Thinking out loud--need advice on DDP

[Dchef]

I have looked into the Dining plan a bit and added up the pro's and con's. I think for us a family of 4 with 2 8 year olds, it could be a good deal. On average I figured out this

99.96 per day for family of 4 =
49.98 per meal for family of 4 =
12.50 per meal per person per day
if my calculations are correct and that is based on 2 meals a day.

What I am wondering is --is it a good deal for the Signature Meals -- 2 meal points seems like 70.00+ to me and when right now Artist point is offereing a fixed price menu at 47.99 - keeping in mind that doesn't incl. Grat/taxes. I think if you are not doing Signature its a good deal--we are planning on doing some and hope to make resy's for Artist Point on Christmas. Does anyone know what the Signature Prices will be during Christmas?? And have I done the calculations right--this will be the first time doing a dining plan.
Thanks for the help.
We also will do 2 days in Universal Studios and we could use those extra points for Signature--seems a waist though but you can't take them with you. BUT-- Can you buy fewer days???

 

[dr&momto2boys]

You can buy fewer days if you split up your reservation. Or just enjoy the indulgence of dining in the signature restaurant. You'd probably really enjoy it!

 

[Dchef]

Okay- Splitting the resy isn't an option as we are getting in on the last day of Value Season. We will indulge. I think the plan works good for us as we tend to avoid the "faster" food for the more healthier options we could get sitting down...we just always feel better afterwards.

Thanks

 

[FlashScout]

I have looked into the Dining plan a bit and added up the pro's and con's. I think for us a family of 4 with 2 8 year olds, it could be a good deal. On average I figured out this

99.96 per day for family of 4 =
49.98 per meal for family of 4 =
12.50 per meal per person per day
if my calculations are correct and that is based on 2 meals a day.

What I am wondering is --is it a good deal for the Signature Meals -- 2 meal points seems like 70.00+ to me and when right now Artist point is offereing a fixed price menu at 47.99 - keeping in mind that doesn't incl. Grat/taxes. I think if you are not doing Signature its a good deal--we are planning on doing some and hope to make resy's for Artist Point on Christmas. Does anyone know what the Signature Prices will be during Christmas?? And have I done the calculations right--this will be the first time doing a dining plan.
Thanks for the help.
We also will do 2 days in Universal Studios and we could use those extra points for Signature--seems a waist though but you can't take them with you. BUT-- Can you buy fewer days???

I think your last question was answered already, so I'll address the Signature Meals and savings, based on my experience. Our first time on the Dining Plan was 2 weeks ago, but we found it worked well for us.
I looked at the big picture rather than trying to maximize individual meal values.

Family of 4 for 7 days ~ $700 cost
Final tally of receipts ~ $1050 value, including tax and tip

DW and I ate at Artist's Point with her getting the Salmon and I the Buffalo. The total meal value was $150.89 incuding t&t. We thought it was definitely worth 2 TS. Kids were at Cubs' Den.

As for your calculations, I wouldn't lump the TS and CS credits together because the cost for meals is so different. I found that the value from TS alone was enough to justify the plan. Looking at it that way meant that all our CS meals and snacks were free.

 

[ldo]

IF you eat cheaper CS, and only 1 or 2 cheaper TS (character, buffets, etc.), and don't ten dto order app and dessert at more $$ places, then DDP might not be worth it. But if you are doing lots of placse like LE Cellier, Kona Cafe, Chef's de France, Captain Jacks, etc., then the dining plan is worth it.

 

[Dchef]

We ate more TS last time. We typically don't like to do too much CS, but it works for lunch. We just feel there are more healthier choices if we do TS. It takes longer sure, but for us we are on vacation and all the running around can be done before and after meals.I know people like to crame it all in in a whirlwind, but this time we want to enjoy ourselves and try and relax and enjoy the holiday. This trip isn't about the rides, for me it will be about our family. We have even booked two days off from the parks just to hang out and enjoy our surroundings--what a concept huh. I think when you break it down, the DDP is a really good deal.
Thanks

 

[Dchef]

I didn't think Le Cellier was included in the Disney Dining Plan--am I wrong? What are some others that are not included in the TS or the Nicer step up dining?

 

[KKB]

It is generally considered one of the best 1TS meals out there!

There are a handful of restaurants in WDW not on DDP, but most are.

I find allearsnet.com to have the easiest site to navigate, and it lists all the restaurants in each park/resort/DTD, and whether they are CS, 1TS or 2TS. Either there or on the DDP FAQ thread above, there is also a list of restaurants NOT included at all. (again, these are few) There is also a Snack Credit list on a thread above...it does appear most items under $4 in WDW are considered snacks, with a few exceptions.

I was NOT going to get us DDP...I KNOW I can feed my family of 5 for less than $140/day...but Mom convinced me that while I COULD, it would require a LOT of effort to do so...so why not get the plan, and open up the options! She & I are foodies, and it seemed wise to have a sit down meal early each evening just to SLOOOOOW down each day. Plus not having to say NO to my kids so often--PRICELESS! I booked based on general concensus here, as well as menus that appealed to me (hey, I'm making all these plans!) We did character dining on DCL and the kids said once was enough. So we have Kona, Boma, Le Cellier, Le Chefs de France, O'hana, W. Pucks Cafe (DH & I only), Coral Reef (Mom & the kids only) and Narcoosees (Mom & I only, as 2TS). Food & Wine Festival is going on at EPCOT while we are there, and we are considering splurging for one of the events instead of Narcoosees...DH would probably love to take the kids to ESPN zone.

 

[leahjade]

For those who did the DDP, did you think it was a good value? We're a family of five with 3 teens and looking at how much the restaurant prices have gone up in the 3 years since we've been to Disney, I think it may be a good deal. Especially if we bring cereal from home for breakfast and use the plan for lunch and a nice dinner. Also, how does it work? Does each family get a card to use or does each person have to scan their own individual card for each meal? Is there somewhere to check how many meals you have left? I wonder if the prices will go up for the 2008 meal plans, probably! Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Dchef]

Thats a good question-- How do the cards work. If its your room key, then does each key need to be swipe? Is it as convient as it seems. It sure seems to be a deal and a half when it comes to price!!