Talk me into it...

[MrWixter]

Some friends of mine just went during the Thanksgiving week and have two children (9 and 6 I think). They did not get the DDP this time and regretted it. They said they spent more money without the plan then what the plan would have cost them. Next time, they plan on getting the DDP. Of course, this was with the 2007 plan.

As for as the kids go, the price of the DDP will cover TS for your children and the menu selections are better than CS. However, CS choices are terrible, most places having the same exact children's menu. I think even, if you did OOP for CS you come out ahead. My last visit (Feb. 2006) we discovered that if I went to the counter alone, I could buy four regular meals and not have to get my children something they were tired of eating. I can only assume this is fixed now.

My next visit will be Sept 28 - Oct 5, 2008 and I plan on getting the DDP. My oldest will then be 11 and will not have to worry with poor children menu choices and it will be easier on the budget to pay OOP for only one for CS.

Hope that helps.

 

[Grendalynn]

Subscribing! I amin this very same predicament right now. Had every ntention to do the DDP for our 4/08 vacation, but after chattingwitha friend who just got back yesterday, she said its not worth it! so now I am looking for some insight!

 

[Krmrr]

Basically, the DDP is still a good deal if you eat a TS each day. If you look at the spreadsheets posted here by Robinb, you will find that the average meal costs over $31 at any of the top 25 TS. Of course, you can always buy the cheapest thing on the menu (soup and salad), but we're still talking basic chicken and steak meals, not lobster. For 25 CS places, the average for all their meals is $14.25 and can go over $20. That's the price of the plan right there. And yes, I've seen dad order adult two meals and mom order the same to get around the kid's meal ordeal.

On our last trip, we averaged just over $110 (not counting tip) per day for food for the two of us a savings of $30/day. If we had tried to MAX out the plan, we could have done much better. In 2008 without the apps, our savings would be about $12 per day. That's still 10% and I feel no obligation to tell my DW, "Honey, why don't you try the meatless pasta at $16.99 rather than the Chicken Florentine at $23.99.

In my younger days, I did DW on the cheap, stayed off-site, ate a breakfast biscuit at Hardee's, went to Burger King for lunch and McD's for Dinner. My bill for my family of 5 was probably less than the DDP for 1 today. Did we enjoy it, Yes. Do I enjoy it more today, Yes. Hey, I don't have to stand around the DUMBO ride anymore! At least until, DGD grows up enough to enjoy DW.

Only you can tell if the plan is worth it to you and your family. I would recommend to try it. It makes the whole vacation more enjoyable.

 

[Grendalynn]

Basically, the DDP is still a good deal if you eat a TS each day. If you look at the spreadsheets posted here by Robinb, you will find that the average meal costs over $31 at any of the top 25 TS. Of course, you can always buy the cheapest thing on the menu (soup and salad), but we're still talking basic chicken and steak meals, not lobster. For 25 CS places, the average for all their meals is $14.25 and can go over $20. That's the price of the plan right there. And yes, I've seen dad order adult two meals and mom order the same to get around the kid's meal ordeal.

On our last trip, we averaged just over $110 (not counting tip) per day for food for the two of us a savings of $30/day. If we had tried to MAX out the plan, we could have done much better. In 2008 without the apps, our savings would be about $12 per day. That's still 10% and I feel no obligation to tell my DW, "Honey, why don't you try the meatless pasta at $16.99 rather than the Chicken Florentine at $23.99.

In my younger days, I did DW on the cheap, stayed off-site, ate a breakfast biscuit at Hardee's, went to Burger King for lunch and McD's for Dinner. My bill for my family of 5 was probably less than the DDP for 1 today. Did we enjoy it, Yes. Do I enjoy it more today, Yes. Hey, I don't have to stand around the DUMBO ride anymore! At least until, DGD grows up enough to enjoy DW.

Only you can tell if the plan is worth it to you and your family. I would recommend to try it. It makes the whole vacation more enjoyable.

Well said, great info and I think I am buying into it.... Our take isthat with our boys being into the Character meals as well, this is worth that too. So we can use 2 TS for a character meal and take it easy another day and only spend a few extra $$.... I like the fact that its similar to the Disney Cruise that we loved so much - you can eat whatever you want and have it all paid for (within reason). My question about the tip is - does it co on your tab/room account or do you pay cash out of pocket at the end of the meal?? Thanks!!

 

[MrWixter]

Well said, great info and I think I am buying into it.... Our take isthat with our boys being into the Character meals as well, this is worth that too. So we can use 2 TS for a character meal and take it easy another day and only spend a few extra $$.... I like the fact that its similar to the Disney Cruise that we loved so much - you can eat whatever you want and have it all paid for (within reason). My question about the tip is - does it co on your tab/room account or do you pay cash out of pocket at the end of the meal?? Thanks!!

Not all Character meals will use 2 TS. I took my son to Crystal Palace and only 1 TS was needed. Crystal Palace has all the Winnie the Pooh characters and has a buffet which is a great deal for the kids when on the DDP. Many of the resorts also have breakfast buffets with Characters and only cost 1 TS. With a little research you can find out where 1 TS Character meals are located and reserve some to keep the kids happy.

I wish the '08 DDP would give you the option of a APP or a DESERT. I found the current plan with both APP and DESERT is alot of food. Some places had great Deserts, but I would probably get the APP most of the time if they gave an option.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Not all Character meals will use 2 TS. I took my son to Crystal Palace and only 1 TS was needed. Crystal Palace has all the Winnie the Pooh characters and has a buffet which is a great deal for the kids when on the DDP. Many of the resorts also have breakfast buffets with Characters and only cost 1 TS. With a little research you can find out where 1 TS Character meals are located and reserve some to keep the kids happy.

I wish the '08 DDP would give you the option of a APP or a DESERT. I found the current plan with both APP and DESERT is alot of food. Some places had great Deserts, but I would probably get the APP most of the time if they gave an option.

You're correct, the only character meal that uses two credits is CRT.

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

Okay, guys. After much deliberation, I've decided to try the DDP on our Oc 2008 visit. My reasons are as follows:

1. I had a talk w/ my SIL who used the plan last year. She said that w/ the APP, it was a 'no brainer' because of the value but it was WAY too much food. This way, we get just enough food. She said also that when it came to dessert, she ordered something that sounded good for the following morning's breakfast...a GREAT idea. That way, she didnt have to worry about breakfast the next day (I usually bring breakfast bars but this is also an option, I'll admit).

2. I did the math and the plan for 6 days would be 576.00 for a family of four (two adults, two children). When we went in 2003, I took 150.00 a day for our family of three and only came back w/ 300.00 that I saved (we did buy a few souveniers out of that as well). We aren't likely to come back w/ that much w/ the extra child so 150.00 a day comes to 1050.00> Even w/ gratuity, an extra day of food (our seventh day), and the occasional alcoholic beverage, I can't imagine that we'd spend that difference.

3. Children's menus arent nearly as limited as I remember. Almost every restaurant has more choices now and there is also buffets, as was mentioned before.

4. My SIL said if you ask your waiter personally about little things like getting two apps instead of an entree (if the apps don't come out to more than the entree would), or getting an app instead of a dessert, sometimes they will comply. She said they did this on occasion. The Rose and Crown Pub actually even gave them free alcohol (no, I'm not depending onthat...ha).

5.I figure we should at least TRY it once,and see what we think.


One quick question. Is the sushi bar in EPCOT on the list? And would tht be considered 'counter service' or sit down?

 

[MrWixter]

I've eaten at Japan twice. Once TS at the Hibachi grill and once CS. I remember the CS having California rolls and Tuna rolls. I think it was a combo with some other Japanese food. My son wanted Sushi instead of Hibachi and we ordered some for him OOP. There was Sushi TS there too, but I don't know if it was on the DDP.

There has been alot of changes since I last went (Feb 2006) to the restaurants at Japan, so I don't know. I believe there is a Sushi restaurant at either the Dolfin or Swan resorts but it is not on the DDP. I may go there for a OOP meal when there, since I'm staying close by (BCV).

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

Has everyone read this great page from Mousesavers?

http://www.mousesavers.com/diningplantips2007.html