DlxDP vs OOP

[Wendy5055]

I'm hoping for some great input. We usually do the DlxDp but as my DD is now 11, I'm not so sure it is a great fit. We were looking at the option of CS for lunches but my DM70 MUCH prefers TS meals.

3 - Adults (DD11, DM and myself)
DlxDp cost $1500
July 25 - July 30 (departing in early am so no "meals" planned)
Wilderness Lodge

Here are my ADR's and meal costs (my DD11 chose many pricey meals and we chose what we normally would anyway in an effort to price fairly and lunches do not include dessert as none of us normally would get it at lunch) and gratuity breakdown for comparison purposes (made with DlxDp in mind at the time)...

Arrival Day
50's Prime Time/lunch - 85.00 +17.00 grat
Narcoossees/dinner - 175.00 + 35.00 grat

Day 2
Whispering Canyon Café/breakfast - 74.12 - 15.00 grat
Liberty Tree Tavern/lunch - 75.00 - 15.00 grat
Ohana/dinner - 108.60 - 22.00 grat

Day 3
Ohana/breakfast - 79.86 - 16.00 grat
Coral Reef/lunch - 110.00 - 22.00 grat
LeCellier/dinner - 185.00 - 37.00 grat

Day 4
Chef Mickey/breakfast - 110.00 - 22.00 grat
Sci-Fi Diner/lunch - 75.21 - 15.00 grat
Mama Melrose/dinner w/fantasmic - 150.00 - 30.00 grat

Day 5
Crystal Palace/breakfast - 86.25 - 17.00 grat
Liberty Tree Tavern/lunch - 75.00 - 15.00 grat
Be Our Guest/Dinner - 95.00 - 19.00 grat

Total Meals - $1,224.04
Total Gratuities - $297.00

Total Food Cost Including Gratuities - $1,519.04

Total DlxDp Cost - $1,500.00 **NOT including Gratuities

Obviously, we would save approximately $297.00 going OOP. Should we just do OOP or go with the DlxDp again?!?!?!? I'm leaning towards OOP but am feeling nervous about it...I think it was always like a safety blanket for me but it may not be as cost effective as my DD is now a Disney Adult.

Did I miss anything in the pricing???

 

[navywifetill2002]

Are you big snackers? The plan would give you 6 a day for the 5 nights and you didn't mention that in your math.

Not saying you should go one way or another just something to consider.

 

[Wendy5055]

Are you big snackers? The plan would give you 6 a day for the 5 nights and you didn't mention that in your math.

Not saying you should go one way or another just something to consider.

We are not huge snackers...my DD11 would want an occasional popcorn or popsicle or lemonade and we would mostly just get water (which was perhaps not the best use of a snack credit). We always had a lot of snack credits left over and tried purchasing snacks to bring home...then they would just sit and be thrown out (we are not huge sweets eaters).

Soft drinks were included in the meal pricing.

Also, I did include desserts and appetizers, even two adult drinks at one dinner and the punch drinks with lights for dd11 at a couple dinners (so there are extras built in) and appetizers at lunches (which we would definitely eat at those times).

I'm thinking that even if we veered off and ordered something extra like dessert at lunch (which would normally be highly unusual at home) we still would not exceed the potential DlxDp price of $1800.00 (incl grats).

But I'm still nervous...

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I think I would go OOP if it were me. I figured up one time what it would cost for Dh and myself to eat 3 meals a day and what it would cost for us to have the DlxDp and we came out way cheaper paying OOP.

It wouldn't be a very good value for us based on the fact that when we are paying for our food OOP we would NEVER order one appetizer let alone 2 and we rarely if ever order dessert. The only time we have ever got dessert is when we had the DDP and it was free. Even then a lot got wasted.

So OOP will always be cheaper for us. We also would not use the refillable mug and we would not use the snack credits and would just end getting a bunch of stuff to take home like Mickey Rice Crispy treats.

We would prefer to have a CS breakfast or sometimes just a quick CS lunch and would not normally have 3 TS meals a day. We WOULD if we paid for the DlxDp but not if we are paying OOP.

The only time any of the dining plans is a good deal for us is if we get it free.

If we got the DDP free and only paid to the $45 a day to upgrade from DDP to DlxDp then it would be worth it because you would be getting 3 TS meals a day for $45 plus tips.

PS- you listed your dates as July 25th to the 27th. That is just 3 days.

 

[Wendy5055]

I think I would go OOP if it were me. I figured up one time what it would cost for Dh and myself to eat 3 meals a day and what it would cost for us to have the DlxDp and we came out way cheaper paying OOP.

It wouldn't be a very good value for us based on the fact that when we are paying for our food OOP we would NEVER order one appetizer let alone 2 and we rarely if ever order dessert. The only time we have ever got dessert is when we had the DDP and it was free. Even then a lot got wasted.

So OOP will always be cheaper for us. We also would not use the refillable mug and we would not use the snack credits and would just end getting a bunch of stuff to take home like Mickey Rice Crispy treats.

We would prefer to have a CS breakfast or sometimes just a quick CS lunch and would not normally have 3 TS meals a day. We WOULD if we paid for the DlxDp but not if we are paying OOP.

The only time any of the dining plans is a good deal for us is if we get it free.

If we got the DDP free and only paid to the $45 a day to upgrade from DDP to DlxDp then it would be worth it because you would be getting 3 TS meals a day for $45 plus tips.

PS- you listed your dates as July 25th to the 27th. That is just 3 days.

Thank You...I corrected my dates.

While not essential, we liked having the mugs. The only issue is that we only used them at night and we actually can use the disposable cups just as easily. I may purchase one for my DD11 as a souvineer. Additionally, a walk from the room to the CS area was not always convenient or

 

[sharonabe]

Unless I miscounted, you also have 16 credits pp alloted, but you would only have 15 pp, so one of those meals would have to be OOP if on the DxDDP and add to that cost.

For us, all the meals you have planned, even OOP, would be way too much food. If you do keep all of them, will you truly eat that much food?

 

[Wendy5055]

Unless I miscounted, you also have 16 credits pp alloted, but you would only have 15 pp, so one of those meals would have to be OOP if on the DxDDP and add to that cost.

For us, all the meals you have planned, even OOP, would be way too much food. If you do keep all of them, will you truly eat that much food?

Thank you for pointing that out about the credits...I forgot about that. We often paid OOP when on the DlxDp for a meal or two as we have done signature restaurants.

As for the food...I found that the DlxDp was a bit much in that it included desserts with lunch (which I did not include OOP). We generally eat 3 meals per day at home (and eat out often enough) so it is not overwhelming in the amount of food (for us). My DD11 has always had a more adult palate (eating calamari, mussels, various fish, sushi and rarely ever ate a chicken nugget). So for her, the adult menu holds much more interest food wise. My DM70 enjoys the breaks from the heat and prefers TS over CS (I want her to be happy as well). Not to mention that three women in Disney with low blood sugar (yes, we get like that) is not a pretty sight!!!

In thinking about it, I was feeling that we would NEVER consume THREE appetizers twice a day (SIX appetizers total now that DD11 is a Disney Adult ) nor would we want dessert with lunch as well (that was the overwhelming part when DD was still a Disney Child)...we don't eat like that when we go out at home so I know we would not at Disney unless on the DlxDp.

 

[vinotinto]

The only other consideration would be whether your DD11 would ever want to order a kids' meal instead of an adult meal at non-buffet, non-family-style restaurants. Judging from the prices that you have quoted, it seems you have assumed that she would always be choosing an adult meal. If she chooses a kids' meal at any point, you would be losing big time on the adult DxDP for her. I've been a big fan of DxDP and have had it for our previous 4 trips, but I don't see how you would come ahead with DxDP with the hike in plan prices. And if anyone were to get sick or just don't feel like heading to one of those ADRs, you may wind up more than $300 behind the cost of the DxDP.

 

[Wendy5055]

I can say with 100% confidence that my DD11 will not want a kids meal. Having to eat off a kids menu was like torture for her. LOL