I'm currently looking into the DDP for my next trip in May. This year we went without it, and thought the dining plan would be a great option for our next trip. I've been doing the math and I'm having a hard time finding the value in it. I end up paying $100+ more than what I'm actually getting out of it. So, how do people actually save money on the DDP vs paying out of pocket? And I'm doing my math with the normal dining plan, and eating at 1 TS and 1 QS everyday, getting the most expensive dish possible at each TS meal.
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DDP....Is it actually worth buying it?
- Thread starter Grumpy36
- Start date
bubbles1812
Well-Known Member
I think it just depends on who the person/family is when it comes to if it is a value or not. Some swear by it and do save money. Others just don't. Personally, for the most part my family has found when comparing what we would without DDP to with, it hasn't been of value, just like you are finding. We just would never eat/pay the amount that the DP "requires" to make it worth while in savings But again, some families do.
If you are finding that you will actually pay more, well, then you know which option is right for you
If you are finding that you will actually pay more, well, then you know which option is right for you
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jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
well I do a lot of character dining... in general I just eat alot and then walk alot to not add pounds while I am vacationing....I would be almost afraid to do disney without the DDP but next year I may buy AP's and the TIW deal and so ... I will find out if there is a savings without the DDP.
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ginadee
Well-Known Member
Ive compared the prices and come out cheaper eating on my own. I just cant eat as much as on the plan. Alot of times they offer 30% off resorts so Ive gone twice with that and its definately the better savings for me. Ive always gone with just 2 adults tho. I think maybe a family with kids would do well on the dining plan.
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bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Family of 2 adults and 2 growing boys definitely benefit from the DDP. It doesn't save "outrageous" amounts of $, but if you plan it correctly, it's definitely worth it! It's also a "piece of mind" that you don't have to worry about money/credit cards/etc...
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jlsHouston
Well-Known Member
well.. I just remembered... the last 3 nights we are at disney when we switch to Animal Kingdon? I bought room only at a rate of 216/nite... so no DDP after we run out credits on Tuesday. I am going to keep my receipts and see what the end result of 2 1/2 days with no DDP costs 2 adults and 2 kids.
I am going to keep my receipts and see what the end result of 2 1/2 days with no DDP costs 2 adults and 2 kids.
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mcst1010
New Member
I always go with the quick service plan. It works out great for us, but I usually go with 4 adults and 3 children. If we have any leftover snacks at the end, we load up for the plane ride home, or to give to my nephews and nieces when we get home. I did notice this year they changed the plan. It used to be 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks. Now it is 2 quick service meals and 1 snack. I will have to see how we make out this time.
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copcarguyp71
Well-Known Member
For us yes, It really depends on each individual basis and how you like to vacation. For us it is worth it as we do like the snack, counter service, sit down per day but that is just how we roll. It is nice knowing that the only additional expense added to the card will be souvenirs and that is easier to control than dining. For us it is all about vacation based on budget. Take it for what it is worth but everyone vacations on different terms.
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Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
I did the same thing, and came up with the same results. I think it depends on how your family typically eats. We don't usually drink much other than water, don't order dessert except maybe with dinner, split adult meals between the kids rather than ordering two kids' meals, and don't eat many snacks. We're also planning on meals that run the gamut of table service: Biergarten, 50's Prime Time, Coral Reef, Liberty Tree and the 'Ohana character breakfast. When I ran the numbers on out-of-pocket vs. the dining plan for all of the items the plan includes, choosing the most expensive items and highest-cost counter service options, the dining plan and out-of-pocket costs for 5 days were nearly identical. When I added up the cost of what we would realistically order if we were paying out of pocket (i.e., subtracting some drinks, desserts and snacks and ordering what we like instead of what is most expensive), it came out to about $120 less than the cost of the dining plan over our 5-night stay.
I guess my conclusion is: for families who can eat a ton, and who are committed to ordering the most expensive things at the most expensive restaurants for every meal, the dining plan will undoubtedly save them money. For everybody else, it's likely you'll spend the same or more for the dining plan than you would spend if you paid out of pocket.
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ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
It's difficult but possible to save money on the DDP. Years ago it was much easier but the cost has steadily increased, some of the most expensive food selections have been eliminated from menus, and what's included in the DDP has decreased (appitizer and 18% gratuity no longer included). More recently, people who justify paying for DDP speak of the convenience and psychological benefit of having the meals pre-paid.
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MissingDisney
Well-Known Member
It's no longer worth it for us. The price has gone up and the kids just don't eat $55+ worth of food EACH, a day. Even going to character meals and throwing in a quick service, we still come out the losers with the latest price increase as the restaraunt prices haven't increased at the same percentage as the dining plan. A topic that will forever be debated but unless Disney's giving it to me for "free" D), and we know how that goes, we'll be passing from now on. And then they sucker people in by "upgrading" dining plans at an additional $35-45 a day?!?!? When you think about it, they're throwing in an extra meal or so and you just paid a huge up-charge on your FREE dining. No thanks. I'll take the steep room discount and pay out of pocket for food.
D), and we know how that goes, we'll be passing from now on. And then they sucker people in by "upgrading" dining plans at an additional $35-45 a day?!?!? When you think about it, they're throwing in an extra meal or so and you just paid a huge up-charge on your FREE dining. No thanks. I'll take the steep room discount and pay out of pocket for food.
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muteki
Well-Known Member
The first year we got it the math worked out such that if you made some assumptions, you came out a little better on the plan. With each passing year the price has increased (next year too apparently), and while I haven't kept tabs on actual menu prices if they haven't gone up as well the the value is no longer there.
I think you first have to ask yourself if left to your own devices, would you actually want to eat the amount of food the plan gives you? If you don't, then the value immediately goes away.
These days, we will take a dining plan if offered for free, but are just as happy going on our own. Quick service meals throughout the week with a couple table services here and there will do it for us.
I think you first have to ask yourself if left to your own devices, would you actually want to eat the amount of food the plan gives you? If you don't, then the value immediately goes away.
These days, we will take a dining plan if offered for free, but are just as happy going on our own. Quick service meals throughout the week with a couple table services here and there will do it for us.
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disney magic 06
Well-Known Member
We have had free dining for the last 2 years and found it a LOT of food. We always have credits left over. I wouldn't pay for it, much as I like it for ease of dividing up the bill and not having to bring so many $s.
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When we go, we usually treat ourselves to nice (signature) meals and make the dining experience part of the vacation. Even though we typically only do lunch and dinner (breakfast maybe once or twice at Boma), I've added up my receipts after our trips and we still come out ahead of what we paid for the DDP. Probably also helps the cost that we typically go during the off-season.
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CaptainShortty
Well-Known Member
I'm a firm believer in the dining plan but it isn't always cost effective depending on the way your family eats on vacation. My family are the signature or higher end restaurant every night type of people. We instinctively order the expensive things on the menu so we don't have to "try to make it worth the money". I think what've you done is good in figuring out the cost out of pocket and with the plan. The only additional plus to the dining plan is since it's prepaid, you know exactly what you're paying up front in the food area which for some is a great bonus.
**Plus my family gets the CM discount on the DDP so there is no way to not save money.** =P
**Plus my family gets the CM discount on the DDP so there is no way to not save money.** =P
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crispy
Well-Known Member
It works for us because it's prepaid and because we tend to do a bunch of character meals since we have two small children. If we were paying out of pocket, we would probably save because I know that we personally wouldn't do a lot of the meals we do if we didn't have the dining plan simply because the thought of paying $200+ for dinner makes my frugal soul shudder. The thing is, I WANT to do those things, so knowing they are prepaid makes all the difference.
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disneygirl76
Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
For my DH and I, yes. For us, dining is a special part of our trip. We also like Table Service meals. We like trying new places. And we like paying for everything ahead of time. So for us, yes. But this is really a personal decision. I make the ADR's 180 days, the first opportunity I can. I plan where we are going and where we are eating. But for many families, they just like to do what they feel and not be tied down to the ADR's. So it really is a personal choice.
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