I promised that after I returned from our trip I would crunch the numbers and let you know how we made out on the dining plan. Here's where we ate, what we had, and how we came out. I should add that although we made no effort to maximize value on our snacks, we did order entrees that were among the most expensive for all table and counter service meals. These totals reflect 2 adults and 2 children, and do not include gratuities or non-DDP items.
Snacks (we used 19 of our 20 credits) - including Dole Whips (soft serves and floats - we are so addicted now!), frozen pineapple bars (also a new obsession), a sushi roll from the Epcot F&W Japan kiosk, and desserts from Main Street Confectionery: total value of $74.95.
Counter service - Pecos Bill's (2 deluxe burgers and 2 kids' meals, carrot cake, yogurt, fountain drinks - $47.53), Tamu Tamu (3 sandwiches, 1 fruit salad, 4 milkshakes, 4 fountain drinks - $67.35), Tangeriene Cafe (1 shwarma platter, 1 sliders platter, 2 kids' meals, baklava, fountain drinks - $65.12), Pinnochio Village Haus (1 salad, 1 meatball sandwich, 2 kids' meals, 2 gelato, fountain drinks - $41), Casey's Corner (1 chicago dog, 1 BBQ slaw dog, 2 hotdog meals, 2 cracker jack, 2 brownies, 4 fountain drinks - $57.97): total value of $238.38.
Table service - Raglan Road (2 steaks, 2 kids' meals, 2 iced tea, 1 Dunbrody kiss, 1 bread and butter pudding - about $140), Liberty Tree Tavern (2 adult and 2 kids' buffet - $102.20), Coral Reef (1 lobster pasta, 1 steak, 2 kids' meals, fountain drinks, 2 mousse - $104.82), 'Ohana Breakfast Buffet (2 adults and 2 kids - about $110), Biergarten dinner ($102): total value of $577.02
Adding these up, the total value of the food we ordered (and of which we ate about 75% on average, leaving many dishes unfinished because we were so full) was $890.35. Seeing as we paid $665.60 for the dining plan, this means we technically saved $223.05. However, if I take into account the fact that, left to our own devices, we would never have opted to buy fountain drinks or desserts as a rule, would have avoided buffets (we don't tend to need any second helpings so they wouldn't be cost-effective) and would have split most of the counter service meals between us since they were so large, I'm not sure that our "savings" were worth the cost for our family. Every family's eating habits are different, of course, but if we go out of pocket next time and order as we normally would, I estimate we'd save 20% off of what we spent on the dining plan, and still be full.
Our final verdict: it was fun to try the dining plan and be able to sample things we wouldn't otherwise order, but we'll save money by paying out-of-pocket in the future (especially given the increased cost of the 2013 dining plan). Still, when we go to plan our next trip I'll be sure to crunch the numbers again to make the decision. Any excuse to prolong the Disney planning and add one more degree of obsessiveness...
Snacks (we used 19 of our 20 credits) - including Dole Whips (soft serves and floats - we are so addicted now!), frozen pineapple bars (also a new obsession), a sushi roll from the Epcot F&W Japan kiosk, and desserts from Main Street Confectionery: total value of $74.95.
Counter service - Pecos Bill's (2 deluxe burgers and 2 kids' meals, carrot cake, yogurt, fountain drinks - $47.53), Tamu Tamu (3 sandwiches, 1 fruit salad, 4 milkshakes, 4 fountain drinks - $67.35), Tangeriene Cafe (1 shwarma platter, 1 sliders platter, 2 kids' meals, baklava, fountain drinks - $65.12), Pinnochio Village Haus (1 salad, 1 meatball sandwich, 2 kids' meals, 2 gelato, fountain drinks - $41), Casey's Corner (1 chicago dog, 1 BBQ slaw dog, 2 hotdog meals, 2 cracker jack, 2 brownies, 4 fountain drinks - $57.97): total value of $238.38.
Table service - Raglan Road (2 steaks, 2 kids' meals, 2 iced tea, 1 Dunbrody kiss, 1 bread and butter pudding - about $140), Liberty Tree Tavern (2 adult and 2 kids' buffet - $102.20), Coral Reef (1 lobster pasta, 1 steak, 2 kids' meals, fountain drinks, 2 mousse - $104.82), 'Ohana Breakfast Buffet (2 adults and 2 kids - about $110), Biergarten dinner ($102): total value of $577.02
Adding these up, the total value of the food we ordered (and of which we ate about 75% on average, leaving many dishes unfinished because we were so full) was $890.35. Seeing as we paid $665.60 for the dining plan, this means we technically saved $223.05. However, if I take into account the fact that, left to our own devices, we would never have opted to buy fountain drinks or desserts as a rule, would have avoided buffets (we don't tend to need any second helpings so they wouldn't be cost-effective) and would have split most of the counter service meals between us since they were so large, I'm not sure that our "savings" were worth the cost for our family. Every family's eating habits are different, of course, but if we go out of pocket next time and order as we normally would, I estimate we'd save 20% off of what we spent on the dining plan, and still be full.
Our final verdict: it was fun to try the dining plan and be able to sample things we wouldn't otherwise order, but we'll save money by paying out-of-pocket in the future (especially given the increased cost of the 2013 dining plan). Still, when we go to plan our next trip I'll be sure to crunch the numbers again to make the decision. Any excuse to prolong the Disney planning and add one more degree of obsessiveness...
. I understand the reason as others may have paid out of pocket for DDP but it was still frustrating for the DD nonetheless.
