DDP cost for DVC

[Simba's Mom]

Trying to figure out the DDP cost for DVC. On my next trip, I'm staying 6 nights, 7 days. So is the amount $75X6 or X7? Frankly, I'm thinking of loading the amount on a gift card, then using it for my meals and any other food purchase, so I can compare the cost of OOP vs. DDP. Has anyone done this?

 

[DenLo]

The cost is based on the number of nights so you get credits for 6 nights. But you can use them through midnight of the day you check out.

 

[disneynutz]

We review the menus and cost online for each meal, then compare that to the DDP. If we really will use what's included with the DDP, having a drink mug that can only be refiled at the resort isn't worth much to us. Usually OOP wins.

Bill

 

[Disneykate605]

We have only used the Disney Dining plan once (this past March) and I almost did what you are thinking of doing instead. I made note of what we would have spent if we didn't have the dining plan and I can tell you that we definitely would have saved about $100-$150 if I had just loaded a gift card with the money I paid for the dining plan instead! At least now I know!

 

[Dean]

Trying to figure out the DDP cost for DVC. On my next trip, I'm staying 6 nights, 7 days. So is the amount $75X6 or X7? Frankly, I'm thinking of loading the amount on a gift card, then using it for my meals and any other food purchase, so I can compare the cost of OOP vs. DDP. Has anyone done this?

We go through this evolution every on property trip. DDP is a specialty option that only offers a savings in a limited number of situations. And since there's a fair amount of risk (use or lose) and you have to get it for all people for the LOS, it's tough. As a rule you get the best value from the deluxe plan and it's very difficult to get a value from the quick service plan. Of course there are variables on how you judge it but the method of taking what you get and assuming that'd be the cost if paying OOP is incorrect. IMO one needs to save at least 20% over OOP and that's after other discounts. Of course the Tables in Wonderland could be a good option for this type of volume and you should look at your restaurant reservations to see what discounts are applicable for DVC/TIW/AP/Disney Visa. The best situations are when you have more than 1 room and can "share" it, when there are kids 3-9 and for short stays where one can target the credits for advantageous options. We normally get it (Dlx) but we usually have more than one room, kids 3-9, target restaurants that are a good value and often shorter stays. When you tie all of those situations together it can be quite a savings for the deluxe plan. The one issue that many have is they let the DDP control their vacation but fortunately for us, the dlx plan fits our comfort level anyway.

 

[sjrec]

It sounds like you’re traveling solo? I would think even at Disney prices, you would find it hard to spend 75.00 on food every day. Although you could use snack credits for breakfast-but a lot of the appeal of OKW is sitting on your balcony with coffee and breakfast rather than going out. I think setting aside the amount and seeing how you use it is a great idea-and be sure to let us know how you make out!

 

[Marionnette]

Trying to figure out the DDP cost for DVC. On my next trip, I'm staying 6 nights, 7 days. So is the amount $75X6 or X7? Frankly, I'm thinking of loading the amount on a gift card, then using it for my meals and any other food purchase, so I can compare the cost of OOP vs. DDP. Has anyone done this?

I do it all of the time. I buy Disney GCs using Target GCs that I earn with rewards. Then I pay for meals and beverages with the GCs. I always come out better than if I had purchased a dining plan for the two of us. However, there are times that getting the DxDP for one night with a split stay can actually work to our advantage.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It sounds like you’re traveling solo?

Yes, I'll be traveling solo. I've decided I'm definitely going to use a gift card and load it with $75X6=$450 just out of curiosity. I do remember the one time I used the DDP (over 10 years ago), one thing I didn't like was that it was a little restrictive on what you could order (no, that beverage doesn't count; no you can't order 2 appetizers-you must order an entree, etc.) I'll just eat whatever I want and deal with the consequences (or buy myself something on the last day with my leftover money!)

 

[zavandor]

I do remember the one time I used the DDP (over 10 years ago), one thing I didn't like was that it was a little restrictive on what you could order (no, that beverage doesn't count; no you can't order 2 appetizers-you must order an entree, etc.) I'll just eat whatever I want and deal with the consequences (or buy myself something on the last day with my leftover money!)

Ditto.
I did the dining plan only once, when the values got the normal Dining plan rather the "breakfast only" of today. It was a great offer for sure, but I didn't enjoy it to the full extent. Dessert at every meal, no appetizer and that attitude that to maximize it one should order something expensive rather than what you want. Sometimes one just wants a salad, but the steak is so much more value! Of course no one is forcing me to order the most expensive option every time, but yet I would stil think I'm not harnessing the maximum saving.
Also, I don't drink alcohol, so it's even more difficult for me to make it work now.
If I'll ever do it again it will be for one day at the beginning of a vacation, with a split day, just for a night. The deluxe dining plan, with three credits over two days and the refillable mug for the whole stay could work. And yet, doing a split stay for one night still feels like a burden.

 

[Ben E N]

You can try this to preplan your potential costs. I could never get the DDP to work out in my favor over cash unless I ate like a cow, and in my mind that would be hard to do for 6 straight days.

https://www.distripplanner.com/

 

[The Jackal]

You can try this to preplan your potential costs. I could never get the DDP to work out in my favor over cash unless I ate like a cow, and in my mind that would be hard to do for 6 straight days.

https://www.distripplanner.com/

I agree the DxDP you have to eat and eat a lot of food, everyone gets a appetizer, entree and dessert for lunch and dinner and this is usually after a all you can eat breakfast buffet. Do a day or two it’s doable, but for a whole week or more it’s hard. When it’s hot out I do not ever feel like eating a whole appetizer, whole entree and dessert by myself day after day and I’m 6’4”. We don’t like to waste food either. Was it convenient to have the plan, yes it was. The only way we will get it now is a split stay.

 

[Ben E N]

I agree the DxDP you have to eat and eat a lot of food, everyone gets a appetizer, entree and dessert for lunch and dinner and this is usually after a all you can eat breakfast buffet. Do a day or two it’s doable, but for a whole week or more it’s hard. When it’s hot out I do not ever feel like eating a whole appetizer, whole entree and dessert by myself day after day and I’m 6’4”. We don’t like to waste food either. Was it convenient to have the plan, yes it was. The only way we will get it now is a split stay.

Yeah I'm tempted to do a split stay in order to do it for a day or two, but my wife doesn't like that idea. At 6'1" and 260, darn! I could eat both of our credits worth over those 2 days.

 

[disneynutz]

When we get the deluxe DDP for a couple of days, we may do a signature or regular restaurants and we use the credits for our check out/in day.

Bill

 

[BillPA]

If you do a split stay and do get the DP, get it for the 1st stay. That way you will have the refillable mugs for the whole trip. Just run the numbers, we have not found the DP saved us as much as TIW, but we do go 2-3x a year so that really helps with 20% off all those meals.