Love the convenience of the Dining Plan? Really?

[bdklein]

The DDP is very convenient for my family. We have 3 kids. Without the plan there would be constant arguments about having to agree on a snack or drink to share. We would be splitting meals just to avoid the sticker shock of feeding 5 people OOP. When we use DDP the kids are free to choose their own options and know that they only have "x" credits to use. In that way, It works for us.

Thanks. Makes sense. I'll buy that one.

 

[DisneyMama21]

The DDP is very convenient for my family. We have 3 kids. Without the plan there would be constant arguments about having to agree on a snack or drink to share. We would be splitting meals just to avoid the sticker shock of feeding 5 people OOP. When we use DDP the kids are free to choose their own options and know that they only have "x" credits to use. In that way, It works for us.

Us too! Its kinda like how we get gift cards for their souvenirs...when their $$ is gone, they don't get any more souvenirs. It cuts down on the begging and whining cause they know the deal ahead of time! It's nice to not hear the begging and whining about snack stops either. Plus, with 3 kids that are still below age 9, the cost works for us and all the character dining we like to go to.

 

[kerstfan1]

for me it is not about saving money it is about it being paid before i go i usaly go for almost 2 weeks coming from europe i can only charge so much to my cc that is is beter for me and i dont have to worry oh i cant afford that

 

[Jonathan Swift]

The DDP is very convenient for my family. We have 3 kids. Without the plan there would be constant arguments about having to agree on a snack or drink to share. We would be splitting meals just to avoid the sticker shock of feeding 5 people OOP. When we use DDP the kids are free to choose their own options and know that they only have "x" credits to use. In that way, It works for us.

for me it is not about saving money it is about it being paid before i go i usaly go for almost 2 weeks coming from europe i can only charge so much to my cc that is is beter for me and i dont have to worry oh i cant afford that

Well, you could buy a Disney gift card (or even a pre-paid credit card) for the amount of the dining plan and use it whenever you dine. Anything left over is gravy.

Problem solved.

 

[gtpoohbear]

Well, you could buy a Disney gift card (or even a pre-paid credit card) for the amount of the dining plan and use it whenever you dine. Anything left over is gravy.

Problem solved.

But that IS the problem with the gift card plan. You still feel like you have to look at prices and make sacrifices from what you really want, because wouldn't it be great to have some money on that gift card left at the end...I'm sure I could think of a lot of ways to spend anything left over! I guess I don't see how it's any different than just charging it to the room or putting it on a CC. With credits, it's "use it or lose it" so there's no need to deny yourself of feel guilty.

We like it simply because we suffer the sticker shock once (and no lie, it's a DOOZIE on the DxDDP!) months before our trip, then once we are there it's forgotten and everything feels "free" so we can just relax and not worry at all about what we are spending on meals. (Well other than the tip, but that's pretty minimal in the grand scheme of things.)

But the key thing here is that you do what works for you. Some people love it, some hate it. Figure out what is best for your family and go with it. No need to question others for their decision.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

You're forgetting something. We're assuming you checked if the dining plan was cheaper based on your itinerary. With Disney nowadays, you have to make reservations for dining, so you know where you're going to be going ahead of time. If the dining plan is cheaper, then you're done. Congratulations. You beat the odds. These are ideas for people who know the dining plans are more expensive for them, but use it as a way to trick themselves (or significant others) into spending money by paying for it up front. You will always have extra at the end, because you already calculated it. So go ahead and order the same way as if you were on the dining plan. No need to worry. It's been pre-paid.

 

[maxiesmom]

You're forgetting something. We're assuming you checked if the dining plan was cheaper based on your itinerary. With Disney nowadays, you have to make reservations for dining, so you know where you're going to be going ahead of time. If the dining plan is cheaper, then you're done. Congratulations. You beat the odds. These are ideas for people who know the dining plans are more expensive for them, but use it as a way to trick themselves (or significant others) into spending money by paying for it up front. You will always have extra at the end, because you already calculated it. So go ahead and order the same way as if you were on the dining plan. No need to worry. It's been pre-paid.

Then you have to keep close track of what you paid for at each meal. You have to track how much you spend so that you know what you have left on the card. No need to do that when you are on the dining plan. Also, no need to try and figure out how much is Just Enough to put on the gift card, so that you don't end up way short or with a lot left over. For many people that is a giant pain that they don't want to have to deal with.

 

[Aliceacc]

We love it. It works well for our family. It's really no work to "keep track" of all the meals; we each have one counter service and one table service meal per day, and most days we each have a snack as well.

I've taught college level calculus; this really isn't all that hard. Then again, my 13 year old hasn't taken Calculus, and she's OK with the math involved. It's a lot less than you seem to think.

We don't "make sure we don't underspend." We get what we want. The money we spend on the DDP is already gone and our meals are already paid for; we eat what we want.

Obviously, the DDP isn't the right choice for the OP. That's fine. The wondefrul thing is that while I love to take advantage of it, he can opt out.

Some years it may save us money, some years it may not. And we're fine with that. The convenience is worth the tradeoff. Last year we didn't do the DDP, opting instead for YES tickets that cost us less than regular tickets. At the end of our week, we did the math, and found that we had broken even. So, while the DDP would have saved us money, had it somehow been possible to combine it with YES tickets. But the difference is that last year, by about day 3 or 4, I felt like we were hemorraging money. The years we get the DDP, I don't look at prices. Last year, I did.

Next year, we're back to the DDP.

 

[olwyngdh]

Well, you could buy a Disney gift card (or even a pre-paid credit card) for the amount of the dining plan and use it whenever you dine. Anything left over is gravy.

Problem solved.

Nope, the (non-existent for me) problem isn't solved. With the Dining plan I eat what I want and I have desert. Without it, I eat cheap and skip desert--that isn't vacation to me, that is everyday. With the dining plan, I have one card to keep track of, my KTtW. Without it, I have multiple cards (because I would have bought them over time just like I pay for the dining plan) and I have to make sure I have the one on me that have enough money on them, and worry about the other ones left in my room. If I lose one, I have lost that money, if we lose a KTtW card, since our military tickets are separate, one of us can't get in the room alone, but we still have a record of all our dining credits. In stress, anxiety, and convenience, for us, there is no question--I hate the fact that I am staying at Shades of Green for my daughter's wedding in January because I don't have access to the plan there...that means, for my husband, younger daughter and myself, it is eating cheap, maybe one table service if we feel like splurging, and feeling guilty for everything we eat that isn't the cheapest thing on the menu. No thanks.

 

[Cafeen]

Well, you could buy a Disney gift card (or even a pre-paid credit card) for the amount of the dining plan and use it whenever you dine. Anything left over is gravy.

Problem solved.

Nope, the (non-existent for me) problem isn't solved. With the Dining plan I eat what I want and I have desert. Without it, I eat cheap and skip desert--that isn't vacation to me, that is everyday.

There's a contrast here, and it's a huge driver of the "Should I? or Shouldn't I?" threads.

Person A (In this case, Mr. Swift), sees the prices on the menus moreso when he's on a plan, and thus is attempting to make sure that his choices justify the money already spent. This brings down his enjoyment at vacation-time. If off the plan, he already has a rough ceiling on what he's planning to spend, so changes offer additional pathways to save.

Person B (in this case...um....olwyngdh (I'm not going to even say "I hope I spelled that right )) sees the prices on the menu moreso when she's off the plan and is trying to keep track of the budget/ceiling already looked into. This brings down her enjoyment at vacation-time. When on the plan, it's already taken care of and planned to an extent that she's likely to come out ahead (including the subjective "convenience buffer") and can just get whatever she actually wants.

It's simply two different ways to look at the dining, and is part of figuring out if (or which) plan is right for you.

To take note of the "keeping track of credits" thing though. I do find it much easier to handle 1 meal per credit usage vs 1 meal per money usage. For example, I have 9 TS, I eat at 'Ohana, I now have 8 TS. Or, I have $500 (which is roughly the cost of 9 nights on DDP), I eat at 'Ohana, I now have...um...$500 - 36.20... $463.80. The next day, I hit up the Mama Melrose F! package, now I have 7 TS remaining, or $463.80 - $35.14 or... $428.66. Keeping track of low count whole numbers is typically far easier for most people than higher count floating decimals. Of course, smartphones make it a "tad" easier, but 9-1 is still going to be easier than $500-36.20 .

With the dining plan, I have one card to keep track of, my KTtW. Without it, I have multiple cards (because I would have bought them over time just like I pay for the dining plan) and I have to make sure I have the one on me that have enough money on them, and worry about the other ones left in my room.

For the gift cards, if you can charge stuff back to your room (I believe that's available at SoG, as well as all other Disney Resorts), then you can simply charge the meals on your KTTW card and pay off the room bill with the Gift Cards. This give you larger chunks to take care of, and means you can keep those high valued GCs in your room safe where you're less likely to misplace them and they're more likely to be secure.

 

[Mama Who]

Not only that, but I would be the type to not order what I want due to the cost...so while the fish of the day might sound great to me, I would probably go with a side salad and cup of soup. Just cause I'm cheap like that.

This exactly. When we make it to WDW we will do the dining plan, free or not, because it will be permission for me to order what I want instead of fussing about the bill.

 

[olwyngdh]

I'll have to check into charging to the room at SoG--we have never stayed there primarily because we can't get the dining plan (or Magic Express). I am getting gift cards for food this time, and if I can charge to the room, that will take care of one worry. I already know we aren't going to eat like we usually do at Disney--we want to do Chef Mickey the night before the wedding and are talking about Ohana the morning of our 11 yr old' race (she is doing the Mickey Mile)--but beyond that it is likely to be snacks and shared counter service because seeing the money we are going to spend will make us not want to spend it. I will miss the dining we usually enjoy. This is going to be a weird trip all around. I hate adding the stress of worrying about food to the already stressful wedding! The Bride and Groom are staying at Pop so that they can get the dining plan and not have to worry, and the way he eats, it probably will save them money as well as stress!

(It's Olwyn G D H, just all run together, if that helps )

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Then you have to keep close track of what you paid for at each meal. You have to track how much you spend so that you know what you have left on the card. No need to do that when you are on the dining plan.

Wrong. You DO have to keep track with the dining plan. You have to make sure you order the most expensive items. You can't skip a meal. You have to track like crazy. Remember, you've already done the comparison in advance. You don't have to worry when paying OOP. You're always going to pay less than with the dining plan.

Also, no need to try and figure out how much is Just Enough to put on the gift card, so that you don't end up way short or with a lot left over. For many people that is a giant pain that they don't want to have to deal with.

That's easy. Put on the card the exact amount you would pay for the dining plan. Wait, on second thought, the dining plan doesn't include tax or tips. Okay, put the dining plan plus a percentage for tax and tips (which you will have to pay on the dining plan) to the card, too. Now you have enough to simulate the dining plan. At the end of your trip, you'll know if you saved money (surplus) or not. Considering the meager savings of the dining plan even when it works, this should be a good idea for someone who wants to experiment.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wrong. You DO have to keep track with the dining plan. You have to make sure you order the most expensive items. You can't skip a meal. You have to track like crazy.

Wrong. It all depends on how your family eats. I can plan a bunch of character meals and come out way ahead on the dining plan. And I never have to order the most expensive thing at the other restaurants. No tracking at all! If I want to know how many credits I have left, I just look at the bottom of my last receipt. Easy as can be!

Look, anyone who posts here with any regularity knows you despise, hate, and loath the dining plan. That is ok. Whatever floats your boat. But I really wish you would not keep saying it never works unless you order the most expensive thing. Because that is flat out not true.

My family doesn't use the dining plan each and every time we go to Disney. Some trips we just don't want to eat that much. But some trips we do, and some trips it does save us money. Without having to go crazy and order the most expensive things we can find.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

Nope, the (non-existent for me) problem isn't solved. With the Dining plan I eat what I want and I have desert. Without it, I eat cheap and skip desert--that isn't vacation to me, that is everyday.

I understand. You need the dining plan because it helps you rationalize spending money. It's a psychological problem, not a math problem, so I can't convince you to go OOP on logic and math alone. But hear me out... If you get a pre-paid card with the dining plan amount (plus tax and tips), just think of it as a "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™." You get to go to ALL the restaurants you wanted to with the dining plan and order the EXACT same stuff as before. Just use your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" whenever you pay. It covers all the meals you planned for. If your plans change, you can exchange your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" credits for gifts at the gift shop. What's best is that your points never expire. Keep your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" for your next Disney trip, or use the credits penalty-free at any of our Disney Store locations. No point counting. No exclusions. All dining all the time and it costs less than the DDP for most people! So what are you waiting for? Get the "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" now!

 

[GaBelle]

Disney411: you are my new hero. You have the guts to say what I have been thinking. Thank you.
I'm one of those DDP users that cite convenience as a factor of why we love it.
It's prepaid, therefore out of sight out of mind so to speak. We're not penny pinchers when it comes to vacation. We want it to be completely stress free. With the DDP, nobody's looking at the menu wishing for "x" but ordering "y" because its more economical.
But we do have kids and do a lot of character meals, so we fall into the target audience.
I just don't see why people have to bash it or the users just because it doesn't fit their specific circumstances and vacation habits.

 

[gtpoohbear]

I understand. You need the dining plan because it helps you rationalize spending money. It's a psychological problem, not a math problem, so I can't convince you to go OOP on logic and math alone. But hear me out... If you get a pre-paid card with the dining plan amount (plus tax and tips), just think of it as a "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™." You get to go to ALL the restaurants you wanted to with the dining plan and order the EXACT same stuff as before. Just use your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" whenever you pay. It covers all the meals you planned for. If your plans change, you can exchange your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" credits for gifts at the gift shop. What's best is that your points never expire. Keep your "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" for your next Disney trip, or use the credits penalty-free at any of our Disney Store locations. No point counting. No exclusions. All dining all the time and it costs less than the DDP for most people! So what are you waiting for? Get the "Prepaid Disney Dining Gift Card™" now!

It's no more of a psychological "problem" than choosing to stay at a more expensive resort is. For many, myself included, the DDP is not about saving money. It enhances my experience and makes my vacation more enjoyable and less stressful. (Just like staying at a Deluxe resort does)

Would I save a small fraction of my money without it? Probably, though only if I didn't order as much food as I would have gotten with it. (Skipping apps or desserts sometimes, maybe even sharing entrees) Sure, I could live on less, but if I'm on vacation I want to eat well.

And I would save a LOT more money by staying in a Value resort instead of a Deluxe. If it's ALL about saving money, no one would ever stay at anything but a Value. The overall experience has to count for something too or the Mods and Deluxes would go out of business. Heck, why even go to WDW at all? I could save a even a lot MORE money just by going to my local Six Flags. But that's not what I want. I want to stay at a Deluxe Resort at WDW and have my Deluxe Dining plan. THAT is what I am willing to pay for, because it gives me the quality of vacation that I want.

We all make choices about how we are willing to spend our money, and not just at WDW. And we all have different priorities. Personally, I cringe when someone tells me how much they are paying for cable tv. Part of me wants to shake them and explain just how MUCH money they could save by downloading their favorite episodes online instead. But I don't, because if that's how they want to spend their money, and it works for them, who am I to judge? It may not always seem logical to everyone, but if doing something a certain way makes you happy, and doesn't hurt anyone else, then I don't think it's fair to call it a "problem".

Just because you think something is "stupid" doesn't mean that people who have different priorities are "stupid" for doing it. As I said before, it works for some, not for others. To each their own.

 

[mrsmomo]

4 me the convenience of the ddp lies within the not having 2 worry about how much I'm going 2 spend on food while on vacation. Almost everything I eat is paid 4 long before we arrive. It also gives me the freedom 2 order what I want w/o feeling like I can't afford it. I am also free 2 let my kids order what they want w/o caring if they end up liking it or not.

I guess its like a weight not on my shoulders throughout my vacation i don't want to have to budget 4 food n because its paid in advance I don't have to. I love it!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

It's no more of a psychological "problem" than choosing to stay at a more expensive resort is. For many, myself included, the DDP is not about saving money. It enhances my experience and makes my vacation more enjoyable and less stressful. (Just like staying at a Deluxe resort does)

Paying more for a restricted dining plan saves you from stress of paying less OOP? Is swiping the card for OOP any different than when you have the dining plan? Is keeping track of points and ordering food you don't want less stressful? You worry about how much money you spend OOP, but don't blink an eye if your dining plans change and lose points?

Would I save a small fraction of my money without it? Probably, though only if I didn't order as much food as I would have gotten with it. (Skipping apps or desserts sometimes, maybe even sharing entrees) Sure, I could live on less, but if I'm on vacation I want to eat well.

You don't have to do any of those things. Just put your dining itinerary in the spreadsheet. If you dining plan is less, then do it. If not, then don't. It's simple math. Order exactly the same items no matter which option you choose. Just choose the one that saves you money.

Just because you think something is "stupid" doesn't mean that people who have different priorities are "stupid" for doing it. As I said before, it works for some, not for others. To each their own.

I never used that term. If you go out of your way to pay more for the same thing with additional restrictions, then I'll let you decide what that behavior should be called.

 

[maxiesmom]

Paying more for a restricted dining plan saves you from stress of paying less OOP? Is swiping the card for OOP any different than when you have the dining plan? Is keeping track of points and ordering food you don't want less stressful? You worry about how much money you spend OOP, but don't blink an eye if your dining plans change and lose points?

It can, yes. I totally get it. But I think you ever will, no matter how we try and explain it. It feels like trying to explain color to a blind person. No matter what we say you won't really see what we see.

It doesn't mean anyone who chooses to use the plan has some sort of mental deficiency, which is what you seem to be implying.