Is DDP right for you?

[Plex]

For our last trip we used DDP for our meals. The previous trip we did not use DDP. This has lead me to debate if it was 'worth it' or not.

One of the things that we noticed was that despite having DDP we still spent quite a bit of money on food anyway. Between tipping and adding extras (appetizers, drinks, etc) we ended up with a sizable bill at the end of our trip.

We also ended up with way more food than we would normally order with DDP. We would have ordinarily ordered dessert maybe 2 or 3 times on a trip like that, however we got dessert with every meal. At other times we had meals that we wouldn't ordinarily have because we felt obligated to use all of our credits because they had already been paid for.

Item-for-item, DDP saves you money. However I think for us we ultimately spent more money on food than we ordinarily would have. On our trip without DDP we spent around $200 per person on food, while with DDP we ended up spending almost $400. (there were 2 more days on our DDP trip, but that's not enough to account for the difference) Also, my tipping was much heavier using DDP because the total bill would have been much larger than it would be otherwise.

What do you all think? Does your family save money using DDP? Or have you found that you send less without it?

[retiredfigment]

I agree. On our last trip of 7 days, I know I ate alot more than I would have if I was paying OOP. I was getting desserts, which I never order. (I would prefer an option of either appetizer or dessert) I was tired of eating at TS restaurants and being tied to a schedule, but felt I had to since I had paid for it. Too much food overall. This trip we were going to do the CS plan, but decided not to do a plan at all since we will be there during F&W at EPCOT. I plan on keeping all my receipts to make a comparison.

[forever a child]

Some very good points. Our last trip we went with out the DDP and paid for everything OOP. For our Dec trip I plan on using the DDP. So I will be comparing our costs as well to see which works better for us. Looking forward to more ADR's and "hopefully" having everything pre-paid for but we shall see!

[Stu29573]

We had the DDP for the first time on our last trip and enjoyed it. That being said, I'm not sure if we really saved much compaired to what we would have normally spent on food. The difference was that we ate at many more TS places than we normally would have. However, it was very nice to be able to eat in those places and not really worry about the prices. We didn't get appetisers (we had too much food as it was!) and for some reason I wanted water and tea much more than any other drinks (I think it was the heat). Also, since it is just my wife and myself, we never had any issues getting to our reservations and didn't feel "tied down" at all. We did plan which park we would be in based on our reservations (which we based on which park was busiest, etc, when we made them)

We are returning in November and we once again got the DDP. For us it works great!

[retiredfigment]

Another thought when comparing prices. Since we were ordering entrees AND desserts at TS restuarants, our bill was higher than normally, thus our tip was higher so each meall cost more that if I was paying OOP.

[azcavalier]

Yeah, it all depends on eating habits. I wouldn't normally get a dessert at lunch, but I love to eat dessert after dinner, *especially* at WDW. There are so many great desserts to choose from!

For our family, we love eating at TS restaurants, because we would get tired of the "fast food" style counter service meals, every meal, every day. Not to knock them...I know that there is variety and there are some CS places that we love, but in the end, it's still fast food. We don't feel "tied down", either, because we like having the schedule. Of course, that's how we roll, and if we want to break free then we have all the freedom we want in the mornings (our ADRs are almost always for dinner).

[betteratmk]

We had the DDP for the first time on our last trip and enjoyed it. That being said, I'm not sure if we really saved much compaired to what we would have normally spent on food. The difference was that we ate at many more TS places than we normally would have. However, it was very nice to be able to eat in those places and not really worry about the prices. We didn't get appetisers (we had too much food as it was!) and for some reason I wanted water and tea much more than any other drinks (I think it was the heat). Also, since it is just my wife and myself, we never had any issues getting to our reservations and didn't feel "tied down" at all. We did plan which park we would be in based on our reservations (which we based on which park was busiest, etc, when we made them)

We are returning in November and we once again got the DDP. For us it works great!

Same for us, we like it! We also are returning in November. But we enjoy our TS meals. We are not big eaters as a whole and just order what sounds good to us and stop eating when we're full LOL!

[Ms. Mode]

I was reading in one of my WDW Travel Books last night (helps me get past the blues of not being in the world) and they had a breakdown of the average cost of a meal without the DDP and with the DDP. Basically, if you're looking to save money it can be done, but not with character meals and not if you go to 2T places to dine. Other than that, you pretty much break even.

We love the plan. We can pay for everything before vacation; and not have to carry the cash or credit/debit card with us while on vacation.

MM

[mdricks]

I still remember the heady days of a DDP that was a bargain for the guest. The thought that keeping people in the restaurants was key and the discount was an acceptable "loss leader" ruled the discussion boards.

I now tend to think it was more along the lines of a bait and switch.

In the first year or so of its inception, we used the plan for a family of four and ate like kigs (kings+pigs) at a reasonable cost. Had the plan not changed we would still be participating.

As soon as the plan axed apps and tips, we found that for the same amount or even less we could get everything we wanted without having any restrictions.

Our days of DDP are long gone. The convenience of paying for your vacation , in total, prior to getting on the plane is the only benefit I see to this plan. In that case you are probably better off opening a vacation savings account and getting interest on your money.

[Plex]

I'm not even sure that it works out for restaurants with signature dining (2T/character meals).

It seems like the prices of items you purchase with your DDP are capped at the price built into DDP.

I noticed on our last trip that snacks are capped at $4 and QS seems to be capped around 12. If you use that estimate you get a TS value of about $31. I ended up saving most of my snack points for items $3 and up to get the most value out of it.

Just for an example, if $31 is the built-in price of a TS, and you go to a signature dining restaurant, you're "spending" $62 per person. Our last stop at California Grill came up with a total bill for 2 of around $200. The cash Portion was $80. Magically.... $31 x 4 TS points = $124 + $80 cash = $204.

At that particular restaurant we would have gotten everything anyway, but at others We definitely would have skipped dessert. (Marrakesh didn't exactly have the best desserts ) There's no way I would have actually purchased a single one of the QS desserts if they didn't come with DDP. (In fact we gave a couple away to people at nearby tables!)

It would be awfully nice if you could skip dessert and get credited extra snack points instead.

One of my lessons from this trip really was eating in moderation. Any wild ride with a lap bar or shoulder restraint after a TS meal... well let's just say it wasn't exactly comfortable!

[DizneyRox]

I'm not even sure that it works out for restaurants with signature dining (2T/character meals).

Actually, using the DDP for 2TS locations greatly diminishes the value of the plan.

And yes, the menus have been altered to keep profits on Disney's side. As a matter of fact, you can look at the menu for most places and see which are on and which are not by the selections (not the DDP logo).

[hokies4life]

We used the DDP during free dining last year and have definitely decided that the regular dining plan isn't the best for us. We ate so much food and were very tied down by our reservations. The quick service plan would work well for us, and any sit down meals we want to have we can pay for OOP. I do find that I'm willing to do the regular plan if we get it free which I'm hoping to get for our honeymoon next year . We don't add extras to our orders so getting 6 or 7 meals for tips only is a good deal.

[Loweschevy]

The dining plans never really fit into our vacation plans. We could adapt our eating styles to fit the plan, but we enjoy the flexibility of being able to eat whatever we like such as appetizers or other starters. It probably would save us money, but we survive without it.

We tend to eat a ts breakfast, lunch is both ts and cs, and we like to eat a ts dinner. We like to try different appetizers, salads and first courses, my parents drink a glass of wine or beer with meals and I do not need desserts for lunch and dinner...I am diabetic, that would be overload even though I would like to eat dessert everytime

[Seasonscraps]

I think if the DP offers meals the way you would normally eat, then it's a good deal. But if you have to alter your dining preferences and order food just because it's included then I don't see the point.

It doesn't make sense for us to get the plan even though we generally have a TS meal every day. We generally prefer to share an appetizer with dinner; sometimes we will get dessert after our meal, other times we might grab something at the resort later or none at all. I would never get a dessert with every meal - especially a prepackaged cookie or something from a counter place when there are much much better options all over disney.

We may spend the same amount or even more on meals then we would with the DP but we are eating what we want to eat and where. We started going off property more for places with more variety - we wouldn't do that if we were on the DP since the meals are paid in advance.

[AllDisney]

We like the DDP..... It's paid for upfront and we don't have to worry about anything except tips. On occasion we have been fortunate enough to get free dining.

I do wish that we could pick an appetizer over dessert.....maybe one day they will make that offer

[DizneyRox]

I do wish that we could pick an appetizer over dessert.....maybe one day they will make that offer

Rumor is in 2011 it will be neither...

[PrincessJadesMom]

I love having the DDP, we use it on every trip. I just like to have it all paid for so that I don't have to worry about budgeting out money every day for food.It makes my life a lot easier.

[minnie-mouse]

I find it interesting that most people are saying with the DDP they overeat and it is way too much food. Just because you are allowed to have appetizer, desserts, etc. doesn't mean you have to eat it all! I think we will try the DDp next time and see how it goes.

[Seasonscraps]

I find it interesting that most people are saying with the DDP they overeat and it is way too much food. Just because you are allowed to have appetizer, desserts, etc. doesn't mean you have to eat it all! I think we will try the DDp next time and see how it goes.

I think that comes from the fact that you are paying for all this food in advance and most people do not want to just give their money away.

[Scrappy2]

I have never used the dining plan just for the cost. We have a large family, at times we are paying for 6 adults since Disney considers a 10 year old an adult. After I have paid for two rooms and 6 park tickets the dining plan was just way to expensive. We usually go in the summer when it is hot and we just do not eat that much food. Our kids al ot of times would just share meals so we came out much cheaper just paying as we go.