If you did DDP in 2007 or earlier and are thinking about OOP for 2008 ...

[scubamouse]

How would you eat differently?

We're thinking about going OOP if we go again next year and are trying to think of ways we'd eat differently. We like to stay in villas so we'd have a kitchen.

We already do protein bars as breakfast. I think we'd probably try to pack some lunch that we made in the room and eat on the go. If we eat CS we'd probably skip dessert and DH and I would share a drink, l like we do when we're paying OOP

Not sure what to do about TS meals. We like doing lots of the 2TS restaurants and the lack of tip in the plan feels like it'll hurt most in this situation. We'd probably share appys and dessert and still feel plenty full.

WWYD in moving from DDP to OOP?

 

[n2mm]

We have used the DDP 9/05, 4/06, 8/06, 10/06, 2/07, 4/07, 8/07 and for the last time 10/07. That's eight trips with the DDP. For our January 2008 trip we will not buy the DDP. I've been working on my ADRs and will have to see how much we miss the DDP. I know I won't have the urge to try to get more bang for the buck as I promise I'm not going to do, but still do. I'll go back to my old favorites. So for my January trip I have Cape May, LTT, WCC, the Plaza, Trails End, Kona Cafe, Olivia's, and probably a couple of breakfasts at WCC, Spoodles, YCG. We will go back to passing on the appetizer or sharing one and the same for deserts. On most days I won't exceed my daily limit of $100 (maybe Kona Cafe may be a little higher), but overall I don't spend more than $100 for a TS and CS meal per day for 2 adults. That is what the new 2008 DDP would cost us with the new guidelines. We have other discounts we can apply, DVC, AP, & DDE, whatever fits. (Having the kitchenette in the studio helps too.) I had made ADRs for January months ago when I thought maybe the DDP would not change so drastically, but it did and I canceled the high-end places. I did like the DDP, but losing the tip was the kicker for me. It was fun while it lasted.

 

[scubamouse]

Do you have to be a FL resident to do DDE or just an annual pass member?

 

[Praying Colonel]

If we go OOP for 08, we'll either get an AP/DDE and stay onsite, or we'll do what we did pre-DDP: rent a condo about 15 minutes from WDW, eat breakfast at the condo, CS in the park, go back to the condo for our afternoon break and then have dinner at a local restaurant before going back to the parks in the evening.

 

[n2mm]

Do you have to be a FL resident to do DDE or just an annual pass member?

To purchase the DDE card you have to be a Florida Resident, or Annual passholder, or cast member.

 

[BeckWhy]

We are eating at less table service restaurants. In fact if it weren't for free DDP last year, I probably would have never had any TS and would only eat at CS.

For example, if we were to do DDP this is what our schedule would look like:
Arrive:
D: Everything Pop

Magic Kingdom:
B: snack credit somewhere
L: Pecos Bill's
D: Kona Cafe

Epcot:
B: snack credit somewhere
L: Sunshine Seasons
D: Coral Reef

Disney Studios:
B: snack credit somewhere
L: 50's
D: Backlot Express

Day off:
B: Boma
L: Planet Hollywood ($15 Voucher)
D: Yatchsman Steakhouse

Epcot:
B: snack credit somewhere
L: Tangierine Cafe
D: Cantina de San Angel

Animal Kingdom:
B: snack credit somewhere
L: Flame Tree BBQ
D: Whispering Canyon Cafe

Depart:
B: Everything Pop (OOP)

If we don't get DDP:

We wouldn't eat at Coral Reef or Yatchsman Steakhouse. These would both be replaced with CS.

 

[joestein]

For one thing, I have twin 4yr old girls who don't eat much. While I would be ordering each a meal under the DDP, without it, I will only get 1 for them to share. (just order an extra drink)

Plus on days that I will be having a large dinner (such as Whispering Canyon Cafe, Ohanas, or a buffet) we will not eat lunch, just a snack.

When we went to Disneyland this summer, we bought a cooler with us each day that had drinks and well as some snacks (carrots and ranch dip, grapes, etc.). If we don't get the DDP I will probably do that again.

Joe

 

[PrincessTrisha]

We've used DDP in Dec 05, May 06, Oct 06, May 07 and coming up - Oct 07.

I don't think I will be purchasing it for 08.

I think we'll try more lunches and room service (they often have nice sandwiches, salads and the like and it's convenient after a long day to have someone deliver food to your room). And more snacking. And more late breakfasts. And only a few full out table service meals - maybe le Cellier and the Coral Reef. And more sharing, fewer appetizers and desserts.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We have had the dining plan for the past two years. When the 2008 dining plan info. came out, I didn't know what to do. So, I, literally, made a chart to help me decide whether or not the new DDP would pay for itself.

First, I wrote down each day and where we would be.

I then headed over to www.allearsnet.com and checked out the menus and the prices. I plugged that information in for each day.

For snacks, I allowed $12.00 each day (3 x $4).

When I was finished, I totaled it all up. I then added in taxes and tips. I also kept in mind that this chart wasn't set in stone but was just a way of helping me make a decision. The new plan was still worth the money.

We made ten trips to WDW before we purchased the DDP. We ate Pop-Tart or muffins, etc. in our room for breakfast and ate counter service meals for the majority of our stay. Sometimes, we would throw in a table service meal or two.

We were satisfied with that until we bought the DDP. I never realized just how tired we grew of eating burgers, chicken strips, pizza, etc. Because we didn't do many table service meals, we never realized how nice it was to have a relaxing dinner at the end of the day. Also, with the DDP, we are more apt to try new restaurants and new foods.

I also like the feel of knowing that everything is paid for before we even arrive. With the DDP, I have a little more peace of mind.

And, last but not least, when I am on vacation, I want somebody else to cook and clean up after me. I refuse to pack up lunches or make dinner while on vacation!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We wouldn't eat differently, that's why we're getting the deluxe dining plan for 2008!

On our last two trips, we've had the regular ddp, but paid oop for 3-4 ts meals on top of that. It comes out to about what the deluxe ddp will cost us, only we won't have to pay for anything extra at all.

 

[patsal]

We will pay OOP and we will go back to how we used to eat. Though eating 1 TS and 1 CS is the norm for us the price point was a percieved value to us on the old plan with tip included. We did not all always have a snack each day. We rarely eat buffets or family style. The new plan is not one we perceive as a value--DDP is stripped of the appy which we do order and the deluxe DDP just has too much with two snacks and the refillable mugs. Since we most always stay DVC I prepare breakfast--that's right I either microwave frozen pancakes and sausage or pour the ceral, milk and juice! Honestly for me that is not cooking and I don't feel I need that much of a break on vacation. IF we are planing on staying in a park we will grab CS lunches, but go back to the sharing as we used to do--example for about $30 at Pinocchio's we will get four bottled waters, two pizza/salad combos and two orders of figaro fries and share. If we are going to the room prepping food is no biggie for me--sandwiches, salads, soups really take no time at all to prepare. I have never and will never bring a lunch in a bag to the park--if it works for you cool--here's where I am on vacation and I am not doing that prep and lug nor will I eat anything I've carried around in 90+ degree heat. Plus my family would disown me! For dinner we will eat off site more--there are some wonderful places that we stopped visiting when the DDP came along, now that I'm not tethered I'll eat more cheaply off site. When I eat onsite I will still frequent the places I always have AP, CG, Spoodles,etc. and I will get exactly what I want. At Spoodles we like our food Tapas--so five or six appys shared with one (maybe two ) entrees shared tapas style will do. We'll be too full for dessert and maybe grab a small sweet snack later in the evening. At CG DH and I will share sushi, the kids will share a flatbread, we will all get entrees and some may order dessert while others may not. More time will be spent enjoying the attractions and less time filling up on food! We will spend more time enjoying other parks and entertainment outside of WDW.

 

[english rose 47]

We have had the dining plan for the past two years. When the 2008 dining plan info. came out, I didn't know what to do. So, I, literally, made a chart to help me decide whether or not the new DDP would pay for itself.

First, I wrote down each day and where we would be.

I then headed over to www.allearsnet.com and checked out the menus and the prices. I plugged that information in for each day.

For snacks, I allowed $12.00 each day (3 x $4).

When I was finished, I totaled it all up. I then added in taxes and tips. I also kept in mind that this chart wasn't set in stone but was just a way of helping me make a decision. The new plan was still worth the money.

We made ten trips to WDW before we purchased the DDP. We ate Pop-Tart or muffins, etc. in our room for breakfast and ate counter service meals for the majority of our stay. Sometimes, we would throw in a table service meal or two.

We were satisfied with that until we bought the DDP. I never realized just how tired we grew of eating burgers, chicken strips, pizza, etc. Because we didn't do many table service meals, we never realized how nice it was to have a relaxing dinner at the end of the day. Also, with the DDP, we are more apt to try new restaurants and new foods.

I also like the feel of knowing that everything is paid for before we even arrive. With the DDP, I have a little more peace of mind.

And, last but not least, when I am on vacation, I want somebody else to cook and clean up after me. I refuse to pack up lunches or make dinner while on vacation!

I did the same thingand came out at least $10 a day ahead using DDP. I agree the cool relaxation of TS is a must for me! d I agree I'd be sick of hamburgers ,chicken fingers and Pizza after a week

 

[TDC Nala]

I will still eat wherever I want (which may translate to wherever I can get in), but won't order as much.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Having 4 kids under 10 yrs. it's pretty hard not to come out ahead with the DDP even with the changes. Even still, the major appeal to me with the DDP has been the fact that I never have to look at prices on the menu or worry about how much a meal is costing (something I always had to do on family trips as a kid). I know this changes slightly because of no tip included, but for the most part it still holds true for me.

 

[magsmom]

I used the dining for all trips in 2007 and for our August 2006 trip. We will not be doing dining in 2008. I will most probably use not DDE in 2008.

I have always kept track of what I have spent with meals with or without dining. With DDE we will be able to eat whatever - sometimes it's just nice to get a couple of appetizers at ESPN for dinner.

That and I am hoping ADRs will be easier to get.

 

[english rose 47]

I'm going solo I figured tip between 15% and 20% which for me alone wont be much and that would be a cost without the ddp too so I'm still aheadand I know if I didn't have it I wouldn't be ordering the same but I'm on vacatipn and deserve spoiling myself and ddp allows me to!!

 

[Tricia1972]

When figuring out our cost using the DDP or paying OOP and using the DDE, we still come out ahead with the DDP. It's not much of a savings, but when figuring out our OOP cost I skimped on desserts and picked more 'budget friendly' items.

I figure the DDP gives us more freedom to order what we want so I am going to use it in March 2008 to see how it works for us.