Don't get the raves about DDP

[ReneeA]

I've used the menus and added up what we would spend as a family of 4 for 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack per day OOP. Considering only what we normally would order (sharing drinks at CS and not normally ordering dessert) and it comes out to the same price as the DDP cost me.

To me, that means that we get to eat a TS everyday, order exactly what we want (not me ordering a water and side salad because I'm worried about the cost). Everyone gets to order their own dessert and get snacks when they want one without thinking about the cost. All for the SAME cost!!

We will have to reevaluate our situation when our kids become "adults" in WDW's eyes. But as long as the cost is only $10.99 a day for them, it's going to be a cost saver (or break even) for us.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I've been going back and forth on whether or not to do a dining plan when we go late next year...so I still have a lot of time. I think it really depends on your family. For some dining plans are the way to go, for others, not so much.

When we went in 2008 (didn't know about the dining plan then) all meals were out of pocket. We'd have a bite in the room before heading out, a snack around a "normal" lunch time, then have late lunch early dinner (our big meal for the day), and most of the time grab another snack before heading back to the hotel for the night. So even if I had known of the DDP, we wouldn't have used it as that's not how we eat when on vacation.

 

[miprender]

Our family loves the dining plan. Where can my two kids eat for $10/day at Disney. We love all the character meals and those alone add up quickly.

But for us half of our fun is eating

 

[bballdiva]

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?

wow we could never eat this cheap!!! Congrats We dont like cs meals that much and prefer ts meals, so for us the dining plan works great, but for you it sounds like it prob wouldn't be the best deal. We are actually doing the DxDDP this time!!!!

 

[averysmom]

I've used the menus and added up what we would spend as a family of 4 for 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack per day OOP. Considering only what we normally would order (sharing drinks at CS and not normally ordering dessert) and it comes out to the same price as the DDP cost me.

To me, that means that we get to eat a TS everyday, order exactly what we want (not me ordering a water and side salad because I'm worried about the cost). Everyone gets to order their own dessert and get snacks when they want one without thinking about the cost. All for the SAME cost!!

We will have to reevaluate our situation when our kids become "adults" in WDW's eyes. But as long as the cost is only $10.99 a day for them, it's going to be a cost saver (or break even) for us.

This is us EXACTLY! I can assure you I would not be ordering steak and dessert on holidays without the DDP!

 

[MM27]

I've read a number of food reviews here and I could never imagine eating as much as some people eat in one day. I wouldn't be able to move by midday and I certainly wouldn't want to go on any rides. So needless to say the DDP will never be something I get.

 

[madelyn]

We're been on the Dining Plan our last 3 trips but generally only for part of the trip. It is just way too much food and if we've done split stays, we add the plan onto the first part of the stay. That way if we have extra snack or counter service meal credits we can make sure we use them all and have a few days after to eat them. We stayed DVC so always had a fridge. Love that we can let our kids order what they want and I actually ask them if they want a snack from the parks rather than waiting for them to ask and sometimes asking them to share snacks! But now that our older son is 11, we won't purchase the adult dining plan for him until he has a heartier appetite. We got free dining and it was alot easier to ask for a larger kids' meal portion for him knowing we didn't pay the adult price for the plan.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I've read a number of food reviews here and I could never imagine eating as much as some people eat in one day. I wouldn't be able to move by midday and I certainly wouldn't want to go on any rides. So needless to say the DDP will never be something I get.

I'm sure my dining review will look like that when I return next fall. However, I'm not a clean your plate person. Once I'm full I stop eating.

I don't believe most people eat all the food they post about. I think they order it because they can.

 

[bebelle]

It was great for us when it included appetizers and tips. But during our most recent trip in 2009, I did the math and it was cheaper to pay cash.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

We have done the DDP only once and that was during free dining. It was a REALLY good deal for us because we stayed at Pop at $82/night (2 rooms) with 7 people all getting free dining - 2 were "kids" the rest were "adults." So it worked out really well for us. We are going again in 9 days (yay!!) and won't be doing the DDP this time. Our reasons:

We're staying at AK Kidani Village in a 2-bedroom villa with a full kitchen - we will do some meals and such in the villa.

We are also AP holders and will be getting the TIW card instead. We crunched the numbers and this is the better way for us to go.

The TS meals we ARE doing are mostly buffet/character meals, so the added "advantage" of the non-alcoholic drink and dessert being included with the DDP is a moot point.

Also, another one of our kids is now a "Disney adult," so we're now 6 adults and 1 kid by Disney standards.

With the TIW card, we can get the discount on most, if not all, of our meals INCLUDING alcohol.

We did consider the DDP mainly for the convenience of it. But cost-wise, the TIW card is the better option for us on this trip.

 

[taymorel]

I am going to Disney in May for 1st time as an adult and we are going to get the DDP--1 reason I chose to do it, so we would be able to pre-pay for our food and not have to worry about prices once we got there. Plus, I have heard lots of positives about it. I am excited to try some different types of food than I would normally choose (cause I always try to get the cheap items on the menu). Having dessert included is a plus for me since that is my weakness.