Surviving without the DDP

[DisneyMama27]

We have used the DDP since our first FREE experience in 2005, and LOVED it! This past summer we spent 12 nights at WDW and did NOT do DDP...and saved money!

We had this trip booked at 11 months (we are DVC members), with the DDP, and made all our ADRs at 180 days - for our party of 10 (2 families).

About a month before the trip, we were looking at finances. DH had changed jobs, and we were doing fine, but trying not to dip into too much savings. He was looking at our upcoming trip expenses - with two of our 3 kids now considered "adults" on the DDP, it was going to be pretty pricey. And they do not eat like adults! We did some investigating and decided we could pay OOP at the same exact restaurants and it would cost less, since we do not NEED desserts after every meal and our kids could all order from the kids' menu if they wished. We explained this to the other family and they chose to opt out too, being in the same situation with kids.

To make a long story short, we ate where and what we wanted, no more and no less, kept all but two ADRs (HDDR and CM are too pricey OOP, and our kids don't eat enough to make it worth it) and had a wonderful time! We saved money and did not feel like we were stuffed turkeys at the end of every meal! Plus, I love to just order an app for my meal sometimes, and I was able to do that.

While we will do DDP again (it was very worth it when we had 3 at the kids' price), I was pleased to see that we didn't HAVE to have it to enjoy ourselves. DH and I will use it when/if we ever get to go by ourselves again. And probably when our kids start eating more like adults. IF there were a JUNIOR price/portion, we'd be all over it. Our kids like to eat some of the adult food, but there's no way they can eat the large portions. Even my 12yo never complained about ordering from the kids' meal - he had a fabulous steak from the kids' menu at LeCellier! The main thing they had liked about the adult menu in the past were the dessert selections (they hate those kids' sundaes) - as long as we let them enjoy Mickey bars and treats throughout the day, they didn't need desserts at meals and didn't even ask for them. They usually declined the sundaes that came with the kids' meals, preferring to wait till later for a better snack!

Anyway, if you are nervous like I was about stepping off the safety of the DDP, don't be. While it used to be a good fit for us, it is not right now, and we had a much better time knowing we were using our money wisely, and eating better too!

 

[Tricia1972]

Thank you for your personal assessment. It's nice to hear how the dining plan does and does not work for people.

There seems to be an overall feeling at times that you have to have the DDP to go to Disney and have a good trip. While it's a great solution for some, it really isn't for everyone. When you are new and trying to make a DDP or Not decision, it can be hard to know that it's not for everyone when all you seem to read is how great the DDP is.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, it's all in the individual or group's preferences. While many find the DDP to be extremely liberating in that they don' t have to look at prices when ordering, I find it restrictive because it requires ordering in a specific manner (entree, dessert, beverage, or appetizer, entree, dessert, beverage on deluxe).

 

[A&MsMommy]

Great to hear. This is what I'm debating right now. We're going in about a week and a half and I felt like last time we ended up eating just to eat. I know it's going to be hot and humid and genearlly I don't feel like eating a huge meal, desert, etc. and then walking out into the heat. I think we're going to wing it this time and go OOP, plus we're only there for four days technically 5 but with travel. I'm glad to see it worked for someone because I keep second guessing myself.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm glad to see the positive, since we're going to be in that boat before too long... Paying adult prices for my 12yo doesn't bother me at all, because the boy eats like two adults. But now we're just a year from my daughter turning "Disney adult" and I'm not so sure I'm willing to pay adult prices for her. She eats less than my toddler!

We've had the dining plan for every Disney trip I've ever planned as an adult/parent and we'll have it for our spring trip, but after next August we've got some serious re-evaluating to do before we decide if we'll use it again.

 

[2Tiggies]

We've had the dining plan for every Disney trip I've ever planned as an adult/parent and we'll have it for our spring trip, but after next August we've got some serious re-evaluating to do before we decide if we'll use it again.

I think that is the biggest downfall for many. It is easy to get caught in a set way of doing things and overlook the fact that your needs, and indeed the dining plans, do change over time.

DDP doesn't suit me, particularly due to it's restrictive nature. DxDDP - well I won't even consider that..... QSDP is perfect right now. When DD turns 10, I doubt it will be so perfect for us. I did an OOP trip a couple of years ago and we did some TS and quite a lot of CS, but without trying to watch the budget we saved a LOT of money over what we would have paid for the DDP.

 

[smidgy]

we never considered the DDP until it was "free". then we were hooked.

then... we found ways to "adjust" it.

it was a lot of food for us. we did a few split stays. we would book a resort with the DDP for , say 5 nights, then a room only, with either a room only discount or AAA after.

this way, if we included one signature restaurant, we had 4 resataurants. we would save one TS credit for the first night at the new resort (credits are good until midnight of checkout). we would save one CS each also. when we got to the new resort, we would buy a CS meal TO GO. put it in the fridge. that night, we used the final TS credit. the next day, we took the to go CS to the food court and "nuked" it. (or, once got some nice sandwiches)
we alsobought some snackes with the snack credits, which we used at the 2nd resort (chips, donuts, etc.)

we also stretched it by splitting some CS meals. and snacks! a funnel cake at sleepy hollow is 1 snack credit it is huge! hubby and I always split it.

sometimes(we drive down a lot) we just eat a lot in the room, and splurge on a couple sit down OOP meals.

one recent trip, we ate at prime time, OOP. we each had the chicken. we were so stuffed and tired! we now know we can easily split an appetizer, split a chicken meal, and split a milk shake! and not be SO stuffed that we can't enjoy the rest of the day!

 

[nurse.darcy]

I think it truly depends. I would love to do the DxDDP one trip just to see if I save any money over what I usually do (I have Tables In Wonderland). I would choose deluxe because the other plans are too restrictive for me. I also realize the deluxe plan is a lot of food, but just want to go there once. TiW is great because it takes 20% off your bill, then adds in your 18% gratuity. It means you never have to think about how much is 18% and tip accordingly. It is also accepted at many counter service places, which I feel is one of the best uses of the TiW Card.

 

[smidgy]

nurse darcy.. I did NOT know that TIW also adds the 18% gratuity! thanks for the info!

 

[Ella's Mom]

I agree...you can definitely survive without the DDP. We did the DDP once when it was free and that was great. Since then, we've bought DVC and would have to pay for the dining plan. We don't find that the DDP would save us any money. I definitely think we spend less money on food paying OOP. For one thing, I don't need dessert at any meal; I'd much rather have a salad. With the dining plan, I feel like you always need to order one of most expensive entrees instead of what you enjoy. I still can't figure out why so many LOVE the plan.

 

[ILuvCrush]

We have been using the DDP for the past several years... and my fave part was ensuring everything was paid for ahead of time...and it was easy.

We now have DVC so we need to pay OOP for the plan... no more free dining for us I just got off the phone with MS re a trip for Jan...and the price is going up to 45.99/pp/night

TIW here I come LOL! No more DDP for us either... we just broke even as it was before this HUGE price hike!