DDP for solo?

[jamstew]

I've already figured out that the DDP isn't the right option for my family trip, but I'm seriously considering it for one of my upcoming solo trips. It finally dawned on me that three week-long solo trips in the next 12 months gives me a lot of extra time since I can take things at a much more leisurely pace, including eating

I was thinking that if I had three TS dinners at $50 each and 3 TS lunches at $30 each, those six meals alone would be $240. By my calculations, for an additional $40 or so, I could get the DDP and throw in the luau at Poly. Am I overlooking something, or would it be insane not to get the DP?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've already figured out that the DDP isn't the right option for my family trip, but I'm seriously considering it for one of my upcoming solo trips. It finally dawned on me that three week-long solo trips in the next 12 months gives me a lot of extra time since I can take things at a much more leisurely pace, including eating

I was thinking that if I had three TS dinners at $50 each and 3 TS lunches at $30 each, those six meals alone would be $240. By my calculations, for an additional $40 or so, I could get the DDP and throw in the luau at Poly. Am I overlooking something, or would it be insane not to get the DP?

I think you're right-it would be insane not to get the DDP! That's the way I see it as a solo who's used it for 2 previous solo trips, and already booked it for next month's solo. If you've never done the DDP, I've found one potential problem-the first time I used it, I was so intent on getting "maximum value" that I didn't enjoy it as much, but boy did I save a bunch of money! The second time, I totally relaxed, ate what I want when I wanted-not necessarily ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, sonetimes eating my TS at (gasp!) lunch-time instead of dinner time. But I still saved, and more importantly, I really enjoyed eating my meals.

 

[dahirsh]

I think you're right-it would be insane not to get the DDP! That's the way I see it as a solo who's used it for 2 previous solo trips, and already booked it for next month's solo. If you've never done the DDP, I've found one potential problem-the first time I used it, I was so intent on getting "maximum value" that I didn't enjoy it as much, but boy did I save a bunch of money! The second time, I totally relaxed, ate what I want when I wanted-not necessarily ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, sonetimes eating my TS at (gasp!) lunch-time instead of dinner time. But I still saved, and more importantly, I really enjoyed eating my meals.

Is this the same Simba's mom who a couple of years ago was posting about how uncomfortable she was with the idea of doing TS solo? Or do I have you confused with someone else.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Is this the same Simba's mom who a couple of years ago was posting about how uncomfortable she was with the idea of doing TS solo? Or do I have you confused with someone else.

Oh, oh-busted! It took me about 4 solo trips, at least, before I could comfortably do TS solo. I really admire how some people can take to it right away. I think that can be the one big problem to overcome when traveling solo.

 

[englishrose47]

Now the DDp has changed is it still a good value. At $ 37 a day for entree and dessert plus tax . Tipping is extra. No more appies! I guess it's still a deal but is going to cost more with paying tip

 

[MainStMandy]

Oh, oh-busted! It took me about 4 solo trips, at least, before I could comfortably do TS solo. I really admire how some people can take to it right away. I think that can be the one big problem to overcome when traveling solo.

That's me...I am a bit nervous about eating TS alone. My last trip I did GF Cafe by myself for lunch and it wasn't too bad. I miss talking during my meal, lol.

 

[spiceycat]

like it for short trips.

but I think it is just to much food for your entire stay.

that say it will save your money and allow you to eat in places where you normally won't.

 

[dahirsh]

Oh, oh-busted! It took me about 4 solo trips, at least, before I could comfortably do TS solo. I really admire how some people can take to it right away. I think that can be the one big problem to overcome when traveling solo.

I can do TS solo, but I'm not sure I'll ever do a charecter meal solo.

 

[jamstew]

they say it will save your money and allow you to eat in places where you normally won't.

They should say it will save you money if you eat in places where you normally won't.

I'm honestly trying to figure out if it would work for me, because I'd like to try some of the TS places. My calculations so far show that it would save me about $20 for the week, but only if I did quite a few TS meals, which I wouldn't normally do. If I made the same calculations based on what I normally eat while in the World, I think the DDP would look really expensive.

I just can't for the life of me figure out how you plan ADRs around your park touring. I don't know where or what time I'll eat any given meal tomorrow, let alone six months from now

However, since I'm going next month and have a while to decide if I want to add dining for my May trip, I plan to keep a detailed record of what I actually spend on food, snacks, etc. I may be shocked to learn that I spend a whole lot more than I think I do

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can do TS solo, but I'm not sure I'll ever do a charecter meal solo.

You know, I used to say that. I think it took me about 8 trips to work up the courage to do a character meal solo. I finally "broke down and did it" because I was staying at BCV and Cape May was so convenient. Surprisingly, it's an excellent choice as a solo. Before I did it, I never thought I'd say that. But watching all the characters interacting with kids really makes time go by, and it's so much more fun than just sitting, reading a book or something. And if you think you'd feel self-conscious, forget it! I got over that real fast when I realized that everyone there was looking at the characters, not at me.

 

[SandraVB79]

I just can't for the life of me figure out how you plan ADRs around your park touring. I don't know where or what time I'll eat any given meal tomorrow, let alone six months from now

How I did the planning:
- Open an Excel sheet
- For all the days you'll be there, make a column with: opening hours of parks, EMH, parade/ show times
- Based on that information, make up a "plan" on when you want to go at which park. e.g.: morning MGM for EMH, evening MK for EMH.
- Decide whether you want B, L and/or D to be TS. The menus on allearsnet can help you with that, as well as the food porn thread.
- Once you know where you would like to eat, try to fit it in your schedule, depending on which park/ resort the restaurant is in (to avoid a lot of travel time). If you want to see Fantasmic! at 7.30 pm at MGM, it's rather difficult to be on time at Cali Grill to see Wishes at 9 pm.

It's a lot of moving things around on Excel, and once you have done that, you have to call for your ADRs. Start asking the ADRs that are most important to you/ that can't be moved around in your schedule as easily.
If you haven't gotten all your ADRs, start moving things around in your Excel-sheet again.

I did it last week, and at the beginning, I thought I would never fit everything in. Parks, down time, parades, shows, tours, breakfasts, dinners, ... But in the end, everything worked out well!

 

[jamstew]

How I did the planning:
- Open an Excel sheet
- For all the days you'll be there, make a column with: opening hours of parks, EMH, parade/ show times
- Based on that information, make up a "plan" on when you want to go at which park. e.g.: morning MGM for EMH, evening MK for EMH.
- Decide whether you want B, L and/or D to be TS. The menus on allearsnet can help you with that, as well as the food porn thread.
- Once you know where you would like to eat, try to fit it in your schedule, depending on which park/ resort the restaurant is in (to avoid a lot of travel time). If you want to see Fantasmic! at 7.30 pm at MGM, it's rather difficult to be on time at Cali Grill to see Wishes at 9 pm.

It's a lot of moving things around on Excel, and once you have done that, you have to call for your ADRs. Start asking the ADRs that are most important to you/ that can't be moved around in your schedule as easily.
If you haven't gotten all your ADRs, start moving things around in your Excel-sheet again.

I did it last week, and at the beginning, I thought I would never fit everything in. Parks, down time, parades, shows, tours, breakfasts, dinners, ... But in the end, everything worked out well!

I'd love it if you (or anyone) would share a completed worksheet with me. I have a hard time getting something like that started, and a template with just a few entries would be extremely helpful.

 

[SandraVB79]

PM me your emailaddress and I'll email you mine.

DISclaimer: It's not a fancy-looking thing. It's a work in progress. And parts of it are in Dutch. But you'll see how I do it, and it worked for me during our past vacations.
BTW, I have never re-used one, I always start over again... Maybe I should start a template, lol!

 

[spiceycat]

I can do TS solo, but I'm not sure I'll ever do a charecter meal solo.

oh - that is one of the best. Mother didn't appreciate the characters. but believe me I do.

seeing Goofy at the Cape May Cafe is one of the high lights of my trip.

try it - you might be surprised!!!

 

[spiceycat]

I just can't for the life of me figure out how you plan ADRs around your park touring. I don't know where or what time I'll eat any given meal tomorrow, let alone six months from now

remember you don't have to do your TS one per day. You can skip a date here and there - and do Hoop De duv.

I like steaks - so love Le Cellier and Concourse steakhouse. Yacht club steakhouse require 2 - and it is not worth it for me.

it is too late to get a reservation at Le Cellier and Concourse steakhouse is just about filled up too.

since you are going next month I would forget it for this time. the free dinning is going on now and next month. So ADR are very, very hard to get.

don't care where or what park I am at. since like resort restuarants a little better than the theme parks restuarants.

since they don't have the demand of the theme parks - reservations are easily to get and I know where everything is.

 

[jamstew]

PM me your emailaddress and I'll email you mine.

DISclaimer: It's not a fancy-looking thing. It's a work in progress. And parts of it are in Dutch. But you'll see how I do it, and it worked for me during our past vacations.
BTW, I have never re-used one, I always start over again... Maybe I should start a template, lol!

Done, and thanks

 

[MainStMandy]

PM me your emailaddress and I'll email you mine.

DISclaimer: It's not a fancy-looking thing. It's a work in progress. And parts of it are in Dutch. But you'll see how I do it, and it worked for me during our past vacations.
BTW, I have never re-used one, I always start over again... Maybe I should start a template, lol!

Lol, I use excel too, but I always restart...it's kind dumb huh, lol.

I haven't made any adrs for the trip yet. I am eating at Artist Point with some disers and made a adr for 5 for my bday...but that's it.

 

[dahirsh]

oh - that is one of the best. Mother didn't appreciate the characters. but believe me I do.

seeing Goofy at the Cape May Cafe is one of the high lights of my trip.

try it - you might be surprised!!!

Maybe next trip. I think I'm pretty happy with the ADR's I have for October.

 

[SandraVB79]

Lol, I use excel too, but I always restart...it's kind dumb huh, lol.

I haven't made any adrs for the trip yet. I am eating at Artist Point with some disers and made a adr for 5 for my bday...but that's it.

In my case, I use the Excel-file for the whole vacation, so it includes flights/ shuttles/ cars, hotels at different cities, etc etc etc
That way, it isn't easy to re-use it.

At some point, someone posted a excel-template for DDP-ADRs, you had to give in nr of nights, and then the sheet kept track of how many TS and CS credits you had while planning.

 

[MainStMandy]

In my case, I use the Excel-file for the whole vacation, so it includes flights/ shuttles/ cars, hotels at different cities, etc etc etc
That way, it isn't easy to re-use it.

At some point, someone posted a excel-template for DDP-ADRs, you had to give in nr of nights, and then the sheet kept track of how many TS and CS credits you had while planning.

I think I saw that once too...

I end up with an entire binder for the trip with all my spreadsheets, confirmations and such.

No wonder we are traveling solo