Is the DDP worth it? (my cost analysis)

[lauralong81]

I try to do this every time we make a trip... a decent cost analysis which weighs in the factors of our desires while still trying to maintain a fair level of frugality. Well, as much frugality as one would want to include while on vacation, anyway. Yes, I realize there are considerably cheaper ways to plan meals. We could share meals, or do less table service. However, this is my vacation too, and vacation to me means limited housework which includes cooking and even worrying about meals. Besides the disney magic, that's what I look forward to most. No dishes!!!!

So, I simply plan my vacation based on the meals we want and would do if on the dining plan. Then, I try to figure out what we would spend there out of pocket if we did those same meals NOT on the dining plan. I take into consideration what we would order from each restaurant (usually an average for the adults, pretty standard for the kids). Then x 2 adults and x 2 children. I do not include dessert (we wouldn't order) or alcoholic beverages, but I do include soft drinks and tax. Tips are also not included on either side of the calculation because I will tip 15-20% either way we go.

Without further ado.... I give you my cost analysis. I thought it might help some people decide if the dining plan is right for them.

As you can see, No, we aren't saving much money either way. But keep in mind, I'm not including dessert or any snack costs in the "out of pocket" (oop) cost that *IS* included in the dining plan cost. . We wouldn't "typically" buy many of those if we were on a budget. So, it's nice to splurge a little with the dining plan. The snack credits alone would total around 32 credits for our family for the 8 nights, x's $3-$4 each is around $90 - $128 extra in "snacks." We use these a lot for breakfast, so maybe I should include the cost in the analysis, but I don't. Either way, I think we would just about break even, but we get the benefit of everything taken care of "up front."

I hope this at least helps someone out in decided... it's funny what we all fret about...lol

 

[sarmat1]

Nicely done analysis.

The main reason you wind up breakeven really comes down to your choice of some less expensive TS. For example, your TS dinner at Sci-Fi ($61) and 2 TS lunches ($72 and $83) pretty much make up the "money losers" vs the plan. If you instead had higher price character meals and/or buffets (Akershus, CP, Boma, etc), you'd easily add $50-$60/meal to those which would then bring you to around 15-18% savings which would be more in line with the published possible savings. Snacks as well would enter into it, but I like your analysis without them better, particularly if you wouldn't normally seek them out if not on the DDP.

 

[Soon2beMrs.]

Last time we traveled we did the deluxe dining plan and it is completely worth it if you plan to eat at signature restaurants your entire stay. At one signature dinner, honestly can't remember which one, our total bill was $250 for a party of 2 and you pay what? $85 or something per person per day. We thought we got our monies worth.

 

[rafiki14]

This is all really interesting to me. I'm new to planning WDW trips and we signed on for the QSDP.

On top of that, I purchased a fantasmic dinner package, and lunch at yak and yeti one day.

Am I wasting a ton of money by making those extra reservations on top of my QSDP?

 

[lauralong81]

This is all really interesting to me. I'm new to planning WDW trips and we signed on for the QSDP.

On top of that, I purchased a fantasmic dinner package, and lunch at yak and yeti one day.

Am I wasting a ton of money by making those extra reservations on top of my QSDP?

I don't think you're "wasting" money, per se. The out of pocket cost of the fantasmic package and Y&Y is still not going to take you over the cost it would be to upgrade I don't think. That said, how many people (adults and children) are in your party and when are you going? Are there any other restaurants you really feel like you're missing out on?

 

[lauralong81]

Nicely done analysis.

The main reason you wind up breakeven really comes down to your choice of some less expensive TS. For example, your TS dinner at Sci-Fi ($61) and 2 TS lunches ($72 and $83) pretty much make up the "money losers" vs the plan. If you instead had higher price character meals and/or buffets (Akershus, CP, Boma, etc), you'd easily add $50-$60/meal to those which would then bring you to around 15-18% savings which would be more in line with the published possible savings. Snacks as well would enter into it, but I like your analysis without them better, particularly if you wouldn't normally seek them out if not on the DDP.

Good point! Thanks for your comments! It really makes me think I should add some more expensive meals to the mix to REALLY get my money's worth.... Even without though, I think you're right. I feel good about the decision. Thanks again for reaffirming my silly whims!

 

[rznhal]

We had one of the best meals of our fall trip at Sci fi, which i believe is considered a "cheap" DDP choice, and one of our not so good meals at Coral Reef, considered an expensive DDP choice, so you never know what will be the best value of the trip!!

have fun!!!

 

[sharonabe]

You're actually saving more on the DDP than your analysis shows because you do not have the current prices for kids' meals in your OOP cost. Kids' meals are now $5.49, so that's $1 more OOP each time you eat CS. Soda prices have also gone up and are now $2.59 and $2.89.

 

[rafiki14]

I don't think you're "wasting" money, per se. The out of pocket cost of the fantasmic package and Y&Y is still not going to take you over the cost it would be to upgrade I don't think. That said, how many people (adults and children) are in your party and when are you going? Are there any other restaurants you really feel like you're missing out on?

There are only two of us. And we were adding the extra meals in basically just for fun. We are going for a short trip. 28th-1st. And I knew it would be crazy busy.

My original thought was they would be a nice chance to sit down and get away from the crowds. Just don't want to end up spending a ton of extra money OOP and not using all my QSDP.

 

[sharonabe]

There are only two of us. And we were adding the extra meals in basically just for fun. We are going for a short trip. 28th-1st. And I knew it would be crazy busy.

My original thought was they would be a nice chance to sit down and get away from the crowds. Just don't want to end up spending a ton of extra money OOP and not using all my QSDP.

You should still be able to use all your QSDP credits, but you may not get the full value from them.

You can always use them for breakfast by getting a bounty platter and sharing or both get one if you need to "use" the credits.

You only get credits for the number of nights you stay, so you may have need of more meals on your arrival/departure day than you have credits.

 

[Tracerr00]

I think that part of the appeal of the dining plan for me is that I DON'T have to count every penny and order the least expensive thing on the menu or always go to to the least expensive restaurant. I think I probably only came out a little bit ahead on our last trip but being carefree was worth a lot to me! And then there are those times when you're walking around and it's hot and you just want a bottle of water to hydrate yourself or some fruit - and that pushes you up to what you would have spent on the dining plan anyway! Yes, you can bring your own but you're still spending money on it and you have to haul it with you. So if it's going to come out that close, I'd just go with the dining plan. I can see if it was a huge money saver or something but if it's close, I just opt for it because it's so easy to use! I think it's just laziness for me so I don't have to sit and balance the checkbook or track my receipts to see how much I'm spending. I like knowing that it's paid for already and I can just order away and have that dessert if I'd like!

 

[sharonabe]

I think that part of the appeal of the dining plan for me is that I DON'T have to count every penny and order the least expensive thing on the menu or always go to to the least expensive restaurant. I think I probably only came out a little bit ahead on our last trip but being carefree was worth a lot to me! And then there are those times when you're walking around and it's hot and you just want a bottle of water to hydrate yourself or some fruit - and that pushes you up to what you would have spent on the dining plan anyway! Yes, you can bring your own but you're still spending money on it and you have to haul it with you. So if it's going to come out that close, I'd just go with the dining plan. I can see if it was a huge money saver or something but if it's close, I just opt for it because it's so easy to use! I think it's just laziness for me so I don't have to sit and balance the checkbook or track my receipts to see how much I'm spending. I like knowing that it's paid for already and I can just order away and have that dessert if I'd like!

And that is why we all need to remember that everyone is unique and special in their own way and what works for one does not necessarily work for all.

Everything you said about the DDP that makes you feel carefree is exactly what stresses me out. I search the menus to make sure I'm ordering the higher priced meals in order to get the value out of it (even if all I really want is a salad). I would never "waste" a snack credit on a bottle of water or a piece of fruit because that pretzel or smoothie over there is $2 more and therefore a better value.

We will probably never get any dining plan again because we can eat for much less and still eat exactly what we want. AND my DSs are also now or soon to be Disney adults and the savings without any kids is harder to come by.

 

[rafiki14]

You should still be able to use all your QSDP credits, but you may not get the full value from them.

You can always use them for breakfast by getting a bounty platter and sharing or both get one if you need to "use" the credits.

You only get credits for the number of nights you stay, so you may have need of more meals on your arrival/departure day than you have credits.

Good point. I'm sure with the long days, we will find plenty of time to eat. Especially if we use it on breakfast.

Thank you!

 

[nkereina]

I don't think the DDP is supposed to be a cost saving measure. I think it's more about the convenience of paying ahead of time rather than budgeting money for meals. Disney has priced out the DDP so accurately that the majority of the time they are breaking even or making money. They wouldn't have a price structure that would allow them to consistently lose money. We like the convenience of paying for our meals ahead of time and not having to worry about what we order, so we go with the dining plan.

 

[havoc315]

We will probably never get any dining plan again because we can eat for much less and still eat exactly what we want. AND my DSs are also now or soon to be Disney adults and the savings without any kids is harder to come by.

Completely 100% agree. As long as both my kids are kids -- the value of any of the dining plans is iffy. Once either of them becomes a Disney adult, then skipping the plan would be a no-brainer. If I could order exactly what I want from every restaurant, get every snack that I desire... never have to skimp, and pay about $170 per day OOP... why would I pay $200 for the dining plan instead?

While there are people who legitimately save... I find a lot of people start their calculations from the assumption of, "if I eat as if I'm on the DDP... will the DDP save me money?" Thus, they calculate exactly 1 TS per day and 1 CS per day per person, they calculate desserts per person at each meal, etc. The calculate 1 snack per person, per day. Sometimes they even throw in the costs of the mugs per person (I can't imagine buying the mugs for myself, much less my children). So with such assumptions, it's no surprise that the DDP comes to "savings."
On the other hand, if you were to base your assumptions on -- "If no dining plan existed, what exactly would I want to order, what I exactly would I want to eat, regardless of price." -- Such an assumptions will almost always come out cheaper than the dining plan. (or will come out in a format not covered by the dining plans).

 

[Huff]

Just did my own quick analysis. Estimating our upcoming Jan. trip with 9 Nights and 3 adults comes to $1650 OOP. Dining plan costs $1392. I figured in costs of desserts, drinks, snacks, tax etc. We generally dine at the higher priced 1TS and QS restaurants.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Nicely done analysis.

The main reason you wind up breakeven really comes down to your choice of some less expensive TS. For example, your TS dinner at Sci-Fi ($61) and 2 TS lunches ($72 and $83) pretty much make up the "money losers" vs the plan. If you instead had higher price character meals and/or buffets (Akershus, CP, Boma, etc), you'd easily add $50-$60/meal to those which would then bring you to around 15-18% savings which would be more in line with the published possible savings. Snacks as well would enter into it, but I like your analysis without them better, particularly if you wouldn't normally seek them out if not on the DDP.

I agree... We are 4 adults as my DD's are 17 & 13. Each time we plan a trip, we do a cost estimate of DP vs.OOP & based on the places we choose (higher end restaurants), we've always come out ahead with the DP & we don't even count our snacks in the analysis. We're already planning a 2012 trip & yesterday, I decided to do an analysis using the 2012 prices & using the DP we'll still come out ahead so for us it is still a no brainer. Is it cost effective for everyone? No, as it all comes down to each family's eating habits. We are a
family who normally has a small breakfast everyday, a moderate lunch everyday but when it comes to dinner, we sit down and eat a full course meal. This is why the DP works for us and I've done OOP trips where we spent more money & didn't eat at some of the nicer restaurants & that included us having to leave the parks to go eat offsite.

 

[Sandy321]

With the cost of the Dining plan going up Jan 1 - I thought we'd do better OOP, but as it gets closer I am re-thinking my choices! I thought I'd make reservations, and eat at places NOT on the DP too!

You're actually saving more on the DDP than your analysis shows because you do not have the current prices for kids' meals in your OOP cost. Kids' meals are now $5.49, so that's $1 more OOP each time you eat CS. Soda prices have also gone up and are now $2.59 and $2.89.

and I saw a post showing the increase in prices at the QS place in Epcot Japan!

I don't think the DDP is supposed to be a cost saving measure. I think it's more about the convenience of paying ahead of time rather than budgeting money for meals. Disney has priced out the DDP so accurately that the majority of the time they are breaking even or making money. They wouldn't have a price structure that would allow them to consistently lose money. We like the convenience of paying for our meals ahead of time and not having to worry about what we order, so we go with the dining plan.

so now I have to re-analyze convenience, and just eating - vs, plan, think, decide... water vs soda... bring in breakfast granola bars, etc

 

[MrsLS]

It was always worth it to us until we got TIW. We only go to TS and a lot of signatures, plus with alcoholic drinks at dinner, the TIW card works out much better now. We always saved money with DxDP, which is why we bought it, same with the TIW, it saves us more money than the DP.

 

[mjp12831]

I think that part of the appeal of the dining plan for me is that I DON'T have to count every penny and order the least expensive thing on the menu or always go to to the least expensive restaurant. I think I probably only came out a little bit ahead on our last trip but being carefree was worth a lot to me! And then there are those times when you're walking around and it's hot and you just want a bottle of water to hydrate yourself or some fruit - and that pushes you up to what you would have spent on the dining plan anyway! Yes, you can bring your own but you're still spending money on it and you have to haul it with you. So if it's going to come out that close, I'd just go with the dining plan. I can see if it was a huge money saver or something but if it's close, I just opt for it because it's so easy to use! I think it's just laziness for me so I don't have to sit and balance the checkbook or track my receipts to see how much I'm spending. I like knowing that it's paid for already and I can just order away and have that dessert if I'd like!

This is exactly why I like DDP - not necessarily for cost savings, but for savings of being woried about what I'm spending when I'm there.

I also do an analysis like OP and agree that DDP does save some money as OP has shown, even with the significant jumps in price the last few years. Also, 2012 has the refillable mug included.