dining plan JUST to have it already paid for?

[robndani]

Hi! We've done the dining plan once and I calculated (much to the annoyance of my family) that we actually paid $100 more for the DP than if we paid OOP

 

[robinb]

Many people do pay for the DDP just so they don't have to think about how much something costs. These are usually self-proclaimed frugal people which made me scratch my head over that for a long time. Why pay more for something if you're frugal? The best way it was explained to me is that pre-paying removes literally dozens of money based decisions over the space of the vacation. Since those money based decisions caused some anxiety, pre-paying made a much more enjoyable vacation for those DISers.

Personally, I would not pay for the DDP. It does not work for our family and our style of vacationing.

 

[robndani]

Personally, I would not pay for the DDP. It does not work for our family and our style of vacationing.

See, that's what I usually say! We've only done it once (a 4 day trip) out of the 5 trips we've taken over the last two years. I feel that it usually restricts us even though it does remove the worry about the cost.

Maybe the reason it seems more appealing this trip is the fact that there are only 4 of us traveling. We have always gone with 5-11 people, which makes it hard to plan a lot of the "best value" meals. This trip we have lots of character meals and buffets and with it being the coldest month of the year, taking the time to sit and eat (especially dinners when it's coldest) works for us.

So confused!!!!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Some people actually save money on the dinning plan.

They've run the numbers, added everything up, and they end up on top, saving money.

It all depends on how you tour. And how your family dines.

 

[robndani]

This isn't so much an "is the DP worth it?" question as a "is it worth it to know it's paid for even though it may cost a few dollars more?" ---- or it may save us money!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

that's up to you and completely depends on how much you like having the dining plan. I don't like it at all and wouldn't buy it under any circumstances. Making money based decisions does not bother me in the least. But if you like having it enough to pay extra to get it, go for it.

 

[robinb]

See, that's what I usually say! We've only done it once (a 4 day trip) out of the 5 trips we've taken over the last two years. I feel that it usually restricts us even though it does remove the worry about the cost.

Maybe the reason it seems more appealing this trip is the fact that there are only 4 of us traveling. We have always gone with 5-11 people, which makes it hard to plan a lot of the "best value" meals. This trip we have lots of character meals and buffets and with it being the coldest month of the year, taking the time to sit and eat (especially dinners when it's coldest) works for us.

So confused!!!!

Your kids are under 10 and you'll be doing a lot of character meals? You are in the DDP "sweet spot"!

Take a gander at Rusty's thread for character meals here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3108466

Your January 2015 prices will be close to the 2014 prices.

What ADRs do you have already?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

that's up to you and completely depends on how much you like having the dining plan. I don't like it at all and wouldn't buy it under any circumstances. Making money based decisions does not bother me in the least. But if you like having it enough to pay extra to get it, go for it.

Even if it saved money?

Some of us make the money decision before we leave. For our family, for our next trip, we will save between $10 and $50 with the plan.

So there is no paying extra. At least not for our family, for our next trip.

Now, that doesn't mean that every family, for every trip will save money. But for us, it will.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

This year was the first trip where my family has had the dining plan. We never figured it was worth the money and even though that is definitely the case for us it was great not having to pay OOP for any meals. Of course the last night I had to walk up to the general store at OKW to spend all of the snack credits we didn't use but we had plenty of nutter butters for the ride home

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We paid for the DxDP for our honeymoon just so that we knew it was taken care of. We definitely overpaid compared to what we ate, but for that one trip it was what we chose to do. Never again though.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We love the dining plan. We always get the dxddp. We are solid 3 times a day meal people. Plus is a break from the park for my older son. We always pay for disney out of bonus money that my hubby gets from his job each year. It's just easier for us to have everything paid for instead of trying to calculate how much we need to put aside for food and everything. It's just easier to only have to worry about tipping and souvenirs.

 

[agavegirl1]

I love having as much of my vacation prepaid as possible but would not purchase the dining plan just for that. I buy gift cards at Target over the course of a year. I number them and enter them into the Disney gift card app. I use gift cards for all meals and snacks. We don't eat desserts and do like appetizers so the dining plan doesn't fit us at all.

 

[robndani]

Your kids are under 10 and you'll be doing a lot of character meals? You are in the DDP "sweet spot"! Take a gander at Rusty's thread for character meals here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3108466 Your January 2015 prices will be close to the 2014 prices. What ADRs do you have already?

We have:
Chef Mickeys
Akershus
Hollywood & Vine
Crystal Palace
Tutto
The Wave
Be Our Guest
1900 Park Fare (B)
Artist Point

I figured we would pay for Artist Point OOP since we have Tables in Wonderland and either pay another one OOP or cancel one. We are staying 7 nights.

If you had to cancel one, what would it be? We have 5 year old twins.


Thanks

 

[hddanis]

I've done the math, I looked at the menus, picked what we would likely order, added it up and we come out ahead using the dining plan. It's not a lot, but added to the convienece of not having to worry about it makes it worth it for us.

Last trip, we saved about $50 for the 3 of us that went. This trip is just DH and I and I'm estimating we'll save about the same. I also like the fact that I won't have my normally grumbly husband grouching over the cost of the meals.

 

[davedmaine]

Even if it saved money? Some of us make the money decision before we leave. For our family, for our next trip, we will save between $10 and $50 with the plan. So there is no paying extra. At least not for our family, for our next trip. Now, that doesn't mean that every family, for every trip will save money. But for us, it will.

Are you sure? Did you factor in gratuities, menu choice, etc? That you wouldn't get desserts with qsr meals? Honestly, I've yet to see a case where anyone saved money on the plan

 

[davedmaine]

We have: Chef Mickeys Akershus Hollywood & Vine Crystal Palace Tutto The Wave Be Our Guest 1900 Park Fare (B) Artist Point I figured we would pay for Artist Point OOP since we have Tables in Wonderland and either pay another one OOP or cancel one. We are staying 7 nights. If you had to cancel one, what would it be? We have 5 year old twins. Thanks

Wait, you have Tiw and are doing the DDP? Sorry, but that makes no sense

 

[robndani]

I did the math, and even with TIW it still worked out leaving us ahead a little bit, not including the refillable mugs thAt your get with DDP. Trust me, I've never been a believer, but it might just work this time!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Are you sure? Did you factor in gratuities, menu choice, etc? That you wouldn't get desserts with qsr meals? Honestly, I've yet to see a case where anyone saved money on the plan

Yep. I am sure.

And no, I didn't factor in gratuities. There are no gratuities. I am looking at the quick service plan.

I printed out menus for all of the places at which we would eat.

I had my family choose their meal. Whatever they would order if cost were no object. When my son said, I am allowed dessert, I said yes.

And I come out ahead.

Now, we are all adults. We like to eat. And we would normally eat dessert, while on vacation.

NOW, if I looked at prices, tried to make sure everyone ordered a cheaper menu item, told everyone to drink water and told everyone "no dessert." Yes, I am sure it would be cheaper out of pocket.

But we are on vacation. And we plan to act like it.

 

[hddanis]

Yep. I am sure.

And no, I didn't factor in gratuities. There are no gratuities. I am looking at the quick service plan.

I printed out menus for all of the places at which we would eat.

I had my family choose their meal. Whatever they would order if cost were no object. When my son said, I am allowed dessert, I said yes.

And I come out ahead.

Now, we are all adults. We like to eat. And we would normally eat dessert, while on vacation.

NOW, if I looked at prices, tried to make sure everyone ordered a cheaper menu item, told everyone to drink water and told everyone "no dessert." Yes, I am sure it would be cheaper out of pocket.

But we are on vacation. And we plan to act like it.

^^This^^. We're on the DxDDP and I've priced everything out with taxes and gratuities. My husband and I each picked out what we'd likely order in each restaurant. Then I added it up and compared it to what I spent to add the dining plan to our package... We still come out ahead on the plan (and that's not factoring in the refillable mugs or snacks.). It DOES work for some of us, especially if we know how to maximize the plan to our advantage.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Yep. I am sure.

And no, I didn't factor in gratuities. There are no gratuities. I am looking at the quick service plan.

I printed out menus for all of the places at which we would eat.

I had my family choose their meal. Whatever they would order if cost were no object. When my son said, I am allowed dessert, I said yes.

And I come out ahead.

Now, we are all adults. We like to eat. And we would normally eat dessert, while on vacation.

NOW, if I looked at prices, tried to make sure everyone ordered a cheaper menu item, told everyone to drink water and told everyone "no dessert." Yes, I am sure it would be cheaper out of pocket.

But we are on vacation. And we plan to act like it.

I should add that I have Celiac Disease. Disney it the ONLY place where I can walk up to what is essentially fast food restaurant, order a gluten free meal and get it. It just doesn't happen anywhere else. AND they have dessert.