QS plan = horrible

[Sorsha]

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.

Yes, of course you can get steak cheaper, but we LIKE the Signature restaurants!

Besides anyone who thinks that Disney can be done for $200 or less a day obviously doesn't do many character meals. I believe last time we visited, Crystal Palace (just as an example) was approaching $50 for adults. For my family of 5, that made it over $200 just for one meal.

 

[havoc315]

Yes, of course you can get steak cheaper, but we LIKE the Signature restaurants!

Besides anyone who thinks that Disney can be done for $200 or less a day obviously doesn't do many character meals. I believe last time we visited, Crystal Palace (just as an example) was approaching $50 for adults. For my family of 5, that made it over $200 just for one meal.

It's true that ddp is a better value for people who do A LOT of character dinners. Crystal Palace dinner is $41. (still not that close to $50). Lunch though, is $29 and breakfast is even less. So if you like character lunches or breakfasts, then you lose money on the ddp.

As to $45 signature steaks--- an especially bad deal on the basic ddp. Much better off oop. Under the basic ddp, you are paying about $35 per TS credit. So, for a $30 steak at a 1-credit restaurant, you are paying $35. At a signature restaurant, you are paying $70 for that $45 steak. (no way to make up the difference with beverage and dessert).

Thus, the basic ddp is shown to only be worthwhile, if you eat a character dinner or steak (only at 1-credit restaurants) every night.

 

[Sorsha]

It's true that ddp is a better value for people who do A LOT of character dinners. Crystal Palace dinner is $41. (still not that close to $50). Lunch though, is $29 and breakfast is even less. So if you like character lunches or breakfasts, then you lose money on the ddp.

If you travel around the holidays, dinner at the Crystal Palace is (I think) around $60. And no, we don't like big lunches. Takes too much time away from Park Time. We usually eat breakfast at a resort (early so as to be at a park for rope drop) a CS lunch in the parks, and then a big TS or Signature dinner later in the evenings.

It works differently for everyone, YMMV, but that's how we like to do it.

As to $45 signature steaks--- an especially bad deal on the basic ddp. Much better off oop. Under the basic ddp, you are paying about $35 per TS credit. So, for a $30 steak at a 1-credit restaurant, you are paying $35. At a signature restaurant, you are paying $70 for that $45 steak. (no way to make up the difference with beverage and dessert).

Thus, the basic ddp is shown to only be worthwhile, if you eat a character dinner or steak (only at 1-credit restaurants) every night.

See this is what I am talking about!!! I don't care to sit down and figure it out to the nuts and bolts like that. As I stated before, if paid off ahead of time, that $45 Signature meal may not be a good value, BUT WE WILL GO EAT IT and have fun doing so!!!!! Because it is prepaid and we don't have to watch that cash change hands! If we were paying out of pocket we might get a better deal, but it wouldn't matter because we would never get to experience those places!! It would be the act of watching those insane amounts of money come out of the wallet and get forked over that would make DH freak out and run for the nearest Golden Corral.

This way it is all paid for ahead of time, and he has the freedom to say, we have the credits, we'll go where we want and get what we want. It isn't about whether or not we save $6.25 per day (or whatever arbitrary number) IT'S ABOUT THE FREEDOM.

So we use the bloody Dining Plan and happily carry on. And no amount of mathematical obsessing will change that.

 

[havoc315]

If you travel around the holidays, dinner at the Crystal Palace is (I think) around $60. And no, we don't like big lunches. Takes too much time away from Park Time. We usually eat breakfast at a resort (early so as to be at a park for rope drop) a CS lunch in the parks, and then a big TS or Signature dinner later in the evenings.

It works differently for everyone, YMMV, but that's how we like to do it.



See this is what I am talking about!!! I don't care to sit down and figure it out to the nuts and bolts like that. As I stated before, if paid off ahead of time, that $45 Signature meal may not be a good value, BUT WE WILL GO EAT IT and have fun doing so!!!!! Because it is prepaid and we don't have to watch that cash change hands! If we were paying out of pocket we might get a better deal, but it wouldn't matter because we would never get to experience those places!! It would be the act of watching those insane amounts of money come out of the wallet and get forked over that would make DH freak out and run for the nearest Golden Corral.

This way it is all paid for ahead of time, and he has the freedom to say, we have the credits, we'll go where we want and get what we want. It isn't about whether or not we save $6.25 per day (or whatever arbitrary number) IT'S ABOUT THE FREEDOM.

So we use the bloody Dining Plan and happily carry on. And no amount of mathematical obsessing will change that.

No, Crystal Palace is $45 during holidays.

It's fine that you don't mind losing tons of money on the dining plan. That's your choice.
For me --- if I could have the exact same vacation, exact same food, exact same hotel, exact same character meals --- and the only difference was that the complete total cost was either:
Choice A: prepay hotel, tickets and dining plan -- $3000
Choice B: prepay hotel and tickets ($2000) plus all food oop ($800), for the exact same $45 steak ....

I'd go with the choice that is $200 cheaper.

 

[Sorsha]

No, Crystal Palace is $45 during holidays.

I don't travel during the holidays, but as quoted from our own dear page (click the dining link above)

CRYSTAL PALACE
Adult Dinner Buffet - A Buffet with Character - Gourmet cuisine offered in Victorian elegance that offers a variety of selections to tempt every taste including: multigrain nut bread and white rolls, PB & J, Mixed field greens with choice of dressing (ranch, zinfandel, & madarin orange sesame vinaigrette), Tropical slaw, Mediterranean pasta salad, Moroccan couscous salad, Romaine blue cheese salad, Peel & eat shrimp, Prime Rib, Shrimp, black bean & mango salad, Edamame, Papaya frisee salad, Roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Broccoli, Medley of veggies, Braised kale with bacon & onion, Slow roasted pork, Cheese pizza, Vegetable pasta, Wild mushroom & chicken pasta, Cinnamon & lemon basmati rice, Thai curry mussels, Fruit & vegetable tofu curry, Atlantic salmon, Rotisserie chicken, Herb roasted turkey, and New England clam chowder. Dessert selection includes: Red Velvet cheesecake, Double chocolate brownie, Peanut butter cake, Tres leches, Apple cobbler, Banana bread pudding, Carrot cake, Assorted cookies, and Coconut flan. Guests ages 10 and up. Winnie the Pooh and friends invite you to indulge yourself in our bountiful buffet. The room comes alive with the sights and smells of the day's offerings being prepared in our live on stage kitchen. $36 to $59.99 per person

Either way, it doesn't matter. Even at $42 per person, once I pay tax, for 5 people, I am still over $200 for that meal alone.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

The 59.99 may be for a special dinner on a specific day such as Christmas. We ate at Chef Mickeys for a New Years Day Brunch and I think the price was $15 more than normal.

 

[sjs314]

If you travel around the holidays, dinner at the Crystal Palace is (I think) around $60. And no, we don't like big lunches. Takes too much time away from Park Time. We usually eat breakfast at a resort (early so as to be at a park for rope drop) a CS lunch in the parks, and then a big TS or Signature dinner later in the evenings.

It works differently for everyone, YMMV, but that's how we like to do it.



See this is what I am talking about!!! I don't care to sit down and figure it out to the nuts and bolts like that. As I stated before, if paid off ahead of time, that $45 Signature meal may not be a good value, BUT WE WILL GO EAT IT and have fun doing so!!!!! Because it is prepaid and we don't have to watch that cash change hands! If we were paying out of pocket we might get a better deal, but it wouldn't matter because we would never get to experience those places!! It would be the act of watching those insane amounts of money come out of the wallet and get forked over that would make DH freak out and run for the nearest Golden Corral.

This way it is all paid for ahead of time, and he has the freedom to say, we have the credits, we'll go where we want and get what we want. It isn't about whether or not we save $6.25 per day (or whatever arbitrary number) IT'S ABOUT THE FREEDOM.

So we use the bloody Dining Plan and happily carry on. And no amount of mathematical obsessing will change that.

You and I are of the same mentality. As I stated before this will be our first time using the DxDP or any of the Disney DP's for that matter. We have always paid OOP.
I can not tell you how many times over the years since our first trip in 1989 that we stopped and read the menu outside of Le Cellier and other restaurants that we are eating at for the first time in March and looked at the various items on it and the prices and decided to go someplace else,

This time however we are eating at Le Cellier and Tony's and Marrakesh to name a few for the first time, why because we have the DP and it is already paid for, no out of pocket exchange of money this time other than the tip and we will enjoy the meal that much more since we do not have to pay attention to the prices.

I have looked at the menus and estimated what we might order and I have to say by no way have we chosen the "most" expensive items in order to get more value out of the DP. I do not see the sense in that, I just want to order what I want without stressing over what the cost of the meal will be.

 

[sharonabe]

At this point, I guess we just need to realize we are all different. I'm glad you all have found a way that works for you and your family, and that my family has found the way that works for them.

And just one last jab....I'm glad my way allows me to eat exactly what I want, including some character meals, and spend less money than you.

 

[havoc315]

Either way, it doesn't matter. Even at $42 per person, once I pay tax, for 5 people, I am still over $200 for that meal alone.

That would be a 20%+ tax rate.
For a family of 4, with the actual tax rate, it would be about $182.
Nit picking, yes. But that could be the difference between saving $20 and losing $20 on the plan. (in fairness, even with correct pricing, character dinners are a good value on the dining plan).

But for anybody who likes prepaying their meals for convenice, I'll personally sell you a meal plan for any restaurant you wish.
Want a meal plan for McDonald? Pay me $15 per person, and I'll cover the cost of any Happy Meal you want!

 

[smitch425]

That would be a 20%+ tax rate.
For a family of 4, with the actual tax rate, it would be about $182.
Nit picking, yes. But that could be the difference between saving $20 and losing $20 on the plan. (in fairness, even with correct pricing, character dinners are a good value on the dining plan).

But for anybody who likes prepaying their meals for convenice, I'll personally sell you a meal plan for any restaurant you wish.
Want a meal plan for McDonald? Pay me $15 per person, and I'll cover the cost of any Happy Meal you want!

She said a party of 5.

 

[Sorsha]

She said a party of 5.

I was just going to point this out. LOL

And yes, havoc, we have now gone beyond the range of "discussing" and into the range of "nitpicking". You aren't going to ever make me change my mind, and I am not trying to change yours, so I am not going to argue it with you. Your way is not the only way. YMMV.

Have a good day!

 

[sjs314]

Just as a after thought while we are talking about tax, how many times have you looked at a menu and decided to order the $35 dollar steak not taking into account the cost of your beverage that the final bill is going to include 6.25% tax. This alone could wreck havoc with your planned budget for the meal.

The tax being included in the DP is great IMO

 

[havoc315]

She said a party of 5.

Ooops. Demerits to me for not reading closely enough.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

If you travel around the holidays, dinner at the Crystal Palace is (I think) around $60. And no, we don't like big lunches. Takes too much time away from Park Time. We usually eat breakfast at a resort (early so as to be at a park for rope drop) a CS lunch in the parks, and then a big TS or Signature dinner later in the evenings.

It works differently for everyone, YMMV, but that's how we like to do it.



See this is what I am talking about!!! I don't care to sit down and figure it out to the nuts and bolts like that. As I stated before, if paid off ahead of time, that $45 Signature meal may not be a good value, BUT WE WILL GO EAT IT and have fun doing so!!!!! Because it is prepaid and we don't have to watch that cash change hands! If we were paying out of pocket we might get a better deal, but it wouldn't matter because we would never get to experience those places!! It would be the act of watching those insane amounts of money come out of the wallet and get forked over that would make DH freak out and run for the nearest Golden Corral.

This way it is all paid for ahead of time, and he has the freedom to say, we have the credits, we'll go where we want and get what we want. It isn't about whether or not we save $6.25 per day (or whatever arbitrary number) IT'S ABOUT THE FREEDOM.

So we use the bloody Dining Plan and happily carry on. And no amount of mathematical obsessing will change that.

EXACTLY THIS! My family of 4 has never done the DDP but will this summer for the first time. Even though on past trips we did the envelope thing with the money for each day set aside, when it came to parting with it in restaurants it was not easy. Paying upwards of $60 for burgers/fries/drinks
was Many times I by-passed WPE at DTD because a meal would have been about $100. It was hard to pay that even though the money was in the envelope. For us it was a mental thing of parting with so much cash everyday. So, we would order a large pizza and salad at the resort for about $30. Definitely not the same experience.
This summer we priced out our vacation for 10 days including the QS plan and
just divided by 4. I know that we are paying about $800 per person and that is it, I am done with it and I know once I get there my family will be able to eat when and where they feel like and throw in some nice treats to boot.

BTW, I noticed that cupcakes (which my kids absolutely love) are now $4.49 at Epcot plus tax. That would never be happening if we had to dish out $10 for two of them for the kids.

 

[Sorsha]

Just as a after thought while we are talking about tax, how many times have you looked at a menu and decided to order the $35 dollar steak not taking into account the cost of your beverage that the final bill is going to include 6.25% tax. This alone could wreck havoc with your planned budget for the meal.

The tax being included in the DP is great IMO

Yeah, this is another reason we like the Dining Plans.

Little known fact: Montana is one of only a few (2, I think) states with absolutely NO sales tax. So when we go out to eat here, the price on the menu is the price we pay.

It seems silly to people who live with sales tax every day, but it is SO annoying to us to have to look at a menu and figure out how much it's REALLY going to cost after tax. Having that included in the DDp so we don't have to think about it is really nice.

 

[TDC Nala]

The 59.99 may be for a special dinner on a specific day such as Christmas. We ate at Chef Mickeys for a New Years Day Brunch and I think the price was $15 more than normal.

As far as is known, Crystal Palace doesn't ever cost $60 per person (yet). If you're looking at the price ranges given on the Disney website, that range applies to all restaurants in a similar category (fixed price restaurants). CRT for adults in peak season might cost $60.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We have done it both ways. I pulled out some old receipts to see what we typically would spend on a meal and it looks like we would likely break even with the current QSDP. Though, I think it sucks that they took the 2nd snack away.

The last trip we paid OOP we spent about the same or a little less than the QSDP would have cost us, but ate differently. We had a sit down dinner one night, but also shared a pizza at the food court three times to save some $$ and sometimes I felt like my kids really wanted some ice cream or dessert, but didn't want to ask. I remember wishing we had the dining plan. Even though we had about 800 in disney rewards that we were using to pay for the food, it stressed me everytime I went up to the food counter. However, we chose to go OOP that trip, so my youngest wasn't limited to only kids meals and because we already had tickets left over from previous trips.

I'm pretty sure our next trip will be on the regular dining plan (hopefully during free dining). I like that they added the mug (we always get one) and we are now all "adults". I think it will work out very well. We will likely use only 3 TS or CS meals at a time some of the time (sharing things here and there or purchasing a kids meal) which will allow us to eat breakfast in the food court (probably twice) as a break from cereal in the room and then do a Hoop Dee Doo or Luau with the extra TS. We may go to Universal one day, too. So, we will have more than enough food.

I don't know. I can see where there are a lot of opinions on which way is better. I think it is different for every family. And even with the same family, better some trips than others based on your trip plans and ages of the kids. We find we save a lot of money by buying No Exp park tickets, but that means no dining plan for us on some trips. Overall, we have enjoyed our trips more when using the dining plan, regardless of the monetary value of it.

I find our Disney trips are getting so much more unaffordable. I don't know if it is just because of our kids ages or not. Disney math is complicated! I always have a spreadsheet with all the different options every time we plan a trip. I spend a lot of time thinking about it up front, then don't want to think about it at all during the trip!

 

[Colleen27]

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 us too. Our nice restaurant in town, the place we go for birthdays and anniversaries, is a steak and seafood place that generally runs us about $25pp. So Disney is big time sticker shock for both of us. We're going to see how it goes without a dining plan next time around but I'm not entirely confident about that move... It is just what makes sense budget-wise, since we're planning on taking advantage of the YES program in the future. Between the ticket savings and the cost of the plan, we can put $2500 on a gift card for dining and still come out ahead if we spend every dime of it.

Does that mean you don't tell him that the plan costs you $221 a night? So, let's say you stay 5 nights....that's $1100. To me, that is sticker shock!

I do tell DH what it costs, but in his mind it is easier to accept "Our package, including all our meals & snacks, will cost $4500" than it is to see $200 dinner tabs every night or pay $2 for a single banana when our 3yo wants one.

 

[chimo2u]

If you travel around the holidays, dinner at the Crystal Palace is (I think) around $60. And no, we don't like big lunches. Takes too much time away from Park Time. We usually eat breakfast at a resort (early so as to be at a park for rope drop) a CS lunch in the parks, and then a big TS or Signature dinner later in the evenings.

It works differently for everyone, YMMV, but that's how we like to do it.



See this is what I am talking about!!! I don't care to sit down and figure it out to the nuts and bolts like that. As I stated before, if paid off ahead of time, that $45 Signature meal may not be a good value, BUT WE WILL GO EAT IT and have fun doing so!!!!! Because it is prepaid and we don't have to watch that cash change hands! If we were paying out of pocket we might get a better deal, but it wouldn't matter because we would never get to experience those places!! It would be the act of watching those insane amounts of money come out of the wallet and get forked over that would make DH freak out and run for the nearest Golden Corral.

This way it is all paid for ahead of time, and he has the freedom to say, we have the credits, we'll go where we want and get what we want. It isn't about whether or not we save $6.25 per day (or whatever arbitrary number) IT'S ABOUT THE FREEDOM.

So we use the bloody Dining Plan and happily carry on. And no amount of mathematical obsessing will change that.

I agree with you 100%.....I too, am using my basic ddp ts credits for a night out at Yachtmans.....I don't care, as long as we are fed, have an enjoyable meal and it's all prepaid, I am happy! Peace of Mind is Priceless!!!

ETA: I would love to upgrade to Deluxe DDP from our Basic DDP (We have Free Dining)....but that extra $40.00 pp times 5 nights or over an extra $600 for the upgrade, well...I can't justify that....I would probably have to be rolled home too.....so I am getting the Free Dining Basic DDP and with club level, I think we will be more than covered for our food needs .....DLX dining does look like so much fun and so much freedom though

 

[Albytaps]

It's true that ddp is a better value for people who do A LOT of character dinners. Crystal Palace dinner is $41. (still not that close to $50). Lunch though, is $29 and breakfast is even less. So if you like character lunches or breakfasts, then you lose money on the ddp.

As to $45 signature steaks--- an especially bad deal on the basic ddp. Much better off oop. Under the basic ddp, you are paying about $35 per TS credit. So, for a $30 steak at a 1-credit restaurant, you are paying $35. At a signature restaurant, you are paying $70 for that $45 steak. (no way to make up the difference with beverage and dessert).

Thus, the basic ddp is shown to only be worthwhile, if you eat a character dinner or steak (only at 1-credit restaurants) every night.

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