I agree,
DVC Sadie. CM's have told me that they don't like
DDP either. Why? Because there used to be faster table turnover when everyone wasn't ordering appetizer, entree and dessert. The added tips from appetizers and desserts aren't enough to make up for the fact that the tables turn over fewer times in a shift. That's probably why CMs and management are working hard to turn tables quickly.
As for DDP, itself, well -- we really enjoyed the free DDP a couple of weeks ago. We maximized our TS credit usage and enjoyed some fine 2TS meals. Food was tasty, pace was good (except that it appeared they were running pretty low on good lobsters at Narcoosee's as the week went on).
Our experiences at 1TS meals -- whether we used the plan or paid OOP were, generally, disappointing. Though, I'm happy to say we experienced none of the rushing that seems to be afflicting others. We lingered for a couple of hours at lunch at Coral Reef watching the fish. But, we paid OOP and the value simply wasn't there. The $10 shrimp cocktail had a few medium grade, medium size shrimp and simply wasn't worth $10.
The problem I see with DDP is the same problem with health plans and HMO's -- you've got to be in one. HMO's negotiate a set price for services. But, if you're not in the HMO and just walk in off the street, you'll be billed much more for the same service than the HMO is billed.
Same with DDP -- if you come in and you're on the plan, perhaps you don't care that the $10 shrimp cocktail is really worth only $4. But, if you have to pay an actual OOP $10 for that shrimp cocktail, it's going to be annoying.
I think DDP will result in an experience similar to mass market cruise lines -- much convenience for families and groups (due to the fact that the meals are pre-paid), plus a lot of food with none of it being all that great.
Oh well. There was once a "Prague Spring" when dining at WDW was truly a pleasure and a delight. I'm afraid those days are gone. We pretty much confine ourselves to the signature restaurants anymore.
What I can't figure out is why Disney is letting Epcot World Showcase restaurants become so generic and poor. There simply isn't that much to do in WS, other than shop and eat. If the food becomes totally generic and programmed, it will be hard to justify a day's admission to Epcot, IMO.
A decade or so ago Disney got the brilliant idea that it would be cheaper if every WS shop had the same merchandise. So, one of our trips in the late 80s or so we noticed that every shop, no matter which country it represented, suddenly had the same Mickey T-shirts and not much else. I recall thinking what is the point of going to Epcot if there is nothing unique or interesting in the shops? Fortunately, that business strategy did not prevail -- no doubt because someone smart realized there is nothing to do in WS but shop and eat. Now, the same attempt is being made with the restaurants in WS. I hope the strategy doesn't prevail with the restaurants, but I'm afraid it probably will.
Slows things down real fast.
