QS plan = horrible

[TDC Nala]

The conversation is sort of fascinating, but I'm slightly uncomfortable with demanding that those who say they would choose the dining plan even if it was an obvious money-losing proposition justify their choice. That might lead to fighting on the board and they've already explained why they would make that choice. Would just like to remind of the board guidelines although I can't see that anyone's broken them yet.

 

[sjs314]

Having done the deluxe plan, it's not regular eating for most people. Yes, I eat 3 meals per day -- but those meals are about 1/4th the size of the portions at TS restaurants.
Nothing wrong with eating a bit differently while on vacation, but I wouldn't compare it to regular eating at home.

But ok, we are finally understanding each other. So out of curiousity, how much would you be willing to lose on the dxdp for convenience?
Instead of breaking even or saving money, would you be wiling to lose $5 per meal? $10?
Would you get the dxdp if it was $100 per night? $150 per night?

Each family is obviously different. There is no right or wrong way to do things.
Personally though, I am fascinated by the thought ... That I'd rather pay $35 for a turkey sandwich in advance, then pay $10 later.

I am not sure what my dollar limit would be, when we changed our dates from October to March the DxDP went from being $78.99 for 2011 to the current $85.52 pp, but I just took it in stride as I figured the menu prices would undoubtedly rise in accordance with the DP prices and from what I have read here on the DIS it does seem to be holding true.

Hopefully if I lose money I think it might be between $10-15 a day, not a meal since you have to look at the big picture. Yes I may eat Breakfast at let's say Cap't grill and it costs me $18, Lunch at Le Cellier $ 49 and dinner at 50's Prime Time $ 24.50 my days total will be $91.50 before tip so I am ahead by $6. The next day I may well come in under that but I am not going to worry about that, its not about what I might lose or gain using the DP.
I highly doubt I will eat at any CS since as I said they left a bad taste in my mouth last time between the lines and finding a place to sit down.
I am not just paying for my food with the DP but a place to rest my weary legs.

I just read today in the Disney Blog about some places LTT and the Plaza in MK to name two are adding new kids meals which I am sure maybe be at a higher price point than current selections. People planning to spend a certain amount OOP for their kids meal may find themselves having to pay more if not on the DP.

I would probably go for $100 a night but since there is only DH and myself now that is totally manageable. We are no way rich just two average retired people and I can see where the average family of 4(Disney Adults) might find this out of their price range.

As for the amount of food that remains to be seen, I know it is too much for me but DH can eat, most times I split my meals and give him half of mine.

 

[havoc315]

What I've seen with all the dining plans, there are many people claim that they don't care about the pricing, they just prefer to use a dining plan for the convenience. But then, those people always insist that they don't actually lose money on the plan. They insist they could have eaten cheaper without the plan, but they still say, that for what they ordered, they saved money.

I've yet to see anybody say, "I lost tons of money on the dining plan... I ordered the $10.99 Reuben at The Plaza, but I'm so glad that I had the plan so that I didn't have to look at prices while I ordered... Sure, I lost $10-$20 per day on the plan, but I'm so glad that I had it, just in case I wanted something more expensive."

Certainly, for people who suspect that they would at least break even, the "convenience" could be something that tips the scales in the favor of the dining plan.

But I've yet to see anybody who was truly willing to lose a significant sum of money on the dining plan in exchange for the convenience.

Thus, the reality is -- If you *want* to eat the more expensive items, lots of snacks and desserts, etc -- Then the various dining plans can provide you some convenience and possible savings. If you don't want to eat that way, then there is little sense in getting a dining plan. (Admittedly, the DxDP gives you a tiny bit of flexibility, where you can save without quite maximizing every credit).

 

[Sorsha]

What I've seen with all the dining plans, there are many people claim that they don't care about the pricing, they just prefer to use a dining plan for the convenience. But then, those people always insist that they don't actually lose money on the plan. They insist they could have eaten cheaper without the plan, but they still say, that for what they ordered, they saved money.

I've yet to see anybody say, "I lost tons of money on the dining plan... I ordered the $10.99 Reuben at The Plaza, but I'm so glad that I had the plan so that I didn't have to look at prices while I ordered... Sure, I lost $10-$20 per day on the plan, but I'm so glad that I had it, just in case I wanted something more expensive."

Certainly, for people who suspect that they would at least break even, the "convenience" could be something that tips the scales in the favor of the dining plan.

But I've yet to see anybody who was truly willing to lose a significant sum of money on the dining plan in exchange for the convenience.

Have you ever heard anyone say: "I don't CARE how much it costs, I refuse to sit and break it all down, I don't do all the math and try to look at the menus and add up what I MIGHT eat - I just plain DON'T CARE!!"???

Well, now you have.

I just add it to the package when I am booking my vacation on the WDW website (or better yet, travel during free dining, but I will just add it in if I have to), click all the appropriate buttons, and pay for my vacation.

All this sitting down, adding everything up, pouring over menus, trying to decide what everyone MIGHT eat, adding that up, comparing costs, etc is just WAY over-thinking it to me.

I buy the DDP, I go on vacation, we eat whatever we feel like, we have fun. End of story.

 

[2girlsmom]

We have done 7 day trips with regular dining plan and dxdp, and shorter trips OOP so far, we will likely be getting TIW as that will give us additional discounts for cost savings. I definitely agree that QS with 1 snack credit is definitely not as good an option for most people as it was with 2, we actually were considering staying onsite at a value or moderate for F&W this year and getting the QS for the snack credits as much as anything, we won't look at that option now. However, I do like the idea of prepaying, which is why I do try to prepay a few gift cards ahead anyway, for both food and merchandise.

I will say, we did exactly what a previous poster is saying with DxDDP, and gotta tell you, the plan beat us. We had several days where we shared meals, and also in many cases the TS restaurants are not the quickest, for example, one day we had a 1pm lunch at Le Chefs de France and a 5pm at Marrakesh. But by the time we got done eating lunch and dessert, it was 3:30pm, and we were stuffed, there was NO WAY we were going to be ready to eat in 1-1/2 hours, so we cancelled that reservation, wasting those 4 credits, as honestly we never got over being full that day. On our HS day, we had breakfast at Kouzzina (which we adore), lunch at Scifi, and then supper at 50's PT. We were still so full at 50's, one of my kids and I ended up splitting one meal there, we got 1 appetizer for the 4 of us, and we got one dessert to go. On another Epcot night we had late reservations at LaHacienda, against my eldest and I shared a meal. We ended up not using 6 meal credits, and the ONLY reason we managed to use all our snack credits was because we went to Goofy's Candy the night before we flew out and bought candy "souvenirs" for the kids to give all their friends (and I think we had 19 or 20 snack credit souvenirs, so we had only used something like 8 or 9 snacks all week for bottled water and the occasional mickey ice cream bar). IF I ever do DDP again, I would do dxddp, but would eat either breakfast or an early lunch, then late dinner at a signature every day, as I am convinced it is the ONLY way we would ever be able to use all our credits or even come close.

 

[havoc315]

IF I ever do DDP again, I would do dxddp, but would eat either breakfast or an early lunch, then late dinner at a signature every day, as I am convinced it is the ONLY way we would ever be able to use all our credits or even come close.

Yup, that's what we are doing. And even doing it that way, I suspect we won't use most of our snack credits. And we'll still be very full. We will do an early lunch and semi-late dinner every night. (Kids too young to wait till very late). We will most likely skip plenty of apps and desserts.

But I can't even really imagine trying to get 3 regular meals into my stomach.. even if some of those meals are QS (QS meals are no less calories than TS meals). 3 "entrees," 2 "appetizers," 2 "desserts" plus 2 snacks per person, per day..... I feel like I'm becoming obese just thinking about it!

 

[havoc315]

Have you ever heard anyone say: "I don't CARE how much it costs, I refuse to sit and break it all down, I don't do all the math and try to look at the menus and add up what I MIGHT eat - I just plain DON'T CARE!!"???

Well, now you have.

lol. Point taken. And I don't think you're alone. I think Disney encourages that attitude. (They don't even give you the price of the dining plan on their booking website, they want you to add it without thinking about the price).

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I've never done a Disney dining plan until this stay when we got a PIN for free QSDP...I figure that giving up the room discount cost me about $35-40 per night, but for the two of us the free dining is worth more than that. But, would I pay, and for that matter pre-pay for it, definitely not. I think for each trip it pays to run the numbers to see if it is worthwhile.

 

[robinb]

Am I forgetting something here or am I one of the last people to realize what a bad deal this is? Why would Disney think this was ok?

Yes. Yes, you are . I figured the QS Meal Plan was terrible even when it included 2 snacks. Unlike the regular DDP where you can come out ahead, the QSDP has always been essentially a break-even proposition. In addition, I think the majority of the deserts that are included in a QS meal are nasty. When we were on the regular DDP I only ordered them about half the time and threw them out uneaten/partially eated half the time, so we probably only consumed them about 25% of the time.

I would say that the vast majority of people who pay for the QSDP are doing it out of convenience and because they like the idea of "pre-paying" for their food. I personally don't think it's any less convenient to charge a meal back to my room and I don't want to pre-pay for a bunch of nasty desserts I won't eat.

 

[havoc315]

I would say that the vast majority of people who pay for the QSDP are doing it out of convenience and because they like the idea of "pre-paying" for their food. I personally don't think it's any less convenient to charge a meal back to my room and I don't want to pre-pay for a bunch of nasty desserts I won't eat.

While I'm with you, I think the vast majority of people who pay for the QSDP -- Actually like getting the dessert. (though they may opt for places with better quality desserts, or may get bottled water as their dessert).

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Also remember that a lot of the people getting the dining plans have no idea that menus and prices are available on planning websites. They just figure that WDW is expensive so the dining plans must be a way to save.

 

[havoc315]

Also remember that a lot of the people getting the dining plans have no idea that menus and prices are available on planning websites. They just figure that WDW is expensive so the dining plans must be a way to save.

You are absolutely right -- and I'll take it a step further. A lot of people don't even know how much the dining plan is costing them! Disney won't break down the price for you. Basically, if booking through the website, they just say, "click here if you want a dining plan that can save you up to 20%!"

That obviously can sound pretty good to a lot of people. They don't realize how much they are actually being charged for the plan, and don't therefore consider whether it will actually save them money or not.

If instead, the website said, "Click here to add a dining plan that costs $XX.XX, and may save you 20%, or may actually lead to a loss of money" --- I don't think they would get nearly as many takers with this honest approach.

 

[Albytaps]

I will be better able to answer that question once I return from our March trip. Having never used the DP it will be interesting to see if we come out ahead by using it or not.

We are doing the DxDP since the reg DDP does not fit into how we eat. We always do a sit down breakfast when on vacation and a sit down dinner, I have to eat lunch because of being diabetic so we will be doing 3 TS a day.

I did do a cost analysis based on what we might order paying OOP vs the dining plan cost and came up with a savings of 38%. This was based on just the meals + tips, after deducting the cost of the mug and 2 snack credits @ $3 each day.
To break even each of the 3 meals daily by my calculations need to cost $25.50

Granted if paying OOP we tend to skip app or desserts to save $ Some of the meals we will eat will meet or exceed that and some will not. But in all cases the 3 TS meals per day will easily come to $76.50 pp(incl tax) and when added to the $6.00 snack credit(2 per day)+the cost of the mug* meeting the cost of the DP $85.52. *(I am only valueing the mug at $15/$3 per day, if we use it more than once a day great if not no biggie.)

I see a lot of people say but you have to pay so much in tips, I have to tip if I pay OOP and I have to pay the tax out of my pocket too at least with the DP the tax is incl in the meal credit.

I guess I will say I would rather prepay the $45 since the $23-43 meal x3 + tax will actually be $69-129+tax where as I am only prepaying $76.50 a day($85.50-$3(mug)-$6(2snacks)

At least going in I know I can have an app, entree, dessert and beverage

Keep in mind I started this thread about the QSDP. I have not thought about the other dining plans too much, since this will only be the second time I'm doing the DDP and have never tried the DxDP. I'm sure the DxDP is very much a money saver, I'm not entirely certain how the DDP plays out, but I think we'll be saving at least a few bucks there.

also in MK Caseys is good place for a QS...

Um... did I miss something? I thought Casey's does not accept the dining plans. This another thing that puts me off of the QSDP... I can't ever go to Casey's!

And THIS is exactly why we always have, and probably always will, do the Dining Plans.

We live in a very low-cost area (a super nice meal at a steak house tops out at about $25 a plate) and my DH is horribly frugal (read: cheap LOL). If we were paying cash OOP, or even if we had the money pre-purchased on a card; he would still examine the menus with a microscope, gasp and nearly die from sticker shock at every meal, and then have a side salad or a bowl of soup and an ice water.

Or he would insist on renting a car and we would be out in Kissimmee eating at CiCi's or KFC for every meal.

The DDP gives us the freedom to know that we can all order whatever we want, regardless of cost, and not have to suffer the sticker shock. Its all paid for, regardless of how much the price says on the menu.

Whether of not we actually "save" anything, THAT alone makes it worthwhile. Vacation Peace of Mind.

That's fine. If you do not care about budget, which I'm sure is the case for many, then this thread is pointless. I always thought the dining plans were about saving money if you're going to eat in WDW everyday anyway.

Yes. Yes, you are . I figured the QS Meal Plan was terrible even when it included 2 snacks. Unlike the regular DDP where you can come out ahead, the QSDP has always been essentially a break-even proposition. In addition, I think the majority of the deserts that are included in a QS meal are nasty. When we were on the regular DDP I only ordered them about half the time and threw them out uneaten/partially eated half the time, so we probably only consumed them about 25% of the time.

I would say that the vast majority of people who pay for the QSDP are doing it out of convenience and because they like the idea of "pre-paying" for their food. I personally don't think it's any less convenient to charge a meal back to my room and I don't want to pre-pay for a bunch of nasty desserts I won't eat.

Thanks! I feel so much better now

I have never really priced it out like I did this time since they are taking out 1 snack. But, I would always order the most expensive item knowing I would come out ahead.

I really do believe that the DDP will be the best deal for our family. We will get a nice TS meal everyday, a QS and a snack. I'm not so sure I'd like the DxDP... at least not at this point of my life. We've been to WDW with another family that did it and they basically went from restaurant to restaurant. They didn't have time to do anything else besides get ready for the next restaurant. I go to WDW mainly for the rides... what's the point if I'm just going from restaurant to restaurant? Go on 1 or 2 rides a day? Maybe when I'm older and it's just my wife and myself going. However, the DxDP would no doubt be a money saver if you go to 3 TS restaurants a day.

As a few of you have said about the psychology of the QSDP even if it cost you more, at least you don't have to worry about it. I'm the opposite. The psychology makes me think more that I have to get something expensive in order to make the QSDP worth it. I have to find places or items that are on the dining plan, and have to plan accordingly instead of going wherever we wanted whenever we wanted. Peace of mind is not having to worry about where you go or what you order. I'll just put it on my room key and worry about it later.

 

[havoc315]

Um... did I miss something? I thought Casey's does not accept the dining plans. This another thing that puts me off of the QSDP... I can't ever go to Casey's!

What makes you say that? I'm pretty sure Casey's accepts the QSDP.

 

[Colleen27]

What I've seen with all the dining plans, there are many people claim that they don't care about the pricing, they just prefer to use a dining plan for the convenience. But then, those people always insist that they don't actually lose money on the plan. They insist they could have eaten cheaper without the plan, but they still say, that for what they ordered, they saved money.

Yep. I'm one of those that likes it primarily for convenience but that isn't a convenience I'm willing to pay extra for. In fact, I expect to get at least some modest savings to balance out shelling out the money so far in advance rather than at the time of my meal.

 

[havoc315]

Yep. I'm one of those that likes it primarily for convenience but that isn't a convenience I'm willing to pay extra for. In fact, I expect to get at least some modest savings to balance out shelling out the money so far in advance rather than at the time of my meal.

And that makes total sense. I can fully understand -- "I like the convenience as long as I break even." Or, "I like the convenience, but I want at least some savings for paying in advance." For me, it's -- I don't like the prepayment, but I'm willing to do it, if the savings are significant enough.
But I fully understand people who might say any of those things.

I am just skeptical when people say they want it *solely* for the convenience and don't care if they lose money. I don't see people saying, "I'm going to skip lots of the credits, and I'm going to skip desserts, and order lower priced entrees... but I still want the plan for the convenience!"

 

[Albytaps]

What makes you say that? I'm pretty sure Casey's accepts the QSDP.

Hmm, my wiffe always told me they didn't accept it and I just went with it

 

[TwoAtDisney]

We've only done "free DDP"; would never pay for it. We are & always have been very wise with our money. Definitely not "cheap", just financially wise. We would never pay more for something just for convenience - a gift card would do that for us if we couldn't afford to wing it while on site.

One time when we were on Free DDP, DH got sick (flu I think) & we stayed in the room for 3 days. I was glad our dining plan was free because he didn't use it during those days & to stay with him, I only used it for bringing food to the room. We would have freaked out if we had paid for the dining plan!

One point not mentioned is illness or emergency that cuts the trip short. Disney will refund the resort pre-paid amounts (minus $200), but will they refund the dining plan portion?

Do most folks who pay for the dining plans have travel insurance to cover the cost?

Also keep this in mind - we always add non-Disney days after our Disney resort stay. I tore a knee cartlidge during our trip last fall & the Disney insurance would not pay for our emergency & early flight home, because we weren't leaving from our Disney stay. Early flight total for the both of us was $375. However, we did get our $200 Disney cancellation fee refunded.

I think for those who aren't concerned about being wise with their travel money, and those who don't place risk or debts on their household for their trip to Disney, should go for it! Basically, it's for those who can afford it, not those on budget trips. But then, I don't think staying at a Disney resort is a budget trip anyway, even without the dining plans! It amazes us that we can easily go to Europe for the same price & we prefer travel variety, which includes some Disney. Again, if you can afford it & you like it - it's a no-brainer!

 

[3PrinceMom]

We've only done "free DDP"; would never pay for it. We are & always have been very wise with our money. Definitely not "cheap", just financially wise. We would never pay more for something just for convenience - a gift card would do that for us if we couldn't afford to wing it while on site.

One time when we were on Free DDP, DH got sick (flu I think) & we stayed in the room for 3 days. I was glad our dining plan was free because he didn't use it during those days & to stay with him, I only used it for bringing food to the room. We would have freaked out if we had paid for the dining plan!

One point not mentioned is illness or emergency that cuts the trip short. Disney will refund the resort pre-paid amounts (minus $200), but will they refund the dining plan portion?

Do most folks who pay for the dining plans have travel insurance to cover the cost?

Also keep this in mind - we always add non-Disney days after our Disney resort stay. I tore a knee cartlidge during our trip last fall & the Disney insurance would not pay for our emergency & early flight home, because we weren't leaving from our Disney stay. Early flight total for the both of us was $375. However, we did get our $200 Disney cancellation fee refunded.

I think for those who aren't concerned about being wise with their travel money, and those who don't place risk or debts on their household for their trip to Disney, should go for it! Basically, it's for those who can afford it, not those on budget trips. But then, I don't think staying at a Disney resort is a budget trip anyway, even without the dining plans! It amazes us that we can easily go to Europe for the same price & we prefer travel variety, which includes some Disney. Again, if you can afford it & you like it - it's a no-brainer!

Every Disney trip is a budget trip, but my family goes home 2-3 times a year, because I can budget correctly. Not for a few days....we spend 2 weeks on summer vacation and a week here or there. Guess what? There was a time when free dining was my only option. It still is a great option. Everyone's family is different.

As far as your injury, I am sorry to hear that, but why would Disney pay? Maybe I'm confused, but if you managed to make the next part of your trip...or didn't , maybe you should have had insurance on that.

Oh..and as a family of 4, I take pride in how cheap I can do Disney.

 

[sharonabe]

He knows exactly what it costs. He is involved in the vacation budgeting and planning, down to the penny.

BUT it is all paid for, ahead of time, and done and over with by the time he gets there. That leaves him free, the entire time, to order a $45 steak if he so chooses; without being blown away by the physical act of handing over that money, every night DURING what is supposed to be his relaxing vacation.

Works for us, maybe not for others, YMMV. But we certainly won't change how we do things.

While I assume you were just using this as an example, perception is key here. Others may read this post and think, "Wow! $45 for a steak at Disney?! That DDP is sounding better to me."

In reality, except for the signature restaurants, the $45 steak does not exist. Chef de France has one for $35, but all other 1 TS places charge from $25-$30. Is that still expensive for steak? Of course, it is, but that in itself is still not enough for me to consider the DDP to be a value for our family....peace of mind or monetary. I know my family of four can eat exactly what we want at Disney (and only eat Disney food, not stuff we bring from home or order from Garden Grocer) for way less than $200 a day.