Is DDP Worth it for my dining reservations?

[1andrea]

Hi

I am going to Disney World in June 2007 and have booked th DDP but I am not sure if it will be good value to us. Here is a our sample itinery so far...

Day1
Arrive in afternoon
CS meal

Day 2
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Crystal Palace Buffet at MK

Day 3
Breakfast Breakfastasourus at AK
Lunch Snack
Evening Meal CS

Day 4
Breakfast Holywood and Vine JOJO Breakfast at MGM
Lunch Snack
Evening Meal CS

Day 5
UNIVERSAL

Day 6
UNIVERSAL

Day 7
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Cinderella Gala Feast Buffet at 1900 Park Fare

Day 8
Breakfast Princess Story Book Dining at Norway Epcot
Lunch Snack
Evening Meal CS

Day 9
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Hoop de doo musical revue

Day 10
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Mickeys Backyard Barbecue 2TS

Day 11
Breakfast Mary Poppins and Alice Breakfast at Grand Floridian
Lunch Snack
Evening Meal CS

Day 12
Breakfast Cinderellas Royal Table Breakfast 2TS
Lunch Snack
Evening Meal C/S

Day 13
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Chef Mickeys at Contemporary

Day 14
Breakfast Snack
Lunch CS
Evening Meal Planet Holywood

So my question is... is the dining plan 2 adults 1 child worth it? I am guessing Snacks will be worth $4and a CS meal $10 for adults.

Any comments or ways to make the plan better value welcome.

Thanks and Merry Christmas
Andrea

 

[DisneyKidds]

Assuming that you would actually eat as outlined and order a CS meal and snack per person each day if you weren't on the plan......sure, you'll probably save about $200 and have all your meals prepaid. Go for it.

 

[tlhewitt52]

I would say it defnitely would be in your interest what you have to figure out is an estimate of how much you would spend on food per day. The dining plan cost is around $38/day for adults and $11 or so for kids. I think with the buffets it will probably be definitely worth it for you to get the DDP especially since you need to remember that the gratuitiy is included in the DDP price. We only leave an extra tip if we get really good customer service! I think the plan is well worth it for me and my family when we go we have saved $300 or more each time! you would just have to figure it out and if you feel you would save money then you should get it!

 

[The Sweetness]

The way I see it, you have 13 planed TS credits used per person, and if it's a 13 night stay, that actually makes sense. It would be worth it IMO, to have tax and gratuities included at TS meals, and also, to have a CS and snack cr per person, P/ day. I have heard that some people save their snack credits for their last day (not all but some of them) to go to Goofy's Candy Co before going home to load up on sinfully delish souvies (for yourselves, or gifts mmmmmmmmmmm)

 

[1andrea]

How nuch tax needs to be added to the bill? Is it 8%

Thanks

 

[BrerMama]

A character dinner runs around $35 for an adult, including tax and tip. The dining plan for one night is $38. (And don't forget you'll get a counter service meal and snack for that day, too).

We're doing a 12 night trip and I thought there was no way we'd eat enough to justify the dining plan cost. However, if we just do the meals I'd like to do, we'll more than use the plan to its full benefit.

 

[tlhewitt52]

I think tax is 6% plus your tip at Tableservice, but if you get the DDP they had 18% for your waiter automatically and you just pay one price! It actually works out to be a great deal~!

 

[1andrea]

Just worked out $ totals for the table service restaurants it comes to $872 inc tax not tips.

Then include 14 CS (approx cost $350)for 2 adults and 1 child and 42 Snacks(approx cost $140)

So it does just add up!

Do you think i am better to pay out of pocket for Mickeys backyard Barbecue and Cinderellas Royal Table? 2 TS credits seems a bit steep for these.

Thanks Andrea

 

[LoriNSC]

We did 5 days on DDP last year & saved about $300 on our TS meals alone. We're doing it again for our 10 day June 2007 trip. We love not having to worry w/ cost when ordering. It was a great value for my family.

 

[themudd4]

I see where you are using a couple of 2TS meals...that takes away from the plan IMO. But use em' if ya got em' I guess!
I went in June with my family and we used the DDP for the first time. I saved each reciept and figured it up when we got home and it saved us money for sure!!! I will not go with out the DDP again.

 

[LoriNSC]

Oh-we paid OOP for CRT breakfast last year & will do the same this year. We also pay OOP for Rainforest Cafe since it's not on DDP but we love it. We still feel we get a good deal even with 2 OOP meals.

 

[themudd4]

We too pay oop for a few meals...mostly the ones that are a little cheaper or like rainforest cafe that are not on the plan. Or a turkey leg...mmmmmm

 

[MEK]

With the ADR's you have, I would definately do the dining plan. To give you an idea of how much we saved, consider this. Me, DH, DS 12, DS 13 - 7 nights - dining plan $1064 (with tax). Total receipts were in excess of
$1600. I stopped adding when I reached $1600. We has TS reservations at Le Cellier (dinner), Spoodles (dinner), Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner), Boma (dinner), Prime Time Cafe (dinner), Chefs De France (dinner), Crystal Palace (breakfast).

Have a great trip.