Didn't someone have a TIW vs DDP spreadsheet?

[lmgaddis]

I am trying to figure out the best way to go for our family. We are going during FD time but I am still trying to figure out if the ddp is the best way to go for us. I have 3 boys. 2 of them are now considered "adults" by Disney standards but will still order off the kids menu b/c they just don't care for all of the adult food. They did this the last time we were there and on the ddp. They just gave them bigger servings.

I still think we might be better off with the TIW card b/c it does include adult beverages and we usually like to have some wine with dinner. We also would never order dessert except if something really struck us.

Thanks for your help. I am so confused right now!!

 

[thewrightswv]

I don't have enough posts to include links, but I saw a post a few weeks back with a link to Cafeen's Disney Dining Plan Cost Analysis. If you Google that, the first hit will take you to the page to download the spreadsheet. It doesn't do the TIW discount for you, but I added up all of my meal estimates and calculated what the discount would be. For our plans, the DxDP was a better deal.

 

[Tricia1972]

I used to have one, but haven't updated it in a few years so it's now pretty obsolete.

If Cafeen's doesn't have the TIW calculation, just take the total cost of food. Subtract 20%, and then add tax after the TIW discount is applied.

If you enjoy adult beverages, then my guess is that you'll wind up with the TIW being a better deal, but definitely run the numbers for yourself.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've done it both ways. But, with two boys that will be charged adult ddp prices, but eating off the children's menu, you may very well do better with the TiW card discount. I sit and list all the places we'll be eating at. I pretty much know what we'll order. So, I run figures both ways....just don't forget to add the addtl tips with ddp. A ton of people do that. It usually adds a substantial amount to your daily costs.

 

[Colleen27]

For us TiW always comes out better than DDP (DxDDP for us) until we add in the cost of getting an AP to qualify for it. That tips it in favor of the dining plan, but that's with only one trip per year. If we knew we'd be going twice in one year the AP/TiW would easily be the better choice, particularly now that we've got a DDP 'adult' who likes adult foods but not adult portions.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I've done it both ways. But, with two boys that will be charged adult ddp prices, but eating off the children's menu, you may very well do better with the TiW card discount. I sit and list all the places we'll be eating at. I pretty much know what we'll order. So, I run figures both ways....just don't forget to add the addtl tips with ddp. A ton of people do that. It usually adds a substantial amount to your daily costs.

I know we're not supposed to discuss tipping outside of the tipping thread, but I'm confused about the bolded statement. You pay the same tip either way so why does it need to be factored into a price comparisson? I do understand from a budget perspective that you definitely want to account for tips but when trying to figure out which way is cheaper assuming the same dining habits either way, why is the tip relevant? I'm not trying to be difficult; I genuinely want to know so that when my TiW discount and AP expire I'm doing the comparisson correctly.