Anyone Else Frustrated With The Current Dining Plan -- No Appetizers, But Dessert!

[Disneynut322]

We have used the dining plan in the past, but with the newly deleted appetizer an tip, we are just not sure if it is a good deal. None of us are dessert people, so it seems like such a waste.

Why, oh why, with Disney's new supposed interest in healthy choices, do they offer you dessert, but no appetizer -- yes, like a healthy salad with your meal. Wouldn't that make much more sense!

Why wouldn't they offer you at least a choice between appetizer and dessert. What about diabetics and all those with medical reasons why they would not have dessert, but would love to have a healthier alternative.

I guess I thought they would have rethought things, heard complaints about the 2008 dining plan, and come 2009, they would offer you a choice.

What are your thoughts!! Am I crazy???

[TDC Nala]

Desserts are cheaper than appetizers. That is where Disney's interests lie.

[disney4us2002]

Never did the DDP before so I have no comparison but I anticipate paying OOP for side salads and letting the kids all enjoy the desserts. I've worked too hard to gain it back, Disney or not! All that walking should also help keep the extra lbs to a minimum.

I get that it's cost effective for Disney, but I agree that including dessert isn't a great option for the health-conscious.

[Luv2Roam]

My theory is it takes a lot less time to prepare desserts and for the diners to eat them than appetizers.

[chloelovesdisney]

I totally agree. Everyone in my family would prefer a salad before dinner over dessert afterwards. We are not giant dessert people. Plus, since we go in the summertime, we end up having an ice cream as a snack nearly everyday. That's enough sweets for us.

[TDC Nala]

I don't get the dining plan - then I can order whatever I want.

[disney4us2002]

I don't get the dining plan - then I can order whatever I want.

Really? You seem to be the resident expert so I figured you always got it. Totally serious, not being snarky at all; it's just that I've only started researching and you seem to know many of the ins and outs of which I am very grateful. :goodvibes :thumbsup2

[TDC Nala]

Really? You seem to be the resident expert so I figured you always got it. Totally serious, not being snarky at all; it's just that I've only started researching and you seem to know many of the ins and outs of which I am very grateful. :goodvibes :thumbsup2

I've gotten it before and it isn't that different now - just the appetizer and tip thing.

I would have tried the deluxe plan but I definitely can't eat that much.

I do spend too much time in WDW restaurants for someone who doesn't live near there.

[CinderelliCinderelli]

We have used the dining plan in the past, but with the newly deleted appetizer an tip, we are just not sure if it is a good deal. None of us are dessert people, so it seems like such a waste.

Why, oh why, with Disney's new supposed interest in healthy choices, do they offer you dessert, but no appetizer -- yes, like a healthy salad with your meal. Wouldn't that make much more sense!

Why wouldn't they offer you at least a choice between appetizer and dessert. What about diabetics and all those with medical reasons why they would not have dessert, but would love to have a healthier alternative.

I guess I thought they would have rethought things, heard complaints about the 2008 dining plan, and come 2009, they would offer you a choice.

What are your thoughts!! Am I crazy???

We got the dining plan because I heard from everyone how great it was last year. We are not saving any money with it and hopefully not losing any. Who knows... next time I will opt out... I'd rather get counter service meals and have more ride time.

[BurghFan111]

When we first did the dining plan with tip and appetizers included we thought of it as a bargain. I do have to admit we probably ate more than we would have but it seemed like a money saving deal. We've done the math and based on what we generally order we think we come closer to breaking even. That said we still do the dining plan. We view it more as placing a set cost on that portion of our vacation. So it's more of a budgeting aid to us. For a planaholic like me that is a huge plus.;)

[M&M Princesses]

Just another thought - If Disney offered choice of app or dessert - the length of time for your seating would increase as parties would be split - one person could order appetizer and share and another person would order dessert and share. Sounds great but the meal would take much longer. As we all know - time is money.

[mdurette]

I have actually sat down and ran all the math out. How much DDP will cost and then I looked at all the restaurants we plan to visit and added up what it would cost if I paid OOP. (and I didn't include the desert in most cases because I wouldn't normally get it). I then added about $9.00 for every CS meal and then $3.00 for a snack.

In 2008 I am just about at a break even.
For 2009 I will be in the hole $40 with the DDP.

[disney4us2002]

I can't see it ever being beneficial to my family of 5 Disney adults, lol. But with the code for free dining, you bet I'll try it and try to get a heck of a lot of food I wouldn't normally buy too!!

[septbaby]

No appetizer, no big deal. Book buffets or all you care to eat and it is a moot point.

[DisFlan]

No appetizer, no big deal. Book buffets or all you care to eat and it is a moot point.

That only works if you're fond of buffets. We aren't. And we like appetizers.

[Priorityonecb]

For us, it's not really about the monetary savings when adding the dining plan. We could *absolutely save money without it. Having it all paid for up front and not having to think about money/budget while in the parks is the appeal for us. If I was paying OOP I would gulp at my child ordering a $30 entree. With the dining plan, I don't blink an eye if any of us wants to indulge.

[YesMickey]

I like the new Quick Service plan that is new for '09. You get two counterservice meals and two snacks per day per person. The only thing I haven't figured out is if it is a deal. I figured it it is $24/day less expen. than the regular dining plan. We would use a snack each for breakfast and then Counter service for lunch and dinner.:thumbsup2

[Tink]

I was not going to do a dining plan at first just for this reason. I like to have an appetizer with my meal and not the dessert. I prefer to snack around the park (gee, in every picrutre of me I seem to have a popcorn in my handpopcorn:: ). So when they came out with the CS meal plan we decided to try that. We will still do some TS, but then we wil pay OOP and order what we want.

Also, when we did the DP last time, it was August and it felt good to sit down and eat in the cool restaurants, and the app and tip was included then. The parks were open later, so we had evenings when it cooled down to tour the parks.

[jenjolt]

I'm doing the DxDP however I'm doing a lot of character meals so I don't feel as if I'm being gipped "ride" time. Instead I will have the opportunity to meet characters and not have to wait in lines at the park.

[bangzoom6877]

The app not included does not affect you if you are eating at all you can eat places (all character meals, for example, are all you can eat and everything is included on the buffet or the family style meal). However, if you are dining at lots of a la carte places then it would affect you much more. At all you can eat places you can choose to eat the salad over the dessert.

Here is my take on why Disney does not give us a choice of app OR dessert, and why they chose to keep the dessert:

1. desserts are less expensive and easier to "mass produce" (think whole cakes, gallons of ice cream, etc.)
2. if they give you a choice then many people (myself and DH included) would split one app and one dessert between the 2 of them so they could enjoy both (then they do not make as much money on people buying extras OOP)
3. if 2 people split one app and one dessert on the DDP (if they were to give you a choice of which one to get), the meal would last longer and therefore longer turnover time for tables. Fewer customers on any given evening under those circumstances

My other take is that if Disney had decided to keep the app on the DDP and do away with the dessert, there would be people complaining about that. It is a matter of personal preference, some people prefer an app, some prefer a dessert, some would normally not order either one.

[kaytieeldr]

That only works if you're fond of buffets. We aren't. And we like appetizers.
Then you need to either pay for appetizers, or purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan.

eta: The thing is, no version of the Dining Plan works for everyone. Sometimes it just makes economic sense NOT to participate, but rather to pay for each food item/course out of pocket.

[BringBackTheNautilus]

You would think the servers would want Disney to offer the Apps....since your bill would go up....and as a result..so would their tip, no?

We are going in June 2009, biggest thing for me is the convenience of only having to hand them your room card is gone...now you have to dig out some cash..or a credit card. Still doing the DDP...but I wish they would reconsider!!!

[parmtoo]

Then you need to either pay for appetizers, or purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan.

eta: The thing is, no version of the Dining Plan works for everyone. Sometimes it just makes economic sense NOT to participate, but rather to pay for each food item/course out of pocket.
;) I agree!

[TDC Nala]

You would think the servers would want Disney to offer the Apps....since your bill would go up....and as a result..so would their tip, no?

We are going in June 2009, biggest thing for me is the convenience of only having to hand them your room card is gone...now you have to dig out some cash..or a credit card. Still doing the DDP...but I wish they would reconsider!!!

If you buy appetizers out of pocket, you'll still tip for them. At any rate, what the servers want is probably not a consideration to those who decide the dining plan details.

And they are highly unlikely to reconsider as long as guests still buy DDP.

[septbaby]

You would think the servers would want Disney to offer the Apps....since your bill would go up....and as a result..so would their tip, no?

We are going in June 2009, biggest thing for me is the convenience of only having to hand them your room card is gone...now you have to dig out some cash..or a credit card. Still doing the DDP...but I wish they would reconsider!!!

Not really, skipping the appetizer means you finish more quickly so a server may see one or two more parties during a shift with the current DP. The tip for full meal would be greater than the $1-2 tip on a appetizer. Do that enough times during the month and it adds up!

[BringBackTheNautilus]

Not really, skipping the appetizer means you finish more quickly so a server may see one or two more parties during a shift with the current DP. The tip for full meal would be greater than the $1-2 tip on a appetizer. Do that enough times during the month and it adds up!


Great point....hadnt thought of it that way.

Man..you guys are pretty sharp in here!!!!