DDP for us? 2 adults.. on honeymoon

[Julie521]

Fiance and I are going to be going in September 2012 for our honeymoon. We are checking in the 2 and leaving the 8th. We currently are staying at CSR and having the DDP on our package. We booked through AAA so we have the room discount right now. Fiance and I are not picky eaters, but simple eaters. Don't like things to be fancy, just good. I am beginning to wonder whether it is worth it for us to have the dining plan or not. Most likely we would be drinking with lunch and dinner, so there would always be alittle OOP already during our meals. We don't plan on doing things like Cali grill, so are the prices of the restaurants we would go to worth the Dining plan, or just paying everything OOP? We are thinking of the "middle range" restaurant, and like places like Planet Hollywood and ESPN restaurant.

 

[havoc315]

Actually, California Grill is a poor use of the dining plan, as it requires 2 credits..

For your situation, the ddp *might* be beneficial. Looking at it purely in terms of savings, do you and your fiance both want your own individual dessert with every meal, as well as a snack per day?
Do you anticipate that you will eat 1 CS lunch/dinner and 1 TS lunch/dinner per day?
Do you anticipate that your CS meals will average over $17 and that your TS meals will average over $32 per person? (It's worth noting that the most expensive meal at ESPN is less than $30, with many meals around $20).

If the answer to these questions is yes, than the DDP may save you a little bit.

As long as you eat 1 CS and 1 TS per day.... The DDP usually works out to pre-payment of your entrees and beverages, with a discount on the desserts (as long as you eat 2 desserts plus a snack every day).

 

[Nadjalu]

It is just DH and I when we go to WDW and we always get the DDP, for us it is worth it.
We do NOT do signature restaurants, as we don't believe "paying" more for atmosphere is that important.

We eat at places like Crystal Palace, Ohana, Whispering Canyon, LTT, San Angel Inn (which is very romantic by the way)...just typical places and we always come out ahead money wise by using the DDP.

DH keeps track of the receipts and adds them up each day. Usually we save $20-$50 per day (for the both of us by buying the plan). Of course if the plan is free...well then it is SO worth it.
Most of the time I order the steak entree, which is usually one of the higher priced meals, but DH doesn't. He gets whatever suits his taste that night, so his could be the more expensive or the cheapest, and we still come out ahead.

We don't drink, except for my stop at the tequila bar in Mexico Pavilion....lol, so we don't count that as money for food. That is entertainment $$....lol For me and for DH and he watches me try to manuver Epcot after 2 or 3 very POTENT margaritas!! I have to admit it is probably funny.

Anyway, for us the plan saves us money. The best thing to do is pick your restaurants for each day, then go thru and pick your entree that you will most likely have and add up each day's bills. Then total your entire vacation together...Leave off the alcohol, and see if buying the plan is more beneficial to you or if paying OOP is.

Good luck and congrats!!

 

[LilGMom]

What you might want to do is start thinking about where you are going to want to eat (you have until March of next year before you can book your ADRs so no rush). Look at the menus on AllEars to get a general idea of the cost and figure up some general amounts for what you'd eat. Compare that to how much it will run you each day on the DDP and make sure you add back in gratuitiy since it isn't included on the DDP. If you don't normally get two desserts each meal, and don't plan on eating at least one TS meal a day it might not be worth it.

The cost of the standard DDP is going up to $51.54/adult. So as a pretty safe number if you and your soon to be DH don't eat $125 (the DDP plus $20 for a typ. tip on your one TS) a day in food if might be cheaper to skip the DDP.

 

[Julie521]

Actually, California Grill is a poor use of the dining plan, as it requires 2 credits..

For your situation, the ddp *might* be beneficial. Looking at it purely in terms of savings, do you and your fiance both want your own individual dessert with every meal, as well as a snack per day?
Do you anticipate that you will eat 1 CS lunch/dinner and 1 TS lunch/dinner per day?
Do you anticipate that your CS meals will average over $17 and that your TS meals will average over $32 per person? (It's worth noting that the most expensive meal at ESPN is less than $30, with many meals around $20).

If the answer to these questions is yes, than the DDP may save you a little bit.

As long as you eat 1 CS and 1 TS per day.... The DDP usually works out to pre-payment of your entrees and beverages, with a discount on the desserts (as long as you eat 2 desserts plus a snack every day).

I feel like since we are driving, we could bring our owns snacks and we would bring our own breakfast meals since we aren't big breakfast people. We most likely wouldn't both order a dessert, maybe just one! That is what is getting me. Normally we are more likely to order an app. when we go out to eat than dessert. I am going to have to go back and see if then TS meals we order would be that much, because I honestly don't think they would be. Some of them might, since DH would be ordering steak some times, but he would only be able to eat SO much of it. I can be happy ordering a salad and an appetizer and be full. This is making me think it might not be for us.

It is just DH and I when we go to WDW and we always get the DDP, for us it is worth it.
We do NOT do signature restaurants, as we don't believe "paying" more for atmosphere is that important.

We eat at places like Crystal Palace, Ohana, Whispering Canyon, LTT, San Angel Inn (which is very romantic by the way)...just typical places and we always come out ahead money wise by using the DDP.

DH keeps track of the receipts and adds them up each day. Usually we save $20-$50 per day (for the both of us by buying the plan). Of course if the plan is free...well then it is SO worth it.
Most of the time I order the steak entree, which is usually one of the higher priced meals, but DH doesn't. He gets whatever suits his taste that night, so his could be the more expensive or the cheapest, and we still come out ahead.

We don't drink, except for my stop at the tequila bar in Mexico Pavilion....lol, so we don't count that as money for food. That is entertainment $$....lol For me and for DH and he watches me try to manuver Epcot after 2 or 3 very POTENT margaritas!! I have to admit it is probably funny.

Anyway, for us the plan saves us money. The best thing to do is pick your restaurants for each day, then go thru and pick your entree that you will most likely have and add up each day's bills. Then total your entire vacation together...Leave off the alcohol, and see if buying the plan is more beneficial to you or if paying OOP is.

Good luck and congrats!!

Thank you for the advice! On our next day off I am going to have to go with him to decide what entrees we would order at the TS meals. I am beginning to think they are going to be cheaper than what the DDP would be. ANd with the dessert not being on our must haves, I feel that most TS meals they would go to waste.

What you might want to do is start thinking about where you are going to want to eat (you have until March of next year before you can book your ADRs so no rush). Look at the menus on AllEars to get a general idea of the cost and figure up some general amounts for what you'd eat. Compare that to how much it will run you each day on the DDP and make sure you add back in gratuitiy since it isn't included on the DDP. If you don't normally get two desserts each meal, and don't plan on eating at least one TS meal a day it might not be worth it.

The cost of the standard DDP is going up to $51.54/adult. So as a pretty safe number if you and your soon to be DH don't eat $125 (the DDP plus $20 for a typ. tip on your one TS) a day in food if might be cheaper to skip the DDP.

My problem is I overthink and over plan everything WAAAY too much. I went back and forth and we had decided just to do it because that way we only had to worry about drink money and tips in relation to our meals. We could buy a few breakfast foods at home and some snacks since we won't be on a plane. Fiance is going to love me when I make him go through all these menus

 

[havoc315]

I feel like since we are driving, we could bring our owns snacks and we would bring our own breakfast meals since we aren't big breakfast people. We most likely wouldn't both order a dessert, maybe just one! That is what is getting me. Normally we are more likely to order an app. when we go out to eat than dessert. I am going to have to go back and see if then TS meals we order would be that much, because I honestly don't think they would be. Some of them might, since DH would be ordering steak some times, but he would only be able to eat SO much of it. I can be happy ordering a salad and an appetizer and be full. This is making me think it might not be for us.

Sounds like the DDP is not for you. At some restaurants, you may actually be prohibited from ordering a salad and appetizer as your meal if you are on the plan. (In other words, you can order it, but you would have to pay for both the salad and the appetizer OOP, none of it would be covered by a dining credit). So yes.. believe it or not.... You may simply want a $15 meal... app + salad, but you will be told that the steak + dessert is covered (for $40), but not your $15 app + salad.

For some people, the refillable soda mugs is a big selling point. But since you are driving and plan on bringing some of your own groceries, you can easily bring a week's worth of soda for under $10, and then have it cold in your room instead of walking to the food court.

If you are going to skip some of your desserts as well, it really ruins the value of the dining plan.
To break even, you need to spend around $32. That number is easy to reach at buffets, which are ridiculously expensive. But at regular TS restaurants, it's not easy to hit that number without ordering dessert.

You mentioned Planet Hollywood before.. which isn't 1 of the cheaper restaurants -- The most expensive item is the steak.. at about $26. Throw in a soda, rounding up to $3-- you are at $29. Even after adding in tax, you are below the $32 magic number if you skip dessert.
Assuming you and your husband share 1 dessert--- and assume he orders that $26 steak, but you order the Pasta Carbonara for $17... each get a beverage, for $6 total, plus share a $8 dessert... Then you are at $57 before tax. About $61 after tax, still slightly below the break-even threshold.

The DDP works for people doing a lot of buffets, or people who like to eat in *exactly* the way the DDP is designed --- A QS lunch with beverage + dessert, a snack every day, and a TS dinner consisting of a regular entree, a beverage, plus a dessert.

 

[Julie521]

Sounds like the DDP is not for you. At some restaurants, you may actually be prohibited from ordering a salad and appetizer as your meal if you are on the plan. (In other words, you can order it, but you would have to pay for both the salad and the appetizer OOP, none of it would be covered by a dining credit). So yes.. believe it or not.... You may simply want a $15 meal... app + salad, but you will be told that the steak + dessert is covered (for $40), but not your $15 app + salad.

For some people, the refillable soda mugs is a big selling point. But since you are driving and plan on bringing some of your own groceries, you can easily bring a week's worth of soda for under $10, and then have it cold in your room instead of walking to the food court.

If you are going to skip some of your desserts as well, it really ruins the value of the dining plan.
To break even, you need to spend around $32. That number is easy to reach at buffets, which are ridiculously expensive. But at regular TS restaurants, it's not easy to hit that number without ordering dessert.

You mentioned Planet Hollywood before.. which isn't 1 of the cheaper restaurants -- The most expensive item is the steak.. at about $26. Throw in a soda, rounding up to $3-- you are at $29. Even after adding in tax, you are below the $32 magic number if you skip dessert.
Assuming you and your husband share 1 dessert--- and assume he orders that $26 steak, but you order the Pasta Carbonara for $17... each get a beverage, for $6 total, plus share a $8 dessert... Then you are at $57 before tax. About $61 after tax, still slightly below the break-even threshold.

The DDP works for people doing a lot of buffets, or people who like to eat in *exactly* the way the DDP is designed --- A QS lunch with beverage + dessert, a snack every day, and a TS dinner consisting of a regular entree, a beverage, plus a dessert.

I am definitely beginning to agree that this is probably not for us. Being able to drive, I can bring a case of water (which I will drink) and a case of soda for DH and be good. On top of that, I truly don't think we would order a dessert more than once or twice throughout the week. And the having to pay OOP for a salad but can get a $40 steak is kind of driving me nuts! I am obsessed with caesar salad. I can easily make that a meal for me. I may just call and cancel it, and just chose where I want my ADR's to be. You can still make them without being of the DDP correct? My only thought is that if the free dining is offered, should we take it?

 

[havoc315]

I am definitely beginning to agree that this is probably not for us. Being able to drive, I can bring a case of water (which I will drink) and a case of soda for DH and be good. On top of that, I truly don't think we would order a dessert more than once or twice throughout the week. And the having to pay OOP for a salad but can get a $40 steak is kind of driving me nuts! I am obsessed with caesar salad. I can easily make that a meal for me. I may just call and cancel it, and just chose where I want my ADR's to be. You can still make them without being of the DDP correct? My only thought is that if the free dining is offered, should we take it?

Yes, you can have ADRs without being on the dining plan. And not to stick my nose in, but as it's your honeymoon, I'd seriously consider doing a nice signature dinner 1 night. (And with your eating habits, you may find it no more expensive than a regular TS restaurant OOP).

Free dining has been offered for September, ever since the dining plan was created. But September 2012 *might* be the first time it's not offered. (It is being offered as a bounce back, as a Canadian offer.... they seem to be intentionally excluding it from the American general public).

*If* it does become available... then compare it to any other discounts that may or may not be available. If there are no other decent discounts, then you have nothing to lose by getting the plan. You may not get the most use out of it, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Julie521]

Yes, you can have ADRs without being on the dining plan. And not to stick my nose in, but as it's your honeymoon, I'd seriously consider doing a nice signature dinner 1 night. (And with your eating habits, you may find it no more expensive than a regular TS restaurant OOP).

Free dining has been offered for September, ever since the dining plan was created. But September 2012 *might* be the first time it's not offered. (It is being offered as a bounce back, as a Canadian offer.... they seem to be intentionally excluding it from the American general public).

*If* it does become available... then compare it to any other discounts that may or may not be available. If there are no other decent discounts, then you have nothing to lose by getting the plan. You may not get the most use out of it, but it's better than nothing.

Please, don't feel like you are sticking your nose in! I appreciate all the advice the disney veterans have on here!! You are right, but I think I am going to keep that on a surprise from him, so I will have to find a place and at least make sure they have something he will enjoy. As long as there is a steak on the menu i should be good! Do you have any suggestions on a nice place, romantic but not too.. "fru fru" (spelling?) type. I think if it is free I might as well take advantage, then if its not I will probably just take it off our reservation. We are saving 20% on our room through AAA right now.

 

[havoc315]

Please, don't feel like you are sticking your nose in! I appreciate all the advice the disney veterans have on here!! You are right, but I think I am going to keep that on a surprise from him, so I will have to find a place and at least make sure they have something he will enjoy. As long as there is a steak on the menu i should be good! Do you have any suggestions on a nice place, romantic but not too.. "fru fru" (spelling?) type. I think if it is free I might as well take advantage, then if its not I will probably just take it off our reservation. We are saving 20% on our room through AAA right now.

Though I haven't tried it myself yet, I'd probably say Artist's Point. If he lies surf and turf, then maybe Narcoose's.

Have a wonderful memorable honeymoon.

 

[Julie521]

Though I haven't tried it myself yet, I'd probably say Artist's Point. If he lies surf and turf, then maybe Narcoose's.

Have a wonderful memorable honeymoon.

Thanks so much for your kind words and help he would like the turf, not the surf

 

[havoc315]

I really should add, since you will have your car, if you skip the plan, you can dine far better, at much better prices, by going off property.
Why pay $60 for lobster at Narcoose's when you can get it off property for a fraction of that price?

You said your fiance likes steak---
Semi-on-property you have Shula's Steakhouse at the Swan. You can even get a discount by using restaurant.com. (Currently, purchase a $25 gift certificate for $3, basically giving you $22 off your total meal.)

If you are willing to drive a fair distance, you are in range of 1 of the greatest steakhouses in the entire world (I'm not exaggerating)... This is a meal that sticks in my memory from about 8 years ago..
Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. A bit far from Disney -- 60-90 minutes each way. But truly 1 of the most amazing steak meals you can possibly have.
Not cheap.... But really no more expensive than the signature restaurants on Disney property.

So really, if you have a car, so you're not tied down to the Disney property or Disney dining plan, you can do a bit of research and find some great non-Disney dining opportunities.