Would like to hear from grandparents about DDP

[tbssenterprises]

Everyone says DDP just doesn't work. If you were the head person of a family trip that was basically paying for everything except park tickets, would you consider buy DDP for everyone?

We will be there for five nights. One room: Me and Hubby: 2nd room Daughter and Hubby and infant, third room daughter and fiance; fourth room single adult.

Our favorite is Ohana, and we have to do Chef's Table for infant, then I'll have to figure out the other three nights. I like that there is one alcoholic drink involved, and the ability for those who won't do parks (will work remotely) can go down to the food court and get lunch.

All in all this will cost me $3500 out of pocket (or $400 if third child brings a significant other).

I'm thinking it might be worth it for me to buy DDP for the 7 (or 8 ) people .

Would love to hear from others on this. FWIW, we will be staying at a moderate. I'm not Rockefeller!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Everyone says DDP just doesn't work. If you were the head person of a family trip that was basically paying for everything except park tickets, would you consider buy DDP for everyone?

We will be there for five nights. One room: Me and Hubby: 2nd room Daughter and Hubby and infant, third room daughter and fiance; fourth room single adult.

Our favorite is Ohana, and we have to do Chef's Table for infant, then I'll have to figure out the other three nights. I like that there is one alcoholic drink involved, and the ability for those who won't do parks (will work remotely) can go down to the food court and get lunch.

All in all this will cost me $3500 out of pocket (or $400 if third child brings a significant other).

I'm thinking it might be worth it for me to buy DDP for the 7 (or 8 ) people .

Would love to hear from others on this. FWIW, we will be staying at a moderate. I'm not Rockefeller!

In your case I would recommend it since you want to cover all the cost except park tickets.
It seems a lot easier with so many people involved. I never get the dining plan for myself, as a frequent solo Disney traveler. It never makes sense for me. But I really think it makes a lot of sense for you.

 

[peachiepie]

How much do you family eat/how bigger foodies are they?
I think the DDP works for me & DH as we tend to eat things like steaks and more expensive menu items for the table service meals and eat 3 meals a day. If you're a family of small appetites, or people who skip lunch/who might not use all the credits, it might not work for you.
If you want to pay for everyone's food the sheer convenience might make it worthwhile for you.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not a fan of the current DPs; too many preferred eateries left out but it certainly gives you and your family eating freedom. Ultimately, only you can make this choice so have fun doing it and enjoy your trip!

 

[LoveToDisney]

I’m not a fan of DDP but in your case I think it simplifies a way for you to pay for everyone especially since you won’t be all together all the time. Go for it and have a great trip!

 

[tbssenterprises]

Thank you all for your great ideas and advice.

 

[mistysue]

Is there a reason you couldn't have people room charge food and pay the room charges?

Whether it works depends on a number of factors including whether you are traveling with people who will want dessert at every sit down meal and will ALWAYS order a drink that is not water. If either of those things aren't true, you are probably wasting a lot of money. It's basically $97/day per person. So that is 'Ohana ($65) + QS meal (~$20) + snack (~$6)... and for $97 you've gotten $91 of value on what is likely to be the day you come closest to breaking even.

Strange compounding issue - if these people would have gotten water and no dessert at a sit-down, and now they get dessert and a $5 drink "because they're included" - you're tipping on an extra $15/person. So it's like $3/meal/person more in tips too. With 7/8 people that adds up really fast. We loved DDP when our kids were young because it used to be like $20/child and we could do multiple buffets. Now they count on people who don't want to think about money spending significantly more on the DDP than they would just buying food.

Most of our sit down meals are more like $30/adult, in which case I would be throwing away over $40 per person per day for the convenience of tipping more.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would do it to ratchet down the pressure level. No pressure on you as you know what the cost will be. No pressure on your fam as they’re picking meals & drinks to pick the cheaper stuff/skip alcohol since they aren’t paying.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Stress is high when you have several family groups coming together for a trip. Sometimes paying more for convenience is worth the price.

 

[tbssenterprises]

Thanks all for your thoughts.

 

[focusondisney]

and we have to do Chef's Table for infant,

What restaurant are you meaning here?

 

[DizneyFamof4]

What restaurant are you meaning here?

99.9 sure it's Chef Mickey's at CR. But it could be Cinderella Table. LOL
OP, even though we never found DDP cost effective for us, with your situation I would do it for the convenience and not having to worry about it during the trip.

 

[tbssenterprises]

Oh yes, I meant Chef Mickey's......

 

[Rory607]

I think it’s worth it with a large group for the sheer convenience of it. Is it the least expensive way to eat? Probably not, unless you really sit down and work out the numbers and make sure everybody orders the right way(I would never do this, lol!) We have used it on extended family trips and it was so easy.

With the dining plan, all the food is all paid for in advance, except for tips at table service, and you really won’t have to think about it. The other option is linking your credit card to everyone’s magic band/key card and letting them charge their food to you that way. But the cost will be a surprise at the end