Question: Dining plan or not when staying DVC?

[bangzoom6877]

DH and I are most likely going to buy a DVC resale at Boardwalk Villas some time next Spring. Our first trip as members would be July 2010, for 10 nights. We went to WDW last month and stayed 5 nights, on the DDP. We decided that from now on we would go on longer vacations to WDW, still going to the parks only 5 days on a base ticket, and do other things on the remaining days (enjoy the resort and relax by the pool, Universal, etc.). We also LOVED the dining plan because we loved the idea of not having to leave the WDW resort (even though we drive there so have a car with us), and we like to take the kids to several character meals (we did 5 on our trip). So the DDP actually saved us a lot of money last month.

What is your experience planning a vacation as a DVC member with the dining plan? There are some options at WDW that are less money than others, but I like to plan and see exactly what we are spending, plus I looked at the menus and even with the TS restaurants that are not character meals, the DDP still seems like it would save us money. I know we can get the DDE card IF we were to get an annual pass, but an annual pass would be more money than a 5 or 6-day base ticket, and we are planning to go every other year to WDW so we would only be able to use the AP for one trip.

Anyone get the dining plan when staying as a DVC member? Another thing I am considering is that if we go to places like Universal or Sea World we would not be eating on Disney property, at least for lunch that day. Also I know there are many restaurants on International Drive, but I don't know if we would want to drive all the way there every night just for dinner, and we like a TS dinner. I have mixed feelings. Help!

 

[Granny]

Anyone get the dining plan when staying as a DVC member? Another thing I am considering is that if we go to places like Universal or Sea World we would not be eating on Disney property, at least for lunch that day. Also I know there are many restaurants on International Drive, but I don't know if we would want to drive all the way there every night just for dinner, and we like a TS dinner. I have mixed feelings. Help!

Many, many members use the dining plan while staying at DVC resorts. First of all, the studio guests don't have access to much cooking so they tend to eat in (mostly) similar patterns to regular resort room guests. I know there are some who do a lot of cooking in studios but I really think they are in the minority.

Others staying in 1BR or larger often don't cook much either. So they like the DDP. And for many, the DDP is a way to create a firm dining budget for a stay and they like that.

Personally, we also drive to WDW and visit Sea World or other locations. And we do dine off-site though tend to avoid International Drive. So DDP just doesn't work for us. Even if we stayed only on-site, for us it is simply too much food and we really wouldn't save much since we'd never spend that much without the plan.

We stay in 2BR mostly so we do use the kitchen sparingly...mostly for breakfast, drinks and snacks.

What works much better for us is the DDE. It already more than paid for itself on our recent trip and we'll get another 8 night trip out of it next year at no extra cost. It is a nice balance of saving without being tied to WDW dining locations.

The other thing about DDP is, depending on when you go, the requirement to book ADR's in advance and have them dictate the schedule. Our recent trip to WDW a couple weeks ago showed that getting reservations a few days in advance was virtually impossible at most sit down restaurants. We ended up eating off-site more, and at restaurants like ESPN Club and Rainforest Cafe that don't allow ADRs.

It's a personal decision...no right or wrong. The easiest way is to try to figure out your most likely on-site spending habit for your extended trip and compare that to DDP prices.

Good luck!

 

[CraftyMouse]

Granny's thoughts are mine as well. We do much better with the DDE. The DDP is just too much food for us. Plus, I see it as much less of a value since they took away the appetizer and included gratuity. With the DDE we only order what we can eat and get 20% off of that, which is great. We take advantage of the AK fast food spots (included) and still do a fair number of TS meals. I have run the numbers and DDE works out to be a much better value for us.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We (10 of us) used the DDP last year while staying at BW. I did a cost analysis based on where and what we planned to eat and it definately saved US money based on OUR plans. And then on top of that with the DDP we actually got more food than we would have purchased but at less cost. (Not a bonus, if you're trying to lose weight!)

Last year though, I think the DDP included more than it does this year. (?) We are going to DL this year so I haven't become familiar with the DDP this year.

So if you know where you want to eat, you could look up menus and prices and literally see if it will save YOU money.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you both for the input!

Like I said in my original post, I would not have the chance to get the DDE (at least not on trips in the near future) because at this point in time, the Annual Pass would cost a lot more than a 5 or even 6-day base ticket. So to pay extra for an AP, and $60 more for the DDE card, to me is not worth it. If we were planning on doing 8-day park hoppers anyway, I think that is the break even point for that or the AP with the DVC discount, so then it would be more worth it. Plus, you never know what future perks there will or won't be for DVC members, so that huge AP discount just may go away at any given moment.

That said, I did crunch some numbers together as to what we would have ordered if we were not on the DDP. Still comes out to more than what the dining plan costs. I figured for the cheapest CS meals, sharing some meals among the 4 of us, no desserts at CS or TS, DH and I sharing a soda, etc. I was trying to figure out a way to make it cost less if we were not on the plan. It still ended up costing more, and I did not figure sales tax into the costs either. I figured on a few character meals, the cheapest CS meals at each park, the cheapest CS meal in the Boardwalk area (including Yacht and Beach Club if we chose to walk there), the cheapest thing on the menu at each TS we would go to. Still came out to more than the DDP would have cost us. And I did not add in tax. I also added fewer snacks than the DDP gives you, assuming we may bring more snacks with us instead (although we did that this recent trip and still had no problem eating up the snack credits...especially at Epcot and that was only one day of our trip!!). So it looks like for us the DDP would be a good deal. I am also considering that if we were to go to Universal or Sea World, we would becoming back to the hotel in the mid to late afternoon and having dinner in the Boardwalk area anyway, so that would be a good use of a TS credit, or use a CS credit for that and have a quick dinner, and maybe enjoy a signature restaurant one evening for 2 TS credits (Flying Fish Cafe or Yachtsman Steakhouse, both of which we would be able to walk to). So the DDP seems flexible and realistic, for now.

I also have to wait and see if the DDP changes more next year, as our trip would not be until 2010 and the details of 2009's plan did not come out until last week. So I am assuming the details for the 2010 plan will come out in about a year from now, about the time we would book. But DVC members can add the dining plan later if they want right? Meaning, you don't have to add it at the same time you book, right?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

But DVC members can add the dining plan later if they want right? Meaning, you don't have to add it at the same time you book, right?

Correct. I think there are a certain number of days before your stay that you have to add it by. But not many.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I meant to add in my previous post...

If you time your trips right the AP actually becomes cost effective. For example, we usually start an AP in December and then go in October/November the following year. That way we get two trips in on the AP and it is much cheaper than buying hoppers. Just a thought.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did the DDP one time, before they removed the appetizer and added the tip. It was too much food since we really wanted to enjoy all the dining opportunities that we scheduled. We even left a couple of CS credits on account when we left. And our son took advantage of the snack credits for popcorn - he's a popcorn fiend.

That said, once was enough. We have the DDE card instead now (we planned our trips to make two fall into one year period so the DDE card is good for both trips, too). We usually schedule on TS every other day - maybe two or three dinners for the entire trip, one lunch and possibly one breakfast. We'll eat twice a day, breakfast (early or late) and an early dinner. Plus throw in a few snacks throughout the day, but lately, didn't buy as many snacks because they have done away with many of my favorites or changed them not to my liking.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I meant to add in my previous post...

If you time your trips right the AP actually becomes cost effective. For example, we usually start an AP in December and then go in October/November the following year. That way we get two trips in on the AP and it is much cheaper than buying hoppers. Just a thought.

Yes, I am aware of the benefits of the AP if you plan more than one trip within those 365 days. However, we plan to go every other year so this would not be cost effective for us in our plans. So the DDE card is not possible for us since we will not be getting an AP.

If, however, we do decide in later years as the boys get older, to get a park hopper anyway, I would definitely consider APs since we can then have them for the full duration of the trip, and being that we would be staying at Boardwalk Villas, we could try every country that has a restaurant on the DDE in Epcot if we want to! It's only a hop, skip and jump from Boardwalk...literally (although one would look silly hopping, skipping and jumping to Epcot!!).

To me, that would be how an AP or park hopper could work to our advantage. Then we could dine "in a different country" every night!

 

[photobob]

Is the DDP not tied to the number of days you stay and park tickets? or does DVC have different guidelines? The reason I ask is you mentioned staying 10 days and only getting 5 day base tickets.

 

[hakepb]

DDP must be bought for length of stay. DVC members do not need to buy a ticket package to buy DDP.

That said, the DDP may or may not be ideal with DVC.
If you must eat dinner TS, and can get the ADR's for dinner (we always reserved too late for LeCellier), the DDP is still the best deal.

While staying at values, we enjoyed TS in the parks or while visiting another resort, and often used CS as a quick meal at the resort before heading out. (morning or afternoon)
Our main DDP fustration with DVC, was the smaller CS selection at the DVC resorts.
For instance at BWV, the only DDP CS was the Bakery (wonderful huge cinnamon rolls in the AM and oustanding deserts, but the only lunch/dinner item was a fancy pre-made panini that offended simple tastebuds) We would of loved getting a slice of pizza at the Spoodles to go window or a hot dog and funnel cake on the boardwalk, but they were not on the plan

Considering the DDP is (2009 plan?) going to 39.99, you do not "break even" on a day where you eat Chef Mickey's breakfast (22.99) + every (or most) CS and snack.. So if you are OK having your TS at breakfast or lunch (or cheaper dinner places like ESPN club that is mostly sandwiches), and take advantage of breakfast / lunch dining (there's currently many 10% lunch discounts through DVC) You might still come ahead of DDP, plus you are more flexible, and will not mind eating off site (or say a Giordano's delivery) because you did not "stuck" into pre-paying with Disney via the DDP.

 

[Granny]

Like I said in my original post, I would not have the chance to get the DDE (at least not on trips in the near future) because at this point in time, the Annual Pass would cost a lot more than a 5 or even 6-day base ticket.

Sorry...I missed that in your original post you only travel every other year. You're right...for your plans the AP doesn't make sense.

If you are planning on spending more on food at WDW than the DDP costs, and don't mind making the ADR's, then I'd say DDP works better for you.

 

[Atchley]

My husband and I are considering buying into the DVC but one of the things that was holding us back was that we thought that you could not purchase the DDP. I am so happy to hear that you can use the DDP with the DVC. I'll have a talk with DH, but I'm pretty sure that it will seal the deal with him.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Is the DDP not tied to the number of days you stay and park tickets? or does DVC have different guidelines? The reason I ask is you mentioned staying 10 days and only getting 5 day base tickets.

I believe they were saying that they were going to get 5-day park tickets, not get the meal plan for 5 days.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I believe they were saying that they were going to get 5-day park tickets, not get the meal plan for 5 days.

But then those other five days, they would have to use up the plan outside the theme parks at the resort dining facilities. If they are staying ten nights, they have to purchase the DDP for ten nights. Unless they make two separate reservations. But they could not be linked and they could very likely have to move for the second reservation. And the homeless for the first day of the second reservation.

 

[jfelcie]

I do not see how the DDE saves much money. After you pay $60.00 and 18% tip is added on how much is saved?

 

[CraftyMouse]

I do not see how the DDE saves much money. After you pay $60.00 and 18% tip is added on how much is saved?

You have to pay the tip with the DDP as well, so that's a wash. Of course you don't have to pay 18%, but we usually tip 20% so they are actually losing money on us.

Once you spend $300 you make money on DDE. With 4 of us (and usually another family or the grandparents along) we spend that in 2 or 3 days. Everything after that is "gravy". The card is good for a year and we're usually at WDW for 4-5 weeks of that time, so we save a LOT of money with DDE. And keep in mind that the 20% comes off of alcoholic beverages as well, which can add up for some. Not us, but some.

For example, each TS meal for the 4 of us is, on average, $100 plus tax & tip (for us, about $125-130...sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less). With DDE it comes to $105. That's $20-25 saved on each TS meal for us. That can really add up over 4-5 weeks. And don't forget that DDE is good at several counter service locations (AK, Value Resorts, etc.) as well, where no tip is paid.

 

[bangzoom6877]

The one thing that does bother me, as someone pointed out above, is that there are such limited choices on the CS if staying at BWV. There is only BW Bakery at the Boardwalk, or Hurricane Hanna or Beach Club Marketplace at the Beach & Yacht Club (a short walk away). And I did see that BW Bakery had such a limited menu for lunch. All three of these added up together don't seem to equal the variety we saw at Pop Century's food court, mainly because at Pop this was the ONLY dining option.

That said, I still am not sure. The DDP would also allow us a signature restaurant or a dinner show for 2 TS credits. So if we were to pay OOP for something more low-key like ESPN Club, that MIGHT work. But still not totally sure.

I am sure DH will help me out when we do thoroughly plan our next trip. He loved the dining plan and the idea of not having to leave WDW the whole trip, and the next time we go (when the kids are 3 and 5), the only place we might go to off property is Sea World. I still think they may be too young at that point for Universal, and save it for when they are either 5 and 7, or 7 and 9. So that would mean more time on property, and knowing DH he will want to try all or most of the restaurants among the BWV, BCV and Yacht Club since they are all right there. Also, on the day we go to DHS we could try the Prime Time Cafe because he thought that one looked really cute and that in a couple of years the boys would like it. And we could walk to it from BWV so not such a hassle going back to the park for dinner.

So many options...I guess that's what makes DVC fun...you could go on all different trips and make it very different each and every time!

 

[Eventer98]

In 4 DVCs stays we have had the DDP each time. I did some disney math and it was actually cheaper to go that route then get the DDE. We love our disney food as much as the parks and don't travel offsite so it works out really well for us!

 

[MolangiNaeda]

On our past trips, we did not try DDP. We try to cook in. I rented a car just for grocery trips. I think this save a lot of money, but also wasting a lot of time.

On our upcoming trips, I added DDP. I'll conclude my upcoming experience for future use of DDP.