2010 Dining Plan

[stitchlover]

Have you ever noticed that you can't get the CM's at CRO to give you a direct answer when you ask about the specific pricing on a portion of your package? I booked my 2010 package today and point blank asked the CM what is the price of the dining package this year. She said somewhere in the $41 to $42 range. So I figured I'm paying $41.99 per person. Then I found this in a thread on the Dining Plan board. Does anyone know is this accurate? My dates of travel are 3/11/10 to 3/20/10. Am I actually being charged $46.99 per person for the dining plan on this trip????

QUOTE FROM DINING PLAN BOARD:

Dining Plan Rates are now based on dates of travel. If your client's stay is booked over two different seasons the price of the dining plan will be pro-rated just like the room rates.

$41.99 per adult (ages 10+) $11.99 per child (age 3-9) per night above the cost of the Magic Your Way Package for travel dates: 1/01/10 – 2/11/10 ; 4/11/10 – 6/03/10 ; 8/15/10 – 12/16/10

$46.99 per adult (ages 10+) $12.99 per child (age 3-9) per night above the cost of the Magic Your Way Package for travel dates: 2/12/10 – 4/10/10 ; 6/04/10 – 8/14/10 ; 12/17/10 – 12/31/10


If this is accurate then I will probably be looking at skipping the DDP this year.

 

[BriarRosie]

From what I see, it looks like they're trying to match the DDP to the "holiday surcharge pricing" they've been using for character meals and buffets like Boma. They probably took a bigger hit when the DDP people were able to use 1 TS credit on their rate, bypassing the increase.

That's why the DDP was a better value when the holiday pricing was in effect. Now it looks like Disney is trying to even things out on their bottom line. Disney's trying to close those loopholes where the DDP people took advantage of the credits vs. the value of the meal.

Still, in addition to the DDP per person, you still have to add on the tips, raising the actual cost of the plan.

 

[yitbos96bb]

From what I see, it looks like they're trying to match the DDP to the "holiday surcharge pricing" they've been using for character meals and buffets like Boma. They probably took a bigger hit when the DDP people were able to use 1 TS credit on their rate, bypassing the increase.

That's why the DDP was a better value when the holiday pricing was in effect. Now it looks like Disney is trying to even things out on their bottom line. Disney's trying to close those loopholes where the DDP people took advantage of the credits vs. the value of the meal.

Still, in addition to the DDP per person, you still have to add on the tips, raising the actual cost of the plan.

Unfortunately, the DDP stopped being a real value when they got rid of the tip, followed by the apps. Doing the math, rarely is it a deal and its a downright loser if you use a signature restaurant.

 

[stitchlover]

I did go online and ran the numbers with and without the DDP and yes, it appears that I am being charged $46.99 per person. I really tend to give Disney the benefit of the doubt but this one has my head spinning. I have spent quite a bit of time today going over menus and really can't see where I break even but one day out of a 10 day trip. We aren't the type family that eats at the most expensive restaurants and eats the most expensive items on the menu just so we come out ahead. Heck, our 13 year old daughter tends to order off the children's menu quite often. So we might be reevaluating the DDP this year. And if I'm not using the DDP I'm beginning to wonder why I'm not staying at the Swan instead of AKL.

 

[TXYankee]

I use the dining plan when it is "free" but other then that I don't.
I have added up the amount I spend on food in WDW and It is not worth it for me.

When I travel with big eaters (DH and nephews) the dining plan is worth it because they eat my unused credits. I imagian between you and your daughter and DH, 3 adult meal plans may not be worth the price!

 

[NancyIL]

So we might be reevaluating the DDP this year. And if I'm not using the DDP I'm beginning to wonder why I'm not staying at the Swan instead of AKL.

I usually stay at the Swan, and I don't feel like I've missed out on anything by not being able to book the DDP. I have an AP, and I bought the Tables in Wonderland discount card ($75) to save 20% at table service restaurants and some counter service eateries.

 

[Iggipolka]

My dates of travel are 3/11/10 to 3/20/10.

Woo! We'll be at AKV 3/11/10 - 3/13/10 and 3/20/10 - 3/22/10! Maybe we'll see each other.

Oh..and to keep this somewhat on topic, I doubt we'll do the DDP next trip either. Not with those prices.

 

[safetymom]

Be sure you listen to this weeks Podcast. We discuss the 2010 dining plan.

 

[SamSam]

Be sure you listen to this weeks Podcast. We discuss the 2010 dining plan.

Can't wait to listen. We don't use the dining plan, but I like hearing about it. I'm thinking there might be a rant in there.

 

[stitchlover]

Kevin gave me a heads up about the DDP being discussed this week. Of course, I would have listened to the podcast anyway!

Iggipolka...maybe we will see you. DH and DD say they don't want to switch over to the Swan at this point so we will be staying AKL we just aren't 100% a go with the DDP.

 

[BriarRosie]

Unfortunately, the DDP stopped being a real value when they got rid of the tip, followed by the apps. Doing the math, rarely is it a deal and its a downright loser if you use a signature restaurant.

Even in 2005/2006, when tips and appetizers were included, I still never used the DDP. I thought it was too much food then, and I still feel that I don't want a dessert at counter service and full service every single meal.

People tend to feel the need to order the most expensive items on the menu in order to beat the system vs. breaking even. I think Disney finally adjusted the cost to how people were using the plan.

I've liked the DDE/Tables in Wonderland discount better, anyway. You have total flexibility because you can order anything on the menu, and alcoholic beverages and get a discount. The break even on the card for annual passholders is $375 total spending at the places that accept it. Anything beyond that is savings, IMHO. I like having the tips basically paid for.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Woo! We'll be at AKV 3/11/10 - 3/13/10 and 3/20/10 - 3/22/10! Maybe we'll see each other.

Oh..and to keep this somewhat on topic, I doubt we'll do the DDP next trip either. Not with those prices.

Now I will say I think the Deluxe is worth the money IF you are a big eater. 3 TS for $71 a day can be easy to get value out of, especially since they have the APP.

What I think Disney needs is a tier between the Basic and the Deluxe....

So have CS, then Basic, then Middle Tier then Deluxe. I'm thinking either Basic with the APP back in and a mug, or two TS and 1 CS and 1 Snack.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Even in 2005/2006, when tips and appetizers were included, I still never used the DDP. I thought it was too much food then, and I still feel that I don't want a dessert at counter service and full service every single meal.

People tend to feel the need to order the most expensive items on the menu in order to beat the system vs. breaking even. I think Disney finally adjusted the cost to how people were using the plan.

I've liked the DDE/Tables in Wonderland discount better, anyway. You have total flexibility because you can order anything on the menu, and alcoholic beverages and get a discount. The break even on the card for annual passholders is $375 total spending at the places that accept it. Anything beyond that is savings, IMHO. I like having the tips basically paid for.

And that's cool... however, whether you used it or not, there WAS a significant value there. You may prefer a DIFFERENT program and depending on how you eat or how much you drink TIW could be a better deal compared with DDP... especially if you go to V and A. The TIP being included was huge and the APP added value, but it was a LOT of food. Ironically, we actually had both before they made the tip change and before they removed the APP. We used TIW for Alchohol and a few OOP dinners or lunches as well as for V and A, which paid for TIW with that alone. Then we used the DDP for the rest of it.

I was actually going to use DDP this trip, but after looking at the menu and doing the math, figured out we were saving little to nothing, EVEN with the most expensive item on most menus. It was worse with the Signature restaurants, where you could easily come out worse than if you paid OOP. And this is without a TIW discount (I won't be getting an AP this time because I made October ressies and then decided to go on the Podcast cruise AFTER i made those ressies. So I won't make it back to Disney to use within a year and I won't save enough with TIW this trip to justify buying one AP and TIW)!

While I think the Deluxe plan remains a decent deal and can save you money (although nothing will ever be as good as the original tip included plan), I agree with you... most likely, unless we splurge on Deluxe, We will stick with TIW... which we will again get next December for our after Podcast Cruise stay.

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

I'm torn - I am one of those people who enjoys having everything paid for in advance. That was almost as much of a benefit for me as saving some $$. But I need to go crunch the numbers now. I had everything priced out for our grand gathering in June with the dining plan...and now I'm not sure. I guess as long as I'm not paying much extra, it's ok...now I have more math to do.