Is it worth paying for the DDP?

[Princess Ariel]

Originally Posted by danisleigh

We were planning to book for next year but as our August california trip is unlikely to go ahead we will probably move that to next year and push Florida out to 2022. We were discussing last week what we will do if free dining is no longer available as we had planned 10 nights at the beach club and we weighed up staying offsite with a car and eating mainly Offsite or paying for the dining plan. We decided that we would still stay onsite but at POFQ to save money that way and then pay for the ddp keeping the cost more or less the same. If we stayed offsite I would want a nice hotel then there is the cost of the car and parking every day plus all meals and snacks and I love that on the ddp I can order what I want without considering the cost.

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That is exactly why we chose to pay for DDP and stay at Disney this year. When you add up the parking and fuel costs, car hire costs and snacks etc, the price of the DDP actually is quite good value for what you get.

[Gizzyspop]

Because I’m bored during lockdown I thought I would calculate how much spending OOP would be for two weeks on site for 2 adults and 2 kids, although the kids are over ten so cost the same as adults on the dining plan.

I have a 2 week plan ready for when we go back so went on the Disney website and picked food for all 3 meals of the day as we share QS meals to have breakfast and lunch each day. I also put in $5 per snack as that seems a good average.

To buy the dining plan we would be £3300ish for the 4 of us and my calculations came to £2700. But this didn’t include alcoholic drinks at table service meals or desserts.

With these numbers I would definitely buy the dining plan if free dining wasn’t available.

If paying OOP for meals I would do as many character meals and wouldn’t have as many drinks or desserts so the Dining Plan is a massive yes for us.

[meanwoodwhite]

I've never done it, but have chosen to do it for 2021.

I know your still paying lot of money but I think it will be nice not having to worry about prices while at the parks.

I'm not tight with cash but I always am weary of the high prices and most of the time just think its not worth it. So we end up sharing a meal and not getting that dessert.

I think it will be more enjoyable if its already been paid for and not have to worry about spending 50 bucks on lunch everyday of your holiday.

[DisneyDaft88]

Always a yes for us! We've taken DDP every vacation and never regretted it!

We're 2 adults and it's just so convenient not having to worry about what you're spending or thinking "maybe we should go somewhere cheaper"

We have had some amazing meals (Boat House, Le Cellier, Narcoossee's) and each time with a main, dessert, alcoholic drink our cheque would have came to around the $150 mark for each meal.

OK, we probably would have only paid OOP for 1 of those locations if we hadn't had the dining plan but man, it was so great doing all 3 in 1 trip.

I will add that we have had free dining every time but I do still think we would pay for the dining plan if free dining wasn't available as we definitely get bang for our buck!

[blades]

Only done the dining plan once but we were staying at the Yacht club and the food and wine festival was on so it worked out really good. We would probably have it again if staying onsite only with the only downside been we all came back about 2 stone heavier (the Disney photos have been ditched from that year)

[limmy]

I am very behind with whats been going on Disney wise. We have a cruise booked next year and have decided to add on Disney. I was told free Ddp may be coming late May. Is this now been deemed as false?
I think based on these comments I would pay for it, as it just take away a worry. I would never pay some of the character dining prices but would use them if we had it no problem.

Don't forget the refillable cups when working out the value too. If you use them at the hotel for one meal that's 4 extra drinks to carry around. That can be nearly $20 a day!