Is the DDP REALLY a value...I think not!

[sharonabe]

Well, klhill, you said it best ....TO EACH HIS OWN.

While I may not get to eat steak or seafood every night, I like the idea of being able to enjoy more TS than the DDP allows, and for less money.

So, I'll keep my plan. Maybe someone will come along who likes mine too. Maybe not. But I'm okay with that.

 

[pmaurer74]

for us we are doing DXDP with 2 adults, 1 child and 1 infant we are almost being "forced" into DxDP because we are 3 credits over on the regular DP so for $250 more we get 21 more snacks and 4 more meals. We figured out we will save $300-500 on the plan because we have right now 17 ADRs most of them character meals and buffets but we are still weighing our options.

 

[pooch]

but DD and I are firmly in the DDP camp. The Free DDP promotion for Sept is our annual mother/daughter trip. This time, for the first time, I had to upgrade to reg DDP as we stay at Pop (don't use the resort for anything but a clean place to sleep and an occassional drink at the pool bar) but that's ok. We share a CS breakfast, a CS lunch and then get our own TS dinner. CS desserts are typically the bag of sliced apples to munch later so we really only eat 1 dessert a day (hey, we're on VACATION here!!!) We don't book more TS than the plan allows and don't feel the need to. Each year we plan a mix of new places and old favorites. If we miss a restaurant this year, we'll try it next year. (I've been trying to fit Boma and Cape May Cafe for 3 trips now!!) We usually have a couple of CS/SC left at the end of the trip to take food to eat at the airport. We love it. It is part and parcel of our Disney vacation.

So perhaps your title should be "is the DDP REALLY a value... I think not FOR ME"

 

[JimmyV]

For us, it has nothing to do with money, and more to do with how we eat. We always hit up a grocery store and eat breakfast in our room as we get ready for the parks. This would not change if we were on the DDP. So if we were on the DDP, we would use our credits towards a QS lunch, a TS dinner and a snack. A QS lunch provides each person with an entree and a dessert. In the real world, we do not eat dessert with lunch. And since many QS offerings come with fries, we usually will split two orders of fries among the three of us. So on the DDP, we would get 3 desserts and 1 order of fries that we simply do not want or need.

Moving on to dinner, we usually order salads or appetizers, (one per person) and an entree per person. Perhaps half of our meals include a dessert to split among 3 people. On the DDP, we would have to pay OOP for the salads and appetizers, and we would have 2 desserts left over that we would not eat. And then there is the snack per day. My daughter would probably use hers, but my wife and I do not snack during the day, so we would waste these.

To sum it up, the DDP gives each person a dessert at lunch, a dessert at dinner, an ice cream during the day. I know a lot of you out there love this, but this is not how we roll. And the DDP provides for no first course salads or appetizers, which at many TS locations, are the best and most interesting things to try. The day that Disney decides to allow diners to trade a first course for a dessert is the day that we will look into the dining plan. But for now, taking full advantage of the dining plan seems to provide for about 2,000 more calories per person per day than we need. Of course no one forces you to eat everything that you are credited. But if you are going to order an appetizer and skip dessert, then the DDP can't make any sense.

 

[smiths02]

Who's been saying otherwise? DDP is a good value only for those who want to eat the way the plan is designed. (Note, that is not exactly the same as "would eat without the plan" -- for some, the real value is being able to dine in the style allowed by the plan.) If you prefer to eat differently, then of course it isn't going to be a good option or value for you.

However, just because it isn't a good option for you doesn't mean it isn't a good option for others.

I've said repeatedly that in almost every case, you can eat for less than what the dining plan costs and that you should only get a dining plan if the extra cost adds a subjective value to your vacation that you think is worth the money.



No comment.

Totally agree. Your OP says DDP is really not a good value...as if that is a statement for everyone.

I can see that it does not work FOR YOUR FAMILY, but just as you have spent time trying to figure out how to eat the best while spending less than the DDP, many people can come up with huge savings.

For example, if you don't eat a dessert (but split one) and want to eat at more TS locations than DDP allows...there are ways to maximize credits for that, depending on your family. If the place is a la carte, you can usually share and use fewer credits.

 

[pooch]

want to open the "calories" can of worms do you? On DDP or not, one can choose to eat healtily (or not) at WDW. The DDP does not necessarily add 2000 calories to your daily intake unless the options YOU choose do so. There is an abundance of CS/TA/SC options that provide great food without tons of calories, salads, fresh fruit, grilled entrees, fish, veggies. Desserts don't have to be cheesecake and snacks don't have to be ice cream.

 

[JimmyV]

But that does not negate the fact that salads and appetizers are not icluded. Once you have one of those plus an entree, you have had two courses. If you opt not to have a third course, it doesn't much matter whether that third course is carrot cake or carrots, it is still not eaten and wasted. And yes, folks can opt not to have two desserts plus a snack every day. But many others do. Bottom line is that the DDP does not funnel you into the best dining options, at least the way our family eats. So it isn't the right plan FOR US. Just stating how things are from one point of view.

 

[pooch]

But that does not negate the fact that salads and appetizers are not icluded. Once you have one of those plus an entree, you have had two courses. If you opt not to have a third course, it doesn't much matter whether that third course is carrot cake or carrots, it is still not eaten and wasted. And yes, folks can opt not to have two desserts plus a snack every day. But many others do. Bottom line is that the DDP does not funnel you into the best dining options, at least the way our family eats. So it isn't the right plan FOR US. Just stating how things are from one point of view.

and we all have our point of view. I was just pointing out that to suggest the DDP in and of itself, adds calories to ones daily intake is really unfair to the DDP. We make the choices, not the plan. DD and I do very well calorie-wise on the plan balancing splurges against good healthy food. You are absolutely correct that DDP is not for everyone. I just feel the calorie arguement is not relevant. Those who overindulge on the plan would probably do so anyway.

 

[patsal]

While I know it works for some, it does not work best for us. I am a firm believer in order what you want, when you want it. I prefer to spend my whole vacation that way, never chasing credits to spend them out,and dropping ADR's if I really am not hungry. I have all people over 10 in my family so for 12 nights of CS and TS, a mix of B, L, D and some signature, some not, and no buffets--personally I dislike them--my meals and snacks are projected to be in the $1500 area. I know basic DDP would be $1655 or so for us. Even if I spend the $1655 or more at least I know we got what we wanted when we wanted it---I like apps for my meal sometimes, sometimes I just want soup and salad for lunch, I don't want dessert at all and I snack minimally--usually on high protein items so again the DDP just isn't designed teh way we like to eat.

 

[kswart]

We are a family of 2 adults and 4 girls ages 9, 8, 5, and 3.... And my 4 girls can out-eat 3 high school boys! lol We are going in 10 days and doing the DDP... We are also doing 11 character meals and a signature in there... For us it totally makes sense.... Most cases we have paid for ours in 1 1/2 meals... Add in snacks and we are way over the top Now if you are 2 adults and don't do signature and don't eat much DDP certainly isn't for you.... My wife and I are going back for our anniversary in December and doing deluxe again and planning a late breakfast or brunch daily plus a signature dinner, and we will make out on that one too.

 

[Asellus]

I have to wonder...why would you want to drink tap water in Disney? yuck! If you're going to be drinking water ask for bottled water (most restaurants offer it) and then put that in your total.
We'll likely choose the quick service plan if we stay on site....we don't really want to take the time for sit down meals.

 

[MarieA]

We just returned from our annual WDW trip and did 9 nights on the Deluxe Dining Plan. The cost for us was $1421.82 for 2 adults. I saved our dining receipts and totaled them. Our OOP cost for food would have been $1837.39, snacks $119.01 and refillable mugs $27.98. The grand total for food, snacks and mugs if we paid OOP would have been $1,984.38. We have a TIW card and even taking the 20% discount on food into consideration the OOP cost would have been $1616.90. It definitely was a money saver for us.

I'm not sure we will use the DDP again when staying that long because by the end of our trip we just wanted light snacks and meals.

 

[Colleen27]

I have to wonder...why would you want to drink tap water in Disney? yuck! If you're going to be drinking water ask for bottled water (most restaurants offer it) and then put that in your total.

That's a factor for us too. I'm ridiculously picky about the taste of my water; I drink tap at home but don't like the taste of the tap water in the Orlando area (or many other areas we travel to). So drinking water with meals isn't a way I'd choose to tighten the dining budget - if I drink water at Disney, it's bottled.

 

[ccgirl]

As everyone has said; it depends no how you eat and the makeup of your family.

Typical day for my family (2A/2C):

MK:
Breakfast at Main Street Bakery. A $4 pastry (x4) = $16
Lunch at Cosmic Ray's:
1/2 chicken and rip combo $14.19 (x2) = 28.38
Kids picks ($5 x 2) = 10.00
Carrot cake $3.59
Chocolate cake $3.59
2 sodas $5
Meal total = $50.56

Dinner at Crystal Palace $109.96

Day total: $176.52
Cost of dining plan for the day: $115.96
For a SAVINGS of $60.56 for just that one day.

We like character meals because I don't like standing in line just for their autographs. PLus, we like 1 sit down meal a day.

When my Dh and myself go in October for F&W we are gtting the QSDP since we can use the snack credits for the foods in the booths - some of which are $8.

So, as you can see the dining plan does work well for some people. It is important to do the math. Both my children have healthy appetites and are still hungry after a children's QS meal so we will share our meal and desserts with them.

 

[lurkernj]

We love the DDP. I like not having to cringe when my boys order the $32 steak, and $8 dessert, or a $5 milkshake. It truly is part of the vacation experience to know it is all paid for, and I love most of Disney's restaurants. We also like seafood and steak, so our entree prices would generally be expensive.

I also like that each person gets their own stuff. When sharing occurs, it usually means DH and boys pick what they want and I get what's leftover.

 

[Wendy5055]

Our family loves the Dxdp and buy it every trip. We have also sat down and actually picked items off all the menus and added it all up, and we feel Disney dining is a savings for us. Could we eat cheaper? Of course, but if we were paying oop it wouldn't be long before we would start scrimping, skipping CRT and Spirit of Aloha, no desserts and no appetizers, ordering the cheapest entree on the menu. Do we really need these things? No, but we want to eat what we want on vacation without worrying about price, so for us to eat the way we want, dining plans save us money. But it sounds like the DDP is definitely NOT a value for your family, so it's great that now you know not to buy it again.

I totally agree!!! That is definately what I have done every single time I did not get the DP. We are now DxDP users and enjoy our vacation to its fullest.

I never find myself '"restricted" from eating where I want to...I don't feel like I am "missing valuable park time"...I rarely eat "way too much food"...I always get something additional be it a tink cup for my dd9 or a drink for myself or my mother...I enjoy the break from the heat as much as sitting down and being waited on...I eat whatever I want when I do eat...we eat at more signature restaurants than I would pay for OOP...we see dinner shows that I would not pay for OOP...for me, that is what "vacation" is all about and yes, I am willing to pay for it.

I do think it is an individual choice.

 

[patsal]

For my family DxDDp would be $2880 this summer plus tips--when I figure those out it is close to $1000. For $3800+ I can get us Premium Annual Passes for 2 years (with DVC Discount). I'll stick with my $1500+- and still get whatever I want when I want it. Like I said, we don't do character meals. If I had young children and did character meals it would be less expensive for me to use the DDP or DxDDP, I'm sure. We are not suffering at all, nor making any sacrifices. I don't care if DD orders the $38 steak meal every night, what she chooses to get for snacks or whatever. I know there is no right answer that is one size fits all so this is just what works for us.

 

[neatokimmo]

I need someone that is better than me at Disney math to help me figure what we should do for dining.

Last trip was 14 nights, regular dining plan. I'd like to repeat that.

But now I have to pay at least $11 per day to upgrade because we are staying at a value.

Neither of us eat desserts. I eat a lot of fish so let's say that is $25 (like Kona's tuna).

I just paid $11 for the meal, but lost the other meal of about $12.

So did I just really pay $23 for my fish meal? And saved a whole $2? Paying out of pocket, I would be drinking water. On the plan I'd spring for a coke.

But if we do dinner shows, we really should upgrade right? Each adult is paying $22 in upgrades with the lost opportunity cost of $24, so $46 which is $10 less than the actual ticket cost. Times three and we are $30 ahead.

Gack, my head hurts! (there is also a 5 yr old to throw into the mix)

 

[2girls4me]

It's not a "one size fits all." type of thing. Even with all the different packages, it's not going to work for everyone. We have used the plan on both pur trips and it completely works for us.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I need someone that is better than me at Disney math to help me figure what we should do for dining.

Last trip was 14 nights, regular dining plan. I'd like to repeat that.

But now I have to pay at least $11 per day to upgrade because we are staying at a value.

Neither of us eat desserts. I eat a lot of fish so let's say that is $25 (like Kona's tuna).

I just paid $11 for the meal, but lost the other meal of about $12.

So did I just really pay $23 for my fish meal? And saved a whole $2? Paying out of pocket, I would be drinking water. On the plan I'd spring for a coke.

But if we do dinner shows, we really should upgrade right? Each adult is paying $22 in upgrades with the lost opportunity cost of $24, so $46 which is $10 less than the actual ticket cost. Times three and we are $30 ahead.

Gack, my head hurts! (there is also a 5 yr old to throw into the mix)

How are you with manipulating a spreadsheet? I have one that another DIS-er emailed me several years ago that I can share. You plug in the number of nights and use the online menus to approximate what you think you'll eat. You would adjust the calculation for the dining plan cost to reflect the upgrade cost. It will calculate your gratuities for you and shows whether the DDP is a good value for you. If you want it, send me a PM with your email address and I"ll pass it along.

Incidentally, I just finalized that spreadsheet for my own upcoming trip so I know how much cash to bring for gratuities (we prefer to do it that way). We are paying for the DDP and come out about $300 to the benefit for using it. We have 2 children under 10 and have 3 character meals planned (out of 7 TS). We're traveling with another family whose child is having his first Disney experience and we wanted to "do it up right" so to speak, so we didn't want to be watching costs too closely. Also, I think that in traveling in a group, having the DDP makes it easy on everyone.

I do think we'll revisit the DDP issue when our oldest turns 10, although at the rate he's eating, he'll be out-eating me shortly!