2009 Dining

[apostolic4life]

To answer my own question, I do not think there will be a change unless Disney feels they are losing money.

Agreed, Disney has shareholders to answer to, and the shareholders want to see their stocks earn a profit.

Would I like to see a change? Yes! The changes I would like to see are the choice between an app and dessert on the standard MYW dining plan and for Disney to reduce the price a bit more for pulling an item from the plan as well as the included gratuity. If they would like to add the flexibility in and gratuity back in, they are welcome to raise the plan price a little bit to compensate.

WDW accomplishes two things by removing the appetizer:
1. Table turn-over becomes quicker because you have eliminated an entire course. This allows for more customers every night. 2. Expensive to produce appetizers now must be purchased a la carte which allows WDW to ensure profitability of the DDP.

The choice of appetizer or dessert would be nice for us, but it would also quickly eliminate those two advantages. Desserts are cheaper for Disney to produce than many of the protein based appetizers (salads & soups are often the exception) hence you now can have the dessert, not the appetizer. If given the choice of either, many of us would share appetizers and desserts so we could have the best of both worlds......giving WDW slower table turn-over, which means fewer guests seated, which equals less profit.

Sure, many say they would be willing to pay a few more dollars for the DDP if the appetizer and tip were left on, but with the skyrocketing cost of food today the price would have to be raised by $10-$15 per person per day to compensate for inflation. Most would think this kind of increase is unacceptable. WDW has offered a very generous alternative in the DeluxeDDP, but most think this is too much food.

Who knows, that may be their plan anyhow. LOL! Trick us to make us think we are getting a good deal, when it is all the same anyhow.

Actually, based on WDW menu pricing, the current DDP is a good deal. Do you have the large 25-35% savings from last year, no. Do you save money based on the current WDW menu prices, yes.......the plan can save you 10-15% off your food budget, but everyone would have to figure this based on how they normally eat. Many users of the DDP, in the past, have said they normally would not eat everything included on the plan so it would not be worth it for them to use it.......there is no blanket statement that covers everyone's use (or non use) of the DDP. Do the math for your family's eating habits and see which way is best!! To each their own!!

 

[VLee]

Hopefully, they will change it from the way it is now. For now, we have just decided to share table service meals and avoid the DDP.

 

[Tricia1972]

There are always complaints from somebody about something. Ya know what I mean? I guess Disney will evaluate their bottom line in addition to feedback from their guests and employees and then make an eduated or un-educated decision.

You echo my point (or sentiment) exactly, which is.

Why would Disney change if they have as many guests and are making as much money as they did before the changes? Unfortunately, complaints are meaningless if you don't back them up by taking your business elsewhere.

Turnover can be a concern, but I have heard that the job market in Central FL isn't the best. I would guess for every CM that quits there are one or two people ready to fill their places.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

I think they will revert to the old one with the appetizer and keep the deluxe dinning.

 

[danceintherain]

I voted yes, because it just makes sense for them to alter it, unless it does amazingly. However, everything has room for improvement. While they want the plan to be attractive to guests, they also don't want to lose money. They'll probably change it gradually every year just to see what works the best, and even when they find the perfect combination of items the cost will have to change periodically to correspond with the cost of food.

 

[pigletforever]

I am anxious to see what happens. We arrive December 31 2008 and leave Jan 11, 2009. What ever they do we will be there during the crossover. I know I will have my laptop so I will be able to give daily reports. AT this point we are doing the Deluxe Dining plan. I picked it figuring there would be changes anyway.

 

[simonkodousek]

I voted "yes". I think Disney will change the DDP in 2009 by raising the price a buck or two, and dropping another "advantage". Now, the logical thing for them to do is to bring back the pre-paid tip and possibly the appetizer.

 

[chief19spixi]

I was not aware that the CMs did not like the change.

they don't.. no one would like the fact that last year they always got a tip reguardless and now this year are not always going to get one and if they do it may not even be what they got before.

 

[guelde96]

I have done the DDP twice. I will not use the new version. Less food does not bother me. I think there was a lot of food any way. I do not like the tip not being included. That adds a huge amount to the cost of the plan.

I do not think disney cares about whether or not people can walk up and get in to their restaurants. They are a business and if the change in the dining plan is making more availability for walk ups it is hurting Disney's bottom line and that is what they care about. With the old DDP the popular restaurants were filled to capacity all the time with no chance of a walk in. This over flow would then go to the less popular restaurants and CS. If the more popular restaurants are now being able to accept walk up costumers than the less popular places are alot less busy. This is what will hurt Disney's bottom line.

 

[VMK_Mouse]

I do not think disney cares about whether or not people can walk up and get in to their restaurants. They are a business and if the change in the dining plan is making more availability for walk ups it is hurting Disney's bottom line and that is what they care about. With the old DDP the popular restaurants were filled to capacity all the time with no chance of a walk in. This over flow would then go to the less popular restaurants and CS. If the more popular restaurants are now being able to accept walk up costumers than the less popular places are alot less busy. This is what will hurt Disney's bottom line.

Very good points. Kind of along the same lines as Disney creating some type of special event to keep the parks filled to capacity year round. Less crowded times are somewhat becoming a thing of the past. There are slower times, but nothing like it used to be. Disney may be wonderful, but they are here to to turn a profit. Ulimately, I think they have the guest experience at heart, but their heart is much closer to the bank.

 

[dvcdisney]

I voted NO. But I wish they would change it. It would be great if they can put the gratuity back. I don't care much about the appetizer, but I think for those who like them, they should have a choice of dessert or appetizer.

I don't think they will change it for 2009, simply because I think they would need to see the impact on their bottom line and I don't think a year would suffice. Also, I think it would create a lot more confusion.

I do however think they may do away with the Deluxe DDP.

Honestly, I cannot understand why they didn't leave everything as it is and just increased the price a few dollars more! (I really don't think Disney is hurting financially because they introduced this, I think there is a lot more business because of the whole package concept - not have to worry about food and transportation when you book on site.)

 

[skw2020]

Really don't know how to vote. I really wish they would change it to let you choose between an appetizer or a dessert. I'd much rather have the appetizer.

 

[VMK_Mouse]

Really don't know how to vote. I really wish they would change it to let you choose between an appetizer or a dessert. I'd much rather have the appetizer.

Maybe they could give us the app instead and then give youa voucher for a Mickey Bar!

 

[apostolic4life]

Very good points. Kind of along the same lines as Disney creating some type of special event to keep the parks filled to capacity year round. Less crowded times are somewhat becoming a thing of the past. There are slower times, but nothing like it used to be. Disney may be wonderful, but they are here to to turn a profit. Ulimately, I think they have the guest experience at heart, but their heart is much closer to the bank.

I very much agree.....getting people in the parks, resorts and restaurants is the goal with every discount, package, or special event. Even if they wanted to focus primarily on making every individual perfectly happy, they would still have profit seeking shareholders they answer to. An important part of reaching that goal is to have a product that keeps the majority or guests happy (i.e. DDP, DxDDP, seasonal room rates, Magical Express, etc.), and as long as most of continue to spend our money at WDW in spite of the changes, the executives will assume we are fine with their decisions. Unless they see some sudden mass loss of revenue, the shareholders will be ok with the way things are running now too.

I do believe most people employed by WDW/Disney (in their heart) want us to leave perfectly happy and satisfied with every aspect of our trip, but the reality says because of the fiscal decisions the company needs to make to remain profitable, often some will leave less than satisfied.

 

[apostolic4life]

Maybe they could give us the app instead and then give youa voucher for a Mickey Bar!

I could go for this as long as I could get the Frozen Fruit Bar!!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

moved to the DDP board

 

[mickey2000]

Don'r forgrt DI$NEY lowered the price this year by one dollar

 

[NMW]

No, I don't think they will change it unless they lose a ton of money-which I doubt will happen. Everyone I know going to Disney this year is using the new Deluxe plan and they aren't really complaining about the tips at all. Granted, one family hasn't been to Disney since 2003, so the basic and deluxe dining plans are new to them. However, most people I know are just happy about a plan that doesn't make them do CS. One woman I know said that she will be so happy not having to eat gross CS outside in the heat at AK ever again. Apparently, they had some issue with birds at Flame Tree.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I figure that Disney is going to change it in some shape and fashion.... who knows how!?! That's one thing about Disney....good or "bad" nothing ever stays the same!

 

[chief19spixi]

Don'r forgrt DI$NEY lowered the price this year by one dollar

being away from this forum for 2 days was horrible but after seeing this.. it just made my day!!

THANKS!!!