Does this make sense or am I missing something big?

[Fies4]

My DH and I are getting ready to book a trip for Jan. 27 - Feb 2nd, 08 at the Pop Century. It's for the two of us as well as our two children (4 and 7). DH and I have been to Disney several times but this will only be the children's second time at WWD (we're going to surprise them with it for Christmas). We took the kids for the first time back in 2006, that trip was also the first time we had ever tried the DDP (and loved it, btw). Now with the new changes in 08 we've been debating whether or not to get it but this is what we've come up with and I'm just wanting to know what everyone else thinks. But before I "state my case" so-to-speak, I'd like to say first of all, that I've only had time to really skim much of the rants section talking about the new plan so if I'm saying something that has already been said, please excuse me. And if you disagree with me please say so but do it nicely I'm just here looking for advice.

Our thoughts are this: We can live without an appetizer (even though we do like appetizers), we were stuffed in '06 on the Dining Plan so I'm sure we won't miss it as far as being hungry. Plus - if we really want an appetizer, we've decided we'll pay for it OOP.
As far as gratuity goes, yes it's a pain to have to pay for it OOP, but really you are only paying for it once a day at your TS meal (well, if you only use one TS meal per day which is how we like to do it), and forgive me if we sound really cheap for saying this - really, we aren't - but if we eat at a buffet, the gratuity is not going to be as much as at a meal where the waiter/waitress is there waiting on you constantly compared to just clearing your plates and bringing you your bill. Now please, do not get me wrong, we (my DH especially) have been known to leave 20/25% tips for great service but I hope I'm getting my point across about the difference between a true sit-down meal versus buffet where you are essentially serving yourself for most of it. Besides that if I'm getting really wonderful service, I have no problem at all figuring that extra money into the vacation budget for tips. Simply because it makes the meal experience that much more enjoyable. I'm a Mom - and most of the other Mom's reading this are going to understand when I say, when I'm on vacation (or even out to dinner at home) it's nice to have that extra attention.
We realize that the price of the DDP is essentially the same as it was in the past but you aren't getting as much (no appetizer/no gratuity) and we have to turn around and pay OOP for gratuity but we think it may be worth it just to have the convienience of having our food paid for up front.

If anyone is wondering where I'm going with this, I guess I'm just basically asking after you've read my thoughts - did anyone decide to go with the DDP again (or for the first time) based on the same conclusions or do you have any other ones I didn't think of. Or are there some negatives to the DDP that I'm completly overlooking that you think would would affect our decision and we should really consider before paying for it. I'd like to get it booked this week and have it taken care of so we can start planning.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[noahdove]

Yes, I am going with the DDP for the first time, and granted I will take money for each of my TS, but I would do that anyway and I tip according to the service. I am hoping this will work out for me and the 2 cherubs I am taking...

 

[Fies4]

Yes, I am going with the DDP for the first time, and granted I will take money for each of my TS, but I would do that anyway and I tip according to the service. I am hoping this will work out for me and the 2 cherubs I am taking...

I think you'll really enjoy it. I assume with little ones you have character meals booked (is this your first time w/ character meals or just the first time with DDP?). When we took my little ones for the first time, they were 3 and 6 - I loved watching their eyes light up when the characters would come right up to the table to sign their books and take photos with them. What wonderful memories!

 

[THERESA522]

I'm getting the 2008 DDP for the EXACT reasons you're getting it. I think I agree with everything you said.

 

[JimMIA]

I think every family's answer to your questions will be different, and it will also depend a great deal on how you calculate the value of DDP.

If you look at DDP strictly as a money-saver, the only correct comparison (IMHO) is to compare the cost of DDP to your anticipated costs if you were paying cash (not on DDP). Many families, paying cash, would not eat a TS and a CS every day, nor would each person get a snack each and every day. Other families might do two TSs per day, so everyone is different. But in this example, if the cash you would spend eating normally is more than you would pay for DDP, you save money.

Most people who evaluate the cost of DDP don't use the above comparison. Most folks compare the price of DDP against the menu prices of the food they expect to eat on DDP.

Of course that gives you a savings...duh! The plan is priced to show a savings if they can get you to look at it that way. But if you don't really eat that way normally, you are making a fairy-tale comparison...plus you're comparing costs to menu prices which are inflated to begin with. When I read most of the cost comparisons on this board, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

For our family, the loss of the gratuity made DDP no longer a money-saver, so we won't use it. In fact, we probably will only eat onsite once per trip for a character meal.

However, although DDP 2008 is a severly-reduced value compared to DDP 2007, it will still work pretty well for many families. It will work especially well for families with several kids <10. You really just have to do the math for your own family, comparing the DDP costs to your actual dining habits.

Also, I think it is worth mentioning that there are non-monetary benefits of DDP. It is convenient to use, and many families like to have their food costs locked in prior to arrival at WDW. So there is more than money in the equation.

 

[Praying Colonel]

For what your family does, I think your reasons for doing the DDP are fine.

Our family (a) doesn't think the current version of the DDP gives too much food, (b) values appetizers and (c) doesn't like the fact that tip isn't included anymore, so we probably won't be doing the 08 version of the DDP on our next trip. Folks just have to look at the changes and decide whether the changes negatively impact their experience enough to make a change. Some will, some won't.

 

[melomouse]

Hi Fies -
Well, I think you "stated your case" very well, and I hear your logic.

January will be our first trip with new DDP, and we have done FDP and more recently paid for 2007 DDP.

With our family size and ages - me, DS (15) and DD (11) - DDP has changed our park touring style - but it works and we like it! Next years' plan will likely be a "break even" situation instead of a savings, but we are sticking with it because it fits our needs for many of the same reasons you named for your family.

I read the Rants with a grain of salt. DDP was a great deal in the past, in 2008 it will be more based on convenience, not savings. I might be up $10/day or so - but nothing as substantial as in the past. But what we discovered in the meantime is an entirely new love for Disney with new places to explore.

I think it happened when DD ordered Osso Bucco at Alfredo's. I didn't even know she could pronounce it! But with the DDP set up as it was, she is gets freedom to be adventuresome. Some of our WDW choices -DDP right up there with resort choice! - are, for better or worse, emotion-based rather than entirely practical! Luckily, I know that for myself and my family and seek balance!!!

 

[disneywith4boys]

I know exactly what you're saying. Our trip isn't for a year, but I'm agonizing over to get the plan or not. I don't look at the plan as a money saver, but I certainly don't want to wind up paying more than if we paid all OOP. We are a family of 6- 2 adults and 4 boys age 9, 6, 4 and 4. All will be on the plan this time, as opposed to last time when 2 were under 3. Then, we had the freedom to get the appetizers and share all our food among all 6 of us. We usually eat a small breakfast (cereal), then a CS and would like to do at least 5 TS for our 6 night trip (2 character meals and 3 sit down rests). I keep doing the math, and I think doing the TS every day but one puts us over the cost of DDP. My biggest prob is the CS offerings for kids. I know at least 1 or 2 of the kids will not like the kids choice at each CS place and we will have to pay OOP for an adult meal. We prob could split 2 adult meals for the 4 kids many times, if we were paying OOP. I wish I could make a decision!

 

[english rose 47]

I figured out it's stil a savings for me over oop because you'd have to pay tip anyway and I really enjoy a sit down meal everyday to cool of and relax.

 

[gogo65]

I think we will do the DDP.

There will be DH, DS (14)and DD (12) and myself.

I have gone over the menus and asked the kids want they would eat, my daughter will probably pick off the kids menu for some of the TS, but we have decided to pay those OOP and use her credits for another meal.
I don't think it will be a big money saver for us but I do think we will break even at least, but for the convenience it will be worth it.
I think if we didn't do the DDP we would be more inclined to eat CS so we could save money, but we will be on holiday for nearly a month and I don't want to eat burger and pizza for our whole holiday , at least this way I know we will have a nice meal every day.
I have booked all our ADR's and with the restaurants we have chosen I think we will probably save a little.

I don't like the fact the DDP counts an adult as a 10 year old, I know my DD will not eat $38 worth of food, it would be good if we could pay $20 or so for those aged between 10 and 15 (then it would make sense!!) My daughter would probably eat a lot less than some 5-6 year olds , but Disney knows this and this is how they make money!

Now I have to get used to tipping everyone, that will be the hardest for us, it would be much easier if the tip was included, because I don't want to do the wrong thing, but tipping is not customary in Oz, and if we do it would be only 10% for a good meal

I am looking forward to the food, and hope we enjoy ourselves.

I can't wait.

 

[DCDisney]

The biggest thing to making the 2008 plan work financially is that you really need to have your TS meal be dinner. If that works for your family you'll at least break even unless you have a vegetarian. The other issue is if your kids will be happy with the kids meals. We ended up buying some adult CS foods for our kids last time and some adult desserts since most of the cool kids desserts from years past are now on the adult menus. I didn't care much on the 2007 plan but for 2008 where it's very close to just breaking even I wouldn't be happy buying a lot of extra stuff. With kid aged kids who are happy with the meals you should be fine for 2008. I now have adult aged kid who won't eat adult foods so it makes no sense to buy the adult DDP for him.

Yvonne

 

[Priorityonecb]

Well, for us...it wasn't so much financial savings that appealed so heavily to us concerning the dining plan. It was the all inclusive, paid in full part. It was great to not have to carry around cash, calculate tips, not think about the cost of the food each day.

We had the dining plan in 2006. We have it for our December 2007 trip. I honestly don't know if we will get it for future trips.

 

[Angies1274]

This will be our first trip to Disney and we have decided to do the DDP--After going back and forth for awhile trying to determine if it would be right for our family. And going through all the menus and asking the kids where they would like to eat. DDP just makes sense for us especially since it will be all paid for --(except tips).I think we will save some money and be able to do some nice TS meals that we wouldn't have done paying OOP..... And a nice relaxing dinner at the end of each day is like icing on the cake as far as we are concerned

 

[Lintasare]

I for one will continue to use the DDP even without the gratuity and app. For me I like knowing that the majority of my food costs are taken care of prior to my arrival which leaves me with more souvenir money or in some cases more money for drinks since I happen to love some of the mixed drinks they have in the restaurants.

I don't mind tipping, I used to work in a restaurant so I know how much servers depend on tips. This just means I can tip based on how I felt the service was and not have a server do a poor job and automatically get his or her 18%.

That's just my 2 cents.