Is the DDP right for us- and will it be as our family grows?

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Hi all!

My husband and I are frequent travelers to WDW (usually at least once a year if not more). On our last trip, we were talking about the cost of food and whether or not DDP might be a better option for us on future trips. I haven't done it in years (prbably since around 2006 or 2007 when it was much simpler and I was a teenager who didn't need to be concerned with how it worked), so this is the one area of Disney I'm a complete novice in. I was wondering if some of you guys could tell me if it seems like it might be a good fit for us in the future.

A little about our eating habits:

We are both big fans of table service meals and enjoy signatures as well. We tend to order more expensive entrees like steak at nicer places, and more mid range meals like pasta at more "average" places. However, we usually have a food budget ahead of time so sometimes we may be ordering something less than what we really want to save $$. my thinking was that with DDP it might allow us the freedom to order whatever we wanted.

We like appetizers and dessert, but don't always order them (I'd say about 50% of the time when at disney).

We usually only drink water to help keep us hydrated (Side question- can an adult order a large milk as their drink on DDP?)

We tend to do about 1 table service a day and one quick service, but sometimes we do two of one or the other. Some of our favorite places are Be Our Guest, Olivia's, Ohana, and Sci Fi.

Another thing to consider- we plan on having children soon, and then our trips would almost always include multiple TS a day and character meals.

Does it sound like we might save on DDP, or are we better just paying OOP?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Why do you think you might want a DP? To make your trip feel like it is more all-inclusive, to feel as though you can order whatever you want rather than look at the prices, or just because you would like to save money?

Very few users actually save money on DDP and most of those have small children. When you move into the multiple TS a day plus character meals with children under 10, you will probably be looking at getting DDP, perhaps the deluxe DDP based on how many TS a day you really want. Using two credits on signature restaurants on regular DDP will not save you money. Deluxe DDP might if you are planning on a lot of signature restaurants and at least two TS per day.

As two adults, it is not likely you will save money on the DDP unless you plan to always order the most expensive items at a la carte places, so get it only if you think you will like the experience of having it. Especially since you are not really interested in desserts and you'd prefer to drink water. (Yes you can probably get milk...don't know the size). Places like Olivia's and Sci Fi won't get you big value out of a TS credit.

 

[CatPack]

Check out the dining calculator here:
http://www.distripplanner.com

It gives an average cost of what a meal is at each QS or TS.


You can also check here
http://allears.net/dining/menu/ for prices of each dish (I would use this as a guide line since prices are subject to change.)

Figure out where you want to each and what you would like to order and see if the DDP is worth it or if it is better to pay out of pocket.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

thank you! and yes @MakiraMarlena , I think what's appealing to me is the pre paid aspect- not having to worry about dining when we got there.

 

[Faldred]

I've done the math (http://www.disboards.com/threads/dining-plan-math-2016-and-2017-edition.3550393/) and frankly, unless you're getting your dining as part of a resort package discount (i.e., "free dining"), the pre-paid aspect better be worth a heck of a lot, because you'll be struggling to break even.

If Deluxe fits your style more, it's actually a pretty good deal - for 2017, the break-even point per credit is almost exactly $30 (pre-tax); even with passing on dessert or appetizer from time to time you should have no trouble breaking even unless you start using a lot of your credits for counter service. It is indeed a lot of food, but you say you like signatures, so the recommended approach of TS lunch + signature dinner each day accounts for the three credits nicely, and you have the snacks for breakfast and/or to keep the edge off between your two meals.

Oh, and I see no reason why you can't get milk as a beverage. Individual restaurants may vary of course.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

If Deluxe fits your style more, it's actually a pretty good deal - for 2017, the break-even point per credit is almost exactly $30 (pre-tax)

Yes, I saw something like this as well. It seems more and more we are opting for signature and TS meals, which is why I was thinking Deluxe DDP might save us money. I'll have to do some more math to be sure, but I like what you said about TS lunch + signature dinner, that sounds like us.

 

[loves to dive]

You really need to do the math. It is really on a personal level if it's best for you. I would not use the calculator that is posted, it uses average costs and is not all that accurate. Your best bet is to look at menus, be honest about what you would really order. Keep in mind, those appetizers are going to be out of pocket unless you get the deluxe plan and you are still going to have to cover a tip. My adult son and I have found it doesn't save money for us since we just never know from day to day how we want to eat and rarely book our ADRs in advance, its usually as we are walking around the parks. We do eat TS but we don't always do it every day and more often than not, when we do, I get a salad and an appetizer instead of a meal since I'm a light eater.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Check out the dining calculator here:
http://www.distripplanner.com

It gives an average cost of what a meal is at each QS or TS.


You can also check here
http://allears.net/dining/menu/ for prices of each dish (I would use this as a guide line since prices are subject to change.)

Figure out where you want to each and what you would like to order and see if the DDP is worth it or if it is better to pay out of pocket.

I do agree that you need to calculate the cost.

But the last way I would do that calculation would be to use that trip planner. It doesn't work.

The best way to do is to look at where you want to eat and what you want to order. Add it all together and compare that cost to the cost of the plan.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You also ask about the future. How do you think your kids will deal with signature meals, which can be lengthy?

 

[sharonabe]

We like appetizers and dessert, but don't always order them (I'd say about 50% of the time when at disney).

This is the line that troubles me for you to have ANY dining plan right now. The regular plan does not include apps, so if you want an app, you will have to pay OOP for it. Every TS meal comes with a dessert per person, so that's two desserts on the table that you say you wouldn't want 50% of the time. The DxDDP DOES include apps, but that is an app AND dessert per person, so now you have two items on the table 50% of the time you don't want them.

The best way to do the math is to look at the restaurants and pick what you WANT to eat regardless of the price. If you really want the lobster at a signature, "order" it along with whatever else you REALLY want at that meal and then add up the cost. Choose the restaurants you really want to go to, and if that means two TS meals in a day, so be it. Forget what the plan covers and just "order" what you think you might order no matter what the cost is. Don't forget to add the 6.5% tax. Based on what you've told us, I think you will find you're spending less OOP than the plan would cost you. Hopefully, that knowledge will allow you to then go and truly order what you want knowing you're paying less.

Once you have kids that are 3-9, you'll need to revisit the plans. There is definitely a savings once they come along.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

At this point, before you start bringing along kids age 3-9 (the parties that clean up on the dining plan are mostly parties with young kids who spend their TS credits on buffets or AYCE), you should be deciding based on whether you want to pay for the "feeling" that being on DDP gives you (i.e. that you are free to order what you want and you won't have to look at the menus or prices). Because it's doubtful that you will be saving much money, if any. Your ordering preferences don't match up with what the DDP provides, and once you start skipping TS desserts and drinking a glass of water with your restaurant meals, that's value off the top. As noted, DxDDP gives you a TS appetizer AND dessert with lunch or dinner. Part of making the decision is considering whether you would really want to order all of that with almost every meal. Unless you just like the idea and are OK with paying for the "feeling" of freedom, then it's not really relevant.

 

[tricia]

I have had the dining plan several times with kids of different ages. It was worth it for me when they were still Disney kids as we did AYCE like Chef Mickeys, WCC, 'Ohana, Boma, etc. And even at the regular TS they wand a soda and dessert with every meal while on vacation. Then we had a few years between 10 and 14 where maybe it wouldn't have been a savings, but more of a break even.

Now, they are 15 and 19 for our next trip. We are doing the DDP more for my sanity than for a large savings. They will venture off on their own or with other family members quite often (family reunion type trip, there will be over 15 of us). This way the boys can buy their own lunch and/or snacks when I am not around and I don't have to hand out cash every morning or make them track me down to get some. Also, when they want to order the most expensive steak or ribs or seafood on the menu I don't even flinch. AND I won't make them share a dessert with me either. They can have their own.

Many in our group this coming year are not going with the dining plan because it just doesn't make sense for their family, but it does for mine this time.