Disney Dinning Plan Advice

[jeffk410]

Since joining the boards a couple of years ago I have heard so many positives and negatives about the DDP. Lately it seems almost all of the posts have been negative. I have been to disney about 25 times and have never used the DDP. My upcoming trip my girlfriend, who is a vegetarian, and myself are trying to decide wether or not to use the DDP. For myself I think the value may be positive when I ran the math, but her being a vegetarian I am not so sure. So I am creating a post to see who thinks we should do it and who does not. All reviews are much needed and any opinions. I think for myself, who eats alot and likes steak it may very well save me 30-40 dollars, but for her I do not think it will. We have adrs at tusker house, chef mickeys, and boma for breakfast. The fantasmic dinning package for dinner, as well as Boma for dinner, Le cellier at dinner.

Also on a side note how much is the fantasmic package if we opt not to do the DDP?

Thanks!!!

I also just noticed I mistyped the 2nd option. The 2nd one is suppose to be I personally do not like the ddp but it will be good for you... I can't figure out how to edit that one yikes. lol

 

[Disneycoog]

I like the plan, bu the kids choices are crap at most places. Needs to be revamped.

 

[CP_alum08]

I was in a similar situation a few months ago. it was just my girlfriend and I going and were trying to decide on the plan or not. We ended up using it! My biggest reason was that we were going on somewhat of a budget and knowing us we would have probably skimped out on some meals just to save a few dollars. By purchasing the plan upfront it almost forced us to eat at some of the nicer restaurants while we were there (which wasnt a bad thing :slurp. For us it worked really well, just make sure that if you do get it, that you use ALL of it.

Also, we went at a pretty slow time of the year so there wasnt a very long wait for any of the resaurants. We actually only made plans about 2 months in advance and we were still able to get all the reservations we wanted. Obviously, the busier the time, the quicker reservations will fill up, so take that into consideration too!

 

[Tom]

Since joining the boards a couple of years ago I have heard so many positives and negatives about the DDP. Lately it seems almost all of the posts have been negative. I have been to disney about 25 times and have never used the DDP. My upcoming trip my girlfriend, who is a vegetarian, and myself are trying to decide wether or not to use the DDP. For myself I think the value may be positive when I ran the math, but her being a vegetarian I am not so sure. So I am creating a post to see who thinks we should do it and who does not. All reviews are much needed and any opinions. I think for myself, who eats alot and likes steak it may very well save me 30-40 dollars, but for her I do not think it will. We have adrs at tusker house, chef mickeys, and boma for breakfast. The fantasmic dinning package for dinner, as well as Boma for dinner, Le cellier at dinner.

Also on a side note how much is the fantasmic package if we opt not to do the DDP?

Thanks!!!

We've done the math on our last 3-4 trips, adding up the cash value (as shown on the register receipt at each location) for every meal and snack we get and comparing the total to what we spent on the DDP. We win every single time.

HOWEVER, the argument can easily be made that if you were paying cash, you would get water instead of soda (at TS locations), perhaps share a drink at QS, and would never order a dessert normally. If you compared the DDP to that scenario, it's rarely a deal. We've done that math too.

The biggest perk (exactly by design) is convenience. The DDP can be likened to a chip at a casino. If you're playing roulette and all you have are $5 bills to throw down on every spin, you'll be frugal. However, since you use little plastic chips, you don't think of them as money and just throw them around.

If you were deciding between a TS or QS while paying cash, or if you were going to eat on property at all, you might lean toward saving money. But if you've already bought the plan, you're obligated to eating at each type of restaurant and just tell them to "charge it to my plan!"

It's a no-brainer for us. We will continue to use the DDP, because I'm a big eater, and she can get anything she wants...even if she only eats half of it...and we're money ahead.

For your GF, you'll want to look at all of the menus before buying into the DDP. You can find them in many places on the web, including on WDWMagic. If she can find something she likes at every location, go for it. If not, take cash.

 

[jeffk410]

ya. all great points. We will be order to order desserts and what not, but we have checked most of the menu's and there is always something for her. I do like always having that TS locked up, but I just keep hearing so many negative things.

We are also going in May and made all our plans 2 months out. ,but I still need more opinions ahah.

 

[memster]

Not only is it a great value it's also so convenient. It takes the stress out of how much money I'm spending while on vacation it's payed in advanced, the only thing I put in is the tip:animwink:

 

[jeffk410]

hmm that is true about it is a lot less stressful... Anyone who said definately not wanna throw some reasons out there?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Theres no absolute right or wrong with the Dinning Plan. The way I eat I probably wouldnt pay for it. However its been part of a free deal so Ill take it and pay for starters. When we switch to staying on points its no longer worth it as we have things planned that negate the use of the Dinning Plan on two days.

Horses for courses and maybe a new dish on a menu or two.

 

[Monty]

I'm in the definitely not camp.

To get value for your dollar on DDP you have to:

• not have access to any decent discounts on your resort [staying at a Value it's a close call depending on how many are in your party]
• eat the most expensive entrées at your TS restaurants
• book your meals to match or exceed your available credits
• eat a lot of QS meals [I'm not big on 'fast food', I much prefer TS]

I just find I don't want to go through all of that just to be sure I'm getting my money's worth. I'm an AP holder and use the TiW discounts and can eat almost exclusively at TS restaurants and save more between my food and resort discounts than I ever would using the DDP.

I also don't worry about whether I'm paying for my vacation in advance or after the fact. I don't have concerns over maxing out my credit card while I'm there. I get to eat the style of food that interests me instead of starting by checking to see what costs more.

 

[jeffk410]

ah sorry monty we are staying at AKL villas at jambo house through DVC. Not a value so we are not doing a package. i also have an AP ,but do not think tables of wonderland will be worth it.

 

[stlbobby]

ah sorry monty we are staying at AKL villas at jambo house through DVC. Not a value so we are not doing a package. i also have an AP ,but do not think tables of wonderland will be worth it.

I was going to recommend the DDP, but with an AP I'd go with ToW. The discount is great especially if you tend to eat in the higher end restaurants. They also offer some great special occasion dining opportunities.

 

[Monty]

ah sorry monty we are staying at AKL villas at jambo house through DVC. Not a value so we are not doing a package. i also have an AP ,but do not think tables of wonderland will be worth it.

TiW costs $75 for AP holders and is valid for a year. You get 20% off everything you eat or drink [alcohol included] at most TS restaurants and bars in WDW as well as some QS where there aren't TS available.

If you spend a total of $375 in food and drink, you've paid for the up-front cost of the card.

There is an obligatory 18% gratuity at meals, but unless you wouldn't tip anyway, that's irrelevant. I usually top it up to the 20% level for particularly good service [so almost always] anyway.

I've had the up-front cost covered in the first two or three days of the trip and that's with only myself and my 14 year old son Morgan eating. :shrug:

 

[jeffk410]

hmmm. so it should save money and could be better than the DDP. but is it at most counter services?

 

[Monty]

hmmm. so it should save money and could be better than the DDP. but is it at most counter services?

No, it's at very few counter services. Only Value resorts, POFQ and I think still at DAK.

TiW is intended for TS restaurants. They've arranged QS only where there are no or limited TS.

 

[stlbobby]

The other advantage of ToW is your not restricted by the DDP's menus. If you don't feel like dessert or want to get it elsewhere you can. Or you can do an appetizer instead of dessert and still get the discount.

 

[jeffk410]

hm. I like the thoughts and ideas of it, but with limited CS I don't think It would be better then the DDP for myself.

 

[Irishprincess]

There is alot of eating on the DDP. We ate in signature restaurants so we used 2 table credits otherwise you would never eat all that food. We had too many snack credits left at the end and had to get candy bars to bring home with us.

 

[betteratmk]

We've done it both ways and we still like the DDP. It isn't as good as it used to be granted but it works for us. I don't mind picking out where we eat in advance it adds to the fun of planning. We would eat 1 counter and 1 Ts a day regardless. We also don't pick the most expensive item on the menu to milk the value, we just order what we want. With most buffets being $30. an adult and a counter service ranging between $9 -$12, It usually a wash!! I know myself too, if I was paying cash and saw a filet for $36. I would think twice about ordering it! Now I don't have too. :sohappy:

 

[dreamfinder]

It really depends on your eating habits. My DW needs several small meals, and so the DDP definitely isn't a good choice as we would be locked into a few large meals. Also, do you normally eat desert? I don't think we have ordered desert at a CS once in the last 6 trips. That 2 bucks or so for each CS meal that you would lose.

These are things to consider that aren't even in the realm of eating the most expensive items on the menu. You really need to look at menus for the places you plan on eating, and do the math. That would give you an idea if you are close or not.

 

[Master Gracey 5]

I've been a fan of DDP since they instituted it, but I will admit that it is not as good as it once was. As others have mentioned, the main advantage is convenience and not having to worry about the cost of the meals since its all prepaid.

Every time I go with my family we have at most 1 CS left by the end of the week and we've usually paid for an additional TS meal (my younger brother and I both eat well). I last went with my girlfriend and she eats less so it might have been less a value without getting free dining for most of the week. Its a no brainer when they give it to you for free though.

Based on that experience you might not get your value with the girlfriend's meals, especially since she'll be restricting herself to vegetarian options. Allears.net has the menus to look at where you will be visiting so you can make the decision with more information.