It's worth it to "do the math" when deciding on the DDP

[blanq]

I just wanted to encourage everyone to run some calculations before deciding on the DDP. We did the plan 2x last year, when tips and a TS appetizer were included. The plan was definately convenient, but both times we ended up getting so sick of dessert and often I ended up throwing food away as it was just too much. DS and DH pretty much cleaned their plates, but even they were passing on dessert by the end of our two trips.

We are going to WDW for 10 days in January so I sat down and really thought out dining. In reality, we often drink tap water with a lot of our meals out, we do not like dessert with every meal, and we do like an appetizer once in awhile. I have made our ADRs, and we are doing 9 TS meals with one of those being at a signature location. The rest of our meals will be snacks. I took a look at allears and made a rough plan of what we might eat and the cost. The cost, including tips, will end up to be roughly what the DDP plan cost, but our eating is quite different (more meals, but elss food at each) than what the plan would require. Because of this, I have decided not to to the DDP this trip.

For many people, the DDP is still a good deal, but I would encourage everyone to really think about how you eat, and compare eating OOP against the DDP closely before deciding on the plan.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We had the dining plan two years in a row and didn't have it this past August because it was a semi-spur of the moment trip. I ran the numbers before booking our 2009 trip and it will still save us a good bit of money even with our "adult 12 year old" getting a few of the kids' meals. Plus, I just like knowing that everything is paid for before we arrive.

 

[lovndisney12]

I couldn't agree more. Do the math. I sat down with the menus on allears and figured what we would spend. It ended up being a good deal for the DDP for us. BUT that isn't the case for every family.

 

[jcemom]

I agree, do the math. Sometimes it's a good deal for us and other times it isn't. It depends on who is going and what we're planning to do. I find it a better deal in cooler months because larger meals are easier to eat. When it's sweltering outside we just don't get hungry and prefer lighter, smaller, more frequent meals rather than two big meals. We have the DDP for January's trip but won't get it for October's. In October we'll eat lighter and sample more F&W offerings, I think.

 

[septbaby]

For some it will be the "math" that makes the decision.

For others it will be the convenience of pre payment or the fact that "prices" don't matter.

For others it will be the flexibility of few ADRs w/o the plan.

It isn't always the math that will lead us to decide for or against the DP. We humans are an irrational bunch and we let emotions, not just numbers factor into our decisons; go figure.

 

[lovndisney12]

Yes, I do agree but I think doing the math will help justify or clarify any "gray" areas. For me, I took all into account. However, if the math showed that the DDP would be way more than I clearly wouldn't have gone with it. If it was a little more (it was actually a little less which really made the decision eaiser - then they came out with the Disney free dining which we were able to get - so after all the planning - it didn't really matter!), I would be able to take all into account and make my decision from there.

 

[momsoftwins]

well i too have done the math...and with me and my kids its all about the character meals. they want to eat with them when all possible. so for me the DDP is a must so i dont have to pay for them out of pocket.

 

[blanq]

I hope no one thinks I am trying to discourage anyone from doing the DDP. For many it makes absolute sense, for convenience, for savings and other reasons. When I say "do the math" I mean more than money. My point is that you should really think about how your family wants to eat, and will eat when on vacation, and factor all of that in to your decision.

 

[Tricia1972]

I hope no one thinks I am trying to discourage anyone from doing the DDP. For many it makes absolute sense, for convenience, for savings and other reasons. When I say "do the math" I mean more than money. My point is that you should really think about how your family wants to eat, and will eat when on vacation, and factor all of that in to your decision.

I couldn't agree more, when we started doing the math we discovered it didn't work for us, either financially or by fitting our touring style.

That being said, it's something that I will look at each time we go. Our situation will not be the same every time we go, and thus it could work for us in the future. I won't know until I do my own math.

 

[septbaby]

My comment was just to say that the math will determine if many do the DP.

For others the decision will be based on other factors. Whatever works for your family is "right". For some simplicity will rule, for one family simplicity will be very few ADRs to race to. For another family it will be not having to think about those meals because DP forced them to plan it out. Both families will say "it is simpler/easier this way" and both would be right, for them.

For my family the DP is the right decision AND the math works...score!

Happiness at WDW can be found in lots of different ways!

 

[storybookmum]

For us, the DDP makes perfect sense, as it almost completely matches the way we like to eat on our vacations.

That said, I sure do which we had a choice of appetizer or dessert. I know we'll be paying OOP for some appetizers, and I'm sure we'll be taking some desserts to go for bedtime snacks. I assume they won't have a problem with that.

 

[huskies90]

The plan was a much better deal when it included appetizers and tips. I am still deciding on the plan. When I "do the math" which I believe the OP means not just $$ but ALL the parts that sum up to the decision (get it, the "math") I keep coming up with it being close to a wash. We love TS restaurants and will do one each day, but also prefer more smaller meals rather than one big one. Plus we have a 12 year old adult and we want to do the T-Rex cafe which is not on the plan. The dessert thing is probably what will pursuade me not to go with DDP because I would much prefer an appetizer over a dessert. But I do like the set it and forget aspect of it - pay once then don't worry about it.

It really isn't a slam dunk decision. I agree "do the math" and consider all factors.

BTW, is there any chance that the plan changes to be a choice of appetizer OR a dessert prior to our trip in February '09??

 

[Tricia1972]

...BTW, is there any chance that the plan changes to be a choice of appetizer OR a dessert prior to our trip in February '09??

Unfortunately, no. They have the 2009 brochures out and it's still dessert only.

 

[mom2princessj]

I really didn't want to do it but honestly paying for CRT is already 250 for 4 people and we planned on AT LEAST one more that was going to be another 100 so right there I'm at 350 for just TWO MEALS. So it made more sense but I hate the fact that we have to be somewhere at certain times when I have no idea about what we'll be doing when. Honestly I think we won't enjoy it so much. But its paid for now so we'll do our best to make sure we use all the credits. I know we probably wont' do it again unless I'm wrong and we enjoy taking time out of our day to sit down and eat. With shorter park hours Im sure taking an hour or so to eat will be a pain!

 

[septbaby]

I really didn't want to do it but honestly paying for CRT is already 250 for 4 people and we planned on AT LEAST one more that was going to be another 100 so right there I'm at 350 for just TWO MEALS. So it made more sense but I hate the fact that we have to be somewhere at certain times when I have no idea about what we'll be doing when. Honestly I think we won't enjoy it so much. But its paid for now so we'll do our best to make sure we use all the credits. I know we probably wont' do it again unless I'm wrong and we enjoy taking time out of our day to sit down and eat. With shorter park hours Im sure taking an hour or so to eat will be a pain!

If the schedule works plan for dinners after park closing so you won't feel like you're using park time to eat.

Well, since its paid for may as well enjoy it, huh?

You have young children so a break that is only an hour could be a great way to recharge and you have to eat anyway. If the girls are early risers you may want to plan a couple of character breakfasts. You'll be up anyway and you can plan them for a resort hotel so it won't impact your park plans for that day a you can get a bus to any park from that resort.

- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, Cape May at the Beach Club, 'Ohana's at the Poly would all work for that plan.

- Since you are staying at the Grand Floridian you can do room service for 2TS credits (tips are included in the 2TS payment), that would require no planning or ADR. You could stretch your credits by ordering 1 Adult meal and one Child meal and sharing the food between the 4 of you.

You will be in the FL sun, at the House of the Mouse, staying at a great resort. Personally I think you've set yourself and your girls up for a magical vacation. Hopefully it works out that way for you.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We have found that the DDP is beneficial for us in December and on longer trips, because we like to do the Character meals and/or buffets and because of the time we go in December, there is a Holiday surcharge and being on the DDP I don't have to account for that. During the hot summer months, we lean more toward the CS meals, but may do 1 TS meal for my birthday. If we go for a short 3 or 4 day trip, we just pay OOP. I like the CS DDP that is avail for 2009, that will work great in June.

Suzanne

 

[SydneyFalco]

The math is pretty darn easy for our group. Having two sit down meals over the course of a day is almost a mandatory condition of travel for us. (Not so much for the food as for the time off of our feet and for the pampering)

Once you realize that--and if you add in even one character breakfast for my niece and one dinner show for the rest of us--the math isn't even math. It's survival instinct. DDP.

A lot of time when I read discussions about plan/no plan, the secret of the argument on both sides is how much of a "do everything, go, go, go, sunrise to moonrise" type you are or aren't. (Is the word "commando"? I honestly don't know.) We are not "commando"s in the least.

 

[serene56]

I am a commando type personality- Having the DDP forces me to sit and take a breath and smell the happenings. We are going for the delux plan- doing character breakfasts and sitting down for dinner each evening.
Its not about the math for us--but more of a convenience. Prepaid and not worry about how much stuff is costing.

 

[Jennifer in WA]

We chose to do the DDP for a few reasons.

I like the idea of having it all pre-paid ahead of time. Otherwise, I feel like I'd be looking at menu prices all of the time. This way, we can get sort of what we want.

It makes us get ADR. The other times I've been to WDW, we haven't ever had any. Then I see all of the cool restaurants that I want to go to, and we can't get in.

This is the first time we are going for more than just 3 days. We want this trip to be amazing. Lots of character meals, lots of family time. I think slowing down once a day for a table meal will be great for us.

I have priced it out and love that we can go to some of the higher places and not worry about it. I have to admit that I have looked at some of the cheaper places and then said....what we need to spend more.

With this plan, I know we'll be eating better than corn dogs every day! But, I also know we'll be having to work off all of those extra calories. I just hope my picky 15 year old will be able to order the kids meal and let her 9 year old brother get the adult meal. We may have to do some swapping there!

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

For our family, the dining plan is worth it soley because of the table service credits. We eat at a table service each day of our visit which in and of itself costs over $100 for a family of four. The counter services for either a late breakfast or early lunch easily run us $50 each day and then snacks (water bottles, popcorn, Mickey Bars etc) run us a good $20-$30 a day.

Disney says the dining plan saves you about 30% and based on my math they're correct.

We loved having everything paid for before the trip begins so that all we have to worry about is gratuities and souvenirs.

Disney has a new dining plan which offers only the counter service eateries and it's much less than the regular dining plan.