When we went in Dec 2005, we knew that the DDP was going to be available to DVC members for our next trip, so we payed close attention.
Now, we had to DDE card which gave us 20% off, so we compared the DDP to that savings. For our family the DDP would have blown the DDE card away. I mean, by ALOT. If we didn't have the DDE card, the savings would have been even greater.
Our TS dinners for a family of 2 Adults, 3 children all averaged about $150 AFTER the 20% was taken off. The dining plan would have cost us ( 2A 3C) aprox $112 a night. Then we bought counter service lunch everyday (about $50) and bottles of water or soda daily (about $15). We would have saved just on the dinners alone, but with the DDP it would have been like getting the CS lunches and snack credit sodas for free!
We still like the DDE card, and we will keep getting it for alcohol and the character/resort breakfasts we do (not using the DDP). Plus, we plan to do a couple OOP lunches that we can use the DDE card for, but the DDP will save us some serious money.
We like TS dinners every night, and that alone makes the DDP worth it for our family. Plus, we tend to eat well on vacation and don't really pay attention to prices on the menu. It is our vaction after all.
In Dec, we had dinner at Cape May Cafe, Rose and Crown, Kona Cafe, Brown Derby, House of Blues, 'Ohana, and San Angel Inn. The only one not in the DDP is HOB, and we wouldn't mind not eating there in favor of a place that does take it.
In Oct when we go again, this time WITH the DDP, I'm looking forward to using it. Our oldest son evens turns 10 in Sept, so we're paying adult price for him and it's still worth it. He wanted to order off the adult menu at some places anyway.
Every family is different, but for us, it's so worth it!