Has anyone actually done the math on DDP v. paying OOP?

[wizzzzzard]

My recent catch-phrase is "Use a plan if it fits your dining, don't fit your dining to use a plan". It pretty much emcompasses the idea that if you dine the way the plans are designed, there's a very good chance of saving money. If you force your dining wants to fit the plan, then either you're going to spend more than you would, or just not have quite the experience you had intended.

Could not agree more. For my family, dining out is a key part of our vacation. The dining plan works for us, becuase we happen to dine in a way that fits the plan. We don't do a lot of the places that I call "double-dips" (2 TS credits), becuase, well frankly, the menus there don't appeal to us. So it really works for us.

Doh, the person who posted while I did reminded me about tax.

I rounded it up. Half penny on each dollar, knocks my figures down about $0.20.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Thanks all. To answer some questions, we are staying for that portion of our trip, four nights.

The dinners I have scheduled are:

Liberty tree Tavern
Garden Grill
Mama Melrose
Boma

There are two adults and one under three. So based upon Cafeen's math, does it seem better to do DDP? I'm so bad with numbers!

 

[KELLY]

For me we are doing the qsdp and added 3 adr's one is rainforest not on the dining plan. I think the cost was around 75.00 a day. We probably won't save a ton but I figure it is paid for. I'm paying for the 2 adr's out of pocket. But if we did the dining plan we would be spending around 200.00 in tips for 10 days. Plus another 200.00 for the plan. I also will be a rainforest GC before we leave.

I figured on the high side. Meal and drink around 15.00 we usally don't do desert. So most of the time will skip them. I cushioned a little for tax.

4 adult cs meals a day 60.00
2 kids meals a day 10.00
Snacks 21.00or so

This is around 91.00 a day. Dh and I aren't huge snack people but my kids are one is still free. So I'm sure my kids will eat the extra snacks. I will probably use one snack a day. The extra cs meal credits from doing adr's I will grab my younger dd a meal.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've done the math twice. In 2006 there was four of us, and was back when appetizer, dessert, and tip were included. We saved several hundred dollars compared to eating that same amount of food and paying OOP.

In 2009 there were 11 of us (7 adults, 3 children, 1 under 3 so she didn't count), and even without appetizer and tip, we saved over $1,000.

This is from our trip report in 2009:

FINAL DINING PLAN TOTALS:

This brings us, (drumroll please) to our final totals for food for the week. We used all 70 of our TS, CS, and Snack Credits.

We spent $122.37 out of pocket, mostly on alcoholic drinks and appetizers.

We spent $456.10 on tips.

We spent $2190 on the dining plan. If we hadn't been on the dining plan, we would have spent $3261.89. Now, it could be argued that we wouldn't have gotten desserts everywhere if they weren't included. It could definitely be argued that we wouldn't have gone on that last $100 snack shopping spree. But saving $1071.89 still feels like a big deal to me!

FYI: The $3261.89 was without the $122.37 OOP or the $456.10 in tips.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

So based upon Cafeen's math, does it seem better to do DDP? I'm so bad with numbers!

It looks like without Mama Melrose, you break even.

So you will save money. How much depends on basically how expensive the items are that you get at Mama Melrose.

Note: This assumes that if you weren't on the dining plan that you would pay for a dessert at each meal. And that you also don't get any appetizers.

 

[ibcnu]

We did a comparison and found that the DDP was not cost effective, neither is free dining, no one in the family is 9 or younger!

We planned out where we want to dine and we enjoy TS character breakfasts and California Grill and Hoop Dee Doo dining. The credits alone don't add up to the days we plan on being on-site, so we are happy to pay out-of-pocket at places we really enjoy eating at, not because we can fill up on apps, entrees, desserts, etc.

 

[BriarRosie]

We've looked at TIW, and when I've done the math, it just doesn't add up for us. Sure it'll pay for itself if you eat at V & A...but we don't eat there, lol. There's no TiW discount at counter service places, either, so it's not like you're getting a 2% discount on everything.

Because you would have paid more than $375 for your meals, TiW would have saved you money overall, including tips into the bundle. Your costs from DDP didn't factor in the amount you paid in addition with the tips. TiW would have saved you money.

And there are CS places that accept it. All the Value resort food courts, POFQ food court, the CS at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Cafeen]

Thanks all. To answer some questions, we are staying for that portion of our trip, four nights.

The dinners I have scheduled are:

Liberty tree Tavern
Garden Grill
Mama Melrose
Boma

There are two adults and one under three. So based upon Cafeen's math, does it seem better to do DDP? I'm so bad with numbers!

Based upon my math, if you paid for MM with dining credits, then yes, DDP would be a better value. If you're not paying for MM with dining credits, it's pretty much break even with some savings on the OOP side if you don't get desserts with QS meals.

Note: This assumes that if you weren't on the dining plan that you would pay for a dessert at each meal. And that you also don't get any appetizers.

I did purposely leave off TS desserts and appetizers, since the 3 restaurants I took into consideration where all AYCE and none of them have separate apps or desserts. .

 

[Vohdre]

We went 2 years ago during Free Dining and then upgraded to the DxDP. I sat down and did the math for what it the DxDP would have cost vs what the food we ate would have cost and it saved me about 35%. Now if we weren't on a DP then I never would have ordered a lot of those appetizers or deserts, but hey, it's vacation!

 

[wizzzzzard]

Thanks all. To answer some questions, we are staying for that portion of our trip, four nights.

The dinners I have scheduled are:

Liberty tree Tavern
Garden Grill
Mama Melrose
Boma

There are two adults and one under three. So based upon Cafeen's math, does it seem better to do DDP? I'm so bad with numbers!

OK. So, I pulled the numbers from Allears.net. Since your child is under 3, he/she doesn't count anywhere for food. Heck, I'm not sure they even charge them to get into the park!

LTT: Adults $29.99 x 2 = $59.98
GG: Adults 30.99 x2 = $61.98
MM: Adults: $32.99 x2 = $65.98
(Assuming you take the Fantasmic package. This could break down less if you order ala carte off the menu.)
B: Adults $30.88 x2 = $61.76

$59.98
$61.98
$65.98
$61.76
$249.70
add 6.5% tax
Total: $265.93

Now, you are paying $84 for you 2 ($42 x2). 4 nights = 4 x $84= $336

A difference, so far of $70.07. You each get 4 counter service meals, and 4 snack credits over your 4 days. So that's 8 & 8.

As you saw in my earlier example, even a buger combo meal, and a large drink can cost over $15. But let's say you don't do that. Just the cheapest meals possible and a milk.

Cosmic Rays:
Hot Dog: 6.59
Milk 1.49
8.08 + 6.5% tax = 8.61
8.61
17.22 for you two for lunch.

Do this (or something else this cheap) for all 4 days. 17.22 x 4 = 68.88

So look at this way. You've spent 265.93 on your 4 dinners. You've spent 68.88 on your 4 lunches.

Total: $68.88 + $265.93 = $334.81

You paid $336 for your dining plan.

$336 - $334.81 = $1.19

And we still (!) haven't factored in your 8 snack credits among you. Basically 7 of your snacks are free. And the 8th, is costing you $1.19. Or the fact that you get desserts at lunch. Those are all free too. If you look at it my way. Plus you don't have to have hot dogs and milk at each lunch. You could have a double cheesburger. Or a BBQ rib and chicken combo. Or anything else that cost more than $6.59 for lunch.

 

[daisyyy]

I've done the math twice. In 2006 there was four of us, and was back when appetizer, dessert, and tip were included. We saved several hundred dollars compared to eating that same amount of food and paying OOP.

In 2009 there were 11 of us (7 adults, 3 children, 1 under 3 so she didn't count), and even without appetizer and tip, we saved over $1,000.

This is from our trip report in 2009:



FYI: The $3261.89 was without the $122.37 OOP or the $456.10 in tips.

Wow... that's great math. But as so many people have mentioned before, and this is a topic that is often debated, the answer always comes down to this... it really does depend on your family, and what you plan to do. Bottom line... if you're going, and want to save money.. than don't get the plan... you can do it for less... by ordering snacks, eating mostly CS, sharing, no desserts, eating at the hotel... but for the experience... take the plan, try different places, eat anything you want without regard to the cost, and don't have to worry about carrying extra cash. it's paid for upfront. For our family of 6... it's a HUGE savings for us. But... here's what I think.. It's Disney, and while we're there, lets go all out, and splurge... let the kids order the filet if they want, or nuggets if they prefer... but not having to worry about the cost or carrying around money.. it's already paid for up front... then, when the kids ask for snacks.. or ice cream... sure kids.. what ever you want.! I think overall, sometimes, if we paid out of pocket it might be a little cheaper becuase then, we probably wouldn't get all the desserts, and snacks, and they might even share a pizza instead of getting each one.. but when you're on the plan... who cares, let them get whatever. so without the plan.. we'd definately get less.... do we need the more?? probably not, but for the convenience of it, we just go with it... plus we'll eat at places that we might not have tried otherwise.. I know with the plan, we do a TS each day... without the plan, we might only do 1 or 2 TS, and the rest counter services.... the thing with the plan... it takes more time away from the park.. which may be a good thing if you want a break, but if you want to hit eveything and just grab something quick, then maybe no plan..... I 've said this before... This is Disney... and they probably have a whole bunch of number crunchers doing the math so it comes out really close.... .. chances are... it's to thier advantage, but they make it seem like you're getting a deal... or.. I bet they have the exact figures on how many times they have lost money on a plan, vs make money on a plan... In general... they're overpriced anyway for OOP, so they make up for thier loses on the quantity they sell. Or maybe they figure, they'll get your money on other items if you save it on the food. But I guarantee they have acountants who know exactly which is the way to go. Like I said.. fo us, a family of 6... it's a nice deal. Disney doesn't do anything without a purpose..

 

[goofy4tink]

I just went through our 7/31-8/8 ADRs, as well as CS costs. My overall costs come to 1127. I already have the TiW card, which has already paid for itself..so that is a non-issue. That $1127 is for everything we would pay to eat...we don't snack very much, so I only allotted a very small amount for that. I don't add a tip at these meals simply because the 20% TiW becomes my tip.

The DDP, at $48 pp, peak season, comes to $1152 for three of us..all adults.
Then I have to add in my OOP costs....$215 for meals out of the DDP, and about $202 for tips, since that isn't covered with DDP anymore...that cost now comes to $1569.

I have compared apples to apples. I changed nothing when comparing costs. For us the difference is sizable....even if we had just bought the TiW card, which would add $75 to my overall non-DDP costs.

 

[mjp12831]

Did the math for upcoming 7 night trip in July - DDP saves us 35% over posted menu costs. This said, I think we picked 7 of the more expensive single credit TS.

It takes almost no time to do - you have to make your TS reservations whether you are on DDP or not, so pick your TS and make the reservations. Find those menu's and take an average meal cost for each one. Add them up, then figure $13 pp per day for the QS and Snack points for each adult and $10 pp per day per child. Come to a total cost.

Have your agent (or use WDW site) to see what the additional cost of the DDP is on your package.

Compare and calculate the savings.

 

[2binak]

I do the math for our family for every trip, based on where we would like to eat and what we would most likely order at each TS and CS. For us, neither DDP has been worth the cost so we pay OOP. It's going to be different for each family though so you really should do your own math based on sample menus you can find online.

 

[catne]

Because you would have paid more than $375 for your meals, TiW would have saved you money overall, including tips into the bundle. Your costs from DDP didn't factor in the amount you paid in addition with the tips. TiW would have saved you money.

And there are CS places that accept it. All the Value resort food courts, POFQ food court, the CS at Animal Kingdom.

This is not correct...the $375 figure is the point at which you break-even on the cost of the card...$375 in food - 20% = $75 which is the cost of the card. You have to spend $375 to even START saving money on the card. '

OK, there seems to be a very common misperception that using TiW will always save more money than any other discount. The TiW will always save you money over paying cash with no discount. But other than that, the truth is, it’s like every other Disney discount and special promotion: YMMV.

It really depends on the actual circumstances. If the dining plan does not match the way you want to eat, then of course it’s not going to save you any money. If you’d rather order 3 appetizers for a meal, and your dining plan does not include any appetizers, then obviously the dining plan would be a very bad fit, and you’d save a lot of money using TiW.

But here’s the actual math for one of the days on our recent trip (this was a day we ate breakfast, lunch & dinner on the DxDDP) These are the actual totals for our meals, not some hypothetical “if you ordered this, this & this“ scenario. I‘m looking at the actual receipts, here. There were 3 adults, on the deluxe dining plan. We ordered what we wanted…the plan happens to fit us just fine. For the sake of argument, let’s assume we have already reached the break-even point to cover the original $75 cost of the TiW card so now we’re just into the pure-discount period. We had breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch at Tony’s and dinner at the Kona Cafe

If we used the TiW card:

Breakfast:$67.08 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $53.67...PLUS 18% auto tip = $63.32 cash total OOP
Lunch: $101.92 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $81.54...PLUS 18% auto tip = $96.21 cash total OOP
Dinner $128.99 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $103.92...PLUS 18% auto tip = $121.77 cash total OOP
Snacks, $10 cash, no discount

So if we had used the TiW card for our food that day, our total cost after getting the TiW discount would have been $291.30 cash.

On the DxDDP…no discount on the bills, of course. So the total of those 3 meals + the snacks would have been $67.08 + $101.92 + $128.99 + $10= $307.99. That looks like the TiW discount beats it…EXCEPT we did not pay $307.99 for our food that day. We actually just paid $215.97 for 3 adults Dx Dining Plan Plus a total of $64 tips (actual tips total for that day) So our actual cost for food that day using the Deluxe plan, including taxes & tips was $279.97

Using the deluxe plan saved us MORE than using TiW would have…we saved an additional $11.33 by using the DxDDP. So, moral of the story: you have to do the math based on your own preferences & circumstances, and actual numbers of what you want to eat & where. There’s no perfect formula that will always work out that one discount or plan is always better than another. For us, the dining plan works out better, every time I check the math. For you, maybe not.

 

[jojomoore]

I have done the math for my family. We went to WDW last year and used the dining plan. Both of my girls were 9 years old at the time. I found that i really did not care for all the restrictions and hassel of keeping up with credits that come with the DDP. So we decided not to use the DDP this year. I have made all of my ADRs and estimated what the cost of each meal will be for what we would normally eat. I, then, added the tax and tip to the cost and added the cost of snacks and counter service meals. I found that the total cost OOP is slightly less than what we would have to pay for 4 adults on DDP( now that my daughters are 10.) We have adrs for Cape May Breakfast, Crystal Palace Breakfast, Tusker House Breakfast, Yatchsmans' Steakhouse Dinner, Yak & Yeti Dinner, Kona Cafe Dinner, 1900 Fare Dinner, and California Grill Dinner. We do not plan on eating at a CS every day. We will see ofcourse when we take our vacation how close we get to our estimate.

To me the DDP is truly a hassel. Last Year My daughters were very upset when they could only eat from the childs menu at CS and TS restaurants(because that is what we had paid for in advance). ALL CMs were very strict about it too.
I could have allowed them to order off adult menu but then credits would have remained and extra expense would have been incurred. We did have unused CS and snack credits left over. We bought snacks from the resort store before we left just to keep our snack credits from going to waste but ran out of time to use our CS credits. Taking my daughters age into consideration, not being on the dining plan will allow them to order from the adult or childs menu and even share a plate if they would like.

 

[CruznLexi]

We do the Dining Plan just the basic one. We did deluxe and could not eat that much. The basic we always eat and I try and save my snacks for the aloha aisle. We typically eat at Biertgarten, Boma, Ohana, and have lunch at Mara.

 

[BriarRosie]

This is not correct...the $375 figure is the point at which you break-even on the cost of the card...$375 in food - 20% = $75 which is the cost of the card. You have to spend $375 to even START saving money on the card. '

Yes, that's the reason I mentioned $375, to cover the break even point for the cost of the card. Anything else spent becomes savings above the cost of the card.

OK, there seems to be a very common misperception that using TiW will always save more money than any other discount. The TiW will always save you money over paying cash with no discount. But other than that, the truth is, it’s like every other Disney discount and special promotion: YMMV.

It really depends on the actual circumstances. If the dining plan does not match the way you want to eat, then of course it’s not going to save you any money. If you’d rather order 3 appetizers for a meal, and your dining plan does not include any appetizers, then obviously the dining plan would be a very bad fit, and you’d save a lot of money using TiW.

And that's why I tend to avoid DDP. I do like having appetizers as my meal. And any wine/alcohol I order with my meal is also covered within the discount.

But here’s the actual math for one of the days on our recent trip (this was a day we ate breakfast, lunch & dinner on the DxDDP) These are the actual totals for our meals, not some hypothetical “if you ordered this, this & this“ scenario. I‘m looking at the actual receipts, here. There were 3 adults, on the deluxe dining plan. We ordered what we wanted…the plan happens to fit us just fine. For the sake of argument, let’s assume we have already reached the break-even point to cover the original $75 cost of the TiW card so now we’re just into the pure-discount period. We had breakfast at Crystal Palace, lunch at Tony’s and dinner at the Kona Cafe

If we used the TiW card:

Breakfast:$67.08 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $53.67...PLUS 18% auto tip = $63.32 cash total OOP
Lunch: $101.92 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $81.54...PLUS 18% auto tip = $96.21 cash total OOP
Dinner $128.99 total bill - 20% TiW discount = $103.92...PLUS 18% auto tip = $121.77 cash total OOP
Snacks, $10 cash, no discount

So if we had used the TiW card for our food that day, our total cost after getting the TiW discount would have been $291.30 cash.

On the DxDDP…no discount on the bills, of course. So the total of those 3 meals + the snacks would have been $67.08 + $101.92 + $128.99 + $10= $307.99. That looks like the TiW discount beats it…EXCEPT we did not pay $307.99 for our food that day. We actually just paid $215.97 for 3 adults Dx Dining Plan Plus a total of $64 tips (actual tips total for that day) So our actual cost for food that day using the Deluxe plan, including taxes & tips was $279.97

Using the deluxe plan saved us MORE than using TiW would have…we saved an additional $11.33 by using the DxDDP. So, moral of the story: you have to do the math based on your own preferences & circumstances, and actual numbers of what you want to eat & where. There’s no perfect formula that will always work out that one discount or plan is always better than another. For us, the dining plan works out better, every time I check the math. For you, maybe not.

That's a pretty close margin of savings. And I'm glad you're factoring tips into your math, because many other people are not factoring them into their total cost. I think that the dining preferences have a lot to do with choosing DDP vs. TiW. If you don't want the dessert for every meal, and order appetizers as a meal (like we've mentioned), TiW would be the way to go. Especially if there will be multiple trips, drink alcohol at meals, or cover a large party with the discount. Not to mention splurging at Victoria and Albert's. That alone would justify the cost of the card to me.

But since your eating habits make the DDP more desirable, and you save a little extra, then I can understand why the DDP is better for you. I'll be doing the DDP for the first time next month because I'm outvoted by the friends I'm staying with at OKW. I'm not thrilled that the entire party has to opt in or nobody can. I'll consider it a learning experience.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We HAVE to have the dining plan. I am on Vacation, so no shopping, cooking, planning for me I wanna be "served"
If its not Free, we pay for it. The Deluxe is Overkill for us, the basic works fine, actually works Great! We're three Adults for the meal plan....the only thing I ever hear negative about the plan is the kids choices at many restaurants that are not buffets.....so I think it all is a very personal family decision. Type of eaters, what you need TS versus CS.
Again, We Love it and would never consider a trip without it!

 

[girls]

We're going to Disney in the fall (a day AFTER free dining!) and so many people have expressed feelings of "why WOULDN'T you do the dining plan?!?!" to us. We've thought about it a lot, and are confident that not doing the dining plan is the best choice (although if we were getting there a day early to do free dining, I guess we would, but no way would we use all the credits.)

Here's out reasons not to:
-My daughter has a lot of food allergies, and although I know a lot of people have had great experiences with CS, I'm just not there yet. This will be our 1st trip with eating out daily, and that's nerve wracking enough!
-We preferred to stay in a villa (are staying in BLT.) Using the kitchen was great justification for that splurge. We can easily do cereal before we leave, sandwiches for lunch, snacks, etc.
-We are doing 1 meal out a day, and 2 of those (Narcoosee's & Citricos) are 2 TS credits on the dining plan.
-We don't drink soda, and my kids rarely drink juice, so the drink credits would go to waste. My husband & I either drink water or wine / beer / mixed drinks.
-My kids are little (they'll be almost 4 & 2 on the trip) but they like food. A lot. I can't imagine restricting them to the things on the kids' menu. Going to an awesome seafood restaurant and ordering chicken nuggets?! Not for my little foodies.
-We did the math, and our way will save us money. There's no way we'd eat all the TS, drink & snack credits on the meal plan, so it'd also be very wasteful.

Good luck deciding!