No Longer Have DDP Envy..

[FayeW]

We always stay offsite, but I have been tempted to get off my wallet and stay onsite specifically so we could try the dining plan. I am happy to say that I spent some time this morning looking over the menus and have come to the conclusion that based on what we would normally order, over a 4 day period (1 day for each park) we would save $135 NOT having the dining plan, and this included 1 dinner at 'Ohana. Over a full 7 days, the savings would be even greater.

We just aren't app/entree/dessert people so spending more money for food we don't want or need just doesn't make sense. I had considered the plan mostly to try new restaurants and assumed that the kids (10 & 12) would share our appetizers, and we could order something OOP for them. This would have allowed us to stretch our credits further and do HDDR, and maybe a couple of extra TS throughout the week. I've read some reports that says "sharing is not permissable for guests using DDP" so rather than count on being able to share, I will assume we can't, and book my accomodations accordingly.

Now I can stop envying you folks with your great dining reviews and enjoy my 2 bdrm offsite condo rental instead!

 

[bicker]

We always stay offsite, but I have been tempted to get off my wallet and stay onsite specifically so we could try the dining plan. I am happy to say that I spent some time this morning looking over the menus and have come to the conclusion that based on what we would normally order, over a 4 day period (1 day for each park) we would save $135 NOT having the dining plan, and this included 1 dinner at 'Ohana. Over a full 7 days, the savings would be even greater.

We just aren't app/entree/dessert people so spending more money for food we don't want or need just doesn't make sense.

I would love to see your calculations, for comparison to my own:

http://brianandrobbie.com/DiningPlanEstimatedCostsNoAppyNoDessert.htm

As you can see, we figured it with four adults for five nights, and computed how much we would spend in cash, ordering no appetizers and no desserts at all, and compared that to the cost of the Dining Plan (in 2006 dollars, so add $20 to the Dining Plan total to reflect 2007 Dining Plan prices), and came out $150 ($120 in 2007) ahead with the Dining Plan.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Are you eating mostly CS?

I figured, for us, we would still save money not getting app and dessert (we are going to several buffets) and using the DDP.

 

[ffugitive]

I certainly eat enough to save money - I mean I eat it all! But the real beauty is not having to think about price. I don't hesitate to order the most expensive thing on the menu (whereas I always do when I am paying a la carte). But also, you just don't ever get that sinking feeling when the check comes. No matter how much I adopt the "we're on vacation so cost is no object" mentality, it's always a mild bummer when I sign the check without the DP. And put on top of that (for us) the fact that we save about $40-50 per day and get to eat at all of the best restaurants without worry of cost, the DP is a must for us.

But I can certainly see if you're not a cheap glutton such as myself how the appeal might not be so great.

 

[ffugitive]

By the way - make sure you factor in tax and tip (which are included on the DDP).

 

[drag n' fly]

We recently returned with 4 adults and 1 child on the plan and we saved approx 40-45% on food. For us we would do it again, you must be eating mostly cs if you do not see a savings for your family. Personally I liked being being able to order whatever I wanted without consideration of cost. Most of our ts meals alone were at least 200 dollars and on average each cs meal was 60 dollars so we definitely came out ahead.

 

[sandym718]

I certainly eat enough to save money - I mean I eat it all! But the real beauty is not having to think about price. I don't hesitate to order the most expensive thing on the menu (whereas I always do when I am paying a la carte). But also, you just don't ever get that sinking feeling when the check comes. No matter how much I adopt the "we're on vacation so cost is no object" mentality, it's always a mild bummer when I sign the check without the DP. And put on top of that (for us) the fact that we save about $40-50 per day and get to eat at all of the best restaurants without worry of cost, the DP is a must for us.

But I can certainly see if you're not a cheap glutton such as myself how the appeal might not be so great.

This was the main appeal for us - not having to think about money when looking at the menu, signing the check. If I want to get a steak, even filet mignon, everywhere it is offered, I can do that. Normally that is a SPECIAL treat, a real splurge. We sometimes at home share an appetizer when we go out - all 4 of us. And it's normally fine. We don't usually eat dessert out either, but we'll have something at home sometimes. The amount of food isn't a big deal for me, but it will be nice to have those splurges every night of our special vacation. And my DH is a BIG eater, so he loves the thought of his own appetizer and dessert, as well as getting steak/prime rib without worrying about the $. Since our package is paid in full already (4/28-5/4), it's such a nice feeling to have to realize all those meals are already paid for!

 

[goofy4tink]

It's a pretty close call for me. I have the DDE card so I don't always have to have the DDP. But, we're not huge app/dessert eaters either. And a lot of times, my dd and I share a counter service meal at lunch to begin with. And we got in the habit of bringing cereal with us, so we just bought milk at the resort and we had breakfast in our room. No matter what anyone says, the DDP is not a good deal for everyone. I have a 13 y/o dd that eats like a 2 y/o....mostly from the children's menus. And considering that we have paid $38 a day for her, well, that's not efficient use of my dining dollars!! It's great for some, and not so great of others. But, for some reason, every time someone comes here, says they sat and figured it out and DDP doesn't make sense for them budgetwise, there are always those who say it isn't so, that they must have made a mistake or something. But, it just doesn't work for everyone!

 

[toocooltobeMom]

No matter how we cut down the DDP, it is still a great deal for us. Before the discovery of DDP, we had always paid OOP. We normally would eat at a sit-down restaurant for dinners only. Breakfasts were usually from the resort food court($3-4/pp) Lunch tends to be at the parks(CS @ $10+/pp) Snacks and drinks thoughout the days($5-7/pp) Dinners easily cost about $80+/3pp(3 entrees, drinks, tax and tip)
We have spent a minimum of $130/3pp OOP!!!! We love to eat. We always order what we like(not the least expensive) DDP and our family are the perfect match.

 

[sandym718]

No matter what anyone says, the DDP is not a good deal for everyone. I have a 13 y/o dd that eats like a 2 y/o....mostly from the children's menus. And considering that we have paid $38 a day for her, well, that's not efficient use of my dining dollars!!

Good point! Our kids are little (almost 3 and almost 5) and eat VERY little!! Since we're not paying for the little one, they'll be sharing the 5 year old's and that still works out good for the small amount of $ the child's plan costs. But once they're older - I could definitely see that being a waste of money. Especially at age 10 or so. Unless their appetites change dramatically, that is!

 

[FayeW]

My figures did not include a TS everyday. Of the 4 days I priced out I calulated TS for only 2 of them. We would not do a TS meal at either MK or Epcot, as there are far too many CS choices to bother with the trouble of making ADR's, or waste the time or the money. For example, on MK I calculated that we would probably have lunch at Casey's (4 x hotdogs, 2 x french fries to share). Supper was at Cosmic Rays, where we would share 2 1/2 chicken dinners, I also added an extra $4 for an additional side, if required. Our family would not consume an entire chicken at home at one meal, so no reason to think we couldn't share a full chicken at Cosmic Rays!

At Epcot, I priced out some meals from the CS at The Land. (Not traditional "fast food" CS), as well as burgers from the Electric Umbrella (we have NO problem ordering 2 double burgers and buying 2 extra buns!) So the two days that were 2 CS, the choices for 1 of the CS was a more traditional meal like we would have for dinner at home, not just burgers and hot dogs. For MGM TS, I priced out both Sci-Fi an Prime Time, and that was on the assumption that my children would share an adult entree (last time we went to Prime Time, they split the meatloaf)

At age 10 & 12 they are charged as adults. If I knew we could go and share our appetizers and desserts, and order OOP for them some of the time with the DDP, then I would reconsider, but to pay nearly $80 per day for them, for the amount they eat, doesn't make sense for us.

 

[mom2my3kids]

We did not do the dining plan last year, but we spent as much oop then if we had the dining plan. But we got to eat when we wanted to and not when we had to. But this year we are on the dining plan, but I don't know if we will next year unless its free because I would have to pay ADULT price for my 10 year old he will still be 9 by a few days this year. But I think its a great deal for adults with younger children..

 

[goofy4tink]

My figures did not include a TS everyday. Of the 4 days I priced out I calulated TS for only 2 of them. We would not do a TS meal at either MK or Epcot, as there are far too many CS choices to bother with the trouble of making ADR's, or waste the time or the money. For example, on MK I calculated that we would probably have lunch at Casey's (4 x hotdogs, 2 x french fries to share). Supper was at Cosmic Rays, where we would share 2 1/2 chicken dinners, I also added an extra $4 for an additional side, if required. Our family would not consume an entire chicken at home at one meal, so no reason to think we couldn't share a full chicken at Cosmic Rays!

At Epcot, I priced out some meals from the CS at The Land. (Not traditional "fast food" CS), as well as burgers from the Electric Umbrella (we have NO problem ordering 2 double burgers and buying 2 extra buns!) So the two days that were 2 CS, the choices for 1 of the CS was a more traditional meal like we would have for dinner at home, not just burgers and hot dogs. For MGM TS, I priced out both Sci-Fi an Prime Time, and that was on the assumption that my children would share an adult entree (last time we went to Prime Time, they split the meatloaf)

At age 10 & 12 they are charged as adults. If I knew we could go and share our appetizers and desserts, and order OOP for them some of the time with the DDP, then I would reconsider, but to pay nearly $80 per day for them, for the amount they eat, doesn't make sense for us.

Then, by your figures, there is no way the DDP is going to be a good deal. You would have to eat a TS meal every day in order for it to work out. Just goes to show that not everyone eats the same way when at WDW...there is no one plan that will suit all families. You did the smart thing by sitting down and figuring out your expenses, and then deciding it isn't for you, rather than just blindly saying 'what a terrific thing' and buying it, only to find that it really doesn't suit your eating style.

 

[jodifla]

Yep, DDP would be quite a bit more expensive than our five to seven days of eating at WDW.

We get one or two bedrooms at DVC, and take full advantage of the kitchen. We go to a couple of signature restaurants for dinner, a couple of nice lunches, eat what we want, and use the DDE card for a fraction of the great DDP "deal."

 

[MEK]

The first time I was faced with the dining plan decision my kids were 10 and 11. I was convinced that the dining plan wouldn't be worth it for us since they aren't usually big eaters. When the dining plan became free, we immediately signed up.

My kids completely surprised me. They ate ALOT! First of all - I think their appetites increased from all the activity. Secondily. they suddenly tried things in the TS establishments that surprised me. They ordered appetizers. They has a ball! They LOVE the dining plan and have favorite places they request.

Here's the way I look at it - I could watch what I spend at each and every meal and eat mostly CS with less TS and save a few hundred dollars. Or, for a few hundred dollars more, I can eat mostly anywhere, order what I want, and have a great dining experience. I love the dining plan. Yeah - it's a lot of food but we share CS so we have credits left for breakfast.

 

[FayeW]

Don't get me wrong, I would love to try the DDP, but the cost (compared to what we would normally be satisfied with) is only part of the equation. The other is that in order to participate I have to stay onsite, which means giving up the 2 bdrms/washer/dryer/full kitchen/2 bathrooms that we enjoy offsite, (unless I'm willing to rent 2bdrm DVC at 5 times the price of offsite, which I'm not!)

The other consideration is the scheduling. Making reservations for a TS everyday, and having to be some where at a specific time EVERYDAY would not work for us. Last trip we were there for 9 days, and I booked 4 things: 3 dinners, and a fireworks cruise. My husband still felt like we were too "scheduled". I have pointed out to him that 4 things over 9 days is really not something to whine about but he said it "felt like more".

Anyway, the purpose of this exercise was to help me get over the feeling of "missing out", and I think I have satisfied myself that for us, staying in bigger/nicer accomodations offsite, doing 2 or 3 planned TS at restaurants that truly interest us, and eating normally the rest of the time is a good fit for us at this stage of our lives.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

have favorite places they request.

Here's the way I look at it - I could watch what I spend at each and every meal and eat mostly CS with less TS and save a few hundred dollars. Or, for a few hundred dollars more, I can eat mostly anywhere, order what I want, and have a great dining experience. I love the dining plan. Yeah - it's a lot of food but we share CS so we have credits left for breakfast.

That's what I like about the plan. The first time we went, we didn't use the DDP. We ate mostly CS and offsite. I was a pain to go offsite just to eat and we wasted a lot of time.

Now, my meals are prepaid and I don't have to think twice about ordering an appetizer that costs $10 or an entree that costs $30.

Cooking on vacation doesn't seem like vacation to me, so even if we had DVC we would still get the DDP.

We also use our TS meals as a time to relax (instead of going back to our room). We like to have at least one TS a day, so the plan is perfect for us.

 

[ptrbryant]

As others have said, the one thing you need to consider is that, since the advent of the dining plan, you really need ADRs if you want a TS restaurant whether you're on the plan or not. People have posted not infrequently about calling for an ADR for a favorite restaurant (Le Cellier, certain character buffets) and not finding any openings for the length of their trip---and these were people NOT on the DP. Several posts have complained about people not being able to be served without ADRs. Unless you're going to only eat CS meals, ADRs are going to have to be made either way.

Karla B.

 

[joiev98]

We are going for the very first time ever in May. We are a family of 6. I did A LOT of research before booking this trip, and although I do feel like I could of saved a little bit of money if we 1. stayed offsite, and 2. did not have the DDP, I booked us for both. I think that the extra money more than compensates for the convenience that both will provide our family. This is our first REAL vacation (other than visiting family) and I want it to be MAGICAL. I want the kids to order cute desserts and have dinner with the characters and I don't want to sweat about it while we are there. It will be paid for within 3 weeks and then I can just count down the days for our special trip.

 

[FayeW]

We are going for the very first time ever in May. We are a family of 6. I did A LOT of research before booking this trip, and although I do feel like I could of saved a little bit of money if we 1. stayed offsite, and 2. did not have the DDP, I booked us for both. I think that the extra money more than compensates for the convenience that both will provide our family. This is our first REAL vacation (other than visiting family) and I want it to be MAGICAL. I want the kids to order cute desserts and have dinner with the characters and I don't want to sweat about it while we are there. It will be paid for within 3 weeks and then I can just count down the days for our special trip.

You have 4 children, which means you are either booking 2 rooms, or staying at All Star Family Suites. You could have saved considerably more than "a little bit of money", it just depends on how you book. We book through skyauction and have never paid more than $266. for the entire week. Those rates and availability depend on what time you are travelling so they may not have been applicable for your dates. Pool homes and condos in Windsor Hills often go for $600-$700 for the week. However, one person's magic is another person's horror. To each their own. Have a great trip!