DDP vs DxDP?

[babesboo99]

We just got back from the BCV a few months ago and we had the DDP and loved it and when we go this time we were thinking of getting the DxDP since we will be there for 7 days this time. We were wondering how different they are and yes we will have about 5 ressies at BOG, Askershus, coral reef, biergarten, sci fi diner and some breakfast ones and we were just wondering if it would be worth it . Also when it says appetizer does that mean everyone at the table gets an app we are 2 adults and 2 children our kids will be near 10 so we are going to get them the adult meal plan.

 

[sharonabe]

Yes. If you upgrade your kids to the adult plan, you will have 4 apps, 4 entrees and 4 desserts at the table. Most people who use the DxDDP plan a TS breakfast or early lunch and a signature every night. This helps minimize the time spent eating, but still gives you great value and great food.

BTW, upgrading your kids for the dining plan means you pay adult prices for the plan and for their park tickets.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you're only doing 5 ressies with 7 nights at the resort you'll have tons of leftover credits. You'll have 7 TS meals pp with the regular plan, but 21 pp with the DXDP.

Unless you're planning on adding more I don't think it's be worth it at all, and that's coming from a DXDP lover.

 

[peg110]

Personally, I don't understand how one could put "Worth it" and "Deluxe Dinning Plan" in the same sentence (other than one like this one).

I make a decent wage but am by no means "Well to do." The DxDP is expensive! That being said, Unless you spend MOST of your time eating (even at the "Signature" places) you will be hard pressed to get the value out of the DxDP. We had the standard Dining plan and had to WORK to maximize it's value and still ended up with 2 QS left over after a 9 Day stay. And we did NOT skimp on our meals. Often times we were taking the "Desert" with us from our QS for a snack later on because we were just full.

I think this would be worse in the hotter summer months. I find it difficult to eat a TS at dinner time and then go walk around the park in the heat, I cannot imagine doing it for Breakfast AND (or) Lunch AND (or) Dinner! If you don't use a TS meal and opt for the QS instead (as I understand it the TS on the DxDP can also be used at a QS location), then you have further minimized it's value and as such it's "Worth"

I think someone who gets the DxDP it's because they don't want to have to worry about it. Eat when you want, where you want and don't worry about it. It's paid for. "Worth" and "Value" (compared against OOP) aren't the main consideration if even at all. The worth comes mostly in convenience imho.

 

[aaarcher86]

Personally, I don't understand how one could put "Worth it" and "Deluxe Dinning Plan" in the same sentence (other than one like this one).

I make a decent wage but am by no means "Well to do." The DxDP is expensive! That being said, Unless you spend MOST of your time eating (even at the "Signature" places) you will be hard pressed to get the value out of the DxDP. We had the standard Dining plan and had to WORK to maximize it's value and still ended up with 2 QS left over after a 9 Day stay. And we did NOT skimp on our meals. Often times we were taking the "Desert" with us from our QS for a snack later on because we were just full.

I think this would be worse in the hotter summer months. I find it difficult to eat a TS at dinner time and then go walk around the park in the heat, I cannot imagine doing it for Breakfast AND (or) Lunch AND (or) Dinner! If you don't use a TS meal and opt for the QS instead (as I understand it the TS on the DxDP can also be used at a QS location), then you have further minimized it's value and as such it's "Worth"

I think someone who gets the DxDP it's because they don't want to have to worry about it. Eat when you want, where you want and don't worry about it. It's paid for. "Worth" and "Value" (compared against OOP) aren't the main consideration if even at all. The worth comes mostly in convenience imho.

It's not that hard.

We got the DXDP on a discount because we upgraded with the SPD discount. Much cheaper.

We eat an early TS breakfast, QS lunch, and late TS dinner. We don't downer don't spend most of our time eating, and since most of our meals are character meals we are meeting people we'd otherwise have to wait in line for.

We saved about $500 with it on just meals. The snack savings was a bonus. At full price we wouldn't have. You just tour differently than we do, or others who it works for.

 

[supersnoop]

Personally, I don't understand how one could put "Worth it" and "Deluxe Dinning Plan" in the same sentence (other than one like this one).

The deluxe plan is more "worth it" than the standard plan. The standard plan saves "up to 15%," while the deluxe plan can save "up to 25%."

 

[peg110]

The deluxe plan is more "worth it" than the standard plan. The standard plan saves "up to 15%," while the deluxe plan can save "up to 25%."

Maybe the "Deluxe" Plan can save that much if you got a discount on it, but if you are paying full price for it at $109.53 per adult per day, 5 days is $547.65 and includes 15 TS credits and 10 Snack Credits (and refillable mug). 15 TS meals is A LOT of food. I just cannot eat that much food. If you use a counter service (instead of a Table service) you are getting a lesser (in cost) meal than you are with the TS and as such it makes it that much harder to make it "Worth It" Even with the snacks. The Snack Credit basically maxes out at $5.00 so your 2 snacks a day is (at best) $10.00. Using Fuzzy Math, that leaves $100.00 A DAY for meals (PER PERSON) You claim a savings of 25% so that means you get the "Value" of $125 out of the $100 remaining (over OOP). Even at Disney, a $100.00 of food is A LOT of food.

We struggled to use all of our Standard Dining plan (1 TS 1 QS and 1 Snack per person/day) for our 9 day trip in November/December. We did do character dining, Signature Dining, etc... We struggled to eat all the food sometimes. In the Hotter months, Most people eat LESS making it harder to get the value out of it. If you don't use it, you lose it (and it's value).

All that being said, I am not saying that someone cannot get (or find) value in the DxDP, but the value comes more at convenience then it does saving money more than anything else. Don't take my word, Check out http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm as they did a nice analysis.

Under the Deluxe Dining Plan review:

this plan is almost never a good idea. Generally, I recommend it only to someone who falls into one of three particular groups:

• Foodies: If you're coming to Walt Disney World for the experience of the food, you may want to consider this plan. Prepayment of what can be some pretty pricey food at some establishments can be a very good thing here. It also allows you the freedom to order the most expensive thing on the menu, if you want it, and not have to worry about sticker shock when you get the bill.
• Die Hard, 3-meals-per-day guests: If you must have 3 table service meals per day, this may be something you'd want to consider.
• Guests planning on doing a lot of table service meals that are considered signature dining: This sort of goes hand-in-hand with the Foodies group. If you like to eat at the signature dining locations, this can be a really wonderful plan. You can plan on a sit down breakfast in the morning, a light lunch of something using a snack credit, and then a signature dinner. I've done this myself.

For anybody else, this plan is almost certain to be too much food, too much money and require too much time. If you've got kids under the age of 10 just itching to get in line to ride Splash Mountain, the last thing you'll want to concern yourself with is waiting for a plate of spaghetti at Tony's Town Square. Or, just when you're ready to get in line for Soarin' at Epcot – you've got to rush over to Le Cellier for your dinner reservation. You're going to feel like you're chasing the next restaurant and missing the rides completely

Again, their conclusion: For anybody else, this plan is almost certain to be too much food, too much money and require too much time.

If you are saving 25%, then good for you. I think for the average Disney visitor considering the plan would never even come close to saving that, nor would most save 15% on the standard DDP. I am guessing (based on what I have read and my personal experience which is, albeit limited) that the "Swing" is plus or minus about 5% or less for most folks and that is on the standard plan.

 

[Minniesgal]

I think it is actually easier to get value out of the Deluxe plan than the DDP. Especially if you eat at Signatures.

I wish they did a plan between the two though, we like breakfast in the room so 2 credits a day would be great for us.

 

[Pinkgirl]

We are from the UK so our offers always include free dining (if you book within a certain time frame and we have few blackout dates). We are staying at a deluxe resort so receive free DDP. We much prefer to have an app over a dessert and like to have a character breakfast. So, having weighed up the pros and cons have opted to upgrade to the DXDDP as we feel we will get good value. However, even with all those snack credits it will still kill me to get a bottle of water with one so we will be having a stop at Walmart on our way to Disney to stock up. Of course, this means on our last day we will be depleting the gift shop of all their single serve packs of candy and trail mix lol.

 

[peg110]

However, even with all those snack credits it will still kill me to get a bottle of water with one

I so agree with that. Since the "Snack" credit is essentially equal to $5.00, that means you are spending $5.00 for a bottle of water. At least if you buy a Deluxe Mickey Ice Cream, as I recall it was $4.50 so it's a better "Value".

This further goes to solidify my point that it's hard to get the "Value" (monetarily) out of the DxDP. You can, however make up for it in convenience and preference. If you are a "Heavy Eater" or you really do like to have 3 sit down meals a day, then you can get more of a value out of it. While it is possible to "Break Even" (again, strictly talking money value not convenience or preference) with the DxDP plan, I think you really have to work at it.

Since it sounds like you are "Upgrading" it does sound like a good deal, but I don't think I would ever pay full price for DxDP.

 

[Pinkgirl]

Since it sounds like you are "Upgrading" it does sound like a good deal, but I don't think I would ever pay full price for DxDP.

Yes, we are upgarding, I would never pay out that sort of money for food!

 

[Tonberry]

Money wise, the DxDP has never been "worth it" to us. We rarely, if ever even break even.
We use it as sort of a prepaid for your meals type of thing. We like to book a lot of signatures (like the hoop-dee-doo, CRT, etc.). You know, Disney eating that we can't do at home. I wouldn't go to Beaches & Cream and get a hamburger for example when I have a grill in my own backyard.

 

[supersnoop]

Maybe the "Deluxe" Plan can save that much if you got a discount on it, but if you are paying full price for it at $109.53 per adult per day, 5 days is $547.65 and includes 15 TS credits and 10 Snack Credits (and refillable mug). 15 TS meals is A LOT of food. I just cannot eat that much food. If you use a counter service (instead of a Table service) you are getting a lesser (in cost) meal than you are with the TS and as such it makes it that much harder to make it "Worth It" Even with the snacks. The Snack Credit basically maxes out at $5.00 so your 2 snacks a day is (at best) $10.00. Using Fuzzy Math, that leaves $100.00 A DAY for meals (PER PERSON) You claim a savings of 25% so that means you get the "Value" of $125 out of the $100 remaining (over OOP). Even at Disney, a $100.00 of food is A LOT of food.

We struggled to use all of our Standard Dining plan (1 TS 1 QS and 1 Snack per person/day) for our 9 day trip in November/December. We did do character dining, Signature Dining, etc... We struggled to eat all the food sometimes. In the Hotter months, Most people eat LESS making it harder to get the value out of it. If you don't use it, you lose it (and it's value).

All that being said, I am not saying that someone cannot get (or find) value in the DxDP, but the value comes more at convenience then it does saving money more than anything else. Don't take my word, Check out http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm as they did a nice analysis.

Under the Deluxe Dining Plan review:



Again, their conclusion: For anybody else, this plan is almost certain to be too much food, too much money and require too much time.

If you are saving 25%, then good for you. I think for the average Disney visitor considering the plan would never even come close to saving that, nor would most save 15% on the standard DDP. I am guessing (based on what I have read and my personal experience which is, albeit limited) that the "Swing" is plus or minus about 5% or less for most folks and that is on the standard plan.

Every argument you made is also an argument against the standard dining plan.

The standard plan breaks down to roughly: $5 snack, $17.50 counter service, $38 table service. The deluxe plan breaks down to: $5 snack, $32 table service. If you use the plan to it's fullest extent, then the deluxe plan will save you more money. That's not to say either is "worth it," but the deluxe has more "value."

 

[peg110]

Every argument you made is also an argument against the standard dining plan.

The standard plan breaks down to roughly: $5 snack, $17.50 counter service, $38 table service. The deluxe plan breaks down to: $5 snack, $32 table service. If you use the plan to it's fullest extent, then the deluxe plan will save you more money. That's not to say either is "worth it," but the deluxe has more "value."

I agree that the argument is similar for the DDP. The difference is that using the DxDP to it's fullest extent is harder than using the DDP to it's fullest extent. In my opinion, it can be difficult to use EITHER to it's fullest extent, but it's easier for the DDP. 3 TS meals a day is difficult for us. Maybe not for you and your family. That being said, if you do 3 TS a day anyway, then you could be using them for Breakfast and Lunch. The TS for Breakfast and lunch are less expensive then for dinner. Thus you are not using as much of the Cost Value for those meals.

Again I just don't see it. The amount of food and time for the money just doesn't work for me. If I ate 3 TS meals a day I would be rolling through the parks (if I made it there at all). Your mileage may differ and it sounds like it does.

 

[supersnoop]

I agree that the argument is similar for the DDP. The difference is that using the DxDP to it's fullest extent is harder than using the DDP to it's fullest extent. In my opinion, it can be difficult to use EITHER to it's fullest extent, but it's easier for the DDP. 3 TS meals a day is difficult for us. Maybe not for you and your family. That being said, if you do 3 TS a day anyway, then you could be using them for Breakfast and Lunch. The TS for Breakfast and lunch are less expensive then for dinner. Thus you are not using as much of the Cost Value for those meals.

Again I just don't see it. The amount of food and time for the money just doesn't work for me. If I ate 3 TS meals a day I would be rolling through the parks (if I made it there at all). Your mileage may differ and it sounds like it does.

Then don't eat three meals a day. Eat a breakfast/brunch, and a signature dinner, with snacks in between.

 

[peg110]

Then don't eat three meals a day. Eat a breakfast/brunch, and a signature dinner, with snacks in between.

Or get the DDP and not the DxDP and save the difference.

 

[supersnoop]

Or get the DDP and not the DxDP and save the difference.

Or get a Table in Wonderland card and come out way ahead by paying out of pocket.

 

[sharonabe]

I agree that the argument is similar for the DDP. The difference is that using the DxDP to it's fullest extent is harder than using the DDP to it's fullest extent. In my opinion, it can be difficult to use EITHER to it's fullest extent, but it's easier for the DDP. 3 TS meals a day is difficult for us. Maybe not for you and your family. That being said, if you do 3 TS a day anyway, then you could be using them for Breakfast and Lunch. The TS for Breakfast and lunch are less expensive then for dinner. Thus you are not using as much of the Cost Value for those meals.

Again I just don't see it. The amount of food and time for the money just doesn't work for me. If I ate 3 TS meals a day I would be rolling through the parks (if I made it there at all). Your mileage may differ and it sounds like it does.

As others have said, you don't have to eat 3 meals a day to get full value out of the DxDDP. I just did a quick search of restaurants. I chose items I wanted to eat. None of them are the most expensive, but pretty much middle to top of all apps, entrees, and desserts. I added $3 for a soda or coffee. If I do the following, I've "saved" $20 and still have two snacks/day to "spend." So I would save $100. I could've easily maximized the plan at all of the a la carte places to save even more.

My choices:
Akershus (B), Le Cellier (D)
Cape May (B) Hollywood Brown Derby (D)
Crystal Palace (L) California Grill (D)
Tusker House (L) Narcoossee's (D)

In reality, I would probably never eat this way as it is too much food when you figure in we're a party of 4 Disney adults, and having 4 apps and 4 desserts on that table just would be nauseous. We would still do the buffets and then share one or two apps and one dessert.

 

[peg110]

In reality, I would probably never eat this way as it is too much food when you figure in we're a party of 4 Disney adults, and having 4 apps and 4 desserts on that table just would be nauseous. We would still do the buffets and then share one or two apps and one dessert.

This is EXACTLY my point. Most people would NOT eat this way every day for 5 days in a row. Even now at a local restaurant, we might get 2 appetizers for us to share for 4 of us (3 Adults 1 child (10) ). At Disney, while expensive, their portions are not typically "Light" and rarely do you go away hungry even at counter service.

It's not that you COULDN'T save money, its that to truly benefit and save the money (and maximize the value) you would be STUFFED so much that you couldn't enjoy the parks (well most people would. I am sure some could eat it all and still want more).

I am not discouraging ANYONE from getting the DxDP. If that works for you go for it. I just don't think the value of "WORTH IT" comes down to money (unless, as I have already said, you are getting it "Discounted"), rather the cost of the plan over OOP versus convenience.

 

[aaarcher86]

Or get the DDP and not the DxDP and save the difference.

You don't save the difference. You have to pay oop for TS meals now since you don't get enough with the ddp.