OOP in 2008 - if you used to do DDP

[scubamouse]

I'm looking to get reviews of dining if you used to do DDP but went OOP since the plan change. We got a good room rate and are going OOP. We'll do a mix of signature and CS dinners and plan on doing mostly BYO lunches and snacks.

How did it go and would you do OOP again? Thanks

 

[mama03]

Umm, forgive me for being a noodle head, but what is OOp?

 

[perla75]

Out Of Pocket!

 

[scubamouse]

Out Of Pocket!

Yup

Looking for info on how former DDP people are dining if they're going OOP this time around?

 

[rentayenta]

I am interested as well.

 

[j0esmoe13]

It will be what you make of it. If you want to dine at all TS & signature restaurants then the dining plan will be your best bet. If you are going to stick to counter service and bringing your own then out of pocket is going to make the most sense for you.

 

[Jletendre]

Even with the plan you have OOP, we usually pay for breakfast and a couple meals as we prefer to have sit down relaxing lunches and a nice dinner.

Looking at my August ADR's we are paying OOP for 2 meals (a lunch and dinner) and likely as stated all our breakfast meals (be them full or quick stuff)

 

[lisa3383]

Even with the plan you have OOP, we usually pay for breakfast and a couple meals as we prefer to have sit down relaxing lunches and a nice dinner.

Looking at my August ADR's we are paying OOP for 2 meals (a lunch and dinner) and likely as stated all our breakfast meals (be them full or quick stuff)

This is what I think we are going to be doing and we are on the deluxe dining plan. I wish Disney would just do "all inclusive" already!!!!

 

[TyRy]

We did the DDP in 2006 and it worked great for us. Now that you only get dessert and no appetizer it's not so great anymore. We are appetizer people and not so much with dessert. We will have AP's for the first time so we'll be getting the DDE card which will basically cover our tips (as we tend to tip 20%). We'd also still be doing some meals OOP.

If my excel spreadsheet is correct we should come out about $300 ahead by NOT doing the DDP this time.

Ty

 

[F1Julie]

I've used the DP a few times in the past and have been paying OOP on the last few trips. I liked when tipping was included. It was just easier that way since I don't carry much cash and I wouldn't want to charge my tips. Also, I think the DP is leading to the downfall of the food quality and choices at WDW. So many people are worried about "getting their's money's worth" on the plan, that they choose to eat where meals cost the most. I don't want to plan my vacation that way. We eat where we want to eat, regardless of price, and order whatever courses we want.

 

[DizzDoll]

I've used the DP a few times in the past and have been paying OOP on the last few trips. I liked when tipping was included. It was just easier that way since I don't carry much cash and I wouldn't want to charge my tips. Also, I think the DP is leading to the downfall of the food quality and choices at WDW. So many people are worried about "getting their's money's worth" on the plan, that they choose to eat where meals cost the most. I don't want to plan my vacation that way. We eat where we want to eat, regardless of price, and order whatever courses we want.

I agree. I canceled our DDP for this year and since we missed the "free" ddp which starts on the day we leave, I'll be paying OOP for all meals. In saying that, I also made some ADRs - CP, Boma, LeCellier and The Plaza. These are the restaurants we enjoy the most, and at Boma and CP we're having breakfast buffets, lunch at LeCellier and dinner at the Plaza. For all other meals we're planning on CS, as well as Pop food court. We enjoy pizza in our room on occasion so we have that to look forward to as well. My kids are not huge eaters, and they don't "order the most expensive item on the menu" so the way I figure it, I'll be breaking even, if not saving a few $$. Not that that matters as much, but in my case it's a why purchase what you're not going to use scenario. I'll let you know how we made out. I could very well end up kicking myself.

 

[Karlzmom]

I'm looking to get reviews of dining if you used to do DDP but went OOP since the plan change. We got a good room rate and are going OOP. We'll do a mix of signature and CS dinners and plan on doing mostly BYO lunches and snacks.

How did it go and would you do OOP again? Thanks

We did the dining plan last time, but will be OOP this time. Wanted more flexibility in dining choices and with DS being 3 weeks shy of 3, I'd have to OOP for him anyway.

 

[Tricia1972]

We did the DDP twice in 2007. We didn't like it and wanted to try OOP to see how that worked for us.

We much preferred OOP vs the DDP.
We never worried about if a snack would be covered under the DDP.
We don't generally eat desserts at TS locations, so we saved money there. There were a few nights that we weren't in the mood to sit down, so we called and canceled our dining reservation and didn't eat TS that day - without the worry of rescheduling a TS later on.
We felt more free to try things like Beaches & Cream and Tony's, where you'd rarely come ahead on the DDP.
We had sick a party member a two days, no worries about their extra credits.
We were able to use our DDE credit

For us it worked well. We saved $500 over 8 days for a party of 5A, 1C, 1 infant.

 

[TDC Nala]

I used DDP a couple of times, but now the appetizer and tip are not included. Plus, I prefer signature restaurants (which are not the best deal on the plan) and have gotten hooked on 1) some restaurants like Bluezoo and HOB that don't take the dining plan and 2) eating at bars and lounges.

It will be what you make of it. If you want to dine at all TS & signature restaurants then the dining plan will be your best bet.

Not necessarily, unless you are talking about the deluxe plan. On the DDP you get one TS credit per night and signature restaurants cost 2 credits. Signatures also tend to cost more, so the tips will be higher. And if you want appetizers, you will need to pay for those.

Paying out of pocket, you can choose two appetizers, an appetizer and a dessert, just the entree, whatever you want.