Is DDP worth It? Resounding YES For Our Family

[skier_pete]

Many people question whether the DDP is worth it, or whether they are better paying OOP, particularly with the sharp rise from $41.99 to $45.99 in 2011. Well, each family is different, but our latest trip again proved that for us it is a HUGE savings.

So, we stayed at Disney for 9 nights with the DDP - Total cost was $863.73 - Two adults, one child (7 year old DD).

We ate at the following TS restaurants (all for dinner except where noted):
Crystal Palace, Garden Grill, Sanaa, Boma, Le Cellier, 1900 Park Fare, Teppan Edo (lunch), and also used 2TS for HDDR.

We used all of our credits - and at the end of the week only had 2 snack credits left that we "wasted" on Mickey Rice Crispie Treats to take home. Our normal rules on Snack Credit usage was "If it's less than $3 pay cash, more than $3 use a snack credit. We especially loved having the snack credits for food and wine. Typical values there were anywhere from $4 up to $7.50 for a couple of things. Other than this, we did very little to attempt to "maximize the value" on purpose.

I kept track of ALL the DDP charges and here's what I got:
$111.59 on Snack Credits (Average $4.13 per 1 credit.)
$337.33 on Quick Service meals (Average $37.48 per 3 people credit)
$778.73 on Table Service meals (Average $86.50 per 3 people credit)

So, that totals to $1227.65, which is makes the cost benefit for us $364, or about 42%. Another way to look at it - We averaged $136.37 for food versus our cost of $95.97 per day. This is far and away the best "value" we've ever gotten for the DDP - as previous two years I calculated about a 25% better than OOP. The only difference I can think of is in the past we ate more TS lunches, which tend to be cheaper.

For full disclosure, we additionally spent $418 OOP on food - but $206 in that was a single meal for DW and myself at Jiko - so taking that out, we spent $212 additional on tips, small snacks, drinks and the occasional appetizer.

We also loved all of our meals, and so I continue to say I can't really see the quality drop that is so commonly professed about. (OK, those stupid whole-grain hamburger and hot dog buns are pretty awful.) So, I am pretty convinced we will continue to use the DDP, even at the higher cost.

Any questions?

SkierPete

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Sounds like you have done your home work.

We believe it works for US as well, but we are going to be upgrading to the DxDDP this trip. (3nights/4 FULL days). I'll have to keep copies of the reciepts so that I can do the same thing you just did to see if the value was there.

I suspect that it will be at the end of the day based on our eating habits, not a lot of food just pricey.

Note:The only reason I say FULL days is because people tend to assume that we arrive about mid day on the arrival and leave mid day on the departure day. In our case we arrive at 7AM on arrival and don't leave until about 4:30PM on departure.

 

[skier_pete]

Sounds like you have done your home work.

We believe it works for US as well, but we are going to be upgrading to the DxDDP this trip. (3nights/4 FULL days). I'll have to keep copies of the reciepts so that I can do the same thing you just did to see if the value was there.

I suspect that it will be at the end of the day based on our eating habits, not a lot of food just pricey.

Note:The only reason I say FULL days is because people tend to assume that we arrive about mid day on the arrival and leave mid day on the departure day. In our case we arrive at 7AM on arrival and don't leave until about 4:30PM on departure.

I'd be interesting to see if the Deluxe DDP is as good a value. I notice the Deluxe restaurants in General are NOT as good a value as the 1TS restaurants. (Generally - a 1TS restaurant will run you $30-40 for drink, dinner and desssert, while a 2 TS restaurant will run you $50-60. which is not really twice the value. I know the Deluxe plan includes some appetizers in there, but have never paid that close attention. It's too much money for our wallet - and too much food too!)

 

[muppetmom]

We did the DDxP the last time we went to WDW, Aug of 2009. We went during free dining and upgraded. We got our moneys worth! I think my DH calculated that we would have spent over $1000 more without the DDxP. We went to signature dining every night and a sit down lunch. Some of our snack credits we used for breakfast, and others for snacks in the park or bottled water. The kids had a blast ordering what they wanted without DH or me having to say it was too expensive. We are looking forward to doing it again in June! If I can find the receipts I will post the exact amounts for you.....I know I put them somewhere to keep them safe, I just don't know where!

 

[maddiesdaddy]

We did the DDxP the last time we went to WDW, Aug of 2009. We went during free dining and upgraded. We got our moneys worth! I think my DH calculated that we would have spent over $1000 more without the DDxP. We went to signature dining every night and a sit down lunch. Some of our snack credits we used for breakfast, and others for snacks in the park or bottled water. The kids had a blast ordering what they wanted without DH or me having to say it was too expensive. We are looking forward to doing it again in June! If I can find the receipts I will post the exact amounts for you.....I know I put them somewhere to keep them safe, I just don't know where!

I agree with all posters here. The DDxP was well worth it for us. We didn't keep detailed track like the OP did, but we broke it out like this for us.
In Sept 2010, 2 adults and 2 kids, the cost of the DDxP was $186 per night...we had room discount that worked better for us.

Chef Mickey's alone was about $105 before tip...then we ate 2 other TS meals..each at over $60 each before tip. Each night, it was a resounding yes. We choose TS for every meal since the kiddos want characters and the adults want the break from the hustle and bustle. There wasn't one single night that we didn't come out ahead. Citricos one night on its own was more than the cost of the plan that night...so there isn't any question for our family that we made the right choice.

 

[havoc315]

I'd be interesting to see if the Deluxe DDP is as good a value. I notice the Deluxe restaurants in General are NOT as good a value as the 1TS restaurants. (Generally - a 1TS restaurant will run you $30-40 for drink, dinner and desssert, while a 2 TS restaurant will run you $50-60. which is not really twice the value. I know the Deluxe plan includes some appetizers in there, but have never paid that close attention. It's too much money for our wallet - and too much food too!)

That's true on the DDP, not on the DxDP.

As broken down elsewhere on this board, under the DDP, you are paying about $30 per TS credit. But under the DxDP, you are paying about $25 per credit, which also includes an appetizer.

So if you use 2 TS credits under the DDP for a signature restaurant -- You are correct, it's a waste. You are paying $60 worth of credits, for $50-$60 worth of food.

But if you get an appetizer, the value of the meal is more like $60-75. And you are only paying $25 per credit.

So under the DxDP, you are paying $50 worth of credits, to get $60-$75 worth of food. A pretty darn good use of deluxe credits!

The opposite is true of buffets -- The buffets are good uses of DDP credits, but so-so uses of Dx credits.

 

[danall]

We have always had the DDP for all of our trips to Disney except for our very first one and we have always found it to be very well worth it. You get to eat at restaurants that you wouldn't normally go to because of the cost and you don't have to worry about the price of the bill at the end of the meal. We have gone a few times when the DDP was free and that made it even more worthwhile but we still get it even if we have to pay for it. Unless you want to eat burgers and fries the whole time you are there, DDP lets you eat well at a reasonable price. We have never had the DxDP as we think the basic one offers plenty of food as it is, if planned properly. Most days we don't even have room for our snack.

 

[skier_pete]

That's true on the DDP, not on the DxDP.

As broken down elsewhere on this board, under the DDP, you are paying about $30 per TS credit. But under the DxDP, you are paying about $25 per credit, which also includes an appetizer.

So if you use 2 TS credits under the DDP for a signature restaurant -- You are correct, it's a waste. You are paying $60 worth of credits, for $50-$60 worth of food.

But if you get an appetizer, the value of the meal is more like $60-75. And you are only paying $25 per credit.

So under the DxDP, you are paying $50 worth of credits, to get $60-$75 worth of food. A pretty darn good use of deluxe credits!

The opposite is true of buffets -- The buffets are good uses of DDP credits, but so-so uses of Dx credits.

Interesting to know. The fact is the DxDP is out of our price range....and we are fine with the 1TS restaurants, ususally only doing 1 of the Signature restaurants per trip. I knew there were appetizers included with the DxDP, but never really paid close attention to it. It's good to hear that it appears to be a good value.

The one that I didn't think was much of a value is the QSDP - seems like you might save about $5 a day on that one!

 

[havoc315]

Interesting to know. The fact is the DxDP is out of our price range....and we are fine with the 1TS restaurants, ususally only doing 1 of the Signature restaurants per trip. I knew there were appetizers included with the DxDP, but never really paid close attention to it. It's good to hear that it appears to be a good value.

The one that I didn't think was much of a value is the QSDP - seems like you might save about $5 a day on that one!

The apps make a big difference in terms of value, and personal preference. Appetizers are often my favorite part of the meal, as its the area where the chef often gets the most creative, and where I can taste a small portion of something new. (And if I dislike it, it doesn't upset the whole dinner). Not talking about an appetizer order of Onion Rings at the Primetime Diner. But, for example, at Narcoose's, the crispy duck roll or the Togarashi Spiced Tuna Tataki. Or the Venison Pot stickers with Tamarind Ponzu at Artist's Point.
Plus, apps at the Signature restaurants are often priced at $15-$20. (I have heard you can get the $22 sushi rolls at California Grill as appetizers).

So I can picture side by side tables at a Disney signature restaurant. 1 table on the basic plan -- The couple basically spent $120 for 2 entrees (about $40 each), 2 beverages ($2 each), and 2 desserts ($9 each). So for $120, the couple got only about $100 worth of menu items.

At the next table, you have the DxDP couple. That couple only spent $100 for the meal credits. They got the 2 entrees, 2 beverages, 2 desserts, PLUS about $30 worth of appetizers.

So the DDP couple paid $120 for $100 worth of food, while the DxDP couple paid $100 for $130 worth of food. Even if the DxDP couple totally skips dessert, they still end up a bit ahead. (Skip desserts on the DDP and you totally defeat any money saving).

I agree with you on the QSDP. It only becomes valuable for people who love and maximize all the snacks and the refillable mug. If you don't really use the refillable mug, and you don't have any real use for 2 snack credits per day, you probably don't save much money at all.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I am going to be curious to see how using the regular DDP is going to work for my family. In 2008, we had the DDxp, and it was SO much food. We really tried to maximize it and pretty much were running from reservation to reservation.
We are going again in May and this time we are just going DDP. I have all my ressies planned out.. Decided against doing any signatures because they take up 2 ts and I want to sit and eat each day (except for le cellier which I am going for lunch).

Am I correct that the amount of cs and ts goes by the amount of days you are there or the amount of nights? we are going 8 nights and 9 days..

 

[skier_pete]

I am going to be curious to see how using the regular DDP is going to work for my family. In 2008, we had the DDxp, and it was SO much food. We really tried to maximize it and pretty much were running from reservation to reservation.
We are going again in May and this time we are just going DDP. I have all my ressies planned out.. Decided against doing any signatures because they take up 2 ts and I want to sit and eat each day (except for le cellier which I am going for lunch).

Am I correct that the amount of cs and ts goes by the amount of days you are there or the amount of nights? we are going 8 nights and 9 days..

Le Cellier is going to signature (2TS) at night - but will still be 1TS for lunch.

Also, if you stay 8 nights, you get 8 TS, 8 CS, and 8 Snacks per person.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

Also, if you stay 8 nights, you get 8 TS, 8 CS, and 8 Snacks per person.

This was the main reason we switched to the DxDDP as we are there 3 nights and 4 days.

Couldn't make the 3TS 3CS and 3S stretch an entire 4 days. But now we have 9MC and 6S each so that should be plenty. We currently have 6ADRs with one at a Signature restuarant. DS loves crab legs.

 

[gilsan]

I'd be interesting to see if the Deluxe DDP is as good a value. I notice the Deluxe restaurants in General are NOT as good a value as the 1TS restaurants. (Generally - a 1TS restaurant will run you $30-40 for drink, dinner and desssert, while a 2 TS restaurant will run you $50-60. which is not really twice the value. I know the Deluxe plan includes some appetizers in there, but have never paid that close attention. It's too much money for our wallet - and too much food too!)

We also "saved" about $1000 on the DxDp.

I kept my receipts for most meals and it worked out that we paid $1000 less than the actual cost of the food had we ordered OOP, but had we not been on DxDp we probably would not have bought as much food as we did. Had we purchased only the food we wanted, ie not apps and dessert with every meal, and skipped a couple meals we still feel we saved about $500 on the DxDp and would do it again.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

We also "saved" about $1000 on the DxDp.

I kept my receipts for most meals and it worked out that we paid $1000 less than the actual cost of the food had we ordered OOP, but had we not been on DxDp we probably would not have bought as much food as we did. Had we purchased only the food we wanted, ie not apps and dessert with every meal, and skipped a couple meals we still feel we saved about $500 on the DxDp and would do it again.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen on a shorter trip. Your's and the OP's trips were each 9 nights, so over the course of time it worked out. I wonder if the same can be said for the 3night/4day trip.

Don't get me wrong, I've done all the math - based on reasonable assumptions of what will be ordered at each location, and it looks like we'll save. But to what amount I dunno.

In your case that $1000 was over 9 nights and how many people? I'll have to pop over to your TR and check it out.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[gilsan]

It'll be interesting to see what will happen on a shorter trip. Your's and the OP's trips were each 9 nights, so over the course of time it worked out. I wonder if the same can be said for the 3night/4day trip.

Don't get me wrong, I've done all the math - based on reasonable assumptions of what will be ordered at each location, and it looks like we'll save. But to what amount I dunno.

In your case that $1000 was over 9 nights and how many people? I'll have to pop over to your TR and check it out.

Thanks for sharing.

It was 2 adults and 1 child. We ate mainly at 2 credit resturants. Part of the extra savings was that we ordered room service from Narcoosee 2 night which includes the 18% gratuity. Those meals were in the $200 range vs $160 at other 2 credit restaurants.

 

[Pumba's Truth]

It was 2 adults and 1 child. We ate mainly at 2 credit resturants. Part of the extra savings was that we ordered room service from Narcoosee 2 night which includes the 18% gratuity. Those meals were in the $200 range vs $160 at other 2 credit restaurants.

I expect our savings to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of about 30$/day. But if we break even I'm just as pleased as I will have paid for everything before we left.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

For a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) I have run the "numbers" by looking at various menus that are online and from past experiences using the DDP. For us, we are coming out ahead each time using the DDP. For one, there is no hassle of looking at or even caring what anything costs, you just order it. I can have a sit down, steak or seafood meal every night, which more than covers the cost of the DDP /adult for that day. Each CS lunch was running our family around $35 total, and we get the max out of snack credits ($20) per the 4 of us (fair estimate). That pushes us up to $55 not including the TS meals. For our next trip, the TS meals are going to run well over $100 each, for each night, so I am guessing we are going to push $160-$170 worth of food each day, covered by the DDP. (regular)

 

[skier_pete]

For one, there is no hassle of looking at or even caring what anything costs, you just order it.

This for me is one of the top plusses of the DDP - you don't fret over the cost of a meal. When I go to an expensive restaurant (and let's face it, they're ALL expensive at Disney) I do tend to look at prices, not necessarily with eye towards what is cheapest, but was is a good value for the money. On the DDP, I don't go the opposite way, saying "I'm gonna order the most expensive meal", I really find I don't even really look at the prices, and simply order the meal that appeals to me the most.

 

[muppetmom]

I found my receipts! Here are the promised numbers. If we had paid oop we would have spent $3780.00 on just the meals for 5 of us over 8 days in 2009. We went during free dining and upgraded to DxDP. I think we paid (5*(72-35))*8 which is $1480 (?). So, we saved $2300 . Could that be right? My kids were 19,17 and 14 and are good and adventerous eaters. We ate at the following:
Sun: cereal, milk and tea in room for breakfast, Teppan Edo - Lunch, Yachtsman - Dinner
Monday: cereal, milk and tea in room for breakfast, Mama Melrose/fantasmic - Lunch, Boma - Dinner
Tuesday - Breakfast pastries (snack credits) in room, Kona Cafe - lunch, Artist Point - Dinner
Wed - breakfast in room, Yak and Yeti - lunch, Citricos - Dinner
Thursday - breakfast in room, Tokyo Dining - Lunch, Flying Fish - Dinner
Friday - Sleep in a bit, Kona - Breakfast, California Grill - Dinner (lots of snacks in between)
Sat - The Wave - breakfast, Tokyo Dining - Lunch, Citricos - Dinner.

We actually had 6 meal credits left when our vacation was over because my D and I had to fly home to attend an unexpected funeral in the middle of the week.

For us, it is worth getting DxDP. However, if my kids were smaller, didn't eat much or were picky, I am not sure it would be worth it. My kids had fun eating duck, bison, ostrich, tuna, venison.....

 

[gilsan]

For us, it is worth getting DxDP. However, if my kids were smaller, didn't eat much or were picky, I am not sure it would be worth it. My kids had fun eating duck, bison, ostrich, tuna, venison.....

The DxDp is only $21.99/day for 3-9 year olds. So it is a good deal especially when they want a $3-4 snack and eat 3 bites and are done. You can say yes and keep everyone happy.