DDP Hacks!

[HatboxHaint]

Name something you did recently to get the most money out of the DDP!

 

[WildernessMickey]

We used a TS credit each to book the Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose. It uses the same TS credits as a regular meal, but with the package you also get an appetizer and a pass for reserved seating at the evening show. We ended up not even using the passes since everyone got tired too soon, but it was nice to be able to have appetizers.

 

[Woodmnky]

At many QS restaurants there were similar choices on the adults menu as the kids menu (or even just other items that my 5yo son would like). Especially when we were at the resort, I would have him pick from the adult menu so that we would then get 2 snack credit choices with his meal instead of just the normal small kids items.

For example at Pop Century he picked a picked a hot dog (which is available on both the adult and kid menus). The adult version comes with two sides, normally a choice of slaw, fries or pasta salad. I asked if I could get fries and a pack of the kids grapes and they said that was fine. (this gave him the same meal that he would have gotten if ordering from the kids menu). With the way the dining plan works we were now able to choose two snack credit items to go along with his meal. In that case we picked two muffins which we took back to the room for the next days breakfast. This did work best at the resorts because we often got food that we could store and eat later.

 

[Shellbells]

I'm confused, why would you get 2 snacks with each cs meal? I though you only got 1 per person per day

 

[thornton0511]

I'm confused, why would you get 2 snacks with each cs meal? I though you only got 1 per person per day

I think they meant sides which is typically what you get with the kids meals. Choice of 2 sides....if I read that correctly

 

[glitzybabes]

A waffle with powder sugar or cinnamon at Sleepy Hollow in MK is a snack credit. Great for breakfast without using a QS credit.

 

[Shellbells]

Good tip! I wish there was a board with current confirmed snacks

 

[Woodmnky]

I'm confused, why would you get 2 snacks with each cs meal? I though you only got 1 per person per day

Because you get a drink and dessert with each adult lunch or dinner meal in addition to the entrée, however, the dessert and drink can be swapped out for any other item that is listed with the snack credit logo. Some people use these swaps to get extra side items so that they can share one meal (we do that sometimes as well), but also you can use these swaps to pick up things to eat at other times such as breakfast.

 

[Woodmnky]

I think they meant sides which is typically what you get with the kids meals. Choice of 2 sides....if I read that correctly

With the meal that I mentioned you did get your choice of two sides, but in addition to those you get those sides you also get a drink & dessert which can be subbed for other snack credit items.

 

[Baklava]

The large bags of trail mix at our resort store (POR) counted as a snack credit. Those are a hefty amount of food.

 

[SunnieRN]

My favorite QS 'hack' is to share one of the larger QS meals, which I wouldn't be able to eat on my own anyway and use the extra credit for a breakfast for my grandmunchkins!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

With the meal that I mentioned you did get your choice of two sides, but in addition to those you get those sides you also get a drink & dessert which can be subbed for other snack credit items.

So does this mean I could swap out drink at BOG for a soup, order of fries or an extra cupcake? I did a swap out at Pinocchio's last year (swapped out dessert for garlic knots). Did not realize you could swap out the drink. TIA

 

[wdwrule]

So does this mean I could swap out drink at BOG for a soup, order of fries or an extra cupcake? I did a swap out at Pinocchio's last year (swapped out dessert for garlic knots). Did not realize you could swap out the drink. TIA

Yes

 

[Goldilocks07]

So does this mean I could swap out drink at BOG for a soup, order of fries or an extra cupcake? I did a swap out at Pinocchio's last year (swapped out dessert for garlic knots). Did not realize you could swap out the drink. TIA

Well, that certainly changes things for me. One of the main reasons I've never gotten the plan, is that we aren't soda drinkers and we only need one dessert for the entire family, not one per person. To be able to switch that out makes a big difference, at least for lunch/QS.

Is there anything you can switch those two out for with a TS restaurant?

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

When DD was a tween, she would occasionally want a kids meal or the cheapest thing on the menu. In those cases, we paid out of pocket for her meal and saved the credit for another meal (we usually plan on a few meals out of pocket since we typically eat 3 meals a day).

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Well, that certainly changes things for me. One of the main reasons I've never gotten the plan, is that we aren't soda drinkers and we only need one dessert for the entire family, not one per person. To be able to switch that out makes a big difference, at least for lunch/TS.

Is there anything you can switch those two out for with a TS restaurant?

As far as I know, this only applies to the QS credits.

 

[VillainFavs]

If eating a meal at your resort's food court, be sure to get a bottled beverage as your drink. Then use your refillable mug to get a drink for your meal. Save the bottled beverage for a later time--take with you to the park or get a juice to have with breakfast the next morning.

 

[Woodmnky]

Well, that certainly changes things for me. One of the main reasons I've never gotten the plan, is that we aren't soda drinkers and we only need one dessert for the entire family, not one per person. To be able to switch that out makes a big difference, at least for lunch/TS.

Is there anything you can switch those two out for with a TS restaurant?

There have been some reports of people being allowed to switch out the dessert for something like a small garden salad or fruit cup, but it does not seem to be available everywhere and it is very limited. As far as I know, you are not able to switch out the drink for anything with a table service credit.

Being able to switch out the drink & dessert for another item marked with a snack credit logo is actually written in the description of the QS credits, but there is no such wording for table service meals.

 

[purple figment]

Well, that certainly changes things for me. One of the main reasons I've never gotten the plan, is that we aren't soda drinkers and we only need one dessert for the entire family, not one per person. To be able to switch that out makes a big difference, at least for lunch/QS.

Is there anything you can switch those two out for with a TS restaurant?

For counter service venues the substitution rules are clearly written in the dining plan brochures.

For table service restaurants there is nothing written in the dining plan brochures so it is at the restaurant's discretion. Some restaurants might allow a substitution for the dessert, but the item they offer is pre-determined by the restaurant and not something on the menu that the diner can choose. Most often it has been reported to be a side salad, a cup of soup or a veggie side. You will have to ask at each restaurant. The TS will not sub out the beverage component.

 

[sharonabe]

Well, that certainly changes things for me. One of the main reasons I've never gotten the plan, is that we aren't soda drinkers and we only need one dessert for the entire family, not one per person. To be able to switch that out makes a big difference, at least for lunch/QS.

Is there anything you can switch those two out for with a TS restaurant?

Be careful with this. We, too, are water drinkers and one dessert/day is plenty (especially when you also have a snack to use). When the change first came about, I priced out some meals with the swaps and we STILL barely broke even on the plan and there was STILL more food than we would want which really means that we're STILL paying more than we would OOP.