DDP or not?

[Shleedogg]

It will be me, DH and our DD (2 yrs) going for 4 nights/5 days in Feb.

DH is a light eater, never eats dessert. DD is a big eater, I'm in the middle, but being pregnant have a lot of food aversions and a smaller appetite lately. I'm considering adding the regular DDP. DH doesn't want to, thinks it's too much food and too much money. We're planning on doing 1 TS meal for DD, the H&V Playhouse Disney lunch. DD LOVES the Einsteins and Oso and since the Playhouse show is closed, we both really want her to go to this lunch to see them. Problem is it's going to be about $60 for the two of us. Add that to my estimated budget for eating just CS (lunch and dinner) and we're at about $125 difference between the DDP and paying OOP for CS and 1 TS. My estimated budget does not include any extra snacks or drinks but does include DD getting her own kids meal.

I feel like since it's such a small difference, we should just upgrade and do mostly buffets and DD can share with DH and I for the CS meals. DH thinks we should just save as much as possible. We're trying to do the whole trip for as close to $875 as possible, with about $200 of wiggle room to go over on snacks and souvenirs. We have our flights ($586) and are DVC members staying on points.

Cost of DDP for us $367.92

My est cost of just CS meals $186
H&V breakfast - 57.98

Food total w/out snacks for OOP = $243

Difference of $124

So, what would you do? The DDP will obviously put us over our goal budget, but won't break the bank.

 

[eliza61]

I'm not a big fan of the ddp. it simply doesn't reflect how my family and I really eat. We also rarely eat appertizers and dessert. then we hate being locked into eating a ts at a specific time. last trip we made adr's for every night and only made 2 out of 8.
You say your daugher is a big eater. how big, she's 2.

 

[Shleedogg]

I'm not a big fan of the ddp. it simply doesn't reflect how my family and I really eat. We also rarely eat appertizers and dessert. then we hate being locked into eating a ts at a specific time. last trip we made adr's for every night and only made 2 out of 8.
You say your daugher is a big eater. how big, she's 2.

When we went in Sept, she would eat all of her own CS meal, entree and grapes/carrots. I don't mean she's going to eat an adult CS on her own, but the portions in the kids CS are definitely something she can handle.

 

[highwayg]

I would go without the plan. Saves a few dollars and less worry about ADRs

 

[minnie mouse]

I loved the DDP when it first came out, and my kids were small. Now since my kids are considered adults for the DDP, we don't use it any longer. My two girls 12 and 14 are light eaters and it is just too much food for them. I also don't like to eat that much at some meals and just get a salad, so for us its just not worth the cost.

 

[MariDisney]

I would probably add it. But, since you're so close to the trip I'd make sure I could get the ADRs I wanted before doing so.

 

[racechick8293]

I found that in the counter service options I tried, the adult entree was more than enough for DD (4) and I to share. This held true for Sunshine Seasons in Epcot and Starring Rolls in HS.

I'm not a fan of the DDP concept; it seems so limiting have to be in a certain park at a certain time for meals.

 

[sksjasams]

I voted the oop for lunch/dinner plus 1 table service.

This is what we did for the 3 of us, DH, DS10 and me.

We definitely saved money, plus we weren't tied to ADRs. We could eat when and where we wanted. Most evenings we left the parks and got carryout at POP and ate in the room and rested. We were too busy during the day for a TS service lunch.

I would think flexiblity in your schedule would be a great benefit to you, especially considering you are expecting and may be tired, and the fact that you have a toddler.

Enjoy your trip and congrats on your new little blessing!

 

[cluvsdisney]

Based on what you posted, I wouldn't even consider the dining plan. Aside from your current eating preferences, $124 is over 50% of your estimated food costs - I think that's a huge difference.

 

[luvsJack]

IMHO, you would really need to add in the cost of snacks (if you get them) or drinks between meals to compare the cost. Would you spend that much? Or would you prefer more TS meals? If you are set with one, then I don't think the ddp is for you on this trip. If you would prefer to eat a TS meal each day then you may want to rethink.

We like the DDP and get it every time. We enjoy the ts meals. Either as a great way to start the day (character breakfasts) or for a nice break in our day. It has never been an issue for us to think about being in a certain park at a certain time. But it has to fit the way your family dines.

 

[patsal]

I'd skip the DDP. You have maximum flexibility without it.

 

[AuroraSheasMom]

I really think no DDP,given your explanation. Keep in mind that many CS meals are big enough to share. At Cosmic Ray's, DD and I always share a 1/2 rotisserie meal. A pizza is uaually an inexpensive option as well. There's this expectation on the DDP that you have to eat enough to make it worth your while, and if you don't normally eat that way, it's really a waste of food and money.

 

[wide awake]

I would do DDP. I wouldn't go to WDW w/o it. I hate ordering by the price, which I do if I am paying OOP. Also, it is a misconception that you have to eat a ton of food. I am a light eater, and many of the lighter entrees that I prefer happen to be the most expensive on the menu. If I am at Tutto, I want lean steak and greens, very expensive....I don't want the plate of lasagna or fettucine alfredo, both of which are cheaper than the meat and veg. Being pregnant I would def go w/ DDP. You'll eat healthier. DH doesn't have to eat dessert as in pie or cake...he can order fruit and if he doesn't eat it you or DD can have it.

 

[Marionnette]

It will be me, DH and our DD (2 yrs) going for 4 nights/5 days in Feb.

DH is a light eater, never eats dessert. DD is a big eater, I'm in the middle, but being pregnant have a lot of food aversions and a smaller appetite lately. I'm considering adding the regular DDP. DH doesn't want to, thinks it's too much food and too much money. We're planning on doing 1 TS meal for DD, the H&V Playhouse Disney lunch. DD LOVES the Einsteins and Oso and since the Playhouse show is closed, we both really want her to go to this lunch to see them. Problem is it's going to be about $60 for the two of us. Add that to my estimated budget for eating just CS (lunch and dinner) and we're at about $125 difference between the DDP and paying OOP for CS and 1 TS. My estimated budget does not include any extra snacks or drinks but does include DD getting her own kids meal.

I feel like since it's such a small difference, we should just upgrade and do mostly buffets and DD can share with DH and I for the CS meals. DH thinks we should just save as much as possible. We're trying to do the whole trip for as close to $875 as possible, with about $200 of wiggle room to go over on snacks and souvenirs. We have our flights ($586) and are DVC members staying on points.

Cost of DDP for us $367.92

My est cost of just CS meals $186
H&V breakfast - 57.98

Food total w/out snacks for OOP = $243

Difference of $124

So, what would you do? The DDP will obviously put us over our goal budget, but won't break the bank.

Why would you spend more money on a dining plan that does not fit your dining preferences? Eat what you want and where you want and just pay out of pocket.

 

[adventure_woman]

I don't know if anyone said this or not...but if DD is 2 when you go, you CAN'T get the DDP for her, unless you say she is 3 and buy her a park ticket.

I would pay OOP, when DDP is free is one thing, but I don't think it is good enough value to pay for it.

 

[Darcy03231]

Also, keep in mind tipping for all those TS meals. DDP doesn't include the tip.

With what you've described I'd stick to the one TS meal and the rest CS meals and pay OOP.

 

[Shleedogg]

Why would you spend more money on a dining plan that does not fit your dining preferences? Eat what you want and where you want and just pay out of pocket.

Because for $125, we would have more 3 TS mea, which I prefer plus snacks, which I didn't include in my estimate. Having to be at an ADR doesn't bother me the way some people seem to detest it.

I don't know if anyone said this or not...but if DD is 2 when you go, you CAN'T get the DDP for her, unless you say she is 3 and buy her a park ticket.

I would pay OOP, when DDP is free is one thing, but I don't think it is good enough value to pay for it.

Yes, we did know that, but thanks for the heads up . I figured that we could do buffets for our TS meals so DD could eat at those for free, then we'd just be sharing at lunch.

We're DVC, so technically we could buy her the DDP w/out buying a park ticket, but I think we could get by just fine w/out her needing her own DDP.

 

[stm61]

I would do the DDP. It gives you buffets where you can get what you want and your dd eats for free. If you don't use all the TS credits, you can trade them in for snacks at your resort food court. Also, as you said, you haven't added in the cost of snacks. Being pregnant you might need those extra snacks, plus you can use the credits for water/drinks. If you don't use all the snack credits you can use them for treats to take home. Our last morning always includes a stop at the Main St. Confectionary so the kids can trade in snack credits for rice crispy treats, suckers, etc.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Also, keep in mind that if you do end up getting the DDP (even after it's paid for) that you'll still have the OOP expense of your gratuities...
You'll be paying them either way, but just wanted to remind you to factor them into your costs of the DDP.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

Have you priced the counter service plan? Comes with 2 CS and 2 snacks daily and resort mugs. You would still have to pay for your TS meal though. I like that everything is paid before we get there when we do the dining plan, and the year I decided not to I kept reciepts and know we spent more then the plan would have cost.