Disney Dining? What did YOU do?

[Darcy03231]

I've gone and had the DDP twice. All the other trips I paid OOP.

The first time I did the DDP I paid for it. I was traveling with my niece who was 4 (almost 5) for her first, and probably only, trip. Since I was trying to maximize time, I went really heavy on the character meals. While I probably didn't save any money, I did save time and she had a blast meeting the characters and I liked that we didn't have to stand in line to see them.

The second time we went during free dining. I was taking another niece and my mother. Another character meal heavy trip.

For me, I've found it's definitely less expensive for us to eat and pay OOP. We don't eat anywhere near the amount of food you get on the DDP. Secondly, I really hate having to schedule my dinner reservations 6 months out. While I know it's not popular with a lot of the Disney die-hards, I hate to plan every minute of my vacation before I get there so we tend to wing it. I really don't mind eating either counter service or at less well-known restaurants. I prefer to eat when I'm hungry. So far, I've never not been able to get a TS meal (if we wanted one) when I wanted to eat. It may not be at one of the popular places, but since I've eaten at practically every WDW restaurant at least one, I really don't care.

We're not dessert eaters, not table service every day eaters, and lots of times we prefer to split QS meals and then get a snack later.

OOP just works best for us.

 

[purrpletulips]

We paid OOP for Disney Dining on our honeymoon and while we loved having meals prepaid we still had quite a bit OOP cost because of drinks and tips and felt it was way too much food. We had free DDP on our second trip but upgraded to Deluxe because we had our 18m DD with us and wanted to make use of table service as a break in the day plus it gave us extra food to share with her. We likely won't do DDP again unless it is free because both of our kids are adventurous eaters and having to stick to the kids menu will bore them. Without the DDP we'll be able to have them split an adult entree so they can have variety.

 

[minnie45]

We have had the DDP several times in the past and love the convenience of it. But due to a lack of funds last Vacay (May 20104) paid Out of Pocket last year and spent a lot less money. (We had a car and ate off site a lot) Going back this year and not sure of what we are doing yet...depends on funds.