Dining Plan - Actual vs DDP $$

[eleven24]

Just got back from 6 days at SSR and we opted for DDP this time around (For us it was 2 adults, 1 child). During our stay I kept a log of what the meals would have cost us had we not been using DDP, and I thought this info might be useful for someone contemplating the dining plan.

The cost of the basic DDP for 6 days (2 adults, 1 child) was $515. This is the option whereby each person gets one sit-down meal, counter meal, and snack per day. The actual cost we would have spent on all of the meals during our vacation would've been $725, so it would appear as if we saved $210 by using the dining plan.

Hidden costs... or at least costs you don't think about. Those sit down meals are nice, but don't forget that the tips/gratuities are not included. Also remember that the food prices are inflated, so a 20% tip at Disney is probably more like a 35% real world tip. Another hidden cost is any menu item outside of the entree, beverage, or dessert. This includes appetizers, soups, and alcoholic drinks.

For us, we had another $170 worth of gratuities/non-included DDP items added to our food total. That brings the total "food" cost of our trip, using DDP to $685. Had we not used DDP the cost would've been $895.

But here is where we believe the DDP is not worth the cost...

First, beacuse we ate more than we normally would because it was included. For example, we rarely order dessert and did so at every sit-down meal not because we were still hungry, but because it was included. Second, we ate more full service "sit-down" type meals than we normally would at Disney. Lastly, it changed our schedules so that we were thinking more about eating and less about what we actually wanted to do.

A few tips....

1) Buy the refillable mug (I think it was $12). You can then use it at any resort & get free refills on soda & coffee.

2) This a tip from someone we spoke with on the shuttle... On day 1 of your stay, rent a car for one day. Enterprise (at least at SSR) will pick you up and drive you to their office to fill out the paperwork. Take the car to the grocery store and stock up on food for the week, then take the car back at the end of the day, or after you've stocked up. Total cost to rent the car: $45.

3) A lot of restaurants in Downtown Disney take DDP. We ate at Planet Hollywood.



Hope this info helps others out if you're trying to figure out if the DDP is "worth it". I'd say it is very good value if you would normally eat a full service meal every night; however, if not... I'd just rent the car and stock up the home for a week.

 

[JimMIA]

But here is where we believe the DDP is not worth the cost...

First, beacuse we ate more than we normally would because it was included. For example, we rarely order dessert and did so at every sit-down meal not because we were still hungry, but because it was included. Second, we ate more full service "sit-down" type meals than we normally would at Disney.

This is the key fallacy that Disney counts on to justify DDP. If you compare the cost of DDP to the inflated menu prices at the restaurants, you have to find DDP to be a bargain. The plan is structured to ensure that. But that's a bogus comparison unless you really would eat a TS meal with dessert, and a CS meal with dessert, every single day.

I think the only valid comparison is to approximate what you would actually spend -- following your normal WDW dining habits -- if you were paying cash. Then compare that to the cost of DDP.

Many families will find that an accurate comparison still shows that DDP will save them money. It doesn't work for us, but it will work for many families.

We skipped DDP during our May trip -- and we ate much BETTER, and spent less, than we would have on DDP. The only TS we ate onsite was tne Norway princess breakfast.

 

[TDC Nala]

I still eat onsite (no car) but I use DDE rather than DDP.

Sometimes I eat appetizers rather than entrees, skip desserts, and I usually have wine or cocktails. DDE works much better.

Plus with DDE I have the option of eating at some of the bars and lounges that have food offerings. I love the BLT flatbread at the Territory Lounge!

 

[El&Asmom]

I think the key is determining how you would PREFER to eat while at WDW, not what you would eat with the DDP, and then compare costs.

We will be taking a 3 day parents only trip in Sept. Because it is just the two of us and it will be a short trip we will be having a TS every day.
I calculated our costs for what we would order without DDP, and then compared that to what it would cost for 3 days of DDP. It does come out ahead with the DDP. We will basically be getting 2 CS meals for free with the DDP.

When we go for longer trips with the kids, we opt out of the DDP. We eat more in the villa, and don't want a TS for every single day. Plus for longer trips we don't want to be tied down to a schedule like we are with a TS everyday.

To each his own.

 

[bonnielynn]

I still eat onsite (no car) but I use DDE rather than DDP.

Sometimes I eat appetizers rather than entrees, skip desserts, and I usually have wine or cocktails. DDE works much better.

Plus with DDE I have the option of eating at some of the bars and lounges that have food offerings. I love the BLT flatbread at the Territory Lounge!

What is the DDE and how much is it?

 

[TDC Nala]

What is the DDE and how much is it?

Disney Dining Experience. It is a discount program for annual passholders and Florida residents.

Costs $60 a year for annual passholders and you get 20% off your full bill (including alcohol) at most table service restaurants and resort and park bars/lounges, plus a few counter service places.

8 blackout days per year (mostly major holidays) and an 18% tip is automatically added at all table service and bars/lounges.

 

[Dean]

On our own we are just as likely to do two table service meals as a CS and TS meal on average once a day. And we can eat those two TS and pay for the snacks cheaper than the cost of the DDP. Of course it depends on your meal habits, if the DDP is set up for how you normally order anyway it will likely be a very good option, it's just my opinion that it encourages people to order more than they would otherwise. Still that may be OK if you can try other things for a controlled cost, just look at where you stand with and without so you know.

 

[bonnielynn]

Disney Dining Experience. It is a discount program for annual passholders and Florida residents.

Costs $60 a year for annual passholders and you get 20% off your full bill (including alcohol) at most table service restaurants and resort and park bars/lounges, plus a few counter service places.

8 blackout days per year (mostly major holidays) and an 18% tip is automatically added at all table service and bars/lounges.

$60 per person and 20% off per person?

 

[jfinke]

One person pays $60 for the card. Then you can get 20% off for up to 10 people per meal. Must be present to win.

 

[JimMIA]

If I'm not mistaken, the DDE is $65 for Annual Passholders and $75 for Florida residents. You have to be one or the other to qualify.

As mentioned, only one person needs to have the card, and it can be used to discount up to ten diners' meals...including alcoholic beverages. The discount is 20%, and there will be an automatic 18% gratuity added to all DDE checks. So it basically pays your tip.

 

[TDC Nala]

If I'm not mistaken, the DDE is $65 for Annual Passholders and $75 for Florida residents. You have to be one or the other to qualify.

As mentioned, only one person needs to have the card, and it can be used to discount up to ten diners' meals...including alcoholic beverages. The discount is 20%, and there will be an automatic 18% gratuity added to all DDE checks. So it basically pays your tip.

It is now $60 for annual passholders. I don't recall what it is for Florida residents but it's more.

 

[Caskbill]

The DDE can be a real money saver, depending on how many days you'll be staying at WDW during the year, and how many are in your party.

Don't forget, there are also DVC discounts at many restaurants, which for the most part are about 10%.

As for the original question, when figuring savings, if someone got the DDP plan and ate at a restaurant where they would have received a DVC discount, then the costs need to be calculated versus the discounted price and not the full price. Is someone got the DDE card, the same would apply at those applicable restaurants.

 

[itsreally4mommy]

This last time we chose to forego the mug. That saved $50. I'd rather drink bottled water as the soda fountains seem really watered down w/the yucky Orlando water. Plus once you're at the parks you're stuck toting them around. However, I suppose if you have more lounging @ the resort days, you might get more use. That is something I would like to see in my future.

 

[eleven24]

We were at the pool most afternoons (park in the morning & evening, pool when it was hot). The mugs saved quite a bit, but I did notice that many people were just walking up to the dispensers and filling up whatever mug or water bottle they had with them.

Which is what we later started doing prior to hitting the parks. Filled up with the faux gatorade they had. Figured we had the mugs if anyone asked, but the water bottle held more - and was insulated.

 

[Karenj2]

Can you use the DDP and the DDE together, for instance get the DDP and then use the DDE for alcoholic beverages?

 

[TDC Nala]

Can you use the DDP and the DDE together, for instance get the DDP and then use the DDE for alcoholic beverages?

Yes, you'll get two separate bills, one for the plan items and one for the non-plan items. You can apply DDE to the non-plan items.

 

[starbox]

We are DDE converts! We enjoy signature dining. We typically drink water at sit-down meals, eat entrees, and get a shared dessert. DS does not even like 99% of desserts. Mommy likes a glass of wine. DDE lets us spend our dining dollars the way we want to spend them.

We're also at that "magical" age where DS and DD are going to be 10 and 12. We've found that, with DDE, restaurants that are not one price (like Ohana, Boma, and Garden Grill) have all offered us the option of ordering from either the adult or child's menu. This gives us much more flexibility, since the kids are still skiddish about the more exotic adult menus at signature restaurants and prefer the more pedestrian offerings (steak) on the kid's menu.

TS lunches run our family 50-80$ w/DDE including tip.
Signature Dining at dinner runs us around 140$

The DDP is around 140$ a day - but our signature dinners would take double credits.

DDP is a good option though. We have one night at BCV and I'll do DDP for that day because I know we'll eat at Beaches and Cream where everyone will want their own dessert. Our CS will be Tangerine cafe Morocco - which is an expensive CS option. For that day's dining - DDP will save us $$ because we'd eat that much food either way!

 

[CDNTech]

A few questions... trying to figure out if DDP or DDE is better for us.

1. At the TS restaurants that have DVC discounts... Do you get the DVC discount *plus* the DDE discount or is it just one or the other?

2. Is there a list somewhere of which restaurants give DVC discounts and what they are?

3. Does the DDE give you discounts at the CS places in the parks or is it just a restaurant/pub (TS) type discount?

Thanks.

 

[dizplanner]

A few questions... trying to figure out if DDP or DDE is better for us.

1. At the TS restaurants that have DVC discounts... Do you get the DVC discount *plus* the DDE discount or is it just one or the other?

One or the other. The point was if you got a 10% discount for "free" (i.e. DVC), you are really only saving an additional 10% with DDE when you are doing your cost comparsions. (to see if it worth spending the $60 up front to get the card)

2. Is there a list somewhere of which restaurants give DVC discounts and what they are?

I believe they are on the DVC web site and I think All Ears has a discount sheet that lists all the discounts (DVC, AP, DDE)

3. Does the DDE give you discounts at the CS places in the parks or is it just a restaurant/pub (TS) type discount?

The only places were counter service is discounted are at resorts that don't have a table service (i.e. value resorts) and at Animal Kingdom (because it didn't used to have any table service - as far as I know AK CS still give discounts, but this can change next year). Otherwise it is only TS and lounges.

 

[edk35]

Can you use the DDP and the DDE together, for instance get the DDP and then use the DDE for alcoholic beverages?

Yes you can.