Trying to price out if it is worth it split THIS way:

[Pluto777]

There are 6 of us, but since we are 2 parties (4 in 1 room and 2 in the other; party of 4 is 2 kids & 2 Adults) I had an idea that could make the DDP worth it. While it seems expensive, perhaps I could choose the cheapest Dining plan (I think that is quick service?) for simply the 4 person party and then SPLIT THE CREDITS eating dinners only for all 6 of us. We will only be eating dinners. What do you think of this idea and what is the cost (14 nights)?

 

[kniquy]

Really the only way you can price it out is to figure out where you would be using your credits and a sample meal that you might be ordering. I was considering the same thing except getting the deluxe plan for our room that has 2 people and splitting those credits with the room that has 5 (4 adults 1 kid - paying OOP for the kid). I priced it out and yes if we ordered just as the plan gives you - for a TS credit on the DxDD you get an app entree dessert and in 2018 a specialty drink. When i factored all that even eating the lower cost the plan would have saved us a few hundred $$, but then i talked to my husband who told me that we couldn't possibly eat 6 apps, entrees and 6 dessert - so yes it would save us money but we would be rolling ourselves out of the restaurant. I'm still calculating to see if just using a few credits per meal (3) would provide any savings.


So maybe consider doing the opposite -- get the deluxe dining plan for the room with 2 -- that would give you 6 TS credits to use every day for the adults and pay OOP for the kids - Factor in the alcoholic drinks if you have people in your party who might get an adult beverage. You would only get 2 mugs - not a real benefit if you are doing more park time and each person gets 2 snacks per day - so a total of 4 snacks per day - factor that with an average price of $5 each.

It sounds like you are intending on doing just QS meals, but it is nice to have a TS meal and there are many character meals that help get great value out of the TS credits.

 

[Pluto777]

Really the only way you can price it out is to figure out where you would be using your credits and a sample meal that you might be ordering. I was considering the same thing except getting the deluxe plan for our room that has 2 people and splitting those credits with the room that has 5 (4 adults 1 kid - paying OOP for the kid). I priced it out and yes if we ordered just as the plan gives you - for a TS credit on the DxDD you get an app entree dessert and in 2018 a specialty drink. When i factored all that even eating the lower cost the plan would have saved us a few hundred $$, but then i talked to my husband who told me that we couldn't possibly eat 6 apps, entrees and 6 dessert - so yes it would save us money but we would be rolling ourselves out of the restaurant. I'm still calculating to see if just using a few credits per meal (3) would provide any savings.


So maybe consider doing the opposite -- get the deluxe dining plan for the room with 2 -- that would give you 6 TS credits to use every day for the adults and pay OOP for the kids - Factor in the alcoholic drinks if you have people in your party who might get an adult beverage. You would only get 2 mugs - not a real benefit if you are doing more park time and each person gets 2 snacks per day - so a total of 4 snacks per day - factor that with an average price of $5 each.

It sounds like you are intending on doing just QS meals, but it is nice to have a TS meal and there are many character meals that help get great value out of the TS credits.

BRILLIANT idea! (by the way, what is OOP?). Deluxe dining for 2 would cost how much for 14 days? Also can the TS credits be saved up? (like we skip DD one night and eat outside Disney and then bank that nights credits?). Thanks for the brilliant idea : )

 

[sharonabe]

There are 6 of us, but since we are 2 parties (4 in 1 room and 2 in the other; party of 4 is 2 kids & 2 Adults) I had an idea that could make the DDP worth it. While it seems expensive, perhaps I could choose the cheapest Dining plan (I think that is quick service?) for simply the 4 person party and then SPLIT THE CREDITS eating dinners only for all 6 of us. We will only be eating dinners. What do you think of this idea and what is the cost (14 nights)?

The cost for 2 adults, 2 kids on the QSDP in 2018 will be just under $150 per NIGHT. You'll have 8 snacks per night to share among you. If we estimate the snacks at $5 each, that leaves $110 for meals. Divided by 6, you need to spend $18 per person on your dinners. You get an entrée and drink. In 2018 that drink can be an alcoholic drink for the adults and a specialty drink (smoothie, milk shake) for the kids if the order adult meals, where available. To even begin to make this worth it, the kids will have to get adult meals OR you pay OOP for their kid's meals and use all the credits for the adults. Go take a look at the menus for QS places and see if you can spend $18 per person. It is doable, but you'll need to do a little planning.

 

[sharonabe]

BRILLIANT idea! (by the way, what is OOP?). Deluxe dining for 2 would cost how much for 14 days? Also can the TS credits be saved up? (like we skip DD one night and eat outside Disney and then bank that nights credits?). Thanks for the brilliant idea : )

The DxDDP for two adults in 2018 will be $232.50 per night. OOP means pay out-of-pocket (cash or charge, no dining plan). This could work for you as well. With only 4 snacks to take out of the equation, you would then have $192.50, divided by 6, you need to spend $32 per person on a TS meal. That's definitely easier than the QS meals especially with apps and dessert thrown in. If you do any buffet meals, you would want to use credits for everyone. At a la carte meals, you could easily use 3 or 4 credits and share. BUT you do need to make those ADRs and eating TS means a little more planning, so you're not running all over WDW to get to your meals. Still, with 14 days, you're probably going to want some TS meals in there.

As to the banking of credits, ALL the credits are available from the moment you check in until midnight of the day you check out, and you can use them whenever, however you wish. You could use 20 of them in one day (but don't know why you would). You can not use any one day and have two TS meals for everyone on the next day.

 

[kniquy]

BRILLIANT idea!

I can't take credit -- I happen to be reading a post by someone who did just what i explained and it totally saved her a significant amount of money.

what is OOP?)

Out of pocket

Deluxe dining for 2 would cost how much for 14 days?

https://www.dvcrequest.com/dining-plan-calculator.asp You can pick the plan year (so if you are traveling in 2017 or 2018 because there is a little cost difference) and enter your number in your party and trip length.
QS plan based on your original plan and party of 2 adults 2 kids would be $2,078.72
Deluxe dining plan for 2 adults for one room x 14 nights $3,255.00

So really for an extra $1176.28 (extra $84 per day) you will be able to get a TS meal every day vs only QS meals. For a 14 day trip i couldn't deal with only QS meals. You could definitely put in some signature 2 credit meals like Cinderellas royal table because with your party of only 4 adults (i'm guessing the room with 2 is 2 adults) you would only need to use 4 TS credits at any 1 TS credit meals. Lots for you to factor out.

Yes you could bank your credits say if you wanted to do a signature dining option one night (which would require 2 credits). You can pretty much use the credits any way you want -- best TS value are generally character meals, lunch or dinners vs breakfast.

 

[Pluto777]

Really the only way you can price it out is to figure out where you would be using your credits and a sample meal that you might be ordering. I was considering the same thing except getting the deluxe plan for our room that has 2 people and splitting those credits with the room that has 5 (4 adults 1 kid - paying OOP for the kid). I priced it out and yes if we ordered just as the plan gives you - for a TS credit on the DxDD you get an app entree dessert and in 2018 a specialty drink. When i factored all that even eating the lower cost the plan would have saved us a few hundred $$, but then i talked to my husband who told me that we couldn't possibly eat 6 apps, entrees and 6 dessert - so yes it would save us money but we would be rolling ourselves out of the restaurant. I'm still calculating to see if just using a few credits per meal (3) would provide any savings.


So maybe consider doing the opposite -- get the deluxe dining plan for the room with 2 -- that would give you 6 TS credits to use every day for the adults and pay OOP for the kids - Factor in the alcoholic drinks if you have people in your party who might get an adult beverage. You would only get 2 mugs - not a real benefit if you are doing more park time and each person gets 2 snacks per day - so a total of 4 snacks per day - factor that with an average price of $5 each.

It sounds like you are intending on doing just QS meals, but it is nice to have a TS meal and there are many character meals that help get great value out of the TS credits.

Actually, now that I do the math, it is actually the SAME PRICE if we do 2 A & 2 K QS dining as the cost of 2 A regular dining.. - since the cost virtually the same, would not the 2A & 2 K Quick service be a better value than the 2 Adults Regular?
2A + 2K Quick service = (4 x 2 quick svce meals, 4 X 2 snacks, 4 X 1 mug) - Total 8 Qs, 8 snacks, 4 mugs
vs
Regular 2 A = (2 x 1 TS, 2x 1 QS, 2x 2 snacks, 2 x 1 mug) - Total 2 Ts, 2 Qs, 4 snacks, 2 mugs

Again, the QS excludes table service which is a big minus since I have kids who would want to character dine, so maybe I should reconsider. Too bad you can't trade in 2 quick service meals for 1 table service!

 

[Pluto777]

I can't take credit -- I happen to be reading a post by someone who did just what i explained and it totally saved her a significant amount of money.

Out of pocket

https://www.dvcrequest.com/dining-plan-calculator.asp You can pick the plan year (so if you are traveling in 2017 or 2018 because there is a little cost difference) and enter your number in your party and trip length.
QS plan based on your original plan and party of 2 adults 2 kids would be $2,078.72
Deluxe dining plan for 2 adults for one room x 14 nights $3,255.00

So really for an extra $1176.28 (extra $84 per day) you will be able to get a TS meal every day vs only QS meals. For a 14 day trip i couldn't deal with only QS meals. You could definitely put in some signature 2 credit meals like Cinderellas royal table because with your party of only 4 adults (i'm guessing the room with 2 is 2 adults) you would only need to use 4 TS credits at any 1 TS credit meals. Lots for you to factor out.

Yes you could bank your credits say if you wanted to do a signature dining option one night (which would require 2 credits). You can pretty much use the credits any way you want -- best TS value are generally character meals, lunch or dinners vs breakfast.

OMG, this is turning into ADVANCED algebra ; ) I didn't know there are "2 credit meals"? and yes we DEFINATELY want to have 1 or 2 character meals and the extra 2 are adults (so total party is 4 A and 2 K). Is there any way to use enough QS credits to 'buy' a character meal? $2,078.72 sounds a LOT cheaper than 3255!

 

[SirDuff]

OMG, this is turning into ADVANCED algebra ; ) I didn't know there are "2 credit meals"? and yes we DEFINATELY want to have 1 or 2 character meals and the extra 2 are adults (so total party is 4 A and 2 K). Is there any way to use enough QS credits to 'buy' a character meal? $2,078.72 sounds a LOT cheaper than 3255!

This one is simple (no math involved) - no! You cannot use QS on TS meals (in any combination).

 

[kniquy]

Deluxe DP for the above 2 adults x 14 days would give you a total of 84 TS credits
Day 1 - 4
Day 2 - 8 (signature)
Day 3 - 4
Day 4 - 4
Day 5 - 8 (signature)
Day 6 - 4
Day 7 - 4
Day 8 - 4
Day 9 - 4
Day 10 - 4
Day 11 - 8 (signature)
Day 12 - 4
Day 13 - 4
Day 14 - departure day maybe no TS meal

Total 64 Credits - so you could include 5 TS breakfasts or lunch, or add in other signature meals to use up all the credits.

I think with kids wanting to do character meals it is worth it. The regular dining plan might not get you enough credits to really make it worth it. the reason the deluxe makes sense is because for one adult you get 3 TS credits per day. On the regular dining plan you only get 1 TS and 1QS -- I don't think it will give you much to work with.

I attached the pdf for the participating locations -- when i noted signature there are also dinner shows that are 2 credits too - like hoop-dee-doo which i have never done but have heard great things about.

http://www.mousefantravel.com/sites/default/files/documents/2018DDP_Locations.pdf

Is there any way to use enough QS credits to 'buy' a character meal?

nope the only thing is that QS meals can be broken down to i believe 3 snack credits.

It all really depends what your party wants to do. Yes QS is cheaper but you are not getting any experiences -- some restaurants alone are an experience. California grill (2 credits) is at the top of Contemporary -- from there if you plan your timing right you can watch the MK fire works from there. Ohana is amazing too (only 1 credit) but then you can go and watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. Discuss with your party - if you want character meals and want some better restaurants to experience and enjoy an adult beverage with your meal and you if you have foodies in your group i think the Deluxe is a no brainer. If your party is satisfied with QS meals and paying OOP for the character meals then you could go the QS route it just probably won't save you much money.


You really have to work the numbers from what restaurants you want and what it would cost OOP with only getting the QS plan for your other meals.

 

[Pluto777]

I can't take credit -- I happen to be reading a post by someone who did just what i explained and it totally saved her a significant amount of money.

Out of pocket

https://www.dvcrequest.com/dining-plan-calculator.asp You can pick the plan year (so if you are traveling in 2017 or 2018 because there is a little cost difference) and enter your number in your party and trip length.
QS plan based on your original plan and party of 2 adults 2 kids would be $2,078.72
Deluxe dining plan for 2 adults for one room x 14 nights $3,255.00

So really for an extra $1176.28 (extra $84 per day) you will be able to get a TS meal every day vs only QS meals. For a 14 day trip i couldn't deal with only QS meals. You could definitely put in some signature 2 credit meals like Cinderellas royal table because with your party of only 4 adults (i'm guessing the room with 2 is 2 adults) you would only need to use 4 TS credits at any 1 TS credit meals. Lots for you to factor out.

Yes you could bank your credits say if you wanted to do a signature dining option one night (which would require 2 credits). You can pretty much use the credits any way you want -- best TS value are generally character meals, lunch or dinners vs breakfast.

-BTW, we are actually 2 parties (2 A in one, 2 A & 2 K in the other, and we will be doing a split stay (5 nights in one place and 14 in the other!) so maybe this should factor into the planning as well...

 

[Pluto777]

Deluxe DP for the above 2 adults x 14 days would give you a total of 84 TS credits
Day 1 - 4
Day 2 - 8 (signature)
Day 3 - 4
Day 4 - 4
Day 5 - 8 (signature)
Day 6 - 4
Day 7 - 4
Day 8 - 4
Day 9 - 4
Day 10 - 4
Day 11 - 8 (signature)
Day 12 - 4
Day 13 - 4
Day 14 - departure day maybe no TS meal

Total 64 Credits - so you could include 5 TS breakfasts or lunch, or add in other signature meals to use up all the credits.

I think with kids wanting to do character meals it is worth it. The regular dining plan might not get you enough credits to really make it worth it. the reason the deluxe makes sense is because for one adult you get 3 TS credits per day. On the regular dining plan you only get 1 TS and 1QS -- I don't think it will give you much to work with.

I attached the pdf for the participating locations -- when i noted signature there are also dinner shows that are 2 credits too - like hoop-dee-doo which i have never done but have heard great things about.

http://www.mousefantravel.com/sites/default/files/documents/2018DDP_Locations.pdf

nope the only thing is that QS meals can be broken down to i believe 3 snack credits.

It all really depends what your party wants to do. Yes QS is cheaper but you are not getting any experiences -- some restaurants alone are an experience. California grill (2 credits) is at the top of Contemporary -- from there if you plan your timing right you can watch the MK fire works from there. Ohana is amazing too (only 1 credit) but then you can go and watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. Discuss with your party - if you want character meals and want some better restaurants to experience and enjoy an adult beverage with your meal and you if you have foodies in your group i think the Deluxe is a no brainer. If your party is satisfied with QS meals and paying OOP for the character meals then you could go the QS route it just probably won't save you much money.


You really have to work the numbers from what restaurants you want and what it would cost OOP with only getting the QS plan for your other meals.

Tanks so much for all that math! BTW, we are actually doing 18 days! first 5 nights and then split stay ffor 14 more. Maybe we could do the DDP for just the first 5 nights and then (is it allowed??) we could bank the 5 nights of credits into the rest of the 14?

 

[Pluto777]

Deluxe DP for the above 2 adults x 14 days would give you a total of 84 TS credits
Day 1 - 4
Day 2 - 8 (signature)
Day 3 - 4
Day 4 - 4
Day 5 - 8 (signature)
Day 6 - 4
Day 7 - 4
Day 8 - 4
Day 9 - 4
Day 10 - 4
Day 11 - 8 (signature)
Day 12 - 4
Day 13 - 4
Day 14 - departure day maybe no TS meal

Total 64 Credits - so you could include 5 TS breakfasts or lunch, or add in other signature meals to use up all the credits.

I think with kids wanting to do character meals it is worth it. The regular dining plan might not get you enough credits to really make it worth it. the reason the deluxe makes sense is because for one adult you get 3 TS credits per day. On the regular dining plan you only get 1 TS and 1QS -- I don't think it will give you much to work with.

I attached the pdf for the participating locations -- when i noted signature there are also dinner shows that are 2 credits too - like hoop-dee-doo which i have never done but have heard great things about.

http://www.mousefantravel.com/sites/default/files/documents/2018DDP_Locations.pdf

nope the only thing is that QS meals can be broken down to i believe 3 snack credits.

It all really depends what your party wants to do. Yes QS is cheaper but you are not getting any experiences -- some restaurants alone are an experience. California grill (2 credits) is at the top of Contemporary -- from there if you plan your timing right you can watch the MK fire works from there. Ohana is amazing too (only 1 credit) but then you can go and watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. Discuss with your party - if you want character meals and want some better restaurants to experience and enjoy an adult beverage with your meal and you if you have foodies in your group i think the Deluxe is a no brainer. If your party is satisfied with QS meals and paying OOP for the character meals then you could go the QS route it just probably won't save you much money.


You really have to work the numbers from what restaurants you want and what it would cost OOP with only getting the QS plan for your other meals.

ALSO, would 8 credits be enough? Remember it is not just 4 adults, but 4 adults & 2 kids (4 & 5 yrs old). at 2 credits per person thats 12, not 8 (unless kids are 0 each?|)

 

[kniquy]

Maybe we could do the DDP for just the first 5 nights and then (is it allowed??) we could bank the 5 nights of credits into the rest of the 14?

You could do the dining plan for the first 5 nights but those credits would need to be used by the end of the 5th day. They can not carry over to your 14 day portion of your stay. But you could put your more expensive character meals on the days that you have the dining plan. Is the entire trip onsite or is a portion off site?

We are doing a split 3 nights/4 nights so we are considering the DxDD for the first 3 nights.

ALSO, would 8 credits be enough? Remember it is not just 4 adults, but 4 adults & 2 kids (4 & 5 yrs old). at 2 credits per person thats 12, not 8 (unless kids are 0 each?|)

This plan assumes you would pay out of pocket for the cheaper kids meals. You would not want to use an adult TS credit for a kids meal because that would be a poor value. Kids meals are always much less expensive.

 

[Pluto777]

Deluxe DP for the above 2 adults x 14 days would give you a total of 84 TS credits
Day 1 - 4
Day 2 - 8 (signature)
Day 3 - 4
Day 4 - 4
Day 5 - 8 (signature)
Day 6 - 4
Day 7 - 4
Day 8 - 4
Day 9 - 4
Day 10 - 4
Day 11 - 8 (signature)
Day 12 - 4
Day 13 - 4
Day 14 - departure day maybe no TS meal

Total 64 Credits - so you could include 5 TS breakfasts or lunch, or add in other signature meals to use up all the credits.

I think with kids wanting to do character meals it is worth it. The regular dining plan might not get you enough credits to really make it worth it. the reason the deluxe makes sense is because for one adult you get 3 TS credits per day. On the regular dining plan you only get 1 TS and 1QS -- I don't think it will give you much to work with.

I attached the pdf for the participating locations -- when i noted signature there are also dinner shows that are 2 credits too - like hoop-dee-doo which i have never done but have heard great things about.

http://www.mousefantravel.com/sites/default/files/documents/2018DDP_Locations.pdf

nope the only thing is that QS meals can be broken down to i believe 3 snack credits.

It all really depends what your party wants to do. Yes QS is cheaper but you are not getting any experiences -- some restaurants alone are an experience. California grill (2 credits) is at the top of Contemporary -- from there if you plan your timing right you can watch the MK fire works from there. Ohana is amazing too (only 1 credit) but then you can go and watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. Discuss with your party - if you want character meals and want some better restaurants to experience and enjoy an adult beverage with your meal and you if you have foodies in your group i think the Deluxe is a no brainer. If your party is satisfied with QS meals and paying OOP for the character meals then you could go the QS route it just probably won't save you much money.


You really have to work the numbers from what restaurants you want and what it would cost OOP with only getting the QS plan for your other meals.

BTW, almost afraid to ask, but you are SURE that one person can use their dining credits for someone else? (otherwise this plan goes out the window)

 

[Pluto777]

You could do the dining plan for the first 5 nights but those credits would need to be used by the end of the 5th day. They can not carry over to your 14 day portion of your stay. But you could put your more expensive character meals on the days that you have the dining plan. Is the entire trip onsite or is a portion off site?

We are doing a split 3 nights/4 nights so we are considering the DxDD for the first 3 nights.

This plan assumes you would pay out of pocket for the cheaper kids meals. You would not want to use an adult TS credit for a kids meal because that would be a poor value. Kids meals are always much less expensive.

I think your ideas is a winner, the DDP for 2 sounds like the best option and should easily feed the whole fam...

 

[kniquy]

BTW, almost afraid to ask, but you are SURE that one person can use their dining credits for someone else? (otherwise this plan goes out the window)

Yes you are allowed to use the credits at the meal for whosoever meal you want - the TS credits are tied to the room reservation and not to a particular person. Hope that makes sense. So whoever has the plan on their room would be the one to "pay" with their magic band.

The dining plan is not really intended to save money it is more for convenience but this work around of one room getting the plan and sharing credits can make it actually save some money, but you have to make sure you don't leave any credits at the end of your last day.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Don't overlook the very important point that you don't have to use the dining plan credits for the kids! You can split the check with some paying via credits and others out-of-pocket. If someone is only ordering a $10 kids meal, pay OOP for the kids and save the credits for the more expensive meals. It is rarely a good idea to use adult TS credits on a kid's meal, especially at a signature restaurant.

Also keep in mind that an adult in the room which booked the dining plan must be present to pay for each meal. The 2A2C in the other room will not have access to the dining credits directly, so they can't go to a meal alone and pay for it using the credits. Yes, one of the adults in the 2A room can pay for everyone's meals using their credits.

 

[Pumbaa_]

For 2017 you can freely share your credits

Dxdp has meal credits, not ts or cs. You can use them interchangeably

If disney goes back to strict enforcement of the plan, this all falls apart. We won't know what will happen in 2018 until then

For dxdp and the qs plan, there are no adult vs child credit allotment, at this time.

The regular ddp ts is broken into adult or child credits

The qs plan may work nicely for you. Use the difference to pay oop for a few ts meals

With dxdp, you must keep in mind 2 things
1. It is a lot of food! Appy, entree and dessert at every meal. Plus time. 60-90 minutes minimum once you are seated. So figure close to 2 hours for every ts meal.

2. Money! Not only is the plan itself expensive, you must also tip for every single one of the ts meals. Figure another 6-700 in gratuities. Do not get into a tipping debate, we don't do that here. Just mentioning it here ipfor some food for thought

Lastly, what if comes into play
Someone's gets sick or the family does. Skipping a couple meals can throw your plan into chaos
Tired of meals! I went on a cruise w foods friends. After the 4th 3 hour meal I was done.

Just a couple things to consider. While it is a math exercise, there are also other factors to consider

 

[Pluto777]

For 2017 you can freely share your credits

Dxdp has meal credits, not ts or cs. You can use them interchangeably

If disney goes back to strict enforcement of the plan, this all falls apart. We won't know what will happen in 2018 until then

For dxdp and the qs plan, there are no adult vs child credit allotment, at this time.

The regular ddp ts is broken into adult or child credits

The qs plan may work nicely for you. Use the difference to pay oop for a few ts meals

With dxdp, you must keep in mind 2 things
1. It is a lot of food! Appy, entree and dessert at every meal. Plus time. 60-90 minutes minimum once you are seated. So figure close to 2 hours for every ts meal.

2. Money! Not only is the plan itself expensive, you must also tip for every single one of the ts meals. Figure another 6-700 in gratuities. Do not get into a tipping debate, we don't do that here. Just mentioning it here ipfor some food for thought

Lastly, what if comes into play
Someone's gets sick or the family does. Skipping a couple meals can throw your plan into chaos
Tired of meals! I went on a cruise w foods friends. After the 4th 3 hour meal I was done.

Just a couple things to consider. While it is a math exercise, there are also other factors to consider

"If disney goes back to strict enforcement of the plan, this all falls apart. We won't know what will happen in 2018 until then"?

Really? They used to enforce 'no sharing' of dining credits in the past? on QS I'm not even sure how that is possible. I need to know 100% for sure tho because we definately will share or theres no point in buying it