OOP vs Deluxe Dining Plan

[hippiechicken]

15.000 IS peanuts. I can't get a pair of shoes for that, yet you can take an entire WDW vacation? Wow!

That's 15,000 dollars in America, I believe, not 15 dollars.

 

[sjaakie]

That's 15,000 dollars in America, I believe, not 15 dollars.

Sorry if I wrote this wrong.Its 15 thousand dollar
Diffrend country diffrend spelling.

 

[mefordis]

Sorry if I wrote this wrong.Its 15 thousand dollar
Diffrend country diffrend spelling.

That's a LOT. I'm surprised with the economy the way it is you are paying that much. Are you staying a month or longer?

 

[sjaakie]

That's a LOT. I'm surprised with the economy the way it is you are paying that much. Are you staying a month or longer?

Grand Floridian Concierge level.
Flights ,car,hotel,DXDP .
But I'm not complaining. Love America and love WDW.

 

[septbaby]

However my DW brought up the fact that because of the plan we were making too many ADR's and would spend allot of our time making our ressies and eating instead of relaxing.

That is why I suggested the Basic Plan. That quote and 3 meals a day seem in conflict to me, but you know what you mean and want. Good luck.

 

[Tricia1972]

Your numbers are slightly off, partly because tax is 6.5%, not 7% and also because the souviner cups that you are buying aren't included with the DDP or the DxDDP, only resort mugs are included. I subtracted the $28.15 for specialty mugs and pressed pot coffee. Also, with any dining plan you're only entitled to the small drink, so comparing a large isn't the best way to run numbers for your CS choices.:

I put your numbers in my spreadsheet and came up with the following

Beaches & Cream - ($40.64) $43.28 Including Tax
CRT - ($90.97) $96.88 Including Tax
Ohana's - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
Ohana's - ($66.97) $71.32 Including Tax
Crystal Palace - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
1900 Park Fare - ($73.97) $78.8 Including Tax
Kona - ($21.98) $23.41 Including Tax
Trail's End - ($34.97) $37.24 Including Tax
Cape May - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
Mugs - (35.97) $38.31 Including Tax
Grand Total OOP $696.23


The DDP Will cost you $515.82
The DxDDP will cost you $959.82


Take your four least expensive TS meals and let's figure on paying them OOP with the DDP, and paying for your mugs OOP...


Kona - $23.41
Trail's End - $37.25
Beaches & Cream - $43.28
Ohana's Breakfast - $48.97
Mugs - $38.31
Total OOP on the DDP - $194.40


Adjusted DDP Total (DDP Cost plus OOP Meals and Mugs) $710.22
OOP Total $696.23
DxDDP Total $959.82

Why is the DDP and OOP more than just OOP? It's simple, because you aren't ordering desserts at CS locations. You also don't have any snacks figured into your dining equation above.

Add in a few desserts and a few snacks, and you'll be better off paying for the DDP and those four meals (including mugs) OOP.

Originally we booked our stay at the Poly with the DxDDP. However my DW brought up the fact that because of the plan we were making too many ADR's and would spend allot of our time making our ressies and eating instead of relaxing. Then I thought we could save some money if we didn't need all of those ADR's and the dining plan. So here is what I came up with for our 6 night/7 day stay, paying OOP for two adults and one child, our littlest eats free. Take a look and check my math please, then let me know what you think....

Sun
Arrival Dinner @ Beaches & Cream- 2 Drinks @ $2.29, Burger $8.99, Double $11.49, Kid's Meal $7.59, Banana Split $7.99 = $40.64 + $2.85tax = $43.49

Mon
Breakfast @ CRT- $33.99/a $22.99/c = $90.97 + $6.37tax = $97.34

Lunch @ The Lunching Pad- 2 Turkey Legs @ $5.49, Frozen Drink in Sports Bottle $5.49 = $16.47 + $1.16tax = $17.63

Dinner @ Cosmic Ray's- Chicken Sandwich $9.09, Bacon Double Cheese Burger $7.59, Kid's Meal $4.49, Souvenier Mug $5.49, Bottle of Water $2.00 = $28.66 + $2.01tax = $30.67

Tues
Breakfast @ 'Ohana's- $18.99/a, $10.99/c = $48.97 + $3.43tax = $52.40

Lunch @ Electric Umbrella- Bacon Double CHeeseburger $7.59, Chicken Strips $6.89, Kids Meal $4.49, 2 Drinks @ $2.99 = $24.95 + $1.75tax = $26.70

Dinner @ Liberty Inn- 2 Chicken Sandwiches @ $6.49, Kid's Meal $4.49, 2 Drinks @ $2.39 = $22.25 + $1.56tax = $23.81

Wed
Breakfast at Captain Cook's- Breakfast Platter $5.79, 2 Mickey Waffles @ $5.69, (Drinks using Mugs) = $17.17 + $1.20 = $18.37

Lunch @ Toy Story Pizza Planet- 2 Buzz Meals @ $7.79, Woody Meal $8.09, Souvenier Mug $4.19, Bottle of water @2.00 = $29.86 + $2.10tax = $31.96

Dinner @ 'Ohana's- $26.99/a, $12.99/c = $66.97 + $4.67tax = $71.64

Thurs
Breakfast @ Crystal Palace- $18.99/a, $10.99/c = $48.97 + $3.43tax = $52.40

Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare- $29.99/a, $13.99/c = $73.97 + $5.18tax = $79.15

Fri
Breakfast @ Kona Cafe- 2 Tonga Toast @ $10.99, Coffee Press $7.49, (Kids Drink from Mug) = $29.47 + $2.07 = $31.54

Late Lunch @ Trails End Buffet- $12.99/a, $8.99/c = $34.97 + $2.45 = $37.42

Dinner @ Casey's Corner- 2 Hot Dogs @ $5.79, Corn Dog Nuggets $3.59, 2 Bottles of Water $4.00 = $19.17 + $1.35 = $20.52

Sat
Breakfast @ Cape May Cafe before driving home- $18.99/a, $10.99/c = $48.97 + $3.43 = $52.40

Mugs = 3 @ $11.99 = $35.97 = $2.52 = $38.49
----------
Grand Total = $726.02

Dining Plan = $1093.72 w/tax

Difference = $367.70

So that $367.70 saved to spend on souveniers and other stuff. Not to mention saving the money on tips vs the dining plan. With the dining plan we had allot more meals scheduled at places like LeCellar which would have been an expensive tip. With this idea we have allot more cs meals that don't require tip. Plus we get the freedom of only having lesser ADR's and more choices. We may not even need 3 meals on some days, so it could be even cheaper.

Thoughts? Am I way off with this idea? It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[LilGMom]

I'll guess I'll find out shortly, we'll be there from may 11th-17th.

You'll be at WDW the same time we will be!!! We'll be the ones telling the CMs "No, we aren't on the DDP but we'd still like that $25 steak. And we'd like to have an appetizer since we aren't really dessert people. Thank you."

 

[MagicalEars]

You'll be at WDW the same time we will be!!! We'll be the ones telling the CMs "No, we aren't on the DDP but we'd still like that $25 steak. And we'd like to have an appetizer since we aren't really dessert people. Thank you."

I hope you have an excellent trip! I see you're staying at the AKL, how do you like it? We've been to WDW several times but always stayed at POR (or Dixie Landings as it used to be called...always liked that name better ), but will be staying at the Poly this time. It's our first stay at a deluxe so we're really excited.Plus May is usually such a great time to go, especially with the Flower and Garden Festival.

Your numbers are slightly off, partly because tax is 6.5%, not 7% and also because the souviner cups that you are buying aren't included with the DDP or the DxDDP, only resort mugs are included. I subtracted the $28.15 for specialty mugs and pressed pot coffee. Also, with any dining plan you're only entitled to the small drink, so comparing a large isn't the best way to run numbers for your CS choices.:

I put your numbers in my spreadsheet and came up with the following

Beaches & Cream - ($40.64) $43.28 Including Tax
CRT - ($90.97) $96.88 Including Tax
Ohana's - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
Ohana's - ($66.97) $71.32 Including Tax
Crystal Palace - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
1900 Park Fare - ($73.97) $78.8 Including Tax
Kona - ($21.98) $23.41 Including Tax
Trail's End - ($34.97) $37.24 Including Tax
Cape May - ($48.97) $52.15 Including Tax
Mugs - (35.97) $38.31 Including Tax
Grand Total OOP $696.23


The DDP Will cost you $515.82
The DxDDP will cost you $959.82


Take your four least expensive TS meals and let's figure on paying them OOP with the DDP, and paying for your mugs OOP...


Kona - $23.41
Trail's End - $37.25
Beaches & Cream - $43.28
Ohana's Breakfast - $48.97
Mugs - $38.31
Total OOP on the DDP - $194.40


Adjusted DDP Total (DDP Cost plus OOP Meals and Mugs) $710.22
OOP Total $696.23
DxDDP Total $959.82

Why is the DDP and OOP more than just OOP? It's simple, because you aren't ordering desserts at CS locations. You also don't have any snacks figured into your dining equation above.

Add in a few desserts and a few snacks, and you'll be better off paying for the DDP and those four meals (including mugs) OOP.

Thanks for explaining your opinion so well Trica. I haven't run the numbers for using the DDP and OOP myself yet, but I see the logic in your suggestion. However the stubborn side of me still feels that it would be more of a hassle to keep track of both, than to just pay OOP.

I didn't confuse the resort mugs with the souviner mugs you buy at the park, which is why I included the price of the resort mugs in my OOP cost. I used the souviner mugs because I know for a fact that I'll want these and would have to pay OOP for them if I was on the dining plan. However it serves to prove my point that I can get want I want, the mugs, instead of what the dining plan offers, a regular drink, and still save money. I think the mug at the Lunching pad is 35oz, which is enough for all of us to share, so we wouldn't have to buy extra drinks. Honestly my family drinks mostly water so we just buy the mugs for the mugs, and less for their contents. We always end up mostly buying water bottles while in the parks anyway.

I also didn't forget about the snacks. I explained earlier that I didn't see the point in only picking $4 snacks when we might not even want a snack or might want to get something that's definetly not on the dining plan. I read that allot of people have most of their snacks leftover and use them all up for snacks and gifts for on the way home. See to me that's a waste and a hassle, I'd rather just buy what I need when I need it, than to worry about using something up.

I guess it all boils down to what works best for each person. I think this year we'll go without any plan and see what happens. I'll keep all receipts and consider those and the experience we have as a good indication on how we'll plan our next trip.

 

[LilGMom]

I hope you have an excellent trip! I see you're staying at the AKL, how do you like it? We've been to WDW several times but always stayed at POR (or Dixie Landings as it used to be called...always liked that name better ), but will be staying at the Poly this time. It's our first stay at a deluxe so we're really excited.Plus May is usually such a great time to go, especially with the Flower and Garden Festival.

We haven't stayed at the AKL in about six years so I honestly don't remember much about our trip except I remember waking up thinking that I had had such a great night of sleep in that room! We haven't stayed at the Poly but I have friends that have and they say that it completely spoiled them, you may never want to go back to POR.

Hope you have a wonderful trip too and have plenty of during your stay.

 

[Tricia1972]

I hope you have an excellent trip! I see you're staying at the AKL, how do you like it? We've been to WDW several times but always stayed at POR (or Dixie Landings as it used to be called...always liked that name better ), but will be staying at the Poly this time. It's our first stay at a deluxe so we're really excited.Plus May is usually such a great time to go, especially with the Flower and Garden Festival.


Thanks for explaining your opinion so well Trica. I haven't run the numbers for using the DDP and OOP myself yet, but I see the logic in your suggestion. However the stubborn side of me still feels that it would be more of a hassle to keep track of both, than to just pay OOP.

I didn't confuse the resort mugs with the souviner mugs you buy at the park, which is why I included the price of the resort mugs in my OOP cost. I used the souviner mugs because I know for a fact that I'll want these and would have to pay OOP for them if I was on the dining plan. However it serves to prove my point that I can get want I want, the mugs, instead of what the dining plan offers, a regular drink, and still save money. I think the mug at the Lunching pad is 35oz, which is enough for all of us to share, so we wouldn't have to buy extra drinks. Honestly my family drinks mostly water so we just buy the mugs for the mugs, and less for their contents. We always end up mostly buying water bottles while in the parks anyway.

I also didn't forget about the snacks. I explained earlier that I didn't see the point in only picking $4 snacks when we might not even want a snack or might want to get something that's definetly not on the dining plan. I read that allot of people have most of their snacks leftover and use them all up for snacks and gifts for on the way home. See to me that's a waste and a hassle, I'd rather just buy what I need when I need it, than to worry about using something up.

I guess it all boils down to what works best for each person. I think this year we'll go without any plan and see what happens. I'll keep all receipts and consider those and the experience we have as a good indication on how we'll plan our next trip.

I really agree with you that you'll be better off without the plan. I mostly pointed out the snack savings because if I didn't I'd have had other posters pointing out that I missed that obvious savings for you.

I agree with you. About the DDP and that you personally will save more without it than you will with it. Another thing that my numbers don't take into account is the freedom of changing your mind once you're there. For example, the adults aren't that hungry. They pop into a CS, share a burger and fries, and then grab a decedent snack later on that evening. If you were on a plan, especially when you're so close to just breaking even, you'd end up losing making a decision like that.

Many LOVE the DDP and it works great for them. Some of us feel a bit restricted by it, and enjoy dining more without it. As a bonus we may even save a little bit of $$ by doing things our way.

Have a great trip!

 

[MagicalEars]

We haven't stayed at the AKL in about six years so I honestly don't remember much about our trip except I remember waking up thinking that I had had such a great night of sleep in that room! We haven't stayed at the Poly but I have friends that have and they say that it completely spoiled them, you may never want to go back to POR.

Hope you have a wonderful trip too and have plenty of during your stay.

Thanks! We have little doubt that we'll be spoiled once we stay at the Poly, but that's a good thing.

I really agree with you that you'll be better off without the plan. I mostly pointed out the snack savings because if I didn't I'd have had other posters pointing out that I missed that obvious savings for you.

I agree with you. About the DDP and that you personally will save more without it than you will with it. Another thing that my numbers don't take into account is the freedom of changing your mind once you're there. For example, the adults aren't that hungry. They pop into a CS, share a burger and fries, and then grab a decedent snack later on that evening. If you were on a plan, especially when you're so close to just breaking even, you'd end up losing making a decision like that.

Many LOVE the DDP and it works great for them. Some of us feel a bit restricted by it, and enjoy dining more without it. As a bonus we may even save a little bit of $$ by doing things our way.

Have a great trip!

Thanks! Couldn't agree more.