DDP, TIW or OOP

[JanaD]

We are DVC members traveling Dec. 19-28. We are a party of 5 adults (54, 52, 20, 17 and 13). I can't decide if we would be better off purchasing the DDP, paying OOP or using TIW (with all the blackouts, etc.). Any input would be greatly appreciated!

If it makes a difference, these are the restaurants we are considering:

TS restaurants:
Teppan Edo
Kona Café
Wolfgang Puck Café
50s Prime Time Café
Trails End Restaurant
Cape May Café
Flying Fish Café (2)
Le Cellier (2)

8 CS Restaurants:
Flame Tree BBQ
Columbia Harbour House
Yorkshire County Fish Co.
Sunshine Seasons
Toy Story Pizza Planet
Wolfgang Puck Express
Be Our Guest Restaurant (Lunch)
Plus one more

OOP Cost:
Candlelight Processional (Via Napoli)
either Flying Fish or Le Cellier

 

[Anomaly711]

I'm not an expert but the restaurants you've chosen are not really great values for the DDP, except for Cape May. Have you seen this site? http://wdwprepschool.com/maximizing-disney-dining-plan-credits/
It helps you to "maximize" your value. Not that those restaurants aren't wonderful, but they're better paid OOP for the most part. The TIW sounds like your best bet and I would def look into that instead of buying the DDP.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I'd have to agree with the TIW card, especially if you're not appetizer and/or dessert eaters!

 

[cluvsdisney]

I would go with the TIW card as well. The black out dates are 12/20-12/26 but that will only apply to Le Celllier (if you can schedule that on the 19th, 17th or 28th - you're good).

 

[senadler]

With the number of CS choices, it is hard to tell whether DDP or TIW is better for your plans. With all of your TS looking like dinner, DDP could make sense. While I would lean toward TIW the only way to be sure is to price it out by estimating what you might order. I definitely would not go strictly OOP. TIW will certainly pay for itself with the number in your party and your dining choices.

 

[sharonabe]

You would have 9 credits, so you would need to do two of your three 2 TS credit places on the plan, and pay for one of the one credits OOP. However, with 5 adults, that's 5 desserts on the table. That's a lot of dessert. I think you could easily come out ahead with the TiW over the DDP.

 

[aaarcher86]

TIW always wins out monetarily from what I've seen over the ddp.

And using TIW is essentially paying oop with a discount where applicable, so I'd go with that.

 

[supersnoop]

Five adults? TiW will save you the most, with out-of-pocket in second place and the dining plan a distant third.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

There is a calculator around here somewhere. I analyze this for us every time an TIW always wins. So much so that I don't feel the need to do it again. The only exception is when we have a split stay for 2 nights and use the DxDDP over the course of 3 days. I'll have to look at it for my upcoming trip. I'll bet TIW may still win.

 

[JanaD]

Thanks everybody for the input! I kinda thought TIW would be better, but with the blackout dates and seasonal pricing, I just couldn't get my mind in gear!

 

[JanaD]

Also, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are blacked out for TIW. Do you still believe TIW would be better than DDP with two full days out?

 

[aaarcher86]

Probably, depending on the other places you're eating.

I think it's $500 spent to makeup the cost of the TIW card?

 

[NicoleLarson]

Are you going any other time in the next 13 months? You will be able to use the card then too. Also do you have a car? Valet is free at resorts if you are eating with your TIW card. We use this all of the time, especially if its raining. The only real way to know is to crunch the numbers for yourself. Look at the menus, do a general idea of what you would order, then compare. I think the official break even is something like $480 cause you pay less tax. So anything over that is pure savings. If that number is higher than what you would save on the DDP then TIW is the better option. Also noted Teppan Edo is excluded from TIW, and you cant use it on the candlelight processional either, so it may not be a savings.....also note the only CS that is included is flame tree. So I really don't know if TIW is the way to go. Its going to really take some planning to do the most expensive meals on non-blackout days and do cheaper meals on days that are blacked out. Hope that makes sense.