Dining Plan Calculator Question

[TNKim]

I have a question about the dining plan calculator. I don't understand the #2 section, Select your Dining Preferences. It asks for # of appetizers, # of desserts, # snacks per day, and # of refillable mugs. There are 4 of us (all adults). Does it want you to list what you would buy if NOT on the dining plan, or what you are entitled to ON the dining plan? For instance, if not on the dining plan we wouldn't each order appetizers, nor would we each order dessert. Some days we might all have 1 snack each, or we might have 3 snacks each. And we wouldn't buy the refillable mugs. However, on the dining plan we would each be entitled to dessert with TS, would get 2 snacks each per day, and would have 4 refillable mugs. So is it asking for what you would do if not on the dining plan, or what you would do with the dining plan?

 

[hakepb]

From a real $ perspective, I think it would be what you would actually pay in cash for food/snacks/drinks vs the DDP cost.

The "what you get" is the Mickey math used to help sell the DDP.

 

[sharonabe]

For instance, if not on the dining plan we wouldn't each order appetizers, nor would we each order dessert. Some days we might all have 1 snack each, or we might have 3 snacks each

Would you not each order an app or dessert because of the cost or because that is what you PREFER to eat? You need to enter what/how you WANT to eat while there regardless of dining plan or cost OOP.

 

[Hopefully]

But also know it has its limitations-it uses averages which may not work for everyone

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

It's a little confusing, but it actually is done quite well. After you put in all the info, the planner shows four things:
1. Shows you what items you list is covered by each plan, and what items you would have to pay OOP for when using each plan (it will choose the most expensive things possible to be covered by the plan).
2. Any leftover credits on the dining plans based on your entries.
3. What the total cost would be, (cost of plan plus OOP expenses), for each possible plan, and compares total cost for each plan vs. paying OOP for all
4. Whether or not you coming out "ahead" on each plan, or not, and by how much.

What you put into Section #2 is used in those calculations. You can play around with it, and see how it changes the numbers. There are, basically, two ways to go about it:
1. Put in what you would get if paying for everything OOP. This would be, theoretically, the cheapest total food cost. It will then show you what you would expect to pay OOP, and compare it to the DDP costs, and shows you any leftover credits you would have.
2. Put in what you would get if using the DDP. (You could do it a third time with the DxDP in mind). While this would, theoretically, cost more than than #1, you may also be getting more food. You may also change the restaurant choices. Maybe you wouldn't spring for Akershus, or a Fantasmic package, if paying OOP, but would on the DDP. This shows whether or not you would be come out ahead if you were to get the DDP.

Comparing #1 and #2 above will show you two different total costs, but also two different dining experiences. Depends on what you put in, you may find that selections used in #1 are cheaper paying OOP, but selections #2 is cheaper with a dining plan. One way to think of the DDP as an upgraded dining experience. You can then compare the costs for #1 and #2, and see whether or not the added food and experiences is worth the added cost. As an easy example, you get two snacks per day per person on the DDP. That is factored into the cost of the plan, and to see if the DDP is good value for what you are paying for, you need to include two snacks in your calculations. But, if you wouldn't get so many snacks per day if you do not get the plan, then you should not include it in your potential OOP total costs. The planner calculator allows you to look at things both ways.

The big limitation to the calculator is that it uses "typical" costs at non-fixed price restaurants. And it uses the same value whether on the plan or not. Maybe your family would order steak at every restaurant whether on the plan or not. Maybe they would order pasta whether on the plan or not. Or, maybe they would order pasta if OOP, and steak on the plan.

A second limitation is that you can only put in the average amount of appetizers and desserts per meal. But, in reality, the number of appetizers and desserts you would order will depend on the restaurant, and the "average" number may not result in a true prediction of total cost for appetizers and desserts.

Once you play around with the calculator, and see how the math changes with changes in selections, you can use Excel to basically recreate the calculator customized to your family, if you think that the assumptions used are too far off from your family's tastes, and the results therefore too inaccurate.

 

[TNKim]

It's a little confusing, but it actually is done quite well. After you put in all the info, the planner shows four things:
1. Shows you what items you list is covered by each plan, and what items you would have to pay OOP for when using each plan (it will choose the most expensive things possible to be covered by the plan).
2. Any leftover credits on the dining plans based on your entries.
3. What the total cost would be, (cost of plan plus OOP expenses), for each possible plan, and compares total cost for each plan vs. paying OOP for all
4. Whether or not you coming out "ahead" on each plan, or not, and by how much.

What you put into Section #2 is used in those calculations. You can play around with it, and see how it changes the numbers. There are, basically, two ways to go about it:
1. Put in what you would get if paying for everything OOP. This would be, theoretically, the cheapest total food cost. It will then show you what you would expect to pay OOP, and compare it to the DDP costs, and shows you any leftover credits you would have.
2. Put in what you would get if using the DDP. (You could do it a third time with the DxDP in mind). While this would, theoretically, cost more than than #1, you may also be getting more food. You may also change the restaurant choices. Maybe you wouldn't spring for Akershus, or a Fantasmic package, if paying OOP, but would on the DDP. This shows whether or not you would be come out ahead if you were to get the DDP.

Comparing #1 and #2 above will show you two different total costs, but also two different dining experiences. Depends on what you put in, you may find that selections used in #1 are cheaper paying OOP, but selections #2 is cheaper with a dining plan. One way to think of the DDP as an upgraded dining experience. You can then compare the costs for #1 and #2, and see whether or not the added food and experiences is worth the added cost. As an easy example, you get two snacks per day per person on the DDP. That is factored into the cost of the plan, and to see if the DDP is good value for what you are paying for, you need to include two snacks in your calculations. But, if you wouldn't get so many snacks per day if you do not get the plan, then you should not include it in your potential OOP total costs. The planner calculator allows you to look at things both ways.

The big limitation to the calculator is that it uses "typical" costs at non-fixed price restaurants. And it uses the same value whether on the plan or not. Maybe your family would order steak at every restaurant whether on the plan or not. Maybe they would order pasta whether on the plan or not. Or, maybe they would order pasta if OOP, and steak on the plan.

A second limitation is that you can only put in the average amount of appetizers and desserts per meal. But, in reality, the number of appetizers and desserts you would order will depend on the restaurant, and the "average" number may not result in a true prediction of total cost for appetizers and desserts.

Once you play around with the calculator, and see how the math changes with changes in selections, you can use Excel to basically recreate the calculator customized to your family, if you think that the assumptions used are too far off from your family's tastes, and the results therefore too inaccurate.

Thanks so much for your detailed reply. It was confusing to me but you helped explain it so much better. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.