Do you find DDP worth it

[BestDadEver]

I am trying to figure out if it's worth it to get DDP ,and it seems that from what I remember being thier that I spent just about the same money as the DDP would cost .

I figure 2 adults plus my 2yo son is $117 . We went to crystal palace was $80 without tip plus a quick service meal at the park was $32 I belive . I am going off memory so not 100% on the#'s but thats $112 without the 3 snacks also thinking the drinks on threcrystal palace bill wouldn't be included right. So with this math it doesen't seem like a saving just about breaking even .

Am I missing something . Seems like a lot of people use them and probably wouldn't if they just brake even . So why is it a good deal to you?

 

[SEC71]

We have not done the DDP because we feel it is not a good deal for our family and how we eat. We have a TIW card.

 

[disneychic]

We typically add on the dining plan to all of our reservations. It's a good fit for us (just DH and I). Plus I enjoy having everything (except tips) paid for and out of the way before we get there. One less thing to worry about.

 

[marsh0013]

It depends. If your child is a disney child you may find value by doing character meals. I'd say do the math. We don't eat dessert at every meal and we like to order the occasional appetizer, so TIW works much better for us. Add in the alcohol discounts and it's a no brainer.

Although I'd like to do the deluxe plan for a few nights one trip (switching resorts or room type to make this possible) to do some signatures.

 

[BestDadEver]

Tiw that just gives you 20% of all participating places right .

 

[WsPrincess]

For our last 2 trips it has been since our kids are little and we did a lot of character meals. I think without those or the family style or buffet meals, it would not be worth it for us. So right now it is but once the kids are a little older I don't think.

 

[patsal]

If you are doing a fair amount of character meals then the DDP is a good way to do so. The drink is included btw.
We do not get the DDP but we also do not do character meals. TIW saves me more than a dining plan would and I am not locked into eating the way a plan is set up. No leftover snack credits to worry about, no desserts I will not eat with QS, no snacks I do not want while snacks I do want are not included, etc.

 

[ELMC]

If you order the most expensive item each time you have the opportunity to, then there is the possibility to exploit the DDP for a small savings. But then you have to factor in the fact that you have to tip on a larger check, so that negates some of the savings. Furthermore, if you miss even one meal then all of those savings could be out the window.

The main reason for getting the DDP is for the convenience that some people feel it offers. Odds are it's not a money saver and in my opinion it is very inflexible because you cannot order appetizers and you are paying for a dessert with every meal whether you want it or not. I know that some people like it. Those that say it saves money are either hyper focused on everything they order or simply mistaken. Personally, I don't see the benefit or the value.

 

[rpcvpanama]

We use to do DDP for the convenience but no longer. TIW all the way. Like previous posters have said, if you do a lot of character meals, at least 1 a day, it might be worth it, value wise. We found though that it was just way too much food that we ended up wasting and you do have to order high value items to make it pay off. We did TIW last year and ended up spending way less than the DDP and as an all adult group the alchohol discounts were great. Also, many of the restaurants that we like are now 2 credits on DDP which no longer make it worthwhile.

 

[deegack]

For our family, yes. My two love characters (well they did last time) so we do a lot of character meals. My husband has a large appetite and often will eat his meal and half of mine. However, in the future I may reevaluate whether to get the meal plan or tiw card

 

[CruznLexi]

We use the dinning plane just the basic one. There are 2 of us. We eat places like Biertgarten, Ohana, Boma. We don't do breakfast and eat lunch at QS. Plus the cup plus a snack it works out better. I too like the fact all meals are paid for when I get to the world.

 

[deegack]

For our family, yes. My two love characters (well they did last time) so we do a lot of character meals. My husband has a large appetite and often will eat his meal and half of mine. However, in the future I may reevaluate whether to get the meal plan or tiw card

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Did it once... never again. We ate too much, wasted too much food and found it to be a PAIN!

 

[jennypenny]

The only time we use it is when we're traveling with other people and it makes it much easier to split the bill (3 meals from this key, 2 meals from that key, etc). Otherwise we prefer the TIW card.

 

[mom of princessx2]

We have always done DDP but this year we are trying TIW. Yes, it is only 20% off but that is quite a chunk we your bill is $150 at Akershaus or Chef Mickeys. We like them both but are leaning towards DDP for the fact that it is a huge bargin when kids are 3-9 and you do character meals. One character meal is more than the daily cost of their DDP and they still get QS meal, snack and mug. Plus it is nice to have it all paid for before your trip. As dd's get older we will probably change it up because the cost is too high once they are 10.

 

[ilovezach33]

To find out whether or not it is a good deal for you, go to a website that has all the Disney menus. Then, figure out where you might want to eat, add up what you would get (including drink, desert, and don't forget the snack credit!) for however long your trip is. Compare your eating costs to the cost of the DDP. It might take awhile but it's worth it to find out!

For me, it is worth it. I did the above process and it came out that I was spending 5 dollars more on the dining plan. But, i didn't include taxes on all the meals, so really I was saving! Even if I spend a little more, the dining plan would be worth it for me because I like knowing something is already pre-paid. Without the dining plan, I probably would skip lunch or not order desert even if I really wanted it. So, yes, it is worth it to me.

 

[wildernessDad]

We pretty much use the TIW card unless I want to buy the DDP to allow my daughter some freedom while still taking care of the food bill.

 

[Moparlar]

Did it once... never again. We ate too much, wasted too much food and found it to be a PAIN!

Same here we just use TIW and eat when we want

 

[MrsDuck]

For us it isn't worth it. We prefer using our TIW card.

 

[DenLo]

I agree with those that state the DDP is a good deal for those with children under age 10 especially when doing character meals. But you will really need to do the math to determine if it's worth it for you.