New to APs, DVC and DDP -- Help us not be tools!

[Shorty82]

Oh, and anything that can be purchased with a Snack credit will have a white-and-purple DDP logo next to it on the menu boards and signs (there's a far greater variety of snacks available than just the soda, ice cream and popcorn that the brochure mentions).

-Rob

Also, you can use snack credits on some items in merchandise locations that serve snacks, like the Main Street Confectionery. Soda, single pieces of fudge, single lollipops, for the most part anything that is a single serving. We get a number of people using up their remaining snack credits in the Confectionery. The bulk jellybeans, M&Ms, and taffy don't count.

I know we can accept snack credits for soda in the Firehouse also so I assume that any merchandise location that sells soda can do so.

[marcim]

Thanks, everyone! You're awesome! :D:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The only down side I see to the DDP is that we will probably eat more than normal. Sometimes on vacation, we skip meals and opt for a light snack. We have noticed that some of the portions must have been made with Winnine the Pooh in mind!

[mechurchlady]

I might try the DDP but for me I like breakfast then dinner but am not a morning person. It is a lot of food if you know how to use the system like in the past there was posts of how to get a box of donuts for a snack. People were figuring how to feed an army with just the standard DDP.

I will never go to WDW but if I could I would be going to eat. I like to snack as it is easier on the body. Nope I would eat and eat and eat until they used a forklift to get me home.

[thomaskr]

Is this system a matter of convenience or does it actually save you money?

[Cranbiz]

It really depends on how you use it. This system is more for convenience but if you choose well, it's a savings.

Now the old plans, choose well and make out very well. Before I was a CM we went one December for 8 days and were on the old Silver plan. We ate at some expensive venues (Hoop de do, Cinderella's Breakfast, Luau, Brown Derby, etc) and also had booked tours (Keys to the Kingdom, Backstage Magic) and still had wishes left over. I believe each wish was factored to cost about $28. Ended up using the remaining wishes after the family left (I had to stay, what a shame) on dinner and golf.

[Rob562]

As Cranbiz said, it depends on how you use it, and how you typically eat when you're in WDW. If you have a sit-down (Table Service) meal every day of your trip, then it'll at least come out even-money for you.
But if you typically only have one or two Table Service meals in a week and the rest are Counter Service, then it's not a good deal.

Plus, if you have an Annual Pass, you're eligible for the Disney Dining Experience, which is a card that gets you 20% food *and* alcohol at most Table Service restaurants in WDW. Even though the DDE card costs about $55-$65, the savings add up quickly.

The only time that the Dining Plan worked out better than DDE (at least based on how my group of friends eat) is when they offer the Plan for free under the "Free Dining" promotion in September (which we'll have on our trip in September, only 6 long weeks away...). But the only people who know for sure how you'll eat are you and your family/group. Take a look at some of the planning websites, look at the menus and the prices for food, and do some rough calculations based on what you think you might order.

Lastly, there is a *rumor* going around that in 2009 Disney will be offering an additional, cheaper version of the Dining Plan that gives you two Counter Service meals per day, and no Table Service. (Perhaps with the option of "trading up" two counter service meals for one table service) No details have been announced, but if it happens, it'll most likely be announced in August when the vacation package prices come out for 2009.

-Rob

[mechurchlady]

Is this system a matter of convenience or does it actually save you money?

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=145424

Do you mind sharing with family and friends? YES
Do you go for dining experience or is the food just nourishment? Nourishment
Do you care if breakfast for the family is donuts, milk and soda pop? Donuts, yum
Are you willing to spend time planning your dining? YES
Is your group one person? Only works for a group who will share.

A sample snack from saratoga springs using 4 snack credits is a box of donuts, large chips, a jar of peanut butter and bread. That is enough for 6 to 8 people.

At Old Key West you can get for 8 snack credits a half gallon of orange juice, 6 bagels, half a gallon of milk, peanut butter, 8 donuts, Tostitos, a box of cookies and a loaf of bread.

Counter Service can be manipulated also like splitting meals. Sharing drinks with the kids while ordering juice which is saved for midday snack or breakfast.

If you are cunning it saves but you have to work at it.

[JugglingFreak]

Like everyone said, depends on how you use. It's never a good deal for my family as there are places outside of the parks we like to eat, like Giordano's

(We go to the one on 192 the day we arrive and the one on Lake Buena Vista drive the day we leave.. It's the best Pizza in the world...)

Check out the awesomeness yourself at: http://www.giordanos.com

[hobie16]

It's the best Pizza in the world...)

There were four pizza parlors next to each other. A sign in the first one read, "Best Pizza In The State."

The next had a sign that read, "Best Pizza In The Country."

The next had a sign that read, "Best Pizza In The World."

The last one had a sign that read, "Best Pizza On The Block."