OOP vs. DDP, live report . final totals

[LovesTimone]

For us we enjoy the DDXDP - when going for more than one or two nights we will go this route, we live in Orlando and are AP holders, so we go quite often. But when planning for a longer trips we like the DDXDP. I feel it's really about how you tour, who are you touring with and the ages of the group, and the purpose of your trip - first time, birthday, or just to hang out and enjoy, empty nester, romantic/ anniversary or whatever. My DH likes to have everything paid for upfront, so that he doesn't worry about what everyone is ordering, and he can just sit back and relax, pay for drinks/cocktails and the tip . Also we enjoy signature dinning and have done 3 signatures in one trip before. We are foodies and enjoy trying something different, and sharing with each other, and spending that time together. We are empty nesters now, so how we tour is a lot different now, then when our kiddos were at home. My DD and I are starting to plan my sweeeet DGS 2nd birthday( January 2017) he and we will be celebrating with Mickey, and the first thing DH said was make sure to get the dinning plan.

We really think that dinning is part of your vacation experience. So why not order the steak, you really want the steak, but will you settle for the chicken due to the price point. The dinning plan gives you the option to have the steak. So its really all about what you see as value and what kinda experience you are wanting.

As far as entitlements go - we always use up all or ours, as they are good from the minute you check in to midnight on the day of departure. So we would use up the snack credits on items to take home to make the magic last a little longer, one year we used some on Disney lollipops for DD's girl scout troop. As far as meals credits, we would use for breakfast, and then get sandwiches from EOS to take on the road for lunch, my friend uses hers for food for the airport and plane ride back home. There are lots of ways to use the credits to add to your experience.

 

[leebee]

One way to get the "prepaid" benefit of the DDP is to purchase gift cards in advance, then use these to pay for your food. You can get a reasonable idea of what to expect to pay by judiciously perusing the different websites with Disney menus. I would try to purchase maybe $100 less on a gift card, so I don't have money left over... although if there IS money left, just leave it on the gift card for next time, or use the money at the Disney store or something. That way you are not just using up spare credits (although I don't know how people have spare snack credits- once I buy a dole whip at MK, mickey bar at DS, frozen banana at AK, and sweet pretzel in Epcot, my daily snack credits are used up!)