Dining plan cost per person is...

[miss missy]

37.99, 75.98 for 2 according to my calculations. I have done it 2 times before and I like the fact of having food covered, but it is sooo much food! I just don't know if it is worth the cost to me. Without the plan, I would do maybe 2-3 ressies only in a 10 day trip, and be happy with eating "on the run" the rest of the time. Not sure what to do. That so high for food for one person

what do you think?

 

[jrsmom]

I think that amount is probably for the deluxe plan. The standard is around39-40 per person. The standard is a good option for us since we generally have one TS per day.

 

[miss missy]

oh, correct, that is for 2 people, so that makes it 37.99 per person. hmmm

 

[disneyfan2]

i think the dining plan would be good if you do a sit down meal each day. We have the DDP booked this trip because we want to do a bunch of character meals we did not do in the past. That being said, i won't do the DDP next year, with all the changes, it really isn't such a bargain anymore. However, next trip i would probably only do 2-3 sit down meals. I think if you are ok with only 2-3 sit down meals, then DDP might not be the way to go. if you plan anymore then go for the plan. JMO

 

[disneymom06]

For a 10 day trip if you would only plan on 2-3 TS meals than the DDP may not work for you. Calculate a hypothetical cost of a 10 day meal plan, with and without the DDP. Don't forget to include the tips into your costs, not that you wouldn't leave a tip but if you would only plan on 2-3 TS meals than with the DDP you would have tips for 10TS meals. Maybe you would really like the option of eating at TS locations for the 10 days, only you can answer that question. And remember if you are visiting during the holiday pricing for buffets that will make the DDP a better value if you eat at buffet locations.

 

[Tricia1972]

I would say that if you are happy eating just 2-3 TS meals on a trip then the DDP is not for you.

In fact, unless you are willing to commit to eating a minimum of 10 TS locations over that time period then the DDP is not the best deal for you.

Assuming you are taking a 10 day/9 night trip with another adult:

37.99 (plan) x 2 (Adults) = $75.98
$75.98 x 9 (nights) = $683.82 Total Plan Cost

At the most you'll probably spend $75.00 per TS meal even ordering the most expensive items on the menu ($25-$30 per Entree, $6 per Dessert, $3 per Beverage)

$75/meal x 3 TS meals = $225.00

Occasionally I have heard of converting TS meals to CS meals. So let's assume that you convert those successfully to CS meals (which is NOT guaranteed)

You have 18 credits for 9 nights on the plan. Your 3 TS meals use 6 of the 18 credits leaving you with 12 credits.

The average CS meal will run you $10-$15. Let's use $15 for the sake of the most expensive scenario.

$15 x 12 (credits) = $180


You also have 18 snacks. Snacks have been averaging $3.00.

$3 x 18 (credits) = $54


Add it all up
$225.00 - TS Meals
$180 - CS Meals
$54 - Snacks
$29.84 - Tax (which you'll have to pay if you're paying OOP)
$488.84 - OOP Cost

$683.82 - DDP Cost


Clearly you would not come out ahead in this scenario, so I don't think that the DDP would fit well with your personal eating style.

It works for many and it doesn't work for others.

 

[luckytobeme88]

Tricia, I think you forgot to double the OOP cost to reflect 2 pp. However, the DDP is figured for 2. Just thought that the OOP was too low.

 

[LSchrow]

it looks like the DDP wouldn't work for you .
like others said, it is not for everyone, but for those who have one TS & one CS daily, it can save $'s ("on the run" ended for us years ago .....now it's no more than fast strolling (to enjoy the quiet beauty of resorts & parks), sunning by the pool, wandering DTD, & leisurely meals.

your vacationing and/or eating style might change someday & the plan might make sense for you. for right now tho, enjoy your vacation the way you like it, & use that "saved money" toward something you would really enjoy .

 

[Tricia1972]

I think what I didn't add in was the 18 CS Credits that came with the plan.

Let me rework.

 

[Tricia1972]

OK Reworking a bit. For the CS meals instead of using $15, which is the absolute top dollar CS Meal (according to Robinb's handy dandy spreadsheet)

I am going to use her average figures (CS and TS) to work this out for you. Please note that all CS meals include combo meals and desserts, all TS meals are Entree, Dessert and Beverage.

TS Meal - $27 x 2 = $54
CS Meal - $13

TS Meals (3) = $162
CS Meals (30) = $390
Snacks (18) = $54
Tax = $39.39
Total OOP Cost $645.39

Total DDP Cost $673.82

It's closer to the DDP working out for you, but it still works out in your favor to not do it. Also, if you don't eat CS desserts, take off about $111 of your OOP costs. Figuring CS Desserts are about $3.50 each (30x3.5) Then take off another 6.83 for the tax I have figured onto those desserts.

 

[luckytobeme88]

I can see why so low of an estimate on the OOP sceniro. Let say if they were on the DDP, they are entitle to get 1 CS, 1 TS plus 1 snack per person per night of stay. They are planning to use only 3 TS during the entire trip. I guess it didn't really matter. I have to assume that you have to eat lunches, right?
2 TS/CS x 9 nights = 18 TS/CS credit each person x 2 people = 36 credits

TS typically runs you around $40 each
DINNERS FOR 9 NIGHTS
3 TS(Dinners) x 2pp ~ $40 x 3 x 2 ~ $240+/-
6 CS(Dinners) x 2pp ~ $15 x 6 x 2 ~ $180 +/-
LUNCHES FOR 9 DAYS
9 CS x 2pp ~ $12 x 9 x 2 ~ $210+/-
SNACKS
9 SC x 2pp ~ $3 x 9 x 2 ~ $54 +/-

I came out with $684 OOP for 2 people over 9 nights. Taxes will be around $44 totalled to $728/2pp.

Eating the minimal during these 9 nights still runs you higher than getting the DDP Basic plan.

 

[Tricia1972]

Using the $40 TS figure is on the very high end of what a TS could cost you. That's figuring your order the most expensive entree, the most expensive dessert and the most expensive beverage that you can with the plan.

I was using an average of all of all of the meals at all of the restaurants, which is probably more fair.

Also using the average prices for CS, the only time you hit $15 is at the following CS Locations, - Pepper Market ($19), Tangerine ($16), Cookes of Dublin ($15), Wolfgang Puck Express ($15), Premier FC ($15), Boardwalk Bakery ($15), Kringla Bakery ($15). So to say that you are going to spend $15 per person every single time you use a CS credit is a bit misleading.

Not knowing where OP is going specifically and what they will order when they get there, it's probably most fair to use the TS Averages and CS Averages. Robinb was nice enough to put them all together for us, so I just used her figures. I feel that my numbers are more accurate of what a person would do when traveling and eating, not what they could do, but what a person would do.

 

[luckytobeme88]

I have to agree with you that you might not eat as much or expensive but I believe that you have missed 3 CS meals as you posted.

TS Meals (3) = $162
CS Meals (30) = $390
Snacks (18) = $54

 

[miss missy]

OK Reworking a bit. For the CS meals instead of using $15, which is the absolute top dollar CS Meal (according to Robinb's handy dandy spreadsheet)

I am going to use her average figures (CS and TS) to work this out for you. Please note that all CS meals include combo meals and desserts, all TS meals are Entree, Dessert and Beverage.

TS Meal - $27 x 2 = $54
CS Meal - $13

TS Meals (3) = $162
CS Meals (30) = $390
Snacks (18) = $54
Tax = $39.39
Total OOP Cost $645.39

Total DDP Cost $673.82

It's closer to the DDP working out for you, but it still works out in your favor to not do it. Also, if you don't eat CS desserts, take off about $111 of your OOP costs. Figuring CS Desserts are about $3.50 each (30x3.5) Then take off another 6.83 for the tax I have figured onto those desserts.

Great job! Thanks sooo much! See, I would do 2-3 TS if I wasn't on the plan, thats fine for us. BUT on the plan, you bet I would use them all LOL--- I wouldnt NOT use them, I just know I would use them because they are there.

The other thing is if we dont do the plan, then I am sure we would eat a CS and snacks in between and that can add up too. I did keep receipts from one time we didnt get the plan and it came to around 700 for drink,snacks and meals in 10 days. Kinda of a wash I guess, for us. The difference seems to be, having to plan TS's and have ressies vs not having to narrow down each day's park plan, ya know.

Great input here! Thanks!

Oh and maybe no plan also will save us from gaining weight Still undecided tho.

 

[SuperTink]

"The difference seems to be, having to plan TS's and have ressies vs not having to narrow down each day's park plan, ya know."

That was the deciding factor for us, too. We prefer a little more spontaneity, especially dealing with two pre-teens, who are, BTW, too old for most of the character meals but too young to appreciate nice restaurants.

Otherwise, we pretty much broke even. And felt a bit stressed and harried.

Either way, enjoy!

 

[planplan]

37.99, 75.98 for 2 according to my calculations. I have done it 2 times before and I like the fact of having food covered, but it is sooo much food! I just don't know if it is worth the cost to me. Without the plan, I would do maybe 2-3 ressies only in a 10 day trip, and be happy with eating "on the run" the rest of the time. Not sure what to do. That so high for food for one person

what do you think?

imo , if you are going for 10days and you like to sit down and relax at dinner, dinning plan is the way to go. on a shorter trip one might not want to waste time each day with ressie's. if you can afford it,you have the time to be served and eat like a king for a couple hours go for the plan. i did the plan last year, didn't save much money, but enjoyed giving myself and my family everything and anything they wanted for 8 days. if it was out of pocket, i wouldn't have had 7 hot fudge brownie desserts each night!!! i liked the snacks, if the kids wanted a overpriced popcorn, they got it. go for it and enjoy!!!!

 

[party_of_five]

OK Reworking a bit. For the CS meals instead of using $15, which is the absolute top dollar CS Meal (according to Robinb's handy dandy spreadsheet)

I am going to use her average figures (CS and TS) to work this out for you. Please note that all CS meals include combo meals and desserts, all TS meals are Entree, Dessert and Beverage.

TS Meal - $27 x 2 = $54
CS Meal - $13

TS Meals (3) = $162
CS Meals (30) = $390
Snacks (18) = $54
Tax = $39.39
Total OOP Cost $645.39

Total DDP Cost $673.82

It's closer to the DDP working out for you, but it still works out in your favor to not do it. Also, if you don't eat CS desserts, take off about $111 of your OOP costs. Figuring CS Desserts are about $3.50 each (30x3.5) Then take off another 6.83 for the tax I have figured onto those desserts.

Wouldn't OP only be having 27 CS meals since they would have 3 TS in the place of CS

CS Meals (27) = $351

 

[TSM1993]

I took it to mean if the OP was not doing the dining plan then they were only maybe going to do 3 TS but lets fiqure it the way it should be. With the correct ts and cs. You said 10 days which would be 9 nights.(37.99 x 2 x 9 =683.82)

DP total 683.82

broken down per person and using the same fiqures that people have posted on this thread already

9 TS x $30.00 = $270.00
9 CS x $13.00 = $ 117.00
9 Snacks x $3.00 = $27.00
Total $414.00 A person

Total for 2 people $828.00
Cost of DP $683.80

Savings of $144.00

But remember tip is no longer included so this fiqure doesnt include tip.