New to dxddp. Could it actually be worth it?!

[quandrea]

im going to WDW next Friday. Just a three night trip with dd, 13. I think the dxddp will be a good deal this time around. Can the experts weigh in.

I would only get it for the first two nights as we are diing a split stay. My math says we will have 12 meal credits and 8 snack credits.

Friday

Use 4-6 snacks for lunch at Poly
Use 2 meal credits at Yak and Yeti (D)

Saturday

Use 2 meal credits at The Plaza
Use 2 meal credits at Tony's (I know. Dd's request).
Dole Whips (2 snack)

Sunday

Use 4 meal credits at California Grill brunch
Use 2 meal credits at Via Napoli

We'd be OOP on our last day. Breakfast in the room every day.

Cost is $103.57 each, so $207.14 per day, $414.28 for trip.

I think if I drop California Grill that it would tip the scales in favour of OOP. Need to closely run the numbers today. I did some quick calculations last night.

I know we will not eat all this food. When on the plan do you just not order what you don't want?

 

[Faldred]

Deluxe is the one plan where adults can break even or better without trying all that hard. Depending on some variables like how much you value the mug and each snack credit, for 2017, I'd call the break-even cost per credit as somewhere between $30-$33 (vs. pre-tax menu prices) in most cases (higher if you value the mugs/snacks at or close to zero). That's really not hard to beat at most table-service locations, even if you pass on an appetizer or dessert sometimes.

Even the CG brunch is cost effective with DxDP credits - it's what, $80? Two credits spent there still sees the cost at over $10 savings compared to cash (as high as $20).

 

[quandrea]

Deluxe is the one plan where adults can break even or better without trying all that hard. Depending on some variables like how much you value the mug and each snack credit, for 2017, I'd call the break-even cost per credit as somewhere between $30-$33 (vs. pre-tax menu prices) in most cases (higher if you value the mugs/snacks at or close to zero). That's really not hard to beat at most table-service locations, even if you pass on an appetizer or dessert sometimes.

Even the CG brunch is cost effective with DxDP credits - it's what, $80? Two credits spent there still sees the cost at over $10 savings compared to cash (as high as $20).

Thank you. Yes, the brunch is $80. Thanks for offering that $30-$33 break even tidbit. New to all of this.

 

[loves to dive]

If you know going in you aren't going to eat all that food, I would say pay oop that way you can order what you know you will eat.

 

[Faldred]

Thank you. Yes, the brunch is $80. Thanks for offering that $30-$33 break even tidbit. New to all of this.

For those interested, I've done the math (so you don't have to!).

 

[sharonabe]

The price of the DxDDP is a little higher (106.68), but that probably doesn't change the calculations all that much. If you definitely want to do the CG brunch, you're probably going to come out a little better with the plan. You'll need to spend only $266.72 between the two of you for those 3 days. That's $133.72 for 4 meals, so that is right at Faldred's $33 per meal point. You need to look at the menus of the four places you've chosen to see if you can do that with what you WANT to eat, not with what the plan allows. If you're at least in the $30 range with what you WANT to eat, then your snacks are basically free. If you're in the $20-25 range, then you need to price out the snacks you want to see if that gets you into the break even or saving money with the plan.

 

[quandrea]

The price of the DxDDP is a little higher (106.68), but that probably doesn't change the calculations all that much. If you definitely want to do the CG brunch, you're probably going to come out a little better with the plan. You'll need to spend only $266.72 between the two of you for those 3 days. That's $133.72 for 4 meals, so that is right at Faldred's $33 per meal point. You need to look at the menus of the four places you've chosen to see if you can do that with what you WANT to eat, not with what the plan allows. If you're at least in the $30 range with what you WANT to eat, then your snacks are basically free. If you're in the $20-25 range, then you need to price out the snacks you want to see if that gets you into the break even or saving money with the plan.

Dvc is quoted as $103.57 on our website. Is that an error?

 

[sharonabe]

Dvc is quoted as $103.57 on our website. Is that an error?

Sorry, forgot that DVC is locked in for the year, and prices went up at some point after Jan. You're good at $103.57.

 

[quandrea]

Thanks for all the help so far. I've put more thought into this.

Friday
Share one meal credit for lunch
Share one meal credit at Yak and Yeti (this is in line with what we will actually eat).

Saturday
The Plaza 2 credits
Tony's 2 credits
Share a dole whip 1 snack

Sunday
California Grill brunch 4 credits
Via Napoli 2 credits

Leaves 7 snacks

Will use these credits for pastries at breakfast Saturday and Sunday (2 credits), fruit (2), milk (2), one more snack as needed (1).

Breakfast drinks in mug.

I could cancel my grocery order ($69.80).

OOP would be $478.39
DDP $414.28

Now if we don't do brunch, my OOP is only $369.76. I'd replace brunch with Kona lunch as dd wants sushi. That meal would run about $58 before tax.

So I guess I need to decide how badly I want that brunch. Is the value there or is it absolutely crazy to pay $170.40 for a meal? My daughter will go crazy for the sushi. I love the whole menu.

 

[Faldred]

Now if we don't do brunch, my OOP is only $369.76. I'd replace brunch with Kona lunch as dd wants sushi. That meal would run about $58 before tax.

And you'd also have another 2 credits left to spend elsewhere, too.

So I guess I need to decide how badly I want that brunch. Is the value there or is it absolutely crazy to pay $170.40 for a meal? My daughter will go crazy for the sushi. I love the whole menu.

I can't really say. I haven't heard a single negative review on CG Brunch, though, and would love to do it myself on a future visit.

 

[sharonabe]

So I guess I need to decide how badly I want that brunch. Is the value there or is it absolutely crazy to pay $170.40 for a meal? My daughter will go crazy for the sushi. I love the whole menu.

One more variable to throw into the mix is the time it's going to take you to eat all these meals and how much time it potentially takes away from your park touring. It's a short trip, and with what you have planned, you're spending a good deal of it eating. That's not necessarily bad. For many people, the eating is just as important as the attractions. You do need to decide if it's worth it to YOU.

 

[quandrea]

One more variable to throw into the mix is the time it's going to take you to eat all these meals and how much time it potentially takes away from your park touring. It's a short trip, and with what you have planned, you're spending a good deal of it eating. That's not necessarily bad. For many people, the eating is just as important as the attractions. You do need to decide if it's worth it to YOU.

This trip is just an extra. We've been over sixty times so attractions are not vitally important. Sure, we want to ride rides, but we know it's going to be hot and we aren't going to push ourselves. We'd be happy riding people mover all day. That said, the sit down meals will be important. The dining plan is usually not an option, as I usually cook breakfast and at least one meal a day in our villa. This trip we are in a studio.

The business of counter service in the mornings dissuades me quite a bit. Breakfast in the room might be easier/more relaxing.

 

[Dakota731]

Does room service count as one meal on the dxddp?

 

[Faldred]

Does room service count as one meal on the dxddp?

No, it's two entitlements per meal ordered, but you are still able to order appetizer, entree, dessert, and beverage.

 

[Dakota731]

What about breakfast? Is it enough for two to share? Thought it may save time in the am to eat while we get ready.

 

[quandrea]

We went for the dxddp. Purchased today. I really want that CG brunch.

 

[Faldred]

What about breakfast? Is it enough for two to share? Thought it may save time in the am to eat while we get ready.

*shrug* from a dollars and cents standpoint, probably not much worse than using 2 DxDP credits for CS breakfast, I suppose, plus the convenience of having it delivered to the room. The Contemporary room service breakfast entrees, courtesy of AllEars, is below - for two light eaters to split, I'd suspect most would be enough to share. If doing this in 2018, the beverage selection would likely include the option of a mimosa or a bloody mary, if preferred over coffee/tea/soda/milk/juice/etc.

Breakfast
Tailored Omelte - with choice of ham, bacon, mushroom ,asparagus, onion, tomato, cheese, or spinach; served with breakfast potatoes and toast or biscuit $17

The Floridan Eggs Benedict - Two poached eggs, crab and rock shrimp cake, with key-lime Hollandaise atop a toasted English muffin, served with breakfast potatoes $15

Egg White Frittata - with spinach, onions, mushrooms, potatoes and cheddar $13.5

Broken Yolk Breakfast Sandwich - fried egg, applewood-smoked bacon, Tillamook cheddar, arugula and roasted garlic aioli on a multigrain croissant with breakfast potatoes $16.5

Norwegian Smoked Salmon - with toasted bagel and traditional accoutrements $13

Monorail Express - two eggs with bacon and sausage, served with breakfast potatoes and toast or biscuit $14

Steak and Eggs - 4-oz filet and two eggs served with breakfast potatoes and toast or biscuit $20

Belgian Waffle - Mickey-shaped waffle served with syrup and choice of bacon, pork sausage, or chicken sausage $15

Guava Stuffed French Toast - brioche bread stuffed with guava and sweetened cream cheese rolled in a house-made granola crumble, served with choice of bacon, pork sausage, or chicken sausage $15

Buttermilk Pancakes - with syrup and choice of bacon, pork sausage, or chicken sausage; includes your choice of chocolate chips, blueberries, shipped cream, or granola $15

Contemporary Continental - daily selection of our fresh-baked Breakfast Pastries with multigrain options served with orange juice, and choice of Organic Columbian coffee or tea $13