I'm really disappointed with 1 less snack from QSDP!

[chrisw127]

Here is really the point now -- with the changes, there really is no value in the qsdp unless you drink gallons of soda with your refillable mug.

Qs breakfast is only about $9. Qs dinners run about $15-17. And a snack is $3-4.
So under those values, it's about $29 oop versus $35 for the plan.

If you did $16 qs lunch and $16 Qs dinner, with $3 snack, you'd merely be breaking even.

They really drained any savings out of the qsdp. And the ddp is quickly headed in that direction.

I came to this late but I wanted to tell you that I absolutely agree with this. There's really no value in the QS plan at all. You really have to watch how you eat on it and that's not really much fun. The only advantage is that you've paid ahead of time.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

obese eaters who can down a Cosmic Ray combo plus dessert by themselves and still be hungry for more.

Obese eaters? So, only a fat slob would eat like that?

 

[Dean]

My apologies, I thought Cafeen said the literature had been changed from 10% to 5%.
If you place value in the mug, it can be certainly considered 10%. But for people who don't need multiple soda refills per day, and who dint constantly or WPE or the combo platter, it is pretty hard to get much in savings.

Yes and no. As I noted recently, there are many choices and situations that will return more than 10% and many others that will return less and often less than the amount paid. IMO, anything under about 20% savings is not enough to justify the risks for most situations. MOST people who look at the options will fairly quickly decide whether it's a good choice for them or not. If it's not, most won't get it. Some chose to proceed knowing it's not really a savings, esp to have a prepaid option. I personally do not think this a good choice or approach and that there are better ways to approach this goal but it's anyone's choice if that's what they want to do. And some think it'll save them but end up not seeing those savings for a number of reasons.

Earlier in this thread I (Here) I went through a list of options that were not restrictive as to parks or options. The potential savings was fairly significant and easily more than 20% without making the dining and savings the focal point. One could get more savings in some situations, less in others depending on specific choices and that assumes no increase in meal prices, an assumption that's contrary to my expectations.

Thus the idea that the best anyone can do is 10% is false and the idea that the best anyone can do without eating meals and places one doesn't want to be at is 10% is also false. The idea that many waste money on it is true but their choice.

 

[sharonabe]

Stop lying and misrepresenting my statements please.

I never had a bad experience with the qsdp, because I know paying for it would be foolish for me. And I know it would be foolish because I DO know how it works.
I have acknowledged there are indeed some peoole who would get financial benefit-- and I spelled out those conditions. Other people may like the pre-paid aspects of the plan even if it costs more than oop.

Care for a little challenge? Let's see who can create better value in 1 day at the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for 2 adults. Breakfast at the resort or park. Lunch and dinner at Magic Kingdom.
Obviously, you can supplement the qsdp with oop if necessary.
So let's see who can create a most realistically balanced meal plan for 2 moderate eating adults. For the sake of argument assume moderate eaters -- not people who never ever eat dessert, but also not obese eaters who can down a Cosmic Ray combo plus dessert by themselves and still be hungry for more. And our readers can decide who produced the better value day.

Mom of 2, wife of 1: are you willing to put your money where your mouth is....because I am!

I not only took havoc's MK challenge, but did a AK/DTD day to include a WPE option.

MK for two
Main St Bakery--Cinnamon roll, bread pudding, 2 coffees $11.89
Plaza--Reuben, Veg Sand, 1soup add-on $32.33 (includes TIP)
Cosmic Rays--1/2 chick/rib combo, cucumber salad, french fries, 1 lg soda $24.03
Snack--Corn dog nuggest, sm drink $7.22 (DH doesn't do sweets, this snack could be pretzel or popcorn to share; corn dog nuggets was most expensive)
Total--$75.47 ($5.47 over price of QSDP for 2)

AK/DTD for two
Royal Anandapur Tea--2 pastries, Chai latte, double espresso $14.65 (this restaurant does NOT take QSDP)
Flame Tree--BBQ chicken salad, Smoked turkey sand, onion ring basket, 1 lg soda $24.98
WPE--tortilla soup to share, meatloaf, 4 cheese pizza $36.10
Ghiradelli--share a sundae $9.53 (does NOT take QSDP)
Total--$85.26 ($15.26 over QSDP for 2)

Show me the money, Mom of 2.

 

[havoc315]

Yes and no. As I noted recently, there are many choices and situations that will return more than 10% and many others that will return less and often less than the amount paid. IMO, anything under about 20% savings is not enough to justify the risks for most situations. MOST people who look at the options will fairly quickly decide whether it's a good choice for them or not. If it's not, most won't get it. Some chose to proceed knowing it's not really a savings, esp to have a prepaid option. I personally do not think this a good choice or approach and that there are better ways to approach this goal but it's anyone's choice if that's what they want to do. And some think it'll save them but end up not seeing those savings for a number of reasons.

Earlier in this thread I (Here) I went through a list of options that were not restrictive as to parks or options. The potential savings was fairly significant and easily more than 20% without making the dining and savings the focal point. One could get more savings in some situations, less in others depending on specific choices and that assumes no increase in meal prices, an assumption that's contrary to my expectations.

Thus the idea that the best anyone can do is 10% is false and the idea that the best anyone can do without eating meals and places one doesn't want to be at is 10% is also false. The idea that many waste money on it is true but their choice.

Dean, please show me how you can save 20% on the Qs plan, without using the mug, while spending the day at Magic Kingdom, and without ordering the Cosmic Rays combo. Any other entree at Magic Kingdom is on the table.

 

[FreeTime]

Hi - I have been watching this thread for sometime and finally felt I should put in my two cents. IMO the QSDP is not worth it. It forces us to eat more than we normally would, get desserts, soda for the kids when they would usually get water, etc. However, once we learned that you didn't have to pay extra for allergy items using QSDP it works out for us. For example, several years ago a gluten free pizza at Pinoc. was $18. At that time, our DD was under 10. So, for her $10 meal plan, we saved tons of money. It is still the case (even though the allergy items have been lowered in price, we can get the pizza now for the same price we pay for it at Whole Foods), the QSDP works great for those with dining needs. But, with one less snack, only eating at Cosmic Ray's once, and not needing all of that soda or desserts, we likely will stop getting the DP.

 

[sharonabe]

Dean, please show me how you can save 20% on the Qs plan, without using the mug, while spending the day at Magic Kingdom, and without ordering the Cosmic Rays combo. Any other entree at Magic Kingdom is on the table.

It can't be done.

The next highest priced entree is the ribs at Cosmic at 10.29, then the new salmon over at CHH at 10.19. Couple those two with the highest desserts and large drinks at 3.59 and 2.89 each and then add the highest snack I could find, the sundaes at Storybook Treats at 4.69. Add your tax, and your savings is somewhere between 13-14%.

Even with the combo at Cosmic, if you lose $1.20 anywhere else, your 20% savings is gone.

 

[Dean]

Dean, please show me how you can save 20% on the Qs plan, without using the mug, while spending the day at Magic Kingdom, and without ordering the Cosmic Rays combo. Any other entree at Magic Kingdom is on the table.

You're trying to instill limits that will give you the answer you want so first, I'll call you on that one. For adults, you can't find the savings making the choices you require, for kids you can if you include the places that either have more expensive kids meals OR that don't have kids meals and thus they can get adult meals. The same holds true for DHS and AK as well but not for EPCOT. About the best you can do is break even with your restrictions for adults. Those that would use it this way shouldn't get the plan. My example was very real life but assumes eating dinner out of the parks. The bottom line is some choices will be a better value than others but it's NOT difficult to see a 20% savings. If one won't get the choices that do give the savings, don't get it. You're approach is like asking Nolan Ryan to throw a 100 MPH pitch with his other arm.

Specific to your challenge, I'll do 1 adult and 1 child at MK, which is within you're parameters. The child will get a meal at the Lunching pad and the adult from Cosmic Rays and eat together for Lunch. Then for dinner, the child will get a meal from Casey's and the adult from CHH and they will eat together. I assumed the highest priced options within your restrictions and got 2 smoothies at the bakery for the snack credits. Max price (with your artificial restrictions) and including tax, $72.34 compared to a plan price of $46.98, this is around a 35% savings. Give me EPCOT and no restrictions and I can get you 50% savings or more on 1 adult and 1 child.

Now having a feel from where you're coming from, which I didn't before, I realize rather than admitting I've taken and busted your challenge, you'll come back with more restrictions and excuses like you only meant adults, etc. As noted, there are situations where a savings is possible and others where there are no savings, that's why everyone must look at their own situation.

We just returned yesterday after 9 days at WDW, 7 on property and 2 off. We had 2 units (a 2 BR and 1 BR both Savannah view) at AKL Kidani. Having 2 units allowed us to structure the DDP to those that wanted it and would get a better value from it. Our total direct and indirect costs for the 7 people we paid for (2 were there 1 night and 1 for 3 nights) was just under $4K. One of those 7 is a 2 y/o. So 3 adults and a child for 9 nights. We did get a Seasonal Pass for the one that stayed 3 nights.

• Lodging - $800 for those units for the week (and that includes direct and indirect costs including maint fees and acquisition costs and all fees.
• 4 FL seasonal passes (2 new, 2 renewals) just over $1000
• Dining costs with tips right at $1500 (DxDDP 2A,1C) which is about what we would have spent without the DDP but we received more value with the DxDDP, around $2550.
• 2 nights in a 2500 sq feet presidential suite off property at $79 a night + tax.
• Meals during those 2 days off property $100 for 4 people.
• Total cost for the 9 day trip with a few incidentals and gasoline under $4K.

My challenge to you is to do a 9 day trip including travel with 2 rooms for 2A/2C and park access for 7 days with Park Hopping as cheaply. You should be able to do it but you'll likely have to make compromises such as values, eating in, cheaper off site, etc.

 

[ifightfortheusers]

They are probably also doing this because 90% of the guest on any dining plan always have a ridiculous amount of snack left on their last day. They would be the one leaving the resort with shopping backs full of rice crispy treats. The dining plans seem to be too much food for a majority of the guest who use them.

 

[ifightfortheusers]

Specific to your challenge, I'll do 1 adult and 1 child at MK, which is within you're parameters. The child will get a meal at the Lunching pad and the adult from Cosmic Rays and eat together for Lunch. Then for dinner, the child will get a meal from Casey's and the adult from CHH and they will eat together. I assumed the highest priced options within your restrictions and got 2 smoothies at the bakery for the snack credits. Max price (with your artificial restrictions) and including tax, $72.34 compared to a plan price of $46.98, this is around a 35% savings. Give me EPCOT and no restrictions and I can get you 50% savings or more on 1 adult and 1 child.

You know who will instill limits. Children who might no want to eat the most expensive and money saving meal. A child who does not want to get something at one place and then sit while you eat your meal or stand in line and wait to get your meal. Just read what you have to do to save 20%. No restriction could work with adults, but not with most children.

 

[Dean]

You know who will instill limits. Children who might no want to eat the most expensive and money saving meal. A child who does not want to get something at one place and then sit while you eat your meal or stand in line and wait to get your meal. Just read what you have to do to save 20%. No restriction could work with adults, but not with most children.

I was addressing the absurd restrictions that were instilled into the challenge, not suggesting that was the norm. Actually one of the suggestions on Mousesavers about such situations IS to get kids meals at different locations than adults, we did this once last week for adult meals. In my example, those options are within 50-75 yards for each meal. The reality is, and always has been, that all versions of the DDP are specialty items that work for a minority and not for the majority for a number of reasons. Every time they do a neg tweak, the plans work for less and less people. My example I reference above and was posted earlier in this thread is a real life and reasonable example but that won't work for everyone either.

 

[sharonabe]

I have always said that when you throw kids into the mix, the numbers change. Even without doing all the running around Dean did to get value, the kids QSDP will see a 20-30% savings. The regular kids' meals at QS are $6.50, so two of those are already $1 over what you pay for the plan.

As for the so-called "absurd limitations" Havoc put in to his challenge, the ONLY limitation he gave you was to not use the combo plate at Cosmic Rays and still show a 20% savings at MK for an adult. How is that absurd? How many times can you eat chicken and ribs? I think his request was a reasonable one.

 

[Dean]

As for the so-called "absurd limitations" Havoc put in to his challenge, the ONLY limitation he gave you was to not use the combo plate at Cosmic Rays and still show a 20% savings at MK for an adult. How is that absurd? How many times can you eat chicken and ribs? I think his request was a reasonable one.

Not accurate. The restrictions were not to use the meal that gives the best value AND to do all at MK. That's a BIG difference. He actually didn't include for adult only as part of the equation which is why I went the way I did. If one wants to restrict themselves to options that don't give enough value to make the plan reasonable, don't buy it, it's that simple. There are reasonable options that many of us use even without the DDP that will return a very good value with the plan. Also restricting to not include the MUG is artificial, again, if it's not a value, don't buy it, I've bought a number of mugs OOP, including this last trip returning yesterday. Another implied restrictions is using current prices and future plan restrictions which is accurate if there are NO price increases in the meals and not if there are. The only parks where one can show a value for adults only for the 2012 plan set up are EPCOT (easily) and for MK if and only if you include the combo platter (which we routinely get BTW). One also has to pay attention to and value the drinks, desserts and snacks, again, if this doesn't fit ones approach, they shouldn't get the plan. While there are a number of locations where the entrees for QS are north of $10, a previous restriction havoc suggested, I do agree it ultimately boils down to whether you'll use WPE and/or Pepper Market at least once every 3-4 days of the plan, among other criteria. We normally do with or without the plan.

My view, as I've posted many times on DIS, is that it's a specialty item best suited for those who plan, value the higher end options, have kids in the 3-9 group and for shorter stays as the main criteria. I've used different dining plans now I think it's 5 or 6 trips. In every instance I've kept up with what we spent and tried to estimate what we would have spent without the plan. Once was Dlx, once QS and 3 or 4 the basic plan. We've routinely seen a savings of 30-50% compared to what the times would have cost OOP and I estimated I spent about what I would have spent had we been paying OOP. No savings but added value. Other trips I've judged it didn't make sense for us so we didn't get any plan which is the bottom line as I see it. As they change the plans with price increases and removal of options, the value will likely erode and there may be a time when there is no way to get the value as was. A good example was the Disney Dining Style (essentially the final throws of the Food n Fun program which seemed to parallel what's going on now) where you prepaid and got a 10% bonus but couldn't (generally) combine with other discounts. When you could often get a 20% discount without any commitment, it made essentially no sense to use it.

 

[sharonabe]

We just returned yesterday after 9 days at WDW, 7 on property and 2 off. We had 2 units (a 2 BR and 1 BR both Savannah view) at AKL Kidani. Having 2 units allowed us to structure the DDP to those that wanted it and would get a better value from it. Our total direct and indirect costs for the 7 people we paid for (2 were there 1 night and 1 for 3 nights) was just under $4K. One of those 7 is a 2 y/o. So 3 adults and a child for 9 nights. We did get a Seasonal Pass for the one that stayed 3 nights.

• Lodging - $800 for those units for the week (and that includes direct and indirect costs including maint fees and acquisition costs and all fees.
• 4 FL seasonal passes (2 new, 2 renewals) just over $1000
• Dining costs with tips right at $1500 (DxDDP 2A,1C) which is about what we would have spent without the DDP but we received more value with the DxDDP, around $2550.
• 2 nights in a 2500 sq feet presidential suite off property at $79 a night + tax.
• Meals during those 2 days off property $100 for 4 people.
• Total cost for the 9 day trip with a few incidentals and gasoline under $4K.

My challenge to you is to do a 9 day trip including travel with 2 rooms for 2A/2C and park access for 7 days with Park Hopping as cheaply. You should be able to do it but you'll likely have to make compromises such as values, eating in, cheaper off site, etc.

Talk about an unrealistic challenge!!

You're obviously DVC owners as there's no other way to get the rooms you did for 7 nights for $800. So why not throw in to the equation the money you pay to be a DVC owner.

You also don't give us the breakdown on the DxDDP you did. If 2A/1C paid for the DxDDP for 7 nights, that's $1260. So you're telling us you paid for 4 other people and ALL your tips for seven days for only $240?? You said you had a $2550 value in food, so that $240 wouldn't even cover a 10% tip!!

You also have access to a FL resident discount that others don't have.

So come on, Dean...give us the whole picture.

 

[havoc315]

I have always said that when you throw kids into the mix, the numbers change. Even without doing all the running around Dean did to get value, the kids QSDP will see a 20-30% savings. The regular kids' meals at QS are $6.50, so two of those are already $1 over what you pay for the plan.

As for the so-called "absurd limitations" Havoc put in to his challenge, the ONLY limitation he gave you was to not use the combo plate at Cosmic Rays and still show a 20% savings at MK for an adult. How is that absurd? How many times can you eat chicken and ribs? I think his request was a reasonable one.

Actually, at most Qs locations, prices were just increased to $5.49, not 6.50.

Because you are talking about such small numbers, percentages can appear huge for the kids. A mere $1.20 savings is 10%.
So 2 kids meals, without a snack - no savings.
Throw in the snack, and the savings can suddenly appear to be 10-20%.

As to my restriction that Dean complained about, my restrictions were simply to be realistic. Magic Kingdom is by far, the most popular park.
On any given day, most people stick to 1 park.
So I said, let's take an adult spending the day at Magic Kingdom. And order anything except the combo plate. Dean continuously claimed one could save 20% "easily" on the qsdp.

This demonstration showed how hard it really is. By removing just 1 option at the Magic Kingdom, it became a mathematical impossibility. He had to add a child, then feed the child at locations different than the adults. (not common or realistic). He complained about being limited to just 1 park for meals, but how many people are going to take a lunch break at DTD and then return to MK? (requiring you to go back to a resort, and then switch to DTD bus). Unless you're stating in DTD, you probably won't visit more than once in a trip. And you're also not going to use Pepper Market unless you are staying at that resort.

Realistically, people eat Qs where they are-- the park or their home resort. Realistically, Kids and adults eat their meals together at the same locations. My "restrictions" would be insignificant if savings were truly so "easy."

What this has all shown -- kids can save 2-3$ on the qsdp, which is mathematically a big percentage. For adults, any savings are trivial unless you order 1 of a handful of items available out of hundreds. (or thousands).

I'll answer my own "feed 2 adults" challenge myself shortly.

 

[havoc315]

Breakfast - Croissant Breakfast Sandwich $5.99
Tonga Toast - $5.19
2 coffees (about $5)

Lunch -- share 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination from Cosmic Rays (it is the size of 2 entrees) $14.19
2 regular sized sodas -- $5.20

Mid-afternoon dessert -- share a Dole Whip Float -- $4.49

Dinner -- Columbia Harbor House, split 2 entrees with my wife --
The fried shrimp basket -- $9.99
and the Garden harvest salad -- $8.19
Drinks -- 1 hot tea $2.09
1 regular soda -- $2.59

late evening dessert -- share a chocolate croissant from Main Street bakery -- $2.79

Got a ton of food, used 5 CS credits if on the plan (but only would have 4 credits to use) --
So total OOP cost -- $65.70 without tax. With tax -- $69.98

The exact same price as the QSDP for 2 adults. But only 4 out of the 5 credits would have been covered under the QSDP. So to get the exact same food under the QSDP, it would have cost -- Assuming the 2 dinners are covered, assuming the croissant and the Dole Whip float were both covered as the 2 snacks, assume that the combo meal was covered, and that 1 of the breakfasts was covered -- so paying for the cheaper breakfast oop ---
Going purely OOP -- total cost is $69.98
Going with the QSDP and paying OOP for the extra breakfast -- $75+

And not like I went cheap anywhere. In real life, my wife and I share beverages. But in this example, there was no sharing of beverages. If someone is really an educated consumer, they may just order beverages from Garden Grocer or bring beverages. But I didn't take steps like that in this example. In fact, I included the most expensive entree found at the Magic Kingdom. And it still worked out cheaper to go OOP.

The only entitlements I skipped, were the QS desserts -- But how many people would really want the QS desserts if they weren't already included?? Outside of 1 meal at a Dairy Queen, I've never ever in my life gotten a dessert in a QS-type of restaurant. But for this example, I still got plenty of desserts -- a croissant AND a Dole Whip float. Yes, I could have gotten bottled water at the QS places to "up the value" of the QSDP, but then I would have been getting stuff I didn't want or need.
Of course, even if I did add in QS desserts -- then it would have been nearly exactly break even, between the QSDP and the pure OOP.

 

[havoc315]

• Lodging - $800 for those units for the week (and that includes direct and indirect costs including maint fees and acquisition costs and all fees.
• 4 FL seasonal passes (2 new, 2 renewals) just over $1000
• Dining costs with tips right at $1500 (DxDDP 2A,1C) which is about what we would have spent without the DDP but we received more value with the DxDDP, around $2550.
• 2 nights in a 2500 sq feet presidential suite off property at $79 a night + tax.
• Meals during those 2 days off property $100 for 4 people.
• Total cost for the 9 day trip with a few incidentals and gasoline under $4K.

My challenge to you is to do a 9 day trip including travel with 2 rooms for 2A/2C and park access for 7 days with Park Hopping as cheaply. You should be able to do it but you'll likely have to make compromises such as values, eating in, cheaper off site, etc.

Don't think I understand your "challenge." Can't I just pick the identical trip that you picked, and the price should be identical? You used the DxDP, which I personally find to be the one dining plan that can easily be worth paying for, if you eat a ton of TS.


Dean, there is no reason for us to be adversarial with each other. You and I are basically in agreement with the QSDP. I think that you are just slightly more optimistic than me, more willing to look at all the theoretical combinations that can still add up to real savings. I'm more pessimistic, and tend to look at real world uses of the dining plan where savings are pretty trivial. And while this may annoy some people, I do try to look at uses of slightly more responsible eating. Not total health nut level, but also not celebrating the ability to shovel down desserts constantly.

 

[Dean]

Talk about an unrealistic challenge!!

You're obviously DVC owners as there's no other way to get the rooms you did for 7 nights for $800. So why not throw in to the equation the money you pay to be a DVC owner.

You also don't give us the breakdown on the DxDDP you did. If 2A/1C paid for the DxDDP for 7 nights, that's $1260. So you're telling us you paid for 4 other people and ALL your tips for seven days for only $240?? You said you had a $2550 value in food, so that $240 wouldn't even cover a 10% tip!!

You also have access to a FL resident discount that others don't have.

So come on, Dean...give us the whole picture.

Not all options require tips. I did the math roughly in my head and rounded off. I actually threw in several hundred dollars over as you'll see if you add the numbers up I gave so I did not underestimate the total paid, I actually over estimated it.

You made an erroneous assumption. You assumed that because I am a DVC member, that this was a DVC stay booked with points and that I elected to omit those costs. That is an incorrect assumption. These were actually 2 timeshare exchanges with a breakdown of the $95 fee times 2, a $139 exchange fee and a $179 exchange fee. The underlying means used to secure the 2 were almost negligible from a Maint fee standpoint and were very negligible looking at acquisition costs, the $800 is a little overestimate as well. Had I used DVC points, I would have valued them at $10 a point minimum and would have included either that amount or the maint fees AND a time value amount based on my purchase price. The reality is I've gone to MX for 9 days in a 3 BR ocean front unit, MX for 2 weeks in a 1BR then 2 BR unit OF, HI for 15 nights in top notch places and 2 trips to Aruba for 12 nights each including air for 2 to 4 people over the past few years for less than this trip cost me. Again, accounting for up front costs, maint fees, exchange fees and exchange company memberships as well as food, rental cars, etc.

My challenge, partly used to illustrate the absurd nature of the "challenge" was a real world example from last week. One that you or anyone else on this board could duplicate if they so chose to put themselves in the position and take the risks associated. I do have FL resident options but the 7 day passes with PH can be bought for roughly the cost of the seasonal passes. I could have allotted only a portion of those costs to this trip had I chose because will will get more use out of them but I elected to include the real costs directly associated with this trip.

 

[Dean]

Don't think I understand your "challenge." Can't I just pick the identical trip that you picked, and the price should be identical? You used the DxDP, which I personally find to be the one dining plan that can easily be worth paying for, if you eat a ton of TS.

Probably not unless you've put in the time and commitment to timeshares as others have, as you should see from the above post. The real costs for the villas on cash or even using DVC points would be close or exceed my total paid for this past 9 days.

Dean, there is no reason for us to be adversarial with each other. You and I are basically in agreement with the QSDP. I think that you are just slightly more optimistic than me, more willing to look at all the theoretical combinations that can still add up to real savings. I'm more pessimistic, and tend to look at real world uses of the dining plan where savings are pretty trivial. And while this may annoy some people, I do try to look at uses of slightly more responsible eating. Not total health nut level, but also not celebrating the ability to shovel down desserts constantly.

That's just it, they are not theoretical combinations for many, you only chose to make them so. Many's the time we've had Cosmic Rays Combo plate or Le Cellier Filet for lunch while in the parks and PM steak, Narcoossee's Surf & Turf, WPE Chicken or WPCafe for dinner.

I don't intend to come across as adversarial but there seems to be no other way to respond to your posts. I haven't normally posted on this particular board unless a thread happens to get moved here after the fact, but did get involved in this thread while researching my DP options for the trip just completed, mostly in reference to the Dx plan which I hadn't previously used, esp because it was so much food. While I think we have views on the DP options that are relatively close, there's one big difference. I realize that there are situations where it makes sense and where it does not and am willing to acknowledge both. It appears to me you've made up your mind there is only one answer and there's no way a reasonable person could decide to get the dining plan. You're entitled to that view but it simply makes you wrong, IMO. My view, as I stated, is it's a specialty product but that many people who the plans would not work for vote with their wallet and don't get the plan. I'm sure far too many do get it and spend more than they would otherwise though.

I really don't know how many people can get a real value enough to justify paying for the DDP (free DDP is another topic I think), my guess is it's less than 10% of the guests that dine but not zero. As I noted, I've used all plans and received good value but that's because I plan, make appropriate reservations, get the more expensive items because I have the chance to try things I wouldn't get otherwise and likely the most important, I arrive early day 1 and at least get lunch the last day. I am cognizant of the difference between savings and added value. We also tend to have 2 rooms allowing us to pick and chose those that will get a better value from it. We would eat at Le Cellier, Narcoosees, WPE & Pepper Market with or without the plan, some of the best places to add value. We often target the larger meals so we can share them. We find we do not generally over eat with any of the plans we've used so far but it does take planning and I'm sure many do, the Dx plan was pushing it though.

 

[dynamite100]

Just to annoy you guys further, as someone had already posted, although U.S. residents only get one snack per day on the QSDP in 2012, U.K.residents will still get two snacks per day.