I don't know what the DDP is...

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

I am confused! I have been to WDW many times, but have never used the DDP or even looked into it. Does it cost so much a day? Why do some people have it for free? Does it really save money? I know I could probably search the thread for hours and find the answers, but just a simple overview would be helpful. Usually, we eat one meal a day at a restaurant of our choice at WDW and maybe a small counter service meal. Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Lostgirlz]

It does cost 37.99-38.99 around there per person per day of your entire stay. You have to book it with your package for the length of your stay and all members of your party in your room will have to be on it I believe. It's only free right now cause it was a promo they were running but it is no longer avalible to book the free ddp as the booking has ended. It's good for 1 cs, 1 ts, 1 snack per day however you want to use it. whether it be 2 cs a day 2 ts a day and so forth. I HTH some we had to look into the details also for our upcming honeymoon there and first trip to WDW, so this was new to us also.

 

[bicker]

One restaurant meal and one counter service meal each day is typically enough to make the Dining Plan a good value. It is $37.99 per person ($10.99 for young children). The regular price goes up to $38.99 per person next year. The "free" Dining Plan wasn't really free, as you were required to book your hotel room during the heart of hurricane season (when large discounts have traditionally be offered) and required to pay full price. For folks staying at value resorts that was a great deal; many folks staying at deluxe resort were better off with the regular discounts and paying for the Dining Plan.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

For each night of your stay each person in your room will receive:

1 counter service (quick service) meal which includes your entree, a drink and a dessert or a combo with drink and dessert (some examples of quick service restaurants is Cosmic Ray's in MK, Tusker house in AK, the resort food courts).

1 Table service meal which includes an appetizer, entree, drink and dessert AND tax and tip (18%) or a buffet with beverage and tax and tip (18%). Some examples include Le Cellier, Kona Cafe, Crystal Palace, Boma's, and Mama Melrose. Some signature restaurants require each person to use 2 table service "credits" to enjoy 1 meal (such as Narcossee's, Artist Point and Brown Derby).

1 Snack which is generally most items under $4.00 such as bottled water, popcorn, mickey bars, fruit, danish, donuts, candy, ice creams (it really is a very long list).

You can use your credits in any order you like (i.e. 2 table service meals one day, 3 counter service meals the next).

I would suggest if you do book the dining plan that you make sure to make most (if not all) of your dining reservations in advance to ensure that you can enjoy the restaurants of your choosing.

If you have any specific questions, please - ask away.

 

[ntsammy5]

I have always found this to be a good source for information on the DDP:

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages06a.htm

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

It doesn't seem like I would save a lot of money. Maybe a few dollars on certain days, but it looks like I'd come out about even. So, mainly...it's just paying for all your meals up front and not having to worry about paying during your trip.

I have already booked my room for our Thanksgiving trip. I had to book through Expedia to get the resort we wanted. I haven't bought our park tickets yet. We are just going for two days. I also already made ADRS. Is it possible to go back and add the DDP or is it not worth the hassel?

 

[bicker]

We'll be saving no less than $120 (and possibly a lot more if we order any appetizers or any desserts).

(http://brianandrobbie.com/DiningPlanEstimatedCostsNoAppyNoDessert.htm)

That may or may not be worth the hassel for you.

 

[rlduvall]

We'll be saving no less than $120 (and possibly a lot more if we order any appetizers or any desserts).

(http://brianandrobbie.com/DiningPlanEstimatedCostsNoAppyNoDessert.htm)

That may or may not be worth the hassel for you.

Great spreadsheet, Bicker.

 

[aprilshugah]

i was really excited to get the ddp for free for my honeymoon. I am staying in the Wilderness Lodge and the money we saved we were able to upgrade to a room with a better view and king bed I had paid for the trip up front when I made the reservation and disney actually had to give me a credit when they decided the ddp was free.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We are just going for two days. I also already made ADRS. Is it possible to go back and add the DDP or is it not worth the hassel?

The DDP is only available on packages of three or more days. Also, you'd have to cancel your room-only reservation and rebook as a package. Room only and package bookings are drawn from two different pools of rooms. There'd be no guarantee you'd be able to get the room you'd just cancelled on your package.

 

[KatGarcia]

We decided to go with the DDP this time around. It will most def save us money and time, as far as i'm concerned. I have never done the DDP before but I already feel like a lot of stress is taken out of our trip. I did a really loose estimation of the prices for just our table service meals and what we would save vs the cost of the plan and it came to well over 200 bucks and thats not including caounter service and snacks. I think it makes everything seem a little more simple to just order what you want and its paid for already. Just my opinon!

 

[wdwluver]

There is not minimum stay requirement for the DDP unless you are booking under a special. I have booked the dining plan with a 1 night stay without a problem.

 

[disney momma]

do you have to buy a park ticket to get the ddp? we have ap's, but want to book a passholder rate room and add the ddp. is this possible?

 

[bicker]

Unless you're staying at a DVC resort on DVC points, the Dining Plan can only be purchased as part of a qualifying vacation package, which include hotel accommodations, park admissions for each member of your party, and the Dining Plan for the entire duration of your reservation.

AP passholder rates cannot be applied to qualifying packages. Also, even without the AP passholder rate, you would still have to purchase at least a one day admission pass for each member of your party, even if you all have APs, as a requirement of the Dining Plan.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

There is not minimum stay requirement for the DDP unless you are booking under a special. I have booked the dining plan with a 1 night stay without a problem.

Maybe it was the free dining that had that restriction.