Charging Extra for Buffet Meals in Summer

[Mich Mouse]

What are the dates this is in effect and is it only character dining? Wondering if Cape May and Boma have the surcharge as well?

 

[mousefan1972]

June 3-August 13, and yes Cape May and Boma are affected. All buffet/family style restaurants are included in the surcharge.

 

[mom2allison01]

What is the surcharge rate per adult/child? I have done a search but cannot find anything current with the surcharge information.

Thanks!

 

[Tiger926]

Prices are during peak season and tax included, so for non peak season (dates are listed), you can deduct $4.00 plus tax/adult and $2.00 plus tax/child. $4.00 plus tax and $2.00 are the surcharge upcharges.

Disney doesn't actually show the upcharge on your receipt, as they adjust prices throughout the year, by printing updated menus and posters. You will just pay the current price (built in upcharge included, minus tax) during your travel time:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2627843

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[TDC Nala]

In effect now through August 13 at all fixed price restaurants - not just character meals, all restaurants where you pay one price per person. CRT and Akershus too.

 

[Mich Mouse]

When looking for this information on WDIG it only says "Holiday Pricing May Occur During Specific Times of the year. The link posted takes you to a page where I cannot locate any further information.

So I add $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids and this will reflect the summer price?

Trying to figure out if the dining plan makes ssense as we have a few buffets booked.

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney doesn't announce the dates or amount of the surcharge. Those dates and amounts were learned by the research of other posters. So far it's been $4 for adults, $2 for kids 3-9.

 

[Lisa3]

I am confused. What is the surcharge for? Is this in addition to the higher price you pay at peak times? Does the food cost Disney more during these times or are they being very "UnDisneylike" and just trying to make more money when more people travel? Do they still add 18% if you have a party of 6 or more or are they bumping this up too?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am confused. What is the surcharge for? Is this in addition to the higher price you pay at peak times? Does the food cost Disney more during these times or are they being very "UnDisneylike" and just trying to make more money when more people travel? Do they still add 18% if you have a party of 6 or more or are they bumping this up too?

The "surcharge" is for the privlege of allowing Disney to feed you during the summer or when they are busy.

It's "GREED" pure and simple and there is no other good explanation.

 

[TDC Nala]

The "surcharge" can be avoided by selecting a la carte restaurants, not fixed price ones. Unfortunately that eliminates all character meals.

Is this in addition to the higher price you pay at peak times?

Not sure what this means, as this IS the higher price you pay at peak times. If you are talking about using the dining plan, there is no surcharge on top of the dining credits, but at peak times you will pay more for the regular dining plan itself.

Do they still add 18% if you have a party of 6 or more

Yes. That is year-round, not seasonal.

 

[Lisa3]

Thank you for the replies. What I meant by the surcharge in addition to is:

Say the peak price for Cape May Breakfast is 28.75. Do I have to add the $4.00 surcharge on top of that to make it 32.75?

We are on the dining plan but will be paying for 3 meals out of pocket so of course I want to pay for the 3 cheapest meals.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I've always found, Disney's holiday surcharges...uh interesting. One might think, this would cover additional menu items...to coincide with the holiday. Although, this isn't the case. Menus don't change, just the pricing.

 

[TDC Nala]

If it's the peak price the $4 should have already been added. You would have to be certain you are looking at the peak price though.

 

[Brian Noble]

I am confused. What is the surcharge for?

Disney is a business. As such, it's only job is to make money for its shareholders. During times when there is more demand for the restaurants on property, prices at the all-you-care-to-eat locations go up---just like prices for the resorts are higher some times vs. others. The same thing happens with the dining plan---except for those booking on DVC points, the Plan costs more on some dates than others.

Ultimately, if the restaurants are still full, Disney is doing the "right thing", even though we don't like it!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Disney is a business. As such, it's only job is to make money for its shareholders. During times when there is more demand for the restaurants on property, prices at the all-you-care-to-eat locations go up---just like prices for the resorts are higher some times vs. others. The same thing happens with the dining plan---except for those booking on DVC points, the Plan costs more on some dates than others.

Ultimately, if the restaurants are still full, Disney is doing the "right thing", even though we don't like it!

This is where we disagree. I do not believe, this is their only job or responsibility. Unfortunately, this seems to be the current mindset for many...including Disney.

 

[Brian Noble]

Well, they cannot break the law while pursuing profits. But, after that, anything that earns the company more money in total is by definition good.

It's true that Disney makes money primarily by selling "happiness". But, don't confuse that with the notion that the company's goal is to make us happy. The company's goal is to *sell* us happy---preferably for more money rather than less. In particular, if you lose the ability to afford Disney vacations, Mickey will drop you like last week's meatloaf, no matter how loyal a customer you've been in the past.

 

[TLSnell1981]

. In particular, if you lose the ability to afford Disney vacations, Mickey will drop you like last week's meatloaf, no matter how loyal a customer you've been in the past.

Well, that plays both ways. If Disney vacations, no longer hold their value for a loyal customer...bye bye. We already spend less at Disney, and more elsewhere. We dont lack the $$$$$, only the desire. The choice, service and quality have declined, but prices have increased. Kind of like, can I afford a $10 coke? Sure, but I'm not going to pay it. At some point, it becomes absurd. IMO

 

[Brian Noble]

That's true, they could eventually price themselves out of the market.

But, every year---after each ticket increase, each DDP price increase/component reduction, each menu change, each resort price increase or refinement of seasons to raise prices---people suggest that, finally, this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. It hasn't happened yet.

So far, people keep going to the parks, eating in the restaurants, and staying in the resorts. So, Disney hasn't gotten there yet. This is the second year of "seasonal" restaurant pricing, and those character meals still book up. I was there last summer, and there was no shortage of people wanting to visit the buffet locations. You may not be spending as much, but someone is. Total domestic guest spending was up in the most recent quarterly report.

Edited to add: don't get me wrong, I don't like it any more than anyone else. But, I accept that it's inevitable. We only did one buffet meal last summer (lunch at CP), and now that my youngest is a Disney Adult, it gets even harder to fathom. But, we did eat at some of the a la carte places instead, and had some really nice meals.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Thanks for the reminder about this. We are going the first week of August. We have Boma booked, but was undecided between CP breakfast or the Plaza. This makes choosing the Plaza easier for us.