My two sentence DDP Financial Analysis

[AngiTN]

Mine is the opposite.
If I order just what I want I will spend less than if I buy the dining plan and have to limit my meals to something that fits in the parameters of the plan. And more importantly, I'll eat what I want vs what I have to order

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Very little chance. In fact, if you don't maximize it, then you will most likely lose money.

Not in all cases. We don't go out of our way to maximize. We order the entees we want (and wouldn't typically share meals or have apps instead anyway) and don't worry about getting the most expensive thing. But we have 3 Disney kids and are doing 4 character meals (did 5 last year). I meticulously kept receipts last year and we saved about $300 without going out of our way. But that's because of our kids ages and having buffets. Admittedly someone getting sick could easily wipe out the savings and I have no doubt the math will change in two years when DD hits 10. Just as people shouldn't assume it will save them money, they shouldn't assume it won't. Everyone needs to run the math for their own circumstances.

 

[Lesverts]

I have done a lot of thinking about the Dining Plans lately. I use to be of the mind that the DP is a useless and lacks value. To paraphase John Green; the value of the DP defies simple explanations.

I will maintain that the QSDP is of little to no value. It is incredibly difficult to achieve value out of the plan and requires a lot of planning and optimization. This to me makes it both financially questionable and unattractive for planning.

DDP really needs children to make it financially viable without the planning/optimization.

DxDP is a lot easier to get value out of but it requires some commitment. Though in all honesty I do not see a lot of difference between how the DxDP makes you eat and how you'd eat in on a cruise ship.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Did you actually calculate what it would cost both ways? It's not a matter of preference. It's a matter of getting your money's worth. Don't assume it's cheaper. It usually isn't.

Not sure exactly what you mean - I looked at the menus to get the prices and calculated both ways.

 

[bwbuddy5]

I think I'm going to come back and quote this post about every page or so.

Come on, people, we're all different. We all vacation differently. We all like different things. Why can't we just agree to disagree on this point??

You guys are funny. This is an argument? I've enjoyed reading all of the comments on both sides.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Mine is the opposite.
If I order just what I want I will spend less than if I buy the dining plan and have to limit my meals to something that fits in the parameters of the plan. And more importantly, I'll eat what I want vs what I have to order

Interesting thoughts - my head tells me I would take longer ordering if I ordered out of pocket to find something "less pricey". Otherwise, I would just order steak.

But, I'm glad we've all found our happy place -- DDP is good for some, not good for others.

 

[LoopyDoopy]

Not sure exactly what you mean - I looked at the menus to get the prices and calculated both ways.

Yes, you did that for the entire trip for every dining experience?

 

[amcnj]

If you are interested in seeing if there is a financial benefit in using the DDP, then all you can do is look at the menus of the places you plan to go to and see if it makes financial sense. Others have more intangible benefits associated with DDP, such as liking to have as much of their trip prepaid as possible. That is something only you can put any kind of value on.

 

[smiths02]

Yes, you did that for the entire trip for every dining experience?

Even if the poster did that. He/she won't know until the actual trip what s/he ends up eating that day or if a meal gets cancelled, etc.

For us, my DH got sick one night of our trip when we had a dinner planned. I ended up taking the kids to avoid meal cancellation, to get the kids out of the room, and to get the custom cake we had ordered. Anyhow, I was planning on buying my DH a $60 steak. If on a dining plan, we would have to figure out how to use those credits (which would have been hard since DH also ate pretty light the next day). As it was, I just saved the $60.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This reminds me of the family next to me at a restaurant a few years ago.

Kid wants some dish, I have no idea what. He was NOT allowed to eat that because "it doesn't cost enough. The only way DDP makes sense is if you eat the steak" So they all ate steak regardless of what they wanted LOL!

 

[AngiTN]

Interesting thoughts - my head tells me I would take longer ordering if I ordered out of pocket to find something "less pricey". Otherwise, I would just order steak.

But, I'm glad we've all found our happy place -- DDP is good for some, not good for others.

Why would anyone do that? Why not try the novel idea of ordering what you want to eat, not what is the most expensive (to gain the most value from the plan) or the least expensive (to save money). Or what fits the requirements of the plan, as in what if I want a plate of nachos off the appetizer menu?, If I did that I'd have to pay out of pocket and not be able to use a dining plan credit. Or in our case, we don't eat many QS meals so that rules out 2 dining plans right there. And we don't eat 3 meals a day so that rules out the rest.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Yes, you did that for the entire trip for every dining experience?

I did it for four days, so I guess if on day 5 and 6 I decide I want chicken instead of steak, I may lose some money. But, knowing my gangs eating habits, I can't imagine that happening. I'm glad not using it works out for you.

This reminds me of the family next to me at a restaurant a few years ago.

Kid wants some dish, I have no idea what. He was NOT allowed to eat that because "it doesn't cost enough. The only way DDP makes sense is if you eat the steak" So they all ate steak regardless of what they wanted LOL!

That's funny. All families are different, that's why I set up my OP the way I did. I think we will all come away happy that we made the best decisions for our families without insisting that everyone view it exactly the same way our family does.

Thanks for all of the great comments.

 

[AngiTN]

This reminds me of the family next to me at a restaurant a few years ago.

Kid wants some dish, I have no idea what. He was NOT allowed to eat that because "it doesn't cost enough. The only way DDP makes sense is if you eat the steak" So they all ate steak regardless of what they wanted LOL!

And that probably increased the amount they had to tip by at least $10, if not more. People often don't even consider that the concept that you have to order the most expensive thing on the menu still hits them in the pocket book

 

[ErinsMommy]

Yes, you did that for the entire trip for every dining experience?

Poster clearly said tbey looked at the menus and calculated it both ways?? And its not all that hard to do - there's even a website that figures it all out down to what your restaurants are, tips, snacks, etc.

 

[ErinsMommy]

See we've been and always go on the DxDp. First time, we literally ate most of our trip. It was HORRIBLE. I mean 3 sit down table services was just so time consuming alone, and I even mentioned to DH on one of those services that I wasn't even hungry but alas we went anyway. Now we still go on the Dxdp but changed the way we use it entirely -- we have a character breakfast, skip lunch, and have a nice enjoyable signature dinner. It doesn't work for everyone, but for us, it works out great.

 

[loves to dive]

Way back in the dark ages when the dining plan included 2 TS a day and a number of snacks, had an appetizer included as well (I guess what is now the deluxe plan) we used to get it but just because it really was cheaper. My son could eat 2 adult meals at a time when he was young. As my son got older and I got older, our eating habits changed. We don't eat character meals or buffets, which tend to be the pricey places to eat. We order what we want and eat when we want. There are days we will just grab little bites to eat all day long instead of sitting down for a meal and there are days we will eat two TS meals a day. We never look at prices on the menu, we just order what interests us. The thing is, I tend to like chicken or fish more than beef, I'm not a big meal eater, I just can't hold a lot so lots of times, I'll order an appetizer for my entre and maybe share a dessert with my son. I don't drink soft drinks with my meals (or ever), I drink water or a refreshing adult beverage (which isn't included). My son doesn't eat breakfast, I have to have something so lots of times we will end up sharing a pastry or breakfast sandwich because I can't eat it all and he'll eat a bite or two. Our typical days are me getting something for breakfast, eating about half of it and him taking a bite or two. Some time later in the day one of us starts whinning because we are hungry and we argue about where to eat until the hungry one just says, darn it we are eating right here. That might be quick service, in which case I normally get a kids meal and he will get a sandwich and a refreshing adult beverage. Then we will discuss whether we want a TS for later in the day or not, and hop on MDE and find something. Some days it's just lets go to LaCava and get chips and guac or go to the Nomad Lounge and get a couple of appetizers and share. We just never know. One of the things I've noticed with most people on the dining plan is they worry about not losing money, I hear a lot of how do I use my left over snack credits or does this place take the dining plan or is this included. I just don't like to think that much about my food, I eat when and what I want. Does it save us money? Most likely we spend less not using the dining plan but most of what we eat probably wouldn't be included.

 

[kiford]

If I instead go in with the attitude that, hey, I'm on vacation, and by golly, I'm going to order what I really want regardless of price, there's a decent chance DDP will save me money.

Not for us. I would never spend the money for snacks and hardly ever eat desserts so to me, the portion of the DDP that I'm paying to cover that is wasted. We also eat appetizers so that would be OOP even on the plan. We don't drink soda so the refillable mug cost would be wasted as would the non-alcoholic drink with dinner. We usually order wine and/or a cocktail so that would be OOP. Sometimes I just eat appetizers - not covered by DDP. If you're willing to eat the way that the dining plan requires, you may be able to save money. We don't eat that way and don't eat half of what you're paying for on the plan (i.e., snacks, sodas, desserts) so it's never going to work for us. And I don't want to spend my time figuring out what is and isn't covered when I look at a menu and trying to ensure that I get value for what I paid for. I'd rather eat what I want and pay for what I eat.

 

[bwbuddy5]

Not for us. I would never spend the money for snacks and hardly ever eat desserts so to me, the portion of the DDP that I'm paying to cover that is wasted. We also eat appetizers so that would be OOP even on the plan. We don't drink soda so the refillable mug cost would be wasted as would the non-alcoholic drink with dinner. We usually order wine and/or a cocktail so that would be OOP. Sometimes I just eat appetizers - not covered by DDP. If you're willing to eat the way that the dining plan requires, you may be able to save money. We don't eat that way and don't eat half of what you're paying for on the plan (i.e., snacks, sodas, desserts) so it's never going to work for us. And I don't want to spend my time figuring out what is and isn't covered when I look at a menu and trying to ensure that I get value for what I paid for. I'd rather eat what I want and pay for what I eat.

Sounds great. Your family is the exact opposite of mine, we would choose dessert over appetizers, we drink soda like crazy and will fill it up at the resort to take in the park (which we would do even without DDP), and we'll probably have all of our dinner reservations made and menus reviewed before we even leave. We will be an extended family of 9 on our next trip at AKL.

 

[csmommy]

For me it's never worth it - sometimes I just order and appetizer, dessert and drink. Other times I just want an entree and drink.
I have the Tables In Wonderland card and love it - that is what works best for me.

I also don't do many buffet's or character meals and that's really where the DDP pays for itself.

Is there somewhere I can calculate if TIW would be right for my trip or would I have to do it all myself?

 

[GillianP1301]

I'll one up your 2 sentence generalization statement on DDP to this 1 sentence:

If the dining plan works for your family then buy it, if it doesn't then don't.