DDp vs DDE excersise

[DVC Grammy]

We tend to use DDE as a "food control" plan . We'd be too tempted to eat every course offered (we run from buffets!)
Seriously, we tend to share entrees at a TS restaurant (and sometimes even at CS places), although we might each have appetizers. or sometimes desserts instead. For just the two of us, we don't spend anywhere near $38 a day/pp. Now if my kids were younger and still lived at home, the DDP would've been used to the max............not a morsel offered would go uneaten!

 

[BCV23]

We have used our DDE for 5 trips now including our last when we did the DDP for the DVC portion of our trip.

I think your analysis is great, Diane. For our DDP portion, we used most CS at breakfast and most TS at lunch. We also used our DDE for wine at the DDP meals. Our savings on the DDP were just about 20%. If we had used our CS for lunch and TS for dinner more often, I think the DDP would save more but we used it as it worked for us that trip.

We really prefer TS meals to CS but it was easy to take breakfast back to our villa. We enjoy many of the signature restaurants and if we do the DDP again, we'll probably pay for those and use our DDE. This particular trip, our signature dinners were during the non DVC portion of our stay.

So unless you go off site, either discount provides good savings IMO and they are not mutually exclusive. Of course, you don't realize as much value with your DDE discount when you use the DDP but in our case, it still paid off on just that trip. And we'll have two more to use it.

And even for kids who have just turned 10, I think the DDP can be a great way to broaden their gustatory horizons. Why order chicken strips when you're entitled to Kevin's Kudos. And it is easier for a parent to let their child order a $25 entree when you aren't fretting about whether they will actually eat what they ordered.

Anyway, we love both options and are grateful to have the choice.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We tend to use DDE as a "food control" plan . We'd be too tempted to eat every course offered (we run from buffets!)
Seriously, we tend to share entrees at a TS restaurant (and sometimes even at CS places), although we might each have appetizers. or sometimes desserts instead. For just the two of us, we don't spend anywhere near $38 a day/pp. Now if my kids were younger and still lived at home, the DDP would've been used to the max............not a morsel offered would go uneaten!

Have you added it up to make sure you don't spend $38/day/person? We were quite surprised when we did that little excersise. Remember, you are figuring tips in that too. That's what made it make sense for us at least for the portion of our trip where we have guests with us. Since we eat at a TS once a day, even without doing ANY CS in a given day, it is still a good deal.

 

[DVC Grammy]

Have you added it up to make sure you don't spend $38/day/person? We were quite surprised when we did that little excersise. Remember, you are figuring tips in that too. That's what made it make sense for us at least for the portion of our trip where we have guests with us. Since we eat at a TS once a day, even without doing ANY CS in a given day, it is still a good deal.

The first trip we used it, we kept every receipt (DH is a "details" man). Our only TS meals are a) late BIG breakfasts, or b) early BIG lunches; the rest of the day, we lightly "graze". Averaging our costs, we spent about $50/day.
We always bring snacks from home (and wine, too ), and since we'd still bring them if we were on the DDP, we don't include them. But everything else is added in.
I agree that for some, it's a really good deal; just not for us when it's only us. Whenever some of the kids and their families join us, we'll probably use it. I can guarantee that NO credits will go to waste, since we'll have takers for any of our unused ones!

 

[SLM]

We paid 551.00 for the two of us in June for the DDP(seven night stay). We had dinner at the Fying Fish and California Grill which worked out to 5 TS meals-we had lighter meals using counter service credits and sharing them several times. An appetizer can also be a salad-I usually ordered those-also a lighter choice. Going over our receipts, the Dining Plan paid for our dinners-everything else was "free".

 

[ClarabelleCow]

bumping this back up, just booked a trip in February and staying at SSR, the DDP will cost the four of us $639.80 for the 5 nights, we are gone an entire day, heading to Daytona for the 500, is there a website that I can look at to see if its worth it for us to do? Unfortunately we are eaters, but with DVC don't we get 20% off at alot of places also? Is that info posted anywhere as well?

 

[3DisneyKids]

I'm a bit confused here.... You don't HAVE to order the appetizer or dessert to use the plan, do you?

Nope, you don't....but your server sure will look at you strangely! lol We were there during free dining last year, so obviously the DDP was a no-brainer (we weren't DVC'ers yet, so we were staying on property but not at a DVC resort). Knowing that an appetizer each and a dessert each was way too much food for us, there were times when we just said we wanted the entree...and the servers just couldn't believe it! But then again, we were literally surrounded by people who were totally gorging themselves on the free dining. It was absurd and sad, I thought...people complaining that something (else) should be included in the plan and so on...and we were like, ummm....you got the whole PLAN for free....and you want more?!?!? (sorry, got off topic for a minute there...)

As a previous poster said, if your goal is to plan to squeeze every last drop of money/value out of the plan, then that just takes the whole fun out of the plan in the first place, in my opinion. Considering that you are going with guests, I think the DDP is an AMAZING option for you. You are so right...no worries or fuss when the bill comes, etc. That in itself is worth a lot right there.

 

[JohnBJr]

... I wish there was some way to make a general statement about "break even" that didn't include exact costs....in other words, something like "if you stay a week and have at least 5 TS meals, DDP will be the better deal". Probably not that easy, but some general guidelines would be very helpful.

We too have a car and will often eat off site. (love the Goodings shopping center by Downtown Disney for a whole bunch of different restaurants, try "Buffalo Wild Wings" for some fiery wings and cold beer).

How about a general analysis of DDP vs. DDE based on caloric intake. We are always trying to watch our weight, so DDP scares me, kind of like an "all you must eat to justify the cost buffet". Everytime I call MS or CRO they pitch the DDP, so it probably is a real moneymaker.
But in order not to join the severly overweight masses, caloric intake is a consideration. Most times we splurge a bit when on vacations but tend to eat less as we get older and because we want to get older. We often split meals or even have just appetizers for a meal. So we like the DDE option as well, especially because the one true vice we have left is adult beverages and we get 20% off on alcohol almost everywhere with the DDE. Of course, beer, wine and mojitos have no calories!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm reasonably certain we will NOT be ordering appetisers AND desserts at most of the TS places. Now Artist Point and Jiko's maybe, because both of those are places where we truly do love both their appetizers and desserts. I'll likely have to take my berry cobbler home though! LOL!

 

[bobbiwoz]

... I'll likely have to take my berry cobbler home though! LOL!

I love the berry cobbler too!!
Bobbi

 

[Granny]

I wish there was some way to make a general statement about "break even" that didn't include exact costs....in other words, something like "if you stay a week and have at least 5 TS meals, DDP will be the better deal". Probably not that easy, but some general guidelines would be very helpful.

One generality is "if you are a lush, the DDE might save you more money."

I guess I can stop reading right there.

Another is "if you are already a Fl resident or AP holder, the DDE is more likely to save you money." 20% discounts when you have a bottle of wine with dinner add up fast.

Let's see...a lush + an AP holder

I think a third is if you are fond of signature dining.

Well, I think you got me with the first two.

 

[JohnBJr]

I guess I can stop reading right there.

Let's see...a lush + an AP holder

Well, I think you got me with the first two.

We are with you on the first two and are Florida residents to boot. With only a 70 minute drive to Disney! And no little kids!

Of course my grandmother thought you were a lush if you had one drink! Rest assured, we do have more than one drink at Disney. We call that "making the best use of our DDE card". And with Disney doing all the driving, Epcot, BWV and BCV may be the best places in the "world" to imbibe!

 

[TroyandDabs]

DISers have also been confirming after their trips what snacks they were able to purchase with their credits. An updated list is here:yummy things!

I like that you can purchase these items as a 'snack credit'

SARATOGA SPRINGS:
Lag bag of Lays chips, dorito's, smart food popcorn, tortilla chips
Jar of salsa
Jar of cheese
Jar of bean dip
Jar of peanut butter
Smart pop popcorn
Box of Entenmann's donuts & donut holes
Box of Entenmann's mini-muffins
Package of Lender's Bagels
Package of Thomas English muffins
Loaf of bread (several types)
Package of Hot Dog buns
Two-pack of Pop Tarts
Individual bowls of cereal
8 oz ind. cartons of milk, skim, 2%
16 oz bottle of chocolate, whole, strawberry milk
muffins $2.29
Hugs & kisses cheesecake
strawberry cheesecake
Key lime pie
chocolate croissant
brownies
cinnamon rolls $2.59
fruit salad (grapes,melon & cantelope)
lettuce salad
Package of Strawberries (6-7) with 1/4 cup of Cool Whip
yogurt parfaits $3.79
Pint of Haagen Dazs Sorbet (haagen dazs ice cream not included
Pint of Edy's Ice Cream
Package of Edy's Dibs (two sizes both are available on the plan)
All Chip & Dale Candy Co. treats

OLD KEY WEST/Goods to Go
6 pack of Thomas Bagels
8 pack of Entenmanns donuts
Box of Entenmanns cookies
Loaves of bread
2 sticks of butter
1/2 gallon of milk
Lunchables
Large bag of Tostitos
Jar of Tostitos Salsa
Jar of Tostitos Con Queso dip
Jar of Peanut Butter
Smoothies
ice cream
onion rings
french fries

BOARDWALK/SCREEN DOOR
I was told all items under $4.00 but nothing is marked with the DP symbol

BC MARKETPLACE:
Brownie
Blueberry muffin
Cinnamon Bun $2.59
Chocolate Croissant $2.49
Fruit Tart $3.29
Macaroon Coconut Bar $3.29
Eclair $2.79
loaf of bread
1/2 gallon of milk
Small bottles of orange juice,milk chocolate milk
Individual bowls of cereal
Banana, orange, apple
fruit bowl
Box of Disney cookies
box of entemanns doughnuts
Box of entemanns cookies
Entemanns coffee cake
Six count package of Thomas Bagels
Six count package of English Muffins
Rice Krispie treats
chocolate covered marshmellows $2.39
Chip & Dale trail mix
Chip & Dale sweet & salty mix
Princess bouquet of suckers
Bags of Disney candy (chewy spree,reg.spree,small spiral lollipops)
Large Mickey jawbreaker
Mickey spiral suckers (4)
Chocolate character suckers
Package of Pez (6)
12" Create-your-own sugar sticks
large bag of chips, smart food, doritos
large container of Lays Stax
Jar of salsa
Jar of nacho cheese