What would you do???

[Twinkly-Tink]

So I'm torn!!!

I read a post on here about booking the DDP and it being more cost effective at the moment due to the issues with the exchange rate.

We don't really want to be tied to TS as we like to be quite flexible with our time in the parks so were looking at the QSDP.

We're booked with Disney UK and they have the QSDP priced at £15.99 online(tried a costing with a new booking as couldn't locate the price anywhere!) - I figured we would get our monies worth at this price, even without dessert at every meal whcih is something we don't normally have. But when I called to add to our ressie I'm told it's now £19. Couldn't get any sense out of the call centre (not sure it's UK based!)

So what do I do?? The idea of paying up front and not possibly taking a massive hit on the exchange rate is very appealing and I like the idea of the flexibility of it all, but will we get our monies worth. We're also planning on visiting Kona Cafe, Crystal Palace, Teppan Edo - these we'll pay for OOP.

Whilst the heat can tend to affect our appetite we would generally have 2 CS meals, albeit not necessarily with a dessert and drink each and snacks are always welcome!!!

This is our first time onsite and I'm so confused - If we do go for it how complicated is it to use???

Would be interested in everyone's thoughts
- is it worth it, even if we're only saving minimal/breaking even???

 

[gemmybear83]

From what I understand (will be doing DDP for the first time in Oct) you can swap your counter servcie dessert for another drink, thats what we will be doing most days, and the we will take the extra drinks with us. The Disney Dining Plan board on here (located under the restaurants page) is really useful to pick up tips.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

So I'm torn!!!

I read a post on here about booking the DDP and it being more cost effective at the moment due to the issues with the exchange rate.

We don't really want to be tied to TS as we like to be quite flexible with our time in the parks so were looking at the QSDP.

We're booked with Disney UK and they have the QSDP priced at £15.99 online(tried a costing with a new booking as couldn't locate the price anywhere!) - I figured we would get our monies worth at this price, even without dessert at every meal whcih is something we don't normally have. But when I called to add to our ressie I'm told it's now £19. Couldn't get any sense out of the call centre (not sure it's UK based!)

So what do I do?? The idea of paying up front and not possibly taking a massive hit on the exchange rate is very appealing and I like the idea of the flexibility of it all, but will we get our monies worth. We're also planning on visiting Kona Cafe, Crystal Palace, Teppan Edo - these we'll pay for OOP.

Whilst the heat can tend to affect our appetite we would generally have 2 CS meals, albeit not necessarily with a dessert and drink each and snacks are always welcome!!!

This is our first time onsite and I'm so confused - If we do go for it how complicated is it to use???

Would be interested in everyone's thoughts
- is it worth it, even if we're only saving minimal/breaking even???

As long as you use all your credits up you can't fail to get your money's worth, and even if the saving is only minimal - as you say - it is worth it for the convenience and not having to worry about paying for it nearer the time with whatever cruddy exchange rate is available at the time!!

We have just booked it for the first time, for these very reasons. We have gone for the table service option as we always have one a day, but if you prefer to keep your times flexible the quick service one does sound ideal for you! I am surprised there is such a small price difference (£5) between the QS and the table service plans though!!

 

[wayneg]

To me its not worth £19
If we ate 2 counter service a day and 2 snacks that would total around $84 for 3 of us.
More or less the same price price.
Personally I would not tie myself to a plan just for sake of paying upfront, might as well keep your money and be totally flexible when you get there.
Only you know what you eat and where you want to eat, If we didn't have free DDP we would be offsite hotel and offsite dining.

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

As long as you use all your credits up you can't fail to get your money's worth, and even if the saving is only minimal - as you say - it is worth it for the convenience and not having to worry about paying for it nearer the time with whatever cruddy exchange rate is available at the time!!

We have just booked it for the first time, for these very reasons. We have gone for the table service option as we always have one a day, but if you prefer to keep your times flexible the quick service one does sound ideal for you! I am surprised there is such a small price difference (£5) between the QS and the table service plans though!!

this is what I'm thinking. I know that you would probably get more 'value' from the normal DDP but just not sure can be doing with the ADR tie-in. Did you pay £24pppd?

To me its not worth £19
If we ate 2 counter service a day and 2 snacks that would total around $84 for 3 of us.
More or less the same price price.
Personally I would not tie myself to a plan just for sake of paying upfront, might as well keep your money and be totally flexible when you get there.
Only you know what you eat and where you want to eat, If we didn't have free DDP we would be offsite hotel and offsite dining.

We're not having a car so 'eating where we want' will still be in Disney! My worry is that the exchange rate moves further so it'll end up costing more - this is what's leaning me towards booking. I suppose it's each to their own!

If I decide yes then I'm assuming that I can add this up until I have to pay the balance of my holiday with Disney?

Thanks both for the advice - anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[wayneg]

We're not having a car so 'eating where we want' will still be in Disney! My worry is that the exchange rate moves further so it'll end up costing more - this is what's leaning me towards booking. I suppose it's each to their own!

If I decide yes then I'm assuming that I can add this up until I have to pay the balance of my holiday with Disney?

Thanks both for the advice - anyone else have any thoughts?

If you are spending your whole holiday in Disney, no Universal, no Seaworld, no shopping days etc etc and also sticking to 2 x CS every single day then it would be around break even or slightly beneficial paying upfront. If you are out of Disney at all to have a meal or 2 or have any TS meals and don't use some of your credits then you will almost certainly be worse off at £19pppd.

Like you say each to their own but for me to prepay and be tied to something I would want to be saving $100's not wondering if I might, might not save.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

this is what I'm thinking. I know that you would probably get more 'value' from the normal DDP but just not sure can be doing with the ADR tie-in. Did you pay £24pppd?


Thanks both for the advice - anyone else have any thoughts?

Yes it was £24pp, but with my 10% frequent Virgin discount it took it down a bit! Its definitely a saving for us because we eat so much!!!!!!!!

 

[Twinkly-Tink]

Well decided, given the further slump in the dollar today, that we would book (not sure how much lower it can go!!).


so it's all done now - just have to get our value for money which I'm sure we will!!

Thanks Wayneg and Poohs Honey Pot for the comments - appreciated.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Well decided, given the further slump in the dollar today, that we would book (not sure how much lower it can go!!).


so it's all done now - just have to get our value for money which I'm sure we will!!

Thanks Wayneg and Poohs Honey Pot for the comments - appreciated.

Well done!! I'm sure you will get the value!!

You will have a great time at POFQ - we stayed there last year and absolutely adored it. We would be going there again if our cruise hadn't cost us so much because of trhe exchange rate!!