Dithering Back and Forth on the DDP

[llqool]

I'm driving my husband crazy with this, but I am SO indecisive about getting the free DDP this August. I have booked it already, but have thought about changing it back to a room only reservation half a dozen times.

First of all, the DDP really isn't "free" for us b/c it forces us to pay the rack rate at POR (we could get a 40% military discount). We have APs, so we would get the one day base ticket and keep it to renew the APs later on (unless we *don't* end up renewing our APs!). But I have calculated that the rack rate makes us pay an extra $68/day, so that's the true "cost" of the dining plan for us.

We have used the DDP 3x before, and we know we always end up with a ton of food, which is actually a double-edged sword, since I don't want to overeat. I know that $68/day is a great deal, and we most likely couldn't feed our family on that amount, esp since we are meeting relatives who like to eat at TS restaurants. But, on the other hand, we *do* have a TiW card....

I don't know why I am vacillating on this, but I am! And my husband's eyes glaze over when I talk about it, and he tells me to do whatever I want....

yikes! I hate being a Libra sometimes!

 

[5boyz]

Go with free dining if it is going to cost more than $68. day for your family to eat. No counting pennies in this case, it is all paid for and you can eat what you want......hubby's eyes will still be glazed after all the food..... No matter what you decide....Have Fun!!!

 

[lilandvisma]

sorry but the libra comment makes *SO* much sense to me after debating this idea back and forth for over a month now Different situation over here but still trying to figure out the best deal for my family. DH says go for it but of course I have doubts and I know he has grown tired of those text messages I seem to keep sending him at work about it

Sorry no real advice here...but it does feel good to know that I am not alone with the DDP decision. I too worry about eating too much as I am a very very light and healthy eater at home...i might end up taking back more than just mickey krispie treats home...with my luck an extra 10 lbs!

Good luck with making up your mind either way!

 

[ancestry]

If finances are a concern and the free dining promotion doesn't save you any money then I say don't do free dining as it doesn't make sense for you.

Everyone kept telling me to do free dining but for us the 4/3 was a much better deal since we wanted to stay at the Beach Club. It sounds as though the military discount might be a better deal for you.

 

[squirrel]

I like the DDP, even though I wouldn't pay for it (Free Dining). I like having a TS meal each day. I also know that if I didn't have the Free Dining I would only pick one or two TS meals and I would be picking cheaper items-even if I really wanted a more expensive food item (ex Dole Whip over a Dole Whip Float).

 

[maggiew]

I'm driving my husband crazy with this, but I am SO indecisive about getting the free DDP this August. I have booked it already, but have thought about changing it back to a room only reservation half a dozen times.

First of all, the DDP really isn't "free" for us b/c it forces us to pay the rack rate at POR (we could get a 40% military discount). We have APs, so we would get the one day base ticket and keep it to renew the APs later on (unless we *don't* end up renewing our APs!). But I have calculated that the rack rate makes us pay an extra $68/day, so that's the true "cost" of the dining plan for us.

We have used the DDP 3x before, and we know we always end up with a ton of food, which is actually a double-edged sword, since I don't want to overeat. I know that $68/day is a great deal, and we most likely couldn't feed our family on that amount, esp since we are meeting relatives who like to eat at TS restaurants. But, on the other hand, we *do* have a TiW card....

I don't know why I am vacillating on this, but I am! And my husband's eyes glaze over when I talk about it, and he tells me to do whatever I want....

yikes! I hate being a Libra sometimes!

I guess the key would be could you feed your family for $68 using the TIW and going to places that you would choose if you didn't have the dining plan. (E.g. if you really would like to eat at Beaches and Cream but its not a good deal on the dining plan, so you go to Cape May Cafe instead because its a better deal.). If NOT, then choose the "free" dining and eat where you want and don't worry about maximizing the deals.

I'm in a similar situation in (although not free dining). We could probably eat for less than the $1120 it would cost the 4 of us on the DDP. We would still have TS restaurants each day, but we could eat at "better" ones with the DDP. But we probably wouldn't go there (at least all of them) if it weren't for the DDP. So not really a savings. I'm still on the fence too, but right now have no DDP booked and will have to decide a week or so before our trip.

DH said he was interested in our dining plans up to version 25, after that he lost interest.

Maggie
P.S. I'm a Scorpio