Anybody else want DDP to end!!

[Sammie]

As I posted to another thread in this same vein, snobbery can come in all forms. Those that think they are above others and those that think that others are trying to put them down. One is no worse than the other.

As Peter stated so eloquently, many of us that frequent Disney on a very regular basis and dine at the Signature restaurants have seen a change since the DDP became so popular.

Does that mean any of us think any of you are personally responsible, absolutely not, unless you truly do not know how to dine with manners. But that is another topic all together. If that shoe don't fit, don't worry about it.

Those of us who feel the DDP has affected the service, the quality of food offered, certainly do not state this due to any type of jealousy.

I could care less if I pay for my Dining Plan. We have DVC and if we break even we will be quite pleased. I don't feel in the least I am being punished by having to stay in a luxury 2 bedroom villa on Disney property, eat 5 TS meals for what I normally pay for 3, get my 5 CS meals basically for free plus snacks, and a huge discount on my AP due to DVC.

But even being very pleased, I still think the DDP has had some negative affect on the dining experience at Disney based on 20+ years of dining there.

 

[bicker]

Is a free dining plan that only lasts a few weeks really worth all this angst?

It's a dual-edged aspect of this: Yes, it only lasts six week, but the alleged effect on menus lasts all year. (Of course, that indicates that there really isn't a relationship between the free dining promotion and the changes to the menus...)

The bottom line is NO ONE can make rules about a place that people pay to get into!!!!

Well, of course the proprietor can make rules. It just makes no sense for them to make rules that work against their own interests!

Do you really think that WDW is losing $ on this free dining plan?

Some people would say, "Do you think WDW is losing money even if we steal?" Profitability isn't the metric here, but rather what is maximal profitability. You're correct that there is no reason to believe that free dining doesn't achieve maximal profitability -- it almost surely does, even just based on what we can see as the impact.

You know how much that plate of Fettucine Alfredo really costs the kitchen? Maybe $1.89 if that and you're willing to pay $12.95 for it.

Sounds about right. It is important to remember the #1 and #2 costs of running a restaurant: Labor (which is why the free Dining Plan isn't really free, and isn't even a good deal for every guest), and the cost of customer acquisition (getting people to come in the door and patronize the restaurant) -- the latter is more than satisfied with the free Dining Plan.

And by the way, I'm getting really sick of the elitest points of view expressed on this site when we're all supposed to be having fun at WDW.

I think that's a dangerous road for you. What you consider "elitism" may be what other simply consider "having fun at WDW". Them having their good time need not conflict with you having your good time though: The signature restuarants are there so that they can have their superior dining experiences.

Why do you care what other people are doing?

Another really dangerous road, since what other people do often very adversely affect what the rest of us are able to do. In this case, the effect is limited, though, and utterly defensible because what "we're" doing isn't "wrong".

 

[bicker]

you're supposed to but no one actually claims that much. at one of my jobs we were told to claim about 10% of our sales.

That's not only illegal, it is despicably selfish. I sure hope you weren't amount the violators.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I am staying at the Disney Vacation Club with an annual pass. As a result I can not recieve the free DDP. So I as well as probably some others are being penalized because 1. they bought a disney vacation club and 2. they bought an annual pass because we go over and over. I tried everything I could to add the plan onto my room which has been booked for almost a year and every person I got was a no. I am not jealous. I just think that it should be equal. You want to drive business in, but what about the people who pay big bucks to buy into your location. We get some perks but free dining isn't one of them.

:rotfl2 How can you say you are being penalized? You are missing out on ONE discounted trip option.

Since you made the choice to prepay your vacation (DVC) you get to stay in some of the nicest resorts much cheaper than most. By being a DVC member you get a great discount on APs or PAPs.

What about the great member only cruises with DCL?

The perks that comes with DVC membership are far greater than free dining.

If Disney wants to be "equal,” I think they should drastically lower the cost of DVC so that more of us could join.:

 

[Tidus]

It is not a coincidence that Disney is starting the Magical Beginnings program exactly when free dining starts. They are offering both to target a particular group of people. Of course many others will take advantage of this "special", including myself, with 2 kids, 8 and 11. The DDP is a wonderful way, free or not, for families to enjoy Disney. Many of the families will use lots of the credits on the character meals, which some might say is not the best use of credits. I know many people that go w/out kids, but let's face it, Disney is about getting the families in there and spending lots of cash on souvenirs. (No flames please, again I know that many go w/out kids) When I go, I will spend about $10-$15, if that, on myself. My children, however, are planning on spending every penny they bring. I don't know whether or not DDP changed the menus, but free dining is just during a very small period. Because many schools will have started, many people will have very young children, which would have only been 10.99 for dining anyway. As stated many times, it is just a diff. special and they are trying to target a specific group w/ each special. There are restaurants that don't accept DDP and some have add-ons, so there are other choices. Almost everyone that I talk to about my vaca. says that I am crazy for going in Aug.. Lots of people feel that way, so Disney is very smart offering a special after schools start, during dreadful heat and possible hurricane season.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Comes down to some want the DDP, they buy it or get it free and want it to stick around. Some can't get it free with their DVC stay, they want to get it more than they want it to go away. Some, for various reasons from cost to staying offsite, take a path that does not get them DDP. For them, it may be reasonable for them to "want" it to go away. There's no reasonable arguement for it so they won't march to MK city hall and call for the DDP to end. But, maybe secretly and some say selfishly, they may "want" it to go away because it serves their interests from shorter wait times at TS and CS to more TS availability 2 or 3 months out like they've had on previous trips. Can't blame them for wanting something that serves their interests, just as the family of 5 with kids deemed "adult" staying at POR has a great interest in free DDP remaining. Everying "wants" what works best for them. If DDP has consequences non-users don't like, it's reasonable for them to wish it would go away. Doesn't mean they are a snob to DDP users. Might be a DDP user if some set of circumstances were different. For those who love DDP, take comfort, wishing doesn't make it so. Disney loves the full resorts and full dining rooms. They will tweak what they need to make it work financially for them.

 

[Lewisc]

If the signatures restaurants were running at capacity Disney would have either not included them under the plan or might have done something like just giving guests a $25 credit toward the price of their meal. Disney decided to exclude V&A, they could have just as easily excluded one or more of the signature restaurants. Disney could have also discouraged MYW Dining guests, possibly by offering them a restricted menu at signature restaurants.

Disney is standardizing their menus in order to make food ordering and preparation more efficient. Although some of the changes may be a result of MYW Dining some of the changes would have happened in any evident. Look at the menu changes at CRT for an example. I haven't eaten in AP but my understanding is many of the game items were leaving the menu before MYW Dining. Disney is getting rid of most of the bar specific drinks and MYW dining doesn't include adult beverages.

Not in this thread but there have been posts from fans of Signature Dining restaurants that don't like the way customers are dressing. Even guests that follow Disney's dress code. Any restaurant that allows jeans and shorts really doesn't have a very strict dress code.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

The way I see it is this; Disney is a business and as long as they are making a profit on it, it will stay. For many (myself included) the DDP is ideal. I don't have to worry about how much I will need for meals each day, it was included in my package. I don't have to worry about saving enough money towards the end of the week just so we can eat, because I have already paid for it. It also gives us the availability to eat at restaurants that we might not have ever even had known was out there.

However, I do see that there are many people who always try to buck the system and take advantage of it. I am very sorry to say this but meal sharing is bucking the system. Please no flames (however, I am putting on the Flame Suit just in case). It states that there is a snack, CS, and one TS per person per day. Sharing a double cheeseburger and ordering an extra bun is bucking the system. How will you use the extra meal that you didn't use. I don't understand the purpose of doing this, don't you wind up with extra CS meals that you didn't use at the end of your stay? I am also stunned at the amount of people who take pleasure in posting on the boards about how much money they made out on the DDP. Some spending well over $100 per family, per day vs. the cost of DDP, per family, per day. To me that is trying to come out on top. I just don't get it, why try to get over on Disney.

This is where I see that Disney may not be making a profit on the DDP. If too many people are taking advantage and Disney is losing money, they will cancel the DDP. Because it is not making money for the stock-holders, and lets face it, people invest to make money. They are in business to make money.

Well that's my two cents. I like the DDP and I hope they keep it, but I will certainly understand if they cancel it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sharing a double cheeseburger and ordering an extra bun is bucking the system.

In fairness, that's a money-saving tip that predates the Disney Dining Plan

 

[dizfanz]

Bicker, rest assured that at WDW where I assume that most dining transactions are via credit or room key, the tips are reported and servers are taxed apprpriately. You should be able to sleep easy on that.

As to some other comments that those like myself are snobs. I enjoy the finer restaurants at WDW. If they did not exist, I would not have bought into DVC. I do not go to the parks on a regular basis, actually I have not be inside a theme park in my last 12 days of travel to WDW. So, one of the reasons I enjoy Disney is the cuisine. I do not look down on those that use DDP or free dining. It is a great deal, why wouldn't you. I just don't want restaurants compromising the quality of their menus in order to balance out the food cost. I personally have not noticed this, but I have read numerous posts about Ohana's and Olivia's. Could the changes in the manu be due to something else, maybe. But the timing of drastic changes to their menus is perculiar.

Those that would accuse me of being a snob because I dine at certain TS restaurants have the perception problem, not I.

As to some mentioning children in Signature restaurants. It is Disney, of course children should be allowed in these places and I would be happy to sit next to them. And I assume that most parents would get up and take a misbehaving child outside so as not to disturb the dining experience of others. Right?

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

In fairness, that's a money-saving tip that predates the Disney Dining Plan

Ok, I'll buy that, but what do you do with the extra CS meals? And I know that the ID's do not differentiate the kids meals vs. adult meals so if someone is using a kids meal and buying an adults meal isn't that cheating? Please no flames, just asking a question?

 

[frozone]

I am also stunned at the amount of people who take pleasure in posting on the boards about how much money they made out on the DDP. Some spending well over $100 per family, per day vs. the cost of DDP, per family, per day. To me that is trying to come out on top. I just don't get it, why try to get over on Disney.

Their are always some exceptions, but I think most people are just trying to maximize their experience. Particularly the guests who want to experience more of the restaurants and food and aren't as worried about time in the parks. For example, if you don't mind traveling to the different resorts, you can get better meals within the plan. Places like Kona Cafe, Boma, even Maya Grill...and a lot of the DTD restaurants...would cost more if you were paying by cash, so its really nice that they are included in the plan. But most families are likely going to stick to the places in the parks so they can maximize their touring time...thus, the overbookings at places like Le Cellier.

It's just common sense to seek out better quality food when the plan is already paid for. I seriously doubt people's primary objective when making ADR's is "sticking it to the man." Or, the Mouse, in this case.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

It's just common sense to seek out better quality food when the plan is already paid for. I seriously doubt people's primary objective when making ADR's is "sticking it to the man." Or, the Mouse, in this case.

Thanx for saying that, I was beginning to lose faith that many were looking to get over on the mouse. If you read many of the posts, it does sometimes sound like gloating. I would hate to think that some were trying to take advantage of the most magical place in the world.

 

[tkitty]

My idea of a great vacation, is an all inclusive one. The DDP gives us that same freedom to enjoy, and not think about what it's costing you. For many, the DDP may be the reason for their trip!

 

[frozone]

Personally, if I had put down the cash for DVC, I'd be taking advantage of the kitchen in those units...especially for breakfast and dinner. I wouldn't think that many DVCers would get much use out of the Dining Plan.

And as for the promotional "free dining"...well, these are promotional offers intended for new Disney vacationeers to get them to the parks. It's what businesses do. They've already sold you a big price item, so they know they have your business. When they want to thank you for that business or keep you happy members, they will come up with a promotion geared toward your needs.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

From my perceived anti DDP perspective I think you'll see that it isn't really anti DP at all if examined. My main concern is the loss of quality and choices at my favorite restaurants, my secondary concern is ease of reserving a table. If Disney were to forge ahead with their original Signature Dining plan in tack, allowing the chef's to be chef's, etc. and allowing the DDP participants to participate in whatever manner they (Disney) would choose I wouldn't be complaining at all. In that scenerio DDP folks would be getting the real Signature experience (as would I) or whatever Disney is allowing under the plan. I see no reason 'add on's' (for lobster dishes for example) wouldn't solve the problem.

The 180 day thing is an annoyance but not a direct consequence of the DDP anyway.

 

[NMW]

I believe that in the end the menu choices all come down to what people are willing to pay. The problem is that the lower cost per meal that the DDP has prevents those who want to spend more for higher grade items from spending more. So the DDP has removed the higher priced items from the menu and therefore has lowered the options for those willing to pay more for a better meal.

One of my most memorable meals was when I was on the Gold Plan(I think that's what it was called) back in 1993. We ate at Coral Reef and I ordered the Lobster Stuffed With Crab. The lobster was huge and it practically overflowed the platter, it also had a very large amount of crab. Now you couldn't get that meal in WDW even if you wanted to pay for it.

We loved the old Gold plan! We liked that it included 3 TS meals and that you could eat at some restaurants not on the new MYW plan like Fultons, Portobello, Rainforest, plus all signature restaurants were on it. Cm's were always happy to hear that we were on the gold plan and pushed the add on lobster (it was included) everywhere. It was quite a bit more $$ than the MYW plan, but a better fit for our family. I think 2003 or 2004 was the last year for it and the other Dreammaker packages.

That being said, now that DVC members can get the meal plan we are using it for our Oct trip and just paying oop for character/resorts breakfasts every day and a few TS lunches. We have the DDE card, but I want to try the meal plan. I think it would be worth it for our family just for the dinners.

I realize that maybe the gold plan was overkill. I don't know about your family, but we never rented those free water crafts, went minature golfing, and the myriad of other things the plan included. However, I do wish there was some sort of plan in between the old gold plan and the new MYW dining plan. I would certainly pay more $$ for a plan that included 2 TS meals a day and signature restaurants, honestly I'd pay quite a bit more.

It does make me sad that restaurants seem to be removing their higher priced items. I don't know if it's just a cost saving measure or because those items were being ordered the most by people on the dining plan.

 

[CPer'sMom]

And I assume that most parents would get up and take a misbehaving child outside so as not to disturb the dining experience of others. Right?

*sure* they do

Originally Posted by frozone
It's just common sense to seek out better quality food when the plan is already paid for. I seriously doubt people's primary objective when making ADR's is "sticking it to the man." Or, the Mouse, in this case.



Thanx for saying that, I was beginning to lose faith that many were looking to get over on the mouse. If you read many of the posts, it does sometimes sound like gloating. I would hate to think that some were trying to take advantage of the most magical place in the world.

Ah yes, the gloating You must be referring to those who post and seem very proud of the fact that they 'order the most expensive things' on the menu and every single course they can even if only 1 or 2 bites are taken because they are so stuffed.
Sometimes that's the problem with "free" ~ there are always those who take advantage.

 

[NMW]

I am staying at the Disney Vacation Club with an annual pass. As a result I can not recieve the free DDP. So I as well as probably some others are being penalized because 1. they bought a disney vacation club and 2. they bought an annual pass because we go over and over. I tried everything I could to add the plan onto my room which has been booked for almost a year and every person I got was a no. I am not jealous. I just think that it should be equal. You want to drive business in, but what about the people who pay big bucks to buy into your location. We get some perks but free dining isn't one of them.

I don't understand. We are DVC members and are AP holders. DVC members can add the DDP through MS and pay for it at check-in. I would never expect to get FREE dining as a DVC member. We are staying at the BWV with our points (not cash) and buying the DDP plan. I'm just happy they offered it to us.

Plus, we would never vacation during hurricaine season, so it wouldn't matter to us anyway. I really think Disney is trying to fill their hotels during a somewhat dicey time of the year to travel. If they need to give free dining to do it, that's their choice.

 

[frozone]

Ah yes, the gloating You must be referring to those who post and seem very proud of the fact that they 'order the most expensive things' on the menu and every single course they can even if only 1 or 2 bites are taken because they are so stuffed.
Sometimes that's the problem with "free" ~ there are always those who take advantage.

But why the need to police other people's eating habits? For goodness sakes, it's their vacation and Disney gave them this option. I just don't understand why so many people are willing to assume the worst about people, or why they would want to spend energy trying to legistlate everyone else's experience.

If I'm there with my daughter and she wants to try one of the desserts included in the plan and only eats a few bites of it, I'm certainly not going to force her to eat the rest.