Saved money by NOT using Dining Plan

[darner]

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...

 

[Esmerelda]

Thanks for posting. I am still trying to decide what to do here in about 16 days. We did the DP last June and it was very nice but with all the changes, I'm not so sure now. Plus we are not dessert eaters after a meal...just too much.

We are still outweighing all options. I will this time however, have 2 teen boys with me...whom eat very heartily....LOL

 

[abeyst]

I'm still on the fence about it for July. I like the freedom of NOT being on it, but I like going knowing my food is already paid for and I don't have to watch the food finances everyday.

I'm glad to hear it all worked out for you, though, and that you were still able to save money!

 

[dvcdisney]

We did our calculations. And technically, we would be saving money if we didn't do the DDP. However, as you said it depends on the family. Before DDP, we didn't eat TS every day. Usually it would be 6-8 times per trip (12 -14 night trip). But since we went with DDP, my husband loves the idea of eating at the TS at least once a day. However, to be honest, on our last trip in March, my husband was getting less excited about having the TS every day since it cost us more (gratuities and appetizers). He loved the idea of having both appetizers and dessert. Now he's rethinking the idea.

We wanted to try it out for the first trip, but we are seriously considering not doing it for the second.

We have calculated that we would save a little if we do what we used to before DDP was introduced.

I was really disappointed that Disney changed it, I felt that the DDP was one way that Disney was making the trip affordable. But I guess as many had said in this forum, they are still a business and they have to make profits like everyone else. Hopefully Disney understands that we are all feeling the pinch. And although we want to continue to go to Disney for our vacations, I know that a few people have decided to decrease their Disney time. However, I doubt Disney would even feel that.

Sorry, just a little disappointed.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We did our calculations. And technically, we would be saving money if we didn't do the DDP. However, as you said it depends on the family. Before DDP, we didn't eat TS every day. Usually it would be 6-8 times per trip (12 -14 night trip). But since we went with DDP, my husband loves the idea of eating at the TS at least once a day. However, to be honest, on our last trip in March, my husband was getting less excited about having the TS every day since it cost us more (gratuities and appetizers). He loved the idea of having both appetizers and dessert. Now he's rethinking the idea.

We wanted to try it out for the first trip, but we are seriously considering not doing it for the second.

We have calculated that we would save a little if we do what we used to before DDP was introduced.

I was really disappointed that Disney changed it, I felt that the DDP was one way that Disney was making the trip affordable. But I guess as many had said in this forum, they are still a business and they have to make profits like everyone else. Hopefully Disney understands that we are all feeling the pinch. And although we want to continue to go to Disney for our vacations, I know that a few people have decided to decrease their Disney time. However, I doubt Disney would even feel that.

Sorry, just a little disappointed.

Thanks to all those who complained last year - those who complained that gratuity was included last year and those who are complaining that gratuities are not included this year.

 

[Girly_Qs]

Thanks to all those who complained last year - those who complained that gratuity was included last year and those who are complaining that gratuities are not included this year.

Imagine that. People have opinions? When it comes to their money? Really?

You can't please all of the people all of the time (and Disney knows that at least as well as anyone out there), but that doesn't mean that anyone loses their right to their own opinion.

Thanks OP for the summary. I imagine it took a bit of time compiling receipts, etc but it is appreciated by those who are wavering! I'd be curious to know how close it came . . .. It also varies so widely depending on group make-up and dining habits. But, it's always good to have an IRL evaluation!

 

[n2mm]

OP, I agree. I used the DDP at least 10 times since 2005. In January 2008 (this year after the new DDP changes) we decided to just use our DDE card discount instead. We too saved more money then what it cost daily for the 2 of us paying for the DDP. For less than what the daily cost of the DDP for 2 adults (and using our DDE discount) we generally ate 2 TS meals a day, instead of the DDP/1CS and 1TS a day. We liked it better this way. Some days we did a TS breakfast and TS dinner, or a TS lunch and TS dinner. I really thought I was going to miss the DDP after using it so much (5 trips in 2006 and 5 in 2007), but it worked out better, and amazingly I didn't gain as much weight as I did on those DDP trips (yes the DDP did indeed twist my arm to eat much more than usual, and that fudge I bought with my snack credit....yikes). Would I use the DDP the way it is....no way. Would I use the DDP if gratuties were once again included.....maybe.

 

[alirwalsh4]

What is DDP?

 

[Girly_Qs]

What is DDP?

Disney Dining Plan

 

[alirwalsh4]

I meant to ask what is DDE?

 

[adell557]

Thanks to all those who complained last year - those who complained that gratuity was included last year and those who are complaining that gratuities are not included this year.

I hate to say it, but Disney didn't get rid of the gratuity or exchange the appetizer for dessert b/c of complaints, they did it b/c they are a business and they realized that the DDP was not making them the profit margin they wanted, so they took out the gratuity which was a point of contention for some anyway and discontinued the appetizer, which everyone likes to get and probably alot of people got and did the dessert, which after a big meal people may skip. It would be nice to blame it on people who voiced their opinion, but Disney is not so easily swayed I'm afraid to say.

 

[MarieA]

We just returned from a trip to WDW 2 weeks ago. It was the first time we didn't use a form of the DDP since the early 90s. We decided it wasn't worth it after the changes this year. We were thinking about doing the Deluxe Dining Plan but after some calculations we decided to just use the DDE. We ate at California Grill, Flying Fish and Jiko (appetizer, entree and dessert) for dinner and Spoodles for Breakfast. We totalled all of our receipts and found that by not using the Deluxe plan we actually saved about $25 per day. Unless there are major changes to the Dining Plan for 2009, I don't think we will use it again.

 

[hartford]

Maybe you can help me. I just posted on the Disney Restaurant discussion area that we are planning on going to Disney without the Dining Plan and hoping to spend no more than $25 per person per day so we are looking for ideas on which counter service restaurants are the most pleasant/ best tasting /have the healthiest food. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter and will eat breakfast (cereal/fruit) in our rooms and our family group includes my husband, myself, 3 college age daughters, a teenage nephew and my mother. We will probably return to the hotel in the afternoon so could either eat in the food court or in the parks. Any tips from your recent trip would be appreciated.

 

[jjk1107]

Port Orleans actually has a fairly nice food court and I got the made to order pasta. If there are 2 people in the party who like similar food, I personally thought it was enough for 2 people to share. I was only able to eat about half of it and my mom took the rest home for lunch the next day. They also have a microwave that people can use. If you have frozen meals or left overs, you can heat them up in the microwave. I believe they charge $10 a day if you want a fridge in your room, but someone else might be able to confirm. Another money saving thing that we do is to drink water in the parks or at restaurants. Although Disney sells bottled water, almost all CS locations have filtered water that you can get for free. With drinks being over $2, this can add up.

 

[mdoc]

On our typical trip, we spend less on our meals than we would pay for the DDP. That's because we don't usually eat a TS meal every day, we rarely get dessert, I drink tap water withd dinner, we tend to share CS and one of my "Disney adults" prefers kids meals. The kids also eat more snacks than are allowed on the DDP. However, I'm seriously considering it for our November trip because we're planning on a few buffets and with holiday pricing each one is over $30 a person. So I made ADRs for some of the more expensive restaurants that we've never been to before for other TS meals. I probably won't end up deciding until shortly before we leave, but I've got the ADRs made just in case.

 

[hartford]

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.

 

[abeyst]

OP, I agree. I used the DDP at least 10 times since 2005. In January 2008 (this year after the new DDP changes) we decided to just use our DDE card discount instead. We too saved more money then what it cost daily for the 2 of us paying for the DDP. For less than what the daily cost of the DDP for 2 adults (and using our DDE discount) we generally ate 2 TS meals a day, instead of the DDP/1CS and 1TS a day. We liked it better this way. Some days we did a TS breakfast and TS dinner, or a TS lunch and TS dinner. I really thought I was going to miss the DDP after using it so much (5 trips in 2006 and 5 in 2007), but it worked out better, and amazingly I didn't gain as much weight as I did on those DDP trips (yes the DDP did indeed twist my arm to eat much more than usual, and that fudge I bought with my snack credit....yikes). Would I use the DDP the way it is....no way. Would I use the DDP if gratuties were once again included.....maybe.

What were some of the TS places you ate at each day? As I'm calculating costs, I'm wondering if they were buffets....

Did you normally eat full meals, or share many items?

 

[n2mm]

What were some of the TS places you ate at each day? As I'm calculating costs, I'm wondering if they were buffets....

Did you normally eat full meals, or share many items?

We never share TS meals, but do share CS meals sometimes (if we have an early dinner planned we might share a chicken/fish meal at Colombia harbor house and buy an extra order of fries). We ate at WCC (not the skillet), breakfast and dinner (ordered from the menu--I had shrimp/DH had the meatloaf); 50s primetime; the Plaza; Cape May; Kona Cafe; Beaches and Cream; Captain's Grill. We were only there 5 days that trip. I believe the day we ate at Kona Cafe/dinner and WCC/breakfast we may have gone over a few dollars, but we were under our goal total on the other days, so one offsets the other. While we were comparing prices we did not count the gratuity in our totals, since the gratuity was not included in the DDP. Whenever we did eat a CS and TS it never came close to the daily DDP for us. I even added 2 snacks into our totals on several days. Some days we splurred and other days we didn't. We did not order appetizers, but often we either shared a desert or both got one (the plaza and B&C). We actually put the meal charges on our room key so that we could see the total at the end of the trip. We were amazed. We were big fans of the DDP 05/06/07 and agree it was a great deal. Now it's nothing more than a prepaid meal plan. Of course, we do have the DDE discount card, so that really helped save us the extra money. Plus the fact that I didn't feel like I had to get the most expensive dish on the menu helped too!

 

[Katiebell]

I hate to say it, but Disney didn't get rid of the gratuity or exchange the appetizer for dessert b/c of complaints, they did it b/c they are a business and they realized that the DDP was not making them the profit margin they wanted, so they took out the gratuity which was a point of contention for some anyway and discontinued the appetizer, which everyone likes to get and probably alot of people got and did the dessert, which after a big meal people may skip. It would be nice to blame it on people who voiced their opinion, but Disney is not so easily swayed I'm afraid to say.

Yep, I totally agree. As far as folks voicing their opinion that it used to be too much food, or that they resented the automatic 18% tip included for what may have been less-than-stellar service, Disney did not make changes to make the guests happier. IF that was the case, the price of the plan would have come down considerably. It didn't. They made the changes to cut costs for Disney. I believe the only influence guest complaints about the 2007 DDP may have had was to clarify for Disney how they could cut corners and make the plan more profitable -- what things the guests would be most willing to give up and still buy the plan.

We found that having an appetizer and a dessert per person was sometimes a bit much (not so much if the appetizer was say, just a dinner salad), and would have been fine with the elimination of either course -- if the cost of the plan had been reduced $5-$8/day, the average value of just one of those courses. We had no problem at all with service on the DDP -- as always at Disney, the service we received was at least good, and often excellent. If we had received poor service, I can imagine being a little annoyed knowing that the server would be getting an 18% tip anyway. But I can't understand how it is in any way a benefit to me for the tip -- whether it's 10% for poor service or 20% for great service -- to come out of my own pocket, instead of being included in the cost of the plan I already paid for

 

[Katiebell]

On our typical trip, we spend less on our meals than we would pay for the DDP. That's because we don't usually eat a TS meal every day, we rarely get dessert, I drink tap water withd dinner, we tend to share CS and one of my "Disney adults" prefers kids meals. The kids also eat more snacks than are allowed on the DDP. However, I'm seriously considering it for our November trip because we're planning on a few buffets and with holiday pricing each one is over $30 a person. So I made ADRs for some of the more expensive restaurants that we've never been to before for other TS meals. I probably won't end up deciding until shortly before we leave, but I've got the ADRs made just in case.

This is really key as to whether or not the current plan is worth it for you. DH and I like to have one TS meal every day on vacation, I drink diet soda or iced tea with meals, DH drinks iced tea or coffee, I almost always want dessert and he does at least sometimes -- more often if there is something intriguing on the menu. It's nice to not worry about how much our entrees are, and be able to order more expensive items on the menu if we want to -- without obsessing that we have to get the biggest bang for our buck and order the priciest dishes, either. But even going with the mid-range prices at the less expensive restaurants, with one TS, one CS, and a snack, our food budget is well over $40 per person per day. So even paying OOP for tips and the occasional appetizer if we want it, I'm sure we will still save money on the plan. Could we eat cheaper -- breakfast in our room, eating mostly CS? Absolutely, and we have, many times at DL (no dining plan there). Do we want to? Nope, wouldn't be as much fun