Would you do DDP in this case?

[Sammy]

Please forgive me for the rambling post to follow....I just need to get it out of my system!!

We are traveling to Disney in 19 days and suddenly we are thinking about doing DDP. We usually do not eat that many TS meals....we usually do CS and some meals in the DVC villa, because we don't like to take the time to sit down for TS meals. However....this trip includes my parents and we'll be taking it much slower this time, with more time for rests and meals. I made a spreadsheet detailing all the restaurants we want to eat at this time, with the average cost for the meals (incl tax and tip). It came out to about $250/$300 less than if we did the DDP. Now, that is based on the average price per entree for the restaurants, and I'm thinking if we did DDP, the kids could order anything they wanted and the price gap would most likely be smaller in the long run (My son is 15 and could eat a side of beef at one meal).

Would you do DDP in this case? I'm figuring that maybe the worst we can do is come out even....and even at that, it would be nice just to have it all pre-paid....?

Any thoughts or opinions?
Sammy

 

[bicker]

If you're going to do one TS meal each day anyway, then yes. If you wouldn't eat that many TS meals (as you said), then you're probably not going to save (much) money on the Dining Plan as compared to what you'd spend if you're not on the Dining Plan.

 

[Katiebell]

If each adult only ordered one TS meal daily for $25 and a $2 beverage, that's $27. Add tax, it's $29. Add 18% tip, it's 34.00.

The DDP costs $39 per adult. No matter how much you would normally order, even if you would never ordinarily order any appetizers or entrees, if you eat at least one $25 TS meal every day and any other food at all anywhere, the dining plan is worth it.

I have 3 sons -- 23, 21, and the youngest just turned 16. If your son eats like my boys did, then yes, the plan could save you a ton of money.

 

[patsal]

I agree with Katiebell and another thing to consider is how your parents will eat as well. Will they try to order the least expensive item in lieu of what the really want because of budget constraints/percieved concerns? When we went with our parents in December 2005 they had a much more relaxed vacaton than they did in Sprin 2003. I never once heard that "this is expensive or I don't want you to put out that kind of money on us" when they were on the DDP--it was like prices melted off the menu! I know my DS 15 can polish off a lot of food and the DDP was a real life saver last year--lets just say I would have been the one ordering the least expensive thing on the menu to save the budget from impending disaster. Even if you do a combo of TS and CS along with the villa you will have plenty of food and maximum flexibility. Consider a signature dinner or two or even a dinner show and you instantly get even more flexibility/value with the plan. For us, we have to go in the summer when it is really crowded so though we have the Villa it isn't always practical to return to it based on fast passes and stuff. We have breakfast in the villa a CS lunch and a TS dinner. Occasionally we have a signature meal (twice total during a 2 week span) allowing for more CS--less ADR worries more spontaneous and the ability to dine in non-DDP participating venues.

 

[AdWayInc]

DDP is a must whether for 2 people or more.....

 

[Texas lady]

I would have to agree, last year we did the Dining plan, and doing it again this year. It was 4 of us, Hubby, son (16), daughter (12), and me, and when everything was said and done we actually saved $300.00. And everything is already pre-paid. We were impressed by how much food you get on this plan.
..maybe that why we all had to go on a diet last year

Have fun on your trip!

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure I could even eat like that for 19 days without keeling over.

 

[Sammy]

I'm not sure I could even eat like that for 19 days without keeling over.

No, no....we are leaving in 19 days (actually 18 now).....not eating for 19 days!! I don't think my tummy could take that!!

 

[4fordisneyworld]

This might not mean much seeing as how we have never been but we leave in 16 days and we just tried to change quite a few of our res due to a new allergy and hardly anything we wanted was available. Even in off times. You might check or think about that. It would be crummy to spend the $$'s on the dining plan and then not be able to get any res you wanted!

Just throwing that out there....like I said I might not know what I am talking about but that is what our recent exper has been!

otherwise I am so glad we have added it! Just listening to everyone on here you can't beat the deal!

good luck!

 

[thunderbird1]

I second what 4fordisneyworld said. Only 18 days out, you may have trouble finding availability at many of the restaurants, especially the more popular ones. If you're willin to compromise, you might be able to make it work. But before you pay for it, pick a few places, call WDW dining and see if you can get in and at what times. If you can get in to places you like at times that will work for you definitely get it. But if you're going to have to travel from the parks to some distant resort just to be able to use your ddp credits, it's really not a bargain at all in terms of the amount of time (and energy) you'll waste. And that isn't going to be the "downtime" your parents are needing. Good luck, and have fun, whatever you decide!

 

[Sammy]

Thanks everyone for the replies. After talking with my parents, we decided to try out the DDP for this trip. The pros outweighed the cons this time, and it will certainly be more convenient to have it all paid for ahead of time. It will be nice not to have to "fight" with my stepdad to figure out who-owes-what for every meal!

I was able to get all my ADR's except for LeCellier and Coral Reef (no surprise there), but I'll still keep trying for those two. Just for kicks, I asked about the Luau, Hoop dee Doo and the BBQ....I was told all are booked solid the entire month of April.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Sammy, good choice! You'll love the DDP! Yes, it's nice having the meals paid for in advance and it's fun being able to order anything you want -especially things that you wouldn't normally order like appetizers and desserts! Congrats on getting most of your adrs. Have a great trip!

 

[mom2aredhead]

DDP is a must whether for 2 people or more.....

We are a family of 3 and we will likely not eat a TS every night we are there. We will also not have an appetizer and a dessert at every TS meal we do have. We will likely have to pay OOP for options that are not included in the kids menus. I will not ship pop-tarts to myself because breakfast is not included in DDP and I will not take home 42 boxes of cookies just to use up my snack credits. It does not work for everyone.

 

[Sammy]

We are a family of 3 and we will likely not eat a TS every night we are there. We will also not have an appetizer and a dessert at every TS meal we do have. We will likely have to pay OOP for options that are not included in the kids menus. I will not ship pop-tarts to myself because breakfast is not included in DDP and I will not take home 42 boxes of cookies just to use up my snack credits. It does not work for everyone.

I totally agree with you! I have NEVER had an interest in DDP prior to this trip. We are a go, go, go type of family, only eat a couple of TS each trip, and don't want to be tied down to being anywhere at a certain time (well, not much anyway). This trip is very different for us in that we are taking my parents...who really enjoy a good meal every day. Also, because my stepdad has some mobility issues with a bad knee, we know we'll have to slow waaaay down with lots of rest time. So we decided that this trip will an opportunity to enjoy some of the TS restaurants we normally wouldn't. Also, now that I have teenagers (and a son who could eat a house at times), I think I'll be getting my $$'s worth just on what they eat alone!!

We may never do the DDP again, but we'll certainly make the most of it and enjoy it this time!