Saved money by NOT using Dining Plan

[jjk1107]

Thanks for the tips. I'm sure the girls will like the made to order pasta and won't mind splitting it. They are not big eaters. My nephew might need a whole one. It's good to know about the microwave and that we can get cups of water in the counter service restaurants. The girls are used to drinking water when we go out to eat so thanks for that info.
Do you know if the food court has a toaster or bagel cooker available? I was thinking of stocking bagels if there was someplace to toast them.

I honestly can not remember if there was one or not. Hopefully someone else might remember that. Another tip I read about before on the boards is getting a double cheeseburger and then asking to purchase an extra bun. Or if you buy a bag of buns from a local store, you could bring one with you.

 

[Disneycouple99]

I meant to ask what is DDE?

It is the Disney Dining Experience.

 

[patsal]

I honestly can not remember if there was one or not. Hopefully someone else might remember that. Another tip I read about before on the boards is getting a double cheeseburger and then asking to purchase an extra bun. Or if you buy a bag of buns from a local store, you could bring one with you.

Yes, to toaster and microwave in foodcourt. In addition all Disney Home away from Home (DVC), Deluxe and Moderates (POFQ, POR, etc.) have a fridge in the room. Only values charge the $10 per day rental fee.

 

[Brewmeister]

OK, now I'm thinking about canceling our DDP in September (didn't managed to get the free dining at the resort and room type that we wanted). Thanks to this thread, I decided to go ahead and use a spreadsheet to calculate the cost of the meals that we'd be eating on the DDP (using the allears menus for our ADRs and planned CS meals) and compare it to the cost of the plan. The plan did save a little money after snacks were included, but otherwise was mostly a wash (very little savings....more of a pre-paid meal plan).

Now, given that our dining habits would change a little off plan, such as splitting a dessert if we were hungry enough for one after dinner and not ordering the most expensive meals, I think that the actual meal cost might be less using off-plan habits, thus also lowering the amount spent on tips. Being off plan would allow us to cancel an ADR without needing to make a new one if our plans change along the way.

I'm just thinking that the savings on the plan are small enough to not make up for the loss of flexibility (there are several appetizers that I really want to try).

 

[bblanch]

Just got back from 6-night WDW trip with DVC points.

Thought really hard about the dining plan and decided not to buy it.

Ate what we wanted, when we wanted, where we wanted, etc. Had appetizers, full meals, snacks, counter service, and really enjoyed ourselves.

Tallied up the receipts and spent less on food (including all tips/snacks/drinks) than the DDP would have cost... plus, with our eating habits there were some days we bought multiple "snacks" per person -- which would have been extra expenses on top of the Dining Plan's fixed price.

While it may save for some, it wouldn't have for us...

If you don't mind, can you post all the places you dined?

 

[GranddadTom]

We used the DDP in the Spring of 2007 and we did "save" money over what we would have spend IF we ate the way we did on the Plan. But the fact is, we don't normally do TS every day and we almost never get desserts. I think that it's natural to try to squeeze every penny out of the Plan that is possible so we passed up TS lunches in favor of a more expense TS dinners even though a lunch would have fit better into our plans. Did we save over how we normally eat? - no way. Was it fun? - sure. Will we do it again? - no. Our biggest complain was that we forced ourselves to overeat and ended up feeling bloated. There are times when a salad and some fruit leaves you feeling better than a double cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate brownie does. This year we switched to the DDE card which, for something like $60, pays for itself very quickly when you have 22 in your party like we do. Plus the changes in the DDP for 2008 make it even less attractive.

 

[CarolinaMomOf3boys]

We were lucky enough to get in on the free disney dining plan
Otherwise we would not do it. We went last month without the kids
And DH and I split all of our meals and it was PLENTY of food.

 

[braylon]

Say something about DDE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Info on DDE can be found here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

This Board and more specifically this question is about DDP and saving money by not using DDP.. Now if you have specific questions about DDE, then start a new thread on the Disney Restaurants Board and allow the posters here to keep this on the topic at hand..

All the info you need can be found in that link......

 

[mom2my3kids]

I was on the fence, in the beginning I said No we were just going to eat at 3 TS and the rest CS. Then I thought well maybe we could add the dining plan and eat at more TS, but just decided not to add the DP and just pay OOP. My 10 year old does not eat like a adult, so it kills me to have to pay adult prices for him. So we will pay the prices at the two buffets we have but at Sci-Fi he is going to eat off the kids menu. I figured up prices from (Debs) and we will save over 300.00 over 6 days by not doing the dining plan. We will eat what we want and when we want other then the 3 TS meals I have planned, plus my gift card from Raglan Rd.

 

[jordancej]

I'm on the fence about this as well, but i think i've made up my mind..... i've used the dining plan in 2005, 2006, recently trip 1st of May, and now going to for the last time in Nov 08.... My recent trip ended up being a total waste of money, ended up being sick all week, food was just not on the menu..... ended up going to reservations, but would barely eat. Next trip i'm going with a friend, and will do it probably for the last time. Definetly dont think its as good as it was with the apps and gratuity included... new plan would of enjoyed apps instead of dessert.... anyway on CS i ALWAYS waste my dessert, waste of food and money... never used my snack credits till i left, and would use them on the Mickey Head Rice Crispy Treats.... figured out on my future next trip on Oct 09, will do CS the whole time, avg out price of about $11 a meal, includes drink, food, and tax. Use that for lunch and dinner.... to me comes out a heck of alot cheaper than the dining plan... and will free up my schedule!! May dining plan $228 + $55 in tips, total price for 6 night stay $283, and i think i can do it for around $150 using CS only, and still eat great food!!! So thats my plan in Oct 2009... what do yall think? Sorry, forgot to add i usually go to the parks solo, and eating table service by myself is no biggy... so thats not the reason why i'm deciding not to do it next year....

 

[jordancej]

... looking for ideas on which counter service restaurants are the most pleasant/ best tasting /have the healthiest food.

These are a couple of places that i've eaten, and that are really good, still doing research on more places.....

MK - Cosmic Rays - 1/2 Rotisserie Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and a seasonal vegetable

MK - Pecos - 1/4-Pound Cheeseburger (and you get sauteed onions and mushrooms!!)

AK - Flame Tree - Smoked 1/2 Chicken served with baked beans and corn muffin and the Beef Sandwich served with baked beans

Blizzard Beach - Chicken Wrap with Chips

 

[mrudman]

We decided to go ahead and go with the DDP… and this is my reasoning (very long, sorry, lol)

At home, we do occasionally split meals between dd’s, but I figured this is their vacation too, and they should be able to get exactly what they want to eat at each meal. Also, this way we won’t get any arguments about what food to get, lol.

I went ahead and looked through the menus and wrote down what I *think* all of us would be getting, and added it all up…in my list, I’m 1st, dh is 2nd, then dd#1 and dd#2.

The cool thing is, once I added up all the totals, added in the tax (assuming 6.5%?), and we’re actually already breaking very close to even… so far, looking at $754.26 OOP vs. $767.68 DDP.

And that’s even with us eating our main meal during lunch hours, hence cheaper menu prices, and the smaller counter service places as our dinner hour meal.

Then I did not even add in any dessert prices, since we usually consider those a “splurge” here, so with each of us getting a dessert (or even just getting 1 to share), it’ll add quite a bit to the total… figuring a safe $5 per dessert for the 2 of us (since dd’s are included in their meal for the most part), that’d be $160 worth of those for the 8 days.

And on top of that we’ll be getting 4 snack credits a day that I haven’t added in yet either, so just assuming each of our snack credits will be $3, we’d be spending an additional $96 in those…. And those will come in handy even for breakfast-type foods… planning on eating breakfast each morning in our room.

So all in all, we’re definitely going to be saving money on the DDP, and imo, it’ll make it a much more pleasant experience too, not having to worry about what we’re spending each meal, trying to buy cheaper foods, etc, etc. And if any restaurants do increase their prices on entrees, won’t have to worry about that either.


This is what my meal schedule looks like, with prices… arriving around 5pm to POR, so going to just stick around the resort that first night…. And some of these restaurants are definitely not set in stone depending on when EMH’s are (if they ever come out!)… but it’ll still be similar prices anyway.



1st Night:

Riverside Food Court:

Create-Your-Own Pasta - $9.19
Fish Basket - $8.19
Refillable Mug - $12.49
Macaroni and cheese - $4.49
Turkey Pinwheel Sandwich - $4.49

2nd day (MK):

Liberty Tree:

William Penn Chicken Pasta - $15.99
New England Pot Roast - $16.99
Drinks $4.00
Kids' Picks - $7.59
Kids' Picks - $7.59

Pinocchio Village Haus:

Pizza Combo Meal - $7.79
6 Chicken Breast Nuggets - $6.89
Drinks $4.00
Peanut Butter and Jelly $4.49
Macaroni and Cheese $4.49

3rd Day (Epcot):

Coral Reef:

8 0z Grilled New York Strip - $25.99
Grilled Pork Chop - $21.99
Drinks $4.00
Kid's Picks - $7.49
Kid's Picks - $7.49

Sunshine Seasons:

Asian - Two Entree Items and Two Sides $9.69
Asian - Two Entree Items and Two Sides $9.69
Drinks $4.00
Mini Sub and Beverage $4.25
Chicken Leg with Mashed Potatoes and Beverage $4.25

4th day (AK):

Tusker House:

Adult Buffet - Lunch $19.99
Adult Buffet - Lunch $19.99
Kid’s Buffet - Lunch $10.99
Kid’s Buffet - Lunch $10.99


Flame Tree Barbecue:

Beef or Pork Sandwich served with baked beans - $7.29
Beef or Pork Sandwich served with baked beans - $7.29
Drinks $4.00
Kid’s Hot Dog Meal - $4.49
Kid’s Hot Dog Meal - $4.49

5th Day (MGM):

50’s Prime Time:

Old-Fashioned Pot Roast - $16.99
Chicken Pot Pie - $16.99
Drinks $4.00
Grilled Chicken Strips - $7.59
Grilled Fish of the Day - $7.59

Rosie’s:

Chicken Strips with choice of potato salad or fries $6.89
Cheeseburger with choice of potato salad or fries $6.09
Drinks $4.00
Kids Picks - $4.49
Kids Picks - $4.49

6th Day (DTD)

T-Rex:

Planning on eating here, since dd’s both love dinosaurs, but did not add it in to either total, since would be paying OOP either way… so will break even here.. and also, eating here is freeing up the 2nd credit we’ll need for CRT.

Earl of Sandwich:

Best BLT - $5.75
Cannonballs - $5.75
Drinks $4.00
Peanut Butter and Jelly - $3.95
Grilled Cheese - $3.95

7th Day (Epcot)

Biergarten:

Lunch Buffet - Adult - $19.99
Lunch Buffet - Adult - $19.99
Drinks $4.00
Lunch Buffet – Child – $10.99
Lunch Buffet – Child – $10.99
Drinks $4.00

Tangierine Café:

Shawarma Chicken Platter $11.95
Shawarma Chicken & Lamb $13.95
Drinks $4.00
Kid's Meal - $6.95
Kid's Meal - $6.95

8th Day (MK)

CRT:

Adult Buffet - $35.99
Adult Buffet - $35.99
Child Buffet - $23.99
Child Buffet - $23.99

Casey’s Corner

Corn Dog Nuggets $3.59
Grand Slam All Beef 1/4 lb. Hot Dog & Fries - $5.79
Drinks $4.00
(For DD#1) Corn Dog Nuggets $3.59
(For DD#2) Grand Slam All Beef 1/4 lb. Hot Dog & Fries - $5.79
Chocolate Milk’s - $4.00

Last morning:

Boatright’s

Omelet - $10.49
Banana-stuffed French Toast - $10.99
Drinks $4.00
Mickey Pancake $4.49
Mickey Pancake $4.49

 

[Huff]

We have enjoyed the dining plan twice the past few years and saved quite a bit. If you're trying to go on the cheap and eat cheap then sure, the DP won't save you money. We enjoy a nice TS dinner each night of our vacation. We could not afford to do so otherwise.

Our TS dinners averaged about $105 for the 2 of us. CS averaged about $28. Total for 10 nights is $1330 for 2. Cost of DP is 10 x $38 x 2 = $760. That doesn't even include the snacks. A great value to me.

I realize this year will not include the appetizer (don't really want them) or tip but we'll still save plenty.

 

[jordancej]

For me, its just not trying to eat cheap, it just that this is the second solo trip i've made, and i just don't really have much of an appetite and then i end of wasting tons of food... but i do see where its a great deal for families, and you get to eat at some awesome places!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Every time we go to WDW, I sit down, with the menus in hand, and figure what my daily costs are going to be. We always do a table service meal every day, and sometimes a counter meal each day as well. So, I figure what the meal would cost us if we just went in, ordered what we wanted, and paid out of pocket for it. Then, I figure what the DDP would cost. Then, because I usually have the DDE card, I figure what it will cost using that. I then compare the costs each way, and then make a choice as to what is going to work best for us.
I have found that lately, the DDP isn't the best choice for us. I usually just use my DDE card. But, I did manage to snag free dining in Sept. But that is pretty much the only time I will use DDP now.

 

[bblanch]

We used the previous version of the DDP in the past. We did the math for our upcoming trip and it was close to break even. Would save a little on the DDP. However we decided to go without it. We chose the flexibility of being able to get appetizers & skipping desserts, not being tempted to order the most expensive menu item even though I would prefer something else, etc. over the small savings of the DDP. We still have ADRs at Ohana, WCC, and Coral Reef (our 3 favorite places) and a character breakfast. We leave tomorrow... I'll save all my receipts and see how the numbers actually work out and report back.

 

[My2Angels]

We love the DDP! "When" you go is important to note also. We are going the week of Thanksgiving. All of the prices are going to be higher than normal during this week, so we end up saving more than we would going a non-holiday time of the year, since the DDP costs the same either way. We also have 3 children under the age of 9, so for $10 a day, you cannot feed them a CS, a TS, and a snack OOP! When they get older, we will have to recalculate things for sure!
The DDP allows us to eat at lots of character meals and places we would not necessarily go for if we were paying OOP.
In 2005, we paid OOP instead of using the DDP. We only ate 3 TS and the rest of the 6 night/5 day trip we ate CS. We spent around $300 more than we would have using the DDP that year! (Remember that the DDP included appetizer and tips that year)

 

[catne]

we just got back...were on the DDP 5/19-5/25; basically 4 adults...DH, me, DD (age 19) and her BFF (age 18.) We watched the receipts every day...saved a minimum of $10 per day using the DDP; a couple of days we saved way more than that (especially on the Le Cellier & Cali Grille days)

We ate breakfast in hotel room (poptarts & the like.) Had counter service lunches, and usually had snack in the park. We had dinner ressies for all table service credits, and had planned those out based on which park we expected to be at that day (based on late EMH.) That worked out well for us, even when we ended up at a different park. Needless to say, we love steak, and tended to order the more expensive menu items. And yes, on a few of our extra long days we did spend some extra out of pocket for snacks...

I would say that if you plan on using table credits for breakfast or lunch, the DDP is probably not going to save you money because it's hard to get the $ value to match up. That being said, we really enjoyed the convenience & peace of mind having most of the food expense paid in advance: I think we enjoyed the meals more not having to worry about the cost as we ordered.

 

[Bete]

This year has brought many debates about this subject. I think you can make out better without the plan, but you have to change your eating style to do it.

There are pros and cons. Many like the all inclusive nature of the DP; although, it's less all inclusive, now. It's more hassle free. It feels more like a vacation; because, you can splurge a little more and go to the better restaurants and have the higher priced entrees. Sales tax is included in the plan. That 6.5% adds up considering all your meals (CS and TS) and snacks are taxed. That extra tax savings goes a long way towards paying for the tip on TS.

On the other side, you are forced to make TS ressies way in advance to get the better places and times. You have to do a TS each day and that can consume a lot of time. You have waiting time even with a ressie. I've seen it go as long as 30 minutes to get a seat with a reservation at the so-called hot desirable places. It just takes longer to be served, too. If you have children who prefer kids meals and now you are forced to pay full adult because of their ages, that can be a killer. The dessert over appetizer issue to me lessens the value. Beverage is included but heck I'll drink water with my meal and I'll get a refill cup for the resort. If I want a TS I'll go for lunch when it's less crowded and cheaper. I can bring snacks and such from home like breakfast bars, crackers, nuts, etc. I've never had an issue with these items in my luggage. If you drive there's opportunity to hit the grocery stores and other restaurants way cheaper than Disney on-site places.

You really need to do the math now and decide what's best for you. It was a no brainer in the past to get the plan. Now, it depends on how you use the plan.

And oh my if you leave any credits on the plan then it becomes very undesirable. I have offered families my dessert, etc. if I didn't want it; so, I wouldn't leave any credits for Disney to profit on. It's my way of spreading the magic. I've brought snacks home, too.