Working the DDP for 8 ppl

[ScottDW]

We are taking a non-DVC family with us in the Fall. Total 4 adults, and 4 kids in the 3-9 range. We plan on all breakfasts and most lunches in the room. Dinners will all be character dining, signature or dinner shows.

Neither of the DDPs seems to match our needs. On the basic plan, we don't use CS much, and the 3 TS in the deluxe is overkill. Basically our eating habits translate to 1.5 TS and .5 CS per person.

Can we do one family on the basic plan and the second on the deluxe? That would give us 2 TS and 1/2CS per person, which probably works for us.

Second question - can you convert CS's into TS (2 for 1 maybe)?

Thanks,
ScottDW

 

[RobDoc]

Everyone on the reservation must be either on or off the DP. You won't be able to separate guests if everyone is staying in the same villa.

There is no conversion for CS/TS. CS can only be used for counter serve dining and TS for table service restaurants.

Unless you have two different reservations (one for each family) there won't be a way to separate your group to have one family use the plan and the other pay their own way.

 

[kristenrice]

I would suggest checking out some of the menus and prices under the "Dining" link above. With 4 children (who are actually "children"), you may actually save money on the basic DDP.

For example, a dinner at Chef Mickey's costs $14.99 per child. The DDP for that day only costs you $10.99 for that child. You save $4 right away AND you still are entitled to a CS meal and snack!

I looked at the TS meals that I would eat during our vacation. I compared that to what the DDP would cost. The DDP came out to about $20 more over a 5 night span. So, we were able to eat the same TS meals that we would've eaten anyways, and then got all the snacks and CS meals for a total of about $20. We had 2 character breakfasts and 3 TS dinners and we still did well. We ended up eating exactly ONE breakfast in the room. We even used a CS for breakfast one morning because we had so many to use up. We often ate a CS for dinner, but sometimes, after a breakfast buffet, a snack was all we needed. We even ended our trip with 1CS credit each leftover....and we still came out ahead.

I don't know about you, but I know that I couldn't eat three meals a day at Disney World if I tried. Well, we did try...on our honeymoon with a deluxe package. WAAAAAAAAAAYYY too much food! I would take a look at what it would cost you for your planned TS meals. Then, plan on a CS breakfast or lunch. You may find that you won't need to eat any meals in the room if you don't want to, and you'll probably be spending the same amount or less.

Good Luck! and Happy Planning!

 

[Dee77]

I recommend the DDP. For my DH, DD and I it worked out great. We went to several TS dinners with my in-laws but also had the freedom to plan our own Character breakfasts which they were not interested in. Several days of our trip they stayed at the resort and went swimming while we headed out to the parks, it was great to be able to just grab a CS lunch. As mentioned above, comparing the overall costs, the DDP does save my family money. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[deide71]

If you have a few kids in your party (and it looks like you do) the DDP is a no brainer. The kids plan is 10.99/day, less than a character meal, the counter service and snacks are just gravy.

We pretty much break even on the adults, but with 3 kids under 10 the DDP is a pretty good savings for us.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Unless you can modify your plan to include CS meals, I don't think the DP will work for you. I agree with PP that with 4 kids between 3-9 the basic DP (1CS, 1 TS, 1 snack per day) is a no brainer. But for the way you wish to eat, I don't know if that will work. The deluxe DP comes with 3 meals (any combo of CS or TS) a day. If you will do a few siganture or dinner shows, those use 2 TS each. Sometimes the DP just doesn't seem to work with specific people or plans. Make sure you get your reservations before you choose either plan. Good luck

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Can any one person get an AP, then buy the TIW card to get 20% off your meals that should save a party of 8 quite a bit. Good luck and have a great vacation!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I think the DDP or the DxDP would be the way to go, sure eating in the room sounds great - but remember you have to buy those groceries. And if your out in the parks, do you really want to go back to the room for lunch or bring lunch with you to the parks or wherever you are. With the kids it is a no brainer, I took my DS and DN 2 summers ago and they were both under 9, that was the cheapest eating we had ever done. The fact that you want to do some expensive dinners, I think even the DxDP would be the way to go. And you can do some character breakfast dining and lunches out. It would cost 368 a day to feed everyone on the Deluxe plan, seems like a lot of money, but dinner alone could run that at some of the places. Plus you get the mugs and 2 snacks a day, which tend to add up with kids!!!! The least expensive seating at the Hoop Dee Doo, would run about 308 for the 8 of you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Can any one person get an AP, then buy the TIW card to get 20% off your meals that should save a party of 8 quite a bit. Good luck and have a great vacation!

That would be my suggestion as well. We find we do not use any QS our counter service very much, but we always do a table service or signature each day. We went without the DDP this last trip, and for 11 days, our food bill was just over $1000. That included 2 adults for 11 days and 1 extra adult for 5 days. Now, on the surface, we would have probably done better on the DDP, but we like our Signatures too much, and that makes it unrealistic for us.

In the OP's case, I would not get the dining plan. It might be nice for the kids, but if you are cooking breakfasts and lunches in the room, it doesn't make sense. Sure, it's great for the snacks etc. but I think a TIW card will be best in the OP's scenario.

 

[Laurabearz]

Another vote for getting an AP, then buying the TIW card

 

[Deb & Bill]

Another vote for getting an AP, then buying the TIW card

I'll third that one.

 

[JimMIA]

If you stick to your plan, I don't see how DDP would work well. Yes, with the basic plan you are getting the kids meals at a reduced price. However, you are also paying $40 per adult for each dinner...which you say is the only meal you are really going to use the plan for.

If one AP is possible, the TiW card might be the best choice. You only need one AP and one TiW card for all eight folks because the TiW card is good for ten people including the cardholder. Then you eat where you want, order what you want, and save a flat 20% off the meal (including alcohol).

The only downside with the TiW is that all of you have to be eating together and paying on one check. If you choose to split up and do different meals, someone is not going to get the discount.

No matter how you do it, with 8 people you will be subject to an automatic 18% gratuity added to each check, so that's a non-issue.

I'd compare the AP price differential + cost of the TiW card with what you would likely order paying cash and see which is a better deal.

 

[Dean]

Go through the menus and see what costs you're likely looking at each way. Just look at your family as you'll know your preferences well enough to see what the costs and savings are for your group but likely not the other group. Given that kids 3-9 can be a great value on the DDP, it may indeed be worth doing the DDP for this group. TIW is also a good choice.

As for doing part one way and part the other, as noted, you can't if you're all in one villa. If you have different villas you could do so but technically you still couldn't share it between the groups. I suspect it'll come down to whether ETOH is involved (TIW discounts) as to which option is best IF ANY.

 

[ScottDW]

Op here. Thanks for the advise and well wishes.

The TIW produces the better overall savings, but is harder to implement because one family pays for the AP and the other reaps the benefit; this can be offset by clever pooling, but it seems like more of a headache.

 

[Dean]

Op here. Thanks for the advise and well wishes.

The TIW produces the better overall savings, but is harder to implement because one family pays for the AP and the other reaps the benefit; this can be offset by clever pooling, but it seems like more of a headache.

Does that benefit take into account the cost of TIW itself?

 

[Laurabearz]

Op here. Thanks for the advise and well wishes.

The TIW produces the better overall savings, but is harder to implement because one family pays for the AP and the other reaps the benefit; this can be offset by clever pooling, but it seems like more of a headache.

If you think that sounds like a headache, the dining plan with a large group is WORSE. Trust me.

Let's say some of you wants an appezter, and then one the kids doesnt like anything on the kids menu... when you get your bill, you will get 6 pieces of paper for the OOP apps and kids meal and the Tip and the dining plan credits.

It will take at least 10 mintues to pay the tab.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you think that sounds like a headache, the dining plan with a large group is WORSE. Trust me.

Let's say some of you wants an appezter, and then one the kids doesnt like anything on the kids menu... when you get your bill, you will get 6 pieces of paper for the OOP apps and kids meal and the Tip and the dining plan credits.

It will take at least 10 mintues to pay the tab.

I totally agree! We found the DDP to be a royal PITA when we did it with a large group. It's not so bad with 2-4 people, but add another family in, and it becomes a nightmare!

 

[wildernessDad]

I vote for the DDE or TIW as it is called now.