Are the WDW restaurants hurting because of the dining plan?

[Topo Bella]

I heard that Alfredo's was closing and there was some implication that it was because of the DDP. I've heard others complain that the food/service is going downhill at many restaurants because of the DDP. Although the food at the park isn't the best, I do really enjoy the different restaurants and look forward to booking my meals. I would hate to think that things are getting bad. It would seem to me that since more people are on the plan that WDW restaurants would be doing better than ever... Any thoughts?

 

[TDC Nala]

If Alfredo's is closing it isn't because of the dining plan...unless people on the dining plan didn't like it, or unless the folks who ran Alfredos didn't like it, or maybe Disney got a better deal.

It looks to me like the dining plan is packing 'em in, so assuming the restaurants can keep up with cost-effective ingredients, they're probably doing okay.

 

[Michigan]

The Disney restaurants like the dining plan because they know that the tip is included. Many countries don't believe in tipping and that was hurting the restaurants.

 

[bicker]

All indications are that Disney restaurants are doing very well because of the Dining Plan, and more importantly, the WDW resort as a whole is benefiting greatly from the Dining Plan.

Speculation abounds regarding why Alfredo's would could, assuming that it will be closing. The Dining Plan is not necessarily a cause, but also not specifically excludable as a cause. Alfredo's is not a Disney restaurant, so they do not gain the benefits from the Dining Plan that the WDW resort as a whole gains. Regardless, it doesn't really matter, because it is pretty clear that "a" Disney restaurant in Italy in Epcot would do very well, and it seems likely that even a non-Disney restaurant could, given that Nine Dragons (a non-Disney restaurant) is investing a good bit of money in a rehab.

 

[REL1203]

I know that if I wasnt doing the dining plan, i certainly wouldnt be eating at some many TS restaurants, so they are maing more off me than they normally would, but less than off someone not on the dining plan... So something isbetter than nothing for them. I think Disney is doing just fine with the DDP... I wouldnt be shocked to see the price go up some though next yera

 

[gina2000]

For the most part, I agree with Bicker. I will say, however, that it's possible that Alfredo's is not happy with the monetary arrangement under the DDP. Because they have other restaurants in the US, they know what their target audience is and what a cost effective price is for them to maximize profits without alienating their patronage. It's possible that the DDP doesn't provide that sort of profit incentive.

Just a theory.

 

[La2kw]

I don't think the restaurants are hurting, but I think the overall dining experience at WDW is hurting. The restaurants are overcrowded now, certain portion sizes are getting smaller, and menus are becoming boring and standardized. The DDP is wonderful for Disney, not so wonderful for the guests, IMO.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't think the restaurants are hurting, but I think the overall dining experience at WDW is hurting. The restaurants are overcrowded now, certain portion sizes are getting smaller, and menus are becoming boring and standardized. The DDP is wonderful for Disney, not so wonderful for the guests, IMO.

It appears to be wonderful for most guests, not for those like me who now go for the food more than the parks. But that's where the money is, I guess...with the masses.

I agree about the overcrowding, especially at certain times of year, and the standardization, but I don't have a problem with smaller portion sizes, they were too big to start with. The problem is paying the same price for the smaller portions, which the dining plan folks don't have to worry about.

 

[bicker]

The DDP is wonderful for Disney, not so wonderful for the guests, IMO.

Which guests are you referring to?

 

[La2kw]

Which guests are you referring to?

Any guest like myself who is not interested in the dining plan, and feels like the plan has come at a cost to what used to be an enjoyable part of the many Disney trips we have made.

I don't hate the plan- I'm glad so many enjoy it. However, my dining experiences just haven't been the same since it started.

What I do hate is how character meals have taken over certain unique restaurants we used to enjoy such as CRT, Akershus, Crystal Palace, and Hollywood & Vine, but that's a whole other thread!

 

[TDC Nala]

Any guest like myself who is not interested in the dining plan, and feels like the plan has come at a cost to what used to be an enjoyable part of the many Disney trips we have made.

I don't hate the plan- I'm glad so many enjoy it. However, my dining experiences just haven't been the same since it started.

What I do hate is how character meals have taken over certain unique restaurants we used to enjoy such as CRT, Akershus, Crystal Palace, and Hollywood & Vine, but that's a whole other thread!

That occurred before the dining plan, but I really miss Akershus. Won't go there now that it is a character meal, but maybe I can bring my niece with me sometime and see how it is.

 

[bicker]

Any guest like myself who is not interested in the dining plan, and feels like the plan has come at a cost to what used to be an enjoyable part of the many Disney trips we have made.

Well, that's a very narrow specification -- a comparatively small number of guests have any strong opinion with regard to what the plan "has come at a cost to". That's probably why Disney won't do anything in that regard -- they've got to focus on the vast numbers of guests utterly tickled pink over the Dining Plan.

What I do hate is how character meals have taken over certain unique restaurants we used to enjoy such as CRT, Akershus, Crystal Palace, and Hollywood & Vine, but that's a whole other thread!

But that's really an important point: I think a lot of folks confuse totally unrelated effects with the Dining Plan.