Which to use DDP Credits On?

[BamaJenn]

Ok so we've "over booked" our table service meals for this upcoming trip (by one) and I'm trying to figure out, which ones do I use the DDP for and which one to pay out of pocket.

So... what I need to know is, which one of the following meals would be the cheapest (on average)? Taking into consideration that the meal will be 4 adults and one child (5-years old).

• Planet Hollywood (for Lunch)
• Crystal Palace (for Breakfast)
• O'hana (for Breakfast)
• Whispering Canyon (for Dinner)
• Garden Grill (for Dinner)
• Cape May Cafe (for Breakfast)

I'm pretty sure of these, Planet Hollywood's menu averages out to be the lowest, but I want to be 100% sure.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

well i book through AAA and we always get a $15 credit thingie for plant hollywood.. so for us.. it would be there..

i am also book over one DDP credit.. but i'm going to pay cash for the rainforrest because me and brent always split this steak and ribs plate..

i'm using 2 points for CRT... yes i know the food isnt all that hot.. but tayen will love it.. and we did it last year and i would feel guilty if i didnt take her at least once

[BamaJenn]

i am also book over one DDP credit.. but i'm going to pay cash for the rainforrest because me and brent always split this steak and ribs plate..

Actually Rainforest doesn't take DDP. We too are booked there but I didn't include it in the list because I have no choice but to pay out of pocket for there.

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

A good check is to visit the menus at AllEars.net and price up a sample meal at each then compare.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

Planet Hollywood is a chain, and unless it's the only place you can get into I'd avoid it. Just off of pure thinking, I'd go with Whispering Canyon. A burger or sandwich and drink is equivalent to that in a QS. The next cheapest option is probably Cape May Cafe...I've never eaten there, but my cousin said the food there isn't good and Whispering Canyon is far better.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

i thought the one in AK on was the list? which it doesnt matter i planned on paying there anyways

[OneLuckyLady]

When I was figuring this out I looked up the prices in allears.net. Our list was a bit different than yours so I'm not sure.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

In general, breakfast is the "cheapest" meal. But not necessarily at WDW. Check those menus. I know dinner is more expensive so either a breakfast or lunch.

[BamaJenn]

Planet Hollywood is a chain, and unless it's the only place you can get into I'd avoid it. Just off of pure thinking, I'd go with Whispering Canyon. A burger or sandwich and drink is equivalent to that in a QS. The next cheapest option is probably Cape May Cafe...I've never eaten there, but my cousin said the food there isn't good and Whispering Canyon is far better.

It's not that we're wanting to drop one of the already booked ADRs, it's just that I'm trying to figure out which one to pay out of pocket for. So, while PH is indeed a chain, we're doing it just because we never have. That said, I am absolutely positive that the meal we get for dinner at Whispering Canyon is the most expensive actually. We get the all you can eat skillet when we do WCC so it is most definitely a "use the credits" option!

i thought the one in AK on was the list? which it doesnt matter i planned on paying there anyways

So did I but when I booked it, the little thing that came up after said it wasn't part of the plan. Usually they call it out specifically on that restaurant's site but for that one they say nada!

Thanks for the suggestion to check on AllEars... I was actually trying to avoid going out and doing that by posting this thread but looks like that's what I've got to do!

[Evilduckqueen]

Jenn, if you have an iphone or an ipod, there is an app that has all the prices and menus for WDW. It's called WDW dining.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

Planet Hollywood (for Lunch)- sandwiches less then $15; pastas between $15-20; steaks,seafood from $21-26

Crystal Palace (for Breakfast)- Adults $22.99, children $12.99

O'hana (for Breakfast) Adults $20.99; children $11.99

Whispering Canyon (for Dinner) skillet $28.99 a person, entress $18.99-$31.99

Garden Grill (for Dinner) Adults $34.99; children $16.99

Cape May Cafe (for Breakfast) Adults $26.99; children $12.99


Drinks will be $2.70 but some include it in the price.

[BamaJenn]

Aw look at you girl! Thank you for doing that! I wasn't trying to ask someone to do it for me or anything. LOL!

So here's what I've come up with for 4 adults and 1 child...

Planet Hollywood will definitely be the restaurant we pay out of pocket for (in addition to Rainforest Café of course since they don’t take the DDP at all). Here’s what I’ve calculated:

Planet Hollywood
Average Entrée Price: $17.25 (high - $25.99, low - $11.99)
Kids Meal: $7.95
Average Total Meal Cost: $76.95

‘Ohana Breakfast (Family Style)
Adults: $20.99
Kids: $11.99
Total Meal Cost: $95.95

Whispering Canyon Café
Average Entrée Price: $22.99 (high - $31.99, low - $18.99)
Kids Meal: $8.99
Average Total meal Cost: $100.95

Crystal Palace Breakfast Buffet
Adults: $22.99
Kids: $12.99
Total Meal Cost: $104.95

Cape May Café Breakfast Buffet
Adults: $26.99
Kids: $12.99
Total Meal Cost: $120.95

Garden Gril (Family Style)
Adults: $30.99
Kids: $14.99
Total Meal Cost: $138.95

From my perspective, the total bill at Planet Hollywood will probably even be lower than what I estimated because it’s a 2:15 reservation, sort of a late lunch, early dinner. We probably won’t be sitting down to have a $25.99 steak y’know? Oh… and I didn’t include appetizer or drink costs here because it just sort of factors in the same overall.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

I have always figured that the DDP saves my family money in the long run and by looking at what you came up with, it would. My family loves table service restaurants. However, I think they might need to just think about eating counter from now on!

[BamaJenn]

I have always figured that the DDP saves my family money in the long run and by looking at what you came up with, it would. My family loves table service restaurants. However, I think they might need to just think about eating counter from now on!

Oh yeah exactly! If we were just doing Counter Service, I wouldn't bother (like the trip in March) but if we are going to go all out and do Table Service, we definitely do the DDP. It always saves us a bundle. Plus, I don't have to worry about having the money sitting somewhere until the trip to pay for meals. Once the trip is paid for, we're done! Makes it so much easier. There is no doubt though that in this case, with free dining, it freakin rocks!

[Chrissy&Tayen]

i agree... free dining is the only way to go...lol