First time on DDP

[magicbob]

We've been to WDW many times, but never used DDP in the past. In fact, I've posted here a couple of times about how it cost a LOT more than we normally spend on food OOP. I'm very budget conscious and, while we didn't feel we were denying ourselves, per se, we rarely splurged on TS meals or even lots of desserts, snacks, etc.

However, because this trip is a special occasion (25th Anniversary), I started planning several special meals including CRT, Ohana, etc. Also, we tried Yak & Yeti at AK last trip and liked it, so we thought we would go back there. Well, the more I crunched the numbers the more I realized that we were pretty close to the point where DDP might make sense.

I took the advice of folks here and called to ask if I could get free DDP in lieu of room discount. Lo & behold, I did have a free DDP pin.*

Now, "free" DDP is not really free. My room is now not discounted and we are at ASMo so only QSDP would have been free. But here's the thing... My room cost increased by $240 without the discount and the upgrade for TS DDP cost $260 (five night stay). So, essentially, DDP cost me $500. Well, I would have been spending close to that OOP on just those three meals I listed above. Now, in addition to those, I'm also getting another TS meal (we would not usually spend out for a buffet like 1900 Park Fare, or even for this many TS meals in one trip, but since we have the TS credit, we're going for it!), and of course the 5 QS meals and 5 snack credits.

So while "free" dining is not actually free, I AM getting quite a lot of food that truly is free and we don't have to pinch pennies or feel guilty about the price of what we order. I'd still think twice about paying full price for DDP, but I would have to take into account if we were going to splurge on meals like this trip or not and see how it compares. But with the "free" DDP, I'm paying LESS than my normal "scrimping" food budget and getting a lot MORE food, so it worked out to be a great deal. I'm looking forward to seeing how DDP enhances our experience at WDW.**

* For all you conspiracy theorists out there, I wonder if they have a limited number of non-assigned pins that they can apply if you ask nicely. Maybe I was negotiating from a position of power because they knew I wasn't going to book a package unless I got the free dining, but I didn't approach it that way. I just said nicely that someone told me I should ask about the possibility of free dining in place of my room discount. I've never gotten a pin in the past, and they didn't send me this one. But when I called, it just happened to be there. Coincidence? You be the judge. Another thing that makes me suspect this could be the case is that there was a bit of delay while she looked it up. Initially, she said there wasn't one, but then out of the blue "Oh, wait, here's one." The plot thickens... I am going in July when I don't think they are offering free DDP and, in fact, it's considered "peak" season. Think about it. I went from a $622 room-only reservation to an $1800 package. Giving me a pin for "free" dining got me to buy around $700 worth of park tickets as well as spend $500 more on the room and TS upsell.


** Conspiracy theory #2: Get us hooked on DDP by giving it free. Once we realize how much we can't live without it, we'll pay whatever they ask for it!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Very cool!!

 

[sharonabe]

Here's a wrench to throw in:

Did you see about upgrading to a moderate or maybe even a deluxe resort? The DDP would then be free and since it's "costing" you $500 to add it to your existing resort, why not see if you can stay somewhere a little nicer for the same or less money?

 

[duffdo]

Disney have always been very clever with pricing structures, making you think you have got a better deal than you actually did!

Here in the UK though, Disney heavily discount vacation packages and regularly give DDP for free when you book a moderate resort or above.

I wonder though, is DDP actually worth it? I am from the UK and am staying for 14 nights in October this year at Port Orleans. I received the quick service plan free of charge, but chose to upgrade to the table service for an extra £280 ($445) for the two of us for the duration of our stay.

I think I got a good deal......or did I?

 

[Faldred]

Here's a wrench to throw in:

Did you see about upgrading to a moderate or maybe even a deluxe resort? The DDP would then be free and since it's "costing" you $500 to add it to your existing resort, why not see if you can stay somewhere a little nicer for the same or less money?

The TS upgrade is $260, so the rack rate difference (based on 5 nights) would have to be $52 or less to be a pure savings. I think the Moderates' rack rates are more expensive than that compared to the Values.

On the other hand, if it's not that much more, it may be worth paying the small bit extra for the better grade of room, especially if you're already saving money on food.

To the OP... I'm one of those who stress that "free dining" isn't really free, but that it is a package discount that may not necessarily be the best package discount for any particular party. It sounds in you case, though, like you are getting a better deal with free dining that you would have otherwise, so enjoy the experience!

 

[Faldred]

I think I got a good deal......or did I?

If you want to average a "sit down" meal per day, then you probably did get a good deal. It usually comes down to how closely the dining plan entitlements match the way you want to eat on your vacation.

 

[magicbob]

If you want to average a "sit down" meal per day, then you probably did get a good deal. It usually comes down to how closely the dining plan entitlements match the way you want to eat on your vacation.

Yes, I think whether it's a good deal or not really depends on your eating habits and how much you would have spent on food. Normally, it doesn't make much sense for us. But since I already knew I was spending a lot more on meals this trip, it turned out to be a lot cheaper (even with the upcharge) than OOP.

Here's a wrench to throw in:

Did you see about upgrading to a moderate or maybe even a deluxe resort? The DDP would then be free and since it's "costing" you $500 to add it to your existing resort, why not see if you can stay somewhere a little nicer for the same or less money?

I crunched the numbers and upgrading to a moderate is a bit more, but I think I'll check into it. Originally, I was going to add a few extra nights at CBR as a surprise. But, I could really make the trip special by just booking CBR for all 7 days. The slight difference in moderate cost, would be offset by the fact that we would then get 7 days of DDP (I would have been paying OOP for meals on those last two days). I think I'll call now and check on that possibility.

 

[sharonabe]

"The TS upgrade is $260, so the rack rate difference (based on 5 nights) would have to be $52 or less to be a pure savings. I think the Moderates' rack rates are more expensive than that compared to the Values."

The TS upgrade is $260, but they also lost their room discount which brought the "cost" up to $500. That makes it $100 per night, and I think you can do a moderate for less than that and DDP would be free with the moderate.

 

[Faldred]

The TS upgrade is $260, but they also lost their room discount which brought the "cost" up to $500. That makes it $100 per night, and I think you can do a moderate for less than that and DDP would be free with the moderate.

They'd still lose the room discount; it's a wash and can be ignored for this purpose. Trust me on the math -- it's what I do.

 

[magicbob]

Apparently, all free DDP pins are not created equal. I would be able to get TS DDP with no upcharge if staying at a Deluxe, but Moderate would still only get me QSDP, so I would be getting a more expensive non-discounted room and still having to pay the $260 for TS.

We will stick with our current package, which I'm happy with.

 

[magicbob]

I've had this nagging feeling about the free dining pin. As I posted above, I was told that if I booked a moderate, I was eligible for free QSDP, but would still have to pay the upcharge fee for DDP (TS). But EVERY post I've ever seen here states that QSDP is free for value and DDP is free for moderate.

Is there such a pin that would only give QSDP free at a moderate? Or do you think the CM gave me incorrect info? I will call WDW back to verify, but before I do, I thought I might check to see if anyone here has encountered this.

 

[BrewTownMickeyFan]

Just back from WDW and the DDP was worth every penny we spent. We brought some food with, and found that we were so satisfied on the dining plan option, that we hardly ever ate anything we brought to snack on. Actually had to throw stuff out that was never eaten.

For our TS meals we did CRT, Ohana, Rose and Crown, Teppan Edo, Shutters and the 50's Diner at Hollywood Studios. Not a bad meal in the lot.

Ate a variety of QS meals, most were good also.

Snacks were better than expected also.

Will definitely do the DDP in the future too!

 

[StuckInKS]

I've had this nagging feeling about the free dining pin. As I posted above, I was told that if I booked a moderate, I was eligible for free QSDP, but would still have to pay the upcharge fee for DDP (TS). But EVERY post I've ever seen here states that QSDP is free for value and DDP is free for moderate.

Is there such a pin that would only give QSDP free at a moderate? Or do you think the CM gave me incorrect info? I will call WDW back to verify, but before I do, I thought I might check to see if anyone here has encountered this.

I just had a PIN, sent to my e-mail, that expired on 4/30. It was for free QSDP at values and mods or free DDP at deluxe and villas. I was surprised when the most recent Memories GP offer included reg DDP at mods.

 

[magicbob]

I just had a PIN, sent to my e-mail, that expired on 4/30. It was for free QSDP at values and mods or free DDP at deluxe and villas. I was surprised when the most recent Memories GP offer included reg DDP at mods.

Well, at least I feel better that the requirement to stay deluxe for free DDP is accurate information. Although it would have been nice if it was wrong and I could have upgraded from QSDP without having to pay any extra fees.