Help the math is hurting! DDP VS TIW

[aceys_h0ney]

We are probably going to get APs next year so we have the option of getting the TIW card. We are planning 1 big vacation (7 days) and at least two smaller ones. 1 of the small trips will just be hubby and I for the F&W festival the other will be a 2 or 3 day trip around Christmastime. We won't necessarily eat a lot of TS meals on the small trips since they are budget trips.

We love the DDP, however I'm wondering if we won't save more with the TIW. My only concern is that the TIW discount is only for TS meals, we typically do 1 CS and 1 TS a day. I tried doing a sample itenerary but made my head hurt. There are 6 of us, we will have 5 Disney adults and 1 child. I'm a little scared to go without the DDP and spend more money. What do you guys think? I'm leaning towards the TIW and cutting out some CS meals, but my family really loves Disney dining. They love using their snack credits and getting dessert with lunch, however if I'm paying cash these are things we would not normally buy. I would also cut out sodas if paying cash we don't need it anyway and it costs a lot to get 6 people sodas when water is free and better in the FL sun.

 

[sharonabe]

For my family, OOP even without the TIW is always cheaper BECAUSE we don't eat desserts or drink sodas.

However, it sounds like your family is used to doing so at least when they are at Disney. How will they respond when you tell them they can't do it this time? Will they be satisfied with sharing a dessert or two? Will it lessen the enjoyment for them. OR will they not really miss it especially if they know ahead of time that it will be different.

If you plan a couple buffets and maybe a F! Dinner pkg or Candlelight Processional dinner pkg, then they still get their sodas and desserts at a few meals.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

Sorry I was away for awhile and just remembered I posted this. I think at first they might be bummed about not living high on the hog on vacation but they are pretty good at compromise. Plus whether they will admit it or not with the deserts they only take a few bites, I think if I let them splurge a few times it will sofen the blow. I just saw that the DDP has gone up again for next year so it's really not looking like a good deal for us anymore if we go with APs. That is unless we get free dining again for June like we did in 2010. Thanks for the input on saving more with TIW. I found a spreadsheet here that is really neat so when we are closer to booking and know where we are planning on eating I will plug it all in and see what our final numbers are.

We jumped from 3 Disney adults to 5 since two of our kids are over 10 now where they were under on our last trip so the price jump has a bit of a sticker shock to it. It was certainly a better deal when we had more kids then adults.

 

[MissJanice]

Seems like if your kids don't want true antrees and would be happy (or prefer kids meals) then the DDP wouldn't be your best option. At least with TIW you will still get the discount on their kids meals...

 

[goofy4tink]

Sit down with menus in hand, so to speak. List where you're likely to eat, and note the cost. Okay...so now you have a day by day listing of where you'll eat (CS and TS), and what you'll eat and the subsequent cost, including any tips (TS). Total it up...that's your total, normal out of pocket cost if you didn't do any type of dining plan or discount.

Then, list how much the ddp will cost you for your stay, and then add in the appropriate tips (each TS meal). Now, you have your ddp cost.

Now...add up your Tiw costs....remember to add in the cost of getting the card to begin with. Then, total up your actual dining costs, but don't figure on any tips. That's your total using the TiW. Why no tips??? They add an 18% tip to TiW checks...and you've just saved 20%, so it's almost a wash.

Now, compare the various costs...and there's your answer.