Help, Is DDP A Good Deal

[FFerret]

When I finially did the math and added up all the places (CS and TS) I came up with a figure that showed we would save $70 with DDP.
Which is about what snacks for us would cost.... So, I thought, "Cool--free snacks!"

And then...I noticed that I'd have to pay about $70 for tips for the five dinners.

So, we're going to break even. Come April I'll find out if DDP turns out to be a big hassle or a conenience. Because it's not really a money saver, now is it?

 

[poeticdiabetic]

When I finially did the math and added up all the places (CS and TS) I came up with a figure that showed we would save $70 with DDP.
Which is about what snacks for us would cost.... So, I thought, "Cool--free snacks!"

And then...I noticed that I'd have to pay about $70 for tips for the five dinners.

So, we're going to break even. Come April I'll find out if DDP turns out to be a big hassle or a conenience. Because it's not really a money saver, now is it?

...but would you have to pay for tips if you went OOP? Tipping is a wash, right? Because that number doesn't change if you go OOP or on DDP.

As for savings, the variables are the amount you would pay for meals and drinks, including snacks, versus what you would pay if you paid for them out of pocket.

Oh, and you have to include what you don't pay in taxes.

So, for me, the regular DDP is still a good deal IF I go to restaurants and/or make selections whose total prices are more than what I paid for the DDP. So if my entrees, desserts, drinks, and snacks costs over $38 per day; I come out ahead. If those prices comes at $38 or under, you do not save money.

 

[minniekissedme]

sorry

 

[minniekissedme]

We just did the DDP for 3 adults/2 children in the beginning of Feb.
8 days/7 nites

IF you do the TS meals for dinner you will pay for the plan then and there. Dinner can range from $25-$40 for one credit TS meals. Max it out and get the good stuff! Our average dinners were $154 (Narcoossee's was almost $300) and we tip between 15% and 18%.

QS meals can be stretched by sharing...some of them are easily large enough for two. They can range from $10-$15. And some of the substitutions you can make for these meals (depends where you dine) can really get extra bang for the bucks. The food court at POR I did a mufaletta (entree), sundae (dessert) and milkshake (non-alcoholic beverage) and darn near pleased the whole family!

Stretch the snacks even further by bringing your own water if you can...we flew in w/two cases this year. I paid $2.99 for a case!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll pay $2 a bottle there.

Off of menu prices we saved $500!!!! Having said that...Paying out of pocket we surely wouldn't have ordered desserts for everyone every time we ate dinner. We wouldn't have always dined on the most expensive entrees every nite. But because it was paid for and we knew how to make the most of it, I did eat like Mickey!

Now I would probably have ordered an app here and there and that's my biggest problem with the plan...I would prefer the choice of an app or dessert. I disagree with those that say it would add to the length of the meal. There is plenty of time from order to entree that they can squeeze in the app and not once were we rushed out after dessert.

I believe in the plan...can you tell. happy to talk about it more if you like...PM and we'll go!

 

[DSLTX]

I've done the math for our trip. DDP will cost us $620 (3 adults/1 child - 5 days). JUST TS meals and drinks with tax (not even adding dessert as we likely won't eat dessert every meal) is $515. I know we'll spend a lot more than $105 for CS meals in 5 days for the 4 of us - not to mention a snack here and there. FYI - our TS meals are at Le Cellier; Coral Reef; O'Hona; Mama Melorse FDP and Chef Mickey's Breakfast.

 

[TDC Nala]

...but would you have to pay for tips if you went OOP? Tipping is a wash, right? Because that number doesn't change if you go OOP or on DDP.

This is logical if you are looking at the 2008 basic DDP as compared with paying for meals OOP. But if you're comparing the 2008 plan to the 2007 plan which included the tip, then there's a definite variation in the numbers, because the DDP user now has to budget for tips.

Since the 2007 plan is no longer available, it does make more sense to compare the price of the plan with the price you believe you'd pay OOP without using the plan.

 

[RobPickles]

I was wondering...

Does length of stay factor in to whether or not the DDp or DxDp is cost effective compared to OOP?

We are staying for 13 nights and it seems like a lot of money is being just spent on food. The DDP (for the 2 of us) would cost $987.74 and the DxDP would cost a whopping $1819.74. Seems like a lot to spend on just food.

How much do you budget for food when you go on a vacation?

We used the DDP for the last 2 trips to WDW and we totally took full advantage if not abused the DDP in ways I couldn't imagine. We were eating at great restaurants and getting what I thought to be expensive meals for the DDP daily allowance.

Now with the appetizer and tip gone I know it won't be as great as it was but we were still considering doing it again for the convienence and the fact that we like to try different restaurants.

**Tricia** I already requested the spreadsheet in a PM to you if you didn't already see. Thanks in advance.

What do you guys think?

Rob

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I was wondering...

Does length of stay factor in to whether or not the DDp or DxDp is cost effective compared to OOP?

We are staying for 13 nights and it seems like a lot of money is being just spent on food. The DDP (for the 2 of us) would cost $987.74 and the DxDP would cost a whopping $1819.74. Seems like a lot to spend on just food.

How much do you budget for food when you go on a vacation?

We used the DDP for the last 2 trips to WDW and we totally took full advantage if not abused the DDP in ways I couldn't imagine. We were eating at great restaurants and getting what I thought to be expensive meals for the DDP daily allowance.

Now with the appetizer and tip gone I know it won't be as great as it was but we were still considering doing it again for the convienence and the fact that we like to try different restaurants.

**Tricia** I already requested the spreadsheet in a PM to you if you didn't already see. Thanks in advance.

What do you guys think?

Rob

To me, length of stay is a budgetary issue. To me, if you can afford to stay at WDW for 13 nights, you will probably be able to afford the meal plan. To others (like me) people cannot afford to spend 13 nights. Heck, I cannot afford 13 nights away from work! But DxDDP may put your budget over the top, though.

That being said, my reasoning for eating with the regular DDP as opposed to DxDDP is simple: my eating habits will make the DxDDP less appetizing. Plus, with tips not being included, along with the fact that you have to MAKE your meal plan cost effective, I would have to eat a LOT of expensive food AND pay a great deal in tips.

Plus, I did not want to try to make ADRs for lunches. I simply cannot plan my day that meticulaously.

So DxDDP is just not a good choice for us. Regular DDP will do just fine. And I will only miss appetizers on one of my ADRs: Yak and Yeti. With Boma and Whispering Canyon, I don't need it. Tutto Italia's bread, oils, veggies, and sauces is appetizer enough for me. And Coral Reef's ADR is so early that the dessert will be more important.

 

[septbaby]

I was wondering...

Does length of stay factor in to whether or not the DDp or DxDp is cost effective compared to OOP? I think it could if you would "tire" of eating by the end of the trip. Otherwise I doubt it.

We are staying for 13 nights and it seems like a lot of money is being just spent on food. The DDP (for the 2 of us) would cost $987.74 and the DxDP would cost a whopping $1819.74. Seems like a lot to spend on just food.If you're doing a split stay you could get a different plan with each portion

How much do you budget for food when you go on a vacation? I think if you're "captive" at Disney you simply have to set a plan to eat there and do what works for you.

We used the DDP for the last 2 trips to WDW and we totally took full advantage if not abused the DDP in ways I couldn't imagine. We were eating at great restaurants and getting what I thought to be expensive meals for the DDP daily allowance.Well I guess we should thank you for the changes.

Now with the appetizer and tip gone I know it won't be as great as it was but we were still considering doing it again for the convienence and the fact that we like to try different restaurants. it is still a worthwhile plan

**Tricia** I already requested the spreadsheet in a PM to you if you didn't already see. Thanks in advance.

What do you guys think?

Rob

Not a guy, but you now have my thoughts.

 

[RobPickles]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone! Everyone is welcome to respond. LOL!

We will probably stick to the DDP, but I love entertaining ideas.

Rob

 

[Disney Padawan]

Hello Everyone.

I'm also staying 13 night at WDW and when I calculated the DDP, I figured out that I'm going to be short on credits!!!

I calculated (13 nights for 2 people) that it's 26 snacks, 26 CS and 26 TS. I'm perfect on the snacks, have 2 left over on the TS but I'm 6 credits short on the TS! I have an ADR for CG but that's my only 2 credit meal.

So in my situation, I'm going to end up changing some of my ADR's or just paying the rest OOP.

Not too many people seem to have this problem but as for you, I think once you do the math, it may be worth it.

Have a magical trip.

 

[septbaby]

Hello Everyone.

I'm also staying 13 night at WDW and when I calculated the DDP, I figured out that I'm going to be short on credits!!!

I calculated (13 nights for 2 people) that it's 26 snacks, 26 CS and 26 TS. I'm perfect on the snacks, have 2 left over on the TS but I'm 6 credits short on the TS! I have an ADR for CG but that's my only 2 credit meal.

So in my situation, I'm going to end up changing some of my ADR's or just paying the rest OOP.

Not too many people seem to have this problem but as for you, I think once you do the math, it may be worth it.

Have a magical trip.

Sounds like you have big meal plans with several days with 2TS meals.

If your stay is split you might consider the Deluxe for part of our trip and Basic plan for the other. Also keep in mind that you can change plans during the trip and may decide to cancel some ADRs because you are just too full or don't feel like being bothered with dining TS. I wouldn't pay OOP early in the trip.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Sounds like you have big meal plans with several days with 2TS meals.

If your stay is split you might consider the Deluxe for part of our trip and Basic plan for the other. Also keep in mind that you can change plans during the trip and may decide to cancel some ADRs because you are just too full or don't feel like being bothered with dining TS. I wouldn't pay OOP early in the trip.

I agree.

I've thinking about canceling some of my afternoon ADR's which will leave me short on a couple of CS meals, but I suppose those are cheaper to pay OOP.

All this time I thought I was going to have food left over.

All well.

 

[mikkiwikki]

Not sure if I sent this to you already, but I have a DDP document in Excel.

What you do is go through the menus of the places that you plan to eat at and enter what you want to eat.

You also need to make a few adjustments to the formulas so your number of days on the DDP or DxDDP are figured correctly. I have instructions on how to do that in the email that comes with the attachment.

What it does for you is calculates the cost OOP including tax and gratuities. It compares this cost to the cost of the DDP and DxDDP and tells you which is the best deal for you.

It figures things like the appetizer is not included on the DDP, but is on the DxDDP, and even adds in the average snack costs for you (OOP, DDP and DxDDP)

Let me know if you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet, I'd be happy to send it to you. Just PM your email address to me.

TRICIA - id love your excel spreadsheet if you could SHARE it with me?

 

[poohluvrs]

TRICIA - id love your excel spreadsheet if you could SHARE it with me?

me too please me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wayneturbeville]

should i buy the ddp if we plan on just counter service? do we have to tip for counter service?