DDP in December

[bobgobblin15]

Ok, we have never done the dining plan before ever. We are getting ready to do a quick trip in May for a few days and we’re planning on doing bounce backs for December but now there is the offer for free dining plan. Should we do the free dining? We are going with 20 years old who will be running around doing their own things. But then you can’t get some stuff that’s on the menu with the dining plan correct?

 

[Hubalorian]

I wouldn’t recommend the DDP, it’s very hard to get “value” out of it unless you order the most expensive items, get alcohol with every meal, and utilize the mugs (which don’t work in the parks)

Typically the room/ticket offers save you more then the “free dining” plan would

 

[Disneylover99]

It really depends. There is lots to consider. Are there four adults in a room? Do you need/want the tickets with park hopper? How many days will you be there? Are you planning a deluxe resort or a value/moderate resort?

 

[bobgobblin15]

Thank yall both! Yes, so we would do park hoppers cause of our older kids. Cause they will want to stay late and do everything. We would be stay 8 days. It will be either FQ again or AKL/Saratoga. I’m just thinking with all our kids it may be easier and plus they are also of drinking age too.

 

[Disneylover99]

Thank yall both! Yes, so we would do park hoppers cause of our older kids. Cause they will want to stay late and do everything. We would be stay 8 days. It will be either FQ again or AKL/Saratoga. I’m just thinking with all our kids it may be easier and plus they are also of drinking age too.

So if you did FQ you’d get the quick service dining plan, but you could upgrade to the regular dining plan if you wanted to. If you stayed at AKL/Saratoga, you’d get the regular dining plan. You just need to see what your room discount per night would be with your bounce back offer versus paying rack rate for your room with free dining.

If you’ve got 4 adults in your room, free dining would probably be the better deal.

 

[bobgobblin15]

Thank you! There will be 7/6 adults (one we aren’t sure yet so it maybe 6) and one 12 year old. I know the bounce back offer is decent but at the same time we have to eat and we are going to go through a ton of food lol

 

[Mle8308]

Thank you! There will be 7/6 adults (one we aren’t sure yet so it maybe 6) and one 12 year old. I know the bounce back offer is decent but at the same time we have to eat and we are going to go through a ton of food lol

Might work, remember tips are not included with the DDP, so if you are ordering $20 drinks at dinner, be prepared to tip the 18% on that on top of whatever price your entree and dessert are. And the 12 year old is considered an adult on the DDP. Disney will automatically add an 18% gratuity for parties of 6 or more.

 

[bobgobblin15]

Ah thank you I didn’t realize tips weren’t included. Makes sense. The husband and I just sat down and did the numbers for two rooms and I think we are going with the bounce back. With the bounce back offer + full price park tickets we come out better than full price room with free dining plan. The money saved with the bounce backs is more than enough to cover food.

 

[Mle8308]

Ah thank you I didn’t realize tips weren’t included. Makes sense. The husband and I just sat down and did the numbers for two rooms and I think we are going with the bounce back. With the bounce back offer + full price park tickets we come out better than full price room with free dining plan. The money saved with the bounce backs is more than enough to cover food.

If some of your group is going off on their own, they can charge meals back to the room, or, to save some money, try buying discounted Disney gift cards ahead of time. You can use them at point of sale (and for more than just food) or use them to pay off the room charge balance (do it the night before you check out, it's easier). Most people often do better paying as you go. People will sometimes order the most expensive things on the menu to "make it worth it" even if it is not what they would normally order. Forgetting they have to tip based on that amount. And it's often more food than most people would normally eat. Plus, sit down restaurants can take up a lot of park time!

 

[bobgobblin15]

I think the gift cards are good idea because the older ones are going to be going off on their own and that way they don’t have to let me know or feel like they have to ask before hand. They can just go and have fun and they can use it one whatever not just food! We may do one or two sit downs if that. Because they do take up a lot of time and when your exhausted sometimes you don’t want a bunch of food either.

 

[Mle8308]

I think the gift cards are good idea because the older ones are going to be going off on their own and that way they don’t have to let me know or feel like they have to ask before hand. They can just go and have fun and they can use it one whatever not just food! We may do one or two sit downs if that. Because they do take up a lot of time and when your exhausted sometimes you don’t want a bunch of food either.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[bobgobblin15]

Thank you!