DVC and DDP - Did it change anything for you in April?

[slk537]

For those who have been down since April 1, when we began to be able to use the DDP - did it change your vacation habits? Did you buy fewer groceries, bring leftovers back for later, eat out more? How did the DDP work out when you have a room with a full kitchen?

We will be using it for the first time next week and can't wait - and I was wondering how everyone else was finding it?

 

[dyingtodisney]

bump, going to arrive may 14 and use DDP for first time? Happy with it?

 

[Alexander]

April 9 to the 14th we were at OKW. We had our 1 bedroom villa, and we purchased the dining plan. We purchased very few groceries. Bottled water, fruit, cereal, milk and juice. We only ate breakfast in the room. We never cook anyways, but we usually have fixings for sandwiches and some heat and eat type of foods in the room.

The plan cost us $434 (2A, 1C) and when I totaled the receipts for all of the food we ate, it was $714. It was a lot of food, but even if we removed appetizers and dessert, we still came out ahead of the cost of the plan. Just twice did we bring leftover food back to the villa, but I ended up throwing it out the morning we checked out. Oh, except for the piece of cheesecake! That I ate!

DH was skeptical about the upfront cost, but when he got on the plane to come home and realized he had almost all of the cash he came with, and that we ate almost $290 more than we paid for, he is all about getting it again in the future. The only downfall I had, was being committed to our PS times. We take a very laid back approach to WDW and being on a schedule for meals was a little frustrating, but the food was so good!

I don't see how you can go wrong when a filet mignon at Concourse Steakhouse is $28.99. That meal alone you exceed your expense. The portions of the table service meals at many of the restaurants we ate at were not huge. The above mentioned steak was 7 oz, and the side of potatoes was about ice cream scoop size.

We were very happy. Have great trips, both of you!

 

[Corinne]

We are DVC members and have AP's. Can you have AP's and get the DDP or do you have to do the MYW passes? I cannot find the info anywhere. Thanks!

 

[bicker]

For DVC members, staying on points, there is no admission purchase requirement for the Dining Plan.

 

[castleri]

We only had the plan for 1 night and I feel we got more than our money's worth. The night we checked in we ate at Mama Melrose's - we had calamari, salad, pasta with sausage, steak, tiramisu, fruit cup, coffee and the bill was about $70 including the tax and tip. The next day before we left to go to Bradenton we had dinner at the Pepper Market and that came to around $40 for Prime Rib , bourbon chicken, two cookies, ice tea. Our snacks were an ice cream and bag of chips. We are doing it again in September for 10 days and I am a little worried about too much food for that stay but have plenty of time to plan some stategies The problem is that some members of the group want to eat early so ADRs are set for the 5-6 pm range and I am afraid that unless we eat lunch from 10-11 no one will be hungry. Of course I can always hope we will have to wait a few minutes before we are seated and can stretch out the ordering time. Before being a DVC member I never wanted to take the time to do TS meals (or spend the money)- now I've got time to spare as I don't feel the need to do and see everything each trip. Will be saving receipts to see how we do. I am wanting to do it more because with the group that is going we won't be thinking about splitting up checks and costs all the time. Everyone is paying for their own part of the plan so it will be simply order, eat and enjoy and hopefully everyone will feel they got a good deal.

 

[MagikMom]

We used the Disney Dining Experience plan on our last trip. We were in WDW for 16 days! It was well woth it. Not only do you get a discount on your meals, but alcohol was included also. We had my BIL and SIL with us for a week so with 4 adults drinking alcohol, it saved us a lot of money. I think it's Great!!

 

[jodifla]

We used the Disney Dining Experience plan on our last trip. We were in WDW for 16 days! It was well woth it. Not only do you get a discount on your meals, but alcohol was included also. We had my BIL and SIL with us for a week so with 4 adults drinking alcohol, it saved us a lot of money. I think it's Great!!

Yes, the DDE is far better for us than the DDP, we've determined.....

 

[byoung]

We do eat out and have the DDE card. We are going to try the DDP next week and decide what is best for us. WOW next week I'll be at the World.

 

[Leenies]

What is difference between DDE & DDP? We are DVC members with annual passes & have never used a meal plan before. Also, my in-laws will be with us this time but probably won't go for a plan. I heard all members in the party have to participate with DDP - is this true?

 

[bicker]

Yes, all members of your party must buy the DDP for the entire length of your reservation.

DDE is a 20% discount card. No food is actually "included". Also DDE does apply to alcoholic drinks, while of course DDP doesn't.

 

[jjbescher]

My DW and I just came back from WDW and we got the DDP. We have been waiting for something like this for DVC members. For us, it was weel worth it. If you take out snacks, which we had plenty left over(bought water and OJ on the last day). We saved money, even if we did not get desserts. We normally get appetizers with our meals.

We probably would not have gone to ALL the restaurants that we did, but we like to eat out and since we had a studio, it was definitely worth it for us. Even if we had a 1 or 2 brm we would have gotten the plan.

I do know a lot of people do not use their plan wisely and do not read about the counter service restaurants that it can be used at.

jon

 

[slk537]

Thanks for the responses!

Sounds like most do what we plan - just buy breakfast type food and scale back on the snacks and lunch type stuff.

Our grocery list looks bare, but I hardly think we'll miss it.

 

[Stitch1404]

Is there somewhere at OKW that counter service credits can be redeemed?

 

[Candace]

Is there somewhere at OKW that counter service credits can be redeemed?


Yes, you can use the CS credits at Good's to Go.