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

[basketlacey]

There is also the aspect of the dining plan that I don't have to worry about prices when I am on it. If we are paying out of pocket it is hard to suck up a $140 buffet, especially if my toddler takes two bites and won't touch another thing. That makes it much less stressful for me.

I am not 100% sure whether or not we are going to break even this year. Last year we had "free" dining (although that is a whole separate debate because it isn't free, it is in lieu of a room discount). Anyway, the point you make above is exactly why we LOVED the DDP.

So this year, I am paying for it. I will keep track of our receipts and see if I think we really do save money. Regardless, I won't go into sticker shock when I see the bills at our TS restaurants!

 

[tamarabannon]

DDP even after the upgrade from QSDP and the increase in our room, dropped our bill by $700 -- after we added 2 nights, we're still ahead by nearly $500!

Even if we'd have had to pay for the dining, I like being able to pay it off in advance and not having to worry about counting pennies to eat etc. while in the park.

Could we do with less food? Yes, I'm certain we could, but for us, dining is part of the experience. We have small kids and having characters come by IS the adventure as much as anything.

So for us, DDP works.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Is the dropping of the snack a sign of future discounts? Maybe in the future free dining will only be QSDP, the 2012 version.

 

[Dean]

As suggested by the title of this thread...
We are talking about 2012, where they have eliminated 1 of the snacks. With 2 $9.99 entrees, and just 1 snack, impossible to save 20% or anything close to that.
Same with kids, 2 $5 meals, and 1 snack. Well.. I guess technically, a $2 savings for a child is 20%. Woohoo... $2

I realize we aren't in any serious disagreement here. I am just pointing out that realistically, under the 2012 qsdp, it is very very difficult to really save money.
Best case scenario, you are saving on the sales tax and getting "free mugs."

Your assuming the retail prices will remain the same, I'm not, I'm assuming they'll increase. I would disagree slightly in that IMO it is not difficult to save money if one positions themselves correctly. We both agree that one should only get an DP if there is reasonable savings involved and that applies to all options. Our set points is similar but slightly different.

There is also the aspect of the dining plan that I don't have to worry about prices when I am on it. If we are paying out of pocket it is hard to suck up a $140 buffet, especially if my toddler takes two bites and won't touch another thing. That makes it much less stressful for me.

There are those that chose to do the DDP because they know what their costs will be or they see the plan as simpler. I do not personally believe those are reasonable choices alone to get a DP because a break even scenario carries a great risk if you end up losing credits, esp with illness or similar trip interuptions. There are other ways to prepay if that is the goal and it's not difficult to know what costs are at WDW to budget as the menus are everywhere.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I always say...

When in doubt, do the math.

We are a family of four...2 adult and 2 kids under the age of 10.

I never deliberately chose the most expensive places/entrees or attempted to "maximize" snack credits. I also picked places that had kid's meals. (For example we do NOT go to Casey's to get adult sized hot dog meals with the kid's credits.) I picked where I though we would eat at a given park and chose what I thought my husband would order and what I would have.

Can you "save" more on the plan by "maximizing your credit entitlements? Yes! It takes a little more work and planning, but it is possible to do it.

Can you save 20% as Disney claims without all that fuss and bother? Well, we did on this plan...but only because of the mugs. If the mugs weren't an issue, it would be only a little over 4%.

I used current prices from AllEars and came up with the following:

Magic Kingdom

Columbia Harbour House
Lighthouse Sandwich
Chicken Breast Nuggets and Fish
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal
Med Soda
Bottled Water
Yogurt
Apple Crisp

Snacks
Dole Whip
Cinnamon Roll
Popcorn
Lemonade Slush

Pinnochio Village Haus
Pepperoni Pizza Combo
Meatball Sub
Med Soda
Bottled Water
Chocolate Cake
Strawberry Cheesecake
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal

Total Cost for MK: $95.30 (Dining plan would cost $93.96)
Savings: $1.34

Animal Kingdom

Yak and Yeti
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Orange Beef
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal
Bottled Water
Bottled Water
Frozen Lemonade
Frozen Lemonade

Snacks
Mickey Bar
Mickey Bar
Mickey Bar
Mickey Bar

Restaurantosaurus
1/3 lb Angus Burger
Dig Site Salad
Med Soda
Bottled Water
Chocolate Mousse
Cheesecake in a glass
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal

Total Cost for AK: $105.04 (Dining plan would cost $93.96)
Savings: $11.08


Hollywood Studios

Starring Rolls
Ham Sandwich
Turkey Foccacia
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal
Chocolate Milk
Bottled Water
M&M Brownie
Chocolate PB Cupcake

Snacks
Carrot Cake Cookie
Carrot Cake Cookie
Popcorn
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Pizza Planet
Pepperoni Pizza Combo
Cheese Pizza Combo
Med Soda
Bottled Water
Crisped Rice Treat
Cookie
Kid's Meal
Kid's Meal

Total Cost for HS: $95.01 (Dining plan would cost $93.96)
Savings: $1.05

Epcot

Sunshine Seasons
Half Chicken
Turkey and Cheese on Foccacia
Kid's PB&J Kit
Kid's PB&J Kit
Soda
Bottled Water
Strawberry Shortcake
Danish

Snacks
Kaki Gori
Kaki Gori
Chocolate Croissant
School Bread

Eating around the World
Fish and Chips from Yorkshire Fish and Chips
Lamb Schwarma from Tangierine Cafe
Med Soda
Bottled Water
Shortbread Cookies
Baklava
Kid's Meal from America Pavillion
Kid's Meal from America Pavillion

Total Cost for Epcot: $95.86 (Dining plan would cost $93.96)
Savings: $1.90

Four day Totals: $391.41
Four days of dining plan: $375.84

Savings on dining plan:$15.37 plus the cost of the refillable mugs ($59.60)

 

[havoc315]

Can you save 20% as Disney claims without all that fuss and bother? Well, we did on this plan...but only because of the mugs. If the mugs weren't an issue, it would be only a little over 4%.

Good analysis. And matches what I have been saying. I have said in the past, perhaps even above in this thread, that the QSDP, best case scenario, is about break break even on food, with a mug then thrown in. The value of the mug is quite subjective --- I never use the mug at all, it's worthless for me.

And as mentioned by others, I have considered the effect of price increases. Disney does not raise the price of every item, every year. On average, they raise prices by 2-3% per year. $9.99 is such a major price point, that Disney would be hesitant to raise prices above that most of the time. Furthermore, unlike the dining plan prices, qs menu prices don't go up on Jan 1. Jan 1, 2012 prices will be the same as Dec 31, 2011.

 

[djm99]

I always say...

When in doubt, do the math.

We are a family of four...2 adult and 2 kids under the age of 10.

I never deliberately chose the most expensive places/entrees or attempted to "maximize" snack credits. I also picked places that had kid's meals. (For example we do NOT go to Casey's to get adult sized hot dog meals with the kid's credits.) I picked where I though we would eat at a given park and chose what I thought my husband would order and what I would have.

Can you "save" more on the plan by "maximizing your credit entitlements? Yes! It takes a little more work and planning, but it is possible to do it.

Can you save 20% as Disney claims without all that fuss and bother? Well, we did on this plan...but only because of the mugs. If the mugs weren't an issue, it would be only a little over 4%.

Wow what a great post! Thanks for the layout like that. I've already found and placed a security deposit down on a house for July 2012. I'm so over staying onsite this year. I'm just turned off completely. I found a more pricey 7 BR w/private pool in emerald island ($1920) but with my in-laws (mother in-law, sister in law, & brother in law with his family) coming it was so worth it. We only have to pay $450 for the whole week (our portion) so I'm wayyyyy ahead staying offsite so far.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I've been working on the cost break down for the DDP, and staying offsite. Now, if we take the free dining, we are picking places TS that, we wouldn't eat at if we were paying OOP. So that is more time from the parks. Staying offsite gives us a washer dryer, private pool and lots of space! When I price out what we would spend oop on food (including a few TS's that we do want) and parking, it is a bit cheaper to stay offsite. I am leaning towards that...

Not being tied down to ADR's and having to use the food credits is really nice too .

 

[Dean]

I've been working on the cost break down for the DDP, and staying offsite. Now, if we take the free dining, we are picking places TS that, we wouldn't eat at if we were paying OOP. So that is more time from the parks. Staying offsite gives us a washer dryer, private pool and lots of space! When I price out what we would spend oop on food (including a few TS's that we do want) and parking, it is a bit cheaper to stay offsite. I am leaning towards that...

Not being tied down to ADR's and having to use the food credits is really nice too .

Other than possible distance, I don't see location having that much to do with food choices. One can stay on property and eat off, one can get W/D and full kitchens on property as well. A car is almost a must have for off property if that matters though we always drive. We're staying on property in a couple of months at AKV for a 1 & 2 BR units and our total cost (including indirect expenses) for the 2 rooms themselves are around $800 for the week. Then we're staying off property for 2 mores nights in a Presidential suite for $79 a night.

 

[megswdw]

Not everyone uses the dining plan to save money, or obsesses over how much they are saving or not saving. We use the dining plan, because my husband prefers "all-inclusive" vacations. We like to pay everything 45 days in advance and not worry about the cost when the kids are hungry. It's not just about savings, it's also about convenience!

 

[Dean]

I went through and priced a 4 night stay for adults and kids with 4 parks. I assumed the more expensive options that were guaranteed but did not include smoothies/shakes or larger pizza's because I know those are variable on being allowed. I did assume $4 per snack and did not account for the mugs. I rounded to the nearest tenth.

Locations selected

• Studio Catering Co
• Cookes of Dublin
• Pepper Market
• WP Express
• Flametree
• La Cantina
• Cosmic Rays
• Riverside Mill

I got an adult value of $228 (cost of $140) and a kids value of $62 (cost $48). The kids price is really pretty fixed other than some variability of snacks and only 2 locations that I used that had kids meals slightly higher (up to $2). If one assumes all entree's at $9, all desserts at $3.60 and all drinks at 2.50 and snacks at $4 plus tax, one gets essentially break even ignoring the mug.

 

[TheRatPack]

Not everyone uses the dining plan to save money, or obsesses over how much they are saving or not saving. We use the dining plan, because my husband prefers "all-inclusive" vacations. We like to pay everything 45 days in advance and not worry about the cost when the kids are hungry. It's not just about savings, it's also about convenience!

We're in the same boat.....with 5 kids we like the all inclusive feel of the dining plan. We may not be breaking even, although over the years we've learned where the better QS meals are and so we probably do save over paying OOP. We still book TS meals as well and we pay OOP for those, so I guess the loss of a snack credit will just have to be factored in to our TS meal budget. We loved using the snack credits during F&W Festival days at Epcot, but they have that little convenient pre-paid card you can get so again we'll just have to figure that in to the OOP budget. We always had a bucket of SN credits left anyway....and we'd end up buying tons and tons of candy at Goofy's at the end of our trip to take home with us LOL

We will definitely maximize our snack credits this year and enjoy them while they last since next year we'll have them cut in half. Oh and more than snack credit issues...I have the issue with the QS breakfast options now They don't allow a 'dessert' if you use your QS meal on Breakfast, meaning we can't get an extra drink or pastry or fruit with our meals. I don't like that, I mean a QS meal should be the same value/option no matter what time of day you use it.

 

[Dean]

We will definitely maximize our snack credits this year and enjoy them while they last since next year we'll have them cut in half. Oh and more than snack credit issues...I have the issue with the QS breakfast options now They don't allow a 'dessert' if you use your QS meal on Breakfast, meaning we can't get an extra drink or pastry or fruit with our meals. I don't like that, I mean a QS meal should be the same value/option no matter what time of day you use it.

When there are less of them I think people will make a stronger effort to get better value from the ones they have, at least for those that cont to take advantage of the option. One thing you can do for breakfast is to use snack credits for drinks, danish, fruit, etc. Often at CS locations L/D you can often get other options in place of the dessert, like fruit or a side salad. One can also share meals within the group (or pay OOP for lessor options) and save credits for additional meals.

 

[Tikitoi]

It's one thing to raise prices (I get that) but to charge MORE for LESS is absurd.

That's why we don't do the DP. Any of them. And now we are on the less trips to WDW. We used to do 2-3/year. Now its been once per year and after next month, we will be going to every other year.

There's just more for my money going other places.

 

[Dean]

That's why we don't do the DP. Any of them. And now we are on the less trips to WDW. We used to do 2-3/year. Now its been once per year and after next month, we will be going to every other year.

There's just more for my money going other places.

Disney has a habit of taking a decent to good program and seeing how far they can push people to get the most money out of them. I'll reference the Food n Fun card of the 90's. We get it when it fits our needs and don't when it doesn't. Depending on our resort, we get good value from the mugs and I'm pretty good and judging whether we'll get value from the credits or not. We also often have multiple rooms so we may get if for the heavier eaters and not for the others. I'd say I average break even from what we would have paid when we've gotten it and had an added value of around 50-100% depending on the specifics of the trip. OTOH, Kim and I can eat two sit down meals a day OOP for the price of the basic DDP, just not with the same choices.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

No argument. I'm just stating that the prices are increasing YET we are getting less. It's one thing to raise the prices and another to raise them & take stuff away. IMO, the snack take away is a price increase. Now I have to buy a "snack" out of packet. And yes some snacks are $3-$4 but many are $5 - $6 - depending on where you go. That adds up over a week with a family of 4.

Where EXACTLY are you getting $5-$6 snacks on the DDP or QSDP?

 

[dmank]

Not everyone uses the dining plan to save money, or obsesses over how much they are saving or not saving. We use the dining plan, because my husband prefers "all-inclusive" vacations. We like to pay everything 45 days in advance and not worry about the cost when the kids are hungry. It's not just about savings, it's also about convenience!

You can accomplish the same thing by getting Disney Gift Cards (in the same amt you would spend on the dining plan) and using them to pay for your meals. We did this last trip and went to Downtown Disney alot to eat (staying at SSR so this was quite convenient). I had various 10% and 20% discounts at Rainforest, TREX, Planet Hollywood - and I was surprised that we spent as little as we did on food. We are accostomed to getting the dining plan and I will tell you the cost of tips alone was very high. We probably won't do the dining plan again, unless we are there for a very short trip.

 

[zales127]

With the economy the way it is..we shouldnt be shocked at the less cost more mentality. With the cost of food prices going up and everything else..Im not sure Im that suprised with Disney cutting corners.

Just like every other industry..they have to make up for losses.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

All true. But I am not exaggerating to say that 90% of Qs entrees are under $10, and 90% of eligible snacks are under $4.

So 90% of the time, your best case scenario is breaking even, or perhaps saving sales tax. Even Disney promotional literature only suggests savings "up to 5%"

I wouldn't want to lay out money, just for a best case scenario of saving 5%, and possibly losing 20-30%.

Not disagreeing with you, just wondering where you see :" Disney promotional literature only suggests savings "up to 5%"."?

 

[havoc315]

Not disagreeing with you, just wondering where you see :" Disney promotional literature only suggests savings "up to 5%"."?

That's what was listed the last time I checked Disney's booking website, when adding the plan.