Deluxe Dining versus OOP? With a twist; economics and math

[akadada]

Hi All,

I know this question has been kind of asked many times before. My question, though, comes with a twist:

Is it worth doing the DDX Plan versus Out of pocket? The twist consist of the following assumptions:

1. If we were out of pocket, there's no way we would order what we plan to order on the Deluxe plan. That said, we'd still use up all our options (App, Entree, Dessert, Drink) with the plan if we take it.
2. In real life, we often do at least one appetizer and one soup for dinner (between my wife and I, not each), but never at lunch - in fact we're very light lunch eaters.
3. We would never go to places like Boma at $30 a person for breakfast no matter how good it is. Same as, we'd never pay $140 for lunch at Brown Derby no matter how good the food (both are currently ADR's under our DDX Plan.
4. We rarely order dessert, if we do, we only order one and split it.
5. When on the DDX, your tips go up as well because as a percentage of what you order.
6. We do, though, love a good dinner, and plan on a number of Signature Dining.
7. Assume we match our DDX credits of 21 to eating OOP and that no additional meals are needed (they will be but it wouldn't matter either way in terms of this calculation).

I did a detailed calculation of every meal we plan to eat at the various ADR's on the trip report over seven days (I know we'll likely change our mind, but I erred high per meal). There are three of us, although one of us is a toddler/infant (she's free). For my wife and I it came out to a total cost, no tips or drinks of $1,375 under the Deluxe plan. The plan (2011) costs, according to the website, $79/person/per day or $158 x 7 = $1,106. Okay, so far, so good. We win on the Deluxe plan. . .

Then I looked at what we would eat without the plan (Same restaurants except no Boma, no Brown Derby, instead QS). The total OOP no tips no drinks would be $1,050. Add back the mugs at $15 a piece = $1,080. Versus $1,106.

Finally, I subtracted the spread between tips under OOP ($200 over the 7 days) and DDX ($250 over seven days) and added that to my OOP costs. This came out to $50.

Okay, so under my OOP $1,080 - $50 = $1,030 v. $1,106 DDX Plan.

So it looks like I'm better off OOP versus DDX by about $75. . .not a big deal given that the time I just spent calculating this I could have earned by working. . .

But for the sake on intellectual curiosity: What am I missing? What additional information would you want from me? Did I calculate the DDX Plan correctly in the first place?

It's highly likely we will still do the DDX simply because it's simple. I find this exercise enjoyable for sake of thinking this stuff through. I think Disney is not stupid either and when they say they're saving us a ton of money, sure, they are, if we really ate as much as they offer on a regular basis, but we don't so it seems at best a break even except with DDX we can splurge.

I would greatly appreciate DISBoard thoughts on this. All feedback - both nerdy calculation critiques and qualitative enjoyment/misery observations most welcome!

Cheers,
AKADada

 

[Nadjalu]

I think you were very thorough.

It does sound like the deluxe plan is not for you. Did you run the numbers for the reg. plan?
It may be a better fit.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

So it looks like I'm better off OOP versus DDX by about $75. . .not a big deal given that the time I just spent calculating this I could have earned by working. . .

I've thought about that too! If I worked as much as I planned for Disney... I might have money for another trip!

Did you include tax in your calculations? The dining plan includes tax... out of pocket is, I think, 6.5%

Our upcoming trip, we are doing all table service for lunch and dinner plus 3 character breakfasts. On a 10 day trip, that means 3 table service meals on only 2 days... because we have meals on our arrival day (lunch and dinner) and departure day (breakfast and lunch).

I know some people say that's a lot of wasted time.. but we enjoy the Disney Dining and it's our time to take a break from all the walking and rushing...

I'm not a big dessert eater but I love trying appetizers. It gives us both a chance to try different things at the restaurant (if DW lets me take a bite of hers...) But on the dining plan, I'll get dessert because it's included... and because I'm on vacation... and I bring my jogging shoes to make up for it!

 

[MarieA]

I don't think you missed anything. My DH and I have been kicking around the idea of doing our next trip OOP. We are going to be there for 10 nights. I did a comparison and the DDP will cost us $1421.82. Using our TIW card our meals will only cost us 1120.00, I then added in snacks for 144, the refillable mugs 27.98 (total - $1,291.98) and it is still cheaper for us to pay OOP. Without TIW the cost came to $1547. I added the snacks and refillable mugs because you get them on the dining plan.

 

[crashbb]

What you are missing (or, at least, didn't address in your post) is whether or not the Brown Derby, Boma, and extra items ordered are worth $75 to you.

Also, since your daughter will be eating off of your plates (in order to be free), might you not be needing more than you normally would? Admittedly, my nephew is probably an exception but, at 15 months, he'd eat a significant amount of my entree if I had to share it with him.

Oh, and as the PP mentioned, the taxes.

I am doing the Deluxe DP on my upcoming trip, but I totally see that it doesn't work out for everyone. I priced it out based on what I would *like* to eat - not what I would eat to save money OR what I would eat to maximise the plan (i.e. many meals skip the dessert or appetizers, I rarely order the most expensive item) and I save money using the Deluxe DP.

 

[sjs314]

Let me start off by saying we have never used the DP in fact I am one who at times have found fault with it since back in the day before DP you could easily get into restaurants day of and walk up with no ADR.

We had to cancel our vacation this year due to our boiler going belly up, we had a room only ressie, had budgeted for our park tickets and food which for 2 of us staying 6 days came to aprox $1000 for the places we wanted to eat, yes we enjoy TS meals and Boma was on our list for 2 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner as well as many others. This year the DxDP was $71.99 pp. That would have come out to $719.90 for both of us, not to mention we were going during F&W and could have used the 20 combined snack credits at the booths in F&W and also would have a refillable mug which I think costs $13.99 to buy. Add in the cost of tips which you pay on the DP or OOP say $200 brings the DP total with tips to 919.90 vs $1000 is not a big saving but then taking the snack credits into account say an avg of $3 each X 20 is another $60 your saving out of pocket plus the $13.99 mug.

We have rescheduled for next Oct have decided to try the DxDP, $78.99 pp in 2011 which for 6 nites will cost us $947.88, still less than the $1000+$200 tips we budgeted for this years trip and we will be adding many more places to eat in Oct. We know we will break even and might just come out ahead even with adding on $200 for tips and decided we will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing our food is paid for and we can order what we want regardless of price, instead of perhaps choosing a lower priced entree, skipping the appieter or dessert.

I might add we are not drinkers so for the most part we will not have to pay OOP for alcoholic beverages, maybe once or twice if DH has a beer.

If one enjoys their alcoholic drinks that would definately change the cost and benifits of being on DP since only non - alcholic drinks are included in DP

 

[princesspeach]

If its just adults I would think paying oop would be better. Its a real savings with grade school age 6-9 years old children. Its only 21.99 for a child and I think a signature meal for a child would be about 25.00 dollars. Kids need three meals a day and they always want dessert. That's why we get it. If it was just me and my husband I think I would just pay oop. Yes you do pay a lot more for gratuity, but it is fun to try the differnt apps and desserts even if you only eat a couple of bites.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I may have missed it, but did you factor in snacks? Also feeding the toddler may factor in the amount of food ordered/eaten.

 

[robinb]

I may have missed it, but did you factor in snacks? Also feeding the toddler may factor in the amount of food ordered/eaten.

I didn't see the snacks either. Those are worth about $12 per day and the OP can use them for some breakfast muffins and things like that.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I didn't see the snacks either. Those are worth about $12 per day and the OP can use them for some breakfast muffins and things like that.

Yes, especially helpful with a little one that may "graze" more during the day.

 

[MrsLS]

I would also think you missed snacks, even a drink during the day in the park. Also did you include tax? What menus did you look at because I know from looking at the menus online and then going to the restaurants (this past week) the prices were a few $1s more on some things that I noticed. We didn't order all our desserts especially at lunch or drinks (on the deluxe plan) and I didn't account for all the snacks and we still came out ahead. For $75 difference, I would get the plan especially because items can go up in price, snacks and you won't have to worry about the extra app or price of an item. To me $75 isn't worth not getting the plan.

 

[akadada]

Great feedback from everyone! Thanks!

Answers to the questions:

1. No, I did not think of tax. . . woops. On roughly $1,030 OOP and 6.5% that's $70. Now we're basically break-even.

2. No, totally didn't even consider snacks. Assuming $4x2x2 = $16 a day, now we're up to $112 in the black on DDX.

3. No, DD is super picky. It's likely we're bringing food or buying garden grocer for her. She'll nibble on adult food but half the time she spits it out and wants her soft food or fruit of some sort. Of course she'll be four months older (16 months) by then and possibly a totally different eater. I would assume for sake of simplicity my DD is going to be a net-expense on food . . . she is a princess you know. . .

4. We agree, the ability to "splurge" if you will and try different things is appealing and worth the margin, even if red.

5. We agree, in the original scenario, the marginal $75 for Boma and Brown Derby is probably worth it.

6. We agree that even if we were off by 10% in the red, we'd still end up trying the plan for the potential convenience and insurance hedge if I'm wrong on the calculations (which clearly I was by at least 10%).

7. With a DD16mo we too will very much enjoy the time to sit down and eat. When DD is 6 years old, we'll likely not have that luxury.

Finally, I remember the day when Disney first came out with the plan and you could go anywhere you wanted and eat whatever you wanted. . . I was a kid, it was like 20 years ago if I remember correctly. Quite a change.

Cheers!
AKADada

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

3. No, DD is super picky. It's likely we're bringing food or buying garden grocer for her. She'll nibble on adult food but half the time she spits it out and wants her soft food or fruit of some sort. Of course she'll be four months older (16 months) by then and possibly a totally different eater. I would assume for sake of simplicity my DD is going to be a net-expense on food . . . she is a princess you know. . .

This is where all those snack credits may come in handy. Check out the snack item thread for what you can get outside of typical ice cream and drinks.

 

[CyberFey]

I think the $75 is worth it to eat what you want and not think of the price.

I too ran the numbers trying to decide, and we figured since I always look to the right of the menu instead of the left first (the prices as opposed to the item), it would be a nice vacation from worrying.

And the snacks break even, so yay!

I'd roll with the plan personally.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Here's my deluxe dining plan projections.... I did compare to using the Plus DDP but after adding the cost of some appetizers, the refillable mugs, and a couple more table service meals... it was more than the cost of just going deluxe.

I looked at the menus and added up the cost of what we would probably order if out of pocket plus tax (tax included with dining plan). This is for 9 nights with DH, DW, and DS5. This is for 10 lunches, 9 dinners, and 3 character breakfasts. 5 of our dinners are signatures so that's how it adds up to 27 credits.

Last year, we did not use all our snack credits. We usually just use them for drinks and frozen cola drinks in the parks, and some popcorn now and then. We are usually full from our meals that we don't need snacks! This trip, we will have 54 snacks. Like last time, whatever is left we will use to buy the Mickey chocolate bars and take them home for folks.

$2281 cost of meals and tax
$39 cost of 3 refillable resort mugs (included with deluxe DDP)
$149 value of snack credits (estimated $2.75 each credit)
-$1486 cost of deluxe DDP for 2 adults and 1 child
Savings = $983

Minus $120 = cost of new jogging shoes for DH and DW to burn off these calories.
Actual Savings = $873

Average Costs Per Meal Type (if out of pocket) for 2 adults and 1 child. The average cost/value of non-signature meals is almost exactly one-half of the 2credit signature dinners.

$172 Signature Dinners
$101 Non-Signature Dinners
$82 Lunches
$62 Character Breakfasts

 

[akadada]

It's great to see so many of you agree with the number. I knew a number of you must have thought about the same issues.

It's interesting you came up with the average costs:

$172 Signature Dinners
$101 Non-Signature Dinners
$82 Lunches
$62 Character Breakfasts

I like that approach as well.

Another thing to consider, hinted by CyberFey - I too will often look at price, now not only will I not do that with the DDX plan, but I probably will also order things I would never order such as $45 steaks!

It's been fun talking with all of you about this.

Cheers

 

[DisneyFamily123]

......It's interesting you came up with the average costs:
$172 Signature Dinners
$101 Non-Signature Dinners
$82 Lunches
$62 Character Breakfasts
...........Cheers

My estimates are probably on the high side because we tend to order the more expensive appetizers and entrees... because we like seafood mostly, and sometimes steak - which tend to be the more expensive menu items. I never order chicken or ribs in a nice restaurant... just boring to me.

Although I did enjoy the chicken at Hoop Dee Doo, especially when it was slammed on the table in a metal bucket... now that's a signature meal worth 2 credits!!! Beer included!

 

[Disneyadore]

I also missed the free mug for free drinks at your resort and that also adds up especial with a toddler.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I also missed the free mug for free drinks at your resort and that also adds up especial with a toddler.

Only if your toddler is drinking soda and coffee. Juice and milk aren't included in those.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Only if your toddler is drinking soda and coffee. Juice and milk aren't included in those.

I remember soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and iced tea. We used snack credits to get soy milk or DS's cereal. I wonder though... many people put milk in their coffee... is there a milk dispenser for coffee? I didn't think so.

I hope they still have the iced tea -- it was a brand name and a couple different flavors (at Polynesian)... does the AS Movies have iced tea too? I assume the dispensers are all the same at each resort.