Trying to decide at what point DDP is worthwhile

[lauritagoddess]

I'm trying to figure out at what point it becomes worthwhile to add the DDP. I've had the DDP before, one during free dining and once when I paid for it. It's just my DS and I, so one adult and one child. We do like to do character meals and some TS meals, but we don't need to do one every day. I've been trying to think ahead for our June trip if it would be worth it to add the DDP. The only place that I know for sure that I'll make ADRs for is Chef Mickeys which is always a must for us. We also really like SciFi, 50s PTC, Crystal Palace. We had really loved LTT, but with the characters. For my DS it would more than be worth it to have the plan, does it become worth it for me? We'll be there fore 7 days. If we have the DDP, I'll definitely plan enough TS meals to use all our credits, but I probably wouldn't plan 7 TS meals otherwise or get ADRs for any 2 TS credit meals. But I would probably still plan at least 4. Do you think it's worth it to just add the DDP and schedule a few more TS meals? I was also considering the QSDP but then I figured I'd still wind up scheduling some TS meals anyway and then have the cost of those on top of the QSDP which seems fairly pricey for what it is. Any opinions?

 

[Tricia1972]

I think it becomes worth it at the point where adding those extra meals that you normally wouldn't do becomes something you're doing because it improves the quality of your vacation.

If your vacation would be just as magical, relaxing and wonderful without those extra meals - then the DDP isn't for you.

If having the DDP increases how relaxing your vacation is - then it's worth it to do those extra meals.

Good luck finding what works best for you and your DS - I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

 

[star2500]

Hope this helps a bit....


First it would cost you $39.99/day & $10.99 per day for you and your son. So let's round up the penny lol...and it will cost you $51.00 per day for 2 TS, 2 CS, & 2 snacks. You can look at menus on line for the exact restaurants you would like to eat at and determine exact cost. Let's average it...and take an example...

Breakfast at Chef Mickey: $23/A $12/C = $35.00 (not inc. tip)
Counter Service at Peco's: 2 Meals & 2 drinks = @$10/pp = $20.00
Snack: $3.00 average = $6.00

So for this kind of day it would cost OOP: $51.00 LOL exactly the dining plan.


Now say you decided on a more expensive restaurant:

Counter Service: average $10/pp $20.00

Dinner at Tutto Italia:
Adult entree averages : $24.00 - $36.00
Adult Desset averages: $8.00 - $14.00
Adult Beverage Ice Tea: $4.50

Adult Total $36.00 - $55.00

Child Dinner: (didn't show prices but based on the adult prices let's say $15.00


Total Dinner $51.00 - $70.00


Snack: 2 at @$3.00 $6.00


SO this total day would be $77-$96.


So on this day you would save @ $26-$45.00




And on the same token you can pick a TS buffet that is cheaper than Chef Mickey and be losing money on that day.

So my suggetion is pick the restaurants you know you would go to if you picked the dining plan. Do some math and you can definitely see if it will be worth it or not. I did this for my family of 5 for 7 days....and by going on the Deluxe Plan (we do at least 2 TS a day)....we are saving over $500 using the plan.


Another note: you said 7 days...that means 6 nights....which would mean 6 TS, 6 CS, 6 Snacks per person. The number is based on nights not days....so take that into consideration also.


Hope I didn't confuse you more LOL...if you want any help with the math let me know....I don't mind helping!

 

[lauritagoddess]

Hope this helps a bit....


First it would cost you $39.99/day & $10.99 per day for you and your son. So let's round up the penny lol...and it will cost you $51.00 per day for 2 TS, 2 CS, & 2 snacks. You can look at menus on line for the exact restaurants you would like to eat at and determine exact cost. Let's average it...and take an example...

Breakfast at Chef Mickey: $23/A $12/C = $35.00 (not inc. tip)
Counter Service at Peco's: 2 Meals & 2 drinks = @$10/pp = $20.00
Snack: $3.00 average = $6.00

So for this kind of day it would cost OOP: $51.00 LOL exactly the dining plan.


Now say you decided on a more expensive restaurant:

Counter Service: average $10/pp $20.00

Dinner at Tutto Italia:
Adult entree averages : $24.00 - $36.00
Adult Desset averages: $8.00 - $14.00
Adult Beverage Ice Tea: $4.50

Adult Total $36.00 - $55.00

Child Dinner: (didn't show prices but based on the adult prices let's say $15.00


Total Dinner $51.00 - $70.00


Snack: 2 at @$3.00 $6.00


SO this total day would be $77-$96.


So on this day you would save @ $26-$45.00




And on the same token you can pick a TS buffet that is cheaper than Chef Mickey and be losing money on that day.

So my suggetion is pick the restaurants you know you would go to if you picked the dining plan. Do some math and you can definitely see if it will be worth it or not. I did this for my family of 5 for 7 days....and by going on the Deluxe Plan (we do at least 2 TS a day)....we are saving over $500 using the plan.


Another note: you said 7 days...that means 6 nights....which would mean 6 TS, 6 CS, 6 Snacks per person. The number is based on nights not days....so take that into consideration also.


Hope I didn't confuse you more LOL...if you want any help with the math let me know....I don't mind helping!

Thanks, this is very helpful. I'm going to look a the menus on AllEars and play around with TS costs and where I might book ADRs. I have a feeling that it probably won't be saving me any money, but it might be good just for the convenience. And we will be there for 7 nights, not 7 days.

 

[star2500]

You are welcome...have a great trip!

 

[Tricia1972]

Do look at the numbers on the menus, the numbers used in the example above seem a little high to me (even not allowing for the fact that Tutto is about the most epensive 1TS restaurant around ). Generally speaking children's meals are.

CS $4.49
TS $7.59

A few TS's are more. Buffets are always more than $7.59, Tutto Italia and signatures are also more expensive. Though Tutto is about the only 1TS that I can think of that charges more than $7.59 for a complete kids meal.

Also, please do look at your vacationing style. DDP can certainly be a money saver, but sometimes dining at TS meals every day doesn't improve your vacation. I originally answered as I did because my impression was more that you're struggling on deciding if dining at more TS works for you and your DS.

Though I can say without much doubt, if you do all buffet/character meals and dine at one each day you're there - the DDP will be a money saver.