DDP Estimator

[KeithVH]

Has anyone used one of the estimator programs to determine whether to use the plan or not? And then had it validated by your experience during a completed trip? With a family of five, I always considered us past the break-even point. Figure 7-8 days at ~$200/day and it adds up. Largely because we usually don't do table service every day. Just too much food (seems a bit wasteful sometimes). We've never spent more than $1,000 for an 8 day trip and that was eating VERY well. Not just living on counter service burgers and fries like some seem to. {All w/o mentioning staying Poly concierge - that's kind of a given in this family<sigh>.}

Well, we just started planning our next trip's dining schedule and reviewing the latest menu prices and now I'm questioning if the break-even point has moved. Especially since we'll probably be changing some of our favorites as the menus seems to have shifted in offerings also; Narcoossees (our favorite romantic date place) being a perfect example. The only beef selection comes with lobster. Sounds like more food than I want to eat at one sitting, especially compared to the selections on previous visits (and requiring 2 credits or $52). I guess I should say I don't mind spending the money, just trying to find the most efficient usage model (jeez, I'm a geek).

 

[Monty]

Yes, you're a geek, but that's not always a bad thing! :lol:

There are a few too many variables to really determine a break-even point in my view:

- Would you take advantage of particularly expensive restaurants you would otherwise not even consider?

- Would your kids really get value from the plan? [You don't indicate ages or genders... if you have three teenage boys, get the plan!!! :lol:]

- Do you want to commit to eating at specific times? [ADRs are generally a must for TS these days]

If it's all about sustenance and the amount of money you pay for food, the plan will never be a "value", you can eat more than adequately to survive for a lot less per day than the plan costs. But if you enjoy having one sit-down, less rushed meal most days, then you can definately benefit from the plan by A) eating very well and B) saving enough that even if you don't use your CS and snack credits you're still ahead of the game.

I found that we ate like kings [and yes, we left a lot of food on plates - if I had eaten everything they gave me, I'd have gained 50 lbs in the week we were there!] and saved enough on meals to fully pay the daily cost of the plan just at TS restaurants. So every CS and all the snacks were free!

 

[DisneyMarg]

Great answer by Monty.

One reason we enjoyed the plan was that we were totally free to try new places and foods. Our kids are very accustomed to no appetizers and desserts when eating out, but on the plan, they could have them at most meals. That was a real treat for us.

We also ate at a lot of restaurants we had never been to before, simply because they were included on the plan. For example, we wouldn't have spent the $$ to try out Whispering Canyon Cafe, since we weren't staying at Wilderness Lodge and weren't really sure about it, but since we could do it "for free" (yes, I know we had paid), we went for it and had a great time we all still remember fondly.

My guess is, that being a geek, you might also be a bit of a tightwad - just a teeny bit. My husband is like that - sees dollar signs whenever anyone orders something not on the "value menu". It really made for a relaxing week for him not to have to see the costs mounting up at each meal we ate. Since it was all pre-paid, we could just enjoy - as much or as little as we wanted.

Yes, you can each much more cheaply, but the dining plan adds another layer of "magic" - at least for us.

 

[KeithVH]

OK. Some more details at this point just for discussion sake. 3 daughters, 19, 18 & 16. We sat down last nite and played "What'll you have?" on Deb's site looking at each specific menu. Breakfast is covered - we've done the various character morning events when the girls were younger so continental is fine for everyone now. Heck, the youngest won't go back to CP for breakfast unless they'll pick her as Chef of the Day again (they did when she was 7 but not bloody likely now) and she doesn't want her memories spoiled. Tentatively decided on the following:

Lunch:
San Angel
Le Cellier
Fultons
Teppanyaki
Garden Grill
Casey's or Pecos Bill's
Flame Tree

Dinner:
Kona
Crystal Palace
Trails End
Rose & Crown
Concourse (date nite with the missus)

We added up actual selections from current pricing. Added tax and basic tip (the only real variable here - we can argue service quality versus tip amount another time). Admittedly, we're not appetizer people. And only some of us even think about dessert right after a meal. And, after hard thinking, I'd doubt we'd take advantage of ALL the counter service credits.

We've never been this analytical before but now with two off to college in the fall, we look at things differently. Based on the above, we calculate about ~1,300. Seriously. I consider that pretty good. And still $100 less than the plan. The cool thing being that we're looking at 10 table service versus only 7 on the plan. I guess I should have done some more research before posting.

Then again, if it was just two of us, maybe the plan would be a better deal. Too, I sure won't turn it down if we luck into a free period (are they even doing that anymore?). So I guess I answered my own question but I do appreciate the input and viewpoints.

 

[Senderella]

We added up actual selections from current pricing. Added tax and basic tip (the only real variable here - we can argue service quality versus tip amount another time). Admittedly, we're not appetizer people. And only some of us even think about dessert right after a meal. And, after hard thinking, I'd doubt we'd take advantage of ALL the counter service credits.

We've never been this analytical before but now with two off to college in the fall, we look at things differently. Based on the above, we calculate about ~1,300. Seriously. I consider that pretty good. And still $100 less than the plan. The cool thing being that we're looking at 10 table service versus only 7 on the plan. I guess I should have done some more research before posting.

Then again, if it was just two of us, maybe the plan would be a better deal. Too, I sure won't turn it down if we luck into a free period (are they even doing that anymore?). So I guess I answered my own question but I do appreciate the input and viewpoints.

As far as the appetizer/dessert issue goes and having entirely too much food... you don't have to eat it. When DH & I hit the regular restaurants (the non buffet) on the DDP, we DO in fact order the appetizers and desserts because it helps up the server's tip AND we like sampling things. I never feel like I have to eat everything. I don't feel it's wasteful either. To me, vacation is about trying new things and indulging. If I want to eat a quarter of my dessert, cool. This is however why I do prefer hitting the buffets. No issues about waste/portion there. Everyone brought up reasons about why the DDP is preferable. Trying new restauants you wouldn't normally try if you were paying right then, eating WELL rather than living on counter service hurl: ), etc. I also like the fact it's prepaid. That's money you don't have to budget daily out of your spending money. That's less money going on your credit cards or money/travelers checks sitting in your wallet. It's not a concern what we order or how much it's going to cost.. if it's going to keep me from having enough cash that day from hitting the pin station or not. Not to mention, with the counter service, it's nice to be able to grab something when you feel the urge on the fly. Don't necessarily have to agree with the people in your party either. Personally, I love having a breakfast TS and then sitting down waiting for Spectromagic w/ a Casey dog. I think you're putting too much thought into the breakdown of the dining plan dude. While it may not save you money, it would probably end up being the exact same you'd normally spend. I just like the fact everything's prepaid and what you order isn't an issue moneywise. Not to mention, I feel safer not needing to carry around that extra money or put it on my credit cards.

 

[DisneyMarg]

Did you factor in snacks - even just soft drinks? If there are 5 of you and you'll be there for 7 days, that's 35 snacks. At $3 each, there went the $100 you saved. The $$ is so close.

Sounds like you've been several times before. I say try the plan this time. Then you will know for sure whether or not it works for your family.

(Although you are right about getting more table service options using your plan. If it were me, I could easily trade Trails End and Crystal Palace for Tusker House (yum!) and a counter service meal at my resort.)

 

[Lucky]

We were on the dining plan for 8 days in August, 2 adults plus 2 kids. The dining plan cost about $100 per day, which is about what we spent on previous trips without the dining plan. The difference was that with the plan we could have more and better food than w/o the plan. The food we had would have cost us about $1000 if we had gone to the same places and ordered the same things without the plan. For us in August the dining plan was free anyway, but I would consider paying for it in the future if I can't get it for free again.

 

[Dagger]

Based on what you said, plus whether you are routine/spur of the moment people, plus if you have a tendancy to actually eat 3 meals a day should all factor in. We went for 4 days in December with the dining plan and still spent 100s more on food because we didn't follow our plan and we didn't eat when we were only hungry... we ate everything and I felt like I was going to explode the whole trip, then was sick our last 2 nights because of overeating

That said, knowing what I now know, we will still use the dining plan, but I am going to milk it for every penny. It was AWESOME to be able to get desserts, appetizers and the best entree on the menu per TS and know we'd spent less than that would've cost... but you have to be choosy or else you just end up with too much food and spending way more than you would've without the DP.