Trying to decide which dining plan is right for us

[imthatgirl]

Here is our rough draft of our dining

Monday: QS breakfast , QS lunch , Dinner at LeCellier

Tuesday: Akershus breakfast, Coral Reef dinner( or artist point)

Wednesday: QS breakfast, QS lunch, dinner at hoop de doo

Thursday: QS breakfast, QS lunch and dinner at San angl inn

OK so thats our basic plan but of course things could change.
It's just my husband and I going.

Would it be better to get the deluxe dining plan? If I did I would only pay OOP for one QS.
Or would it better to get the regular dining plan where I would pay out of pocket for 2 QS , breakfast at Akershus, San angel inn and Le Cellier?

I have been pricing out the difference and driving myself crazy adding drinks in trying to decide if we would eat the dessert or app.....there is too much to consider.
So any pros here that could help I would really appreciate it!!

 

[Faldred]

How many nights are you staying? 4 or 5? That will help figure things out...

I have you using anywhere from 6-8 TS credits (depending on in you are going after March 1 for Le Cellier, and whether you choose Coral Reef or Artist Point) and 6 CS credits.

The rule of thumb for DxDP is 2/3 of your credits spent on TS meals. If you are using 8 TS credits over 4 nights (12 credits total), you're right on that cusp, and thinks like whether you'd appreciate the appetizers or the extra snacks might be the tipping point If it's 5 nights (15 credits), you're probably better off sticking with basic DDP and paying a few things OOP.

 

[imthatgirl]

How many nights are you staying? 4 or 5? That will help figure things out...

I have you using anywhere from 6-8 TS credits (depending on in you are going after March 1 for Le Cellier, and whether you choose Coral Reef or Artist Point) and 6 CS credits.

The rule of thumb for DxDP is 2/3 of your credits spent on TS meals. If you are using 8 TS credits over 4 nights (12 credits total), you're right on that cusp, and thinks like whether you'd appreciate the appetizers or the extra snacks might be the tipping point If it's 5 nights (15 credits), you're probably better off sticking with basic DDP and paying a few things OOP.

We are staying 4 nights(5 on disney property). I wasn't aware that LeCellier was changing to 2 table credits after March First. We haven't been since Last May and it was 1 then. Thats a bummer. We are going for our 10year Anniversary August 15th-19th.
Aren't Artist Point and Coral reef both 2 credits?Or has that changed too?

 

[Faldred]

We are staying 4 nights(5 on disney property). I wasn't aware that LeCellier was changing to 2 table credits after March First. We haven't been since Last May and it was 1 then. Thats a bummer. We are going for our 10year Anniversary August 15th-19th.
Aren't Artist Point and Coral reef both 2 credits?Or has that changed too?

Le Cellier changes to "signature" for dinner (1 TS at lunch) starting on March 1. No one knows what the menu will look like yet for either lunch or dinner.

Coral Reef is a 1 TS restaurant and has been for several years now -- I know it was initially a "siganture" restaurant when the dining plan was first instituted, but it was shortly changed to non-signature status.

 

[imthatgirl]

Oh, thats good to know about Coral Reef. I haven't eaten there since before the Dining plan was introduced. It was great then. Is it still as good? It being only one Table service makes me nervous, lol.

Well I think you have helped me make my decision. I'm going with the Deluxe. Eating at LeCellier and Coral reef. That works. I'll have to skip Artists Point then. Bummer.

 

[Faldred]

Oh, thats good to know about Coral Reef. I haven't eaten there since before the Dining plan was introduced. It was great then. Is it still as good? It being only one Table service makes me nervous, lol.

Well I think you have helped me make my decision. I'm going with the Deluxe. Eating at LeCellier and Coral reef. That works. I'll have to skip Artists Point then. Bummer.

You will certainly have the credits to use at Artist Point, if you like. Pay OOP for a CS breakfast or two or maybe use snack credits instead -- you'll have enough of them! I really don't know what your touring plan is, but you might consider going to Coral Reef for lunch one day, instead of a CS lunch, and that way you can do both places if you like.

I thought the food at Coral Reef was fine when I tried it in 2009 (for lunch). I don't plan on going back next time, but that's more for the fact that I have a lot more Epcot places I still want to try than any knock on Coral Reef.

 

[imthatgirl]

You will certainly have the credits to use at Artist Point, if you like. Pay OOP for a CS breakfast or two or maybe use snack credits instead -- you'll have enough of them! I really don't know what your touring plan is, but you might consider going to Coral Reef for lunch one day, instead of a CS lunch, and that way you can do both places if you like.

I thought the food at Coral Reef was fine when I tried it in 2009 (for lunch). I don't plan on going back next time, but that's more for the fact that I have a lot more Epcot places I still want to try than any knock on Coral Reef.

Oh my, so much to consider! We aren't really going with a touring plan. We are frequent Disney travelers, but always with kids. We've decided to take this trip as a strolling trip for just adults. doing whatever we feel like that day, as there really isn't anything there we haven't done.
However we have never used the deluxe dining plan. We have always gone with the regular one, and before that none.
I think the problem is I was assuming I knew what I could do with the deluxe, when infact I don't. I never considered eating a sit down for lunch...but it "costs" me the same.
Back to the drawing board, lol.

 

[havoc315]

You have too much QS to make the deluxe plan worthwhile.

Truthfully, I think you will find it cheapest, to simply pay for all those meals OOP.
For example --- Day 1---
QS breakfast is under $10. QS lunch can be anywhere from $10-$20. If you skip the dessert, more likely to be closer to $10. So even if you spend $50 at Les Cellier, thats still just $70-$80. The deluxe plan would have left you 1 credit short, so you would be paying OOP for breakfast. So the deluxe plan really would cost you close to $90 (price of the plan, plus OOP breakfast).
And the regular DDP would only cover the QS lunch, and half the dinner plan.

Unless you really want desserts included with every meal, I think you would be far better off simply getting what you want, OOP.

In another thread, I posted an example.. of how you can easily eat TS breakfast, TS lunch, plus signature dinner... all for the same price as the basic DDP. (If you get middle-priced items, and skip sodas and desserts).

 

[ThreeKMom]

If you stay 4 nights and get the deluxe plan you will have 12 credits per person that can be used at either a CS or a TS, plus I think you also get 2 snack credits per day. If you are not big breakfast eaters you could always use your snacks for that meal. You can get a muffin or yogurt or even cereal with a snack credit.

 

[imthatgirl]

You have too much QS to make the deluxe plan worthwhile.

Truthfully, I think you will find it cheapest, to simply pay for all those meals OOP.
For example --- Day 1---
QS breakfast is under $10. QS lunch can be anywhere from $10-$20. If you skip the dessert, more likely to be closer to $10. So even if you spend $50 at Les Cellier, thats still just $70-$80. The deluxe plan would have left you 1 credit short, so you would be paying OOP for breakfast. So the deluxe plan really would cost you close to $90 (price of the plan, plus OOP breakfast).
And the regular DDP would only cover the QS lunch, and half the dinner plan.

Unless you really want desserts included with every meal, I think you would be far better off simply getting what you want, OOP.

In another thread, I posted an example.. of how you can easily eat TS breakfast, TS lunch, plus signature dinner... all for the same price as the basic DDP. (If you get middle-priced items, and skip sodas and desserts).

Not being a smartass or anything but how in the world would we only spend $50 at Le Cellier? Even if we each got the cheapest meal, water and no dessert it would still after taxes be closer to $60. If we want soda or bottled water it would be probably $65. If we want something other then the cheapest meal it would be closer to $70.
If you notice we did a few meals that will "cost" us 2 credits. Since you don't need to use them in any specific order you don't really fall short on one day...especially day one. KWIM?

As far as OOP for everything I don't know that that would be cheaper either. Hoop Dee Doo alone would cost us $124.00. For just that one meal.

I get it that we could probably cut corners and eat cheaper, but I'm not really a cutting corners on vacation kind of gal.

 

[imthatgirl]

BTW, havoc315...can you link me to that thread. I would really like to see it.
I have been trying to price out the cost of eating without the plan and I'm having a hard time.

 

[imthatgirl]

Ok based on Havoc's reply I want to break down the cost of my meals...maybe I'm not doing the right thing?
Everything is for 2

Day 1...QS breakfast:$20
QS lunch:$32
Dinner at LeCellier:$65
Total: $$117

Day 2.....Akershus Breakfast : $80
Dinner at Coral reef:$65
Total: $ 145

Day 3........QS breakfast: $20
QS lunch: $28
Dinner at hoopdee doo: $124
total: $ 172
Day 4...........Quick serve breakfast: $20
quick serve lunch: $30
dinner at San Angel: $60
total: $110
Grand total: $544
Total for 2 people to eat on the deluxe plan $576
Difference of $$32

Cost of 4 sodas in the parks and 1 refillable mug for coffee: about $26
cost of 2 snacks in the park: about $6.


It looks about the same to me. Am I missing something? These are all average costs based on previous experience. not based on only eating the cheapest thing on the menu(I don't wich to limit myself that way).

 

[havoc315]

Not being a smartass or anything but how in the world would we only spend $50 at Le Cellier? Even if we each got the cheapest meal, water and no dessert it would still after taxes be closer to $60. If we want soda or bottled water it would be probably $65. If we want something other then the cheapest meal it would be closer to $70.
If you notice we did a few meals that will "cost" us 2 credits. Since you don't need to use them in any specific order you don't really fall short on one day...especially day one. KWIM?

Not sure where you are getting your numbers. My numbers are per person. The most expensive items at Les Cellier are around $35.
Even after taxes, that is under $40. Throw in a dessert and a beverage, and the most expensive entree... it still only comes out to around $50.

So if you used 2 credits for that meal --- You only got $25 value of credit, per credit.
So if you were on the regular DDP -- You just got $25 out of 1 of your TS credits. If you get $15 out of your CS credit, and get a $4 snack.... You have just spent $46 on the dining plan, and only gotten $44 of value.

To me, the DDP works, for people who want exactly 1 QS per day, 1 TS per day, they want all the desserts and all the snacks, and they plan on only getting the more expensive entrees/meals.

The deluxe works, if you are going to use more than 2 TS credits per day. (Which we are, for our upcoming trip. TS lunch every day. TS dinner, including several 2-credit meals).

 

[imthatgirl]

Not sure where you are getting your numbers. My numbers are per person. The most expensive items at Les Cellier are around $35.
Even after taxes, that is under $40. Throw in a dessert and a beverage, and the most expensive entree... it still only comes out to around $50.

So if you used 2 credits for that meal --- You only got $25 value of credit, per credit.
So if you were on the regular DDP -- You just got $25 out of 1 of your TS credits. If you get $15 out of your CS credit, and get a $4 snack.... You have just spent $46 on the dining plan, and only gotten $44 of value.

To me, the DDP works, for people who want exactly 1 QS per day, 1 TS per day, they want all the desserts and all the snacks, and they plan on only getting the more expensive entrees/meals.

The deluxe works, if you are going to use more than 2 TS credits per day. (Which we are, for our upcoming trip. TS lunch every day. TS dinner, including several 2-credit meals).

I'm terribly confused? If you are using the most expensive item at $35 adding tax to $40...if you times that by 2 you get $80, not $50. If you throw in dessert your closer to $90. Not $50. where are you getting $50 for two people to eat there? $50 for one to eat dinner, a drink and dessert with tax ...yes that makes sense.
don't forget you get the App on the deluxe too.

 

[Faldred]

I think the problem is I was assuming I knew what I could do with the deluxe, when infact I don't. I never considered eating a sit down for lunch...but it "costs" me the same.

You can do 3 TS meals a day, if you wanted, on DxDP. (Not that it's highly recommended, mind you -- many folks would suggest doing 2 sit-downs a day, making one of them a signature or dinner show.)

I do agree with the above that you're still doing too much CS for DxDP to be really worthwhile. You are, at best, on the border line between making sense and not making sense and unless you add more TS meals, I'd probably side against DxDP.

 

[havoc315]

Ok based on Havoc's reply I want to break down the cost of my meals...maybe I'm not doing the right thing?
Everything is for 2

Day 1...QS breakfast:$20
QS lunch:$32
Dinner at LeCellier:$65
Total: $$117

Day 2.....Akershus Breakfast : $80
Dinner at Coral reef:$65
Total: $ 145

Day 3........QS breakfast: $20
QS lunch: $28
Dinner at hoopdee doo: $124
total: $ 172
Day 4...........Quick serve breakfast: $20
quick serve lunch: $30
dinner at San Angel: $60
total: $110
Grand total: $544
Total for 2 people to eat on the deluxe plan $576
Difference of $$32

Cost of 4 sodas in the parks and 1 refillable mug for coffee: about $26
cost of 2 snacks in the park: about $6.


It looks about the same to me. Am I missing something? These are all average costs based on previous experience. not based on only eating the cheapest thing on the menu(I don't wich to limit myself that way).

The deluxe plan includes 12 credits for you-- You just spent 13 credits.
So based on your math -- the deluxe plan would cost you $576 --- Plus 1 of your breakfasts would be OOP. So really more like $590.

For that, you are getting $544 worth of food... plus $26 for the sodas and mug, plus another $6 of snacks.

So you are paying $590... and getting $576 worth of food.

And not sure where you are getting your price of the DxDP from?

4 nights of the DxDp for 2 people, should run about $630.

So you would be paying $630, and only getting about $576 worth of food.

 

[havoc315]

I'm terribly confused? If you are using the most expensive item at $35 adding tax to $40...if you times that by 2 you get $80, not $50. If you throw in dessert your closer to $90. Not $50. where are you getting $50 for two people to eat there? $50 for one to eat dinner, a drink and dessert with tax ...yes that makes sense.
don't forget you get the App on the deluxe too.

Correct, I was basing on "per person."
Since the DxDP costs is $78.99 per day, per person.

And yes, if you want the appetizers, you start to get better value.

But remember, you are still using 2 credits for the meal. So even if you included appetizer, and upped the price to $55 per person or so... that it still a mere $27 per credit. Then you are using other credits for CS meals, where you will only get $10-$20 of value.

Simply doesn't make sense to pay $79 per day, for such a combination of meals.

 

[imthatgirl]

The deluxe plan includes 12 credits for you-- You just spent 13 credits.
So based on your math -- the deluxe plan would cost you $576 --- Plus 1 of your breakfasts would be OOP. So really more like $590.

For that, you are getting $544 worth of food... plus $26 for the sodas and mug, plus another $6 of snacks.

So you are paying $590... and getting $576 worth of food.

And not sure where you are getting your price of the DxDP from?

4 nights of the DxDp for 2 people, should run about $630.

So you would be paying $630, and only getting about $576 worth of food.

You're right it's an $86 dollar difference. I completely added wrong.
So then you add in the 2 refillable mugs(which we would probably buy anyway) so thats $28. I don't know that I would add in he 16 snacks...but some of them anyway.
since I added one too many QS meals I would probably just drop one since it's plenty of food. If I used some of them for a breakfast and just add in 10 of them thats about $30.

So yes I am paying a little more for the Deluxe plan. But the regular one makes absolutely no sense. So discussing that one seems silly.
I guess the option are to either add one table service to this(but do we want to sit down one more time) maybe for breakfast, or pay OOP.

EERRHH....this is so much work, lol.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

You have too much QS to make the deluxe plan worthwhile.

Truthfully, I think you will find it cheapest, to simply pay for all those meals OOP.
For example --- Day 1---
QS breakfast is under $10. QS lunch can be anywhere from $10-$20. If you skip the dessert, more likely to be closer to $10. So even if you spend $50 at Les Cellier, thats still just $70-$80. The deluxe plan would have left you 1 credit short, so you would be paying OOP for breakfast. So the deluxe plan really would cost you close to $90 (price of the plan, plus OOP breakfast).
And the regular DDP would only cover the QS lunch, and half the dinner plan.

Unless you really want desserts included with every meal, I think you would be far better off simply getting what you want, OOP.

In another thread, I posted an example.. of how you can easily eat TS breakfast, TS lunch, plus signature dinner... all for the same price as the basic DDP. (If you get middle-priced items, and skip sodas and desserts).

You are assuming the Le Cellier prices will not change when it goes "signature" in March. We've been told the menu will change so I would assume the prices will increase as well to make it "worthy" of signature status.

Also your "OOP is cheaper" scenarios always show drinking water at all meals. Now some may do this, but I'll hazard a guess that it is unlikely scenario for most.


OP, I'd look at your meal expenses for the entire stay, not on a day by day occasion. Though havoc has but up some reasonable numbers on a day where the DDP or DxDP is more expensive, you really need to look at your vacation as a whole to determine what's the best fit for you. If I calculated DH and I individually, the DDP is probably not be a good choice for me...or even just him. But once we factor in 4 growing kids (one of which is under 3 and not on the DDP, but we'll have to still feed) and a weeks worth of places we want to eat, we are saving $200-300 PER WEEK (we'll be there for 2 weeks). Now I do have some OOP expenses planned for meals not covered on the DDP and the possible need for an extra kids meal for my youngest.

 

[havoc315]

You're right it's an $86 dollar difference. I completely added wrong.
So then you add in the 2 refillable mugs(which we would probably buy anyway) so thats $28. I don't know that I would add in he 16 snacks...but some of them anyway.
since I added one too many QS meals I would probably just drop one since it's plenty of food. If I used some of them for a breakfast and just add in 10 of them thats about $30.

So yes I am paying a little more for the Deluxe plan. But the regular one makes absolutely no sense. So discussing that one seems silly.
I guess the option are to either add one table service to this(but do we want to sit down one more time) maybe for breakfast, or pay OOP.

EERRHH....this is so much work, lol.

Personally, I don't get any value from the mugs. But some people do, obviously.

But to me, if the price of the DxDP is about the same as OOP... I'd probably just go OOP. In that case, if I suddenly choose to skip a meal, I won't be wasting credits.

I'd totally do the DxDP if it was going to be a significant savings. If you changed some of your QS meals to TS meals, then it could really work for you.

But I wouldn't make changes, solely for the sake of getting value out of the plan.