When Is It Worth It -DDP-Free Dining

[Hugpug]

I travel solo so my question is when is it worth it to use DDP or Free Dining? As I understand it you have to pay rack rate when using this so I can't see where the savings is. Anyone know the answer. I am trying to decide.

 

[ohiodisneydad2]

DDP may not be the best way if you are going solo. We had free DDP this past September and we saved a FORTUNE. I'd put our savings at near $1000. We are a family of 5, which included one 3 year old who ate free MOST of the time, and did one character meal a day. In fact, we actually did Chef Mickey's for breakfast and then 50's Prime Time for Dinner.

We stayed at Pop Century and I believe our room was around $100 a day. Discounted rate would have been $89 a day and we obviously ate way more then the $11 a day difference.

 

[happymommy]

If the room is more than $40 off, then take a room discount. For a family of 4 (like ours) the plan would cost us $160 a day. Really we won't even bother anymore - stayed our last time in one room a year ago, and it's just too tight as the kids get older, so we're not even considering an on site stay anymore. But, if we got a room at the value resort for about $100 a night, and the dining plan was free, that would be a bargain. If we got a room discount at a deluxe resort and it was saving more than $160 or so, then that would trump the free dining.

If you can't get a good discount on the room but free dining is offered, I guess just figure that it's worth the cost of the DDP.

Going solo, I would rather be free to pick and choose, and forgo the plan.

 

[Mamu]

I use my AP to book a room, we usually stay deluxe. Sometimes up to a 45% discount. We also purchase DDE card with our AP this gives us 20% off meals. We also stay club level. All are fruit, drinks and snacks are paid for.

Breakfast and appetizers come with the club level, plus wine is served with the evening appetizers. From 8-10 club level has dessert offerings and cordials.

We do book a few dinners during the week and use our DDE card. Mostly we eat at counter serve.

I also use my AP card for purchases.

I figure 45% off room, 20% of meals, 10% off some purchases at The World of Disney comes to quite a bit of savings.

Plus with an AP card you get free parking. We do stay off site in March.

Whether it more then free dining I don't know.

We find the AP rote a more relaxing way to go.

 

[winterman]

The numbers are different for every situation but the best deal is usually FD in a value resort. The more people in the group, the more money saved, which can make the more expensive resorts a good deal.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

I'd suggest a spread sheet/pro-con list of all your options,there are just to many lodging and food options and requirements for each family for blanket statements.

If we did not eat almost exclusively 2TS or signatures we'd get a DP or free dining.We often stay off property in vacation homes or condos with another couple.More room and dining options.

It is almost as easy to save money with the mouse as it is to spend it.

 

[aprilp]

Not sure about when going solo, but with the three of us last December we ate about $700 worth of food on the regular dining plan, whereas getting a discount on our moderate resort would not have even saved us half that(maybe about $300?). And it was nice to not have to cough up money each time we ate. Especially for my dad. He kept asking, "but who's paying for this?" and I'm like, "who cares, after we eat about $300-worth its free so just enjoy!" He was a super happy camper the whole time because he's the one who usually forks over the money for food and he didnt have to pay for anything once we got there. lol!

 

[Nadjalu]

There isn't a clear cut answer to your question. Whether it is worth it or not is based on each individual's vacation preferances.

For us DDP is a good savings, beats the room discount everytime. We stay at POP so the room rate % is the lowest off and we like to eat a big lunch and a sit down dinner. That jacks our food price up considerably.
So what works for us may not be what is best for someone else.

When going solo, your room discount may be more of a value to you, as you only need to buy food for 1.

Work out the details for you and you alone, then see which is the better value and go with it.

For us it is always DDP, and Free dinning well that is just a blessing.