Did Anyone Actually Save Money Using the Dining Plan?

[DisneyFamily123]

Guess we will use the dining plan (1TS, 1QS, 1snack).

For 2 adults and 1 child, on a 6 night stay, the cost if all out of pocket is $1216. The cost of using the DDP and paying for 4 TS credits not covered by the DDP is $1098. So, it saves maybe $100.

It still amazes me the cost adds up to over $1000 but we have the 2 special Star Wars dining experiences which are expensive. And the character meals - Crystal Palace and Tusker House are expensive too.

If on the DDP, I'd probably order more expensive things I like; but if paying out of pocket, I'm just not going to order a $32 steak from a Disney restaurant that I can get at home for under $20. I do prefer steak and fish entrees which tend to be more expensive.

Another thing I may do... I'm not always hungry when DW and DS are and I eat lighter than they do. So, for some non-buffet meals, I may eat light (pay out of pocket) like get a salad and just use DDP credits for DW and DS at those meals. Then I can save my adult DDP credit to help cover some of the 4 extra TS not covered by the 6 TS with the DDP.

How I calculated it:
I did not include any appetizers, alcoholic drinks, or breakfasts. We usually do not drink alcohol with meals and only occasionally order appetizers. I did not count breakfast, that's cheap enough and I would not use a QS credit for breakfast, only lunch or dinner.

I added up costs if we paid out of pocket (only costs of what we would actually order and eat/pay for out of pocket) and added 6.5% tax. We have 6 TS restaurants plus the Stars Wars fixed price breakfast (2 credits) and Star Wars dinner (2 credits). If using the DDP, we would pay out of pocket for the Stars Wars breakfast and our 2 lowest cost TS not covered by DDP. I also counted $4 average per snack (coke floats, dole whip floats, popcorn, etc.) and counted the cost of 2 mugs (we would only get 2 if paying out of pocket).
We have saved using the regular and deluxe dining plans before... but it was free dining except 1 year when we had a huge room discount at the Polynesian and just paid for the deluxe dining plan. We did a TON of character meals and signature dining. But that was in 2009 and I think the DDP was a better deal back then.

 

[smiths02]

If you are a "traditional" family with 2 adults and 2 kids 3-9...I think you can still save money on DDP. If you want a lot of signatures, you can probably still save money on DxDP.

Our family has 2 adults, 1 3-9, and 2 under 3s. We want more TS (and fewer CS) than DDP allows but less than makes sense for DxDP. We don't need refillable mugs as don't need much soda and we drive and can bring drinks with us (easier than going to refill station). I would usually prefer a snack later to dessert or we could share. I like snacks that aren't on DDP.

 

[Kandi76]

I got the QS dining plan last year and this year for mine and my DH trip. Although we did have sufficient cash and enough $ on our debit cards I was happy my meals are prepaid. I didn't have to worry about my souvenir money depleting to pay oop. I had watched the prices after everything being rung up and to me it's just a good deal to have the plan.

 

[Alicatt]

Disneyplanning123 you are so smart! I forgot all about tax. Is 6.5% the FL tax rate?

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Disneyplanning123 you are so smart! I forgot all about tax. Is 6.5% the FL tax rate?

I think that's correct. That's what I used before and the DDP includes tax.

 

[Alicatt]

I think that's correct. That's what I used before and the DDP includes tax.

Then that's another $90 I'll be saving then! Nice! That puts my parents over the edge as well. I'm going to try to keep track while I'm there but I expect that it won't be easy with everything going on...

 

[Disneytam]

In Feb. my husband and I used the DxDDp for a 9 day stay and saved just a little over $300. We ate at a lot of signature places and used some of our snacks for breakfast. One thing that worked well for us was at all the signature restaurant's we had a cocktail (or two) with our meal and used our drink entitlement for coffee or tea with our desserts. Many of these go for $6 or more. Most of the snacks we purchased were in the $5 range as well. It is a lot of food but boy it's fun!

 

[MrInfinity]

We're actually saving about 10% by using the DDP.

(7 days 7 nights 3 Disney adults 2 Disney children)

I peg the following values:
CS Adult at $15 (x21)
CS Child at $10 (x14)
Snack at $4 (x35)
Refillable mug at $18 (x2)
TS meals at their actual price.

We save $142. $1638 OOP vs $1496 DDP.

But, we have among our 7 DDP points -- 3 buffets and the Jedi Mickey dinner. So it's good for us.

If you have fewer buffets / character meals, then it's not going to be as much of a value.

(I should add, we bought it before the recent price hike, so we're in for $58 per adult, not the $62 current rates -- some quick math, adding $4 per adult per day and $2 per child per day would be $140, nearly consuming ALL of our savings. So if you are buying the DDP now, OUCH. )

 

[GillianP1301]

To really know this, you have to scour menus and do the math. I did "free dining" 2 years ago and we did end up saving a little bit there.

This year, I'm doing DxDP as a bit of a splurge. What I did first, was plan where I'd be eating with or without the dining plan and then I went and looked at menus and thought about how we eat and what we'd likely order (i.e. not always a dessert, sometimes an app, but no main, etc...) I added that all up and ended up with a marginal savings (about $90 for our week) by going OOP. That was close enough for me to call it a wash and I do like the fact that dining plan is paid up front, so that got me decided on dining plan. Then, I started looking at what would happen if I threw in a few more character meals and added in some signatures and that's where I decided on the DxDP. I will definitely save a few hundred dollars on a like for like comparison (i.e. assuming I would always order 3 courses and use 2 snacks a day). Would I eat that way if I weren't on the DxDP? Probably not, but I already know it would be close to the same costs as OOP, so I'm good with that.

It's definitely not a huge savings for most people, unless you would normally eat that much food paying OOP, but I think for the majority, it is at least equal or close enough to it to make the convenience of the dining plan worth it.

 

[jaberwock]

With the Star Wars meals isn't it 2 credits? If the dinner is $55 that means you are spending $27.50 per credit leaving about 33 bucks leftover on two days for the counter service and snack. Snacks at most are about $5 which means you would have to spend $28 on a CS meal just to break even on those days. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've often wondered if the dining plan is meant as more of a convenience than a money saver.

Not always. When the dining plan was first released (I think 2005) it cost $35 a night for what is now the regular dining plan, AND it included appetizers and tips. It was a MAJOR money saver.

In 2008 the appetizers and tips were removed (and the price went down for the first and only time) and the Deluxe Dining Plan introduced. Prices on the plans have risen steadily since then. And it's become harder to use it properly in order to save money.

In 2010 the quick service dining plan was introduced. It was never a huge money saver unless you could get to places like Tangierine Cafe and Wolfgang Puck Express for most meals. Prices are rising on that one too.

As of 2008 when they eliminated the tips and appetizers I decided dining plans weren't worthwhile anymore. No reason to use it when I can just order whatever I feel like, since for where I go and what I order it wasn't a big savings anymore.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We always save money - maybe not as much as we used to but with 4 "adult" steak eaters and one child its not difficult to hit what we paid.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I compared what we would actually order if we were paying out of pocket to sing the DDP (1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack) will cost $128 more. Although the DDP cost more, I still think it is better for us. If you see any flaws in my logic, let me know. Thanks!

If paying out of pocket...
I will not order a $33 steak even though steak and fish is what I usually order when out dining. I don't eat chicken much and never pasta -- and those are usually the less expensive entrees. I will skip dessert (recent weight loss) and not eat big giant meals. But DW will order dessert at most meals. DS8 will eat kids meals and they are low priced enough to not worry about. We would probably skip some restaurants that we enjoyed in the past and do a lot of quick service.

If using the dining plan...
I will order what I want... I eat very low carb now for health reasons And I might put that down as a special dietary consideration to possibly help me get alternatives to the high calorie, high carb desserts. A cup of fresh strawberries would be perfect. We will eat at more restaurants -- we like the character meals at Crystal Palace and Tusker House, and also Biergarten which have very healthy options for me compared to some non-buffet menus.

Here's what I calculated for 2 adults and 1 child for a 6 night stay. I did NOT count the cost of breakfasts because we would pay out of pocket for breakfast whether using the DDP or not (not good value using a QS credit). I did not count the Star Wars breakfast in the cost because we will pay out of pocket for that either way (It's 2 DDP credits and 1/2 of the cost is less than what we would pay for other TS). I only counted the cost of 2 refillable mugs because DS doesn't need one, he just drinks water. I also counted 6.5% tax since tax is included in the DDP cost.

$715 -- Cost if paying out of pocket as described above
$843 -- Cost of Dining Plan ($128 more)

Although the DDP is $128 more. That additional amount is worth the additional table service meals we like, not worrying about prices when we order, plus we will get a third mug even if DS doesn't use it (makes a nice souvenir!)

The $715 includes the Jedi Mickey Dinner ($167), Be Our Guest (do lunch instead of dinner) ($40), 10 more quick service meals ($400), 18 snacks (same as what's included in DDP) ($72), 2 refillable mugs (DS doesn't need one, he just drinks water not soda) ($36).

If we do the dining plan, here's how we will use the credits.
Jedi Mickey Dinner (value = $167) (2 TS Credits)
Be Our Guest Dinner (value = $94)
Crystal Palace Dinner (value = $108)
Tusker House Character Lunch (value = $92)
Biergarten Dinner (value = $108)

Total Value:
$569 Value of TS
$240 Value of QS
$72 Value of Snacks included in DDP
$54 Value of 3 refillable mugs
$935 TOTAL VALUE

Difference between cost of DDP and Total Value = $92

 

[chinarider]

I dont know that we are necessarily going to save money not using the dining plan this trip. However, I think it's going to give us more flexibility in our eating habits. We can order appetizers, split meals and if halfway into our trip ( we're there 10 days), we get tired of being tied down to reservations, we can cancel the remaining and wing it for the rest of the trip. We have always done the regular plan previously but, last trip( 2 years ago ), we just paid to upgrade from free QS (so the expense was minimal and sort of a no brainer). I think this gives us more options in terms of eating what we want instead of feeling we need to get the "best bang for our buck".

 

[supersnoop]

I compared what we would actually order if we were paying out of pocket to sing the DDP (1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack) will cost $128 more. Although the DDP cost more, I still think it is better for us. If you see any flaws in my logic, let me know. Thanks! If paying out of pocket... I will not order a $33 steak even though steak and fish is what I usually order when out dining. I don't eat chicken much and never pasta -- and those are usually the less expensive entrees. I will skip dessert (recent weight loss) and not eat big giant meals. But DW will order dessert at most meals. DS8 will eat kids meals and they are low priced enough to not worry about. We would probably skip some restaurants that we enjoyed in the past and do a lot of quick service. If using the dining plan... I will order what I want... I eat very low carb now for health reasons And I might put that down as a special dietary consideration to possibly help me get alternatives to the high calorie, high carb desserts. A cup of fresh strawberries would be perfect. We will eat at more restaurants -- we like the character meals at Crystal Palace and Tusker House, and also Biergarten which have very healthy options for me compared to some non-buffet menus. Here's what I calculated for 2 adults and 1 child for a 6 night stay. ...

I'm confused. You calculated out what you would actually order and still came out $128 ahead? Yet you still want to do the dining plan because you won't actually order what you want if you don't? Even though that's what you calculated out?

 

[ptcbass]

This upcoming trip we looked at the menus and added up what it would cost us. It actually come out about even but with the way we were calculating it was to go to the TS meals at lunch instead if dinner time (a little cheaper). Using the DDP we will be able to go to the TS places at dinner time when they have a larger menu selection. Also since it was about the same price it is nice knowing your food is already paid for so there is no budget to keep up with.
It was great though back in 2005 when you also got appetizers and the tip was included.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I know it's some odd logic.... If I do not get the dining plan, I would do our meals differently... more counter service instead of table service, and will only buy 2 refillable mugs because DS doesn't drink what's available to fill it with. I will not order dessert for me. I looked at the menus and guessed what we would order. For lunches and dinners, it came to $715.

The dining plan cost $843 or $128 more than the above out of pocket scenario. So my next thought is, what would I get by using the dining plan and is it worth paying the additional $128. I would get...
4 TS meals instead of QS options
a third refillable mug (that we don't really need) because DS

I'm confused. You calculated out what you would actually order and still came out $128 ahead? Yet you still want to do the dining plan because you won't actually order what you want if you don't? Even though that's what you calculated out?

I compared what we would actually order if we were paying out of pocket to sing the DDP (1 TS, 1QS, 1 snack) will cost $128 more. Although the DDP cost more, I still think it is better for us. If you see any flaws in my logic, let me know. Thanks!

If paying out of pocket...
I will not order a $33 steak even though steak and fish is what I usually order when out dining. I don't eat chicken much and never pasta -- and those are usually the less expensive entrees. I will skip dessert (recent weight loss) and not eat big giant meals. But DW will order dessert at most meals. DS8 will eat kids meals and they are low priced enough to not worry about. We would probably skip some restaurants that we enjoyed in the past and do a lot of quick service.

If using the dining plan...
I will order what I want... I eat very low carb now for health reasons And I might put that down as a special dietary consideration to possibly help me get alternatives to the high calorie, high carb desserts. A cup of fresh strawberries would be perfect. We will eat at more restaurants -- we like the character meals at Crystal Palace and Tusker House, and also Biergarten which have very healthy options for me compared to some non-buffet menus.

Here's what I calculated for 2 adults and 1 child for a 6 night stay. I did NOT count the cost of breakfasts because we would pay out of pocket for breakfast whether using the DDP or not (not good value using a QS credit). I did not count the Star Wars breakfast in the cost because we will pay out of pocket for that either way (It's 2 DDP credits and 1/2 of the cost is less than what we would pay for other TS). I only counted the cost of 2 refillable mugs because DS doesn't need one, he just drinks water. I also counted 6.5% tax since tax is included in the DDP cost.

$715 -- Cost if paying out of pocket as described above
$843 -- Cost of Dining Plan ($128 more)

Although the DDP is $128 more. That additional amount is worth the additional table service meals we like, not worrying about prices when we order, plus we will get a third mug even if DS doesn't use it (makes a nice souvenir!)

The $715 includes the Jedi Mickey Dinner ($167), Be Our Guest (do lunch instead of dinner) ($40), 10 more quick service meals ($400), 18 snacks (same as what's included in DDP) ($72), 2 refillable mugs (DS doesn't need one, he just drinks water not soda) ($36).

If we do the dining plan, here's how we will use the credits.
Jedi Mickey Dinner (value = $167) (2 TS Credits)
Be Our Guest Dinner (value = $94)
Crystal Palace Dinner (value = $108)
Tusker House Character Lunch (value = $92)
Biergarten Dinner (value = $108)

Total Value:
$569 Value of TS
$240 Value of QS
$72 Value of Snacks included in DDP
$54 Value of 3 refillable mugs
$935 TOTAL VALUE

Difference between cost of DDP and Total Value = $92

 

[sharonabe]

DisneyFamily: it may not make that much difference, but it looks like you added tax to your buffet costs, but if you used Rusty's sticky on the restaurant board, the tax is already added in, so you've calculated about $20-22 more into that scenario than you would actually pay OOP.

 

[RyannB]

Sure, we could eat cheaper on our own, but we are on vacation, and I like that we get a sitdown meal, counter service meal, and snack that we've already paid for. It's more about convenience for us, but I do feel we use the DDP to the max, and save money. Especially on our previous trips when the kids were all 3-9. This year, we have 2 that will be "adults" so I don't think we'll save as much. But I really like that our food is all paid for ahead of time, and we don't have to worry about it when we're there. Also, every time we've gone previously, we've gotten free dining, so even with the upgrade, it's a savings. Hoping for it again this year, but if it's not on our dates, we're still purchasing the DDP.

ETA: If we didn't do the dining plan, we wouldn't do any table service, all quick service. So of course we'd save that way (without free dining). But I love the table service resturants, the themes, food, atmosphere...

 

[DisneyFamily123]

DisneyFamily: it may not make that much difference, but it looks like you added tax to your buffet costs, but if you used Rusty's sticky on the restaurant board, the tax is already added in, so you've calculated about $20-22 more into that scenario than you would actually pay OOP.

Thanks. I can't figure out what is the correct cost for the buffets as there are different prices quoted on different sites. So I called Disney to get the prices. Of course, we all know how reliable the phone agents are.....