Originally Posted By sun-n-fun We have 2 boys, 12 and 8. They are not huge eaters, especially on vacation. Usually we do cereal in the room before we head out, a counter service lunch where we usually get 3 lunches (sometimes 2 adult and a kids lunch - depending on the food)and a large drink for the 4 of us. Dinner is the same (maybe 2 turkey legs and a drink) unless we do a sit down, but we are so full after that. I could not eat a full adult dinner (especially a buffet) every night of my vacation. Our first few time at WDW DH and I would both get a meal and we'd get the boys(much younger then) each a kids meal and we ended up throwing half of the food away. We also don't usually decide what park we are going to until the night before. It will depend on what we feel like doing or what the crowds have seemed like. It's hard enough for us to get to the few ressies we do make sometimes.
Originally Posted By dennis1212 is it still worth it for you, even though you don't use all the credits ??
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun We've never tried DDP. We've crunched the numbers and spend less on food "our way" with our 3 sit downs than we would with DDP. You can use the menus at allearsnet to figure out some prices and help you make your decision. We do have the DDE that gives use 20% (I think) off select counter service and most sit downs.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS We will be using DDP in December. Not to go against the grain, but I really enjoyed doing my "homework" and booking at restaurants I wouldn't otherwise have the $$ to try. Since our vacation was paid for in installments, the $38 a day that we were charged really didn't seem like a big deal. We are big eaters, but reading some of these posts have me a bit worried. Maybe it will be too much food, especially when you have to walk around a lot after you eat. We did use our sit down meals all for dinner restaurants to try to get the most for our $$. Hopefully we won't feel like we've ate too much!
Originally Posted By dennis1212 We are with you 999haunts. We have booked the DDP, but after reading this post, I am quite concerned.....
Originally Posted By jerlev We use the DDP as DVC members. We get the same benefits without needing to purchase an admission ticket. We're passholders so that is a benefit! As for DDP, we have used it since it was added to DVC. When we visit for a week or so, we often will upgrade our dining experience, which uses two dining credits, but allows us to try places we would not eat (like Citricos, Narcoossee's, or the Hollywood Brown Derby). Now, is it worth it? In my opinion, the 2006-2007 version is worth the cost. If you add up the $3-4 for a snack, $12 for the burger with drink and dessert, and $28 for Chef Mickey's (plus 18% tip of $4.76), you get a total of about $48. This amount does not include sales tax! So, IF you are going to eat a counter service meal and dinner per day PER PERSON, then you can save money. THEN COMES THE 2008 changes... Now the tip is not included, and the dinner does not include appetizer when ordering from the menu. Not sure this is a good value. Also see that a new Deluxe dining plan is offered in 2008. That plan includes LOTS of food as it includes TWO full meals per night and TWO snacks per night. If you are an AP holder, the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) card may be the better solution with 20% off your dinners (buffet and full service dinner).
Originally Posted By dennis1212 The new plan starts Jan 1 ?? We are going Dec 8-15. We will definitly use all the sit-down meals, and all the snacks, but we may not use all the quick-service credits. Do you think it is still worth it ??
Originally Posted By jerlev Dennis, depends if you are driving or flying. We had several quick service left when we left last month. I went to Saratoga Springs and got sandwiches in the quick service restaurant they have. We ate them on the way back to Atlanta. I put them in a freezer/cold bag you can get at the grocery store to keep them cool on the return trip.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS dennis, Looks like we'll miss you by one day! We're there Dec 16-24. Jerlev - thank you for that great tip! I was thinking that if we took a "laundry/recooperate" evening we would waste some of our dining credits. What a great solution! And since we're in Los Angeles, we might really be hungry by the time we land if we didn't snack a little.
Originally Posted By MPierce Dennis you really need to know where you plan on eating, what you will be eating, and what time of the day. For you to get any benefit out of the plan you will need to consume a meal of $38 per person including the tip. Do you normally eat an appetiser, and a dessert with each meal. If you do you will be at the break even point If you do not use your snack credit, and counter service it's like throwing away at least $10 you've already paid for. A lot of people seem to like it because they get more expensive items than they normally would. Believe me, this is a lot of food if you are not a big eater
Originally Posted By jerlev If you are not going into a park, remember that most hotels have great meals, too. We found the restaurant, Olivia's, at Old Key West to be quite good. The food at the 3 Monorail hotels are aways good and you can get some cool shopping in, too.
