Concern about free dining plan

[Biscuitsmom31]

Perhaps I'm overly cynical, but have you noticed that the "participating" restaurants change when the wind blows? They also very clearly state that the participating restaurants are subject to change at any time.

We are going Aug 21-27, right when the free meals start. I am already planning where we will do our table service meals so that we can get PS as soon as they start offering it. I will be very unhappy if I go to all the trouble of planning this out and they decide to change the participating restaurants as soon as the free days start. Especially if I have already set up PS at one of these places and can't get in anywhere else because of the crowds.

What do you think? Am I worrying over nothing?

 

[MomofKatie]

Well, I have been doing research on the Dining plan since it started, and the participating restaurants have only changed twice. So I am really not worried about places being suddenly yanked... they are doing huge business because of the plan, and I don't think it would be in their best interest to stop participating.

When the plan was first announced in December, it was reported that all the Epcot restaurants would participate. Then, in January, the list changed to show most of the WS restaurants NOT participating. This was due mainly to the fact that Disney does not own these places. Probably, the WS restaurants had to be negotiated with before they would commit to participating (same with the DTD places).

In April, the WS restaurants were added, along with a few DTD places. There have been a very few other restaurants, like Maya Grill and Pepper Market, both at CSR, that also had to be negotiated with to come to a participatory agreement.

Now, there might be some changes to the status of the restaurants- Le Cellier was origionally a Signature Dining site, then changed to a Table Service restaurant. Mousesavers.com is now reporting that they are supposedly returning to Signature status, although that hasn't been confirmed by Disney.

So, while we MAY see some TS restaurants change to Signature Dining, I don't think there will be any places that stop participating altogether.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I hope you are right. I just requested PS for Le Cellier. I hope if it goes back to 2 credits I will find out in time to get PS somewhere else. I'm already spending 2 on the Hoop De Doo - and those TS credits are precious!

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

Were any restaurants removed from the dining plan since it started or were the changes only additions?

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I made a reservation for Le Cellier and Alfredo's for the same time/date. If Le Cellier does change to a 2 we will cancel that one, if not, we will cancel Alfredo's.

 

[jctwizzer]

Yes, I think you're worrying over nothing....even if they change, no big deal, you're still in Disneyworld....

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know what worries me more, the WS restaurants becoming signature/adding a surcharge or the restaurants lowering the quality of the food to be in line with what Disney is paying them.

None of us know the contractual terms of the program but I'd think if Le Cellier goes back to Signature the other WS restaurants will want to follow.