DVC and the Disney Dining Plan

[lpbm4]

I don't know if this belongs here or where it goes. But, we're renting pts for our December trip at VWL. I'm still undecided about doing the DDP. One of the reasons we decided on going DVC was b/c of the full kitchen and we could save money on food. How much do you actually cook in the room and much do you eat out in the parks? Is the DDP worth it? At the time of the trip, our children will be 5 1/2yrs and almost 4yrs old. Is it a huge pain to travel so much for meals? Thanks for any input!!

 

[SLM]

My husband and I used the DDP in June when staying for a week at OKW. For two adults it was great-but if I was traveling with little ones I don't think I'd want to be eating out so often. Did you plan on eating at a table service restaurant every night? When my daughter was little we usually ended up canceling at least one reservation because she was just too tired!

 

[lpbm4]

I was planning on doing mostly buffets for our TS meals since my kids are kinda picky...Boma (brkfst), Chef Mickey's (brkfst), 1900 Park Fare(dinner), and Crystal Palace (brkfst). Those are what we have ADRs for. We're doing Sea World one day so I wanted to have a bigger breakfast before that day.

That's one of my things too...I dont' want them to be eating out too much. I know their stomachs won't take it--greasy food + exhaustion from all the Disney fun. They don't mix with my kids.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Now, our DGC were much younger, but we only ate 3 sit down meals with them, and we did use the kitchen for light things. We may have augmented what we made with something from Roaring Forks, but that was brought back to the room, we ate most of our meals right in the villa. The meal plan wouldn't have worked for our family's 5 night vacation.

Bobbi

 

[DVC Grammy]

If any in your party has an AP, you can get the DDE which would save you $$s on those more expensive meals, and yet not make you feel that you must eat out all the time. Between the DVC discount on the AP and the 20% off with the DDE, it would probably wind up cheaper than paying for DDP for everyone. Remember, only one of your party needs the AP (could be a child), in order to get a DDE and it covers up to 10 people on a bill, plus the DDE usually doesn't expire until the 13th month. So if you're plannning another WDW visit within that time, you'll really get your money's worth!

 

[byoung]

The DDP will save you money.

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks for the posts.

I'm sorry, what's an AP? We're renting DVC pts so we're not DVC members at all.

 

[jjohnson]

We'll to make things simple...The meals you have already scheduled will cost $325 for the 4 of you. The plan for 4 nights is $392. You only need to spend $67 over 4 days on 16 counter service & 16 snacks to break even.

 

[jjohnson]

Thanks for the posts.

I'm sorry, what's an AP? We're renting DVC pts so we're not DVC members at all.

An AP is short for Annual Pass.

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks JJohnson. I did calculate all the meals, and if we didn't do the DDP, we'd only do 1 or 2 of the meals I have planned to save us some $$. I still don't know...

 

[OneMoreTry]

I'm undecided about the DDP, too. It would save money compared to paying OOP at the same restaurants, but the tyranny of advance reservations (I forget the current WDW term) seems to put a damper on our trip.

Plus, DMIL has Parkinson's and she may get tired and not want to go out at times. AND DD7 has epilepsy and PDD (=hyperactive on LSD) which waxes and wanes. If she's having a good week it'll go great. If not DW and I will be stressed.

My plan is to reserve 1 Signature meal and the Illuminations buffet and dessert at EPCOT. Plus 2 character meals: Crystal Palace lunch and probably Chef Mickey's bfast. That will take care of our 6TS credits.

I don't think it will be a problem using up the counter service credits. For either meals or snacks at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, parks and hotels.

(Does the poolside hamburger place at OKW accept the DDP?)

 

[jjohnson]

(Does the poolside hamburger place at OKW accept the DDP?)

I just pulled out the brochure & it lists Goods to Go and Olivia's

 

[jjohnson]

Thanks JJohnson. I did calculate all the meals, and if we didn't do the DDP, we'd only do 1 or 2 of the meals I have planned to save us some $$. I still don't know...

How many nights are you in the Villa? Honestly, if my kids were still under 9 there is no question I would do the plan. I couldn't feed them OOP for less. It gets tricky with they turn 10.

I have 4 children over 10 & when I do the numbers the plan still works out in our favor but what works best for us may not for you. Everyone has unique situations.

Have fun planning!

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you are staying in a 2 bedroom villa, I would NOT get the DDP with kids the ages of yours. Go the the grocery store when you arrive and get breakfast items, snack items and easy dinner/lunch items. You will likely be coming back to the villa for a break midday anyway, so might as well make a sandwich or pasta and veggie right there while the kids take a break. I think 2-4 adults can easily save money on the DDP if they eat out at TS places daily, but I wouldn't want to do that with little ones every day. We find the kitchen at OKW to be as complete as can be, and have made full dinners there without a problem. Never anything that takes hours, but still good dinners. We like to buy a ham and fix that with potatos and veggies one night and use the leftovers for sandwiches the rest of the trip. We also stock up on lots of fruit and veggies, and that is both nutritious and fills them up. We rarely eat counter service or snacks in the park, so we might be different from most. You can also put a daily ration of snacks in each child's bellybag, and let them snack from there on things that you KNOW what they are getting.

 

[BCV23]

Since you would do only one or two of those meals if you weren't on the DDP to save money, then I agree with Dianne. You can save much more having most meals in your villa. The DDP is great if you want to have at least one TS meal per night. In your case, you can enjoy the full kitchen instead. But you are in a l or 2 BR, right? If a studio, there is not a full kitchen.

And really since this is your first trip, it might be best to not have too many dining plans until you figure out your own WDW strategies.

But you should know that not all WDW food is heavy and greasy. There are lots of healthy choices too even in some QS places