Is DDP just flawed?

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I’ve never ever got the point of the DDP. It’s not convenient as it is not all prepaid and it’s not a saving in fact to get value for money you have to eat way more than we ever would. If we have a QS at lunchtime no way are we hungry for a TS for dinner. We never even consider buying it

And if you drank alcohol for all the meals you would have come out ahead. Granted you would have had to conform to all the DDP restrictions.

 

[Minniesgal]

You don’t eat 2 meals at home? DD and I would split a QS breakfast and lunch then each have a TS dinner, SC were for the Food & Wine booths.

Not two meals with more than one course never. We have a light breakfast i just have soup or a salad at lunch and we have a single course for dinner. (meat plus Veg) One QS credit (main plus dessert) is probably already as much food as we eat in a day at home

 

[pooch]

Not two meals with more than one course never. We have a light breakfast i just have soup or a salad at lunch and we have a single course for dinner. (meat plus Veg) One QS credit (main plus dessert) is probably already as much food as we eat in a day at home

Then, no. No dining plan at any price would work for you.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Not two meals with more than one course never. We have a light breakfast i just have soup or a salad at lunch and we have a single course for dinner. (meat plus Veg) One QS credit (main plus dessert) is probably already as much food as we eat in a day at home

I don’t think the dinning plan is geared towards you lol. How many calories a day does that even come out too

 

[pooch]

Our normal when we had the free regular DDP with 1 QS, 1 TS & 2 SC each was:

Breakfast: Split a Bounty Platter from Pop food court. This gave us eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries & a biscuit or Mickey waffle. Large OJ & coffee in my refillable mug. A little protein, a little carb, some vitamin C & caffeine. 1QS

Lunch: Liked CHH or SS for the salmon with potatoes & green beans. Split a water or soda. Again 1 QS

Dinner: whatever TS dinner we wanted. Most of the time we just had a couple bites of dessert. 2 TS.

Now we’ve had 3 meals without stuffing ourselves and still have 4 SC left. We use these mostly at F & W or to take treats home to the grandkids. Often we will munch our way around WS and combine that day’s TS to go to a 2 credit TS like HDDR.
DD now lives outside of Orlando & has an AP so it no longer makes sense to get the free DDP. But we did enjoy it back in the day!

 

[AdamsMum]

I’ve never ever got the point of the DDP. It’s not convenient as it is not all prepaid and it’s not a saving in fact to get value for money you have to eat way more than we ever would. If we have a QS at lunchtime no way are we hungry for a TS for dinner. We never even consider buying it

You're right, in your case. It doesn't work for light eaters.

 

[AdamsMum]

The last time I used the dining plan was quick service. I had two studios for me and my son, and I bought the quick service plan only for my room. We did one table service meal out of pocket, and a couple of times we split up, so he paid out of pocket for his lunch on those 2 days. The quick service for one was perfect, we had plenty of credits to last us the week. Also we're from Canada so morning flight home and there's no opportunity to use any credits on the last day. Okay, I'm convincing myself that it isn't worth it for the convenience on my solo trip in October.

 

[persimmondeb]

I've never not broken at least even with the dining plan. We're fairly big eaters, and hey we're on vacation! We wouldn't order that way if we had to pay out of pocket, but we're completely happy to do so and will cheerfully eat it all. We don't go crazy doing math, the rule is that you order the most expensive thing you want, and if a snack is under a certain amount, pay out of pocket and save the credit until you want something more expensive. We really, really missed it the last two trips when it wasn't available. You need at least one or two big eaters in a party, though (unless you have little kids and are doing characters, etc.).

 

[jimmymc]

I'm late to the conversation here, but the current iteration of the DDP seems to only exist so Disney can offer free dining. It rarely makes sense to pay for, and including dessert but not apps or extra sides really hurts the value. But it get people to pay full price for more expensive resort rooms, so Disney keeps it around.

 

[Keetchino]

DDP used to be worth it for us when they would allow you to use one Quick Service credit for 3 food booth "Snack" credit items at the Epcot festivals. The only way I would consider springing for a DDP now is if you could choose from either a dessert OR an appetizer, which I doubt they will start allowing anytime soon. I am not a big dessert person and usually won't order one, so that aspect is of no value to me.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I agree. Ive always done the DxDDP, as we go to a character breakfast and signature dinner most days, typically 10 - 12 day trips. I love having it prepaid. This will be my 1st trip since 2021 and Im not sure how to approach it. Ive seen some just buying a prepaid GC and loading it with the expected amount. I cant even imagine if that card got lost!! Now Im looking into tables in wonderland to see what restaurants are included. I just wish they would bring back the DXDDP!! I dont do counter service on vacation!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

I agree. Ive always done the DxDDP, as we go to a character breakfast and signature dinner most days, typically 10 - 12 day trips. I love having it prepaid. This will be my 1st trip since 2021 and Im not sure how to approach it. Ive seen some just buying a prepaid GC and loading it with the expected amount. I cant even imagine if that card got lost!! Now Im looking into tables in wonderland to see what restaurants are included. I just wish they would bring back the DXDDP!! I dont do counter service on vacation!!!

I believe they discontinued tables in wonderland in 2021.
You can get a 10% discount at most table service restaurants with an annual pass.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I believe they discontinued tables in wonderland in 2021.
You can get a 10% discount at most table service restaurants with an annual pass.

Thanks for the info. I dont need or want an annual pass! Im visiting less frequently now that my kids have grown and my knees and legs arent what they used to be! Im starting to plan my grandson's first trip, but he will still be little (4), needing naps which is great for me because I do too!

 

[pooch]

Thanks for the info. I dont need or want an annual pass! Im visiting less frequently now that my kids have grown and my knees and legs arent what they used to be! Im starting to plan my grandson's first trip, but he will still be little (4), needing naps which is great for me because I do too!

A Disney Visa will also provide a 10% at many TS restaurants.

 

[DISNEY1975]

A Disney Visa will also provide a 10% at many TS restaurants.

WOW! I didnt know and Ive had a DVisa for years! Ive only used it for shopping though! Thanks for the info!

 

[pooch]

WOW! I didnt know and Ive had a DVisa for years! Ive only used it for shopping though! Thanks for the info!

If you look under card perks, it lists the restaurants that are included. Also if you check the menus on …. can I say the website? It lists the discounts available for each TS. It’s pretty extensive.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Disney is making money, hand over fist, whether QS or TS. It’s just the nature of the business

 

[kandb]

I plan on bringing my 2 college aged children to Ohana's for dinner and we will have the ddp. We will all get a alcoholic beverage as well. Even though the bill will be "covered" under the ddp the bill will still be close to $300. I am a very fair tipper but last time we were there, we were done eating in around an hour. I will find it very hard to leave a server a $60 tip. Of course, I will leave a very nice tip but don't think it will be $60. Last time we were there the server was at our table around 5 times for a minute or two, dropping food off.

 

[kandb]

A Disney Visa will also provide a 10% at many TS restaurants.

I have to disagree unless they added alot of TS restaurants. It's actually very few.

 

[FreeTime]

I plan on bringing my 2 college aged children to Ohana's for dinner and we will have the ddp. We will all get an alcoholic beverage as well. Even though the bill will be "covered" under the ddp the bill will still be close to $300. I am a very fair tipper but last time we were there, we were done eating in around an hour. I will find it very hard to leave a server a $60 tip. Of course, I will leave a very nice tip but don't think it will be $60. Last time we were there the server was at our table around 5 times for a minute or two, dropping food off.

And before you even arrived, they made sure your table was prepped and looked nice. Then after you ordered your food, they had to pick it up, carry it all the way across the dining room. Before they did that they made sure that what was on the plate is what you ordered. They looked at your table from afar to see if your drinks needed refilled.

Keep in mind they are taking care of you even when they are not in front of you. They don’t need to hover.

If you can’t or won’t tip the recommended amount then you shouldn’t be dining out.

Just curious, what to you is a nice tip percentage that you are claiming you will leave?