Don't get the raves about DDP

[WINTER]

I have figured out the following: If i get a full meal at Cosmic Rays, $7; Another meal at Casey's Corner, $7; i get oatmeal at the resort in the morning, $3.00; 2 waters during the day, $4; Mickey's Premium Bar and Popcorn during my day at the park, $7. I have only spent 28. This is less than the DDP. We usually eat counter service when we go to Disney. Does anyone see how the DDP would work for me?

 

[GoofItUp]

It just depends on when you go and how you eat during your vacation. When the DDP first came out, we were making out like bandits on it because we eat 1 CS meal a day, 1 TS, and like to have a snack when we sit down to watch fireworks at night. And, we can eat that much without a problem. Since they've gone up on price and cut down on the plan (no appetizer) it's not as good a deal for us as it use to be. On the last trip, DH and DS about broke even on it. (We always keep dining receipts so I can weigh it out.) This trip, we're stashing the money away that we would have used on the DDP and are going to see how we do just paying cash. I'm betting we break even or maybe have a little left over.

The quick-service plan might work for you. I don't really know the details of it, but I'm sure someone will chime in on it.

 

[secretpantssam]

I don't think it works for everyone. They give you a drink and a dessert with every meal, but if you don't eat desserts anyway it might not pay off. Also if you don't eat a lot and share meals with people you are going with, it would be cheaper to just pay out of pocket. I think it depends on how much you want to eat and where you want to eat that makes it either worth your while or a waste of money.

 

[mousetravel]

I've always wondered this too. We always have breakfast before leaving our room, have another meal in the park and maybe a couple of snacks, then have a snack or sandwich when we get back to our room at night. The DDP is more expensive than what I'd spend without it!

 

[eliza61]

Disney has always had some type of meal plan. Like any other plan they are never "one size fits all". I did the dining plan one time and it was lousy for my family. It's just like DVC, if you're the type that stays at values then it won't make sense.

I'm not impressed with it either. I never save more than 50 bucks and the menus are now watered down to keep the profit ratio high on the ddp. not enough for me to try it again.

Lastly, when you dangle the word "Free" in front of any offer people tend to think it's the worlds greatest baragin.

 

[RumpleMom]

OP I think I saw a dining plan that only includes counter service meals for a lesser price than the DDP that includes CS and TS.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

I think a lot of people like the DDP because it is a way to pay for meals in advance of your vacation as part of your package. That can be easier for some to budget rather than having to set aside a large amount of cash for food while on vacation and you can avoid concerns about whether or not you budgeted enough money for meals, drinks, and snacks. You also don't have to have that difficult conversation with your kids about the cost of what they are ordering, etc. I like the DDP but my husband is not such a fan, mainly because of having to have ADR's for table service meals - not spontaneous enough for him.

 

[mjkacmom]

It worked for us last time, when it was cheaper, and included apps and tip, I believe. I added it after I made ADR's, and realized I made one each day. Plus, 4 of my kids were under 10. I wouldn't do it now.

 

[deerhart]

I have figured out the following: If i get a full meal at Cosmic Rays, $7; Another meal at Casey's Corner, $7; i get oatmeal at the resort in the morning, $3.00; 2 waters during the day, $4; Mickey's Premium Bar and Popcorn during my day at the park, $7. I have only spent 28. This is less than the DDP. We usually eat counter service when we go to Disney. Does anyone see how the DDP would work for me?

No, the plan probably wouldn't work for you because your cutting out ALL the little incidentals that add up the cost AND limiting yourself on menu items.

For example, you have budgeted $7 for both lunch and dinner. Looking at the cosmic rays menu, only 2 meals are under $7 Hot Dog w/fries at $6.59 and 1/4 cheeseburger w/fries for $6.59. All the rest of the meals are $7.50 or higher. You also have not purchased a drink to go with your meals. 2 bottled waters from Cosmic = $5.00

A better estimate for a meal at a CS is $9 per person without drink, $11 per person with drink for each meal. So with your above plan, your estimate is closer to $33 per day then $28 (unless your going to eat hamburgers and hotdogs the entire trip).

Many people don't eat the way you do, hence why the dining plan works for them. We have always saved about 30-40% off our actual cost by having the dining plan. But that is how my family eats (especially my kids who must always have dessert at Disney). Last year our average meal cost per day was between $175-$200.00 per day. We spent $106 per day on the dining plan and maybe another $15 oop each day (for things like soups and such for 4 or in my kids cases EXTRA misos soups *sigh*) so a total of $121 per day. This year (as my youngest is 10) our cost per day on ddp will be about $140, but HIS cost also goes up for each meal and I might actaully get more then a bite of MY desserts this year (last year I pretty much had to split most of them between the boys)

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

We only got it because it was free. And yes, it was worth it, we checked prices all year and the best deal we got was with the free dining plan. However, I don't think the QS is a great deal to "buy" it, I'm sure the TS one is, those meals are so expensive, but we found them to not be worth the $$$, not impressed with the food at all (or service for that matter) and the inconvenience of having to deal with ressies and eating at certain times, we didn't like it. We don't plan to return anytime soon, but if we would we wouldn't stay onsite (better service and prices off site) or get the dining plan... we only ate one QS a day anyway, we can easily take our own snacks, have breakfast or dinner off site cheap if needed, and be just fine.

 

[tink713]

DH and I do the deluxe plan, 3 meals either TS or CS and 2 snacks per person per day. We save ALOT of money. We love doing TS meals though, especially signatures. So it really depends on where you like to eat. I've done the math and I think that we are saving about $450 total our next trip.

 

[maleficentmom]

Love the DDP, but it depends on where you eat and what you order if it saves you money.Also,it is not as good a value now,as the tip and appetizer are not included,and when your eating at a place each night w/ a $100 plus bill,tips add up.Also, the kids meals,well there were a few times that they were just sort of gross ,especially at the counter places...the chicken nuggets looked microwaved, or maybe just "heated up",but we have a finicky eater,so maybe the other choices are ok. And the last time we went,we were allowed dessert with counter service breakfast,so sometimes it is not what the typical family would eat(although of course you could save this for a later snack).We like the character meals,Boma,etc. so I think we still save quite a bit.We like having a schedule planned out,lots of character meals,so it works for us.My in-laws would rather eat breakfast at the hotel,take some crackers and a sandwich for lunch,and eat a nice place offsite for dinner...I think they probably save a ton doing this,so it is just what you prefer.there used to be an article on Mousesavers about this topic that was good,and sort of showed you how you could"maximize"the plan,like which entrees/restaurants were the most expensive,but if you would rather eat a hotdog,and go jump on a ride,then it really wouldn't matter,the value just wouldn't be there to buy the plan.

 

[deerhart]

but one has to realize that is a personal preference for you and doesn't fit everyones vacation.

A HUGE part of my vacation is being able to sit down at a meal, order ANYTHING I want and not have to worry about the price of it. Its very relaxing.

 

[MKCP5]

Like everythijng else in life, not everything is for everyone. If it works for your family,, then great! If not, don't worry about it!

 

[maleficentmom]

but one has to realize that is a personal preference for you and doesn't fit everyones vacation.

A HUGE part of my vacation is being able to sit down at a meal, order ANYTHING I want and not have to worry about the price of it. Its very relaxing.

yes,I like that part too....my husband says he and i just go to Disney to eat

 

[Justsyd2]

I have figured out the following: If i get a full meal at Cosmic Rays, $7; Another meal at Casey's Corner, $7; i get oatmeal at the resort in the morning, $3.00; 2 waters during the day, $4; Mickey's Premium Bar and Popcorn during my day at the park, $7. I have only spent 28. This is less than the DDP. We usually eat counter service when we go to Disney. Does anyone see how the DDP would work for me?

You may need to look at your figures again. You can't get a full meal at Cosmic Rays for $7.00. That will only get one of two entrées. Since you only eat counter service you should look at the QSDP. It includes 2 CS meals, 2 snacks, and a refillable mug for each person for each day. I think it's around $32.00 per day. With each CS meal you get an entrée, a drink, and a dessert. If that's too much you can actually share meals, and/or share a large breakfast each morning, and have more CS meals per day. You can also use your snacks/and or dessert for a breakfast item. It's really a great deal if you research it.

 

[HLDisney]

The DDP made sense for us the first 2 times we went because we did a lot of character meals and we went with friends who enjoyed relaxing with a TS meal at the end of the day. The 3rd time, we went with my parents who don't eat a lot, often share meals and aren't really into TS meals so we skipped the DDP and while I didn't calculate the savings, I know we definitely did better than if we did the DDP.

For our next trip, I was originally thinking of doing the QS DDP but unless we happen to go during Free Dining, I don't think we'll do it. My DD and I aren't that into desserts, I often don't eat as much when we're out so I could potentially be fine with a kids meal at some places or sharing an adult meal with my DD so I think we'd save more without the QSDP. My only concern was with buying water (we usually use our snack credits for that) but I may just do a Garden Grocer purchase for that (since I want to get some fruit for us, too)

Helen

 

[Halloweenqueen]

The convenience is a HUGE plus for us. It really depends on your party and spending habits.

We love it because it ends those agruments with the kids over choices. We don't have to encourage them to get the cheaper menu items, or split a drink, etc.

My kids think the DP is the best thing about their Disney vacation! We never order desserts at a restaurant back home....at Disney they get them at lunch and dinner.

 

[badblackpug]

We love the convenience, plus my kids are HUGE eaters, so for us it works out. We prefer to have at least 1 sit down meal a day. We do Dxdp because we like the signatures and the shows. If your kids are nuggets and burgers kids or if you are just not big eaters it doesn't really make sense (may Qsdp, but I've never looked into it because I can't imagine 10 days of burgers and fries)

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The Quick Service Dining Plan (QSDP) entitles you to two Quick Service Meals and two snacks per night of your stay. You also receive one refillable resort mug.

Quick Service Dining Plan PDF

Cost
Quick Service Dining Plan:
$31.99 per guest 10 and older
$9.99 per child 3-9 years old


Your meal would fall in the quick-service plan so it would be $31.99 per day...

Mug: $2.00 (I am guestimating per day, you can fill it whenever you are at the resort)
Oatmeal: $2.49 (snack credit)

Lunch at Cosmic Rays:

Grilled Chicken Sandwich $8.39
Water $2.50
Dessert $3.59

Dinner at Casey's Corner:

Hot Dog Meal $6.59
Soda/Water $2.50
Dessert $1.49

Mickey Bar: $2.75
Popcorn would be OOP

Or $32.30

It is pretty much cutting it close, BUT and this is a big but, you wouldn't have to eat just the lowest item on every meal. If at Cosmic Rays you wanted the Rib/Chicken combo you could do that. If your not a sweets person, many times the CM will give you a bottled water for the dessert. Than you would have extra water. Plus there is a convenience factor. If my kids were dead set on chicken and I didn't "budget" the higher cost I personally would feel terrible always telling them "No". For my family it is more about convenience, less about the "making the most bang for my buck".

**Please note, I did not use tax in the purchase price of the QSDP or the actual cost of the food.