Is the DDP for us?

[durangojim]

We're leaving in a couple of days and I'm contemplating purchasing the dining plus plan for us 2 adults, 1 3 y/o (1 TS meal, 1 counter service, and 1 snack per day). We're AP holders and have done tables in wonderland in the past and I was planning on getting the card this week while we're there (it costs $75). The DDP would cost us about $450 for our stay. We usually have breakfast at roaring forks each day costing about $25/day (consists of yogurt or parfait, a pastry, and some juice), and then each day we'll eat at a counter service for lunch or dinner and a table service for lunch or dinner. We have ressies at Crystal Palace for breakfast, Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and Le Cellier for dinner. We'd like to eat at Brown Derby for lunch or dinner (I see this costs two table service meals per person) and maybe Yak and Yeti, Dine in theater, or someplace else in Epcot. I'm having a hard time deciding if there's value in the Dining plan or if it's mostly convenience. I've tried to run the numbers and as far as I can tell, it seems fairly even. So I'm not quite sure what I want to do.
Thanks for any oppinions.

 

[gettingsmaller]

Breakfasts being the least expensive, it is hard to get your money's worth if you do very many of them (in my opinion). Don't know about Brown Derby, but I DO know that the CRT breakfast is not worth spending two credits--better to spend cash and spend the credits elsewhere (not that you mentioned doing CRT, but the same my apply to Derby).

Also to keep in mind: do you eat dessert? Would you rather have an appetizer? On the DDP, you're stuck with dessert.

My opinion (which I don't have a lot of fancy numbers to back up) is that it really takes work and planning to "get your money's worth" on the DDP. If you're doing breakfasts instead of dinners and if you want something more "mundane" than the most expensive items, you're probably better off just paying as you go--especially if you get the DDE card and make use of it.

 

[Tiger45]

DDP worth it- yes it is!!

We're leaving in a couple of days and I'm contemplating purchasing the dining plus plan for us 2 adults, 1 3 y/o (1 TS meal, 1 counter service, and 1 snack per day). We're AP holders and have done tables in wonderland in the past and I was planning on getting the card this week while we're there (it costs $75). The DDP would cost us about $450 for our stay. We usually have breakfast at roaring forks each day costing about $25/day (consists of yogurt or parfait, a pastry, and some juice), and then each day we'll eat at a counter service for lunch or dinner and a table service for lunch or dinner. We have ressies at Crystal Palace for breakfast, Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and Le Cellier for dinner. We'd like to eat at Brown Derby for lunch or dinner (I see this costs two table service meals per person) and maybe Yak and Yeti, Dine in theater, or someplace else in Epcot. I'm having a hard time deciding if there's value in the Dining plan or if it's mostly convenience. I've tried to run the numbers and as far as I can tell, it seems fairly even. So I'm not quite sure what I want to do.
Thanks for any oppinions.

The DDP is a big advantage, think about how you use it and compare the cost. I know that when my inlaws went with our family a couple of years ago, they spent more out of pocket while we where on dining plan. the big advantage of dinning plan is it makes things easier , more like all inclusive. Remember that tips are not included and are used at all table service restuarants. I know based on our calculations if you think about it this way, not having to look at price while selecting food options- it is better- you pay apprx. $39 per adult per day covers the following- 1 snack- per day- around 3-4$, one qs with a drink, meal, & desert anywhere from $9-15,one table service (like le celier or to a Chef Mickey's buffet-39 per adult) that has meal, drink, plus desert anywhere from $30-45. You look at it this way and you are atleast eating lunches and snacks for free. We always get it, of course it was better years ago when you got an appetizer for each person at table service, but they eliminated that from plan. Wish they would add one appetizer for family to that plan. Anyway- as a family of four we have saved alot and have not had to worry about budgeting when you pay upfront, eat what you want regardless of prices, and we just calculate our dinners at around $100-125 at 20% for tips- and enjoy- it is vacation for a reason. Also remember that if you are stay 7 days- you get enough for 6 days of meals- they count either the day you eave as not needing meals. when we went in dec 08- for 7 days plan cost $868 for 3 adults, 1 child- since kids 10 and over are adult cost. We save approximatley $250!!!- plus longer u stay more you save.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

If you eat a table service meal every day, I think it's pretty easy to make it worth it. For instance, breakfast at Chef Mickey's is $22.99 for an adult, $12.99 for a child.

The child's dining plan is only $10.99 for the day, so you've already paid for her day and she's still got a counter servcie meal and a snack to go. The adults would need to spend $17 on lunch and a snack which is certainly possible when you get an entree, a drink, and a dessert at lunch.

Lunch at Flame Tree Barbeque can get you there. The 1/2 slab of ribs is $10.49, a coke is $2.49 and a dessert is $3.59.

Take LeCellier for dinner. If you like to get the Filet Mignon (which I do!!), it's $34.99. Add in a drink or dessert and you've already come out better on the dining plan and you still have a counter service meal and a snack!

It's true that you save more money at some restaurants than others. For instance you'd save more money at Chef Mickey's if you ate there at dinner. I think that the savings for some restaurants though, can be large enough that it's okay to break even on other days.

 

[durangojim]

Thanks for all of the replies. A question I have is that if I have tables in wonderland which gives me 20% off, can I combine that with DDE if we wanted to buy an appetizer?

 

[TURKEY]

Thanks for all of the replies. A question I have is that if I have tables in wonderland which gives me 20% off, can I combine that with DDE if we wanted to buy an appetizer?

I believe you can as I have used the dining plan for the meal and used my DDE/TIW card for alcoholic beverages. I don't see why it wouldn't work for appetizers.