Thoughts On Our DDP Adventure

[plutospup]

We recently returned from our weeklong WDW vacation, staying at CSR. This was the first time we used DDP, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! We tried restaurants that we hadn't tried after 20+visits, and of course some favorites, too: Teppanyaki, Ohana, LeCellier, Whispering Canyons, Chef Mickey's (Breakfast), Boma (Breakfast), and Mayan Grille. Most of our counter service meals were at CSR's Pepper Market. Wow! Great variety! Finally, a lunch at WDW that wasn't centered around burgers/chicken fingers & fries!

Overall our TS meals came to a total of approx $700. That alone was greater than the cost of DDP. We normally budget $100/day on food for DW, DD8, and I. DDP was less $$, and we had much more food. Normally, we don't order appetizers & desserts, however, with DDP we did. Nice treat!

We didn't worry about getting the most for our dollar. We simply ordered what we wanted, but of course did order appetizers & desserts. Yes, it's a lot of food, but nobody says you have to eat every last bite Of course if there wasn't enough food on the plan people would complain about that.

Sharing meals...One day we...shared a CS lunch at Blizzard Beach. It was late morning, and one person wanted a sandwich, one wanted ice cream, another wanted a snack. We ordered on CS and satisfied all three. A few hours later we ordered two CS meals at Pepper Market for the three of us Aside from that we didn't worry about sharing meals.

With a mimimal amount of planning (ADR's) we ate where we wanted. I guess after 20 WDW trips we're flexible enough that we don't have to see "everything" on every trip.

The plan is generous, cost efficient, and flexible. It was great to be able to "prepay" our food budget, and not have to think about menu costs. Also it was certainly more time efficient to eat in the parks, than to go off property! Would we do DDP again...absolutely!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

plutospup, you sound like our kind of folks.

Might I ask if you were on the Free Dining Plan? I am so relaxed about the fact that we are. It would be a whole bunch different if we were actually paying the nearly $80 a day it would cost for the two of us.

In spite of the fact that I am still a large woman (I have lost gobs of weight and have gobs to go) I do not eat big meals so I am especially happy to hear that you can share.

Thank you so much for your report.

Slightly Goofy

 

[fredw]

Thanks for your thoughts. We too have been to WDW many times and find the DDP to be quite good. We eat at places we normally wouldn't and sample food we never would have tried. I'm really glad you enjoyed the DDP. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Fred

 

[ntsammy5]

Great post. Thanks.

 

[S.Poppins]

We loved the DDP and would not go without it. We used DDP for first time last year and will use it again in Jan. It was so much fun to eat at all the great restaurants we always wanted to try. And it is nice to not have to read the menu from right to left. My DD really enjoyed it because she was 10 and was able to order off the adult menu. I highly recommend the DDP.

 

[dznymom1]

And it is nice to not have to read the menu from right to left.

What a great way to think about it! It sounds like you and Plutospup have the right idea - maximize your pleasure not the dollar value. Now, if I can just control my tendency to maximize the benfits, I too will stop reading from right to left!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

plutospup, we do not leave until the middle of Sept. but thanks to reports like yours we will know 'it all' when we get there.

I plan to ask for an empty plate, order two completely different meals for dh and I and then just take a bite or two of each thing on my empty plate so that I do not overindulge or bulge.

SG/Linda

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Thanks for the report. I am glad to hear you had such a positive experience. I think that information like this will put a lot of peoples minds at ease (so many people are expecting problems when using the plan but really it is simple and can be very cost effective).

hoping you are able to return many times with your family and that all the trips were as wonderful as this one.

 

[plutospup]

I plan to ask for an empty plate, order two completely different meals for dh and I and then just take a bite or two of each thing on my empty plate so that I do not overindulge or bulge.

SG/Linda

Great idea! DW, DD8, & I always like to share. In fact, DD8 shared too much of my steak at Teppanyaki!

BTW...yes we did pay for DDP. Still it was worth it for the convenience, as well as the amount and type of food.

 

[disneypharm]

Great idea! DW, DD8, & I always like to share. In fact, DD8 shared too much of my steak at Teppanyaki!

BTW...yes we did pay for DDP. Still it was worth it for the convenience, as well as the amount and type of food.

Thanks for the information. We also paid for DDP for our trip last year in December and it was worth it too. We loved it.

 

[tacomaranch]

Thanks for the great report, it is our first time on the dining plan we are excited to hear good things.

 

[jess20k]

This past Feb. was our first DDP and we saved a lot of money, but like others have said I know that if I was paying OOP then I would not be eating appies, or dessert very ofte. But, in addition to the great savings I really enjoyed the fact that we were able to have wonderful dinners at great places that we wouldn't have done normally. I actually enjoy going to different restaurants and having a great time! I just hope they do not make any drastic changes in the future to the DDP, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I look forward to this coming Feb. for we are doing the DDP again!