Sorry -another is DDP really worth it?

[japajsm]

My DH and I currently have reservations at CBR with a 40% code so we were going to pay for the dining. I started checking the sites for menus and prices and started to wonder if it is really worth it for us. I'm not trying to get the most expensive items to make the most of the dining plan, just looking to go to places that we like.

I tried to research this on my own, but I've seen different prices for the buffets on different sites. On one of the sites, the breakfasts are about $18.99 and the dinners are $26.99.

This is where we had planned on eating from 11/28 - 12/03:

Boma's breakfast
Bomas's dinner
Tusker House breakfast
Cape May dinner
Crystal Palace breakfast
Biergarten dinner

TIA

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think anybody else can tell you if it will be worth it for YOU. If you plan to do one TS per night, in general the basic plan will probably save you at least a little money. Since all your plans are for buffets, there's no issues about whether or not you prefer to order more food or less food than you would be entitled to if you stuck to entree/dessert as covered by basic DDP. I don't think the price fluctuations are that relevant for buffets when you're trying to determine if DDP is worth it, but the only way to know is to add up the prices - keep in mind you also get a CS credit and a snack per night on the plan, and your beverage (non-alcoholic) is included. When you add the lower prices, does it come out to less than you would be paying for the dining plan, including other meals?

You can't count on the websites, they can't and don't always have up to date menus or pricing. You can call WDW-DINE and ask for prices if you think you can't figure it without exact pricing, but they may not be able to give them to you, or the price may change before December - they can change at any time (and they don't go down)

 

[KerriK85]

My DH and I currently have reservations at CBR with a 40% code so we were going to pay for the dining. I started checking the sites for menus and prices and started to wonder if it is really worth it for us. I'm not trying to get the most expensive items to make the most of the dining plan, just looking to go to places that we like.

I tried to research this on my own, but I've seen different prices for the buffets on different sites. On one of the sites, the breakfasts are about $18.99 and the dinners are $26.99.

This is where we had planned on eating from 11/28 - 12/03:

Boma's breakfast
Bomas's dinner
Tusker House breakfast
Cape May dinner
Crystal Palace breakfast
Biergarten dinner

TIA

yummm BOMAS!!!! i ate there on my recent vacation last week, and the dinner is simply amazing!

the dining plan is definitely worth it! you get water, snacks, and 1 quick service/day in addition to the dining. so you will either pay just for the breakfast or lunch, depending on what you chose that day. what we always do on the dining plan is go to the yachtsman our last night and order the steak, yummm! it is 2 dining points rather than the 1 so we just go to universal or sea world the day before and eat there

 

[TDC Nala]

you get water, snacks, and 1 quick service/day

Water's not included unless you get it with a meal or use a snack credit for it.

 

[michelleiada]

In my opinion, 100% YES...dining plan is so worth it. You get a ton of food for the money. Disney Dining is not cheap if you pay out of pocket and is a much better deal if you pay for the plan. We have loved it on past trips and plan to do it again on our next trip.

 

[skier_pete]

Seems like an easy calculation to me....I am assuming here that you have 6 TS credits - though it looks like you are only staying 5 nights, so I might be wrong there. I also am going with standard Dining rates...I think the prices might be different at Thanksgiving, which your dates might be covering, i didn't check, but since both the individual restaurant rates and the DDP go up, I figure that's a wash.

I find the most accurate dining pricing to be on ALLEARS, so I went with their prices:
Boma's breakfast - $18.99
Bomas's dinner - $30.99
Tusker House breakfast - $20.99
Cape May dinner - $30.99
Crystal Palace breakfast - $20.99
Biergarten dinner - $32.99

With 6.5 % tax, the total comes to $166.08. Six nights on the DDP for an adult is $251.94...which means that the remaining value of your meals would be $85.86 for 6 QS meals, and 6 snacks. Averaging a snack at $2.50 and a QS meal at $14 (drink, meal, dessert), you basically come out only a few bucks ahead on the meal plan.

As a general rule, breakfasts are not good DDP values, For giggle, if instead we look at from the point of view that you only have 5 credits, and pay for Boma breakfast out of pocket....this becomes $145.85 for 5 meals,$209.95 for DDP for 5 days - with a difference of $64.10 for 5 days worth of QS and snacks - a $72 value, so you are still only ahead about $8.

So...my expert conclusion is that you should skip the DDP. If the value is a wash, you are better off with the money in your pocket and being able to pick and choose your other meals.

Now, if you doing all lunches or dinners, you would be ahead $30 or $40 per person, but with 3 breakfasts in there - I would stick with OOP!

 

[Cafeen]

Now, if you doing all lunches or dinners, you would be ahead $30 or $40 per person, but with 3 breakfasts in there - I would stick with OOP!

I concur.

Also to note, the OP has picked 3 of the more inexpensive breakfast buffets, which pushes even further to paying OOP. The selected dinner prices are (relatively) inexpensive as well.

I won't redo the math like I usually do, since Pete here has done it up nicely .

In my opinion, 100% YES...dining plan is so worth it. You get a ton of food for the money. Disney Dining is not cheap if you pay out of pocket and is a much better deal if you pay for the plan. We have loved it on past trips and plan to do it again on our next trip.

If you desire to eat as the plan is set up, you can certainly save considerable money. But you have to be careful that you don't fall into the trap of going to places because you have the plan instead of getting the plan because you want to go to those places. (Not saying that applies to you, just a general note that it won't always save someone money). However, from the sound of it, you fit into the latter category .

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanksgiving is 11/25 so this trip will be post-Thanksgiving. They dont' raise buffet prices for Thanksgiving though.

I think part of the reason the OP doesn't need to jump at DDP if all they want it for is to save money is because they apparently have only two adults and are eating only buffets (and three of those are breakfasts). Pete has done some good estimated math for you, and there's also the question about whether or not you would have enough TS credits to cover all six meals, since you receive credits according to how many nights you stay, not days.

It's pretty much up to whether you want the DDP for the convenience of prepayment or to cover the CS meals and snacks. Otherwise it's pretty much a wash.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Per the other posters, if you get more dinners AND at more 'expensive' restaurants (so 1900 Park Fare or Le Cellier and not The Plaza), it becomes a better deal.

You didn't mention any children but if you do have children, the dining plan becomes even more worth it. The cost of one buffet dinner or character dinner for a child is more than the dining plan for the child for the day (then you get one CS and one snack as well that day) so with kids, it ends up being an even greater value.

 

[saintstickets]

My DH and I currently have reservations at CBR with a 40% code so we were going to pay for the dining. I started checking the sites for menus and prices and started to wonder if it is really worth it for us. I'm not trying to get the most expensive items to make the most of the dining plan, just looking to go to places that we like.

I tried to research this on my own, but I've seen different prices for the buffets on different sites. On one of the sites, the breakfasts are about $18.99 and the dinners are $26.99.

This is where we had planned on eating from 11/28 - 12/03:

Boma's breakfast
Bomas's dinner
Tusker House breakfast
Cape May dinner
Crystal Palace breakfast
Biergarten dinner

TIA

We just returned from WDW three weeks ago and used the DP for our 5 night stay. I saved all the receipts and compared the DP vs OOP vs TIW. For what we ate, the DP did save money as would the TIW if you go that route. I think another substantial factor to consider is your eating habits. If you don't want appetizers and want a dessert with each CS and TS meal, then you will definately want to go with the DP. However, if you aren't a big dessert eater or will split one with your spouse or if you like appetizers, then the TIW is better. DW and I are going back to WDW after Thanksgiving by ourselves and will use TIW instead of the DP. We like to split an appetizer and have an adult beverage on occasion...both of which get the TIW discount.
(Use the link below to a TR for more details on the costs)

 

[mom2val]

For OUR family the dining plan is 100% worth it for this reason: It allows us to budget before our trip. What we love about Disney is the fact that before we leave we have paid for the resort, tickets & food. All we need is tip and spending money. It would stress me out to pay out of pocket for all those meals- but by paying $200 each payday until the package is paid for it never "really hurts".

 

[mainegal]

The DDP "forces" you to order the most expensive items at the most expensive restaurants in order to get the full value of the plan.

I often order "just water" for my beverage and I often skip a $6.00 dessert. The DDP "forces" me to order soda and dessert that I would not usually get.

Know your own dining habits.