What's the Downside of DDP?

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I'm not sure what's an easier and "best" procedure for dining than to eat where you want and just pay with a credit card of card linked to MB's

I never understood paying for the DDP, you are stuck constantly thinking about how to get the most value from it and if you do a good job you barely come out ahead (maybe) you also have to stick to locations that accept DDP.

I would be all for it if saving a good chunk of money was easy to do (10-15 percent) but instead all your doing is giving Disney an interest free loan on your food money then being very careful about using it in hopes of getting a little tiny bit more back than you put in....I just don't get it...why not stash the money away in pretty stable ETF's and cash out as you leave for your vacation?

I've never understood people thinking you are "constantly thinking about how to get the most value from it." If I've decided to purchase the plan, I've already calculated that I will receive value for it. I don't need to do any more calculations. And I certainly wouldn't cut it close enough that one meal or even two would make a difference.

The only places that I am aware of that don't accept the dining plan are . . . . um, none. At least none that I would go it. Shades of Green? Sorry, I'm not military and I don't have an ID card, so I can't stay there. Swalphin? Never stayed there. Never had a desire to stay there. Never once, thought about eating there.

 

[Faldred]

Actually you can add a dining plan to a room only reservation at a Disney resort and also a DVC reservation.

Adding dining to a room-only reservation makes it a package subject to package rules.

You are correct that DVC owners can add a dining plan onto their stay without the package rules.

 

[preemiemama]

I've never understood people thinking you are "constantly thinking about how to get the most value from it." If I've decided to purchase the plan, I've already calculated that I will receive value for it. I don't need to do any more calculations. And I certainly wouldn't cut it close enough that one meal or even two would make a difference.

The only places that I am aware of that don't accept the dining plan are . . . . um, none. At least none that I would go it. Shades of Green? Sorry, I'm not military and I don't have an ID card, so I can't stay there. Swalphin? Never stayed there. Never had a desire to stay there. Never once, thought about eating there.

For some people, the DDP is a good deal. I agree with you- my family and I get value out of it and it saves us both money and a hassle. We order what we want and don't think about it. If we didn't have it, we'd be thinking about beverages (tap water vs. soda or tea), or ordering the least expensive items and not having an appetizer or dessert. With the DDP, we don't. We don't feel restricted because the DDP constraints fit the way we want to eat- and not having to worry about every nickel and dime we pay at a meal allows us to enjoy it. We find value in it, so we will always use the DDP if we can.

However, some people don't eat that way. Some like QS meals more. Some get stressed out about "maximizing" the value. Others prefer to use a discount. For those people, it's not worth it. You have to do the research and see if it is the best fit for you and your family.

 

[LYSE]

I've never understood people thinking you are "constantly thinking about how to get the most value from it." If I've decided to purchase the plan, I've already calculated that I will receive value for it. I don't need to do any more calculations. And I certainly wouldn't cut it close enough that one meal or even two would make a difference.

The only places that I am aware of that don't accept the dining plan are . . . . um, none. At least none that I would go it. Shades of Green? Sorry, I'm not military and I don't have an ID card, so I can't stay there. Swalphin? Never stayed there. Never had a desire to stay there. Never once, thought about eating there.

For some people, the DDP is a good deal. I agree with you- my family and I get value out of it and it saves us both money and a hassle. We order what we want and don't think about it. If we didn't have it, we'd be thinking about beverages (tap water vs. soda or tea), or ordering the least expensive items and not having an appetizer or dessert. With the DDP, we don't. We don't feel restricted because the DDP constraints fit the way we want to eat- and not having to worry about every nickel and dime we pay at a meal allows us to enjoy it. We find value in it, so we will always use the DDP if we can.

However, some people don't eat that way. Some like QS meals more. Some get stressed out about "maximizing" the value. Others prefer to use a discount. For those people, it's not worth it. You have to do the research and see if it is the best fit for you and your family.

I get that some may find it less stressful to simply pay for the DDP and not worry about how much they are spending, I get it...but would any of you care to share how much you actually save? Maybe my math or the math that I've seen is simply not accurate.

We should separate how you feel vs the math...I mean If you want to work out a deal with me I can pay for all your meals..but you'll be paying me more than your meals are worth

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I get that some may find it less stressful to simply pay for the DDP and not worry about how much they are spending, I get it...but would any of you care to share how much you actually save? Maybe my math or the math that I've seen is simply not accurate.

We should separate how you feel vs the math...I mean If you want to work out a deal with me I can pay for all your meals..but you'll be paying me more than your meals are worth

Well, to start with, I'm not a little person who would be happy splitting a meal or eating just an app for dinner. I like soda and dessert. So I don't normally order water, unless I am trying to save money. I also really enjoy steak. And it isn't something that I normally eat at home. (Same for soda and dessert.)

The rest of the math, no, I don't plan on recreating it. Our last trip with the dining plan was a couple of years ago, and I no longer have the information.

 

[preemiemama]

I get that some may find it less stressful to simply pay for the DDP and not worry about how much they are spending, I get it...but would any of you care to share how much you actually save? Maybe my math or the math that I've seen is simply not accurate.

We should separate how you feel vs the math...I mean If you want to work out a deal with me I can pay for all your meals..but you'll be paying me more than your meals are worth

The most concrete example I have it the one I gave on the first page- my friend and her family got a 1 night DxDDP for about the same price as their meal would have cost at Cinderella's Royal Table. They got an entire meal at La Hacienda plus 2 snack credits and a mug apiece above that virtually for free.

 

[LYSE]

Well, to start with, I'm not a little person who would be happy splitting a meal or eating just an app for dinner. I like soda and dessert. So I don't normally order water, unless I am trying to save money. I also really enjoy steak. And it isn't something that I normally eat at home. (Same for soda and dessert.)

The rest of the math, no, I don't plan on recreating it. Our last trip with the dining plan was a couple of years ago, and I no longer have the information.

I'm pretty fat and eat a lot If we did DDP I think we could come out ahead..it's just not enough to justify giving them the interest free loan and risking under utilizing points or having left over points for whatever reason...again unless my math is way off ..but it seems like everyone that loves DDP doesn't really do math..it's an emotional decision.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I've run the numbers a few times and there is just isn't any value in it for us. In the first place, it's too restrictive. I also have a number of discounts I can use that save us more in the end. Paying for food I don't want is not something I consider a value.

 

[LYSE]

The most concrete example I have it the one I gave on the first page- my friend and her family got a 1 night DxDDP for about the same price as their meal would have cost at Cinderella's Royal Table. They got an entire meal at La Hacienda plus 2 snack credits and a mug apiece above that virtually for free.

I didn't see that example, that is a great example of checking the math and finding the sweet spots.

 

[melanielll]

I think that Disney makes money on the dining plans - if not, they would not offer them. So - people spend more on the dining plans than when not on them. It's Vegas, and the Dining Plan is The House. Almost everyone I talk to who goes to Vegas claims to have come out ahead at the casinos, but that just can't be true.

 

[preemiemama]

I'm pretty fat and eat a lot If we did DDP I think we could come out ahead..it's just not enough to justify giving them the interest free loan and risking under utilizing points or having left over points for whatever reason...again unless my math is way off ..but it seems like everyone that loves DDP doesn't really do math..it's an emotional decision.

We have actually kept track, but it has been a couple years since we did so. It really depends on where/what you eat. Character meals tend to cost more. We like signature meals (and order the lobster at Narcoosse's for the taste, not the price) and those cost more. We also use the refillable mugs 3 times a day or more- am coffee, afternoon drinks while at the pool, and at night after the parks. All of that adds up.

I will concede that if we did not do the DDP we would save money, but only because we would not drink soda, eat appetizers or dessert, or buy snacks in the parks. This is all stuff we really enjoy doing, so by using the DDP and saving money on it, we come out ahead. We also argue less and enjoy our meals...

 

[Faldred]

I'm pretty fat and eat a lot If we did DDP I think we could come out ahead..it's just not enough to justify giving them the interest free loan and risking under utilizing points or having left over points for whatever reason...again unless my math is way off ..but it seems like everyone that loves DDP doesn't really do math..it's an emotional decision.

Oh, I've done the math. First of all, DxDP - you have to work hard to not save money there, by either leaving credits unused, spending a significant number of credits on CS, or ordering the least expensive items possible.

It's the more common plans - QSDP and DDP - where the math is harder. For adults, it's almost a no-brainer that it's a poor deal financially. But for kids (3-9), it's the opposite. So if you're a family with multiple kids age 3-9, it may work out for you, based on your choices.

Plus, a lot of folks get their dining plans from "free dining" or "play, stay, dine" promotions. In these cases, the actual cost of the dining plan may be less (and considerably so in some cases) than the list value, depending on whatever other potential discounts would have applied. Last time I went, it was with "free dining" at a value resort, 2 rooms with 2 adults and kids age 10, 8, and 8, with the included QSDP upgraded to DDP. Easily worth it in my case because the room-only discounts possible were well less than what we saved on getting the "free dining" package and subsequently on food we didn't have to buy OOP.

 

[disneydreamer781]

What cracks me up is seeing someone running around on their last day trying to use those snack credits. Seen it a few times. SMH! Last trip we were at BW general store and a couple were absolutely frantic running around trying to find snacks before they went home. I was waiting at the register for a CM and he was off helping them and he finally came over and apologized. We both just laughed!

 

[DisBuckMan]

The most concrete example I have it the one I gave on the first page- my friend and her family got a 1 night DxDDP for about the same price as their meal would have cost at Cinderella's Royal Table. They got an entire meal at La Hacienda plus 2 snack credits and a mug apiece above that virtually for free.

I saw that example, and I can only come up with the conclusion that there was some bad math involved on your friend's part. The adult DxDDP price has been $25-30 more than an adult meal at CRT for years. A child's meal is about $10 less than the cost of a child's DxDDP, but you stated that there were 3 Disney adults and one child.

Not saying they didn't come out well ahead...they apparently did. But to say that the DxDDP cost was the same as just the meal at CRT is not correct...or close to correct.

 

[LYSE]

We have actually kept track, but it has been a couple years since we did so. It really depends on where/what you eat. Character meals tend to cost more. We like signature meals (and order the lobster at Narcoosse's for the taste, not the price) and those cost more. We also use the refillable mugs 3 times a day or more- am coffee, afternoon drinks while at the pool, and at night after the parks. All of that adds up.

I will concede that if we did not do the DDP we would save money, but only because we would not drink soda, eat appetizers or dessert, or buy snacks in the parks. This is all stuff we really enjoy doing, so by using the DDP and saving money on it, we come out ahead. We also argue less and enjoy our meals...

Oh, I've done the math. First of all, DxDP - you have to work hard to not save money there, by either leaving credits unused, spending a significant number of credits on CS, or ordering the least expensive items possible.

It's the more common plans - QSDP and DDP - where the math is harder. For adults, it's almost a no-brainer that it's a poor deal financially. But for kids (3-9), it's the opposite. So if you're a family with multiple kids age 3-9, it may work out for you, based on your choices.

Plus, a lot of folks get their dining plans from "free dining" or "play, stay, dine" promotions. In these cases, the actual cost of the dining plan may be less (and considerably so in some cases) than the list value, depending on whatever other potential discounts would have applied. Last time I went, it was with "free dining" at a value resort, 2 rooms with 2 adults and kids age 10, 8, and 8, with the included QSDP upgraded to DDP. Easily worth it in my case because the room-only discounts possible were well less than what we saved on getting the "free dining" package and subsequently on food we didn't have to buy OOP.

Thanks,

Everything I've been saying is assuming the plan is paid for at it's normal price, of course discounts on it change the game.

On my next trip I may keep my receipts and then go back and see what it would have looked like on one of the dining plans. (I honestly do not eat or drink less to keep the price down while on vacation..so our behavior would not change)

What % do you think you guys are saving on the actual food consumed? (of course it's not fair to compare paying cash but eating /drinking less)

 

[preemiemama]

From the AYCTE thread:
CRT dinner. . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $79.10, Child: $46.91
So 3 adults + 1 child would be $284.21

DxDDP-- $103.57 per night ages 10 and up (tax included)
-- $37.62 per night ages 3 to 9 (tax included)
So 3 adults + 1 child were $348.33 = $64 total difference

But my friends did not just buy the plan, eat at CRT, and that was it. They decided for an extra $64 they would use 8 snacks and 4 other meal credits. I know their other meal was at Hacienda in EPCOT. So:

3 adult meals at La Hacienda are between $26 and $32- entrees alone. So, say 3 $26 meals = $78. Appetizers are from $8-$12. So, even at $8 for 3, that brings us to $102. 3 sodas at $2.50 each, plus 3 $8 desserts, and you are at $133.50. Just for 3 adult meals. Average kid's meal with appetizer, drink and dessert is $15. Now $148.50.

In addition, they also got a refillable mug per person. That is $72 since they are now $17.99 each.

Even if they got a regular bottle of water per person for each of their snacks, that would still add another $24. If they got Mickey pretzels or hot fudge sundaes, you could add another $10.

Conservatively, for the exact same options OOP, you would pay $528.71 and they paid $348.33. $180 difference for $64.

 

[DisBuckMan]

From the AYCTE thread:
CRT dinner. . . 11/24/2016 Adult: $79.10, Child: $46.91
So 3 adults + 1 child would be $284.21

DxDDP-- $103.57 per night ages 10 and up (tax included)
-- $37.62 per night ages 3 to 9 (tax included)
So 3 adults + 1 child were $348.33 = $64 total difference

But my friends did not just buy the plan, eat at CRT, and that was it. They decided for an extra $64 they would use 8 snacks and 4 other meal credits. I know their other meal was at Hacienda in EPCOT. So:

3 adult meals at La Hacienda are between $26 and $32- entrees alone. So, say 3 $26 meals = $78. Appetizers are from $8-$12. So, even at $8 for 3, that brings us to $102. 3 sodas at $2.50 each, plus 3 $8 desserts, and you are at $133.50. Just for 3 adult meals. Average kid's meal with appetizer, drink and dessert is $15. Now $148.50.

In addition, they also got a refillable mug per person. That is $72 since they are now $17.99 each.

Even if they got a regular bottle of water per person for each of their snacks, that would still add another $24. If they got Mickey pretzels or hot fudge sundaes, you could add another $10.

Conservatively, for the exact same options OOP, you would pay $528.71 and they paid $348.33. $180 difference for $64.

Didn't say they didn't come out ahead. I said that she didn't pay the same for the DxDDP as she would for a meal at CRT like you stated they had.

 

[preemiemama]

The most concrete example I have it the one I gave on the first page- my friend and her family got a 1 night DxDDP for about the same price as their meal would have cost at Cinderella's Royal Table. They got an entire meal at La Hacienda plus 2 snack credits and a mug apiece above that virtually for free.

Didn't say they didn't come out ahead. I said that she didn't pay the same for the DxDDP as she would for a meal at CRT like you stated they had.

I said about, and I would maintain that $65 is about. Small enough to make the DXDDP a good value in comparison.

I also would maintain my position that the DDP in general is not for everyone, and you need to research it to see if it is a good deal for you/your family. For my friends in this instance it was a very good deal. For us, in general, it usually winds up being one as well. Not always the case, and no one who is dead set on either side of this debate is probably changing their mind based on what one person says.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I said about, and I would maintain that $65 is about.

Not really, but I digress...

When she compared the cost of that meal to the cost of the Deluxe DDP, it was the same....Had she not done her research she would not have added a dining plan and paid the same amount for one meal.

 

[Shanti]

I don't care about getting savings on dining, or overspending on DDP. I want the best, easiest to use procedure for dining. We plan to do several TS at Epcot's World Showcase, but also are small portion eaters. We will also be doing character meals and CRT and BOG.

Yes, it's more complicated & distracting to keep a mental tally of credits throughout your trip than to just pay the balance off at your resort. You use your magic band at meal times in both scenarios.