Cost effectiveness of DDP About This Page:

[jenifermg0]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

I have a fairly old Excel spreadsheet I made to determine whether paying OOP or going with the DDP made more sense:
http://remleml.com/mouse/download/me...-DDP_v_DDE.xls
(Keep in mind that you'll need to update the cost of the DDP as this was done at least two years ago and doesn't reflect the current cost of the dining plan.)

Using the menus at AllEars.net (Restaurant Dining Menus from Walt Disney World), I figure out what my family is likely to spend at each meal and then compare the vacation totals to the cost of the DDP for the trip.

WOW - that's a great worksheet! Gonna have to save it and see what our savings would be one way or the other!

[emtpej]

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

Vacationing Your Way: Your Special Needs - PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel
Post on that forum your mother's dietary limitations. You can be vague if you do not want to discuss the details. We have in that section people from many walks of life who cover religious, medical, pharmaceutical, allegry/sensitivities, picky eaters, sensory issues, lifestyles such as vegan, and diets like Atkins. I would gladly give you there links you need and help you see what your mother can eat.

There are many allergen free foods such as casein free ice cream, gluten free buns, vegan mac and cheese, soy and rice milk, and low sodium meals. WDW can tailor their meals, for the most part, for IBS, colits, ulcers, celiac, diabetes, etc. So go down to that forum and find out all the wonderful things your mother can eat.

I think the chefs enjoy the challenge -- I doubt there is a dietary requirement they have not seen!

[emtpej]

The cost vs. benefit discussion has really helped me to think more carefully about getting a DDP next time. I know that on our last trip we did not 'win' the gamble, so putting a well-thought out amount on a gift card might be the best bet for us next time.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by barbthept

First, we are BIG eaters......and on all vacations enjoy sitting and enjoying a meal and taking a break, so one TS meal a day gives us that......

That sounds like you'll get pretty good value for the money, almost no matter where you eat.

second my DH and DFIL are freaked out by the cost of everything at Disney. If they saw the cost of the food at the first restuarant we went to they would refuse to eat anywhere else except the hot dog cart the rest of the trip

They sound like my DGF. And yes, being able to say "guys, seriously, it's ALREADY paid for, and I'm not eating hotdogs all week!" will be a load off your shoulders, I'm sure!!

And you could always track what you spend on Day 1 in the parks, TS included, and point out "hey, Scrooge Senior and Scrooge Junior - we SAVED $___ today, by being on the dining plan!" That should make them happy, yeah?




I really should add: even as big of a fan of the Dining Plan as I am, not every plan is for every person, regardless of putative savings. For example, we did the Deluxe plan for our '09 trip, and usually had two TS ADRs scheduled per day. Well, that did not mesh well with out usual "seat of the pants" style of things, at all; we felt like we wasted hours (in total, throughout the 9-day stay) just waiting for it to be check-in time at the podium, twice a day. Too much schedule, not quite enough magic.

So, for our next trip (we're holding off to 2014, maybe 2013 if Fantasyland's rebuild is complete before the end of 2012), we've resolved to only do one TS per day (we might, once or twice, do two again - but only if they're Breakfast and Dinner ADRs; never two consecutive meals). Thus, the added expense of the Deluxe (an extra $30 or $40 per day, IIRC) may be too high a price to pay, compared to the cost of the Basic DDP. We'll just use snack credits, or pay OOP, for one CS meal each day.

I guess my point is: I don't stress about saving money, but I also don't blindly throw it away.

[nconover]

I have done charts, calculated and recalculated the difference of using the DDP and not using it and have done it both ways. In my opinion, having the DDP eliminates a lot of stress for us. I would NEVER choose the steak and shrimp option at Teppan Edo and would never have a dessert if I did not have the DDP and it was "included". Tips you have to pay anyway so that part didn't bother me. I calculated approximate 20% and put the money in my passporter book for each day. This time I think I'll calculate the total and just give cash when I check in so it can be taken out that way. The thing is I thought we wouldn't eat a lot either. None of us are big eaters at home, however, when we were on vacation we ended up being hungry a LOT. Maybe it was the heat, the walking, I don't know but we ate every BIT of those credits. LOL. Out of pocket we just felt guilty about spending a lot of money on food and would limit ourselves, which I just don't want to do on vacation. So, DDP this time it is.

[Beautiful Mother]

The dining plan is easy, though when DH and I go next time, we won't be getting it. When our adult kids go along, they agree to pay for their meals and tix. We pick up the room. With their young budgets, they can plan the $$ up front with few surprises and it comes off the card, no discussions at the dinner table. (Oh yes, when we use the DDP, we'll pick up the tax and tips for the bill). This way the meals are paid for up front and the kids (esp. DD) don't have to worry if they can afford to eat like everyone else. All of us like to eat one TS a day, so our discussions center around WHERE we want to eat, not if everyone can afford it.

[2princessmom]

We have always used the DDP and found it to save us money or at least break even. When the kids were little and just eating kids meal we basically broke even but two of the times we went we were lucky enough to get the free DDP. This past March we went 2 adults and 2 kids ages 11 and 8. I calculated the costs based on where we wanted to eat and I ended up saving quite a bit and made much better use of my counter service and snack credits.

I would say do the math and see if you will save money by your choices of restaurants.

[Wolfy6688]

The past 3 years we've gotten the basic dining plan. For 2 of the 3 years we'd gotten a free dining bounceback offer, but we would get the plan regardless.

For us at least, I don't find it to be too much food. I don't always finish my meal or dessert, but I wouldn't say I waste food. DBF definitely doesn't and last year when my brother came (who was 17 at the time), he didn't leave a thing!

At some restaurants I feel like getting an appetizer and paying OOP for it, but it's pretty cool to have a huge meal and only end up paying $20 or so (tip plus appetizer).

Here are some examples from our trip last year:

Columbia Harbour House (counter service): 3 adults chose combos (Two chicken nuggets/fries/drink/dessert, one fried shrimp/fries/drink/dessert) came to $46.77. On DDP, free

Dinner at Planet Hollywood: 3 sodas ($8.97), NY Strip Steak (27.99), Salmon (21.99), Rack of ribs (24.99), brownie dessert for two (7.95), key lime pie for one (5.95) and we paid for an appetizer of Bruschetta OOP for 8.99. The whole bill came to $113.77. For us, it was just the $9 plus $25 tip.

Teppan Edo (Japan at Epcot) came to $122.16. We only paid $31 - tip plus 7.50 for a sushi roll appetizer.

50's. Prime Time: 2 salmon, 1 steak, 3 drinks, 3 desserts plus one soup OOP for $6.49. Total came to $101.50, we paid $24 (tip plus soup).

Lunch at Earl of Sandwich : 3 sandwiches, 3 drinks, 3 desserts: $31.86 (fully covered by DDP)

Crystal Palace dinner buffet: $105.93, we paid $16 for tip

Studio Catering Company (CS at DHS): $47 (3 sodas, 3 sandwiches, 3 desserts), fully covered

We do it more for the peace of mind, but like I said, it's pretty cool to get a $100 bill and only pay 1/5 of it

[emtpej]

Based on the discussion here, I think we will pay OOP the next time we go, but we will probably not get a package as we already have tickets. I think I will wind up eating less (maybe drinking more - IDK).

[mdobereiner]

We've gotten the dining plan in the past purely for the peace of mind and ease during our vacation. I never considered trying to calculate what it would cost OOP but I would assume it's close (as others have mentioned, Disney isn't going to offer something that they come out on the losing end of.) For us though, we don't stress about stretching credits as far as possible (i.e. Must choose the most expensive meal, snack, etc.) As Pax said, I'm not blindly throwing money to the wind but I'm not overly concerned with what we order. Otherwise it would be entirely too stessful to have the plan. That being said, our trip in January may be our last with the dining plan for a while because DS will no longer be considered a "child" and he eats like a bird and would struggle to find something he likes on the adult menus in many places. I fully intend on loading a Disney gift card when we do travel without the plan since the prepaid carefree mindset is what appeals to us in the first place.

Good luck!
Mel

[Pax]

Originally Posted by mdobereiner

That being said, our trip in January may be our last with the dining plan for a while because DS will no longer be considered a "child" and he eats like a bird and would struggle to find something he likes on the adult menus in many places.

That's the most common reason I see cited for not using the Dining Plans.

As I've said many times before, Disney really needs to insert an additional, "Youth" tier for, say, 9-13 year old kids. Something that offers more variety than the Kids'-only menus, and a it more quantity, for a price that is somewhere between Kid and Adult.

Because I'm sure, if they had such an option, that more families with 10 or 12 year old kids who don't eat much, as well as families with 8 or 9 year old kids who've outgrown "constant mac-n-cheese or chicken nuggets", would use the DDPs.

[HollyH]

Originally Posted by Pax

That's the most common reason I see cited for not using the Dining Plans.

As I've said many times before, Disney really needs to insert an additional, "Youth" tier for, say, 9-13 year old kids. Something that offers more variety than the Kids'-only menus, and a it more quantity, for a price that is somewhere between Kid and Adult.

Because I'm sure, if they had such an option, that more families with 10 or 12 year old kids who don't eat much, as well as families with 8 or 9 year old kids who've outgrown "constant mac-n-cheese or chicken nuggets", would use the DDPs.

I AGREE!!!! One of the biggest reasons that the DDP didn't work for us was that
our son had to order off of the children's menus and he doesn't really like chicken nuggets or mac and cheese! And he hates applesauce, too. We found that we would need to order him something off the regular menu (and pay OOP).

[langefamily4]

We did the calculations after our last trip and since I refuse to eat QS for every meal on a trip we saved a ton of money. We are doing the same for our upcoming trip as well. My only complaint is that I wish you could choose appetizer or dessert because I am not a sweet fan so I would prefer an appetizer to begin with.

[hall0731]

I have been going thru the food image threads and I think I am leaning more towards just loading that money on a giftcard. Which I think is great. My husband will know it is already paid for and he can order what he really wants and my son can order what he wants. He keeps talking about the sticky finger wings at the poly and the salad. According to the menus, those are apps so dining plan wouldn't work.

[monica3674]

We had free dining last August and really liked the DDP. We were able to do 4 character meals plus O'hana for dinner one night. I would definitely consider purchasing the dining plan when we go next. With two little girls, character meals are part of the joy of Disney