here's what I'm going to do to see if DDP is worth it in 2008

[Rock'n Robin]

When we go this week I'm going to pay careful attention to our meals. I plan on seeing if the cost of the plan is worth it without the appetizer and tip. If we are still in the black cost-wise, fine. If not, we'll book everything separately for next time.
Of course I will share the results of my little experiment.
Robin M.

 

[LizAgna]

Subbing to find out your results. I am very interested in your results!

 

[Wingedheart]

Good plan - I'd like to know what you come up with too

 

[KimWDW]

We just did it on a spreadsheet. I added up the cost of doing the DDP for the three of us with 2008 prices (regular, not deluxe). Then, I went to the allears menus and, using their pricing, did a spreadsheet mock-up of what we would spend in cash.

We would spend more using the 2008 dining plan.

That cinches it for us. No ddp.

Of course, your mileage may vary. I usually order pasta for my meals rather than meat, and I don't eat seafood. That probably has an affect moneywise.

 

[jamstew]

Good plan - I'd like to know what you come up with too

I'd be interested in knowing how it works for a solo traveler. I know it's not the right option for my entire family, but it may very well work for just me.

 

[DisneyLover75]

Great! I'm very interested to hear how it will compare. Thanks for doing the legwork on this!

 

[bicker]

We did the math and came up pretty-much even as compared to the 2008 Dining Plan.

 

[faindrops27]

Robin that will be excellent, and thanks!! Since u are a family of 5,that would be great to see. Since we are a family of 5 too!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I ran figures based on what we picked out last year and what we would have picked if we weren't on the plan. My figures showed that we were close to even or saved a little bit, even if we had to pay a tip. My figures paying OOP included sharing at CS and skipping desserts, etc. Although, my figures on snacks weren't accurate b/c I couldn't remember everything. I did an average of $3 b/c I knew a lot of our choices were less, but a few were probably more. So our choices would be take a 20% increase (tip) or pay out of pocket and do 1-2 or no TS. There's not really any in between for us in savings, unfortunately. Last year, most of our meals were character buffets or family style (LTT, CP, Akershus, Bier, Ohana, CRT). Two were regular sit downs (CR, LeCell). So, only the last two had regular appetizers. I assume the others would still serve the meal the same way. I'm still undecided though b/c 20% is a big increase. I'll probably run the numbers again to see if I made a mistake in figuring savings or lack of.

I'm looking forward to what you find out on your trip too!

Okay I ran some new numbers, and this time, we either broke even with the new plan, saved only a few dollars, or lost a few dollars. I think it will really depend on where someone wants to eat.... this is tough! Can't wait to hear your results...

 

[disneynutz]

The 2008 changes makes it even more important that each family research prior to their trip. The menus are available on several websites. I think that Disney expects us to be lazy and just except their changes.

 

[PatsMom]

We've been doing the math and think that we are enjoying our last trip using the DDP this November. After that, I think we will use the DDE. We average three trips a year and usually did the DDP for one or two (our food trips as DD calls them). But we never get dessert when we don't have the DDP and have been known to tell our server we don't care for dessert even when we do have the plan. We do very much enjoy appetizers and usually order a couple (sometimes DD and I share). So when you consider that we would have to pay OOP for an appetizer and end up with a dessert we won't eat, plus we would then tip, we don't think that the math makes sense. We will go back to what we did before the DDP, breakfast in our villa, counter service lunch, and 2 or 3 nice TS dinners during the week. We'd fill in the other nights with counter service twice in a day. It worked for years and it will work again. There is no way we could use the deluxe plan - way too much food and way too much time in restaurants. I'd be stressed out over where I had to be to eat!

 

[mkross]

PATSMOM....I noticed you're from NH, but have the DDE card. I thought this was reserved for FL residents. Can you clarify for me? We are using DDP for the first (and possibly last) time in 2 weeks and am just curiuos for future visits. Thanks much!

 

[ilovefh]

PATSMOM....I noticed you're from NH, but have the DDE card. I thought this was reserved for FL residents. Can you clarify for me? We are using DDP for the first (and possibly last) time in 2 weeks and am just curiuos for future visits. Thanks much!

not PATSMOM, but also from NH with the DDE. You can also purchase it if you have an annual pass.

 

[PatsMom]

Yes, we are able to buy the DDE because we own annual passes. Since we are DVC members, we also get a discount on the AP. From the research I've done, the DDE is going to work out much better for us than the DDP with the changes.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

The new DDP (Base or Deluxe) is a "no-go" for our family. Also gone is paying rack rate for rooms. We are going to be getting A LOT more room (uh... a house) and staying off site. It's sad.... Oh, well. I'm already searching for other family vacation destinations. From research, our family could go pretty much anywhere else for less.

 

[patsal]

I did the math for my family--if it were just DH and a shorter trip for a special occasion I might consider the nearly $70 DDP. however with very simple math I came to the sensible conclusion that there is no way we would come close to spending nearly $300 per day on food as a family of four on the plan and paying tips. To each their own, but that is over the top for us!