Questions about 20% off other Food w/ DDP

[PirateMommy]

We are spending 5 days at Beach Club, and getting the DDP for those 5 days, along with our 8 days tickets. We also have two nights of a room only reservation at All Star Movies, so no DDP for those 2 days. I understand that I will receive 20% any additional food I buy with the DDP, but does anyone know if that will extend to the other 2 days I am on Disney property? I'm assuming the answer is no, but that 20% savings would be nice.

 

[Tybug]

The DDP does not give you 20% off of other food items purchased, it 'could' save you up to 20% vs. paying out of pocket for the table service/counter service/snacks that come with the plan. The amount saved depends upon the menu price of the meals you choose while using the DDP.

 

[PirateMommy]

The DDP does not give you 20% off of other food items purchased, it 'could' save you up to 20% vs. paying out of pocket for the table service/counter service/snacks that come with the plan.

Well, now, don't I feel foolish for not reading the fine print. And I'm a lawyer! Thanks for pointing out my naive belief Disney was trying to further entice us towards the dining plans with the added bonus off.

Well... this certainly changes my view point of the dining plans. I was all excited about saving 20% of on our date night dinner at Bistro de Paris. Not to mention dreaming of saving 20% the other two days of food. C'est la vie.

 

[Luv2Roam]

And as you guessed the dining plan would not cover the two nights of a room only reservation.
Since you have 8 day tickets, would an annual pass for one in your party be feasible? Then you could buy the TiW membership, and get 20% at most WDW restaurants. (Not park counter service.)

 

[patsal]

TIW would offer 20% off CS at AK though!

 

[havoc315]

Well, now, don't I feel foolish for not reading the fine print. And I'm a lawyer! Thanks for pointing out my naive belief Disney was trying to further entice us towards the dining plans with the added bonus off.

Well... this certainly changes my view point of the dining plans. I was all excited about saving 20% of on our date night dinner at Bistro de Paris. Not to mention dreaming of saving 20% the other two days of food. C'est la vie.

One lawyer to another, don't feel bad... the DDP advertising is quite misleading and often leads to confusion. (Perhaps intentionally).

The fact is, there are no guaranteed savings under the DDP. Many people actually will lose money by being on the DDP. The DDP *can* save you up to 20%... as in a theoretical possibility. In practice, it depends what meals you use it for, what you order.
If you skip desserts, you probably won't save much at all. (or nothing). Or, for example, if you use your TS credit for breakfast, you will probably lose money on the plan.

The DDP is an "upsell" --- It's Disney trying to get the most possible money out of your pocket in advance, and in return, they are giving you a bit of a discount on desserts and snacks.
Thus, they are taking a person who would normally spend $40 on food at the park, and saying, if you spend $47 instead, we will throw in 2 desserts, a snack, and beverages.

 

[TDC Nala]

When they first started DDP the advertising said it could save you "up to" 40%...then they made it 30%...now it's 20.

Your savings will totally depend on how you use the credits and what you purchase with them. More guests than I would have thought leave WDW with unused credits, and the Mouse gets to keep that money.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

And as you guessed the dining plan would not cover the two nights of a room only reservation.
Since you have 8 day tickets, would an annual pass for one in your party be feasible? Then you could buy the TiW membership, and get 20% at most WDW restaurants. (Not park counter service.)

We were thinking of purchasing the QSDP next trip but we will also have a few ADRs for favorite TS meals. Are we allowed to use the TIW discount for these meals if we also have the dining plan for our CS meals? What I'm asking is are we allowed to have 2 different plans on one trip? I don't want to be breaking any rules.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We were thinking of purchasing the QSDP next trip but we will also have a few ADRs for favorite TS meals. Are we allowed to use the TIW discount for these meals if we also have the dining plan for our CS meals? What I'm asking is are we allowed to have 2 different plans on one trip? I don't want to be breaking any rules.

Yes you can use TIW for anything not covered on your dining plan. I've heard people having the regular plan and using TIW discount for the alcoholic beverages and any extra side or appetizers.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Yes you can use TIW for anything not covered on your dining plan. I've heard people having the regular plan and using TIW discount for the alcoholic beverages and any extra side or appetizers.

Thanks 3Minnies1Mickey. Sounds like a good plan.

 

[TDC Nala]

TIW is not a dining plan. Totally different program.

 

[Condorman]

One lawyer to another, don't feel bad... the DDP advertising is quite misleading and often leads to confusion. (Perhaps intentionally).

The fact is, there are no guaranteed savings under the DDP. Many people actually will lose money by being on the DDP. The DDP *can* save you up to 20%... as in a theoretical possibility. In practice, it depends what meals you use it for, what you order.
If you skip desserts, you probably won't save much at all. (or nothing). Or, for example, if you use your TS credit for breakfast, you will probably lose money on the plan.

The DDP is an "upsell" --- It's Disney trying to get the most possible money out of your pocket in advance, and in return, they are giving you a bit of a discount on desserts and snacks.
Thus, they are taking a person who would normally spend $40 on food at the park, and saying, if you spend $47 instead, we will throw in 2 desserts, a snack, and beverages.

There is nothing misleading about the DDP literature. For anyone who knows how to read, all the details are ready to be discovered. Disney is hiding nothing and deceiving no one. Quite shocking that two lawyers failed to comprehend the simplicity of a dining plan. I don't know what to say to that.

We've used the DDP for the past four trips and it has saved us a minimum of 30% every single time. Please do not dissuade others from using it just because of your prior inexperience(s), as it does save a good deal of money for those who know how to use it.

 

[havoc315]

There is nothing misleading about the DDP literature. For anyone who knows how to read, all the details are ready to be discovered. Disney is hiding nothing and deceiving no one. Quite shocking that two lawyers failed to comprehend the simplicity of a dining plan. I don't know what to say to that.

We've used the DDP for the past four trips and it has saved us a minimum of 30% every single time. Please do not dissuade others from using it just because of your prior inexperience(s), as it does save a good deal of money for those who know how to use it.

Actually, they are hiding something quite big -- the price, which they refuse to list anywhere for 2012.

As to savings, it varies for different people. It's not about knowing how to use it. I know that if I don't order dessert, I won't save much. But what if I don't want any dessert?
I know TS credits are a bad value for breakfast, but what if that's the only TS I want?
As to savings further, they are greatly diminished each year. 30% savings on the basic ddp will be virtually impossible under 2012 pricing, unless you engage in very unrealistic meal planning. (eating all your CS meals at WPE, always getting the most expensive item on the menu, etc).

 

[rachel09985]

Actually, they are hiding something quite big -- the price, which they refuse to list anywhere for 2012.

As to savings, it varies for different people. It's not about knowing how to use it. I know that if I don't order dessert, I won't save much. But what if I don't want any dessert?
I know TS credits are a bad value for breakfast, but what if that's the only TS I want?
As to savings further, they are greatly diminished each year. 30% savings on the basic ddp will be virtually impossible under 2012 pricing, unless you engage in very unrealistic meal planning. (eating all your CS meals at WPE, always getting the most expensive item on the menu, etc).

So that explains it, you're a lawyer!! I was wondering that from the Gift Card Idea Thread!

While I love th DP it is true that they are missing the most important part- the price!! By the way this just proves to your point that most people just click yes to the dining plan and they don't even bother to look what it is or how much it is!

 

[Luv2Roam]

TiW is a paid membership. If you plan to travel to WDW again within a year, you can use it then too. The membership starts when you buy it, and lasts at least 12 months. There are black out dates though, such as major holidays.

 

[Condorman]

Actually, they are hiding something quite big -- the price, which they refuse to list anywhere for 2012.

30% savings on the basic ddp will be virtually impossible under 2012 pricing, unless you engage in very unrealistic meal planning. (eating all your CS meals at WPE, always getting the most expensive item on the menu, etc).

How are they hiding the price for 2012 when 2012 hasn't even started yet? Any information you have seen has been released from non-official channels, not Disney. Disney retains the right to alter any info or pricing, add or subtract restaurants from the DDP, and the last time I checked they still have five months left to do so.

Furthermore, the price is not hidden if you go online and book a vacation for next year -- anyone can figure out what the up-charge is for the DDP. It's basic math. You're complaining about future unknown variables using existing criteria. Who does that... lawyers?

As for "unrealistic meal planning," once again, just because YOU don't do something a certain way doesn't mean others don't and know how to take advantage of the plan. If you know how to use the plan, you will save money, so please don't make a blanket statement speaking for everyone when you're having enough difficulty speaking for yourself.

 

[havoc315]

How are they hiding the price for 2012 when 2012 hasn't even started yet? Any information you have seen has been released from non-official channels, not Disney. Disney retains the right to alter any info or pricing, add or subtract restaurants from the DDP, and the last time I checked they still have five months left to do so.

Furthermore, the price is not hidden if you go online and book a vacation for next year -- anyone can figure out what the up-charge is for the DDP. It's basic math. You're complaining about future unknown variables using existing criteria. Who does that... lawyers?

As for "unrealistic meal planning," once again, just because YOU don't do something a certain way doesn't mean others don't and know how to take advantage of the plan. If you know how to use the plan, you will save money, so please don't make a blanket statement speaking for everyone when you're having enough difficulty speaking for yourself.

I'll say this quite simply -- They are selling 2012 packages. They do not have the right to alter a package after you have paid for it. They refuse to break down the price of the dining. The only way to get the price, would be to sample book multiple packages (first with no dining, then with adults dining, then with adults and children dining... and then do the same thing for each plan) and then pull out a calculator. Disney refuses to simply tell you the price. Last I checked, that's the very definition of "hidden."

Secondly, we had a whole thread about the possible savings under the 2012 DDP, projecting likely 2-3% increases in menu prices, as we historically see. And it was difficult to realistically get 20% savings, and impossible to get 30% savings with any realistic plan. You would have to get the absolute most expensive items from the most expensive restaurants for every meal, to reach 30%. 30% savings has been possible in the past, and it is still possible on the DxDP. But not realistic on the DDP. (Heck, even Disney only claims a maximum potential savings of 20%).

Example: 2012 Disney during the holidays, price per night of the DDP: $53.50
So let's do a day at Magic Kingdom:
Snack at Main Street Bakery to start the day -- Without getting specific, realistic maximum price of a snack, $5
Columbia Harbor House for lunch -- The most expensive item on the menu,
Fried Shrimp Basket - Served with Coleslaw and French Fries $9.89
Chocolate Cake $3.59
Beverage: $2.49

Most expensive possible 1-credit dinner, at Magic Kingdom:
Tony's Town Square:
NY Strip Steak - Port Wine Sauce, Baked Romano Cheese Potatoes and Broccolini $28.99
Tiramisu - espresso soaked lady fingers, whipped mascarpone and dark chocolate shavings $6.49
Beverage $2.69

Total, $59.14
Adjusted for inflation by 3%-- 60.91
Add sales tax, 6.5% -- 64.87

Total savings --- 17.5%

And that is practically the most expensive possible items in the entire Magic Kingdom.

For the sake of keeping it realistic, I didn't get the absolute most expensive CS item in the Magic Kingdom -- The chicken & rib combo at Cosmic Rays.

Had I thrown in this item, then the savings would be about 22%.

So there you go, totally unrealistic -- getting the most expensive possible snack, the most expensive possible CS lunch, and the most expensive possible TS dinner, the savings is no where near 30%.

 

[Pumbaa_]

folks this is not the debate board

please play nice, you can disagree as long as it stays civil

carry on

 

[MHSweb79]

I'll just chime in here to say the dining plan doesn't really save us any money any more. We don't generally eat dessert with lunch AND dinner, and often times we are so full from lunch we don't need or want a big dinner. And honestly, after a couple of days we don't want dessert at all. We visit restaurants chosen for their menus, not their menu prices; we order what we like on a menu, and never order the most expensive items just to get the most "value" from the dining plan. Often we use our TS credits for character breakfasts, which does not give a great return on investment.

So while the PP is saving at least 30%, my DH and I end up getting a lot of food that we would never order without the plan, or using our TS for breakfast, so it really isn't a great money saver.

We're not purchasing the plan next time, and if free dining should come out during our week, we'll probably stick with our room discount. For the two of us, it just works out better.

So really consider the plan not for what it's worth to me, or to the PP who loves it, but what it's worth to your family and your dining styles.

 

[dunbarfamily]

One lawyer to another, don't feel bad... the DDP advertising is quite misleading and often leads to confusion. (Perhaps intentionally).

The fact is, there are no guaranteed savings under the DDP. Many people actually will lose money by being on the DDP. The DDP *can* save you up to 20%... as in a theoretical possibility. In practice, it depends what meals you use it for, what you order.
If you skip desserts, you probably won't save much at all. (or nothing). Or, for example, if you use your TS credit for breakfast, you will probably lose money on the plan.

The DDP is an "upsell" --- It's Disney trying to get the most possible money out of your pocket in advance, and in return, they are giving you a bit of a discount on desserts and snacks.
Thus, they are taking a person who would normally spend $40 on food at the park, and saying, if you spend $47 instead, we will throw in 2 desserts, a snack, and beverages.

YES! The DDP is an upsell, though I do think one can save money by purchasing it, but as you pointed out, it depends on how you use it. It is hard to compare apples to apples when comparing paying OOP vs purchasing DDP. For us, we would not order dessert at a QS, and most of the time we'd order tap water. Also, at a TS, we would order one entree per person, and again, probably water, skipping dessert. One needs to keep in mind the psychological advantage to purchasing the DDP in advance....my grandma looks at it as she is getting "free food" since she doesn't have to shell out at each meal as it was prepaid a few months back. It allows her to enjoy her trip much MUCH more, and there's something to be said for that. Its up to each person to decide how its weighted in the big picture. Its really hard to gauge the DDP value....but I'm getting off topic!!!

Ok, back to OP The fine print isn't always clear and I agree it is very misleading, especially for non-lawyers!! We really liked our TiW when we had APs! I like saving a true 20%!