Am I The Only One Mad At Disney Dining?

[styron]

But I'm not seeing how the quality is so much better at the non-Disney Orlando dining options either...?

 

[Coconuts]

Everything is relative; if you look at DDP compared to what it used to be then yes, it's not that good of a deal as before. If you look at it just for what it is then it is a deal, meals for your vacation.

Everyone is different, but vacation to me includes not having to cook or clean. I am going to eat out for meals so I love the DDP.

 

[lugnut33]

Be sure to read the new Mousesavers e-mail since it goes through some of the things Disney is doing to make more money from the restaurants.

My favorite line was:

a dish of lasagna will set you back $24, a 30% increase since 2006 (and an 85% markup over off-site Italian restaurants).

Of course, if you're on the DDP, then you don't really care what the cost of the dishes are because you'll just think about what a great deal you're getting by not having to pay for that $24 lasagna. However, if you aren't there on a DDP, then you might take notice.

 

[ntsammy5]

Dining at Disney is certainly not as good as it used to be, and eating offsite is cheaper and better, no doubt, but we still eat at Disney because of the convenience and some of the theming. just don't do it as often any more unless we have the DDP

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Our last trip in December of 2008 will go down as the worst experience we've had with dining in the last 12 years (we average 2 trips per year). The quality was poor, choices were limited, and our good old standbys like CP & CG were lackluster at best. Service left something to be desired (we actually walked out of Chefs De France after waiting 20 minutes for our drinks to come to the table). It is very, well, disappointing to have a less than satisfactory expereince at a WDW restaurant, particularly when we have to plan so far ahead and we pay so much for our meals.

That being said, we do continue to go to WDW and we do continue to eat on-site. I keep hoping that the food will taste better.

 

[ExtinctDino]

Compare WDW CS to the food at pro sports events. It tastes better and costs half as much.

 

[ntsammy5]

Compare WDW CS to the food at pro sports events. It tastes better and costs half as much.

I'd have to disagree with that.


It actually costs 1/3 as much.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Well when you get free dining, you forgo all other discounts and pay rack rate. So it isn't really free. I mean, does anybody really pay rack rate?

You may be paying 'rack rate' but it is during value season, so room rates are lowest. So you are getting the lowest standard room rate + Free Dining. So yes, it IS really Free.
Many people do not get PIN or discount codes...or their travel dates are not within promotional periods...so yes...many people really do pay rack rate.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

You may be paying 'rack rate' but it is during value season, so room rates are lowest. So you are getting the lowest standard room rate + Free Dining. So yes, it IS really Free.
Many people do not get PIN or discount codes...or their travel dates are not within promotional periods...so yes...many people really do pay rack rate.

Yup, we have never received a pin or discount code. We like going in September, FD or not. Since we usually stay at Pop anyway... if we did get a 40% off or 4/3 deal, it's still be cheaper to use the FD deal since we would normally eat similar to we get on the DDP... although we do eat at a lot of 2TS places.

 

[lugnut33]

Compare WDW CS to the food at pro sports events. It tastes better and costs half as much.

Well, I feel ripped off buying food at pro sports events. Heck, I barely go to pro sports because it's so expensive.

 

[ntsammy5]

The only time we had free dining we went for a wedding - the price difference between the wedding discount and FD was about $10/day per person - pretty close to free - try to eat at Disney for $10/day!

 

[kevgraub]

Well when you get free dining, you forgo all other discounts and pay rack rate. So it isn't really free. I mean, does anybody really pay rack rate?

You are right. Without free dining, our family of four (2 adults, 2 kids ages 3 and 7) could have used the AAA discount for our September trip and saved $30 per night off of our room at CBR. With the free dining, we are saving $102 per night. So although the dining might not be "free" in your mind, for many people it is a HUGE savings.

The difference between getting the "free" dining for us and having to pay rack rate over getting the AAA discount (we were not fortunate enough to get a 40% PIN or anything), is $72 per night - that is close enough to free for me.

 

[lugnut33]

DVC members do not get to participate in FD. I had actually booked during a week where historically there had been no free dining (Aug. 16-21). In the past, before we joined DVC, we did take advantage of the free dining. And that first year it was great. It was the second year they had done it and the bargain was there. The second year we took advantage of FD it was not nearly as good. Now I know last year and this year they have really made some big changes to make it worth less value to the traveller.

Anyways, this thread was not completely about free dining, which it has kind of turned into. You do realize they will continue to jack the prices up on the dining so that when you are there without the free dining they can get their money back for the "free dining"?

Come on people, you can't honestly think a $28 lasagna is normal or good???

 

[wrconrad]

We (me, DW, DS11, DS9, DD4) are booked on the 4/3 deal. I added DDP for three reasons.

1 - I wanted to have at least 2 character meals. CBs really mess up touring plans as they prevent us from getting to parks at rope drop. Dinner character meals are more affordable using the DDP. With DDP we will end up with about 5 character meals.

2 - I guessed what meals for the 5 of us would be if we ate OOP, including offsite for meals. I planned for $100 a day for the 5 of us. The DDP is about $970 I believe, so it was only $150 more then OOP. If I tried to feed the family on $100 a day there would be times where I would feel like we were skimping. I don't want to be glutton, but I would rather have my food budget paid for an not worry about if the family is getting enough to eat.

3 - Time is money. Even though I will have our van, the time it would take to eat off property and wait in lines off property are a big factor in choosing the DDP. Figuring it costs $600 a day to be in Disney, and we have about 12 hours of Disney time each day, each hour is worth $50. If it takes two hours to go off site to eat (that's optimistic I think), I doubt I will save $100 on my OOP meal since the DDP only costs me about $140 a day.

I'm under no grand illusion that Disney food is sooo much better then anywhere else, but the overall value of the DDP is worth it to me. I can't say that the FD plan will result in the same time savings since so many people will be eating on property.

Oh, if you plan to go off property for side trips, my theory doesn't work either because you don't save any travel time. My last trip 3 years ago, we planned to be out out of the park several times. I probably spent the same amount of money on food, but it was more convenient to eat when and where I wanted to.

Just my 2 cents

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

I thought it was a decent deal when it included appetizers and tips, but not so much paying that out of pocket.

There's always the alternative of DVC and using the kitchen to make (at least some) of your own meals (even ordering the groceries online if no car)!! ...someday for me I hope! ...FWIW

 

[lugnut33]

We (me, DW, DS11, DS9, DD4) are booked on the 4/3 deal. I added DDP for three reasons.

1 - I wanted to have at least 2 character meals. CBs really mess up touring plans as they prevent us from getting to parks at rope drop. Dinner character meals are more affordable using the DDP. With DDP we will end up with about 5 character meals.

2 - I guessed what meals for the 5 of us would be if we ate OOP, including offsite for meals. I planned for $100 a day for the 5 of us. The DDP is about $970 I believe, so it was only $150 more then OOP. If I tried to feed the family on $100 a day there would be times where I would feel like we were skimping. I don't want to be glutton, but I would rather have my food budget paid for an not worry about if the family is getting enough to eat.

3 - Time is money. Even though I will have our van, the time it would take to eat off property and wait in lines off property are a big factor in choosing the DDP. Figuring it costs $600 a day to be in Disney, and we have about 12 hours of Disney time each day, each hour is worth $50. If it takes two hours to go off site to eat (that's optimistic I think), I doubt I will save $100 on my OOP meal since the DDP only costs me about $140 a day.

I'm under no grand illusion that Disney food is sooo much better then anywhere else, but the overall value of the DDP is worth it to me. I can't say that the FD plan will result in the same time savings since so many people will be eating on property.

Oh, if you plan to go off property for side trips, my theory doesn't work either because you don't save any travel time. My last trip 3 years ago, we planned to be out out of the park several times. I probably spent the same amount of money on food, but it was more convenient to eat when and where I wanted to.

Just my 2 cents

You make some good points, and I definitely don't and won't rip on anybody for wanting to use the DDP. I'm really talking about the food quality, service, and prices (more than debating the merits of Free Dining).

As for eating off-site. When we go, we'll be taking afternoon breaks. Plus we're staying in a villa with a fully equipped kitchen. And there are 8 of us! We're staying at the Tree House Villas, so getting outside the bubble only takes minutes (probably less time than you'll wait for your table).

 

[clc053103]

We get deluxe dining, and pay for it. What bothers me is that thanks to "free dining", people that never would have paid for a TS meal (or in some cases, even eaten on WDW property) are now jamming the restaurants and ADR's have become a nightmare.

I would rather they just offer room rate discounts and leave the restaurants for those of us willing to pay for the plans.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Come on people, you can't honestly think a $28 lasagna is normal or good???

Do I think a $28 lasagna is normal or good?
No. I would never pay that in the *real* world.
Would I pay that at disney if I was paying OOP?
No..probably not.
Would I *pay* $28 for the lasagna using the dining plan.
Of course.
That $28 (or $48 if they choose) lasagna is a great value on the dining plan.
Which is why I believe the dining plan (free or not) is a great value.

In keeping with your original question, I am not angry with Disney Dining because I still think, despite the changes, it is still a great value for many people. The economy has forced countless companies into making some major changes in the way they operate..some more painful than others.
Disney may have eliminated some higher end items from their menus...but I honestly believe there are still plenty of choices/options. AND they have offered many discounts/PIN codes/promotions this year to allow people to be able to take a Disney vacation that they may not been able to otherwise.
jmo.

 

[dottiegirl]

seriously, if you are only going to disney because of "what you can get for free" then you probably will find dissappointment in all the amenities of your trip. I have gotten bounceback, and would never feel slighted because of the offer to general public. the simple perk of "peace -of -mind" makes the promotion worth while. I would go to disney even if I didn't get a freebie. let's get on with it, no sense in crying over spilled milk. this thread is so negative, I hope you are going on a different week as my family. we expect to have a "magical time".

 

[disnut8]

Come on people, you can't honestly think a $28 lasagna is normal or good???

There are plenty of places around the country that charge that much if not more for lasagna.

As for eating offsite, I checked into one of those all-you-can eat lobster places. Their prices are right in line with a Disney buffet. Even the one buffet we like is about $11 not including even soft drinks so take that up to $13.50 and the food is not even close to what Disney gives you. Quite honestly, the only meal where you can get better for less money offsite is breakfast.