DDP Question

[JodyTG]

Okay, so, I've been to WDW quite a few times, but I've never used the DDP. I'm looking for my Dis friends to tell me their honest opinions on whether or not my family should get it. There's me and my husband, 16-year-old daughter, and 3-year-old son.

My husband prefers buffets and, honestly, it's easier for our son (and on us) to get his food right after we sit down. Would it be best to just pay out of pocket for all of our meal since we'll either be eating at a buffet or counter service or do you guys think that the DDP is still the way to go?

Thanks in advance!
Jody

 

[jcemom]

Which buffets are you doing? If you're doing Chef Mickey's dinner, 1900 Park Fare dinner, etc, and you're doing one TS every night then the DDP will probably be a good value for you. If you're doing breakfasts or less expensive buffets like Trail's End or Biergarten lunch then it probably won't be a good value.

The only way to know for sure is to do the math. How do normally order at CS? Do you each like to get your own meal? Or do you share? That can make a difference too.

 

[JodyTG]

Well, the family favorites (DH actually) are usually breakfasts and the Biergarten has become a tradition.

 

[jcemom]

It's probably not going to be a great value for you then. If you figure on $10 per CS meal, and $3.50 per snack, then your TS should cost about $21 per person before tax and tip to break even.

We don't normally order a meal, drink and dessert each at CS, so I lower that one to $7 when doing my calculations. In my case each TS meal needs to average $24 per person before tax and tip for me to break even.

Mine are just rough estimates. I'm sure someone has figured it out down to the penny.

Most character breakfasts are around $19, Biergarten lunch is $20 and dinner $24. Hollywood & Vine breakfast is $23. Boma breakfast is only $17, but dinner is a better value at $26.

If you're going to do a few more expensive dinners mixed in then you might come out ahead. I think if you're doing all breakfasts and less expensive buffets though you'll be better off paying OOP.

 

[gigi1313]

when you do the math, you'll find that the DDP is a breakeven (or close thereto) if you do mostly breakfasts... but you come out significantly ahead if you do dinners...
figure it this way... a character buffet dinner is $28/adult... add tax and tip and you're up to $35.00... and the DDP is $40, so for another $5 you are getting your CS meal and your (up to $4) snack... imo it's a good deal...

if you share CS meals like we do (esp breakfast), then you're even further ahead 'cause you are stretching the plan that much further...

one of the nice things we found about it is that we get to try things we may not have tried on our own dime, and we don't have to say "no" as often because so much is included in it...

whatever you decide, enjoy!