Just back - Our thoughts on the DDP

[deedeetoo]

We were 5 people: DH, DD8 turning 9 on last day of the trip, DS6, my mom and me. We ate CS for lunch every day and TS at dinner. Snack credits were used for donuts, milk, oj, and soda for the room, popsicles and drinks in the parks. Despite our best efforts to use them, we ended up with 5 extra snacks on the last day which we spent in the WL Mercantile.

As many have said before, the dining plan is a ton of food. DS6 has trouble not eating everything in sight and he actually woke up sick to his stomach one morning from eating too much. We got to the park 2 hours late that morning as we waited for his stomach to settle down. We had to work to control him after that. DH finished everything and gained 5 pounds. Fortunately no weight gain for me or mom. DD9 never even finished her kids meals. We took several desserts back to our villa thinking we would eat them later and ended up tossing them out when we were leaving.

I thought the kids menus were limited, but I didn’t say anything and the kids never complained. They were allowed to switch out the dessert and appetizers when they ordered the entrée that was supposed to be part of the complete meal. They liked the jello and choose it several times when given a choice.

While the dining plan was a good deal for us this trip, I doubt we will get it again for our next trip. Our DD will be 10 and its not worth getting it for her at adult prices. She’s tiny and can’t even eat a whole kids meal so I’m not paying $39/day to feed her. We added up our receipts versus what we ordered and we saved $587 but we never would have ordered so much if we weren’t on the food plan. When paying OOP we rarely get desserts and usually share appetizers and sometimes entrees so its hard to say what our real savings were. We also didn't like being so tied down to our ADRs. A few times we really weren't hungry but felt we had to go and eat because it was time for the ADR and we had already paid for it.

 

[kjs1976]

I agree with you. We found too that we most often do not order appetizers or desserts. We even end up just taking one bite of our dessert some times as we are so full. We've just been getting it on shorter trips, but not sure if I'd do it for a week. We spend a lot of our snack credits on b-fast items or snacks to bring home. Thing is, we often don't eat it when we get home either. But then to uss it is worth it for the TS when you figure in what you can order on the DDP vs. what you would order OOP, plus gratuity.

 

[winterman]

DH and I have used the dining plan twice. Free each time. Our next trip we will not be going at a time when it would be free and we are going to pay for it. We think it is a great deal. We usually used the CS for breakfast and the TS for dinner. We used our snacks in the middle of the day. We never left any credits unused. Because we ate so lightly during the day we enjoyed all the courses at dinner, although we would never eat so much food if we were paying for it. Can't wait to begin planning the next trip.

 

[ballarinamom]

My family really prefers ts meals as it gives us a break from the lines, heat and, in most cases, noise. It is a vacation after all and being served at meal time is a treat. After reading many posts about the large quantities of food on the DDP, I planned on splitting and paying a little OOP to make the most of our vacation and the plan. We saw our credits as prepaid supplements and we filled in as needed OOP. DH, DD5 and I would split two adult breakfast platters. We had a refillable mug. At some TS, we ordered an extra appetizer or entree OOP and just shared everything "family style".There was always plenty of food. The waiters never questioned us as sharing since we ordered items OOP and asked for an extra plate for DD5. Picky eater DD was able to pick and choose what she wanted. And we had 2 Ts meals almost everyday. But we each used our snack credit everyday for ice cream or something cool in the afternoon. We used a couple at Goofy's Candy Store in DTD to make our own pretzels, cookies etc. A great experience!!! We we never stuffed to the uncomfortable point. We spent very little out of pocket , used all of our credits and got to enjoy a wide variety of restaurants. GET CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Schucraig]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Goofy41]

Sorry, but what does OOP stand for. I looked it up but it's not on the list......lol

 

[Pattymouse]

OOP - Out Of Pocket