Ready To Be Flamed

[mdhkitten]

Is it just me, or does the DDP seem like a huge headache? I've personally never used it (I like the control of choosing what I'll eat, and doing great things like "creating" my own appetizer sampler), but most of what I seem to read about on here are people fussing about it. I just don't understand........if people are as miserable as they make themselves sound regarding the DDP, then why bother with it in the first place? Does anyone else feel this way and has been too scared to admit it? Please help me understand!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We are using it for the first time, and I have to agree with you!!! I am hoping it really won't work well for our family so I never have to go through all this planning again.

 

[Chuck S]

The DDP isn't for us. Regardless of the headaches in planning, we spend less and eat healthier without it.

 

[wdw4us2]

We probably won't ever use it. We are Annual Passholders as well as DVC members and it just doesn't make sense for us to use the DDP.

 

[ttownanne]

Definitely too much to think about. I come on vacation to have FUN, not do tortured math about credits and adrs and who used what and how much is left, blahblahblahdeblah. Besides, then we'd miss eating at some of our favorite off-site restaurants! (Tutu Tango's potstickers and white sangria! )

 

[Disfan3]

Kitten

It was great using it

I think just as in anything...more people tend to come here to say what they DON'T like about something more than what they DID like about something...its just human nature...glass half empty type deal

I did not find it hard to use or deal with and saved a lot of money using it last year...FREE of course

and FREE again this year!! LOL

I had no hassles what so ever and it sounds even better now with more snacks!

The thing I love about it most, even if we did not get free dining, is the fact that it is all paid up front

makes my dh think he is getting a "DEAL" by not having to flash his CC or pay cash for all the meals and food for 5 people!!!!

I find it very easy to do!

but alas no flames here...to each his own

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not miserable. I'm having a great time - first planning and making my ADRs, now (and until I leave) deciding exactly what to order.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Is it just me, or does the DDP seem like a huge headache? I've personally never used it (I like the control of choosing what I'll eat, and doing great things like "creating" my own appetizer sampler), but most of what I seem to read about on here are people fussing about it. I just don't understand........if people are as miserable as they make themselves sound regarding the DDP, then why bother with it in the first place? Does anyone else feel this way and has been too scared to admit it? Please help me understand!

The dining is very easy and simple to use.

I love the plan because it allows my son and I have great meals without worrying about the cost.

Before the trip, I checked which places were included and then booked our ADRs.

While we were there we ordered what we knew we would eat, and did not worry about "maxing out" the plan.

We'll be using the plan again this August, next February and next August.

The dining plan won't work for every family. Many people here are driving themselves crazy trying to make it work for them. It's obvious that many of them would be better off with the DDE or just paying OOP.

 

[kimberh]

Well Guys, I am going to disagree with you on this one. We always eat a Table Service meal at the parks and I was the one worried about what they were ordering and how much it was costing. I was so pleased when Disney came out with the Family style meals and the Buffets. It did not use to be this way. I have been coming since 1978. I have always made our PS or ADR's. We were a large party and it was crazy not to or we wouldn't get a seat or a good restaurant. We have not been able to try SEVERAL of the restaurants for the COST. In May we used the Dining Plan for the first time and I have to tell you that I had a couple of old favorites in my ADR's but I tried 3 new restaurants and the bill was HIGH and it was ALL paid for. I am in LOVE!! We are coming back in AUG, OCT, and DEC. I have talked and Talked and Talked about this Dining Plan. On some of my counter service deserts, I received wrapped ones and took them back to the room ,for later or another day. Now the snack is up to $4.00, that includes so many things. We stocked up at Epcot on the cinnamon nuts. The 20oz waters you can get at lunch go a long way. The diversity is endless. I am sure I missed things.

My friends just did it and she said, " why would someone not want to?" Now, if all you eat ,is counter service meals and you don't like to plan ahead then it's not for you. For us, that plan ahead and like to set down and have a good meal and not worry about the cost, it's for us!! It's like eating on a cruise, No worrys'.

Now that's my 2 cents on the subject!!

 

[BCV23]

It is very easy to use. The people who are spending hours trying to maximize the use of it may be making themselves crazy though.

As long as you enjoy at least on average one table service meal/night of your stay and don't mind making reservations for those meals (not a requirement but better to do so than get caught with no place to eat), it really couldn't be any easier.

By the way, we are AP and DVC as well and it worked out very well for us. I think we are going to stick with just DDE next time but that is because we don't enjoy counter service meals very much. The plan is super easy to use and you can order anything with very few exceptions. And I would be surprised if those restautants that will let you create your own sampler would not let you do so on the plan as well.

 

[welovedis]

I just got back from using it the first time and there were no real headaches involved at all. Over nine days we got to enjoy a number of meals that we would never have done without the plan, and saved over $500 in using the plan. We did have to plan our ADRs but didn't make ourselves crazy and by simply looking at the bottom of the receipt we knew how many credits we had left.

If someone is giving themselves a headache over it, that is their own fault. It is an easy system that just requires you to either plan ahead for ADRs or be flexible enough to try another place if you don't have them.

Edited to add that I also have APs, am non a DVC owner but a point-renter and I wouldn't go back without the plan. The idea that I can a 1 page bill upon checkout (after 9 days) with out the DDP and 2 other incidental purchases was nearly priceless for me!

 

[mdhkitten]

Thanks for everyone's replies! I can't say that I would NEVER use it, I just don't get how people get themselves so stressed out over it. The funny thing is that it seems that the people who are the most stressed are those on free dining. If I had the opportunity to visit during that time I would be grateful for free dining, not getting upset over what is or isn't included. Just so that everyone understands, this has been on my mind for a while and finally had to get it off of my chest. Thanks for being so kind guys!

 

[yearbook50]

I dont like how it gives you an appitizer, entree and dessert at one place. I can't physically eat that much food usually. I also generaly just eat Table Service. I dont' come to Disney to eat chicken fingers/hamburgers/fast food. I tend to eat healthier when I'm at Table Service than I ever could at a counter service.

 

[robinb]

I found the DDP to be very easy. Unfortunately for you, due to it's popularity you will have to plan a bit more than you had before. You can no longer just "drop into" a Table Service restaurant and expect to be seated.

 

[momoftriplets]

I loved having everything paid up front. (Even though we did get it for free last October) It allowed us to eat at places we wouldn't have otherwise. It also allowed us to get out of the heat & enjoy a TS meal. Our kiddos were all 8 when we went last year. The cost for them was only 9.99 per child/per day. There was no way we could have fed them for that price without it. If we would have paid the full amount, our cost for the DP would have been $700 for our family for the week. I kept our receipts. It would have cost us well over $1100 in food without the plan. We even "lost" 1 CS meal & a few snack credits by not using them before we left. We plan to use the DP when we go back next time, too. Just MHO. It doesn't work for every family, though.

 

[Kaycee]

The DDP isn't for us. Regardless of the headaches in planning, we spend less and eat healthier without it.

We agree.

 

[Karnak]

Just reading these (and other) posts about the DDP makes me come to the conclusion that it's probably a good deal for families, BUT probably not a good idea for one like me who takes solo visits to WDW. I do wonder, tho, how it would work for one single solitary traveler.

Enjoy.

 

[Gina35]

I agree that it's a great deal for families. Haven't used it yet, but have our ADRs for August. We are paying because we are DVCers, and we are REALLY looking forward to it. I think you need to decide whether you would enjoy approx. one TS per day with the rest being "fast" food, regardless of the size of your party. Just having it paid in advance and being able to eat whatever we want for our TS meals makes it worthwhile for us.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We used it just fine last year, there was nothing we wanted to order that we couldn't get, no problems at all.

However, it's not for everyone. If you don't want to mess with it, don't.

 

[mikesdisneymom]

The DDP really worked for me and my family on vacation. I don't want to go on a trip without it.