Anyone else NOT get DDP? About This Page:

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

We have really enjoyed the DDP, and have found it to be convenient and a bit less costly than paying OOP. Because we did so much walking at WDW, we never gained weight on the DDP. That being said, DS just turned 10, so we'll have to crunch some numbers before deciding to get it on any future trips.

[Tiki4]

We have never done the DDP and if we would ever consider it, it would be the QS option. The other DD plans would be just to much food!!! I like my freedom and the TS meals take up a lot of time so I wouldn't want to have one scheduled everyday.

[bcuinohio]

I have gotten the dining plan on our last two trips. Two trips ago we got the DDP and we gout the QSDP on our last trip. I don't plan on getting the dining plan on our next trip. The DDP requires that you plan your meals six months in advance or end up not eating where you want. You also have to plan your day so that you can be at you dining location that day. The QSDP was more convenient but the savings seems to be about the price of the dessert included with your meal. Next time I am going to pay OOP. This also gives me the option to eat outside of WDW occasionally.

[jeneane]

I have gotten the DDP when in was "free" with a package. In the past, we used up all or most of the credits. The snack credits go fast! Last year we wanted to have more "nice" meals (Cali Grill, Brown Derby, Narcoosee's, etc). I noticed (and fretted) that we left a lot of food "on the table" (unused credits) - especially counter service - and I had to come out of pocket for parts of the "nice" meals. I prefer not to spend my vacay planning and worrying about using up the credits and getting my money's worth (and being limited to certain items on the menu at the "nice" restaurants).

[Danielle Harmon]

We don't get it. It is more cost effective for us to just pay OOP, especially when we have the kids with us. They aren't crazy big eaters. DD (8, soon to be 9) shares a meal with me because she doesn't like the kids meal offerings (she's adventurous that one) and DS (12) doesn't like the adult menus so we order a child meal for him since DD still can do that. We'll have to get him eating different foods more often before we take them again. Still, I'll bet they'll share a meal...the portions are HUGE!

[disneymom9092]

We never had the DDP-just thought it was too expensive. We seemed to make out better with the DDE card (now Tables in Wonderland).

We are trying the basic this trip however. I always plan out my meals and make ADR's 6 months out anyway as I LOVE the planning! With 2 teenage boys (19 and 17) it seems to be worth it now as they are huge eaters! We'll see how it works out for us! I do like the idea of it being paid for in advance

[lshuttleworth1]

this will be (my) 4th trip, 3rd trip with my DD, and 2nd trip with my DM. first 2 trips I stayed offsite and didn't have the option of the DP. Last March we did the Regular dining plan after advice from a friend who said it was amazing. We did and it was wonderful. We love the idea of sitting down to at least 1 TS each day. We did, however, find the regular dining plan to be not enough food. We did 1 2TS dinding place (CRT) which meant we would have to pay OOP for at least 1 TS meal. Then we had to purchase at least 3 QS meals as well. So when we added up the 1TS meal, plus 3 CS meals, plus 3 mugs, we spent a total of $200 extra. So this time we opted for the Deluxe Dining Plan because we are wanting to try more signature places. I feel that Disney does a good job of providing the dining plans and I would have said there is a DP to fit every person's budget. However, that being said, I would check out the menus on allears.net decide how your family would eat, and then make your decision. If you don't need appetizers and dessert, then don't figure them. Another poster said that just because it is offered, doesn't mean you have to take it. I do think if you plan to sit down even 1 time per day you should go with the DP. For my family, it would cost between 75-100 per sit down meal (2 adults 1 child) and that is at Chef Mickeys, 1900 Park Fare, Ohanas. Or if you don't think you can sit down 1 time each day, if you plan even 1 2TS restaurant that will be expensive as well, and take away another credit (i.e. Cinderella's Royal Table, HDDR, Spirit of Aloha). Just crunch the numbers, take in to consideration your family's eating habits and see what it comes out to be.

[creativemom]

The only time we did it was during free dining. While it was awesome it was also exhausting at the same time. I felt like we spent alot of time standing around, waiting to get into, and then another hour eating. I felt so bloated that week from all the food! Now we usually stay off property and bring our food since we eat mainly organic. I will pack a small lunch and we take a short break to enjoy it and we are off to another ride. Then I usually plan a few ADR's that my son really enjoys that we will go to, but the way we eat (small meals and snacks) it didn't fit our lifestyle so well and I felt like there was alot of wasted food.

[judyjo]

We had the DDP free last August as part of one of the promotions. It was very convenient because most of our food was covered. It forced us to eat far more food than we normally do, however (we never have dessert and that comes with all of the table service meals). I would never get the DDP if I had to pay. It makes more sense for us to share meals or eat smaller amounts.

[boo mommy]

We love the DDP. It helps us budget and we don't mind the locked in stuff. Planning is the key for us. If you do the research you can absolutely make out. It is alot of food but I found last time you can research and make some really healthy good choices. We are all natural/organic as well. It depends upon your own situation. Do you like a plan for the day?/ Or winging it.

[Wendyismyname]

to the boards boo mommy!

[LLaffinPlace]

I have never done DDP.

It's not that I am opposed to it. It's just that we use TIW and get the discount on the food AND wine.

This works well for us because we tend toward many TS meals (typically about one a day), especially ones that require 2 TS credits.

[chezp]

Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. It depends on what works for us on each particular trip. If it's going to work out better doing the Deluxe Dining Plan, then we'll do that, but usually only for part of any one trip.

[qesue]

We don't use the DDP either. With my family of 5, it would have cost $210 per day on out last trip. We came nowhere near spending that amount, even with alcohol and tips. Even though we do a TS just about every day, we don't ever all get dessert (even at home) and some of us would rather have an appetizer than an entrée as a meal. Between saving money and the flexibility of being able to eat what we want, the DDP isn't the best choice for my family at this point.

[nurse_mom]

At this time the dining plan seems to work for us. I factor in the cost at all ears.com and we seem to always come out ahead. My DH prefers to have everything paid upfront, or know how much we will have exactly when we get there. Maybe as the kids get older we will decliine the dining package. Until then.........