Does DDP make sense for us?

[Pbeh]

We have never stayed on site before, always stayed at family place off site, packed our own lunches, etc...
This time we are staying 3 nights at CBR, we have committed to several meals that we will do whether we get the DDP or not, I was wondering if those who do this often can tell me if its worth it to get the dining plan or if we should just pay for these places out of pocket and come out ahead.

We for sure are doing:

Character breakfast at Cape May Café

Dinner at Cinderella's Castle

Lunch at Be Our Guest

(2 Adults, 2 Children in our family)

I know the Cinderella counts as 2 TS, and with Cape May that would be our 3 TS for the trip. And then our lunch at BOG would be one of our CS.

So my question is, would the extra money towards a Dining plan which would give us 2 additional CS, plus the 3 snacks, plus the mugs, be worth going to the Dining Plan. Our alternative is to just bring our own snacks and lunches on site for the times we are not doing the special places listed above.

I'm looking for advice, not "Do whatever makes sense for you".

Thanks!

 

[JenQ]

Since you know the cost for CRT, can you just estimate the rest and compare the costs that way?

 

[emsstacey]

For us, it only adds up to use it because both of my daughters are considered adults now at 10 and 13. When they were younger, we could make it work better without.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm assuming both your children are true Disney children and are 9 yrs or younger. I think the plan probably makes good sense for you.

An adult TS credit is roughly worth $38, so you'll be losing about $10 each on your Cape May Breakfast. However, the kid's DDP cost about $19 and your Cape May Breakfast for them is $16, so their QS and snack are pretty much free that day. That makes up for the adult loss.

CRT is break even for the adults at a price of $73. But you make out like bandits with the kiddos since their meal is $43 each. That again makes their QS and snack free plus a little more.

In this case, I would get the DDP. You'll at least break even and probably save a little over all, and since the kids can now get adult QS meals, you have the potential to save even more!

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

DDP for 2 adults+2 children = (60.64*2+19.23*2)*3 nights = $479.22

Your TS meals OOP according to AYCTE pricing sticky:
Cape May Cafe breakfast = 28.75*2+15.97*2 = $89.44
CRT dinner before 10/4/15(don't know your dates?) = 73.04*2+43.25*2 = $232.58
Total OOP for TS saved by DDP = $322.02

That's $157.20 difference. Only you know what your family will want to order at BOG or for other QS and snacks, so only you know if you would get that value out of the QS, snacks and mugs.

 

[supersnoop]

If your children still meet Disney's definition of children (ages 3-9), then go for it. You'll save money. Otherwise, nope.

www.distripplanner.com is also a useful tool to gauge your savings.

 

[Pbeh]

I knew people would come through for us! All of this was very helpful, we are going to do the dining plan. I love this site!

 

[honeybunches]

I know you've already made your decision - but I wanted to add that there's an emotional freedom in the DDP. We are big budgeters at home, but when we're on vacation, it's so nice not to worry about anything. My kids are big eaters, so paying out of pocket would have me twitching an eye at some of the prices. When it's all covered on the DDP, I can enjoy vacation so much more.

 

[Glittercat]

I knew people would come through for us! All of this was very helpful, we are going to do the dining plan. I love this site!

I agree with that statement! Have a terrific vacation!

I wanted to add that there's an emotional freedom in the DDP. We are big budgeters at home, but when we're on vacation, it's so nice not to worry about anything.

This. Yes.

paying out of pocket would have me twitching an eye at some of the prices. When it's all covered on the DDP, I can enjoy vacation so much more.

I understand totally. When we go back our family of 4 will all qualify as Disney adults, and my kids never liked the kids menu items anyway.