what is the best dining plan calculator?

[pesto78749]

I am trying to figure if I should do the dining plan or not. On the dining plan calculators do they include the tip and the tax?

Which one do you think is most accurate?
Thanks!

 

[sharonabe]

I am trying to figure if I should do the dining plan or not. On the dining plan calculators do they include the tip and the tax?

Which one do you think is most accurate?
Thanks!

You probably don't want to hear this, but your own pencil, paper, calculator and a virtual stack of menus is the most accurate. Only you know what your family might order at any given restaurant. The calculators are doing an average. What if your family ALWAYS picks the most expensive or the least expensive? It really doesn't take that long, and you'll have a much better idea of what will work best for you. Tax is 6.5%.

 

[rwdavis2]

Look at the dang plan this way. First, it is not designed to save money. If you do several character buffets it can save money though. Sharonabe is correct, the best way is to compute t yourself.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with @sharonabe The best way is to look at the menus, decide what you are likely to order, sum it up and add tax and tip.
I do not think the dining plan calculators are accurate or helpful.

 

[sharonabe]

There is one more way to at least begin to see if you're in the ballpark for saving on the plans: break down the per meal cost of each plan.

For me, I don't give any value to the refillable mug, because we don't use it. It's a free souvenir (one that I wouldn't buy otherwise). Dollar amounts include tax.

QSDP
Adults $5 per snack means each meal needs to cost $19
Kids $5 per snack , each meal $5.44

DDP
Adults $5 snack, QS meal $19, TS meal $40
Kids $5 snack, QS meal $5.44, TS meal $9.50

DxDDP
Adult $5 snack, TS meal $32
Kid $5 snack, TS meal $9.58

 

[Rich M]

One of the reasons I like the DDP is that my meals are paid for when I arrived and everyone can order anything on the menu without having to factor price. I don't want someone to think I have to order the most expensive thing on the menu just so we get our moneys worth. Its more about having it paid for. We also put the tips on a gift card prior to the trip also so that is factored in before hand.

 

[sharonabe]

One of the reasons I like the DDP is that my meals are paid for when I arrived and everyone can order anything on the menu without having to factor price. I don't want someone to think I have to order the most expensive thing on the menu just so we get our moneys worth. Its more about having it paid for. We also put the tips on a gift card prior to the trip also so that is factored in before hand.

Agreed. For many people the "pre-paid, don't have to think about it" is a significant value. Unfortunately, there is no calculator for that. For you, having it paid for is much more valuable than knowing you're saving money. For others, the thought that they have over paid would take away all pre-pay value. Each family has to make the decision based on THEIR family. That's why I don't like any of the calculators; they can't take into account all the variables.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I just returned from a 7 day trip and brought $1200 in gift cards to pay for meals. Everyone was able to order what they wanted, it was pre-paid, and I did not have to worry about using credits. For a 7 day trip with 4 adults, it ended up saving me $500-800 by NOT using the DDP.

 

[maryj11]

I found this one https://www.distripplanner.com/

 

[Superchikk]

I found this one https://www.distripplanner.com/

I like DisTripPlanner as well. It seems to be quite reasonable and is easy to use.
I believe Dad's website has one as well, but it's a download. http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/

 

[Dakota731]

This time it ends up saving us a lot of money on the plan because we are doing a lot of character meals so it depends upon your ages, how you like to eat etc.

 

[Rich M]

I just returned from a 7 day trip and brought $1200 in gift cards to pay for meals. Everyone was able to order what they wanted, it was pre-paid, and I did not have to worry about using credits. For a 7 day trip with 4 adults, it ended up saving me $500-800 by NOT using the DDP.

That is a great savings and something I might consider on my next trip

 

[Superchikk]

This time it ends up saving us a lot of money on the plan because we are doing a lot of character meals so it depends upon your ages, how you like to eat etc.

Yes. Our first trip with the kids, our daughter was 2 1/2. But she ate as much as our 5 year-old. They actually shared kids meals, maybe eat a bit of my food, and it worked perfectly. We didn't have the expense of a 2nd child on the plan, but we fed them both. The next time, they were both older. We had the DDP as part of a promotion. Even though we didn't "pay" for it (I know, that's so subjective in how you work your numbers), I felt like the value wasn't there. If we HAD paid out of pocket for it, I would've been irritated at the food they didn't eat. Yet, we felt like we HAD to order a full meal for them both because of the way the DP works. Next time we take them, my son will be a "Disney adult" and there's no way I'm paying adult prices for him to eat kids meals or share an adult meal with his sister. So we'll pay out of pocket. There's no way it can cost the same since I wouldn't be buying him adult meals at every place.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

That is a great savings and something I might consider on my next trip

I also went to Sam's Club and purchased $500 gift cards at a nice discount too. I used them to pay off my trip and for meals, so I got my points on my credit card and I also got a discount on my Disney purchases too.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I found this one https://www.distripplanner.com/

I've tried this one.

It is very easy to use. BUT it doesn't work for us.

I've run the numbers on my own, and I would save money. I enter the locations on Distripplanner and I lose money. It seems as though the site is designed to convince you to not get the plan.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I am trying to figure if I should do the dining plan or not. On the dining plan calculators do they include the tip and the tax?

Which one do you think is most accurate?
Thanks!

I think they are all about the same in how they calculate a breakeven point. The differences tend to be change up to a dollar and really won't affect the useful life accuracy of trip planning.
My suggestion?
Just pick one and go for it.

Want to get it down to the penny? Sit down with paper and pen/calculator and do the math yourself.

As for tips and taxes...can't say I recall seeing any with these figures included but there are many disney calculators out there and they generally tell you how the came to the figures they wind up with. I wouldn't bother to add that in were I formulating a calculator since it would have too many variables ( QS vs TS? Tipping protocols differs for many people; taxes are dependent on the fiscal year and locale of the park).

 

[SGMCO]

We didn't add DP to our upcoming trip, I have booked 1 TS ADR per day for lunch all around 1:00pm (cool down inside air condition, prices tend to be a bit cheaper at lunch) We usually do not order deserts with meals or rarely order Appetizers at home restaurants so we will eat like we normally do. we will eat light breakfast in room, 1 QS per day for dinner (depending how hungry we are). I went to Allears.net (they have been very accurate in the past) and look at there menus with prices and use this to calculate how much it may cost and add tip in.
I'm also purchasing $500 Gift card from Sam's at a discount and using my Disney visa Dining Discount at 3 Restaurants that give you 10% off.

 

[stickeymouse]

I like having a dining plan, only because it makes the trip feel All-Inclusive, with less of a hit on your wallet at the end of the trip. I try to book early and pay off the reservation bit by bit each month. Like others have said, it's difficult to actually save money by using it, but for me, it's worth it for the added convenience. There is no right or wrong answer to this.. you're going to Disney, will eat VERY WELL, and will have a great time, no matter what!

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I like having a dining plan, only because it makes the trip feel All-Inclusive, with less of a hit on your wallet at the end of the trip. I try to book early and pay off the reservation bit by bit each month. Like others have said, it's difficult to actually save money by using it, but for me, it's worth it for the added convenience. There is no right or wrong answer to this.. you're going to Disney, will eat VERY WELL, and will have a great time, no matter what!

Disney LOVES that people are willing to pay for a convenience, even if they are spending more out of pocket than what the actual product (food) costs. I have run the numbers upside down and sideways, and I can still pre-pay for all my meals and have it actually save me money by doing gift cards, pre-paid credit cards, or just putting the money I'd spend on meals and either charge them to my room or my own credit card. If you look at the menu options and actually keep track of what you are intending to spend, it is going to be VERY difficult using the QS or regular dining plan to even break even. Personally, I'd rather put more $$ in my own pocket than into the Mouse's pocket, especially when I am paying what I already pay to go and see the Mouse. To each their own, but do some research.

 

[stickeymouse]

Disney LOVES that people are willing to pay for a convenience, even if they are spending more out of pocket than what the actual product (food) costs. I have run the numbers upside down and sideways, and I can still pre-pay for all my meals and have it actually save me money by doing gift cards, pre-paid credit cards, or just putting the money I'd spend on meals and either charge them to my room or my own credit card. If you look at the menu options and actually keep track of what you are intending to spend, it is going to be VERY difficult using the QS or regular dining plan to even break even. Personally, I'd rather put more $$ in my own pocket than into the Mouse's pocket, especially when I am paying what I already pay to go and see the Mouse. To each their own, but do some research.

Disney also LOVES when you buy gift cards (interest-free loans, anybody?). My point is, there is no way that the Mouse does not come out ahead. It's a business, and one that is run superbly. I NEVER claimed that how I do things gives me more money or even makes me break even. It's just how I prefer to do it. Then again, I usually go when free dining is offered, so there is some economic advantage to that, depending on when you go (dining offer vs. normal cost). If the goal was to keep $$$ out of Mickey's hands, then the only solution would be to pack some PB&Js and keep out of the restaurants. But, alas, that's not what brings us here.