I did the Math!!!

[laura001]

I just sat and figured things out for DH and I:

Dinner at Coral Reef under DDP:

entre x 2 46.98

dessert (share or not even have dessert) 7.99

we always drink water and have a glass of wine

= $ 54.97 x 6.5 (tax, 3.57) = 58.54

out of pocket we would pay for 1 or 2 app's = 16.98 +1.10(tax) = $18.08
+ tip (14.00) = $32.00 out of pocket for dinner.

counter service under DDP - 2 lunch approx. $25.00 (with entre, dessert and drink)

snack under DDP = $6.00

Total for day 37.99x 2 = 75.98 + 32.00 (from dinner) = $107.98

Without plan:

Dinner:
2 apps 16.98
2 entre 46.98
share dessert 7.99
= 71.95 + 4.68 (tax) = 76.63 + tip (14.00) = 90.63

+ 2 snacks 6.00

+ counter service - ( 2 entre, 2 drinks) $ 18.18 + 1.18(tax) = 21.45

Total = $118.08

So, I guess that is still a savings of $10.10 for that day.

Hmmm......will still have to think about it, it just seems like a pain in the butt to have to carry cash for that stuff.

 

[laura001]

sorry double post

 

[ChrisMouse]

Like previous posters, I truly think each family needs to do the math for themselves.

I did THREE different spreadsheets, with scenarios at different restaurants (I chose places and food items I KNEW we would choose, since we are picky and not adventurous eaters & would rarely choose the most expensive entrees), etc, including character meals, etc., and we averaged $88-147 savings total over a 7 day trip by doing the DDP.

HOWEVER, I decided NOT to go with the DDP, despite the small savings we would see...

My DS7 is a very picky eater, and wouldn't always like the children's menu choices, so it would be a headache to make sure we always chose a CS restaurant with a kids meal that he would like without roaming all over the park.

In addition, we are working VERY hard on healthy eating, so eating a dessert at EVERY meal would just not be a good choice for us, especially since we LOVE having Dole Whips, Mickey ice creams, etc...

I am sure that I will make at LEAST one or two more spreadsheets between now and May...just to make SURE of my decision, and we may go with the DDE (we're AP holders)...except we have TWO character meals planned on Mother's Day (blackout day).

Anyway, it just varies by family, depending on your plans & habits. I'm glad the DDP still works for so many. I'm sure we'd go that route if not for my picky son.

 

[LSchrow]

I just sat and figured things out for DH and I:
Dinner at Coral Reef under DDP:
entre x 2 46.98
dessert (share or not even have dessert) 7.99
we always drink water and have a glass of wine
= $ 54.97 x 6.5 (tax, 3.57) = 58.54
out of pocket we would pay for 1 or 2 app's = 16.98 +1.10(tax) = $18.08
+ tip (14.00) = $32.00 out of pocket for dinner.
counter service under DDP - 2 lunch approx. $25.00 (with entre, dessert and drink)
snack under DDP = $6.00
Total for day 37.99x 2 = 75.98 + 32.00 (from dinner) = $107.98
Without plan:
Dinner:
2 apps 16.98
2 entre 46.98
share dessert 7.99
= 71.95 + 4.68 (tax) = 76.63 + tip (14.00) = 90.63
+ 2 snacks 6.00
+ counter service - ( 2 entre, 2 drinks) $ 18.18 + 1.18(tax) = 21.45
Total = $118.08
so, I guess that is still a savings of $10.10 for that day.
Hmmm......will still have to think about it, it just seems like a pain in the butt to have to carry cash for that stuff.

there's just one major flaw i see:
coaral reef is the only place to get a chocolate wave for dessert!! lol seriously, tho........i'm not big on dessert, but that is the best dessert in all of WDW (maybe even all of florida, & the united states, & the continent, the world....... ). that & my cup of coffee (counts as the "beverage", btw ~ i always drink water with meals) are enough to make the day
whichever you decide tho, you can use a CC, room card, etc to pay for any OOP (i don't carry cash so plan on doing just that for the tip).
have fun deciding

 

[laura001]

there's just one major flaw i see:
coaral reef is the only place to get a chocolate wave for dessert!! lol seriously, tho........i'm not big on dessert, but that is the best dessert in all of WDW (maybe even all of florida, & the united states, & the continent, the world....... ). that & my cup of coffee (counts as the "beverage", btw ~ i always drink water with meals) are enough to make the day
whichever you decide tho, you can use a CC, room card, etc to pay for any OOP (i don't carry cash so plan on doing just that for the tip).
have fun deciding

LOL!! That is exactly why I included the one dessert to share! Normally, we are not big dessert eaters, if the DDP included the app's instead of dessert, or even your choice, I would be in like a dirty shirt!

As for paying the extra, for us, we don't like to charge anything even to our room unless we absolutely have to. That way there are no surprises later, once again the big reason I liked the plan before as everything was covered.

I think I would rather pay more for the DDP and have it all covered.