals.

So not including the mugs and the missed ice cream receipt, our total was $934.48 meaning we "saved" $85.90 (+ the one missing ice cream and coffee costs). Basically 10%.

Summary ... as many others have said, if you do expensive character buffets it isn't hard to break even. Also much easier to come out ahead if you drink alcohol! We were there for a festive RunDisney race, and we all drink so that was easy

Very nice breakdown.
The dessert thing is the dealbreaker for me, and the fact that I don't drink.
I do feel like the DDP makes me try to order the more expensive meals too, rather than just what I want.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Very nice breakdown.
The dessert thing is the dealbreaker for me, and the fact that I don't drink.
I do feel like the DDP makes me try to order the more expensive meals too, rather than just what I want.

Thanks! Not drinking would definitely make it really hard to break even. I also feel like the desserts have gotten more basic, uninteresting, and "cheap" since they are included in the dining plan.

 

[TexasJedi]

Thanks! Not drinking would definitely make it really hard to break even. I also feel like the desserts have gotten more basic, uninteresting, and "cheap" since they are included in the dining plan.

This is the biggest challenge for me right now...since anyone over the age of 10 is a Disney "adult", families are stuck paying a premium that covers the cost of alcohol for people who aren't even legal drinking age.

If there were a "teen" package or alcohol-free option at a slightly lower price point, I'd be a lot more tempted by the "prepay and don't worry about what you order" concept, but I've never gotten the math to be anywhere close to worthwhile in the current version of the plan since my children have aged into Disney adults.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

This is the biggest challenge for me right now...since anyone over the age of 10 is a Disney "adult", families are stuck paying a premium that covers the cost of alcohol for people who aren't even legal drinking age.

If there were a "teen" package or alcohol-free option at a slightly lower price point, I'd be a lot more tempted by the "prepay and don't worry about what you order" concept, but I've never gotten the math to be anywhere close to worthwhile in the current version of the plan since my children have aged into Disney adults.

Totally agree that it doesn't make much sense with "adults" who can't drink. They definitely need a teen package. I actually liked it though when my kids were too young--I used their drink for me LOL. Never had a problem doing it, although this was before COVID.

 

[senadler]

I agree it makes much more sense for those of drinking age. I think it works out about even for this trip since it is just the two of us. I probably come out slightly ahead, and my son a little behind.

 

[HairyChest]

Once you realize you can do a split stay and have the dining plan for just a portion of your trip, you will always come out ahead and love having the dining plan. Saw this in a great tip video. I have the plan for 2 nights of my 7 night trip next year. Planning to hit the character dining those days.

 

[AdamsMum]

We looked at the QS plan for our trip Dec. 22-Jan 2 this year. The plan for 2 adults and 2 Disney Adults, total of 4 was almost $3,000.00. The DDP was almost if not over $5,000.00. I know that we are there for 11 nights but I know we would never ever break even. My DS hardly eats anything and DD is a diabetic, so we have to watch what she eats. In the past we've done the plan if it was "free" (I know, not really free). I think when the plan first came out over 20 years ago we paid. At that time we broke even with just 2 adults, probably came out ahead. I'm glad if it can work for someone, that's great! I know it is way more convenient than having to pay at the time or later. We thought about it a lot, but in the end we decided it was too much.

Yeah, if your disney adult is 10 and a picky eater, or has food restrictions, it definitely doesn't work financially. I'm trying to decide if it will work for me on my solo trip next year. The TS meals with the dessert I'm not so keen on. Some places have very nice desserts, others not so much, and I don't eat dessert every day. When I do, it's often later after my meal has settled. When the plan first came out it included gratuity also, so it was a really good deal. I think that was what's known as a "loss/leader" just to get people into it.

 

[pixiedust33]

I think you're totally right! I always see such strong objection from people that the DDP NEVER makes financial sense, and that's just not the case. If you're doing a lot of character meals or buffets (but not the two credit ones!), enjoy getting an alcoholic drink with lunch and dinner most days on vacation, and would be getting the resort refillable mug anyway, the odds are very good you will at least break even. We came out ahead last year without specifically trying to (i.e we mostly did character breakfasts, not dinners; we did not order the most expensive thing just bc it was most expensive, etc) and we both really liked that it gave things a more inclusive feel. I am more on the fence this year because my son (who was 2 and free last year) is now 3 so we would need to pay for him and it would give us more food (last year, we counted on the fact I would be ordering some larger QS meals and sharing with him off my plate). But, my parents are coming this time and NOT doing the dining plan, so I'm currently running numbers on whether that might make the math work for us after all (i.e. if I use 4 QS credits for the pricier meal we want to have at Docking Bay 7 and then we pay cash for breakfast, for example, or my mom and I split some QS meal credits, so we don't end up using credits just because we feel like we have to).

People also forget that the DDP includes tax, and the listed Disney menu prices do not. So after you add up all your estimated food costs based on Disney menu prices, go ahead and multiply by 6% and add that on too. And the $24 refillable mug!

 

[Kerr84]

I think you're totally right! I always see such strong objection from people that the DDP NEVER makes financial sense, and that's just not the case. If you're doing a lot of character meals or buffets (but not the two credit ones!), enjoy getting an alcoholic drink with lunch and dinner most days on vacation, and would be getting the resort refillable mug anyway, the odds are very good you will at least break even. We came out ahead last year without specifically trying to (i.e we mostly did character breakfasts, not dinners; we did not order the most expensive thing just bc it was most expensive, etc) and we both really liked that it gave things a more inclusive feel. I am more on the fence this year because my son (who was 2 and free last year) is now 3 so we would need to pay for him and it would give us more food (last year, we counted on the fact I would be ordering some larger QS meals and sharing with him off my plate). But, my parents are coming this time and NOT doing the dining plan, so I'm currently running numbers on whether that might make the math work for us after all (i.e. if I use 4 QS credits for the pricier meal we want to have at Docking Bay 7 and then we pay cash for breakfast, for example, or my mom and I split some QS meal credits, so we don't end up using credits just because we feel like we have to).

People also forget that the DDP includes tax, and the listed Disney menu prices do not. So after you add up all your estimated food costs based on Disney menu prices, go ahead and multiply by 6% and add that on too. And the $24 refillable mug!

If you are doing character meals again, it is such a good deal for kids 3-9. The regular dining plan with sit downs for kids is only $30 per night and one character meal is usually $40+.

 

[mort1331]

We have done the plan in the past. But last couple of years, and going this March, working the numbers is a no go. For 4 of us and 5 nights is just under 2k. Thats 400 each day. 3 of us dont drink, so there is a non starter. Refil mug rarely gets used,,so non starter. So for us we can do a few nice dinners, not worry about the cost and still come in under. This March we plan on Boma dinner, Steakhouse 71, and Topolinos, and we will still be under the 2k. Each time is different and we run numbers each year. If it was close I would probably go for it.