DDP: Worth it for light eaters?

[stellablue]

We opted for no DDP, but I am considering calling Disney back and adding it on.

There are just two of us and we are there for 7 days total (Feb. 2008). We are NOT huge eaters, but we do plan to eat out at least once a day.

Most breakfasts are going to be food we are pre-packing. We do have one ADR for a character breakfast.

We would likely split lunch at least once or twice. Other times it would be salads or sandwiches. All lunches are counter service, but we do have one table service lunch ADR.

We have table service ADR's for every night we are there.

We hardly ever eat dessert and if we did splurge one night, we would likely split one. I wouldn't say no to an appetizer if it were included, but I think they are getting rid of the appetizers on the DDP for 2008, correct?


Based on this, do you think it's cost effective for our trip to get the DDP?

 

[TDC Nala]

You are correct, appetizers won't be included.

Since you have one TS lunch, plus a character breakfast, both of which you'll apparently be paying for since you have ADRS for TS every night, do you think you will have a chance to use most if not all of your counter service credits, assuming you split some lunches?

Are any of your table service ADRs for 2 credit "signature" restaurants? That will use up your table credits quickly and you'll end up paying if you keep the other TS meals. You already have two TS meals beyond the credits you'll be allotted.

Desserts are included for both TS and CS, so if you don't order two desserts, you might be giving up more value that you would be getting from using the plan. Unless you intend to use the plan strictly for the convenience of prepayment.

If you have that many TS meals, and some of them are signature, and you want the convenience of prepayment, I'd suggest taking a look at the deluxe plan.

 

[stellablue]

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your help.
Here are the ADR's we have. We are staying 7 days/6 nights:

-Coral Reef (dinner)
-Biergarten (dinner)
-Boma (dinner)
-Liberty Tree (dinner)
-Sci Fi Drive In (dinner)
-50's Prime Time (lunch)

TS=6

**Crystal Palace (character breakfast)=would plan to pay OOP for this (b/c it's so inexpensive)

As for CS, I'm not sure if we would use both of our credits everyday. There are 2 days in particular that I'm sure we would split 1 CS.

So thats CS=5

-Snacks are easy to use up and we are not worried about those. We know we would end up buying a drink or ice cream here and there...plus there are many perishable snack choices we could bring home.

So, I guess I'm down to these questions:

-CAN we add on the DDP to reservations already made and just pay the difference?

-Is there a way to trade in multiple CS credits for 1 TS? If so, we would add on 1 trip to Beaches & Cream!!

-Is Beaches & Cream considered TS? I've heard it's a sit-down place, even though there are no ADR's

-I forgot the name of this place: the place where they custom make you rice krispie treats dipped in all sorts of stuff-is that considered a snack credit? I think it's located at the MK

-Are any of the restaurants listed above considered "signature dining"?

-In all honesty, we are not the types that normally order dessert. We do tend to splurge on vacation, but often just splitting something. DBf claims he will gladly take care of my dessert every night if I don't want it
But if we wouldnt normally order it every night to begin with, is it worth it?
I wish they would consider a choice option between appetizer or dessert for 2008 plan-if that were the case, it would be a no brainer to me b/c I would order a salad or appetizer quite easily every night.

-Would we be saving any money by doing the DDP?

What got me wondering, is I read some other posts from other people who said that if you are planning to do at least 1 TS meal/day, then you end up saving $$ if you use the DDP.

We are trying to decide this by the end of the week-any advice is welcome!!

Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know what kind of reservation you have. If it's a room only reservation and you are buying your own tickets, you can't add DDP. If you have a room/tickets package, you can add it.

You've got all your TS booked, and one buffet you are paying for. (You don't have any signature restaurants booked). You cannot trade CS credits in for TS credits. Nor will you be able to substitute appetizers for desserts.

Yes, Beaches and Cream is a TS restaurant.

Keep in mind that the gratuity for table service is not included. You will have to pay that yourselves. Because the gratuity is no longer included, it may diminish the value of the plan for you. You will have to decide that.

Take a look at the TS restaurant menus on wdwinfo with the prices, and see if you will spend enough on your TS meals, since it's most likely you won't be using all your CS credits.

 

[septbaby]

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your help.
Here are the ADR's we have. We are staying 7 days/6 nights:

-Coral Reef (dinner)
-Biergarten (dinner)
-Boma (dinner)
-Liberty Tree (dinner)
-Sci Fi Drive In (dinner)
-50's Prime Time (lunch)

Not sure I'd do both Sci Fi and Prime Time; Pizza Planet seems to get high marks as a CS in MGM; You might be able to get Fantasmic seating with a dinner ADR at Hollywood and Vine for the same TS credit; good food, but nothing special we thought due to Fantasmic seating it was worthwhile

Honestly, I'd probably cancelled both and choose one really nice 2TS dinner like Narcoossee's (we loved it), California Grill and there are others. Especially if you are light eaters you'll have plenty of CS credits to get a dinner somewhere.

TS=6

For your group on the Standard (not Deluxe DP) you get the following:
12 TS credits
12 CS credits
12 Snack credits
At a cost of $455.88 plus any tips you decide to leave

If you want to do the math simply look at the menus for the places where you plan to eat, pick the menu items and add up the bills. Off DP be sure to add in the taxes. The taxes are included with your DP fee. In my opinion if it would cost you over $400 off plan, go with the plan and upgrade to a 2TS meal. You will enjoy the convenience of the plan. It also sounds like you maybe a light eater, but your DBF is likely dreaming of Disney on the DP!

For example if Boma cost $27.99 then off plan it will cost $29.81 and you would have to spend about $8 more for a CS and snack to break even with the plan that day. At Disney that can be a tall order. Again on or off the plan you will chose how large of a tip to leave, so I don't add in that amount to the numbers; its a wash for comparison.

You'd also be able to eat breakfast rather than snack on food you bring with you. With a CS breakfast you can get two drinks. We aren't coffee drinkers so we'd get juice or milk and a bottled water. We then took that water to the park ie. didn't spend a snack credit on water.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Tinkerbella001]

I thought I read another thread that stated the 18% gratuity will be added to all meals, regardless of how you are paying (OOP, DDP). Hopefully this is not true.

 

[TDC Nala]

I thought I read another thread that stated the 18% gratuity will be added to all meals, regardless of how you are paying (OOP, DDP). Hopefully this is not true.

This is incorrect for 2008.

An automatic 18% gratuity is being added to the TS restaurant checks of:

1) All DDE members (not DDP) regardless of party size.

2) All parties of 6 or more regardless of method of payment.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Best thing to do is to browse the menus here on the DIS and price out what you plan. Add in what you would add for the tip (since it is not included in the DDP for 2008) andfigure your CS and see what works for you.

We did the DDP once (when it did include hte tip and appy) and would never do it again. We both felt our whole trip was centered around the plan. We did save money on what we ordered, but would not have if we had ordered as we usually do.

We do not generally order 2 appys and a dessert. Often we will split an appy but rarely do we order dessert. We did on that trip and after a few days did not feel great since it was throwing tummies off.

For others they love the freedom of pre-paying and not having to look at prices. It all depends on what type of vacation you prefer.

(Another thing to consider, if someone does get sick during your trip and you end up canceling meals, you do not get a refund for unused credits. Happens)

If the price is a savings and you want to try the plan, go for it. You may enjoy it or you may decide it isn't for you. There is no right answer.

Happy planning