A couple of questions about the DDP??

[kasey1988]

Hey everyone! My friend is really interested in getting the ddp, she thinks it would be nice to have our meals payed for before we go..

My question is, if we get the ddp, can we order of a childs menu from time to time. I could only see me doing it maybe once or twice. Im wondering how it would work at counter service mainly?

2) What do you guys do if your to full for desert? Can you get it to go?

3) Do you find you run out of snack credits before the end of your trip? I really like the lemonaide slush, and blue slush, do they count as snacks?? With only 7, i dont see that lasting...maybe i eat alot tho :shrug:

4) Finally, i think i read somewhere that you can trade a TS for CS, i dont think we would have more then 1 left over, but just wondering.

 

[lighteningqueen]

If I were you I wouldn't go with the Dining plan. You will not get your moneys worth. Its about 40.00 per day per person. You need to add up by allears on the menus what you would buy from each place and see if you will be eating less than you are spending. If you are in disney world why would you want to eat nuggets and mac and cheese for a dinner? You can do that at home. Just our 2 cents worth. If the childs meal would cost 7.00 then you have 33.00 to eat lunch with at a CS, which there is nothing more than about 9.99 at a counter service place to buy example (Sunshine seasons), that wouldn't work you would loose tons. For some reason we had snacks only 2 days of our 7 last time and realized it at the end and cashed it all out to take with us. We did not use it on water as you can get that cheaper on the road home and we got the fruit, yes, and crispy treats which we wont again. They are or were old and stale and not like a crispy treat taste in our opinions.

 

[Computer Magic]

Starting in Jan 2009 you can do the Quick Service Dining plan if you think that DDP is too much food.

I disagree with the above poster as to be so quick to dismiss the plan. You will get people here that love it and hate it. Most that hate it is because of the planning ahead that is HIGHLY recommended.

I enjoy the plan as we get our money worth. The plan has been watered down over the years, including tip not being included in the plan.

I would review the menus and get a estimate out of pocket cost and compare that to what the DDP cost.

As for desserts, yes you can take it with you. This issue is how long you have to carry it around. I wouldn't want to carry it around for hours in the park. One time we took Italy Epcot dessart with us as we were returning to NOFQ right after dinner. That was great.

 

[kasey1988]

Thanks for the imput, we wouldnt be ordering off the kids meal for EVERY meal..maybe just once or twice if we are really full fromt he table service meal that day..

 

[lilclerk]

The problem with ordering off the kids menu (and I'm not sure if you even can on the DDP since you're paid for as an adult) is you're instantly losing money. If you're okay with that, then go for it, but we find we save a lot without the DDP. We still eat at sit down restaurants just about every day (usually for lunch rather than dinner) and have a CS dinner or just snack the rest of the day. I will admit, though, that I LOVED having everything paid for before leaving. That was the only perk of the dining plan for me.

I refuse to use it now that appetizers/tip aren't included anymore.

On not having enough snacks -- on our last day of the trip we used DDP on, we stocked up on snacks in the resort food court while waiting for DME because we had so many credits left. Even without appetizers at every TS meal, it's a lot of food, you'll be stuffed.

 

[lighteningqueen]

That is what I was saying look over the menus and see if it is worth you paying $40.00 per day for most days. We are on it but then again becasue we want one sit down per day and we order what we like not because it is 30.00 for the steak verses 16 for pot roast we get what we want. I would pay out of pocket for those childrens meals and save your TS for some other meal at another place then...

 

[Computer Magic]

That is what I was saying look over the menus and see if it is worth you paying $40.00 per day for most days. We are on it but then again becasue we want one sit down per day and we order what we like not because it is 30.00 for the steak verses 16 for pot roast we get what we want. I would pay out of pocket for those childrens meals and save your TS for some other meal at another place then...

Sorry I misunderstood. YOu are correct pay for the childrens meal and go to a 2 creadit TS and pig out :slurp:

 

[catne]

Hey everyone! My friend is really interested in getting the ddp, she thinks it would be nice to have our meals payed for before we go..

My question is, if we get the ddp, can we order of a childs menu from time to time. I could only see me doing it maybe once or twice. Im wondering how it would work at counter service mainly?

2) What do you guys do if your to full for desert? Can you get it to go?

3) Do you find you run out of snack credits before the end of your trip? I really like the lemonaide slush, and blue slush, do they count as snacks?? With only 7, i dont see that lasting...maybe i eat alot tho :shrug:

4) Finally, i think i read somewhere that you can trade a TS for CS, i dont think we would have more then 1 left over, but just wondering.

We found the regular DDP to be perfect for us...after the first day, we were always full so never even used the snack credits for snacks! We ate counter service for lunch (lots of choices beside just burgers/dogs/pizza, ya know!) and then the table service for a nice sit down menu-meal (or buffet). We used the snack credit to buy a yummy pastry at a park or resort bakery counter and saved those for breakfast the next day. Worked out perfectly. A few times at lunch we had leftover dessert...not a problem because almost all the lunch desserts are prepackaged so they're ready "to go" Just choose the one that won't melt!

We never needed to trade a table service for a counter service, but I've read that you can have the concierge desk at your hotel change the credits like that.

 

[slappy magoo]

To repeat what others have said (but which I agree)...

An adult on the DDP will not get his or her money's worth using the DDP to order a kids' meal. The money you save on the day you use it on adult meals might balance out the few days you don't. But a good recommendation would be to, perhaps, pick one or two of the higher-end restaurants, the ones that require two table service credits. The days you think you'll only want to order off the kids' menu, pay for those meals out of pocket, and save that table-service credit for one of those 2-credit meals.

To that end, you can also consider paying for a meal out of pocket if you wind up getting an inexpensive entree. For instance, if you only wanted a burger one night for dinner, which is often like 12 or 13 dollars most restaurants, no appetizers or desserts, you may be better off paying for the burger and saving the credit for later.

Last time at WDW, my wife and I ate once at Trails' End buffet at Fort Wilderness, the least expensive buffet on property. We charged the meal, and used those extra credits for a very nice dinner at Artist Point. Of course, this was when appetizers and tips were included. We're still debating whether or not to get the plan this time out.

 

[Rob562]

With using a Table Service credit for a Counter Service meal, there's nothing that you need to do beforehand. When you get to the cashier, just tell them that you'd like to use a Table Service credit. I don't know if it's a year-round thing or not, but at least during Free Dining in the fall they'll also give you a voucher good for two additional Snacks if you do this.

As for Counter Service desserts, if you find that you're getting tired of the same selections at every location, or you just don't have room, you can always ask for a bottle of water as your dessert. This especially comes in handy in hot weather.

-Rob

 

[H20Babie]

Hey Kasey!

My friend also insisted on the DDP since she's on a budget with her kids. I swore I would never do it again, but really, even if you break even, I think it's a good idea just to have everything paid for ahead of time.

Anyway, this is my advice (and I have done it with no problems):
Split a counter service meal twice a day and you have all 3 meals covered plus the extra snack credit.

Have fun planning

EDIT: I usually take the dessert to go if I can't eat anymore. Makes for a good late night snack back in the room!

I also had unused CS credits at the end; I was able to convert them to snack credits and filled my carry-on to bring back treats. I am addicted to iced coffees and they usually were on carts that did not have DDP access (cash only).

 

[J_Krafty24]

The old dining plan was great being able to walk into a resturant, order anything you want, have your card swiped and leave. Unfortunatly that convience is gone now that you have to pay the tip out of pocket.

 

[kathyjacks]

I love the DDP. I have a family of 4 (2 kids) and we racked up. I guess it depends on the kind of food and resturants you are going to eat at. Our bill at Ohana's alone was $228.00 for 2 adults and 2 kids but with the disney dining plan we paid approximately 100 bucks a day(for 2 adults and 2 kids in 2006).So just that meal alone we saved over $100 dollars. We also went to Le Cellier and it was around $200 bucks also. Again for that days food we had a quick service meal for lunch and then a wonderful dinner and ony paid 100 bucks for the day. Lunch for 4 of us ran on average 45-55 bucks at the quick service resturants .Now if you are going to order 15 dollar a plate diners the DDP is not right for you. Go through the menu and choose your resturants. Then go to price them on the website suggested above. Here is a list of the accepted resturants on the 2009 dining plan.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/packages/2009-dining-
plan-restaurants.htm

We never needed our snacks so the last day we loaded up on all our snack credits and litterally had a huge bag of food to take home.Also I took leftoevers back to the resort many many times.If you are going straight back then its plausible but if you are going to the parks first its a pain and I wouldn't take any leftoevers and believe me you will have leftovers!