Trying to decide which dining plan is right for us

[havoc315]

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.

In this case, the calculations all included beverages plus desserts. The DxDP is simply not a value is more than half your meals are going to be QS. The majority of your meals need to be TS to create value on the DxDP.

As to children --- The children's prices are an entirely different equation. For many families, the children's plans can save money, even where the adult plan does not.

For families with multiple children between the ages of 3-9, there can be great value in the meal plans, especially when doing character meals.

 

[Faldred]

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.

On the other hand, you could look at it as: oh, hey... if I'm already spending pretty close to the same amount, I could do so much more for the same price*, and that would be very nice! (On the other other hand, you could easily look at it and say: ugh! That would be way too much food!)

*Don't forget to budget extra for tips, though.

 

[imthatgirl]

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.

Thanks you were a big help. I need to wait for my husband to get home and go over some figures with him. I want to get all this booked by monday.

I am in the process of making spread sheets to determine what makes sense.
Oh and we do love the mugs. Mostly because we have come to collect them over the years, lol.

 

[imthatgirl]

On the other hand, you could look at it as: oh, hey... if I'm already spending pretty close to the same amount, I could do so much more for the same price*, and that would be very nice! (On the other hand, you could easily look at it and say: ugh! That would be way too much food!)

*Don't forget to budget extra for tips, though.

OMG!! stop confusing me!! It's hard to decide if we will want the extra breathing room with the plan...or the savings without. Is the few dollars I'm saving worth having to budget while I'm there.
I just don't know.

Oh and trust me we are well aware of the tips. I have already over budgeted for that(in hopes that we get a great server who we will want to pay extra).

 

[Faldred]

OMG!! stop confusing me!! It's hard to decide if we will want the extra breathing room with the plan...or the savings without. Is the few dollars I'm saving worth having to budget while I'm there.

That's what it all boils down to, especially in the cases where the cost differences are minimal -- which option gives you the best subjective value for your total vacation experience?

I can't answer that question for anybody but myself. I can only provide objective information and point out the types of questions you can be asking yourself. Only you know the answers, though.

 

[havoc315]

On the other hand, you could look at it as: oh, hey... if I'm already spending pretty close to the same amount, I could do so much more for the same price*, and that would be very nice! (On the other other hand, you could easily look at it and say: ugh! That would be way too much food!)

We are assuming that the OP already picked all the meals that they actually *want*

If I'm already getting everything that I actually want (not skimping!), and it is less than the DDP.... why should I pay extra for the DDP, just to get things included that I don't want, and that I'm not going to use?

In this thread, the math already assumed the OP was going to get all the mugs they want, all the snacks they want, get beverages and desserts with every meal, and pick the entrees they want.

Even if the price of the plan is just $1 more.... if it doesn't include anything "extra" that I actually want, why would I pay for it?

 

[Faldred]

We are assuming that the OP already picked all the meals that they actually *want*

But that's not necessarily an accurate assumption. You could be correct, of course, but it could also be a case of the OP choosing a certain set of options to fit within a preconceived budget (e.g., "we probably can't afford to eat at more than one sit-down meal a day, so I'll just schedule one").

As I said above, I don't know the answers, I'm just trying to help explore the options so that the OP can make an informed choice.

 

[havoc315]

OMG!! stop confusing me!! It's hard to decide if we will want the extra breathing room with the plan...or the savings without. Is the few dollars I'm saving worth having to budget while I'm there.
I just don't know.

Works both ways. If you are on the plan, you may be worrying about getting value. You may order a dessert even when you are already stuffed, just because you don't want to waste the plan. (And then you will be OOP additional tip).

On the other hand, yes... if you aren't on the plan, you may find yourself budgeting in the back of your head.

That's why I think you just need to calculate based on a realistic idea of what you would actually want to eat.

Budgetting based on the cheapest entrees, makes no sense if you will eat expensive entrees. But assuming the most expensive entrees is almost a mistake, if thats not what you would actually want.

 

[imthatgirl]

But that's not necessarily an accurate assumption. You could be correct, of course, but it could also be a case of the OP choosing a certain set of options to fit within a preconceived budget (e.g., "we probably can't afford to eat at more than one sit-down meal a day, so I'll just schedule one").

As I said above, I don't know the answers, I'm just trying to help explore the options so that the OP can make an informed choice.

You're correct. My husband would love to eat a few more table services. He wants to add in somewhere the Luau and Whispering canyon. Both of which I could care less about, lol.
so this is actually my "plan", but not set in stone. I am not a fan of too many sit downs, where my husband is a foodie and would love to spend more time eating, lol.
This thread is mostly to get me thinking about all my options and then to go to my husband with them.

 

[imthatgirl]

Works both ways. If you are on the plan, you may be worrying about getting value. You may order a dessert even when you are already stuffed, just because you don't want to waste the plan. (And then you will be OOP additional tip).

On the other hand, yes... if you aren't on the plan, you may find yourself budgeting in the back of your head.

That's why I think you just need to calculate based on a realistic idea of what you would actually want to eat.

Budgetting based on the cheapest entrees, makes no sense if you will eat expensive entrees. But assuming the most expensive entrees is almost a mistake, if thats not what you would actually want.

Thats one thing, once we're there I would never worry about getting value. Once I've spent the money I don't think about it again. I would never get expensive entrees in order to meet the expectation of the plan, nor would I ever eat cheap in order to budget on vacation.

 

[havoc315]

As you saw, the math was close on the DxDP. *IF* you want to add a few more TS options, then the DxDP does indeed start to become a real value.

We are doing the deluxe plan ourselves in a few weeks. By my math, we will save on average, about $10 per person, per day. We have 18 credits per person, and we are using 15 of the credits for TS meals. TS lunch and TS dinner every day, including 2-credits at CRT, California Grill, and Narcoose's.

We won't always do the most expensive entrees, but we know we will do expensive at Narcoose's -- lobster. So we will get great use of the DxDP that day. (on other days, it may be more like breaking even).

I've seen the math broken down elsewhere --
On the DDP, it estimates you are spending about $30 on your TS meal. So if for your average TS credit, you are going to spend more than $30, then you get real value.

On the DxDP -- It's about $27 per credit. Since appetizers are included, you can also get more value out of that cheaper credit. On the other hand, a CS breakfast--- at about $10, is way below what you spent on the credit.