Price Increase Question

[GreenCntryGirl]

Is there a pattern to when prices might be raised at restaurants similar to how tickets and resort fees change every year?

[vacationer1954]

I've never noticed any pattern like that.

[vicki_c]

Originally Posted by GreenCntryGirl

Is there a pattern to when prices might be raised at restaurants similar to how tickets and resort fees change every year?

Only for the peak time surcharges. Other increases appear to be random.

[GreenCntryGirl]

Thanks, folks!

The reason I asked is that I've read a lot (in various places) about food prices increasing next year due to the drought. I'm wondering if buying the dining plan might be worth it as a way to...protect? not sure that's the right word...against major price increases in food at WDW.

If food prices increase as they say, the dining plan could become well worth it.

ETA:

Would the dining plans go up during the year or are they set for the year?

[vicki_c]

Originally Posted by GreenCntryGirl

Thanks, folks!

The reason I asked is that I've read a lot (in various places) about food prices increasing next year due to the drought. I'm wondering if buying the dining plan might be worth it as a way to...protect? not sure that's the right word...against major price increases in food at WDW.

If food prices increase as they say, the dining plan could become well worth it.

ETA:

Would the dining plans go up during the year or are they set for the year?

Dining plan prices are set for the year once they announce them.

[GreenCntryGirl]

Originally Posted by vicki_c

Dining plan prices are set for the year once they announce them.

Thanks, again!

[Cafeen]

Keep in mind that you can add (or remove or modify) the dining plan up to 3 days before check-in (though, a fee may apply if less than 14 or so days out). So this should be able to give you plenty of time to determine if the dining plan is worth it shortly before your trip.

Now, if it affects how you'd do ADRs, I'd plan for whichever is going to be the more difficult to plan for (e.g. if you'd do more ADRs with the plan, plan for that) and when it comes time to double-check, you should have an easier time adjusting.

[vacationer1954]

I bet that the anticipated increase in the cost of meals is already factored into the cost of the dining plan. $41.99 to $45.99/$47.99 to $51.47/$53.47 to $55.59/$56.94. So I bet we'll see about a 7.4% increase in restaurant prices over the course of 2013.

[Cafeen]

Originally Posted by vacationer1954

I bet that the anticipated increase in the cost of meals is already factored into the cost of the dining plan. $41.99 to $45.99/$47.99 to $51.47/$53.47 to $55.59/$56.94. So I bet we'll see about a 7.4% increase in restaurant prices over the course of 2013.

While normally I'd be prone to agree, historically the prices have gone up by ~2-3% at the individual restaurants while DDP pricing has gone up between 5-10% each year. It's good to estimate for budgeting purposes, but it would surprise me if the restaurant increases were that high really.

[GreenCntryGirl]

Originally Posted by Cafeen

Keep in mind that you can add (or remove or modify) the dining plan up to 3 days before check-in (though, a fee may apply if less than 14 or so days out). So this should be able to give you plenty of time to determine if the dining plan is worth it shortly before your trip.

Now, if it affects how you'd do ADRs, I'd plan for whichever is going to be the more difficult to plan for (e.g. if you'd do more ADRs with the plan, plan for that) and when it comes time to double-check, you should have an easier time adjusting.

Sounds like good advice! I've been watching menu updates on a variety of sites to check prices.

[goofy4prez]

Originally Posted by GreenCntryGirl

Is there a pattern to when prices might be raised at restaurants similar to how tickets and resort fees change every year?

I think they all go hand in hand when the bean counters decide it's time to give the big wigs some more $$$$$$$$$$$

[vacationer1954]

Originally Posted by Cafeen

While normally I'd be prone to agree, historically the prices have gone up by ~2-3% at the individual restaurants while DDP pricing has gone up between 5-10% each year. It's good to estimate for budgeting purposes, but it would surprise me if the restaurant increases were that high really.

Yes, you're correct. I meant only to say that I feel that the DDP isn't really a way to beat next year's restaurant menu price increases. Those increases are already built into the next year DDP price (and, as you pointed out, then some).

[GreenCntryGirl]

Originally Posted by vacationer1954

Yes, you're correct. I meant only to say that I feel that the DDP isn't really a way to beat next year's restaurant menu price increases. Those increases are already built into the next year DDP price (and, as you pointed out, then some).

As of now and for our family's purposes, we are breaking about even. If prices go up, we will save money by purchasing the plan.

[vacationer1954]

Restaurant prices would have to go up a very large amount for us to get to that point because we are DVC members and so we can buy the Tables in Wonderland card.

[ghtx]

Originally Posted by vacationer1954

Yes, you're correct. I meant only to say that I feel that the DDP isn't really a way to beat next year's restaurant menu price increases. Those increases are already built into the next year DDP price (and, as you pointed out, then some).

But the DDP price is locked in at the beginning of the year. It is possible (though very unlikely) that there would be some drastic event that dramatically increases food prices (e.g. drought). The OOP costs of meals could increase, but the DDP price would be the same (assuming that the price actually is locked in at the beginning of the year). So in this scenario, buying the DDP is a way to "hedge" against future food price increases. However, I think it is very unlikely that the price increases would be substantial enough to make this matter at all.