Will I regret it???

[gumbo1009]

I am thinking about dropping the DDP (I'm paying for it, not free dining).

I want to hear the arguments AGAINST dropping, so that I can make a final decision.

If it helps, my rationale for dropping is that I want more flexibility (eg, 2 apps, no entree; may not always want dessert). I also fear my brain will focus on "snack maximization" (ie lots of expensive snacks like cupcakes and milkshakes; extra calories that my child and I don't really need).

But it may be that the benefits of DDP outweigh the negatives (eg really convenient, or it saves a ton of money). So I want to hear why I should NOT drop (and then I can make my final decision).

Thanks so much for the help!
-pg

 

[mickeynut1]

We love the DDP and won't go without it . We even tried the deluxe plan this past December and found out how well that works for our family of 4 (all Disney adults) . We will never pay OOP for our meals again as the dining plan not only saves us money, but we love the convenience of it .

 

[sunshineNJ]

I would look on the menues for the places that you think you will be eating and do the math. Add up what you think you may order ina day and compare to the cost of the plan. For your 6 year old i think it's like 10/ day, if i'm not wrong. That's a good deal. We like the DDP. We do usually have alot of snack credits left at the end of our trip though. We take treats home. I wish we coulod apps instead of desserts sometimes. The deluxe plan is just too expensive but it has more flexibility. Good Luck

 

[hannahdrewmom]

With a child if you are doing fixed price meals you will save more than you realize. If you aren't doing fix priced or buffets than go for it with the drop.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I am a single mom of a six year old princess, and I keep the dining plan because it allows me to go to Disney and not worry about my budget.

Recently, I, too, have been going with the deluxe dining plan. It provides us with a character breakfast before park opening and either a light lunch and nice dinner OR a signature dining dinner each night. We love it!

If I didn't have any dining plan, I would fret about how much money I am spending, and it would cause me to curtail our pleasure. I don't want that feeling when I am on vacation. I want to be able to buy my daughter a Mickey ice cream bar or a popcorn and not worry about it. Plus, in August, which is when we go, it is so nice to use the snack credit for a great big ol' bottled water. I love that!

I know that I spend a little more than I need to on food when I go with the deluxe dining plan, but that is okay with me. It is a vacation, and I want to splurge. I also know myself well enough to realize that, if I did not have a dining plan, I would be scrutinizing every penny and it would take the joy out of the trip. I've even thought about pre-loading a gift card or buying Disney Dollars to use for my dining, but I would be analyzing every penny spent, and this way, I do not even have to think about money. I love it!

 

[pixiedust9]

We love the dining plan! Its nice to know that everything is paid for in advance. Last time we were there, my girls went down to the food court and we able to get snacks to eat and I didn't have to worry about them having money. My girls loved to get the small fruit cups when we were there. Sometimes when we did the QS we were able to take our desserts and eat them later. It was also nice when we would be in the parks to be able to get and ice cream or something if we wanted it...again not having to worry about money. I don't mind the TS, it gave us a break at some point during the day, unless it was breakfast. I couldn't imagine going without it since there are so many options to choose from. Plus with all the walking you do, I didn't worry to much about extra calories. Enjoy your trip!

 

[ForAandA]

I love the fact that I do not have to worry about food in my Disney budget. It is taken care of, and one less worry is always a good thing

Even if we decide not to use an ADR and wing it, the use of the meal plan always works in our favor.

 

[gumbo1009]

Thanks everyone. With your advice, I think I will take a look at what I would WANT to eat, then see what the cost would be under ADR vs OOP -- if it ends up being more than $100 difference, then that should make my decision easier.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[aubriee]

I go to WDW several times a year and have used either the DDP or DxDDP every single trip since the DDP was introduced. I loved it for the convenience. However, for my trip in late Sept/early Oct I've pretty much decided to go OOP. At alot of restuarants I really want two appetizers instead of an appetizer and entree and sometimes I'm just too full for dessert. I am not a snacker so always have to run around my last day using up leftover snack credits. Plus I really prefer TS restaurants to CS, so the DDP doesn't give me enough credits, but since I'm not a breakfast eater and don't always want three courses, the DxDDP is really too much. Also I really want to try alot of restaurants that don't accept the DDP (T Rex, Portobellos, Bongos, House of Blues, Rainforest Cafe, Bistro de Paris, Shulas, Blue Zoo, Garden Grove, Futons, Il Mulino, and Kimonos). Anyway I figured what I would eat and found I could get what I really wanted (no scrimping, since I refuse to scrimp when I'm on vacation) and with tax and tips spend only about $58.00 more than the basic DDP. I'd be getting 13 TS restaurants and only 3 CS restaurants, instead of 8 TS and 8 CS that I'd get with the basic DDP and I'd be eating exactly what I want. It'd be alot cheaper than the DxDDP.

Some restaurants offer an AP discount, so I could save another 10% there or as an AP holder I could get the TiW card which would save me 20% off most of the restaurants I'd be going to, which would make it alot cheaper than either DDP. I just can't decide if the TiW card would be worth it for a solo diner and most of my trips are solo trips.

 

[havoc315]

It will only save you money, if you prefer eating in exactly the way the plan is designed. If you prefer more ts and less cs.. Or if you sometimes want an app as your meal.. Or you skip a lot of desserts... The plan very quickly loses cost effectiveness.

For example, for the same price as the plan -- instead of 1 ts and 1 cs, you could eat at 2 ts-- for the same price, if you order mid priced entrees and skip desserts and soft drinks.

 

[teachermommy78]

We've considered this as well. We are sticking with it for our June trip, but will do more research for our next trip. Our kids aren't big eaters. They can share a happy meal from mcdonalds and as long as they each have their own drinks, will be fine. I am fairly certain we would be more than fine having the three of them share 1-2 meals. Also, we never get dessert anywhere. Finally, I think dh and I would also like apps instead of entree sometimes or even sharing an app and an entree. On our last trip we ended up with 12 snack credits left (and our youngest DS was free since he was a baby!). We went with DDP this time for convenience. Next time we will research, plan, and put money into Disney gift cards. This way food is still paid for and we don't have to worry about spending extra, but we won't have constraints.

The other thing is, some of the snacks we really want to try aren't included in the DDP and we will have to pay OOP anyway. If we did the GC thing instead of DDP, there's money saved there as well. I found we were getting snacks no one really wanted just to use up the credits.

It's a lot to think about! This all being said, when dh and I have a chance to go without kids someday, we are totally doing deluxe DP! For us, it's just the fact that the kids don't eat much AND we aren't dessert eaters that throws me. As the kids grow and consume more, it will seem more worth it, I'm sure. I think I'll do a dining TR to "scientifically" decide whether this was worth it for us. I'll note what we would have chosen and spent if not for DDP. Just because I'm sure I'll have time for details like that with 3 small kids. At WDW. During high crowd levels.

 

[3pletprincesses]

you might regret it if you have buffets planned out during your trip. Buffets have fix prices for children which is higher then what you pay for the DDP.

That other thing to think is while you might think about max your $$ on snacks and meals the other side of the medal will you look at the price and think it's too expensive and not get it because if that. Will you think about it twice before getting each kid a mickey head crispy treat when you find out they are almost $4.

I have done with and without the DDP and have to say I will never do it again without the DDP. I no longer look at prices. It's nice to have everything paid for and not have to worry about spending $$ on snacks or character . In a few days we are trying DxDDP. Yes it's alot of money but when doing 1 character meal a day and signatures i nthe evening and using credit from 5 night to spend over 6 full days, it's not that much and will save us tons.

 

[gumbo1009]

Thanks everyone!

I thought about it some more, and I realized I'd rather eat small portions throughout the heat of August than have lots of big sit-down meals. My guess is that I *would* want to use the DDP if we were going in a cooler month (when I am craving heartier fare, larger portions, and desserts with dinner).

I actually sat down and thought about each day, and what I think we'll really want to eat throughout each day. Some TS, but not a ton, some CS, but not as many as we would have credits for, and many snacks.

Even with CRT and two buffet TS meals, oop and DDP generally worked out even $-wise based on my calculations. In one scenario, OOP was about $40 more, and in one scenarios the DDP was $2 more.

Thanks to your help, I feel good about my decision - think it means I won't be stressing about maximizing my credits, and will mean less dessert with sit down meals (better for my waste-line). The great thing about DIS boards is that you get to hear every point of view! (Which helps you make a decision that works best for you and your own situation.)

Thanks again!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks everyone!

I thought about it some more, and I realized I'd rather eat small portions throughout the heat of August than have lots of big sit-down meals. My guess is that I *would* want to use the DDP if we were going in a cooler month (when I am craving heartier fare, larger portions, and desserts with dinner).

I actually sat down and thought about each day, and what I think we'll really want to eat throughout each day. Some TS, but not a ton, some CS, but not as many as we would have credits for, and many snacks.

Even with CRT and two buffet TS meals, oop and DDP generally worked out even $-wise based on my calculations. In one scenario, OOP was about $40 more, and in one scenarios the DDP was $2 more.

Thanks to your help, I feel good about my decision - think it means I won't be stressing about maximizing my credits, and will mean less dessert with sit down meals (better for my waste-line). The great thing about DIS boards is that you get to hear every point of view! (Which helps you make a decision that works best for you and your own situation.)

Thanks again!

I'm considering the same thing for our September trip. I figured the price difference in grazing and adding in a handful of sitdown meals over our 2 weeks or 2 weeks on the DDP. The first option is A LOT cheaper, but this is our one and only trip to WDW so I'm torn on what I want to do. We are staying DVC and haven't paid for the dining plan yet so I have time to decide. You do bring up an excellent point with the heat and if we'll want to eat at those buffets and heavier meals.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hi!

This dilemma is one I have been racking my brain over for weeks now. I actually did the spread sheet and looked at what we would order on the DP, DXDP and OOP at each place and here is what I found.

First, like has been mentioned, on the DXDP, unless you do Signature dining, you are going to end up at a TS restaurant from morning until night. Second, there is no way we can eat an app., full meal and dessert in one sitting. I was beating my head trying to figure out what we would order at many places because my fiance cannot eat beef and both of us do not eat seafood. The cost with tax was usually only about $20 more than a single TS restaurant for us with our ordering style so was it really worth it for two TS credits? Yes I got an app but again, more food than I could eat.

I was also finding myself hard pressed to find something I liked at most 2 TS places because many are heavy on seafood choices or I would be eating Fillet Mignon every meal for a week trying to get the value out of the plan or at least break even.

I figured if I was this stressed trying to get the value I was paying out for the DXDP, it was not worth $100 and a gut ache from eating so much.

If we did the regular DP, there is not an app and sometimes, I may not be hungry enough to want a full meal again. The biggest issue with any dining plan is that there is no going back. If you want to skip a meal you are out money since you have paid in advance. If I pay OOP with the TIW card, the 20% will cover everything plus alcoholic drinks and I can get what I want and if I am too full to eat again, I get to skip a meal without feeling guilty I wasted money.

When I decided to go OOP, our plans changed. The restaurants changed at some level because I was not forcing myself to eat the best value or shoving a signature meal in that had nothing I would not have eaten before at another place, simply to try and use credits.

For us we are going in October and why even be at the Food & Wine festival if we will be so full from meals we will not want to try anything?

One poster was saying they wanted to try Il Mulino and others and many of them are on Restaurant.com for like $35 off a meal or buy one get one.

Anyway, hope your plan works for you. You only save money on the plan if you would have ordered everything anyway. If you would not eat a dessert at each meal or order a drink at each meal (which we usually prefer water) are you really saving money?

 

[rachel09985]

I agree with dizneydawn!! I would never order dessert at the counter service if I was paying out of pocket and that alone is basically the cost you save. I would also not order dessert at every meal!! Right now I pick restaurants based on desser because I get a dessert and dessert is more interesting to me than the meal!! I can always find an entree I like. Now I always try to get the most expensive options to make it look like I got a great deal. Next time I go I will have to seriously consider paying full price. All three times I wentit has been completely free or only 11 per day so yeah that's a could deal of course!

 

[nkereina]

It doesn't necessarily save us money but the convenience of it you can't beat. I love the "all-inclusiveness" of it. I don't like to bring money with me and I don't have to knowing that I can use my credits. I also find that I would probably be checking the prices of what I order and order less than if I was on the DP. When I'm paying OOP, I'm not going with surf & turf + app + dessert. I'll get the spaghetti and eat the free bread! But I'm on vacation so I want good meals and good food and the DP encompasses that so we keep doing it!

 

[havoc315]

I hhonestly don't understand the rationale of "convenience" of the DDP.
You can't leave your wallet at home, as you still need to pay tips. Instead of just ordering whatever you want, whenever you want, you have the additional burden of keeping track of your credits. Then having to worry about whether the restaurant you choose accepts the DDP. And then when ordering, having to tailor your order to the DDP allotment. Hmmm, I just want a salad for lunch .... What??? I am allowed to get the $25 steak, but I am not allowed to order the $9 salad because it is an appetizer??

And then of course, losing the convenience of flexibility. Decided I'm not hungry, want to skip the restaurant tonight.... But wait, if I skip it, I am wasting a pre paid meal.

Guess it depends on the family. But to me, judging on pure convenience, oop is far more convenient then ddp. If I did the basic ddp, we would end up wasting some of the ddp value, while spending extra money oop. (we would skip most desserts, but would buy some appetizers. We would likely eat in a couple non ddp restaurants. )

 

[Jeanieblue114]

I am not sure I understand the rationale of "I don't have to worry about the cost and can get high priced things".
You are still paying for it even if you don't hand someone cash at each meal.

The cost still exists.....the bill WILL COME eventually.

I've tried all 3 plans and i am not fond of the limited flexibility and with the quick service plan i find that we pretty much break even. With the basic plan, with 4 adults, 2 of us spent more than the cost of the dining play and 2 spend less and that was with using all credits and maxing out most and ordering some steaks and the milkshakes as drinks and all the desserts. With the deluxe plan...it gave us a REASON to try a lot of signature dining which was great. But i'd rather do one or two signature places and not order all 3 courses for each person...too much food...and we spent the entire trip eating (but we set it up to be a culinary emphasis trip so it was ok). I just don't think i would want to do it again necessarily.

Times when I think the plans are beneficial:
Quick service plan if you will be spending a lot of time at EPCOT especially during food and wine. There are a lot of different cuisines to try at the quck service locations and many are rather expensive platters. Plus, snack credits have been accepted (every year in the past) for all tasting items except alcohol...even items that are around $7 like the lobster roll. So, you can have a blast with the quick service plan and save some money and not have a lot of flexibility taken away.

Other instance is if you have at least 2 kids and are planning on some of the more expensive character meals. The cost of the child plan is less than the cost of one character meal, so if you are doing several of those meals, you will save some money and it won't bother your flexibility much.

 

[nkereina]

I hhonestly don't understand the rationale of "convenience" of the DDP.
You can't leave your wallet at home, as you still need to pay tips. I bring one credit card and put tips on that. No need to carry my debit card or cash which makes me nervous when I'm doing a lot of walking and going on rides Instead of just ordering whatever you want, whenever you want, you have the additional burden of keeping track of your credits. I do deluxe so I always have more credits than I need so I never need to keep track of them. If you have your ADRs made and your days planned, then you should know where you stand with credits and not have to check them constantly Then having to worry about whether the restaurant you choose accepts the DDP. When making ADRs, pick your restaurants from the DDP brochure. then there's no need to worry And then when ordering, having to tailor your order to the DDP allotment. Hmmm, I just want a salad for lunch .... What??? I am allowed to get the $25 steak, but I am not allowed to order the $9 salad because it is an appetizer??Again i do deluxe so this isn't an issue for me, but for the regular dining plan I could see where this comes up

And then of course, losing the convenience of flexibility. Decided I'm not hungry, want to skip the restaurant tonight.... But wait, if I skip it, I am wasting a pre paid meal. Very few are pre-paid but if you make an ADR without the DDP, you run into the same problem. if you mean it's prepaid because you've prepaid the dining plan, then that's your own business if you skip dinner. the credit can be used later in your trip or you can opt to lose it. thats where the flexibility and convenience factor comes in for me again

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