2012 prices

[nrpofp]

I found some old Disney menus from 2008. There were a handful of major increases.... Steak at Mama Melrose went from $21 to $29 in three years. But I was more surprised by how many items have not changed in price.
In 2008, a slab of ribs at Flame Tree BBQ was $10.49 -- the same price as 2011.
In 2008, the Oak Fired Filet of Beef at the California Grill was $41. In 2011, it was $44. A 7% increase-- spread over 3 years. So just 2% per year.
The California sushi roll went from $18 to $22.. A 22% increase.. over 3 years, so about 7% per year.
At Restaurant Merakesh-- Chicken kabobs have gone from $23.95 to $24.95 over three years. So just a $1 increase in 3 years.

So on a year to year basis--- while there may be some restaurants and some dishes that see significant price adjustments.... I think you are mostly looking at 2-3% per year.

Just because restaurant prices have only risen 2-3% in the past doesn't mean that will continue into the future. We are seeing inflation in the grocery store, gas pump, pretty much everywhere. With our dollar on the decline I would expect this to continue. Disney restaurants aren't gooing to be exempt.

 

[havoc315]

Just because restaurant prices have only risen 2-3% in the past doesn't mean that will continue into the future. We are seeing inflation in the grocery store, gas pump, pretty much everywhere. With our dollar on the decline I would expect this to continue. Disney restaurants aren't gooing to be exempt.

We'll see....
Remember, some of the restaurants are independently owned... so they set their own prices. And they need to keep those prices competitive -- They need to compete with other restaurants on Disney property, as well as the need to compete with the possibility of people simply skipping dining at Disney (packing meals or going off site).

For Disney owned restaurants -- I suspect they may each be semi-independently managed. In other words, I suspect that each restaurant is its own cost center, setting their own prices. This would allow the corporation to make them compete against each other, to maximize the value of each restaurant to enrich Disney. Though I could be wrong, I don't think there is centralized pricing for the Disney restaurants.
As restaurants costs go up, each restaurant will indeed increase prices. Or, if the supply/demand curve will tolerate it, some prices will be increased.

But I'd be quite surprised if we suddenly saw any massive across-the-board increases. It's certainly possible. I just don't think it's very likely.

 

[heartsy77]

Debating on QSDP vs DDP no dining plan as we are staying at campground in out travel trailer. Does anybody know if you can still use two QS credits for one sit own meal?

 

[nrpofp]

We'll see....
Remember, some of the restaurants are independently owned... so they set their own prices. And they need to keep those prices competitive -- They need to compete with other restaurants on Disney property, as well as the need to compete with the possibility of people simply skipping dining at Disney (packing meals or going off site).

For Disney owned restaurants -- I suspect they may each be semi-independently managed. In other words, I suspect that each restaurant is its own cost center, setting their own prices. This would allow the corporation to make them compete against each other, to maximize the value of each restaurant to enrich Disney. Though I could be wrong, I don't think there is centralized pricing for the Disney restaurants.
As restaurants costs go up, each restaurant will indeed increase prices. Or, if the supply/demand curve will tolerate it, some prices will be increased.

But I'd be quite surprised if we suddenly saw any massive across-the-board increases. It's certainly possible. I just don't think it's very likely.

Well we just saw a pretty good increase in ticket prices, resort prices and dining plan prices. Without and increase in demand. I just got back from costco. Everytime I go prices have gone up. Restaurant prices in my area keep raising there prices. I can't imagine disney being any different. Inflation is not just about supply and demand. Prices will still rise even without an increase in demand. There are two different kinds of inflation. Our dollar will be worthless if things don't change.

 

[havoc315]

Well we just saw a pretty good increase in ticket prices, resort prices and dining plan prices. Without and increase in demand. I just got back from costco. Everytime I go prices have gone up. Restaurant prices in my area keep raising there prices. I can't imagine disney being any different. Inflation is not just about supply and demand. Prices will still rise even without an increase in demand. There are two different kinds of inflation.

Okay.... So if that's true, why haven't they already raised the prices? What are they waiting for? Unlike ticket and resort prices... I don't believe they have 1 set date where they increase menu prices. Certainly not at the restaurants that aren't Disney owned.
So if they have only been raising prices by about 2-3% for the last 3 years.... And they still aren't putting in any big increases as of today -- what makes you so sure that they are going to put in a big increase in 6 months?

Sure... it's possible. It's also possible that they decide to cut prices if demand wanes with decreased free dining, for example.

I'm simply saying, there is no evidence that Disney restaurants will stray from their pricing pattern over the next year. Every year, for the last several years.. the price of the DDP goes up by 5-10%, and the price of restaurants goes up by 2-3%. What evidence supports that it's going to be any different next year?

(If anything, there is a strong argument that they will have to stop raising the DDP by 5-10% per year, as it's very hard to justify a much higher price).

 

[havoc315]

Debating on QSDP vs DDP no dining plan as we are staying at campground in out travel trailer. Does anybody know if you can still use two QS credits for one sit own meal?

I know you cannot do so now. I did not know there was ever a time when you could do so.

The only "exchange" I've seen... is you can typically trade a CS for approximately 3 snacks at your resort.

 

[nrpofp]

Okay.... So if that's true, why haven't they already raised the prices? What are they waiting for? Unlike ticket and resort prices... I don't believe they have 1 set date where they increase menu prices. Certainly not at the restaurants that aren't Disney owned.
So if they have only been raising prices by about 2-3% for the last 3 years.... And they still aren't putting in any big increases as of today -- what makes you so sure that they are going to put in a big increase in 6 months?

Sure... it's possible. It's also possible that they decide to cut prices if demand wanes with decreased free dining, for example.

I'm simply saying, there is no evidence that Disney restaurants will stray from their pricing pattern over the next year. Every year, for the last several years.. the price of the DDP goes up by 5-10%, and the price of restaurants goes up by 2-3%. What evidence supports that it's going to be any different next year?

(If anything, there is a strong argument that they will have to stop raising the DDP by 5-10% per year, as it's very hard to justify a much higher price).

Food costs have been rising pretty rapidly. Inflation is here, but one good thing disney food prices have been hyperinflated for so many years they may not rise as fast. I think your not getting that inflation is not merely a supply and demand issue. When you increase the money supply and devalue your currency your going to have inflation. Thats pretty much 5th grade economics. Demand becomes insignificant in that situation.

 

[havoc315]

Food costs have been rising pretty rapidly. Inflation is here, but one good thing disney food prices have been hyperinflated for so many years they may not rise as fast. I think your not getting that inflation is not merely a supply and demand issue. When you increase the money supply and devalue your currency your going to have inflation. Thats pretty much 5th grade economics. Demand becomes insignificant in that situation.

I am not denying generalized inflation. But I eat in restaurants all the time, and I have not seen any major price spikes. If anything, due to the sluggish economy, I have seen more restaurant discounts.

But assuming you are correct, when are all the Disney restaurants going to put this massive price increase into effect? This week? This month? This summer?
Should I expect my local restaurants to also put in massive price increases during the same time period?

 

[TDC Nala]

Debating on QSDP vs DDP no dining plan as we are staying at campground in out travel trailer. Does anybody know if you can still use two QS credits for one sit own meal?

No. You may be able to trade your credits down (TS for a CS meal) but you can never trade them up.

 

[Sandy321]

Even then, it's harder and harder to get value.

You need to spend about $33 on a TS credit, just to break even..

Let's go to Primetime Cafe... and get the most expensive entree:
Grilled Boneless Pork Loin, $20.99
Get the most expensive dessert: Dad's Brownie Sundae, $5.99
Beverages are $2-- So getting the most expensive items, you have spent only $29.... lost about $4.

At plenty of other restaurants, you can only break even, if you get the absolute most expensive item.

doing the math for our Jan trip - the one thing you probably should include in the analysis is tax is included in the DP - - correct?

and, again, the unknown is how much the menu prices will increase (probably closer to 5% at most, or the cost of soda, will that change? as in do they have a contract? the unknown as I write out prices and places we'd most likely go to and compare it to the $51 DDP!!)

I HATE math btw!!


Sunshine Seasons looked like $8-$10 entree $2 soda, Dessert $3.50 = $15
TS (Coral Reef) I averaged to $30 + $4 dessert + $2 drink = $41
(altho at Yachtsman it was $44 for a steak )
so if tax is 6% = $3 on a $50 tab?

did I mention I hate math? I always miss something!!

 

[Colleen27]

Well we just saw a pretty good increase in ticket prices, resort prices and dining plan prices. Without and increase in demand. I just got back from costco. Everytime I go prices have gone up. Restaurant prices in my area keep raising there prices. I can't imagine disney being any different. Inflation is not just about supply and demand. Prices will still rise even without an increase in demand. There are two different kinds of inflation. Our dollar will be worthless if things don't change.

Disney is a bit different from your local restaurant, though, because they're selling the whole package rather than just a meal. Each Disney restaurant isn't an entity that succeeds or fails on its own; they're all part of the bigger whole and the already established premium for on-site dining gives Disney more "wiggle room" when it comes to passing on supplier price increases should they feel that increases that accurately reflect the prices they are dealing with will put guests off of dining in the parks. And they also have the option to make up increased input costs in other ways, like via larger-than-needed increases in DDP pricing knowing that people will pay for the convenience even without much savings incentive.

If they start increasing dining prices in a way that discourages travelers from eating in the restaurants they not only lose dining dollars, they also risk people booking off-site resorts and/or driving to the parks in order to be able to eat more cheaply off site, which then makes them more likely to shop the outlets instead of the Disney gift shops, visit non-Disney Orlando attractions, etc.

 

[Cafeen]

doing the math for our Jan trip - the one thing you probably should include in the analysis is tax is included in the DP - - correct?

and, again, the unknown is how much the menu prices will increase (probably closer to 5% at most, or the cost of soda, will that change? as in do they have a contract? the unknown as I write out prices and places we'd most likely go to and compare it to the $51 DDP!!)

I HATE math btw!!


Sunshine Seasons looked like $8-$10 entree $2 soda, Dessert $3.50 = $15
TS (Coral Reef) I averaged to $30 + $4 dessert + $2 drink = $41
(altho at Yachtsman it was $44 for a steak )
so if tax is 6% = $3 on a $50 tab?

did I mention I hate math? I always miss something!!

Dining prices, unlike ticket, resort, and package prices, do not change on a schedule. They will change when they need to. It makes it a bit tougher to predict (they also don't always change like the other prices do).

Tax is included in the dining plans, so yes, when comparing you're going to want to compare the dining plan price vs the post tax price (you can either do it overall or per meal, per meal will be less prone to rounding issues, but it shouldn't be all that much either way). Tax is also 6.5% at all Disney restaurants except those at the All-Stars and at the WWOS complex thingy. It's 7% there due to that county charging an extra 0.5%. (And remember, tax is ALWAYS rounded up.)

Using your numbers above
Sunshine: $9 + $2 + $3.5 = $14.50 ==> $14.50 * 1.065 (for tax) = $15.45
CR: $30 + $4 + $2 = $36 ==> 36 * 1.065 = $38.34
Snack: $3 * 1.065 = $3.20
Total for that day is $56.99

If you increase the pre-tax prices by 2.5% (a lower increase estimate) we come out with:
SS: $14.86 ==> $15.83
CR: $36.90 ==> $39.30
Snack: $3 ==> $3.20
Total for that day is now: $58.33

For your sake of comparison, I'd used the current published menu prices though. If it works out so that DDP is enough of a savings, and then the prices get raised some, you'd simply end up saving more. If it comes out too close for comfort, chances are you'd be better off without a plan and just paying OOP as you can exercise more freedom (unless you're going to, for sure, want dessert with every meal, the mug, etc).

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Look before you leap. Just a heads up to check out the Restaurants that are included in the 2012 dining plan. The most glaring absences were for Epcot Restaurants, as well as Yak & Yeti in the Animal Kingdom. Happy Planning.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Some other locations noted for their absence from the 2012 dining plan are Earl of Sandwich, and Wolfgang Pucks Express, Cookes of Dublin.

 

[Cafeen]

Look before you leap. Just a heads up to check out the Restaurants that are included in the 2012 dining plan. The most glaring absences were for Epcot Restaurants, as well as Yak & Yeti in the Animal Kingdom. Happy Planning.

Some other locations noted for their absence from the 2012 dining plan are Earl of Sandwich, and Wolfgang Pucks Express, Cookes of Dublin.

This happens every year. Only the Disney-owned and operated restaurants will show up on the initial documentation, this is because the non-Disney owned locations have until the end of the year to renew the contracts for their Dining Plan participation.

I believe there have only ever been one or two that have dropped from the plan (Fulton's I know was one of them, not sure if there was another) since it began, so typically it's nothing to worry about.

Once the documentation is updated at the start of the year, you'll see the vast majority (if not all) of the restaurants back on the list.

 

[Colleen27]

This happens every year. Only the Disney-owned and operated restaurants will show up on the initial documentation, this is because the non-Disney owned locations have until the end of the year to renew the contracts for their Dining Plan participation.

I believe there have only ever been one or two that have dropped from the plan (Fulton's I know was one of them, not sure if there was another) since it began, so typically it's nothing to worry about.

Once the documentation is updated at the start of the year, you'll see the vast majority (if not all) of the restaurants back on the list.

Yep. Fultons is the only one dropped since the plan's inception in 2005 and that was in the first year's renegotiation. The current list is unchanged since 2006 with the exception of the 2-credit change for Le Cellier dinner and changes that reflect changes and additions to Disney's restaurants (Alfredos to Tutto Italia, Concourse Steakhouse to The Wave, the addition of Via Napoli & La Hacienda, etc).

The final list for 2012 probably won't come out until Dec, but for those who make 2012 ADRs before then using this year's list for planning is a safe bet.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

This happens every year. Only the Disney-owned and operated restaurants will show up on the initial documentation, this is because the non-Disney owned locations have until the end of the year to renew the contracts for their Dining Plan participation.

I believe there have only ever been one or two that have dropped from the plan (Fulton's I know was one of them, not sure if there was another) since it began, so typically it's nothing to worry about.

Once the documentation is updated at the start of the year, you'll see the vast majority (if not all) of the restaurants back on the list.

Thanks so much, very helpful.

 

[Sandy321]

Dining prices, unlike ticket, resort, and package prices, do not change on a schedule. They will change when they need to. It makes it a bit tougher to predict (they also don't always change like the other prices do).

Tax is included in the dining plans, so yes, when comparing you're going to want to compare the dining plan price vs the post tax price (you can either do it overall or per meal, per meal will be less prone to rounding issues, but it shouldn't be all that much either way). Tax is also 6.5% at all Disney restaurants except those at the All-Stars and at the WWOS complex thingy. It's 7% there due to that county charging an extra 0.5%. (And remember, tax is ALWAYS rounded up.)

Using your numbers above
Sunshine: $9 + $2 + $3.5 = $14.50 ==> $14.50 * 1.065 (for tax) = $15.45
CR: $30 + $4 + $2 = $36 ==> 36 * 1.065 = $38.34
Snack: $3 * 1.065 = $3.20
Total for that day is $56.99

If you increase the pre-tax prices by 2.5% (a lower increase estimate) we come out with:
SS: $14.86 ==> $15.83
CR: $36.90 ==> $39.30
Snack: $3 ==> $3.20
Total for that day is now: $58.33

For your sake of comparison, I'd used the current published menu prices though. If it works out so that DDP is enough of a savings, and then the prices get raised some, you'd simply end up saving more. If it comes out too close for comfort, chances are you'd be better off without a plan and just paying OOP as you can exercise more freedom (unless you're going to, for sure, want dessert with every meal, the mug, etc).

Thank you for taking the time to reply - and do more math!!

I appreciate it!

I did use "my" math at rounding up (or down - ie soda price) and figuring out the average price of an item - (not knowing exactly what dh and I would order, if we were not on the plan I might lean towards the cheapest item, if we were on the DDP - I'd go for steak!! so for others looking at my numbers, know I tried to stick with a plan!)

 

[koszmok]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here. I`m following the site since ages but never was brave enough to post...
I think i`m in the right discussion but please correct me if I`m not.
I booked my 2012 WDW holiday way back before the new 2012 QSDP details`s been reveiled. And at that time the definition was :

"Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan: £23.99 per adult, £8.99 per child, per day 2 Quick (Counter) Service meals, 2 Snacks and a Refillable Resort Mug per Guest, per day."

Oh yes! I forgot to mention that I made my booking through the UK website.

Even more if I try to book the same holiday RIGHT NOW through the UK site is still shows the 2 snacks/guest/day.

When I try to book the same holiday for 2012 through the US site then it said 1 scack/guest/day.

I`m pretty sure that not I`m the only one who paid/booked with the 2 snacks/day/guest conditions... could Disney just ignore the date of my booking and give me 1 snack/day/guest. I think that would be unfair...

I`m new in this things and I`m confused. I tried to contact with Disney but they gave me strange answers....

Do they have the right to take something from you what you already paid for/booked?

Thanks

 

[aubriee]

Hello everyone!
This is my first post here. I`m following the site since ages but never was brave enough to post...
I think i`m in the right discussion but please correct me if I`m not.
I booked my 2012 WDW holiday way back before the new 2012 QSDP details`s been reveiled. And at that time the definition was :

"Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan: £23.99 per adult, £8.99 per child, per day 2 Quick (Counter) Service meals, 2 Snacks and a Refillable Resort Mug per Guest, per day."

Oh yes! I forgot to mention that I made my booking through the UK website.

Even more if I try to book the same holiday RIGHT NOW through the UK site is still shows the 2 snacks/guest/day.

When I try to book the same holiday for 2012 through the US site then it said 1 scack/guest/day.

I`m pretty sure that not I`m the only one who paid/booked with the 2 snacks/day/guest conditions... could Disney just ignore the date of my booking and give me 1 snack/day/guest. I think that would be unfair...

I`m new in this things and I`m confused. I tried to contact with Disney but they gave me strange answers....

Do they have the right to take something from you what you already paid for/booked?

Thanks

Not really sure, but if you read the small print for any pkg, it states, 'terms and conditions subject to change'. I don't know if this would fall under that or not though. I would think it would though, because it would be impossible for a CM to tell when you booked your trip, by just looking at your room key. It would also be a nightmare for the check in CMs trying to explain to one guest why they get two snacks, but the guest behind them only gets one on the counter service plan. Too much room for errors by the CMs.

Come to think of it though, if I'm remembering correctly, back when Disney first took away the tip and appetizer from the basic DDP, there were quite a few people who had already booked it under the old plan for that next year. They lost their appetizers and tips being included. I remember there were alot of mad people here on the DIS.