Over budget even with DDP?

[Susan388]

We are a party of 7 going in November. (4 adults, 3 kids). After looking over the menus, it looks like we could be spending minimum of $100 per meal even using the DDP, with additions for apps, alcohol drinks and tips!

Anyone else running into this? How do you stay strictly on DDP? Just say no?

 

[MQUINN86]

I knew going in that there would be additional costs for drinks, tips. So it didn't bother me too much, I just included it in my overall budget. We didn't really get the apps at too many places. I would prefer to have an app vs desert. I never really ate the desert. But in the end I calculated taht I still saved about $1200-1300 over the course of 9 nights. Although if not on the DDP maybe I would have eaten more CS type meals. Or maybe a bigger breakfast with just snacks (purchsed through Garden Grocer) through out the day. Probably wouldn't have done 4-5 character meals either.

 

[Nancyg56]

We always budget more money in our dining plans. The DDP covers the lions share of our meals but we like cocktails and wine at dinner. We also will split an appetizer of two between all of us.

we have a pretty good idea what extras we want and how much that will cost and add it in as part of our vacation budget.

We aslo book a few extra meals because we have a couple signature dining restaurants we enjoy and like to have a character breakfast before park opening. Again, it is part of our vacation budget. We are not shoppers anymore so we save there.

 

[kamik86]

If your someone that is going to want apps and drinks a lot the ddp may not be for you. The ddp only saves you money if you want to eat all the things included in the plan.

The plan comes with alot of food and I know in the past when there was an app I just had to have and ended up buying I almost never finished the rest of my food.

Next time we decided to go with the Tables in wonderland card instead.

 

[CraigInPA]

You may find in some restaurants that if you have an app and an entree, you won't want to have dessert. The portions there are quite large. You'll want to read the reviews and look at pics of the food to decide at each restaurant whether an appetizer is appropriate. An upgrade to the deluxe DDP (which includes apps) would be over $200 per day for your group, so the cost of appetizers alone is not a reason to upgrade. If you were planning on paying OOP for extra table service meals, or would prefer more table service and less quick service meals, it might make sense to upgrade to DxDP.

Alcohol is expensive at restaurants. Except on the platinum dining plan, alcohol is extra. The extra cost of the platinum plan over the regular DDP is SIGNIFICANTLY more than $100 per day for 7 people. So, you're going to have to bite the bullet and pay if you want alcohol.

You can't avoid an 18% gratuity with a party of 6 or more. They literally put it right on the bill.

Most people forego alcohol and apps and stick to the plan contents.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree with posters who suggest that you really check your menus and then decide what is the best way to approach your dining. I also think that you need to be very realistic about how you are going to dine and make sure that you include money to cover extras if you know you want to order them.

You know that gratuities are going to be included on the bill so you have to budget that. Be aware of the costs of appetizers and perhaps forgo them because you know dessert is included in the meal. You can always ask for something else but once you order it you pay for it. Better to see if you are still hungry after eating your meal. Appetizers are expensive. I would rather use a snack credit later on in the evening.

Wine and cocktails are expensive also. You may want to go very lightly on these or make sure you budget for them. They also add to the bill which is going to bump the gratuities up automatically. Be aware of this so you are not blindsided after dinner.

 

[ccgirl]

We are a party of 7 going in November. (4 adults, 3 kids). After looking over the menus, it looks like we could be spending minimum of $100 per meal even using the DDP, with additions for apps, alcohol drinks and tips!

Anyone else running into this? How do you stay strictly on DDP? Just say no?

Grauities are going to be there whether you are on the dining plan or not, unless you are doing counter service.

Do you really need the apps? You get dessert anyway. I don't think we would have been able to eat dessert too if we had apps. In my book, the glass of wine would have been ordered with or without the dining plan as well. How you stay strictly to the dining plan is what you said, just say no. Only order what is included.

 

[Susan388]

Thanks for all the responses!

I think we will take a closer look at the apps and just go with the DDP, with an occasional adult beverage!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all the responses!

I think we will take a closer look at the apps and just go with the DDP, with an occasional adult beverage!

For that group and depending on your choices and LOS, buying TIW with the 20% discount might be your best bet depending on the kids ages and ordering habits.

 

[maxiesmom]

For that group and depending on your choices and LOS, buying TIW with the 20% discount might be your best bet depending on the kids ages and ordering habits.

If they qualify for TIW. Most people don't.

I just went over the meals I have planned for my trip today. I figure I will need roughly $130 just for tips for my 5 days of food. And another $50 just in case I want an adult beverage or two. It does add up!

 

[Hunclemarco]

We considered the dining plan for our next trip. We realize the DDP would still cost us too much. We have AP's, so we get the TIW card.

We save in the aspect that the gratuity is "figuratively" included, and we do save 20 percent on just about every meal we eat, and we can choose the appetizer over the dessert,or get both, and the alcoholic drinks, and still get 20% off (less 18% of gratuity), but we're not paying the "extra" tipping fee above and beyond the cost of the meal and tax. We'll tip more if the service is great though...

With the dining plan, they now say the savings can be "up to 15%", if you even get that much off.

Only one member of the family would need to get an Annual Pass, and then the cost of the Tables in Wonderland card is $75.00. You can have a total of 10 in your party and still receive the 20% off for all. It does have to be on your bill though...just have others chip in if you dine with other family or friends.

Oh, and having an annual pass will also entitle you to 10% off at different stores throughout Disney... 20% percent off if you have the Premium Annual Pass

 

[Dean]

If they qualify for TIW. Most people don't.

I just went over the meals I have planned for my trip today. I figure I will need roughly $130 just for tips for my 5 days of food. And another $50 just in case I want an adult beverage or two. It does add up!

Everyone has the potential to qualify but it may take buying a pass to do so. For some families it is actually better to buy a single pass and get the TIW for the discount depending on their park usage and number/type/cost of meals.

 

[Susan388]

How would one qualify for a TIW other than buying an AP?

We don't live in the area and probably won't visit again for several years. (Already have vacation plans for next 2 years...lol).

Something to think about......thanks!

 

[Susan388]

The way I figure it: 7 TS meals for 7 people = avg. $210 per meal (for entree, dessert, & beverage). No apps; no alcohol. (Buffets are a little less, table service is a little more so average would be about $210). 7 meals x $210/meal = $1470 x 18% grats = about $265.00 for grats. That's ok. I can do that.

I'll just have to watch the "extras" and keep everyone in check!

 

[Dean]

How would one qualify for a TIW other than buying an AP?

We don't live in the area and probably won't visit again for several years. (Already have vacation plans for next 2 years...lol).

Something to think about......thanks!

The 3 options I know of are FL resident, passholders and DVC membership. One can buy a single pass to get access to the discount or as few as 25 DVC points. Of the total visitors to WDW, that's a significant portion of the total visitors to parks and staying at the resorts.

 

[CraigInPA]

Everyone has the potential to qualify but it may take buying a pass to do so. For some families it is actually better to buy a single pass and get the TIW for the discount depending on their park usage and number/type/cost of meals.

If you're a Florida resident, you could save money by following Dean's strategy. But few others can.

The cost for AP for a non-Florida resident is $611. A typical stay at WDW for a non-Florida resident is 7 days, for which a park hopper pass is $345. The difference is $266. Add to that the $75 cost of the TIW card, and you're at $341. To make AP/TIW work for you, you'd need to spend more than $1705 on food. That's $243 per day for 7 days. If you have two people, that's more than the daily price for the 2013 DxDP ($198), resulting in a net loss of $45 a day. For 4 adults, it's about the same price as the DDP, so there is probably no savings. With larger groups, you might realize a savings. With longer stays and more than 2 adults, you could realize a savings, depending upon how you eat.

 

[bdklein]

I knew going in that there would be additional costs for drinks, tips. So it didn't bother me too much, I just included it in my overall budget. We didn't really get the apps at too many places. I would prefer to have an app vs desert. I never really ate the desert. But in the end I calculated taht I still saved about $1200-1300 over the course of 9 nights. Although if not on the DDP maybe I would have eaten more CS type meals. Or maybe a bigger breakfast with just snacks (purchsed through Garden Grocer) through out the day. Probably wouldn't have done 4-5 character meals either.

This is not intended for you specifically.

So you spent more money than you wanted to? And didn't get the food u preferred (appetizer vs dessert)? And didn't eat the dessert? This is my reasoning why I think the Dining Plans are a mistake.

 

[kamik86]

If you're a Florida resident, you could save money by following Dean's strategy. But few others can.

The cost for AP for a non-Florida resident is $611. A typical stay at WDW for a non-Florida resident is 7 days, for which a park hopper pass is $345. The difference is $266. Add to that the $75 cost of the TIW card, and you're at $341. To make AP/TIW work for you, you'd need to spend more than $1705 on food. That's $243 per day for 7 days. If you have two people, that's more than the daily price for the 2013 DxDP ($198), resulting in a net loss of $45 a day. For 4 adults, it's about the same price as the DDP, so there is probably no savings. With larger groups, you might realize a savings. With longer stays and more than 2 adults, you could realize a savings, depending upon how you eat.

There is more to figure in to that though... like how with the AP you get merchandise discounts that will also help to offset that cost.

 

[Dean]

If you're a Florida resident, you could save money by following Dean's strategy. But few others can.

The cost for AP for a non-Florida resident is $611. A typical stay at WDW for a non-Florida resident is 7 days, for which a park hopper pass is $345. The difference is $266. Add to that the $75 cost of the TIW card, and you're at $341. To make AP/TIW work for you, you'd need to spend more than $1705 on food. That's $243 per day for 7 days. If you have two people, that's more than the daily price for the 2013 DxDP ($198), resulting in a net loss of $45 a day. For 4 adults, it's about the same price as the DDP, so there is probably no savings. With larger groups, you might realize a savings. With longer stays and more than 2 adults, you could realize a savings, depending upon how you eat.

Even if you go once a year, being able to sqeeze more than 1 trip is includes. You also get both room and other discounts. Actually for many, the other option I mentioned may be the best long term choice, simply buying a small DVC contract. For around a $2500 investment you get other discounts, discounted AP/PAP passes and potential access to the DDP for short period at the lowest seasonal rates. You cannot combine with free dining and you do not get FL resident status. But for those that want and AP or PAP anyway, it can be a good option. DVC is not for everyone.

 

[maggiew]

Have you looked at the Quick Service Dining plan? You wouldn't have to worry about tips then.

Maggie