Unhappy with DDP policy

[DisneydaveCT]

I appreciate the need/want for an "all-inclusive" type vacation at WDW, but no matter how hard I try I have never been able to make any DDP work for my family either eating-habit wise or financially. I've crunched the numbers and even with "maximizing" the plan (which is becoming increasingly difficult since they are removing the most expensive items on many menus!), I find we generally just break even.

So instead of complaining, I created my own dining plan system! In the months leading up to our trip I regularly load a gift-card-type Visa with monies to use for dining while on vacation. I used our food budget amount as my goal to have loaded before we left, but you could also just use the total price of the Disney plan of your choice as a target load amount. There are several benefits to this method: 1) you still get the pre-paid effect with much more flexibility; 2) it can be used with DDE to save more; 3) you are not locked in to eating the way Disney wants you to; 4) you do not have to waste a bunch of time trying to "work" the system; 5) you can use my plan to pay for everything (alcoholic drinks, appetizers, and tip!); 6) my plan works off-site, not just on Disney property; and 7) if you have leftovers, you can spend the money anywhere they take Visa, instead of having a bunch of worthless credits!

Feel free to use the BDP (Blahnde's Dining Plan) for your next WDW trip!

Blahnde

The first time I read this I thought it was a great ideal, but then I wondered what is the advantage to the pre-paid Visa vis-a-vis using Travelers Checks?


I have used the DDP plan as a solo and as part of a family. It works for us when we are traveling as a family. The DDP isn't as great as the DDE when traveling as a solo or a couple.

Given the large number of people visiting WDW, none of the Disney plans will suit every single guest. We just need to figure out what is best for each of us with the goal of having a most enjoyable trip "home."

 

[brianm27]

I am sure the extra counter service meals and snacks will not go to wast with 3 boys 11, 13, and 17.

I think a CS meal is a snack to a teenage boy!

 

[Dean]

I have used the DDP plan as a solo and as part of a family. It works for us when we are traveling as a family. The DDP isn't as great as the DDE when traveling as a solo or a couple.

I would look at it the other way because the larger the group, the more money saved on the DDE. For 1 or 2 people to make up the DDE purchase price would take more meals and/or higher cost meals. It does depend on the makeup of the group and the LOS as the DDP tends to be a better value for shorter stays. The DDP is especially conducive to those with children under 10 that will eat the meal and to teens who will eat everyone's meal. It also depends on the groups meal habits, basically how you order, though it can be an opportunity to try things you wouldn't otherwise. My wife and I can eat two sit down's a day and get the snacks OOP for less than the price of the DDP. Another issue with the DDP is that it tends to encourage people to overeat.

 

[Blahnde]

The first time I read this I thought it was a great idea, but then I wondered what is the advantage to the pre-paid Visa vis-a-vis using Travelers Checks?

The main difference I see is that Travelers Checks are usually in denominations ($25, $50, $100) and most people have dining budgets of at least a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand. That means that either you have to carry them all around with you (bulky, at best, and risking water damage, at worst!) or you have to figure out what you need each time you leave your room and put the rest in the safe. And what if you are short??? And while most locations at WDW will take Travelers Checks, I doubt you will enjoy the looks you will get when using a $50 to buy a Mickey Ice Cream Bar! And inevitably you end up carrying around both cash and Travelers Checks. I think that's a pain, but unlike Disney I won't pigeon hole you into my plan!

While it may not be for you, carrying around one plastic card that can pay for everything is a better solution for my family.

Blahnde

 

[madduck]

Why dont you just make two separate reservations.We were down there this summer for 15 days and I just made 4 separate reservations for a studio based on how many would be there.The person at the front desk just made a note on the computer that I was staying 15 days.When I got up to exercise I just went down and checked out and back in.I know they say that you might have to move but Im pretty sure you'd be hard pressed to find someone that has had to move.
Having said all that make sure that there is availability before trying to change or you might lose your room altogether.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Why dont you just make two separate reservations.We were down there this summer for 15 days and I just made 4 separate reservations for a studio based on how many would be there.The person at the front desk just made a note on the computer that I was staying 15 days.When I got up to exercise I just went down and checked out and back in.I know they say that you might have to move but Im pretty sure you'd be hard pressed to find someone that has had to move.
Having said all that make sure that there is availability before trying to change or you might lose your room altogether.

I had a points reservation and a cash reservation through CRO at SSR a couple of years ago. When we checked in, we asked if we would have to change rooms. When they looked at how the rooms were set up, we were not blocked into the same room for the last part of the stay. So we would have had to move to a different room. Luckily, the CM at the desk was able to block us into the same room for the entire stay.