We are just back and we did the old plan for 6 nights. For our family of 4 it was $128 a day total including all tax and tip. Under the old plan, we got the appetizer and our snacks were anything under $4. (Their words, not mine) We got bags of chips, bagels, eggs, 1/2 gallon milk, dip and treats from Goofy's. With that, we still had 4 TS, 12 snacks and 12 counter service to use up on our last day. So definitely, too much food, but a good deal because of the daily table service we used and using counter services at DisneyQuest we would have spent that much anyway. We had the option to continue with the old plan when we checked into SSR, but we could not do another week of eating like that so we chose to go it on our own and I renewed my DDE card.
The new plan would cost us $125 per day, plus tax, plus tip which would add another $40 a day out of pocket (avg. TS meal meal was $130 before tax/tip) for a total of $165 a day. If we have to pay tax on the counter service credits, then add $10. If we add back in the appetizer for the 3 adults, that's another $21 per day for a total of $196 per day.
We dont eat $200 a day worth of food and especially not for the length of our stay. There is not anything on Disney Dining property worth $200 per day. A signature meal or two but not everyday.
The snacks are now extremely limited and avg. approx. $2 or less except the ice cream which are all pre packaged novelties that I can get at
Sams Club in a variety box of 30 for $10.
The dessert offerings are frozen pre-made pre-packaged servings at the counter service places. I was in line at Columbia Harbor House when a lady came up and complained that her apple tart was still frozen. There was not a dessert I saw that I would pay oop for. If I am going to live with the calories I at least want it to be worth it.
So not only has the plan changed, but the food quality is dramatically declining. There are still some special treats, but we will pay oop for those.
We didnt really like being tied to a TS every day either.
So no 2008 plan for us, we will still dine out when we want, order what we want, snack when and what we want and charge it all back to the room with a DDE discount. That will be our dining plan for 2008. No rules, just right!
