QS plan = horrible

[havoc315]

I don't think this is true at all. Specially after some people pointed out about the tax which I TOTALLY forgot about... even the QSDP may be a money saver even with 1 snack if you take into account the tax. However you would still have to work it to get the most expensive stuff.

But to say the DDP is not worth it? Hmm... let's take your example of a $30 steak:

DDP = TS+QS+Snack = $52 (right?)

Steak $30 + Shake $5 + Dessert 5$ = $40 + tax?
QS meal $10 + drink $3 + dessert $3 = $16 + tax?
Snack = $5

All adds up to $61 + tax

That sounds like a money saving deal to me. That's not even a character meal. So money saver + convenience + peace of mind = win

Which part of my statement was un-true? I said the DDP was a money saver, if you do a character dinner OR steak every night. You went the $30 steak route.
Some of your other prices are slightly off -- Most restaurants don't offer $5 shakes covered by the dining plan, and most snacks are well under $5.

But yes-- Exactly as I said, to get the advertised 20% savings -- You need to do a character dinner OR a steak dinner.
Had you gotten, for example... instead of a $30 steak -- If you got the most expensive item available at 50's Prime Time Cafe (which isn't even the cheapest restaurant at Disney)-- The $20 sampler platter -- And all savings go out the window.

This is exactly what I've been saying all along -- The DDP is still a good value if you eat a character dinner or a steak dinner practically every night. (with dessert at every meal).

The QSDP saves a small amount, as long as you get the slightly more expensive entrees, get dessert at every meal, and get good value out of every snack credit. It's such a small savings, that if you skip 1 dessert per day, the savings disappears. If you get a $7 entree instead of a $10 entree, the savings disappears. If you use a credit for breakfast, the savings disappears.

 

[Albytaps]

Which part of my statement was un-true? I said the DDP was a money saver, if you do a character dinner OR steak every night. You went the $30 steak route.
Some of your other prices are slightly off -- Most restaurants don't offer $5 shakes covered by the dining plan, and most snacks are well under $5.

But yes-- Exactly as I said, to get the advertised 20% savings -- You need to do a character dinner OR a steak dinner.
Had you gotten, for example... instead of a $30 steak -- If you got the most expensive item available at 50's Prime Time Cafe (which isn't even the cheapest restaurant at Disney)-- The $20 sampler platter -- And all savings go out the window.

This is exactly what I've been saying all along -- The DDP is still a good value if you eat a character dinner or a steak dinner practically every night. (with dessert at every meal).

The QSDP saves a small amount, as long as you get the slightly more expensive entrees, get dessert at every meal, and get good value out of every snack credit. It's such a small savings, that if you skip 1 dessert per day, the savings disappears. If you get a $7 entree instead of a $10 entree, the savings disappears. If you use a credit for breakfast, the savings disappears.

I missed the part where you said character meal OR steak dinner

Anyway, I agree you still have to work it to try to get the most expensive stuff... however, with the DDP or DxDP I don't think it's as hard as with the QSDP. Say you do get a $20 meal instead of a 30$ one, that still equals out to $51 + the tax.

But to say the only way to save is only doing character meals is what I was saying was untrue. That might be the easiest way to save money, but not the only way.

I'll be goingg to Cape May Cafe for dinner which won't have characters or steaks. Ohana's as well... maybe buffets in general is what we're aiming for?

 

[havoc315]

I missed the part where you said character meal OR steak dinner

Anyway, I agree you still have to work it to try to get the most expensive stuff... however, with the DDP or DxDP I don't think it's as hard as with the QSDP. Say you do get a $20 meal instead of a 30$ one, that still equals out to $51 + the tax.

But to say the only way to save is only doing character meals is what I was saying was untrue. That might be the easiest way to save money, but not the only way.

I'll be goingg to Cape May Cafe for dinner which won't have characters or steaks. Ohana's as well... maybe buffets in general is what we're aiming for?

$20 meal plus $3 beverage plus $5 dessert == $28 (will add tax at the end).
Then a $9 QS entree (90% of entrees are under $10), + $3 beverage + $3 dessert (pretty typical), plus a $3.50 snack (again, most typical) = Another $18.50.

So total value for the day -- $46.50. With tax, $49.50. A loss of a couple of dollars. So it shows, unless you are really consciously working the plan, it is very very easy to lose money. (not like I picked the cheapest items or skipped entitlements. I got the most expensive item at the entire restaurant, I got above-average priced QS, and typical use of snacks).

I never said that it was *only* character dinners -- I said character dinners OR steak. And you are right, there are a couple more meals that aren't technically character meals, such as Cape May and 'Ohana. In my mind, I was grouping them with the character dinners-- but you are of course right, there are no actual characters.
I guess to be totally technically correct -- My statement applies that: The DDP can realize you decent savings as long as you are mostly doing STEAK dinners OR fixed price dinners. (Buffets, character meals, the fixed price dinner at Le Chefs, etc).

 

[Albytaps]

$20 meal plus $3 beverage plus $5 dessert == $28 (will add tax at the end).
Then a $9 QS entree (90% of entrees are under $10), + $3 beverage + $3 dessert (pretty typical), plus a $3.50 snack (again, most typical) = Another $18.50.

So total value for the day -- $46.50. With tax, $49.50. A loss of a couple of dollars. So it shows, unless you are really consciously working the plan, it is very very easy to lose money. (not like I picked the cheapest items or skipped entitlements. I got the most expensive item at the entire restaurant, I got above-average priced QS, and typical use of snacks).

I never said that it was *only* character dinners -- I said character dinners OR steak. And you are right, there are a couple more meals that aren't technically character meals, such as Cape May and 'Ohana. In my mind, I was grouping them with the character dinners-- but you are of course right, there are no actual characters.
I guess to be totally technically correct -- My statement applies that: The DDP can realize you decent savings as long as you are mostly doing STEAK dinners OR fixed price dinners. (Buffets, character meals, the fixed price dinner at Le Chefs, etc).

I totally see what you're saying and that was my big rant about the QSDP as well. Without that extra snack it's very easy to lose money now.

Someone like me could make out with the plan since I always have it in mind to order the more expensive stuff ($14+)as well as ordering a more expenesive snack such as a Orange-Pineapple smoothie from Auntie Gavity's ($4+).

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

We got a pin for QSDP on our upcoming stay...my complaint about the program is that it doesn't provide for three meals a day so by definition you will have additional OOP costs, which in my mind shouldn't happen if you Are on a meal plan and are a normal eater. When you are on your feet as much as you are at Disney, I need three meals. While it will be nice to have some of the food included, I don't think I would ever pay for QSDP, especially without the second daily snack...

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We got a pin for QSDP on our upcoming stay...my complaint about the program is that it doesn't provide for three meals a day so by definition you will have additional OOP costs, which in my mind shouldn't happen if you Are on a meal plan and are a normal eater. When you are on your feet as much as you are at Disney, I need three meals. While it will be nice to have some of the food included, I don't think I would ever pay for QSDP, especially without the second daily snack...

I think they could offer 3 CS meals, no desert, no mug for the same price and same "value"

current breakdown:

$10 entree + $3 Drink +$3 desert (x2) $32
Snack - $4
Mug - $2 (based on 7 night vacation)
$39 value

alternate 3 meal plan:

2 meals (no desert) $26
Breakfast($6) & drink $9
Snack $4
$39 value

I think you would have to consistantly order the cheapest entree and/or snack to lose money. I think worst case scenario you'd break even. Worth it to me to "make peace" with my dining costs before I leave home and never think about it again. If it turned out I lost a few bucks, I probably wouldn't cry about it! I think this would be a much more popular plan. I'd easily give up desert and the mug to not eat cereal in my room each morning! It would incentivise us to get up and out of the room faster if we were all hungry, too! My husband would love it!

 

[Albytaps]

I think they could offer 3 CS meals, no desert, no mug for the same price and same "value"

current breakdown:

$10 entree + $3 Drink +$3 desert (x2) $32
Snack - $4
Mug - $2 (based on 7 night vacation)
$39 value

alternate 3 meal plan:

2 meals (no desert) $26
Breakfast($6) & drink $9
Snack $4
$39 value

I think you would have to consistantly order the cheapest entree and/or snack to lose money. I think worst case scenario you'd break even. Worth it to me to "make peace" with my dining costs before I leave home and never think about it again. If it turned out I lost a few bucks, I probably wouldn't cry about it! I think this would be a much more popular plan. I'd easily give up desert and the mug to not eat cereal in my room each morning! It would incentivise us to get up and out of the room faster if we were all hungry, too! My husband would love it!

That's a great idea! I forgot about the mug too which should be taken into account over Havoc's and my math probelms

I love the mug but some days we don't even have time to use them. It would be a great deal for someone staying at the resort alot and willing to run back and forth to the QS location. Plus it's an added souvenir that comes in handy at home.

I don't know if I would eat 3 meals a day at Disney, but it would be a nice alternative to the QSDP they have now. I wish they could exchange those desserts for another snack per day.

 

[havoc315]

I think they could offer 3 CS meals, no desert, no mug for the same price and same "value"

current breakdown:

$10 entree + $3 Drink +$3 desert (x2) $32
Snack - $4
Mug - $2 (based on 7 night vacation)
$39 value

alternate 3 meal plan:

2 meals (no desert) $26
Breakfast($6) & drink $9
Snack $4
$39 value

I think you would have to consistantly order the cheapest entree and/or snack to lose money. I think worst case scenario you'd break even. Worth it to me to "make peace" with my dining costs before I leave home and never think about it again. If it turned out I lost a few bucks, I probably wouldn't cry about it! I think this would be a much more popular plan. I'd easily give up desert and the mug to not eat cereal in my room each morning! It would incentivise us to get up and out of the room faster if we were all hungry, too! My husband would love it!

Great plan in theory, great for consumers.
But why won't Disney do it? Because its cheaper for them to give you Qs desserts than a 3rd entree. They make more profit on the desserts.

As to the value of the mug -- it's quite subjective which is why I don't use it in baseline calculations. There are families who can't live without it. And then families who find the mug worthless.

 

[havoc315]

A truly "normal eater" would have little trouble getting 3 meals per day out of the qsdp. Since several breakfast items can be had for a snack credit.
Plus, considering the size of Qs meals, most normal eaters would have little trouble sharing credits. That wouldn't work for excessive eaters, but normal eaters could easily split a breakfast bounty platter and a chicken/rib combo.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Ok I have purchased the DDP and now know the taxes are covered. I know I have to pay tips but could someone tell me what the percentage is? Last time I used it the tip was included. I can't remember what the percentage is.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

Generally 15% to 20% of your food & beverage order total is normal here in the US.

The last time I was at Disney, there were suggested tips listed at the bottom of the receipt, I think they were calculated at 18%. That of course, is on Table Service Meals. No tips for counter service.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Ok I have purchased the DDP and now know the taxes are covered. I know I have to pay tips but could someone tell me what the percentage is? Last time I used it the tip was included. I can't remember what the percentage is.

Thanks.

No tip quired for QS meals. TS meals are typically 18%....that's what I've been reading anyways.

 

[Maniacmous]

For our Disneymoon, we did the DDP, even though I calculated it out and saw that we would likely end up losing money on the proposition (this was over 2 years ago, so I can't recall how much exactly). Still, it had two things going for it: first, it was prepaid - it is a whole lot easier for us to pay upfront as part of the package and have the money already gone than feel the pinch at every meal. We got to think of the credit as a credit - an amorphous, non-distinct construct rather than the money it actually was costing us. Lying to ourselves (even to our detriment)? Yes. But it was more comfortable. Second, because it was just already paid for...the money was gone already, spent, no matter what was ordered. Unlike me, my wife isn't an adventurous eater, and would never in a normal circumstance order a 40 dollar entree if she wasn't sure she'd like it in advance, but with it only being a credit (again with the lie), she tried a lot of things that were previously out of her comfort zone that she ended up enjoying, and that is part of what vacations are all about.

 

[Albytaps]

For our Disneymoon, we did the DDP, even though I calculated it out and saw that we would likely end up losing money on the proposition (this was over 2 years ago, so I can't recall how much exactly). Still, it had two things going for it: first, it was prepaid - it is a whole lot easier for us to pay upfront as part of the package and have the money already gone than feel the pinch at every meal. We got to think of the credit as a credit - an amorphous, non-distinct construct rather than the money it actually was costing us. Lying to ourselves (even to our detriment)? Yes. But it was more comfortable. Second, because it was just already paid for...the money was gone already, spent, no matter what was ordered. Unlike me, my wife isn't an adventurous eater, and would never in a normal circumstance order a 40 dollar entree if she wasn't sure she'd like it in advance, but with it only being a credit (again with the lie), she tried a lot of things that were previously out of her comfort zone that she ended up enjoying, and that is part of what vacations are all about.

My wife is someone that's on the other side of the fence from me on this topic. She likes the dining plans for convenience and "peace of mind" effect it has. She never saw this thread and I never mentioned it to her, but when I asked her she said these things, so similar to what's been stated on this thread.

However, since I'm the one paying, I rather have the option that costs less money. I also want to order what I want, and not have to order from a predetermined list. So I'm staying on this side of the fence for now. The TIW card sounds the best for me, however, I don't get AP's every year....

 

[Albytaps]

It's getting near my trip and I did some more thinking and calculating....

With kids, it's a nice money saver to get the DDP. Our family is made up of 3 kids and 3 adults (my oldest just turned 10.) So I'll use Biergarten as an example:

Adults - $39.40
Kids - $19.16

For the DDP, kids is only $16.02 per day so just with the TS dinner it's already saving money, not to mention there's a QS and snack to get as well. Let's work that in and see how much we save:

Beirgarten - $19.16
Cheese Empanada - $6.99
Crepe - $3.99
Total - $30.14
Savings - $14.12

DDP for Adults is $53.54 so this is where you have to make an effort to order all the most expensive stuff. However, it's not as hard to do. I'll use Epcot as an example:

Biergarten - $39.40
Cheese empanadas - $10.50
Churros - $3.95
Drink - $2.50
Strawberry Crepes - $3.99
Total - $60.34
Savings - $6.80

Not bad! I used the cheese empanadas from La Cantina and Crepes from France since those are some family favorites. On this Biergarten day, this example saved $20.92 if on the DDP (and that's just counting 1 adult and 1 kid.) Since we have 3 adults and 3 kids, our total savings for this day should be - $62.76... that's great! This wasn't even all the most expensive foods!

Now... I also did an example of a worst case senario of getting all of the cheaper foods we may get at Animal Kingdom. This example is of a combined 3 adults and 3 kids:

Tusker House - $131.94
FTBBQ lunch (pork sandwich) - $43.44
Drink and dessert - $18.54
Pretzel - $22.74
Total - $216.66
Savings - $7.98

So as you can see, even on the low cost day we are still saving money on the DDP. I'm not sure at when point this may change as my kids get older, but my guess is by the time my next one reaches 10, the TIW card may be the better way to save.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

If this helps you to feel better about saving more- I did not see a snack listed for the kids under the plan where you go to Biergarten- so that's $2-$4 more dollars each!

When we get the ddp, we usually get buffets so that everyone can find something they like, my kids will get vegetables and fruits, and we all love the desserts.

 

[JollyHoliday]

We became ill 4 days into our 9 day trip with a stomach flu . We purchased the dining plan and the last 4 nights of our trip we could only stomach rice and gatorade. The dining plan is nonrefundable and our travel insurance which we bought through disney did not cover our loss . We will only pay oop now for all our dining unless it is free. We do not feel the savings is that much to take the risk of losing money again.

 

[Albytaps]

If this helps you to feel better about saving more- I did not see a snack listed for the kids under the plan where you go to Biergarten- so that's $2-$4 more dollars each!

When we get the ddp, we usually get buffets so that everyone can find something they like, my kids will get vegetables and fruits, and we all love the desserts.

I included the snacks. 6 crepes! lol

We became ill 4 days into our 9 day trip with a stomach flu . We purchased the dining plan and the last 4 nights of our trip we could only stomach rice and gatorade. The dining plan is nonrefundable and our travel insurance which we bought through disney did not cover our loss . We will only pay oop now for all our dining unless it is free. We do not feel the savings is that much to take the risk of losing money again.

That's a shame. Illness on vacation is a total drag, since you're wasting time being sick instead of having fun.

 

[Suellen]

I still find QS to be a great deal for us... but we use it to cover all our meals by splitting with our children. There is no way I can eat a full adult meal, my 6 year old doesn't appreciate the kids menu and my 4 year old eats about 200 calories of food each day. Splitting meals and covering three meals a day is the way to go.

I'm kind of bummed we lost a snack though.

Is it true that Cosmic Rays doesn't have the 1/2 chicken and ribs on the menu anymore??

 

[RI Disney Fan]

Had a blonde moment and didn't see that the title was QS dining, not regular dining so my apologizes for the long post before.

I think at this point it is simply getting much harder to find areas where you can fully maximize your CS and snack credits. As a lot of posters have already said, for a large number of them it is the convenience of the plan that draws them in, something I myself can understand.

The general theme I tend to see in the Disney sites that I frequent, is that if you have children the dining plans tend to make much more sense as opposed to a party full of adults (unless you do the DxDP and do all signature restaurants).