Yet Another Dining Plan "Is it worth it?" Analysis

[bicker]

Okay, I needed to pull this together to compare against DDE with AP with DVC discount, so I thought I'd put it up for folks to review and see if I made any errors in my analysis:

Analysis

This is for four adults, five nights. Estimates based on the second-most expensive choice (intended for one person) in each case, and a guess that drinks, when not listed on the menu, are $2.00 each.

Please take a look at it and let me know. Thanks!

 

[formernyer]

I'll be honest...I didn't take the time to review the entire analysis.

If it's going to cost you $760 and save you $515, it seems to be a slam dunk choice. It doesn't appear there is any way for you to possibly come out better without the plan, even if your math is off by hundreds.

 

[bicker]

That's the way I'm figuring it. It still shows up as a win, even if we weren't going to order any appetizers, beverages or desserts at all, all week.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I am confused with your analysis Where did you subtract the DDE 20% discount for TS ? I am blond but I couldn't find it.

Also, just a question, will noone in your party be drinking alcoholic bevs which are not incl in the DP but are under DDE disc? If you were using DDE card, I am guessing that the table would probably share 1 or 2 apps instead of everyone buying their own.

Because it is all adults and you are staying DVC(thus not factoring in resort savings) you will probably still come out better with DP but not by such a large margin. I am also assuming here that you are eating all your breakfasts in your room, right?

 

[bicker]

I didn't put the DDE analysis on that page. That would look like this:

$ 1,067.68 Food & Beverage Subtotal
$ 213.54 DDE Discount
----------
$ 854.14 Food & Beverage Total with DDE Discount
$ 55.52 Tax (on discounted total)
$ 137.87 Gratuity (on undiscounted Subtotal)
----------
$ 1,047.53 Total with DDE Discount including tax and gratuity
$ 60.00 Cost of DDE
$ 100.00 Additional cost of admission for AP for eligibility
-----------
$ 1,207.53 Grand Total with DDE

So DDE is barely better than OOP (at $1,274.94). It's no where near as good of a deal as Dining Plan (at $759.80).

will noone in your party be drinking alcoholic bevs which are not incl in the DP but are under DDE disc?

None of the four of us drink alcohol.

If you were using DDE card, I am guessing that the table would probably share 1 or 2 apps instead of everyone buying their own.

Yup, that's why I tried to see how things would work out with Dining Plan assuming we weren't ordering ANY appetizers or ANY desserts -- ever. Dining Plan still saved us money over both OOP and DDE.

$ 679.96 Food & Beverage Subtotal
$ 135.99 DDE Discount
----------
$ 543.97 Food & Beverage Total with DDE Discount
$ 35.36 Tax (on discounted total)
$ 85.48 Gratuity (on undiscounted Subtotal)
----------
$ 664.80 Total with DDE Discount including tax and gratuity
$ 60.00 Cost of DDE
$ 100.00 Additional cost of admission for AP for eligibility
-----------
$ 824.80 Grand Total with DDE

Of course, with that scenario Dining Plan is still $759.80. OOP is $809.64.

I am also assuming here that you are eating all your breakfasts in your room, right?

Yes.

 

[formernyer]

I am also assuming here that you are eating all your breakfasts in your room, right?

Actually, breakfasts became "freebies" for my family. We shared a few huge CS meals and used the leftover credits to get CS breakfasts.

 

[bicker]

I wish I could get my wife to understand the concept of sharing meals.