Newbie in need of help!

[Cinderella1980]

I keep reading about crunching numbers, and how the DDP might not be a good option, and that room discount can be better and so on.

We are 2 women, traveling from May 13 to May 23 (10 nights). Staying at the Pop. I'm trying to figure out if we should go MYW package or buy stuff separately (ie, tickets from Undercover tourist, meals OOP).

I'm trying to compare the QDSP VS OOP. First, I don't think we'd get dessert with our meals. And we might do one or two sit-down dinner during our trip.

With this said. Is QDSP a good value? Should we switch to basic DDP if we'd plan to do two sit-down dinners?

Or should we just do OOP for everything and get the 20 % discount for the room? It brings us to exactly $999 for a standard room.

I have a been a long time lurker of this board, and all the info I get from it is precious. I'm going with my best friend, it's our first girls only trip, andI want to make sure we get the best value for our money.

 

[Cafeen]

For room rate discounts, it's generally better the higher level you are. Hence a lot of the debate is when comparing free dining* to mod+ reservations. Since you aren't worried about free dining, it makes the math a little more complex (you aren't comparing the same package with different discounts applied).

On QSDP, with a rate of ~$36 per night, you will need to spend roughly $15 per meal (incl. tax) with an average of $3 per snack (a generally accepted average around these parts). With an entree and dessert, this isn't too difficult at most places, but leaving out the desserts will make it a bit trickier.

For DDP, 10 nights would be ~$460 per person ($46 / night per person), if you're not planning on using all the TS credits here, this will certainly not be a good deal (you'd spend more on the dining plan than you would just paying OOP). For DDP to work, you really have to utilize all the TS credits and most (all but 1 or 2) of the CS credits per person.

In addition, for either QSDP or DDP, you really have to make sure to utilize the vast majority of the entitlements at each meal (Entree, Dessert, Drink).

Looking at your plan and the way you desire to eat, it seems that paying OOP for your dining would be best.

*Free Dining is sometimes offered to the general public in the late summer/early fall. This year it was offered for stays during the less popular times, but ended in December. There is also a PIN that several people have gotten that gives them free QSDP during their stay up to 8/13, but it's better to plan on not having it than to plan on getting it. In any case, if you're not planning on utilizing the plan to its fullest, OOP + Room discount will be better for you.

 

[catra121]

As much as I love the DDP (actually the deluxe plan)...it doesn't sound like it would be a good option for you. If you only plan 2 sit down meals then I definitely wouldn't go with the regular plan. The QS plan would probably be a good option...it is VERY convenient and it is hard to put a price on that. But if you're just looking for the best deal, in your case it would probably be to pay OOP for the trip.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Unless you have a free dining PIN, you may use the 20% discount off the room and add on the DDP (pay for it) without losing the discount. Just because it's a room discount doesn't mean that you can't add on one of the dining plans. If you have a free dining PIN then you must choose which discount, free dining or % off room, you wish to use. The quick service dining plan might be a good fit for you and then just pay for the 2 TS OOP.