$4.00 Holiday surcharge added to all-you-can-eat dining

[madbrad76]

Just read an interesting article on JimHillMedia.com. Check it out here - http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2007/11/13/planning-on-dining-at-one-of-disney-world-s-buffets-over-the-coming-holiday-season-then-ho-ho-ho-get-ready-to-give-mickey-even-more-of-your-dough.aspx
I know Disney is creating an uproar about adding the automatic 18% gratuity to people using the DDE and parties of 6 or more. I'm surprised someone hasn't started a thread about this already. The article makes a good point of needing the extra money to finance the $2 billion to overhaul California Adventure as well as build that new resort in Hawaii.

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, obviously no one likes paying more. But, considering that the restaurants are stuffed to the gills during the holiday periods, it's hardly surprising. Remember, it is Disney's job to extract as much money from us as it can. It is our job to get the best value from our dollars spent with them as possible.

This is, by definition, an adversarial relationship.

Much as everyone complained about CRT's prices when they went through the roof, everyone will complain abou this. But, perhaps (as with CRT) ADRs at some of these places will be possible to get "only" 170 days in advance now.

What's more, if you are visiting during a holiday period, this is one more reason to get DDP---because then, the price increase doesn't matter.

 

[MaryD73]

Ok, let me get this right.

If I am on the DDE there will be a line item for food, a line item for gratuity, and a line item for a surcharge. Do they calculate the 18% before or after the surcharge? Do I tip on a surcharge?

And for the DDP, is the surcharge considered part of the meal or will you be billed seperately? If you are party less than 6 you will decice what the tip is and if you are greater than 6 it will be another line item?

My goodness! This is beginning to sound like my phone bill! I will be looking for the 'fuel surcharge' next. : )

 

[Brian Noble]

As I understand it, it's not a separate line item. During "holiday periods" (with Jim Hill lists as: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and peak Summer) the buffets are priced $4 higher than during other times of the year.

I'm guessing that the DDE tip will be computed on the new, higher price. I'm guessing that DDP will cover the higher cost of the meal.

 

[MaryD73]

Thanks for the clarification Brian Noble. I'll take your word on this one. I guess as long as Disney tells people upfront there is a different price, I have no right to complain.

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, technically, Disney only publishes price ranges, not actual prices. It's only allears etc. that carries specific menu prices.

So, as long as the holiday prices are still within the published ranges, they really don't have to tell anyone.

But, there are still some adjustments required. For example, Chef Mickey's is listed as "$15-$29" per person. During the holiday period, dinner is over $30. I haven't yet made a reservation for any of those periods---the next "holiday" period I've got is over Memorial Day, and even then I don't think we have any buffets planned. It would be interesting to know if DRC is telling guests about the new prices when they make ADRs during those times.

 

[shellybaxter]

Disney already announced the holiday dining prices quite some time ago so I don't think "lack of notice" should be a problem

 

[PhotobearSam]

which restaurants have the surcharge?

 

[WillCAD]

I hate the idea of surcharges for holiday or peak times, but in this case I won't single out Disney. According to the article, surcharges of this type are common in tourist towns, but Disney has resisted the practice for years and only gve in because they need money to pay for the titanic cost of the DCA rehab and new construction in Hawaii.

 

[raven69david]

which restaurants have the surcharge?

Directly from the article:

I'm serious, folks. Starting this Sunday, November 18 and then stretching all the way through 'til Saturday, November 24th, WDW is bumping up the price of buffet-style dining at on-property eateries like the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom and Boma over at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge by at least $4.00 per-person.

This is not as bad as it sounds as it only affects the dates of 11/18/07 through 11/24/07; no big deal for 98% of us.

Here are more dates:

Starting on December 16th and then extending straight through 'til January 5th, 2008, Disney will also be ratcheting up prices for Christmas & New Years. And let's not forget about Easter, when the price of all-you-can-eat dining will hop up to "holiday premium" levels between March 16th and the 29th.

It looks like i dodge this bullet too as we're visiting from 12/8-12/15

 

[just another guy]

If disney wants some more money, all they have to do is have a credit card required for reservations, and a small charge, like $10 if the parties don't show up. They would make TONS of money.

 

[shellybaxter]

If disney wants some more money, all they have to do is have a credit card required for reservations, and a small charge, like $10 if the parties don't show up. They would make TONS of money.

Perhaps, or perhaps it would drastically reduce the amount of reservations and create a huge mess of walk-ups.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am there on Dec. 16, so I just won't make any plans to eat at a buffet.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I was told about the price increases when I made my ADRs for Christmas week. The more I think about it, the more it rubs me wrong. I've already cancelled one of the buffets (1900) I had scheduled for my Christmas Eve for my family of 5. It's bad enough that my DDE membership isn't good then but to add an additional charge too....Not good. I may end up cancelling CP and Boma, too. Since we go to WDW several times a year, it's not like these are once-in-a-lifetime and not-to-be-missed experiences for us.

 

[Allison]

I was told holiday pricing would be in effect 5 months ago when I made my ADR's.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I wonder if the offerings during this time will be bumped up to higher ticket items



No, really. Ok, i doubt it but it was a good thought. Just glad I am missing all the increased periods.