Dining Plan Prices: Too Much???

[sarmat1]

We're staying for 8 nights. Each dinner will cost us about $120, and each quick serve will cost us about $30. Some higher, some lower, that's average. For the stay, the DDP is about $1,000. If we paid-as-we-went at the same Disney restaurants it would be $1200. DDP = $200 savings.

Did you remember to add in OOP tips that you'll need to pay in addition to the cost of the DDP or do both of your numbers exclude tips?

 

[momtwoboys]

For us for 7 nts it is 1,556.52!!! I am hoping we can do 7ts and keep it at 1,000.00

 

[thr33boys]

Now I'm more confused then ever. My initial intentions were to pay for the DDP and I think I still might. For the 5 of us (2a, 3c) for 7 nights is $1036 which works out to $148/day which I thought would work in our favour. I suppose I assumed we could easily spend $100 for dinner and $50 for lunch let alone 3 snacks for the kids. Knowing my youngest, he will say he's hungry 20 mins after we eat.

Any thoughts?

 

[havoc315]

Now I'm more confused then ever. My initial intentions were to pay for the DDP and I think I still might. For the 5 of us (2a, 3c) for 7 nights is $1036 which works out to $148/day which I thought would work in our favour. I suppose I assumed we could easily spend $100 for dinner and $50 for lunch let alone 3 snacks for the kids. Knowing my youngest, he will say he's hungry 20 mins after we eat.

Any thoughts?

Children are often better bargains on the DDP than adults, especially if you are doing character meals. So though you may be losing a few $$ on the adults, you may be saving on the children, and overall get a net savings.

If you do a lot of character meals, you will actually "save" quite a bit.
If you stick to regular TS restaurants, you'll still probably save... but not a ton.
Let's say your numbers are about accurate -- It means the DDP breaks even on your lunches and dinners. Your "snacks" are the savings. So a "savings" of $15-20 per day. Is $15-20 per day worth being tied to the dining plan? That's up to you. It very well might be enough to justify the dining plan.

 

[asmit4]

Now I'm more confused then ever. My initial intentions were to pay for the DDP and I think I still might. For the 5 of us (2a, 3c) for 7 nights is $1036 which works out to $148/day which I thought would work in our favour. I suppose I assumed we could easily spend $100 for dinner and $50 for lunch let alone 3 snacks for the kids. Knowing my youngest, he will say he's hungry 20 mins after we eat.

Any thoughts?

My question would be- are all 3 of your kids on the 'kids (3-9) DDP'....if so, $50 on lunch would be hard to spend. The meals the kids will get for lunch on the DDP are kids meals- and they run about 5.50 per kid. So paying OOP you'd be at 16.50 for lunch for the 3 kids. Adult meals run roughly $9 plus $3 for a drink so figure on $12 per adult....that's still only 24+16.50 = 40.50.
Granted- I haven't accounted for the dessert you'd get with your lunch but IMHO- the desserts that come with the lunches leave MUCH to be desired. I'd not bother with them paying OOP- we tossed a bunch of ours last time- they were not tasty.
With dinner being $30pp, plus dessert at 7pp- you are at $74, tack on $10 per kid and you are at your $100 for dinner so that's doable. However, for us? If those 2 desserts at 7pp were NOT included in the DDP we'd never order/eat them. We don't get dessert after we eat a full meal. We simply order it, take a few bites and toss it so that's something to consider. Would you enjoy the desserts? If not, OOP you would be at 90 for dinner without the desserts and for lunch you'd be at $40ish- so 130. 5 snacks adds maybe $20 to the mix for a total of $150 for the day- just barely breaking even and if you use any of your credits for signature dining like le cellier, narcoossees etc? You will not break even as wasting 2 credits at these places NEVER works to your advantage financially (value per credit). (aside from character meals which can work to your advantage sometimes in certain cases)
The general consensus is it's harder to 'break even' with the ddp anymore and unless you work to maximize your credits disney may make out in the deal or at least come very close to making out.

 

[lauran cameron]

Why use gift cards? Why not just pay with a credit card?

I think the whole mentality behind this is to give yourself a pre-paid set amount just as the DP/DDP would do. It is just based off of money vs. points which you pay money for anyways. Your card would be designated for food purchases only of course

I actually think I might consider doing this myself now for our trip hmmm...

 

[thr33boys]

Thank you Havoc315 and Asmit4 for the info. It's tough having the cost/savings be so close, not sure yet what we'll do. I could definitely work it to my favour with 1 or 2 character meals and perhaps a couple of dinner buffets - not sure if that's worth it though. Yes, my kids are 3-8 so all kids meals. The thing is, my kids don't drink soda and barely any juice, they're milk and mostly water drinkers. On top of that, we're renting points and staying in a 1 bedroom villa, so I have the option of additional food savings there if I wanted. I could definitely swing it to make OOP the more affordable option.

Oh, what to do????

 

[havoc315]

Thank you Havoc315 and Asmit4 for the info. It's tough having the cost/savings be so close, not sure yet what we'll do. I could definitely work it to my favour with 1 or 2 character meals and perhaps a couple of dinner buffets - not sure if that's worth it though. Yes, my kids are 3-8 so all kids meals. The thing is, my kids don't drink soda and barely any juice, they're milk and mostly water drinkers. On top of that, we're renting points and staying in a 1 bedroom villa, so I have the option of additional food savings there if I wanted. I could definitely swing it to make OOP the more affordable option.

Oh, what to do????

From your comments.... Go OOP. I'm a little biased against the DDP, though I do recommend it for some people. *IF* you were doing multiple character meals, with 3 kids, I would certainly recommend it.

But from your reaction, it seems like with your preferred method of dining for your family, the DDP would give minimal savings. And to me, a tiny bit of savings is not worth being locked into a dining plan. I'd go with a dining plan for significant savings, not for a mere 5-10%.

The refillable mugs are worthless for your family. It doesnt sound like you want character buffets, but would only add them to "create value." You have a villa with a kitchen, and it seems you would prefer to use that for some of your snacking and meals.

So just go OOP. And if it costs a few dollars more than the dining plan, so be it. It could also easily be a little less than the dining plan.

 

[lauran cameron]

Most importantly...do not forget to add on a tip to each TS meal you will be having. I do at least 20% even if it is horrible, I am a waitress part-time so it is a combination of "that's just how we roll" and "tip karma" if it is WONDERFUL I will leave more. PLUS TAX in ORLANDO!!! I don't know why I am so terrified of their tax I live in NY...do they factor in taxes for your meals on the DP? Never thought of this before? For us it was almost $20 more each day just in tips on top of the $50 we paid a day in the DDP. We had Le Cellier, Fulton's Crab House, Coral Reef and Liberty Tree Tavern reserved and I did the math with the most expensive meal multiplied by 2, plus an appetizer NOT INCLUDED and DRINKS. It was $600 for the 7 days we would be there NOT INCLUDING TIP!!! Out of pocket I would have been spent ~$400 all together PLUS TIP & INCLUDING QS meals. However we are just 2 adults and not huge eaters at all. I feel like the DP/DDP is only a great deal for those traveling with 1 or more children. To each his own...Whatever you are comfortable with spending and budgeting GO FOR IT!

 

[Cafeen]

From your comments.... Go OOP. I'm a little biased against the DDP, though I do recommend it for some people. *IF* you were doing multiple character meals, with 3 kids, I would certainly recommend it.

But from your reaction, it seems like with your preferred method of dining for your family, the DDP would give minimal savings. And to me, a tiny bit of savings is not worth being locked into a dining plan. I'd go with a dining plan for significant savings, not for a mere 5-10%.

The refillable mugs are worthless for your family. It doesnt sound like you want character buffets, but would only add them to "create value." You have a villa with a kitchen, and it seems you would prefer to use that for some of your snacking and meals.

So just go OOP. And if it costs a few dollars more than the dining plan, so be it. It could also easily be a little less than the dining plan.

Yep, definitely agree with this. (And I'm biased the other way, to an extent...and lately that's fading!)

Most importantly...do not forget to add on a tip to each TS meal you will be having. I do at least 20% even if it is horrible, I am a waitress part-time so it is a combination of "that's just how we roll" and "tip karma" if it is WONDERFUL I will leave more. PLUS TAX in ORLANDO!!! I don't know why I am so terrified of their tax I live in NY...do they factor in taxes for your meals on the DP? Never thought of this before? For us it was almost $20 more each day just in tips on top of the $50 we paid a day in the DDP. We had Le Cellier, Fulton's Crab House, Coral Reef and Liberty Tree Tavern reserved and I did the math with the most expensive meal multiplied by 2, plus an appetizer NOT INCLUDED and DRINKS. It was $600 for the 7 days we would be there NOT INCLUDING TIP!!! Out of pocket I would have been spent ~$400 all together PLUS TIP & INCLUDING QS meals. However we are just 2 adults and not huge eaters at all. I feel like the DP/DDP is only a great deal for those traveling with 1 or more children. To each his own...Whatever you are comfortable with spending and budgeting GO FOR IT!

Tax in Orange County, FL (where all but the All-Stars resorts and WWOS are) is 6.5% on food (and stuff), 12.5% on hotels. Osceola County, FL adds an additional 0.5% (technically, I think they add 1.0% and Orange adds 0.5%, but you get the idea), making their taxes 7.0% on food (and stuff) and 13.0% on hotels. This tax is figured into the root cost of the dining plans, so it's already included. For OOP expenses (either going with no plan, or buying other stuff) it will need to be added.

Tipping, where actual practice is relegated to the Tipping Discussion thread, should certainly be included in overall budgets and comparisons (since what you order and where you go may have an effect on the total, and what you order and where you go may be different on different plans (incl OOP)) (further/deeper discussion on this matter should be on the aforementioned Tipping Discussion thread).

 

[asmit4]

You have a 1 bedroom villa? SKIP the DDP and pay OOP. You will save $ this way. All it takes is a few meals (even breakfast) in the room (cereal, bagels, juice) and your savings via the DDP are gone.

 

[thr33boys]

Ok, thanks everyone!! I'm convinced it's not a great value for us. We will go OOP and I will track our food expenses and see how it compares. We're not going until November so I have some time. It'll be nice to just order what we want.

 

[lauran cameron]

We were originally planning on booking a 1 bedroom villa at BWV OOP...however my parents purchased DVC in 1991 and upon my DBF asking my DF for my hand in marriage they have offered to let us stay on their points in BWV for an entire week. (shhhh...I think he told my parents he was planning to propose)
Totally unexpected as we already had the money put aside. We have been saving for the past 2 years. In 5 years together we have NEVER been on vacation. Just living the dream hoping some day!!... They told us to save our money and enjoy! I love my parents they have spoiled me far too much with Disney. So we are going to try and be as careful as we can with what money we have rather than GO WILD

We are very careful with our money so we have decided to do 2 TS meals during our week so we don't over do it! One sit down at Liberty Tree Tavern now for lunch our first day a FULL day at MK & Via Napoli at EPCOT for our FULL day at EPCOT That is about about $200 all together for TS and like I mentioned before we will just snack as we go. I.E. sharing turkeys legs and such...

 

[thr33boys]

That's so nice!! I'm sure you'll have a great time. You've definitely been many times. This will be our first trip as a family and our first ever staying onsite. The last time DH and I were there was in 1994 and we were still only friends then.

 

[GraceMonica]

I spent two hours one night pretending I was in Disney on the DDP. I have not been on any DP, so I was deciding if I should use it on the trip I take with my boyfriend.

I picked out things I would want to eat and did all the math. The dining plan was $10 more than paying out of pocket! I was shocked! I have an AP so I'll be using a TiW card anyway which will save me more than the DP.

I very rarely eat any dessert when dining out, so my decision to just budget money for food was very easy (I figure around $100 a day would cover it!)

 

[lauran cameron]

It'll be nice to just order what we want.

That is the way I look at it as well. On most of the menus we prefer the appetizers over dessert anyways. Plus we had been considering just putting like $700 or so on a gift card and calling that our "dinning plan" Perhaps even pay tips in cash. We still have 3 months to evaluate it all...we leave October 28th and will be there until November 2nd...I can not wait!!!


Enjoy your vacation!

 

[nym4588]

I spent two hours one night pretending I was in Disney on the DDP. I have not been on any DP, so I was deciding if I should use it on the trip I take with my boyfriend.

I picked out things I would want to eat and did all the math. The dining plan was $10 more than paying out of pocket! I was shocked! I have an AP so I'll be using a TiW card anyway which will save me more than the DP.

I very rarely eat any dessert when dining out, so my decision to just budget money for food was very easy (I figure around $100 a day would cover it!)

I sat down tonight and did the exact same thing! The dining plan is not going to work for us. I would be paying roughly $80 more for two adults! And it's more like $120-130 if you also deduct the cost of those icky counter service desserts I'd feel forced to get on the plan. Now I have a MAJOR sweet tooth and even I don't want to eat those things.

Also, we'll be in a BWV 1 bedroom so it would make even less sense for us.

I'm sure DDP really does work for some families but it's just not for us.

 

[babyberger]

Ipicked out things I would want to eat and did all the math. The dining plan was $10 more than paying out of pocket! I was shocked! I have an AP so I'll be using a TiW card anyway which will save me more than the DP.

We are opting for the TiW this year as well. When I priced it against the DDP for us, it was so close and with the DDP prices going up in 2013 the TiW just made more sense for us.

That is the way I look at it as well. On most of the menus we prefer the appetizers over dessert anyways. Plus we had been considering just putting like $700 or so on a gift card and calling that our "dinning plan" Perhaps even pay tips in cash. We still have 3 months to evaluate it all...we leave October 28th and will be there until November 2nd...I can not wait!!!

I would much rather the option of an appetizer over dessert as well. I felt like that with the DDP we had to eat the way Disney wanted to and I would always feel like I had to maximize my plan. I am going the GC route as well and thinking we will just have more flexibility.

I sat down tonight and did the exact same thing! The dining plan is not going to work for us. I would be paying roughly $80 more for two adults! And it's more like $120-130 if you also deduct the cost of those icky counter service desserts I'd feel forced to get on the plan. Now I have a MAJOR sweet tooth and even I don't want to eat those things.

Also, we'll be in a BWV 1 bedroom so it would make even less sense for us.

I'm sure DDP really does work for some families but it's just not for us.

We will be doing breakfast in the room most mornings, DH doesn't eat breakfast and my kids are happy with a bagel and cream cheese if I can even get them to eat that. So utilizing the fridge in the room for milk and cream cheese and breakfast is served

I tried and tried to make the DDP work for us, and sat with all the Disney menus and prices and it just wasn't worth the minimal savings and the restrictions.

Ok, thanks everyone!! I'm convinced it's not a great value for us. We will go OOP and I will track our food expenses and see how it compares. We're not going until November so I have some time. It'll be nice to just order what we want.

I think that is going to be a good decision. It is a tough call and the ease of knowing it is all paid for and done is nice, but when you sit down and really analyze it, it just doesn't work for every family. Plus sometimes my kids would rather split an adult meal, or grab a quick hot dog, or anything else that would be restricted with the DP. I agree, just order what you want and enjoy!

 

[baby1disney]

My friends and I just returned from WDW and we were on the Regular Dining Plan. I have done every single one of the plans (Quick, Regular, Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum) several times, and at least one of the plans per year, since the Dining plans were introduced about six years or so ago.

This is the first visit I have felt like it was difficult to get my money's worth from the plan. AND, now seeing the 2013 prices, with those huge jumps (esp. Deluxe), I am officially 'divorcing' the Dining Plans! Used to love 'em but now they are taking advantage of me. If the gratuity would be included, like back in the early days, I could understand the big jump.

Universal and SeaWorld have much more affordable quick-service plans.

This is too funny, but I totally agree with you. These prices are ridiculous and I think they stopped the tip and app including because people really weren't tipping(from what I've heard..don't know how true that is or not). But, I'm still trying to justify these prices and I just can't!!

I'm also on the fence.

We're planning our very first trip for arrival on 12/31, with all of our park days in January. The only meal we'll be eating in 2012 is Chef Mickey's for dinner on the night of arrival. I kept leaning towards the meal plan, just because financially it feels better to walk in and feed my family of 5 on "credit" (err, prepaid food) at 'Ohana where I know even my 5 year old will eat as much as an adult. But with the price increase, it seems we could surely do it much cheaper since we were already debating whether we really need a TS meal each day.

Since we'd planned on the basic dining plan, I'd allowed myself to get my heart set on the TS restaurants we've decided on. If we decide to go out of pocket, I may change my mind.

My only concern would be one already mentioned by a PP -- does this pretty much mean that the food prices will increase right along with meal plan prices and we'll suddenly be paying more. My luck, we'd veto the MP, and then on Jan 1st food prices at all of our ADR restaurants would increase to the point where we would have saved money.

This would be my luck too!!

I think the whole mentality behind this is to give yourself a pre-paid set amount just as the DP/DDP would do. It is just based off of money vs. points which you pay money for anyways. Your card would be designated for food purchases only of course

I actually think I might consider doing this myself now for our trip hmmm...

This actually isn't a bad idea at all!!! I may be considering this myself!!

 

[baby1disney]

This just came to me: my ex MIL use to print the menus with the prices on it from WDW and that helped us out a lot!! I don't remember where she got them from, but if anyone knows what I'm talking about and knows the link, cna you tell me please?? Thank you!!!