Well color me surprised...

[pearlieq]

I was planning out our ADRs for our April trip last night and as a lark I decided to do a quick comparison of costs for pay OOP vs. buying the new DDP.

I tried to be as conservative as possible. When calculating OOP costs I left out desserts we wouldn't have bought without the DDP and things like that. I directly compared only items that would be included on the DDP. I fully expected to find that it would be cheaper to just buy things OOP instead of using the dining plan.

To my shock, we came out a litte ahead by using the DDP ($403.68 OOP vs. $379.90 for 5 nights for 2 adults)! And the DDP includes some extra things I didn't include in my OOP calcualtions, like an extra TS dessert to try when we would ordinarily have split one if paying OOP, a few extra CS desserts and bottles of water.

I was reminded all over again while adding this up how inflated some WDW restaurant prices are. $3 for a cold beverage at a TS restaurant? $7 for a single dessert? $15 for 8 pumpkin ravioli? Still, I guess if you're already resigned to paying resort prices, at least it's nice to get it somewhat cheaper.

I'm not a fan of the changes they made to the DDP. I wish they would have left well enough alone. I would even have been OK with them leaving it as is, but changing the offerings to appetizer OR dessert.

There's part of me that's a little conflicted about the idea of buying the DDP now, because I was always taught that the best way to express your dissatisfaction with a product was not to buy it. I feel like buying it is going to communicate to the Disney corporation that I'm satisfied with the changes, when really I'm not. However, I'm obviously not going to give them extra $ for the privilege of making a statement.

So, I guess I'm buying the DDP. I still have to budget an additional $150 - $200 for a few appetizers that we really love and for gratuities, but it's nice to know I'll be saving a little bit of money on things we would have bought anyway.

What a surprise!

 

[mommyaof2]

I did some figuring myself too. We would come out ahead using the plan too. The only problem is that we are not going until 2009, so who knows what it will be next year?

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I did some figuring myself too. We would come out ahead using the plan too. The only problem is that we are not going until 2009, so who knows what it will be next year?

I did the same thing and we are also not going until 2009. I wonder if they will change anything after this year.

 

[soccerchick]

Yes, my problem with the advertising for it says you can save 30% (maybe up to 30%) and it is no where near that! Maybe 10 - 15% depending on eating styles.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I was planning out our ADRs for our April trip last night and as a lark I decided to do a quick comparison of costs for pay OOP vs. buying the new DDP.

I tried to be as conservative as possible. When calculating OOP costs I left out desserts we wouldn't have bought without the DDP and things like that. I directly compared only items that would be included on the DDP. I fully expected to find that it would be cheaper to just buy things OOP instead of using the dining plan.

To my shock, we came out a litte ahead by using the DDP ($403.68 OOP vs. $379.90 for 5 nights for 2 adults)! And the DDP includes some extra things I didn't include in my OOP calcualtions, like an extra TS dessert to try when we would ordinarily have split one if paying OOP, a few extra CS desserts and bottles of water.

I was reminded all over again while adding this up how inflated some WDW restaurant prices are. $3 for a cold beverage at a TS restaurant? $7 for a single dessert? $15 for 8 pumpkin ravioli? Still, I guess if you're already resigned to paying resort prices, at least it's nice to get it somewhat cheaper.

I'm not a fan of the changes they made to the DDP. I wish they would have left well enough alone. I would even have been OK with them leaving it as is, but changing the offerings to appetizer OR dessert.

There's part of me that's a little conflicted about the idea of buying the DDP now, because I was always taught that the best way to express your dissatisfaction with a product was not to buy it. I feel like buying it is going to communicate to the Disney corporation that I'm satisfied with the changes, when really I'm not. However, I'm obviously not going to give them extra $ for the privilege of making a statement.

So, I guess I'm buying the DDP. I still have to budget an additional $150 - $200 for a few appetizers that we really love and for gratuities, but it's nice to know I'll be saving a little bit of money on things we would have bought anyway.

What a surprise!

I love reading posts like this. I also did a lot of calculating and it was a no brainer for us to get the DDP for our May trip.

 

[JC0712]

My calculations have us saving about $33 per adult and $70 per child for our 6 day trip in May. Some of that is due to increased holiday charges. We are planning on 4 character meals. Without the DDP we would cut back on character meals and eat less overall and still break even to the DDP, so why not go ahead and get it and eat well.

 

[LSchrow]

Yes, my problem with the advertising for it says you can save 30% (maybe up to 30%) and it is no where near that! Maybe 10 - 15% depending on eating styles.

we're saving an average of $25 per adult, per night ~ (without trying to "maximize")

 

[ChicagoMommy2Two]

There was no calculations for me, it will save us a TON!! We (Dh big time) love eating out and can do it 3 meals a day. DD will be 2 so she will not be included but she eats twice or 3x's more than my son (3) does so she will definatly be eating off our plates.

If the plan doesn't change for 2009 to inculde the appitizers we will probally spring for the Deluxe since we love appitizers.