DxDDP - convenience or savings?

[mcd2745]

I've done it more for the convenience as well. We probably realized a small cost savings, but nothing substantial. I didn't really care about that though, as I just prefer the convenience and "freedom" it brings (although I realize it does the opposite to some people - they lose that "freedom" as they feel compelled to order the most expensive item every time). However, like a couple of previous posters, our DS just turned 10. He is a light eater so the dining plan will not work for us at all until he starts becoming a bigger eater. So it's no coincidence that we are skipping WDW this year. We originally thought it would be a 1-year hiatus and would return next year. But now we'll probably make it a 2-year break and wait for 2014. The FE will be complete, plus our DD will be 9 at that time. So that will be a good time to return and then take another break after DD turns 10. For the non-WDW years, we'll probably do cruises (doing DCL in August, but will probably try other lines as well).

 

[goodferry]

Absolutely it's convenience for us. If we didn't have the dining plan, DH would be scruitinizing what each person orders at each meal and passing out dirty looks. This way when there is no bill per se except tip, it's like free food for him. I know, I know, we could come out ahead using the TIW card, but it's not worth the hassle with DH at each meal. I do try to plan it out so we use each credit efficiently. I schedule one signature and one single credit meal per day and we always come out ahead

 

[Masonmj84]

For us, it's a combination of convenience and savings (at least at this moment in time).

Right now, our family includes 2 Disney adults, 1 Disney child (age 8), and 1 child under the age of 3 (age 2).

So the cost of the plan per day for our family is about $195.

Most days, we do a character breakfast and a signature dinner. Some days we do a TS lunch and a signature dinnner (we never do 3 TS meals on the same day).

If we were to pay OOP for character breakfasts, the average for our family per meal would be about $70.

If we were to pay OOP for signature dinners, the average for our family per meal would be about $150.

If we were to pay OOP for snacks, the average for our family per day would be about $20 (we are able to use all of our snack entitlements because we share some of them with our 2 YO and our 8 YO eats like a bird).

So that adds up to about $240 per day paying OOP, meaning the DxDP saves about $45 per day (not counting the resort mugs).

On days when we choose to eat a TS lunch, the savings should, on paper, be even greater because the average TS lunch for our family would run about $85, assuming we use all of our entitlements. However, this is the area we experience some difficulty using them. Because our children are young, we generally book our signature dinners for the earliest possible time (usually 5:30). Even if we book lunch at the earliest possible time (usually 11:30) this only leaves about 5 hours between the end of lunch and beginning of dinner. So if we eat too much at lunch, we risk not being hungry enough at dinner (and I'd rather save my appetite for all 3 courses at a signature dinner as opposed to eating too much at a TS lunch). We mitigate this to some extent by sharing some of our food with our kids (often, the 8 YO will share a good part of his food with the 2 YO and then we will share some of our food with the 8 YO). Nevertheless, we sometimes share or skip lunch appetizers or desserts (so our TS lunches probably average about $70, which is about the same as our breakfasts).

We could get roughly equivalent savings with TIW (we're teatotallers, so TIW's savings on adult beverages doesn't do anything for us) but I like the peace of mind of having everything paid up-front. However, when our 8 YO becomes a Disney adult in a few years, it drastically changes DxDP's value prop (in that regard, I really wish Disney had a middle category). We may switch to TIW and/or eat less at signatures when that happens.

 

[artemis908]

So, I'm curious. Am I in the minority in purchasing DxDDP for the sake of peace of mind and convenience and not based on the cost-benefit ratio?

I want my spouse and children to really enjoy our time at WDW. If I paid OOP for dining (even if were saved for and paid with a Disney Gift Card) I'd probably grouse about the cost. Remember the movie Father of Bride when George was told every time he complained he detracted from his daughter's happiness? By contrast when all I have to do is hand over the KTTW card, copy the suggested tip amount and sign, it's just doesn't bother me.

We have been using the DxDDP because we never know what we'll be in the mood for when it comes time to eat. If we went with another plan, we might find ourselves feeling constrained.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that in the big picture the mouse wins and it's very unlikely that for US we get more than we paid out. But I'm wiling to chalk up the cost differential to an "experience enhancement"

First off, I LOVE Princess Bride and your reference made me smile.
Second, totally with you on the convenience, I wouldn't be doing signature restaurants. I have been to Disney enough to know which restaurants are the more expensive and I have 4 signature dinners planned during our 9 day stay. I also don't like quick service, so I like that I can do two table services every day. Only day we won't be doing table service is day for lunch is day 1 and that's only because I am concerned about making an ADR in case we get a plane delay.

 

[delmar411]

We tried it out on our May trip just because I wanted to do certain TS meals and have a couple of date nights out with DH and also do the HDDR w/ my ODD. So after running the numbers for just the meals I really wanted to do, I found we would likely come out ahead. Plus we do buy the mugs if we aren't on a meal plan so that portion represented actual savings.

I kept all my receipts and found we saved 20% exactly from what the meals & snacks & mugs cost vs what we paid.

BUT we ended up with 8 meals remaining which I had to turn into acceptable carryon foods that weren't perishable.

It did feel like all we did was eat even though I scheduled meals very far apart.

I already have the TiW card so while I was glad to get a 20% savings on snacks and QS, it just doesn't seem worthwhile for our family to get the plan again.

 

[DisneyGuess]

It's a bit of both for us. With 3 older boys who are all Disney adults now, it still saves me convience & some money.
The regular DDP, for my family, is actually not enough food. My older boys & my DH all have to have a meal to be full at breakfast, so a snack credit doesn't work for that. & having pop-tarts & cereal in the room for breakfast isn't for us.
I've figured it up & I would pay more OOP for 1 meal per day than the cost to upgrade to the DxDDP for us. So, Dx it is! We generally do a TS breakfast, a QS lunch & a later, TS dinner.

 

[gwmort]

I don't see this mentioned a lot, but for us a big part of it is budgeting. If we weren't on a Dining Plan I foresee lowering our sights with regards to nice meals as the trip went on and expenses go up. I never want to get to the last day or two and have to rely on ramen noodles in the room or something.

 

[robinb]

I don't see this mentioned a lot, but for us a big part of it is budgeting. If we weren't on a Dining Plan I foresee lowering our sights with regards to nice meals as the trip went on and expenses go up. I never want to get to the last day or two and have to rely on ramen noodles in the room or something.

If you can afford $100 per person per day for the DxDDP, I don't think you would be in danger of eating ramen noodles without it.

 

[havoc315]

If you can afford $100 per person per day for the DxDDP, I don't think you would be in danger of eating ramen noodles without it.

I'm amused when it becomes a choice of spending hundreds of dollars per day on a dining plan, versus, "If we don't get the dining plan, we'll pack peanut butter sandwiches"

 

[frunko1]

I'm amused when it becomes a choice of spending hundreds of dollars per day on a dining plan, versus, "If we don't get the dining plan, we'll pack peanut butter sandwiches"

That's what it is for me and my wife. If I didn't get the dining plan, she would drink water and just eat the bread. Paying up front its like free food and she can get what she wants and not worry about the cost.

It's a mindset.

 

[KimberlyE]

I think it really depends on so many factors: age or any children in the group, types of meals you select (TS, Cs and Signature/Shows), etc.

For us, currently, it works out to be a big savings. But we are a family of 4 with a 7 year old and a baby. We prefer to stay in a value resort so any room discounts offered would not equal the dining savings. We do a character meal every morning for breakfast and enjoy 3 TS meals every day. I refuse to go CS when for a few dollars more I can have a relaxing, sit down meal in a nice setting with table service. Serves as a great break from the park.

I totally understand how DDxDP doesn't benefit some families (especially those with Disney "adult" kids who eat very light) and anticipate that might change our opinion when we reach that proverbial bridge. The criticism that I understand the least is the "take stop much time from our park day" and the "too much food". We have never experienced either of those and we go DDxDP every trip. I suspect that it may be because we go in the fall. I can understand how in July, 3 TS meals a day could take time from your park day.

I think it works for us for both financial and convenience reasons. We break our day up with the TS meals; starting with breakfast before rope drop, a midday lunch, back to hotel for swim/nap and then a dinner and night at the park. I also try to never have an ADR outside of the park that we are touring that day - I don't want to have to stop and run to another park just for an ADR. We don't feel compelled to order the most expensive item or to stuff ourselves. In fact, the plan allows us to be adventurous and try new items without the fear of having to finish it because we are done with our dining money for the day. We know we'll have another TS later and can fuel up then if the last TS meal wasn't to our liking.

 

[mimmi]

We have free dining and upgraded to deluxe (together with a 40% room discount as we have booked via disney.uk), so for us it's a no brainer.

But I've just done the maths with the deluxe at full price and only 14 credits used (as we want to do a few quick service meals). For some of the restaurants I didn't even calculate a dessert as nothing appealed to me. Even without the snack credits and the mug, I've already saved money (about USD 20) although I didn't pick the most expensive items most of the time.
We do a lot of character meals and signature restaurants, maybe that's the key here.

 

[Cafeen]

It's kinda funny how much can change in a couple months. For me, personally, neither the QSDP nor the DDP hold any value (well, DDP would for a particular use case). DxDDP is still a value for me (even with next year's prices and this year's menu prices, though it's much closer) so that still works. But now, convenience is winning out over the cost savings.

Since I enjoy dining in the manner of the plans, I don't feel restricted (or forced into ordering stuff I don't want). So, a smaller savings amount (<10-15%) isn't a big deal to me (I know, and understand, that it is for some). Now, I am bad at saving money. It just sifts through my hands, as such, unless I were losing out big time, the prepaid nature makes sense (again, coupled with the already desiring to dine as the plan is structured.) Of course, where before it was a mixture of both savings and convenience, it's now shifted more toward the convenience factor. There will be a point as it shifts further and further away from saving any money though that the loss will outweigh the convenience, and then I'll be done. (Don't worry, I'll still help with the math, only now Havoc and I would totally agree! )

We have free dining and upgraded to deluxe (together with a 40% room discount as we have booked via disney.uk), so for us it's a no brainer.

But I've just done the maths with the deluxe at full price and only 14 credits used (as we want to do a few quick service meals). For some of the restaurants I didn't even calculate a dessert as nothing appealed to me. Even without the snack credits and the mug, I've already saved money (about USD 20) although I didn't pick the most expensive items most of the time.
We do a lot of character meals and signature restaurants, maybe that's the key here.

Not even taking the double-dipping discount into account, it makes sense that it would do so. Don't know your length of stay, but doing a single credit meal and a signature is a good use of those credits. It helps to keep the food intake to normal levels (so you don't feel all yucky ALL the time) and keeps the value in a decent range. Now, breakfasts (of any type) for adults are typically less value than lunches, but mixing and matching to do what's best for your trip, while maintaining an acceptable level of value received is the way to go!

Now, for 2013, the math stays the same, but the outcome changes greatly. As Havoc has pointed out (here, or in other threads, I don't know, I just stalk him) that you can get away with spending less than $45 (the nightly cost to upgrade DDP to DxDDP) on that one extra TS meal. Doesn't mean that it's a bad value, just makes it more difficult to make it a good one. In other words, it's far FAR easier to make $33 save you money on that extra TS than $45, even though they aren't really that much different.

 

[reking96]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The DxDDP. What started as convenience, turned into over $400 in saving for my Mom and I. It's all about the experience for us. We love the freedom it gives us and it is relaxing for us to eat at the TS places. We are going this January and I asked her if she only wanted to do the regular DDP, and she said absolutely NOT! That's why we go! ha-ha

 

[nadira36]

For us it's a no-brainer - DxDP all the way! If we didn't get the DxDP, we wouldn't order appies or dessert - but we'd want to. We certainly wouldn't order drinks (I know those aren't included, but if we're paying for the food etc, then we won't add drinks except for maybe once during the trip). We'd spend a lot more time deciding if we REALLY wanted another dole whip vs just getting one.

If we priced it out to compare to what we'd do if we didn't have the dining plan, we'd still break even, however when we actually look at what we eat while at Disney - we save close to $1000 - we eat a lot, and we eat well while we're there. We even use our credits for a couple of QS - but mostly we use TS - we have special dietary restrictions and QS ends up taking as longs a TS, but we're standing, and crowded and our kids go nuts. At least a table they can sit, and drink some juice/milk and play with some toys.

Now the regular DDP holds no value for us b/c of how much we enjoy our sit-down meals. We'd ease the QS credits, and pay OOP for so many TS meals - not worth it.

Oh plus we have a toddler eating off our plates - so the extra food is a blessing.

 

[havoc315]

Now, for 2013, the math stays the same, but the outcome changes greatly. As Havoc has pointed out (here, or in other threads, I don't know, I just stalk him) that you can get away with spending less than $45 (the nightly cost to upgrade DDP to DxDDP) on that one extra TS meal. Doesn't mean that it's a bad value, just makes it more difficult to make it a good one. In other words, it's far FAR easier to make $33 save you money on that extra TS than $45, even though they aren't really that much different.

The change from $33 to $45 is pretty significant. The upgrade will still make sense for many people. But for people who weren't maximizing the value of the plan anyway, it becomes questionable.
The upgrade from ddp to DxDP basically includes:
1. The conversion of the qs credit to a TS credit. (though some people will still get some qs on the DxDP )
2. 1 additional TS credit.
3. 1 additional snack.
4. Up to 2 appetizers.

Now, if you are going to maximize value, it's easy to justify the $45 upgrade. But if you're doing it just to get a few additional TS lunches, not so easy.
For me, I'd never buy DxDP again, but I *might* upgrade free dining. (took 40%) room offer for next trip.
My personal objective/subjective values:
1. Conversion of qs credit -- worth about $10, considering would convert most credits but still do a few qs.
2. Additional TS credit- about $22, when considering they would mostly be used to upgrade to a signature meal, or a mid priced lunch, and would probably leave over a few credits.
3. Extra snack -- value about $0.50. I know that sounds low, but I have never ever used more than half my snacks on the DxDP. So I'm assigning some value, just in case.
4. Up to 2 apps -- I do usually order the apps, so value about $15.

So total value of upgrade for me-- about $47.50. A potential minimal savings. But if the upgrade was $33, it would be a no brainer.