Did anyone do the dining plan and wish they hadn't??

[patsal]

Well I could just sign on here and say YES! We had problems with all of the above using the DDP in 2007.

I went through and figured out what we would want to eat doing Disney our way. On a one week trip for 5 Adults, 1 Child and 1 Infant, we'll save $450-$500 over the cost of the DDP by doing it our way. Not only will we not be limited, but we will be saving money. Bonus for us!

Le Cellier - Total $181.22
Appetizer - $10.99, Appetizer - $10.99, Beverages - $15.00, Entree - $19.99, Entree - $28.99, Entree - $21.99, Entree - $28.99, Entree - $28.99, Kids Meal - $7.49
Sub Total - $173.42
With Tax - $184.69
Gratuity - $31.22
DDE Discount - (34.68)


Beaches and Cream - Total $101.66
Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Entree $7.49, Entree $8.99, Entree $9.89, Entree $8.99, Entree $7.99, Kids Meal $7.49, Beverages $15.00, Dessert $21.99
Subtotal $97.28
With Tax $103.60
Gratuity $17.51
DDE Discount ($19.46)

Tony's - Total $123.77
Entree $17.99, Entree $27.99, Entree $17.99, Entree $17.99, Entree $19.99, Kids Meal $7.49, Beverages $15.00
Subtotal - $118.44
With Tax - $126.14
Gratuity - $21.32
DDE Discount ($23.69)

Jiko - Total $206.91
Appetizer $9.00, Entree $26.00, Entree $37.00. Entree $37.00, Entree $37.00, Entree $37.00, Beverages $15.00
Subtotal - $198.00
With Tax - $210.87
Gratuity - $35.64
DDE Discount - ($39.60)

Crystal Palace - Total $146.25
Adults $24.99 x 5
Children $15.00 x 1
Subtotal $139.95
With Tax $149.05
Gratuity $25.19
DDE Discount ($27.99)

Pinocchio's Village Haus - Total $45.36
Figaro Fries $3.19, Figaro Fries $3.19, Sandwich $6.99, Sandwich $7.29, Sandwich $6.99, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $42.59
With Tax - $45.36


Backlot Express - Total $53.67
Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $50.39
With Tax - $53.67


Wolfgang Puck Express - Total $44.72
Flatbreads (3 x $9.25) $27.75, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $9.75
Subtotal - $41.99
With Tax - $44.72

Flame Tree BBQ - Total $44.45
Sandwich (5 x $7.29) $36.45, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $51.39
With Tax - $54.73
DDE Discount ($10.28)

Earl of Sandwich - Total $48.14
Hot Sandwiches (5 x $5.75) $28.75, Kids Meal $3.95, Beverages (5) $12.50
Subtotal - $45.20
With Tax - $48.14

Artist's Palate - Total $43.07 x 2 - $86.14
Adult Meals (5 x $7.29), Kids Meal $3.99 (No Beverages - home resort will eat in room with soda there)
Subtotal - $40.44
With Tax - $43.07

OOP Cost INCLUDING Gratuity $1,082.28
DDP Cost for 7 nights $1,399.58 + Gratuity $130.88 = $1,530.46
Savings OOP vs DDP for us = $448.18

Now this is figuring a little low, because we'll probably skip at least one if not both meals I have figured for Artist's Palate, but to make it a fair comparison DDP vs OOP (that may apply to others) I figured we'd eat those meals there. This is where I figure a savings for us up to $500.

I have no snacks figured in, but we don't really eat that many snacks in the parks. We bring our own soda or water in with us, and bring munchies in our diaper bag. We'll buy a few Mickey Crispy Treats and Dole Whips, but beyond that probably not a lot of things will be purchased in the park by us. Even figuring snacks allowed on the plan we're entitled to about $126.00 worth of snacks on the DDP. Adding that into our OOP Cost still leaves us a substantial savings and we won't feel pressured that we have to use all of our snacks.

I did exactly the same thing and got the same results--we will not be doing any form of DDP and we will be saving a considerable amount by paying OOP and having the flexibility of what and where we want. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who spent time doing this as my whole family thought I was silly.

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Personally I like it. I enjoy eating a sitdown meal every day. And an early counter service can suffice for bf/lunch. For leftover snacks I go to Goofy's candy company. True, I may not be saving a whole lot, but I'm going to enjoy the food regardless and I want the sitdown. I agree about the value if you have kids and go to buffets. Even if they have adult palates, go to Boma or any other buffet and you're saving a ton of money.

Next time I think I may even consider going delux, doing a normal lunch (cs or TS) and then going to a signature for dinner. Yes it's a lot of food, but I enjoy it. To each his/her own.

And for DDE, that only applies for an annual passholder. You need to factor in the difference in ticket pricing and the $70 cost of the card itself. If and when I become a DVC member, I'd get an annual pass and a DDE but until then, it's DDP or nothing.

 

[Tricia1972]

Actually the DDE has come down in cost, for AP holders it's just $60 now. Florida residents, who aren't passholders, pay more for the card.

 

[Superspectral]

I found the plan very limiting
I didn't like all the stress over using up the CS and snack credits.

It was limiting in that I didn't always want a TS and/or a CS meal.

This is one of the reasons I booked the DxDDP for my future trip rather than the DDP. The DxDDP does not differentiate between TS and CS credits. I had done the 2006 DDP, and found that I wanted more TS and less CS, and not having to keep track of the two is attractive to me.

We just got back Feb 2nd and we did the deluxe plan. We were glad we did it but my husband did not like the premade reservations he felt rushed to be at a certain place at a certain time. Although the signature rest. we would not been able to get if we did not reserve.Lunch res. was the one we felt rushed.

I can symphathize with the poster's comment. I have felt warehoused at some TS meals too - waiting to be seated, ordering, appetizer, entree, desert, the check, etc. - can take a while. I have booked either breakfasts in the parks which seat before the park opens or end of evening meals. I've mostly avoided TS lunch ADRs to avoid that warehousing feel in the middle o the day.

Disney is an absolute master of warehousing people. I've been to the parks on not too crowded days and more crowded days, but noticed it seems as if the number of people on the outside paths is always about the same (I'm not talking super crowded holidays when every inch is packed). Where are the extra people? Waiting in a 45 minute line instead of a 15 minute line, out of site, out of mind!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I found the plan very limiting
I didn't like all the stress over using up the CS and snack credits.

It was limiting in that I didn't always want a TS and/or a CS meal.

This is one of the reasons I booked the DxDDP for my future trip rather than the DDP. The DxDDP does not differentiate between TS and CS credits. I had done the 2006 DDP, and found that I wanted more TS and less CS, and not having to keep track of the two is attractive to me.

I just don't know what to say...In all my years of being on the DIS I have never had anyone selectively quote a post of mine and "repurpose" it like this. My actual post was:

I found the plan very limiting
I didn't like all the stress over using up the CS and snack credits.

It was limiting in that I didn't always want a TS and/or a CS meal. One night I wanted to have drinks and appetizers at the WL lounge as dinner. I did it but obviously that didn't count as a credit. I also wanted to go to Spoodles and split a flatbread, the dip appetizer and each order a salad for dinner but that wouldn't work with the plan so we didn't do that.

Neither the DDP nor the DxDDP would have helped in my situation. The point I was trying to make is that I was limited to either CS or TS - there was no flexibility for other dining options.

There were at least two occasions (noted in my OP) when what I wanted for dinner wouldn't have been covered by either the basic DDP or the DxDDP. Neither plan can be used at the Territory Lounge at WL for appetizers and, to the best of my knowledge, they could not be used to order a bunch of tapas (what the original Spoodles menu called them) at Spoodles.

Please don't misconstrue my intention in this post...I am not trying to start an argument or say the plans are "bad." I just don't like it when someone selectively quotes my post and, in the process, loses the entire meaning of what I was trying to say.

 

[Superspectral]

I just don't know what to say...In all my years of being on the DIS I have never had anyone selectively quote a post of mine and "repurpose" it like this. My actual post was:



Neither the DDP nor the DxDDP would have helped in my situation. The point I was trying to make is that I was limited to either CS or TS - there was no flexibility for other dining options.

There were at least two occasions (noted in my OP) when what I wanted for dinner wouldn't have been covered by either the basic DDP or the DxDDP. Neither plan can be used at the Territory Lounge at WL for appetizers and, to the best of my knowledge, they could not be used to order a bunch of tapas (what the original Spoodles menu called them) at Spoodles.

Please don't misconstrue my intention in this post...I am not trying to start an argument or say the plans are "bad." I just don't like it when someone selectively quotes my post and, in the process, loses the entire meaning of what I was trying to say.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I wasn't trying to repurpose your message. I think we are largely in agreement. Using the DDP to match every eating style isn't always easy - it can be constricting and a challenge.

What I was trying to say was that the DxDDP is, at least for me, easier to match with many eating scenarios, than the DDP. Hence there is less management and worrying about how to use credits. This addresses the theme of the problem of the pressure to use credits and make them fit varying siturations that you brought up. I wasn't trying to change what you said (which is still posted in the thread verbatim prior to my post, presumably read in its entirety by all), but rather just acknowledge a context to the conversation.

With the regular dining plan there are 4 choices to make at every eating opportunity on how to pay for what you eat: OOP, Snack, CS, and TS. There is opportunity to be out of balance with CS and TS in the end, or to worry about should one use CS for breakfast instead of paying OOP. Most people end up paying a fair amount of OOP which could have been covered by the plan, if they had the credits.

With the deluxe dinining plan there are only 3 choices, OOP, Snack and MC. The decision of whether to pay OOP is much rarer - as each person as 3 MCs a day. Using MC's for signature dinging, or dinner shows, character breakfast etc. is a good or at least an OK deal with the DxDDP, so MC's can be used effectively, contrary to the old conventional wisdom of when to pay OOP to maximize DDP value. As long as just about 50% of the MC's are used for TS, signature dining, dinner shows, or in-room dining and the other 50% can be CS and one will at least break-even. With the DDP, if you have a TS reservation your last day (for example) but it rains and you don't want to go to the park and you have to eat CS (but have no more CS credits), you are out of luck. With the DxDDP, you can at least use the MC for CS.

Of course, as you point out, there are a few eating scenarios where OOP may be the only choice. I think anyone consider either dining plan should first consider how they'd like to eat whether or not they'd have a plan. If either plan would result in leftover MCs or TS or CS credits, they it isn't a good match.

I chose the DxDDP this time because I thought there were ways that the DDP didn't fit my situation the last time. To be truthful, i didn't regret the DDP. However, for me, I feel that I will be less likely to regret the DxDDP.

 

[Superspectral]

I just don't know what to say...In all my years of being on the DIS I have never had anyone selectively quote a post of mine and "repurpose" it like this. My actual post was:



Neither the DDP nor the DxDDP would have helped in my situation. The point I was trying to make is that I was limited to either CS or TS - there was no flexibility for other dining options.

There were at least two occasions (noted in my OP) when what I wanted for dinner wouldn't have been covered by either the basic DDP or the DxDDP. Neither plan can be used at the Territory Lounge at WL for appetizers and, to the best of my knowledge, they could not be used to order a bunch of tapas (what the original Spoodles menu called them) at Spoodles.

Please don't misconstrue my intention in this post...I am not trying to start an argument or say the plans are "bad." I just don't like it when someone selectively quotes my post and, in the process, loses the entire meaning of what I was trying to say.

I should also mention the reason I was in danger of having extra CS left over was that in addition to using the one TS per night for lunch or dinner, I had booked enough character breakfasts & dinners, and Mickey's BBQ, paying OOP to the point I almost simply didn't have enough meals opportunities, even at 3 meals per day, to use the CS credits. I needed more TS credits and fewer CS credits.

 

[byoung]

Well I could just sign on here and say YES! We had problems with all of the above using the DDP in 2007.

I went through and figured out what we would want to eat doing Disney our way. On a one week trip for 5 Adults, 1 Child and 1 Infant, we'll save $450-$500 over the cost of the DDP by doing it our way. Not only will we not be limited, but we will be saving money. Bonus for us!

Le Cellier - Total $181.22
Appetizer - $10.99, Appetizer - $10.99, Beverages - $15.00, Entree - $19.99, Entree - $28.99, Entree - $21.99, Entree - $28.99, Entree - $28.99, Kids Meal - $7.49
Sub Total - $173.42
With Tax - $184.69
Gratuity - $31.22
DDE Discount - (34.68)


Beaches and Cream - Total $101.66
Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Appetizer $1.89, Entree $7.49, Entree $8.99, Entree $9.89, Entree $8.99, Entree $7.99, Kids Meal $7.49, Beverages $15.00, Dessert $21.99
Subtotal $97.28
With Tax $103.60
Gratuity $17.51
DDE Discount ($19.46)

Tony's - Total $123.77
Entree $17.99, Entree $27.99, Entree $17.99, Entree $17.99, Entree $19.99, Kids Meal $7.49, Beverages $15.00
Subtotal - $118.44
With Tax - $126.14
Gratuity - $21.32
DDE Discount ($23.69)

Jiko - Total $206.91
Appetizer $9.00, Entree $26.00, Entree $37.00. Entree $37.00, Entree $37.00, Entree $37.00, Beverages $15.00
Subtotal - $198.00
With Tax - $210.87
Gratuity - $35.64
DDE Discount - ($39.60)

Crystal Palace - Total $146.25
Adults $24.99 x 5
Children $15.00 x 1
Subtotal $139.95
With Tax $149.05
Gratuity $25.19
DDE Discount ($27.99)

Pinocchio's Village Haus - Total $45.36
Figaro Fries $3.19, Figaro Fries $3.19, Sandwich $6.99, Sandwich $7.29, Sandwich $6.99, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $42.59
With Tax - $45.36


Backlot Express - Total $53.67
Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Sandwich $7.09, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $50.39
With Tax - $53.67


Wolfgang Puck Express - Total $44.72
Flatbreads (3 x $9.25) $27.75, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $9.75
Subtotal - $41.99
With Tax - $44.72

Flame Tree BBQ - Total $44.45
Sandwich (5 x $7.29) $36.45, Kids Meal $4.49, Beverages (5) $10.45
Subtotal - $51.39
With Tax - $54.73
DDE Discount ($10.28)

Earl of Sandwich - Total $48.14
Hot Sandwiches (5 x $5.75) $28.75, Kids Meal $3.95, Beverages (5) $12.50
Subtotal - $45.20
With Tax - $48.14

Artist's Palate - Total $43.07 x 2 - $86.14
Adult Meals (5 x $7.29), Kids Meal $3.99 (No Beverages - home resort will eat in room with soda there)
Subtotal - $40.44
With Tax - $43.07

OOP Cost INCLUDING Gratuity $1,082.28
DDP Cost for 7 nights $1,399.58 + Gratuity $130.88 = $1,530.46
Savings OOP vs DDP for us = $448.18

Now this is figuring a little low, because we'll probably skip at least one if not both meals I have figured for Artist's Palate, but to make it a fair comparison DDP vs OOP (that may apply to others) I figured we'd eat those meals there. This is where I figure a savings for us up to $500.

I have no snacks figured in, but we don't really eat that many snacks in the parks. We bring our own soda or water in with us, and bring munchies in our diaper bag. We'll buy a few Mickey Crispy Treats and Dole Whips, but beyond that probably not a lot of things will be purchased in the park by us. Even figuring snacks allowed on the plan we're entitled to about $126.00 worth of snacks on the DDP. Adding that into our OOP Cost still leaves us a substantial savings and we won't feel pressured that we have to use all of our snacks.

Like you responce, thanks.

 

[DCDisney]

We used the plan for 6 nights and 7 full days. 2 adults, 1 adult kid, 1 kid. We saved $245 over menu prices mostly due to dumb luck of ending up eating at much more expensive CS places than I thought. With my allergies and changes to the CS menus (buns,breads, and pizza crust aren't nut safe any more) I was really only able to eat CS at our resort so my family ended up eating more expensive CS and I ended up getting an expensive meal CS each day at the resort because they had to sub for me. But the timing of meals due to that was very odd and I mostly was never hungry enough to enjoy meals that much. We were very on the border and though I'm glad we did it because the kids did enjoy the extra snacks and desserts we wouldn't have bought we definitely won't do it again in the future.

 

[AgassiFan]

We used the plan for 6 nights and 7 full days. 2 adults, 1 adult kid, 1 kid. We saved $245 over menu prices mostly due to dumb luck of ending up eating at much more expensive CS places than I thought. With my allergies and changes to the CS menus (buns,breads, and pizza crust aren't nut safe any more) I was really only able to eat CS at our resort so my family ended up eating more expensive CS and I ended up getting an expensive meal CS each day at the resort because they had to sub for me. But the timing of meals due to that was very odd and I mostly was never hungry enough to enjoy meals that much. We were very on the border and though I'm glad we did it because the kids did enjoy the extra snacks and desserts we wouldn't have bought we definitely won't do it again in the future.

What do you mean that the buns, breads, and pizza crusts aren't nut safe anymore? My DH is allergic to peanuts. Are the menus at Disney that unsafe for him?

 

[Tinka_Belle]

This year we have opted to have the Deluxe DDP. Last year we did the meals on our own and budgeted a certain amount of money for food and snacks, but ended up going way over the budget. Hopefully this year with the DDP this shouldn't happen. Last year we only had one TS meal because it wasn't in the budget to have more. Also we ended up eating breakfast every morning which wasn't budgeted because at home nobody really eats breakfast. Whatever credits DD and I don't use I'm sure that DH will because he is a big eater and can eat like four meals a day.

 

[DCDisney]

What do you mean that the buns, breads, and pizza crusts aren't nut safe anymore? My DH is allergic to peanuts. Are the menus at Disney that unsafe for him?

They have nut safe items at WDW but some things that were formerly safe (buns, pizza crust, breads) are not any more. They do have at least 1 place in each park where they have special allergy safe foods--usually energ gluten free rolls and amy's gluten free pizza--neither worked for me because I haev multiple allergies. The AMy's may have seeds in it. It depends on how allergic he is but I am not allowed sunflower seeds because of my peanut allergy (cross contamination issues). The new multigrain buns, breads, and pizza crust have sun flower and other seeds that are cross contamination issues for nut allergic people. At each CS they will have an ingredient book with all the ingredients and warnings. There will be lots of things he can eat but now there are many that aren't safe anymore. Hopefully they are getting enough complaints they will switch back to white bread or at least a whoel wheat type bread without all the seeds in it. You just have to be cautious and not assume that things are the same as your last visit I realized.

 

[sherabby]

We took some of our snacks home with us. My son has allergies and we took home the peanut free jelly beans and peanut free brownies!