DDP for DVC?

[Simba's Mom]

I was wondering what is available for DDPs for DVC members. The last time I got the DDP, I think there was only one, no choice with 1 TS, 1 CS, and 1 snack a day. But that was back in the day when you got appetizer and dessert and your tip was included. Now there are 3 plans that I know of, the QS plan, the regular, and the all Deluxe. Are all 3 choices available to members? And what else can anyone tell me-cost, etc? Oh, and since I have a split stay, how would that work? I'll be one night at AKV (does that count as 2 days?), then 6 nights (7 days counting check-in) at BCV. I'm thinking of getting the DDP because I'm going during the F&W festival, and my understanding is that many of the items at the booths count as snack credits on the plan. So for this trip, the DDP may be cost effective. Thoughts?

 

[supersnoop]

Yes, all three are available in connection with a DVC stay. The price is the same as for cash reservations (roughly $40/$60/$105 for adults), with one potential exception; DVC prices are not affected by mid-year price increases.

The dining plan is based on the number of nights, not days, of your reservation. And, since only the deluxe plan includes two snack credits per night, it's generally NOT cost effective during Food & Wine. You'll be eating mainly snacks and not taking advantage of most of your meal credits.

 

[Hopefully]

I was wondering what is available for DDPs for DVC members. The last time I got the DDP, I think there was only one, no choice with 1 TS, 1 CS, and 1 snack a day. But that was back in the day when you got appetizer and dessert and your tip was included. Now there are 3 plans that I know of, the QS plan, the regular, and the all Deluxe. Are all 3 choices available to members? And what else can anyone tell me-cost, etc? Oh, and since I have a split stay, how would that work? I'll be one night at AKV (does that count as 2 days?), then 6 nights (7 days counting check-in) at BCV. I'm thinking of getting the DDP because I'm going during the F&W festival, and my understanding is that many of the items at the booths count as snack credits on the plan. So for this trip, the DDP may be cost effective. Thoughts?

We go each October and we do purchase the basic DDP - 1 QS, 1 TS and 1 Snack credit/night of our reservation. I know lots of folks will disagree with me, but it works for us. We save a bit or just break even, cost wise. But I don't do it for that reason. I like the "prepaid" aspect and the convenience of an "all inclusive" feeling. Saving money is not my primary motive.
We generally eat a quick breakfast in our villa ( I do a Garden Grocer order for: fruit, juice, coffee, breakfast foods, water, soda beer,, wine, cheese & crackers and other snacks.) We do a QS lunch and a TS dinner. We use all our snack credits at the F & W booths. We generally do breakfast in the Villa, QS lunch and TS dinner in the parks. During F & W, one day we do QS lunch and "Nosh Around the World" at the booths for dinner. We combine that days TS credit with another credit and do a 2 TS credit one evening. We love this plan
I would recommend that you just do the DDP for your BCV stay. The credits are per night, not per day. So in your example you would have 6 QS credits, 6 TS credits and 6 Snack credits/per person

Good Luck

 

[deedisneydream97]

I was wondering what is available for DDPs for DVC members. The last time I got the DDP, I think there was only one, no choice with 1 TS, 1 CS, and 1 snack a day. But that was back in the day when you got appetizer and dessert and your tip was included. Now there are 3 plans that I know of, the QS plan, the regular, and the all Deluxe. Are all 3 choices available to members? And what else can anyone tell me-cost, etc? Oh, and since I have a split stay, how would that work? I'll be one night at AKV (does that count as 2 days?), then 6 nights (7 days counting check-in) at BCV. I'm thinking of getting the DDP because I'm going during the F&W festival, and my understanding is that many of the items at the booths count as snack credits on the plan. So for this trip, the DDP may be cost effective. Thoughts?

We usually stay at BWV studio for one night (Saturday) so we can walk to and from the Party for the Senses. We will also get the deluxe dining plan for just that night. On Sunday we move over to BLT for the rest of the week. So, we get our mugs and our lunch is two snacks from the booths (we make sure to get the best ones, like fisherman's stew). Sat. night's meal is the Party for the Senses. Sunday we will have an early sit down lunch at Epcot or Captains Grill and then move to BLT. That evening will be Narcooses. We like the Deluxe dining plan for the one day, because you can use it over two days. We like having the appetizer, entree and dessert. But one day is enough!! Too much food and too much time spent in restaurants making sure you use all your points.

We also have the Tables in Wonderland card. This way we can enjoy wine at Narcooses at 20% off (yes, you can combine DDP with TIW). We eat very well on Sat. and Sun. and more than get our money's worth, but mostly because it only involves one night. We stay in a one bedroom and utilize the kitchen for breakfasts and some lunches and also some easy dinners (love having a frozen pizza...cooked of course...sitting on the balcony with a beer and watching the world go by).

Have a great time, whatever you decide.

 

[nalajms]

I'm thinking of getting the DDP because I'm going during the F&W festival, and my understanding is that many of the items at the booths count as snack credits on the plan. So for this trip, the DDP may be cost effective. Thoughts?

If you're big eaters, it'll work out for you. If you plan to just use the snack credits to buy booth food in place of a meal, you may end up with leftover credits. When DH goes, we get the DDP because snacking around WS isn't a meal for him and he needs a real sit down meal. If DH is not there, I just use a Disney GC and snack around the booths.

I'd consider deedisneydream97's approach of getting the deluxe for your one night at AKV. Perhaps Jiko's for dinner? then Boma for breakfast and use snack credits for late lunch/early dinner at F&W the second day.

 

[Judique]

I was wondering what is available for DDPs for DVC members. The last time I got the DDP, I think there was only one, no choice with 1 TS, 1 CS, and 1 snack a day. But that was back in the day when you got appetizer and dessert and your tip was included. Now there are 3 plans that I know of, the QS plan, the regular, and the all Deluxe. Are all 3 choices available to members? And what else can anyone tell me-cost, etc? Oh, and since I have a split stay, how would that work? I'll be one night at AKV (does that count as 2 days?), then 6 nights (7 days counting check-in) at BCV. I'm thinking of getting the DDP because I'm going during the F&W festival, and my understanding is that many of the items at the booths count as snack credits on the plan. So for this trip, the DDP may be cost effective. Thoughts?

I do some form of the DDP every so often, but with a plan. First - never for more then 2 nights or I eat too much food.

If I were doing your trip, I'd probably get it for the one night at AKV. I'd use my sit down for a Boma dinner buffet and a breakfast at Wolfgang puck's express. (This would also work doing lunch or dinner at WPE). The snack credit would be used wherever I saw something I wanted - probably a big rice crispie treat at Germany...you also get a mug - read souvenir! (rarely drink soda)

No dining plan for F&W....I'm a one drink plus my own frozen water bottle, maybe 2-3 samples plus a dessert sample nosher. So, $20-$25 tops around the World. After that I'm full, but I could eat like this 3-4 times without getting bored.

I don't see that the dining plan saves anymore, so I mostly concentrate on getting gift cards for food. Convenience of prepay has no effect on me. Cash, card, gift card - all the same as far as I'm concerned.

Just a note - whenever I do a split stay with the DDP added, there is always some kind of error - so keep track.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks all! I'm still debating whether or not to do it. However, one thing that always irked me was that the DDP was rather inflexible. I remember being behind someone who wanted a particular drink (raspberry lemonade?). The CM told him "Oh, no-that's not one of your choices on the DDP". And I'm planning on eating at a couple places that give a DVC discount, and also eating at the Plaza Restaurant, which is fairly inexpensive anyways. So I'm leaning toward not getting the DDP.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Thanks all! I'm still debating whether or not to do it. However, one thing that always irked me was that the DDP was rather inflexible. I remember being behind someone who wanted a particular drink (raspberry lemonade?). The CM told him "Oh, no-that's not one of your choices on the DDP". And I'm planning on eating at a couple places that give a DVC discount, and also eating at the Plaza Restaurant, which is fairly inexpensive anyways. So I'm leaning toward not getting the DDP.

All regular fountain drinks should be included. However, you need to "watch" when your server asks if you would like a "___________" (insert specality drink here). If it is a whip or some other kind of funky thing.....NO, not included. Except for one time at the Cape May Cafe, frozen whip drinks were included for just that night for some reason. Usually, any kind of lemonade that comes out of the "fountain" is included. Always ask....and do not be embarassed to ask. As I always tell my table mates; I'm not shy...you HAVE to ask and clarify...so no surprises.

 

[senadler]

We rarely eat at any QS locations, and for us the deluxe plan is too much food. We do much better with TIW. We also have a group of 6, so TIW pays for itself pretty quickly.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Nowadays like a few people have said the DDP is unlikely to save you any money. It's more a matter of convenience. So if you are having doubts my advice would be not to bother with it, you might even save yourself some $$$ & anything that removes even the tiniest bit of stress whilst at Disney is worth doing.

You're not going to lose out by not getting it.

 

[disneynutz]

Until you do the numbers for your family, the DDP may or may not save you money. We just did the numbers for a 7 night stay and the TIW saves us $140 compared to the DDP.

Bill

 

[Dean]

All regular fountain drinks should be included. However, you need to "watch" when your server asks if you would like a "___________" (insert specality drink here). If it is a whip or some other kind of funky thing.....NO, not included. Except for one time at the Cape May Cafe, frozen whip drinks were included for just that night for some reason. Usually, any kind of lemonade that comes out of the "fountain" is included. Always ask....and do not be embarassed to ask. As I always tell my table mates; I'm not shy...you HAVE to ask and clarify...so no surprises.

I've generally found non alcoholic drinks included as long as not a specific specialty drink in a special cup. I've had many a smoothie or pressed coffee with the DP. One just needs to ask. The only place I can recall being told no was at the Pepper Market where they did it once and not another time. The PM was also weird for dessert where only specific items were listed but the verbal was get anything you want, it's included.

 

[MrPTato]

What is TIW?

 

[erionm]

What is TIW?

Tables in Wonderland (a discount program you have to pay for).

http://tablesinwonderland.com/

 

[dgaston]

I am doing a split stay in December with my adult son, and have the regular DDP for 2 nights while we are at the Polynesian. We are planning on using it for 'Ohana and Cape May Buffet. This isn't really going to save us money, but we will probably break even. And I'll have my souvenir mug I will refill with soda from my 2 L bottles purchased off property when we are at BWV!!

 

[hakepb]

I am doing a split stay in December with my adult son, and have the regular DDP for 2 nights while we are at the Polynesian. We are planning on using it for 'Ohana and Cape May Buffet. This isn't really going to save us money, but we will probably break even. And I'll have my souvenir mug I will refill with soda from my 2 L bottles purchased off property when we are at BWV!!

I think dining plan mugs are always given the 14 day "length of stay" option in Disney's Rapid Fill system, so I think if you put your mug on the Boardwalk Bakery rapid fill Coke dispenser it will allow you to use your mugs for the 2nd part of your stay.

Edit: actually, pay attention to the refil date at the Poly. When you refill, the screen should tell you a valid until date.

 

[MapleGirl]

DH and I will likely get the DDP for our 5-night stay this December. I used a spreadsheet someone posted on *********** and we'll save about $100 with the DDP. I don't like that we have to pay for it in advance though. Especially since I'll want to add it to our reservation before July (i've heard this is when the price increase usually comes.... can anyone confirm this?).

 

[supersnoop]

DH and I will likely get the DDP for our 5-night stay this December. I used a spreadsheet someone posted on *********** and we'll save about $100 with the DDP. I don't like that we have to pay for it in advance though. Especially since I'll want to add it to our reservation before July (i've heard this is when the price increase usually comes.... can anyone confirm this?).

Mid-year price increases don't affect DVC. You can wait to add the dining plan until 48 hours before your arrival day.

 

[senadler]

We have not used the dining plan since becoming DVC members, but with the expected changes, it is going to make sense for us to add it to our October trip. I understand any price increase between now and then would not impact DVC, but if I book now, do I need to pay for it at the time of booking?

 

[Chuck S]

We have not used the dining plan since becoming DVC members, but with the expected changes, it is going to make sense for us to add it to our October trip. I understand any price increase between now and then would not impact DVC, but if I book now, do I need to pay for it at the time of booking?

Yes, the DDP has to be paid for at the time it is added to a DVC reservation.