First time trying the DDP in quite a few years

[LSUfan4444]

We're doing three nights at WDW prior to our cruise in May and staying in a studio at the Boardwalk. Once I started planning my ADR's (book on Nov 20) the numbers started crunching in my head. I already had three TS planned, we wouldn't have a car so would depend more on park snacks and counter services for other meals.

Two adults, one child and we're looking at needing a counter service on arrival day, Spirit of Aloha that evening (paying OOP). Day 1 we are planning on Sci Fi Drive in and would need a counter service. Day 2 we had Marrakesh planned and would need a counter service and day 3 we planned on eating Cape May before departing down to Port Canaveral.

I've used the calculators and am CLOSE to breaking even (like $30 difference) but not having to worry about bringing snacks into the parks kinda makes that a wash.

The only thing that really concerns is is on arrival day I want to do the 5:15 Spirit of Aloha and I know we won't three counter service options if we wait to eat until we hit our resort so we may end up using a counter service option for breakfast on day 1 or 2 of the trip.

Any thoughts or something I may be missing?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The TS you're doing, generally, are lower value TS -- in other words, they're more modestly-priced TS that will be either close to, or under, break-even for DDP. So that's why you're seeing the numbers you're seeing. You would see more wild numbers if you had a non-breakfast character meal planned.

 

[LSUfan4444]

That makes sense.

 

[powellrj]

I would also wait to see if there is a price change before you go to if you are that close.

 

[TsLoveMickey]

Editing; I see you said you'd pay OOP for Spirit of Aloha. I don't think the value of the other restaurants would be worth getting the dining plan, but that's just my opinion!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Editing; I see you said you'd pay OOP for Spirit of Aloha. I don't think the value of the other restaurants would be worth getting the dining plan, but that's just my opinion!

This is where I am at so far....

DDP costs would be $476.

My "estimates" for Cape May, Marrakesh and Sci Fi and three counter services has us around $350. On to that add the $36 we would spend on two resort mugs for coffee in the morning and I am at $386. From I would need to spend about $90 on snack item and breakfast to break even (which breaks down to $10 per day).

Not disagreeing but curious were I am looking at this wrong....are you saying my math is off? I don't want to miss anything.

Thanks again.

 

[Hopefully]

I think your math is correct. I believe many here on the DIS are simply anti DDP.
WE - 3 adults- always get it. I find we either just break even or save a little.
Good Luck

 

[NicoleLarson]

Remember in 2017 dessert is NOT included with CS meals, it's only entree and a drink. If you weren't on the DP would you all get dessert at Sci-fi and Marrakesh? Are you DVC or AP? Remember to add in any discounts. I don't think that anyone is saying you can't add but the places you are eating at are lower cost places, therefore they tend to not be a "good value" on the plan. Most entrees at Sci-fi are less than $20. So take a $15 sandwich, an $8 Dessert and a $3 drink. Your meal would only cost you $26, since you're paying $67 that day, it would be impossible to break even. However if you got the $33 steak, you are at $44 for the meal. Say $13 for a CS meal and 2, $5 snacks and now you've broke even for the day. So it really depends on what you order.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Exactly that.

For instance, at Sci-Fi would you order an entree AND a drink AND a dessert/milkshake? Or, if paying OOP, would you possibly get an entree, a milkshake and a water?

 

[supersnoop]

I've used the calculators and am CLOSE to breaking even (like $30 difference) but not having to worry about bringing snacks into the parks kinda makes that a wash.

I don't understand your point here. Are you close to break even when you include the snacks? If so, then you've already calculated purchasing snacks inside the park. The idea of bringing snacks in shouldn't have any impact on your decision here.

The one child price really helps to subsidize the dining plan. You might come out ahead if the dining plan matches the way you want to eat.

Have you plugged in your numbers to wee.distripplanner.com?

 

[LSUfan4444]

If you weren't on the DP would you all get dessert at Sci-fi and Marrakesh?

No, we never order dessert with counter service or with dinner. We fully plan to swap out the dessert for soup/salad when applicable.

Are you DVC or AP? Remember to add in any discounts

No. No AP or TIW options for us.

For instance, at Sci-Fi would you order an entree AND a drink AND a dessert/milkshake? Or, if paying OOP, would you possibly get an entree, a milkshake and a water?

No, likely we would get one app or salad, three entrees and one tea/soft drink.

I estimated our Sci Fi OOP cost to be about $60 (Veggie Burger, Ribs, kids cheeseburger, one salad and one iced tea). That would leave me about $98 left on three counter services and 6 snacks on the day I have our "cheapest" table service. Should I opt for a cheaper option than the ribs (say Turkey sandwich) I may not break even but I am close for sure.

I don't understand your point here. Are you close to break even when you include the snacks? If so, then you've already calculated purchasing snacks inside the park. The idea of bringing snacks in shouldn't have any impact on your decision here.

It does factor in for me because without the DDP I would bring my own snacks into the parks so that factors in to my total food cost. Additionally, my thought was that not bringing snacks also adds to convenience so if I am CLOSE to breaking even, I am gaining time each morning not making sandwiches, packing backpacks with snacks, etc.

Is that outlook off base?

Have you plugged in your numbers to

Yes..it's got me about $52 in the red without table and counter service options, one snack per day each, one app with table service and two refillable mugs, but my thought was that $52 is what I would end up spending on snacks and food to take in the parks and/or breakfast in the room. Am I looking at that wrong?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The problem with the Dining Plan calculator is that it assumes you eat like the dining plan would have you eat. From the sounds of it, you don't.

 

[supersnoop]

It does factor in for me because without the DDP I would bring my own snacks into the parks so that factors in to my total food cost. Additionally, my thought was that not bringing snacks also adds to convenience so if I am CLOSE to breaking even, I am gaining time each morning not making sandwiches, packing backpacks with snacks, etc

Is that outlook off base?

Maybe.

When you calculated your break-even, did you compare the cost of buying snacks? Or did you compare the expense of bringing snacks? That $30 difference may already reflect the expense of purchasing snacks in the parks, so you don't actually gain any convenience for that price.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Maybe.

When you calculated your break-even, did you compare the cost of buying snacks? Or did you compare the expense of bringing snacks? That $30 difference may already reflect the expense of purchasing snacks in the parks, so you don't actually gain any convenience for that price.

Well, I calculated it two different ways. When I did the calculations myself (not using the web based calculator) for what I THINK we would order at the three table service and counter service options we're looking at I come up about $90 short. That's before we spend any money at all on snacks or resort mugs. $36 on resort mugs leaves me about $60 on snacks to hit a break even dollar amount.

I appreciate all the feedback. I have not found a way the DDP would work for us in over 7 years but this trip is a little different leading into the cruise. From a $ it looks like we're on the right track and I haven't mis judged anything too terribly bad.

Thanks again.

 

[mickeygirl78]

I love the dining plan. It sounds like you've weighed it out with how you eat and it will break even once you factor those snacks in. Just for the added convienience I would get it.

 

[bumbershoot]

does factor in for me because without the DDP I would bring my own snacks into the parks so that factors in to my total food cost. Additionally, my thought was that not bringing snacks also adds to convenience so if I am CLOSE to breaking even, I am gaining time each morning not making sandwiches, packing backpacks with snacks, etc.

Is that outlook off base?

If all you're doing is breaking even with everything vaccounted for, if you're hoping for swapping dessert, if you wouldn't otherwise get a mug for your child (you mention buying two mugs for coffee-by the way would you buy enough individual coffees to actually make the mug worth it?-not three so I don't think you would have bought another)... Well you're pretty much simply paying for everything you're buying.

So why not just put that money aside and directly pay for it all?

If you had expensive TS meals and you didn't swap and you got exactly what the dining plan gives you *anyeay*, and the snacks were basically free, then it makes sense. But the numbers I'm seeing have you barely breaking even and changing things and not getting everything you're entitled to, and to me that just calls out to fully budget that money without throwing it at the dining plan , eat how you want to eat, pay for those snacks (don't bring them), and you'll likely have some money left.


At the very least run the numbers including the snacks and do it exactly how you would normally eat. See the full story.

No, we never order dessert with counter service or with dinner. We fully plan to swap out the dessert for soup/salad when applicable.

Is that allowed? I remember reading that it was supposed to be but then I thought I kept reading that it wasn't.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

At TS that offer the option, you can switch out. Not every TS offers the option. For instance, I don't believe Sci Fi does. Heck, they encourage you to get two desserts!

In general, if you have to assume non-universally available swaps to make it work, you may be setting yourself up for issues

 

[NicoleLarson]

At TS that offer the option, you can switch out. Not every TS offers the option. For instance, I don't believe Sci Fi does. Heck, they encourage you to get two desserts!

In general, if you have to assume non-universally available swaps to make it work, you may be setting yourself up for issues

I couldn't agree with this more. The whole swap thing has been very sketchy to say the least, I'm not even sure the 2017 brochure has that language in it. You may very well end up not being able to swap and then getting desserts cause you paid for them but you don't even want them. In addition you'll be spending more money OOP for the apps that you really DO want. If convenience is a factor just put what you would spend on the DDP on a Disney gift card and I would bet you'll have some leftover (tips excluded).