Is the DDP really worth it?

[Honey_B]

Quick comparison ..... I used Cosmic Ray for counter service lunch and Sci Fi for table service dinner:

Lunch $5.79-$7.69 (entree) + $1.25-$2.00 (drink)
(we don't eat dessert at lunch)

Snack $2-$3

Dinner $14.99-$20.99 (entree) + $4.49 (Dessert)
(we would likely have wine or beer with dinner, not Coke)

Grand Total for one adult = $28.52 – $38.17

And I think the DDP for an adult is $37.99

So for us, it's only worth it if we buy the most expensive items on the menu, regardless of what we actually want to eat!!

Is there a flaw in my logic? Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated!!

 

[TDC Nala]

You eliminated the counter service dessert (which comes with the plan), picked a table service restaurant with mid-range prices for WDW, and purchased alcoholic beverages which are not included in the plan.

There really isn't much of a flaw in the logic. If this is the way you plan to eat every day of your trip, the dining plan may work out for you to be not much of a value and more of a prepayment program.

The stats would change if you ate dessert with every meal, didn't order drinks off-plan, ordered more expensive items at more expensive one-credit restaurants, or had one or more children under age 10.

The plan isn't a value for everyone and it isn't meant to be. For some parties, it takes effort to make it a value.

 

[asmit4]

Call me a piggy but at Cosmic Rays I would never get the $7 meal...I would get the ribs/chicken combo and chow down!

Also, at dinner-we are booked at Sci-Fi too and I am getting the ribs! 18.99. I'm a beef eater and I know I will want the highest priced items at the restaurants.

Plus- I love dessert- I will either eat it or pack it up for breakfast the next day!

NOW- if we did NOT get the DDP, I'd be 'forced' due to budget issues to purchase the 7.00 meal, get no dessert, and order a burger at sci-fi instead of the ribs! I also wouldn't be able to eat the surf/turf at Narcoossees to the tune of over 50 bucks!

Hence why the DDP is perfect for us! We get to splurge.

 

[septbaby]

There are a few flaws that I see:

1. Snacks are more likely to cost $3-4 than $2-3
Dole Whip Soft Serve (pineapple, vanilla, chocolate, or swirl) - $2.89
Pineapple Float - pineapple Dole Whip with pineapple juice $3.99
Coke or Root Beet Float with vanilla Dole Whip $3.69
Nachos w/Cheese - $3.50
Popcorn - $2.75 & $3.75

Cake of the Day $3.65
Apple Tart $3.85
Peach Tart $4.25
Strawberry Tart $3.95



2. Be sure to add 6.5% taxes that are included in the DP fee.
So those totals are: $30.38 and $40.65 vs a fee of $37.99.

2. The prices you quoted for Cosmic Ray's are far from the most expensive things on the menu; they are both about the cheapest things on the menu. There are platters there costing $9.09 to $13.99.

3. You didn't do a second type of TS: Buffet
Boma dinner is $26.99 or $28.74 for a daily low end total of $38.10
There are more expensive dinner buffets than Boma.

The DP isn't for every kind of Disney diner, but it is definitely for my family. It covers our meal expenses in a prepaid fashion and removes the need/temptation to consider prices in our choices. For me that is vacation and a value. Also having a child in the 3-9yo range as part of the group just enhances the value, esp. if you eat at buffets or character meals. Every one of those meals costs more the the daily DP fee for a child; it's like getting the CS and snack free for them that day.

 

[Luv2Roam]

A few weekends ago we stayed one night using the DDP.
2 adults
Dinner -- Tutto's. Did not even order the most expensive items, and our bill pre-tip was over $90.
Typical breakfast in a food court -- $21 and some change.
Snack -- Each had a Dole Whip.



Works great for us!

We have used DDP 4 times this year, and will be using it again next month. In July we will be dining at Maya Grill with the DDP.

 

[TDC Nala]

I had two nights at BWV, no dining plan.

First day - One bottle of Diet Coke, Onion rings at the bar at Prime Time, plus one Bahama Mama (DDE discount). Artist Point, one martini, wine pairings, one appetizer, split the Copper River Salmon entree with a friend, cheese selection. No dessert. (DDE discount).

Second day - One bottle of Diet Coke, One chicken caesar wrap at Studios on 10% annual passholder discount. No dessert. Cocktails and appetizers at Bluezoo, around $40.

Third day - Breakfast at the Wave, paid $10 with DDE.

Could not have ordered this way and adhered to the dining plan, and on the plan I could not have gone to Bluezoo at all.

My 4th of July weekend is ending up with:

Raglan Road - I have a gift certificate for it
Happy hour at Bluezoo for July 4 - $5 drinks plus $5 flatbreads and nachos
Flying Fish - I may actually have to pay something for this one, but I am going on July 5 which is not a blackout date for DDE.
Maybe if I can get myself out of bed, another breakfast at The Wave.