Priced DDP out and....

[daisyx3]

it's almost the same as OOP!
I went through every menu of where we have ADRs. I chose a couple of midrange meals and at least one expensive steak per TS meal for the 4 of us (if DH doesn't eat one, of the kids, almost 17 and 14, will). I did not include desserts at CS, except the soarin' creme brulee which I like a lot. I did include snacks because we are always getting a mickey bar or some popcorn. I added 6.5% tax for each meal, included drinks for each meal (not alcoholic), added an appetizer for Narcoosee's.
The DDP cost for our trip is $1499. My OOP cost I figured out was $1500. No kidding.
So....unless we change our dining choices it evens out and I will probably go ahead and get it so I can have it paid for ahead of time.
Daisyx3

 

[smitch425]

it's almost the same as OOP!
I went through every menu of where we have ADRs. I chose a couple of midrange meals and at least one expensive steak per TS meal for the 4 of us (if DH doesn't eat one, of the kids, almost 17 and 14, will). I did not include desserts at CS, except the soarin' creme brulee which I like a lot. I did include snacks because we are always getting a mickey bar or some popcorn. I added 6.5% tax for each meal, included drinks for each meal (not alcoholic), added an appetizer for Narcoosee's.
The DDP cost for our trip is $1499. My OOP cost I figured out was $1500. No kidding.
So....unless we change our dining choices it evens out and I will probably go ahead and get it so I can have it paid for ahead of time.
Daisyx3

Don't forget that with the DDP you get the free mugs, too.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Just a thought, do not pass up the "desserts" at CS. It does not have to be something sweet like cake. You can substitute fresh fruit or fruit cup, bottle of water, carrots/celery sticks, basically anything that might be considered a snack. Just ask at the cash to make sure you are not charged a snack credit for it. Not all CM's allow the same things. At POP they were very leniant about it.

 

[havoc315]

Personally, is it was just break even, I wouldn't get it.
For example -- last trip, dd got sick and didn't eat the last 2 days.
Something like that, would turn break even into a big loss.

I only get the plan if I am absolutely positive it will save enough money to have to cope with the plan's rigidity.

 

[Bete]

is not worth it any more. The only exception would be a free dining promo.

What I like the most being OOP is not getting a dessert. For CS I think I would skip every dessert out there and any alternatives. For TS I would rather have an appetizer than dessert and I wouldn't get one everytime. Finally, I can easily drink tap water and save the cost of beverages. I can buy a mug if I want one for the resort with free refills. I can get snacks from a grocery store.

I've seen the dining plans just getting worse and worse through the years. It started out as a nice deal, but each year Disney has done something to it to make it worse and worse. This year with the higher prices there's no way I'll pay for it.

Also, I'm getting tired of going to the same places just to make sure I would make out on the plans. Cosmic Ray's comes to mind here and Tangeriene Cafe, who offer combo platters that make CS meals worth it for the plan. I don't want to go to Cosmic Ray's again; I'm tired of it. Furthermore, we would order the most expensive items over and over again to make out on the plan. I rather have variety of many places and many choices of meals and pay OOP and not be compelled to make the plans work to our advantage. I don't mind going offsite for meals, either; we usually have a car.

I prefer eating a breakfast and the plans are never advantageous that way. Also, I prefer having a late dinner when we are done with the parks. So, we really could go anywhere at that point. Why use valuable park time to eat?

I'm even getting to the point where I'm not sure I'm going to stay on site any more. I like the parks and the rides and the shows and enterntainment. I'm not a fan of the resorts or the food for the money spent.

 

[MSUmom]

I think the DDP is truly a personal decision. If you have teenagers who like to eat steak (my 15-year-old son), it can truly work out. My daughters also like to try different things. Going to the different restaurants is a treat for them and not worrying about the cost makes it fun.