DDP still ahead of OOP costs

[jeast]

We're a family of 2 adults and 2 kids 4 and 7 going for 5 nights. I just pulled up the costs for four table service and 6 CS meals we would most likely eat while in Disney. Even with taking 20% off for DDE, it still comes out way ahead. By around $100, not to mention the $85 for the DDE card.

 

[patsal]

We're a family of 2 adults and 2 kids 4 and 7 going for 5 nights. I just pulled up the costs for four table service and 6 CS meals we would most likely eat while in Disney. Even with taking 20% off for DDE, it still comes out way ahead. By around $100, not to mention the $85 for the DDE card.

You're the perfect family scenario for the DDP to be a money saver. Two kids under 10 and no doubt some character meals. Once the kids are over 10 you start to lose the savings especially if you are not doing character dining. Don't forget to factor $$ in for tips--with the auto 18% the DDE looks like even less a bargain. . .

 

[tipsytrtle]

We just went over the dining plan today too to see if it would be worth it. we're doing the DxDDP for 7nights 3/30-4/6. DH, me and DD15
we went through all our ADR's tallying up what we would most likely choose and then added tax.
even with adding the gratuity to the total amounts we are showing a savings of 380.00 and thats without even considering the snack credits.
I think even with the tips not being included anylonger, the dining plan is still a potential money saver if used to its fullest potential.

 

[Tricia1972]

I think that tipsyturtle hit the nail on the head saying "If used to it's fullest potential"

I looked at the menus and what we'd likely order if we got what we wanted paying OOP instead of getting the DDP and ordering what came with it.

For us the DDP will cost $1,406.58 for our party of 5 adults, 1 child and 1 infant for 7 nights.

Looking at the menus our OOP cost for the same time period will be $1,082.10 including a minimum of 18% gratuity. Adding the gratuity total to the DDP increases the DDP cost to $1,535.03.

I figure we are saving $452.93 not using the DDP.

We are dining at 5 TS restaurants over the time period and eating about 9 CS meals. We'll have all of our breakfasts in our villa and a few light dinners (sandwiches).


Assuming that we were 'normal' and ate out 1ts for every night and 1 cs for every day, our cost is now $1,265.09 for OOP with the DDE and our DDP cost is now $1575.88 with the additional gratuities added in. This scenario now affords us a savings of 'only' $310.79.


I am not saying that the DDP or DxDDP does not work for you, I am just saying that it's not as clear cut, or cookie cutter simple as it seems. The DDP does not work for everyone and that's fine. I just really believe that every individual family needs to look it over for themselves. Had I just read a post that the "DDP works", I would have ended up spending more money than I needed too, and probably ordering or wasting more food than I want to.

 

[angelmav]

I think that tipsyturtle hit the nail on the head saying "If used to it's fullest potential"

I looked at the menus and what we'd likely order if we got what we wanted paying OOP instead of getting the DDP and ordering what came with it.

For us the DDP will cost $1,406.58 for our party of 5 adults, 1 child and 1 infant for 7 nights.

Looking at the menus our OOP cost for the same time period will be $1,082.10 including a minimum of 18% gratuity. Adding the gratuity total to the DDP increases the DDP cost to $1,535.03.

I figure we are saving $452.93 not using the DDP.

We are dining at 5 TS restaurants over the time period and eating about 9 CS meals. We'll have all of our breakfasts in our villa and a few light dinners (sandwiches).


Assuming that we were 'normal' and ate out 1ts for every night and 1 cs for every day, our cost is now $1,265.09 for OOP with the DDE and our DDP cost is now $1575.88 with the additional gratuities added in. This scenario now affords us a savings of 'only' $310.79.


I am not saying that the DDP or DxDDP does not work for you, I am just saying that it's not as clear cut, or cookie cutter simple as it seems. The DDP does not work for everyone and that's fine. I just really believe that every individual family needs to look it over for themselves. Had I just read a post that the "DDP works", I would have ended up spending more money than I needed too, and probably ordering or wasting more food than I want to.

Thanks Tricia! Thats the exact type of advice everyone should be heeding. Look at your meals as you would like to eat, not on how the plan affords you the ability to eat and youll get a much clearer picture. patsal, you are also right on in saying just 'who' makes out the best with this, as there certainly is a pretty specific demographic that will do better than everyone else on the plan. I know people get excited and carried away with the planning and wish/hope that they look at this as realistically as you two posters have just done!

 

[jeast]

Yes, I think it works for us because of our situation. Once the kids are older, it won't be so helpful. I was kind of hoping it wouldn't work out so much better on the DDP because I'd like the flexibility of OOP, but I could really use the savings!

 

[bigbabyblues]

Our kids are 7 and 4, and the ddp works well for us also.