Anybody else want DDP to end!!

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree with the OP. My family & I may not go to a lot of WDW restaurants where you need an ADR, but I kind of think the people who are on the DDP over hype getting ADR's 180 days out. It's like there saying if you don't call on the 1st day when you can make all your ADR's & keep waiting there will be no spaces left. Not everyone who goes to WDW likes to make ADR's 3 months ahead, so for the people who don't like to are not forced to do so.

 

[maddhatir]

I remember when you could get ADR's the night before. I hate having to plan which park and whigh restaurant we're going to visit 3 months before we even arrive. Now I've heard that the food has started to become standardized in each restaurant. You know, each restaurant serves the same 5 dishes. Service is suffering because the employees are having their tips taxed. I'll be glad when they ditch this dining plan and get back to some high end food with some high end service. Experiencing top quality food was one of the drawing cards for us. We loved visiting all the top end restaurants and trying all the speciality dishes. I'd rather pay more money and have it the way it was 10 years ago. Anybody agree??

i agree- i remember years ago when you can just stroll right on up to a good restaurant (remember them?!) and get a table and good service. back in 1995 dh and i were on a dining plan- and we made NO adrs but walked right up and the food was great and THAT was during F+W !!!!

but now the ddp has gotten so out of control- it stinks that not only do you have to make your hotel ressies way in advance you have to worry about your adrs too!

sure its nice to have free dining or pay for the ddp- but i think i would rather go back to the day of the walk up and get a seat and have some great food!

 

[DeterminedOne]

I have Birmbaum's book from 1999 which states "If you're caught without priority seating arrangements in the theme parks, you can often snag a table at one of these recommended full-service eateries..." Le Cellier was on the list.

 

[BillSears]

I have Birmbaum's book from 1999 which states "If you're caught without priority seating arrangements in the theme parks, you can often snag a table at one of these recommended full-service eateries..." Le Cellier was on the list.

Yep. The first time I ever made an ADR for LeCellier was in 2004. Before that we ate there every trip but didn't bother making reservations. We used to think it was our little secret since it was set back in the garden. Well our secret eventually got out.

Our other secret love was Akhersus. We loved the old smorgesboard and atmosphere. Plus it was always easy to walk up and dine. Then they got rid of the smorgesboard and now it's a character meal. Darn I miss the old Akhersus.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It's a terrible trend from my POV...And in a discussion I had with a friend at Flying Fish this weekend I was told that the restaurants have been "notified" that Disney has "oversold" their packages for August and September and to "prepare"... Oh brother!

I'm happy others have noticed the decline in offerings as well. I know for a fact that the chef's are not enthusiastic about dining plan diners simply looking to maximize their dollar at the high end places and have been
told to "simplify" their menu's...Sad indeed.

As for locals still being able to get in when they want, this is just false. I was unable to get a same day at Jiko (of all places two weeks ago), can NEVER get California Grill and had a VERY late time at Artist Point about a month ago.

You can't fault Disney for maximizing their profits but in the long run I believe it will bite them in the backside when quality, service and availability issues finally affect the serious diner who have frequented these spots consistently and word of mouth causes negative buzz on their standouts.

 

[DisMN]

Agreeing with the OP here. We noticed a definite decline of food quality and noticed less choices on the menus at all the restaurants we went to.
For all the reasons mentions I'm not a big fan of the dining plan.


.

 

[Dolce27]

I, for one, do not want it to end. I haven't experienced it yet but this is the only way that I can afford to eat at some of the restaurants that I want.

 

[yearbook50]

I agree with this. I noticed that the selections in the menus have gone way down. I remember when the restaurants used to have more than one page for menu selections rather than the one page print out they do now. I hate that.

 

[robinb]

Nope. I used it last year in August when it was free, but not in December. I had no trouble getting ADRs when I wanted. However, I can understand being upset if you are not a planner.

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not believe that each restaurant serves the same 5 dishes, but I think we are seeing some of the more expensive and exotic offerings removed at restaurants that accept the DDP.

 

[yearbook50]

I do not believe that each restaurant serves the same 5 dishes, but I think we are seeing some of the more expensive and exotic offerings removed at restaurants that accept the DDP.

You generally get a basic pasta dish, a beef dish, a chicken dish, a salmon dish, and something for the restaurant. The entrees lack the artistic flare they used to have. The portions are getting smaller. I remember at the Yachtsman the Jack Daniels used to be a slice of real cake. Its now a joke. It tastes wonderful yes but its not like how it used to be at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm with the OP. I too remember when you could get ADRs the day before, or even the same day.

And I remember when you could get reservations ONLY the day of, or three to seven days prior to, your meal. Sometimes change is good.

Tips are a whole 'nother subject ~ I would almost bet that servers are not bringing in the tips they "should" based upon the value of the meals served.

While that's true to a degree in the non-Disney-owned participating restaurants (e.g. Maya Grill) where Disney reimburses the restaurant on a specific "scale", most of the restaurants ARE Disney-owned, and the servers earn 18% gratuity on each DDP check. That's a guaranteed 18%, not dependent on what the Guest thinks is the 'standard' tip percentage. DDP Guests can certainly tip extra, and while many people tip 20% or more ordinarily, many others tip 15% or even 10% or, if you check this http://www.bitterwaitress.com/ website, much much less. (warning: website may contain offensive language)

Maybe if they eliminated the "free" DDP, and required folks to pay for it (still a good value for some),

Well, the "free" DDP is a promotion, available for about seven or eight weeks of the year. If you mean Disney should stop offering this temporary promotion, instituted to improve business during the peak hurricane season (and we know how bad this period has been the last couple of years), Guests who feel this way should contact Disney and make their feelings known. But 44 or 45 weeks a year, folks who choose the DDP DO have to pay for it.

I have never had to plan where we eat before until now. I feel like second class citizens when I call to do an ADR and am asked right off if I am on the dining plan. <snip> So bottom like for me No I don't like the Free, if you wanna pay for it Okay

Okay, now I'm confused. Since the DDP is a year-round promotion, do you mean being asked while it's free if you're on the DDP makes people feel like second-class citizens, but being asked the rest of the year doesn't? It's extremely likely that of the 100% ADRs available in each restaurant for each meal, X% are for people on the DDP and Y% are for Guests NOT on the Dining Plan.

Sometimes, you plan a QS, but decide that you wnat to try somethign new instead....under the current system, you can't get a last minute ADR.

Well, really, as long as you're willing to be flexible, you probably CAN get a last-minute ADR somewhere.

(We tried for a dinner ADR, 5 people, in MK, or any of the monorail resorts, 5 people, day of calling around noon ...I think they had one ADR left at like ten pm at the campground buffet or 9:30 pm over at CBR. I count that as everything booked up.)

Fair enough. It IS harder to get seating for parties of five+ people; most tables are sized for two or four (or one or three, respectively) diners.

I have Birmbaum's book from 1999 which states "If you're caught without priority seating arrangements in the theme parks, you can often snag a table at one of these recommended full-service eateries..." Le Cellier was on the list.

In 1999, it's extremely possible Le Cellier was still a cafeteria-style restaurant.

 

[mandy200587]

The dining plan is nice but I miss the point system they use to have. I can't eat a whole adult meal and my mom and sister have to split one in order to finish it without getting sick and ordering the dessert also is not fun cause we end up giving it away cause we can't eat everything.

 

[MrsB1228]

Our last trip to Disney was during Spring Break in 2005. I hadn't discovered this forum (or any others) and wasn't aware of the importance of ADR's. We called and made reservations from our room each evening before bed after we knew what we wanted to do the next day. I didn't have any problem at all getting a table for four at LTT, Alfredo's, 50's PT, Rose & Crown, and Teppanyaki's. We even got our first choice of times at most of them. Maybe we were just extremely lucky, but we were there during a pretty busy time and we were still able to get into the restaurants we wanted. It might have been a different story if we were wanting LC or CRT, but 50's, Alfredo's and Teppanyaki's are pretty popular too and we got in easily.

We're taking advantage of the DP on our trip this December because it makes good financial sense for our family (two adults, one 18 year old daughter and a 14 year old son who eats almost as much as the other three. ) I must admit I've made ADR's this time, just in case!

 

[bertalander]

WAH!



Was that my out loud voice?!
Oooops.

Well, luckily for people like me I doubt DDP will ever end... I doubt they'll do away with the free dining hurrican specail either.

I'm thrilled to take my family on a great vacation like this and applaud Disney for making it afforadable for those of us just learning our 'dining out manners'.

 

[black562]

Well every since the early 90's, whenever we'd go, I always made ADRs for everything I did...part of the fun. There's always been a food plan of some sort, it was called "Food N' Fun" back then and included motorboats as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner...

Please take into account that there's also many more people going to Disney now than ever before....and it keeps going up each and every year. Many more resorts, still the same number of restaurants in the parks. I've ALWAYS made my ADRs at least 3-6 months in advance.

Personally, I like the fact that I don't have to count my money every night to see if I have enough to make it through the week...its all paid up front and over with.

So basically what your saying is that you like it before there was a dining plan because the restaurants were essentially dead.....in other words, they weren't doing good business. Because if they weren't booking up with as many people in the parks as there were, something was wrong with that picture.

I'm so sick of people griping about the dining plan, too much food, won't let you share, won't let adults use child credits and all sorts of other things that break the rules. If you don't like it, don't get it....but stop trying to ruin it for those of us who enjoy the experience of it all.

As far as the food, Coral Reef and Le Cellier are superb, I can't imagine them being any better. We ate at the Castle last year and it was incredible as well. I ate at every restarant at MGM and Epcot from the first year they opened to as recent as this May and I haven't noticed any decline at all.....so I don't know where your coming from with declining food, its some of the best you can get.

 

[Dorisk3]

To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if food quality went down due to the popularity and use of the DDP- but that is Disney trying to economize- its not people's fault for wanting to enjoy a few nice restaurants on their vacation and try to save a few bucks. I think a lot of the reason that some folks hate the dining plan and complain about it comes down to snobbery. Before the dining plan they got to be the rarified few that really "understood" good dining, and now that everyone can go it just isn't as much fun- lending to much whining (particularly when people are getting it for free!). Every so often you'll see a post that complains about people's kids in nice restaurants or how they dress at a TS, etc. and you can really see that snobbery in action!

 

[CarolA]

I have Birmbaum's book from 1999 which states "If you're caught without priority seating arrangements in the theme parks, you can often snag a table at one of these recommended full-service eateries..." Le Cellier was on the list.

At one point, Le Cellier was one of the WORST resturants on Disney property. It was NEVER full and no one wanted to eat there.. They remodeled, changed the menu and off they went!

And personally even if the servers are taxed on the tip, it's got to be better for them. I have read at least ONE poster on the DIS who doesn't ever tip on vaction as she won't see those servers again.....

 

[Ms. WDW]

I personally don't think it's the DDP that's causing this. Before the DDP was instituted you couldn't walk up to "some" restaurants and get immediate seating. Then again, there were other restaurants throughout WDW where you could! For the past 3 years I couldn't walk up to Le Cellier and get a table that same night. I've had to make my ADR's at least 2 months out. Then again, if I had wanted a table at The Nine Dragons I had my pick. It all depends on the restaurant and it's popularity.

Lets face it. Word spread fast here when a restaurant is good and when it's bad. And, people really "listen" to comments on this board.

We used the DDP last week and had to do some changing of plans. With the exception of LeCellier, I was able to secure ADR's for each of the restaurants I called up for that morning. Naaa, we like the plan and will more than likely use it again.

 

[Quinn222]

We have two different issues going on here:
1. - Has the DP resulted in it being harder to get into restaurants.

2. - Has the DP caused the quality of the restaurants to go down (dumbed down, limited menus, poor service.)

My response to '1' is, I have no idea. I always make ADRs pretty far out anyway.
2 - I'd say yes, no doubt. Menus are now short, boring and full of cheap ingredients that have been dressed up. (with a few exceptions, but most of those are 2 credits.)