Is DDP actually a good value right now?

[Patmcpsu]

It sounds like the DDP price increase traditionally happens in October, and as far as I know, it hasn't happened yet. Meanwhile, we know that menu prices have risen steadily.

Most (single credit) character meals are about $64/adult and $42/child. Meanwhile the dining plan is currently $97/adult and $31/child. That means a kid is ahead of the game just by eating a character meal, and everything else they consume is pure savings. If the adult has a $18 alcoholic drink at the character meal, that meal puts them near the daily rate too.

It's no secret that character meals offer the most bang for the buck while on the dining plan, and they're not everyone's cup of tea, but there's real value to be had. Lock in now, because it feels DDP is due for a price increase.

And yes, I know that the rate effectively goes to $0/child in two months. Table service restaurants will be packed when that happens, with reservations being hard to get.

 

[accm]

We're going for a short trip in December, and between the candlelight processional and Ohana breakfast, it made sense financially for us to get it. I'd recommend figuring out how much it'd cost to eat where you want, and then compare it to the DDP.

 

[kanerf]

I use it every trip and usually end up saving money over the price of the actual meal. Some of my recent ones (Oct Trip) had a bill in excess of $100 for just me, so that definitely worked with the DDP. You have to get alcohol or expensive non-alcoholic drinks in most cases to make it work in your favor, but I like the convenience.

 

[AngusIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have always "beaten" the dining plan - pricey character meals, dining packages that don't qualify for AP discounts, massive platters at BBQ quick service places like Regal Eagle and Flame Tree, kids meal credit redemptions as "adult meal only" QS places ... but as my kids have gotten older, we are turning more into a family of "snackers" at Disney - we like to eat on the fly, and we honestly don't have appetites big enough for the heaping amount of food that comes with the DDP for more than a couple of nights in a row. Also, as we've done Disney more frequently, we often gravitate towards snacks or menu items or restaurants that either aren't on the plan, or don't "value max" ... meaning I'm stressed trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting less value but actually getting the food we want ... or maximizing value. It's a bit exhausting, on top of Disney already being exhausting - and so I probably wouldn't buy several straight nights of DDP anymore.

 

[Patmcpsu]

I have always "beaten" the dining plan - pricey character meals, dining packages that don't qualify for AP discounts...

That's the other thing. When I bought the DDP through my DVC reservation, the rates were 10% less due to the DVC discount. This means I'm indirectly getting a 10% DVC discount on alcohol, snacks and counter service which I otherwise wouldn't.

 

[fla4fun]

It’s only a value if it fits the way you dine.

My dining habits don’t line up with the plan at all. I like to eat smaller meals at the parks, and often buy kids QS meals. I rarely eat at a table service restaurant. I can typically budget $40-$50 per day and still have some money left over. So even the QS plan doesn’t have value for me, since it’s just way too much food (most of my trips are solo, so there’s no one to split with).

Some people buy it for the convenience instead of the cash value. They like knowing that their meals are prepaid in advance, and not worrying about costs when choosing what they like to eat. Regardless of whether the plan has any monetary value, it will always have the convenience factor, and for some people that is enough.

 

[Disneylover99]

We’d never buy it.

I’ve seen too many people buy it and they just can’t use all their credits. When you’ve got longer stays and/or several people in your party, inevitably at least one person feels sick or out of sorts for a day or two, dinners get cancelled, and then it feels like you’ve got to catch up to get your money’s worth. So not a good value. It’s just another layer of stress IMO.

I like it when it’s free though.

 

[kanerf]

It sounds like the DDP price increase traditionally happens in October, and as far as I know, it hasn't happened yet. Meanwhile, we know that menu prices have risen steadily.

Most (single credit) character meals are about $64/adult and $42/child. Meanwhile the dining plan is currently $97/adult and $31/child. That means a kid is ahead of the game just by eating a character meal, and everything else they consume is pure savings. If the adult has a $18 alcoholic drink at the character meal, that meal puts them near the daily rate too.

It's no secret that character meals offer the most bang for the buck while on the dining plan, and they're not everyone's cup of tea, but there's real value to be had. Lock in now, because it feels DDP is due for a price increase.

And yes, I know that the rate effectively goes to $0/child in two months. Table service restaurants will be packed when that happens, with reservations being hard to get.

Don't forget that there is a snack credit in there as well. Used one at the Canada booth during Food & Wine for the $10 filet.

 

[Lumpy1106]

If your plan is to sit down to eat every meal and you always get an alcoholic beverage with your meal, yes, the DDP can save you money. We do not get DDP because it forces us to either eat at a lot more sit-down meals than we would like, or you lose snack or meal credits, both of which reduce the value of the DDP substantially. We also do not drink, so there is no value to the DDP by including that for us. We spend a lot less making other plans for meals, but that's us - YMMV.