DDP and free dining ruining WDW restaurants!

[dumbo71]

So, you'd rather families with children not go to WDW and miss out on a vacation full of memories because they couldn't afford it without the plan? You must be sitting on a few oil wells in TX to not have to worry about saving money.

If they can come up with a plan that works without all the cuts I'd be more than happy to support it. That has not happened.

So if I have to experience less choices for families that "can't afford it" , No I'm not for that, sorry.

 

[rolshuk]

I am from the uk and will be getting the ddp free next year.
I would not be staying on site but for the plan.No way could I afford two weeks at a Disney resort if I had to eat ther as well....two weeks with flights etc is $7000 (incl.tickets).
So disney is gaining my custom and I will probly spend a lots more of my spending money there as a result.
To be honest I think some people dont like to see others getting something for free!

 

[Luv'sTink]

I have only been to WDW once and have no first hand knowledge of what the restaurants were prior to DDP.

With that said I have noticed in our local restaurants that the quality and choices of food has gone down, partly due to wages and gas prices causing a ripple effect. This could be part of the reason for menu changes and quality in WDW. Obviously it would have nothing to do with the reservations or amount of people. All I am saying is may not be the DDP all by itself.

 

[The Sweetness]

To be honest I think some people dont like to see others getting something for free!

I am a FL resident, and I will likely be purchasing the DDP for my trip comming at the end of the spring. I've already paid for a room at ASMO (I didnt ask for discounts, as I plan on getting the DDP) The truth is, If I decide not to do the DDp, I will cancell my res at ASMO and stay offsite. I can get a room that will suit my needs for $50 a night (CLEAN, 2 beds, A/C, a toilet, sink and shower) On my last vaca in 2001 to Orlando (we visited SW and USF) we stayed at a HoJo's for $40 a night, including a free hot buffet breakfast daily, and bus trans to USF and SW.

My point is, I dont think I am getting anything for free, by being allowed to use the dining plan (I will be paying). I do see your point, though that getting dining for free makes the vaca an even better deal.I surely don't think that you are getting something that you *dont deserve* by taking advantage of a great promotion.

PS~ the more people who think WDW dining is no longer good enough for them, the more tables available for those of us who disagree.

 

[dumbo71]

I have only been to WDW once and have no first hand knowledge of what the restaurants were prior to DDP.

With that said I have noticed in our local restaurants that the quality and choices of food has gone down, partly due to wages and gas prices causing a ripple effect. This could be part of the reason for menu changes and quality in WDW. Obviously it would have nothing to do with the reservations or amount of people. All I am saying is may not be the DDP all by itself.

At least you are open to the possibility that DDP IS a factor. More than I can sday for Lewisc and the other group blinded by the lights of WDW.

 

[Kay1]

If they can come up with a plan that works without all the cuts I'd be more than happy to support it. That has not happened.

So if I have to experience less choices for families that "can't afford it" , No I'm not for that, sorry.

I really think that's why they took the salmon off the menu at Sci-Fi which bugs me because it's something my husband liked. I think that families who can't afford salmon should still go to Disney but order entrees that are less expensive.

 

[SoarinJ]

I LOVE the DDP and it is the reason I stay onsite, period. Without it, I would just stay elsewhere.

To the OP, grab a six pack and relax, would ya?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Easy boys--. THis is hardly a new subject and has been "discussed" any # of times already.
Keep it AS a "discusion" or we'll need to close it.

 

[susan1]

hi
donning flame-proof suit, it has puzzled me for years,at least 15! why any one would go to a theme park and its hotels for fine dining. surely if one wanted fine dining and presumably culture with it, a holiday in orlando idoes not exactly fill the criteria!

 

[dumbo71]

hi
donning flame-proof suit, it has puzzled me for years,at least 15! why any one would go to a theme park and its hotels for fine dining. surely if one wanted fine dining and presumably culture with it, a holiday in orlando idoes not exactly fill the criteria!

Susan,

No need for a flame suit at all. Valid point.

I'm not expecting gourmet food at WDW. All I'm expecting is the same quality, choices, TO GO orders, and service that we received before the dining plan. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'm not looking for culture either. We go to Europe for that or some of the finer US cities.

The declining standards at WDW should be a concern to all.

 

[PrincessTiff]

I don't use the DDP so I have nothing to add. I know these threads always ruffle some feathers. Anyone else want some ?


ETA- I noticed your one city over.

 

[MainStMandy]

hi
donning flame-proof suit, it has puzzled me for years,at least 15! why any one would go to a theme park and its hotels for fine dining. surely if one wanted fine dining and presumably culture with it, a holiday in orlando idoes not exactly fill the criteria!

I completely disagree. I think that is one of the things that makes Disney so different from Six Flags or Busch Gardens...it's in a different league. Disney has created many types of restaurants, for all different types of customers. I can see how many are dissapointed by what was once something not known by the masses, but is it a terrible thing that more families can now afford to enjoy Disney the way it was intended.

 

[Lewisc]

At least you are open to the possibility that DDP IS a factor. More than I can sday for Lewisc and the other group blinded by the lights of WDW.

I'm not "blinded by the light of WDW". I'll even agree there have been cutbacks. I'll disagree with the posters who blame the DDP for those cutbacks. The standardization of the bar menus indicates the cutbacks isn't just DDP driven.

A poster in this thread blames the DDP on salmon being dropped from the menu at Sci-Fi. Salmon is not a particularly expensive entree, it's even offered at some CS restaunts.

Most of the TS restaurants don't offer take out. Beaches & Cream had to stop to go burgers before the current dining plan. Disney could either exclude to go from the dining plan or treat it like room service and charge two credits. The fact is the kitchen can't handle a full dining room and to go customers. As the restaurants get busy they can no longer accomodate to go customers.

Others may disagree but I refuse to link any complaints relating to crowded restaurants, such as difficulity in getting ADRs, to the dining plan. Disney wants the restaurants to be full. The DDP is the way they accomplished that goal but the result would be the same if the restaurants were filled as a result of other promotions.

The ADR difficulty is over-stated. Try to get a last minute ADR at Le Cellier, CRT or Chef Mickey's prior to the dining plan.

edited to say I'll agree the menu change at Coral Reef is DDP driven but the fact is Disney decided to downscale the menu so it would appeal to more customers. A similar menu change, and price reduction, may have been done without the DDP.

A number of posters blamed the DDP for flank steak at Chefs de France. It now looks like a normal menu change, the filet is back.

The "bean counters" are figuring out ways to cut costs and generate more profits from WDW. There are threads regarding reduced Christmas decorations. MVMCP guests no longer get a free picture. It's naive to think the restaurants would have been spared even if the DDP was never introduced.

 

[Lisa F]

Isn't this the same poster who was over on the DVC boards telling everyone that DVC has gone way downhill because he got a letter from them warning him about his commercial renting habits? I'm not sure I've ever seen a post from this person that hasn't been directed at stirring up crap.

 

[disgram]

I am one of the many who, without the DDP, would not be able to eat at many of the sit-down resturants. I take my DGDs on almost all my trips and would have a big problem. I don't mind getting up early in the am to call for ADRs.

However, that being said, I have on occasion, forgot to make, or wanted to change a couple ADRs while we were in the World and have not had a problem getting a seating at any of the resturants that I wanted. We go during school breaks and the places are very busy at that time, as you know. If you are flexible with the times, anything is possible. The latest we have eaten was in Epcot and that was a 7:15 reservation.

Having the plan paid off and all set before we arrive, makes things so much easier. The food that we have eaten using the DDP has been very good and the choices have been excellent for us. My DGDs range in age from 10 to 15 for our next trip. I have been taking them each year for the past 7 or 8 years. They are very good eaters and will try anything once. With the plan, they are experiencing many different foods. If it were not for the plan, I am fairly certain that we would all be eating at CS.

So for us, the DDP, is the best thing that has happened. We are able to stay on-site and enjoy going every year. Without it, the trips would be few and far between.

Also, even on the plan, I tip above the 18%. I think that good service deserves immediate notification and this is why I do it.

 

[themudd4]

Wow...someone is having a bad day.

We have went with and without using the dinning plan. Personally I like it. We were going to have ate at many of these places anyway, and this was an economical way of doing this. It is about time Disney gave a few breaks to the people who are dropping $1000's of dollars worth of hard earned money to spend their vacation time in their parks.

The wait staff do recieve the 18% regardless. Some times they deserve it sometimes they don't. If you feel they deserve more then give it to them...if you feel they deserve less then make a complaint right then and their to their supervisor. Don't complain about it to us when their is nothing we can do, especially they way you went about doing it.

Yes some of the menu's have changed...but news flash...some of them have changed back. And they changed prior to the DDP. Places change menus all of the time. Not just those in WDW. Heck my favorite place to eat while traveling is cracker barrel. They took my favorite sandwich off the menu. HOW DARE THEY!!! I am sure I should blame someone for it...

Hope you have a better day tomorrow!

 

[DVC Grammy]

We have been going to WDW since it was just MK, with a few hotels. There were few restaurants from which to choose, and overall, it was very difficult to find anything remotely "healthful" to eat. Since then, as WDW has grown, the quality and variety of food available has enormously improved. Is it on par with the finest restaurants in many cities? Maybe not, but in general, you can find something to meet most people's taste (just like some of the clothing that says "Fits most sizes" ). Not everyone will find that it's for them. Yes, since WDW has so many guests now, ADR's are absolutely required for some of the TS places, but that's true in most popular restaurants in any city.
We've been going 2-4 times a year for a long time, and for those of us who remember the "good old/bad food" days, the overall change is very positive, DDP or no DDP!
( I know, it's my unsolicited two cents. )

 

[macfamily]

Thank you to all of the DDP and free dining users. You have helped ruin dining at WDW and things will only get worse.

You're welcome. I will continue to use the DDP because it is easier for us and saves us money. I also am with the understanding that the DDP includes an 18% gratuity. You are belittling those of us who want to make a hectic, crazy adventure to Disney a little bit less so? Too darn bad.

 

[Lucky82061]

DDP and free dining are the roots of all evil as far as WDW dining is concerned.

These ill concieved plans have led to a dummying down of WDW menus, elimination of To Go orders at many WDW restaurants, packed restaurants where ADR's are necessary 90 days or more in advance or you won't get in, a decline in service and more.

Really none of these can be disputed if you have been visiting WDW for many years.

These plans have forced the restaurants to streamline the menus to make it easy to serve, and have ended up prompting a reduction in portion size. Waiters/ waitresses are also reporting losing money because they are not tipped properly. This has resulted in a loss of staff and for those who have stayed, a declining level of service. Why work harder for the extra tip from the cheap DDP and free dining plan users?

Thank you to all of the DDP and free dining users. You have helped ruin dining at WDW and things will only get worse.

What do you care? You saved a few bucks, right.

I do have to agree on some points here.. especially the streamlining of menu's that I have noticed to some extent and a reduction of portion size at many restaurants as well.

However I can't be as quick to just blame it all on the DDP as you are. Taking into account rising fuel costs, increased supply costs, increased utilities cost, wage increases, development costs, renovations.... it's impossible to clearly state that the DDP is causing the issue's with the restaurants. There have been cost cutting measure's all around WDW in the recent years. This is just a harsh reality of the world we live in now. Is the DDP to blame for the reduction of christmas decorations? Or the removal of the free picture's from MVMCP? Or the increase in park ticket prices?

While yes it can be argued (and it has been repeatedly) that the DDP is causing some restaurants to become homogenized, there are still clearly excellent dining options available outside of the DDP that have been pointed out. V&A's, BlueZoo, Bistro De Paris and Many DtD restaurants are good examples of these options.

The DDP possibly could be causing a declining level of service (although in my experience, the server's couldn't have been nicer), but for a slightly different reason. There is no debate that wait staff receive a 18% gratuity when a customer uses the DDP. Here is the problem: Tips are supposed to be provided in accordance with the level of service received. If someone knows they are going to get 18% reguardless of whether or not they provide great/good/bad/horrible service, some will probably decide it is not worth the effort to go that extra mile for a better tip.

Also, usually cash tips at restaurants are not reported to the IRS by servers and ends up being untaxed, while all credit card tips (at most places, I can not speak for every restaurant in the world obviously) are usually tallied up and provided to the employee as a paycheck. Server's generally also make $2.00/hr or so, and all tax is witheld from that check. So the DDP is probably causing server's to have to have a substantially larger amount witheld on the part of taxes than they are used to. With that being said however it is still hard to fathom that they are "losing money" by any means since generally, a server will not receive a 18% tip from every customer. Also customer's on the DDP tend to order more expensive meals since they are choosing an appetizer, entree, dessert, drinks, and in some cases alcoholic drinks as well. This will also lead to a much larger tip amount for the wait staff. I have a hard time saying that the DDP is solely causing bad service but it may be a contributing factor.

As for the last part of your tirade... I will only say this: You can not blame people for taking advantage of a program that was implemented by Disney to provide an affordable alternative to paying cash for each meal. Blame Disney, not the people who use the DDP for the program. You should be thankful that you have the CHOICE to be able to say, "I don't think I will support this program and pay cash for my meals." That single mother with 3 kids who is going to WDW for possibly the one chance in 20 years should not be insulted for attempting to make their vacation a little more affordable by trying to save some money on dining. No more on that I don't want the topic to be closed because of me...

There are lots of factors that are causing these issue's and not just the DDP... I mean Year of a Million Dreams (while being a great promotion) has to be costing Disney alot more than the DDP is...

 

[Lewisc]

Very well said. At least one of the "foodies" have said they don't want to patronize the blueZoo because it doesn't give a DDE discount. The fact is at least some of the posters complaining don't want to pay what it costs to provide the kind of dining experience they want.

I do have to agree on some points here.. especially the streamlining of menu's that I have noticed to some extent and a reduction of portion size at many restaurants as well.

However I can't be as quick to just blame it all on the DDP as you are. Taking into account rising fuel costs, increased supply costs, increased utilities cost, wage increases, development costs, renovations.... it's impossible to clearly state that the DDP is causing the issue's with the restaurants. There have been cost cutting measure's all around WDW in the recent years. This is just a harsh reality of the world we live in now. Is the DDP to blame for the reduction of christmas decorations? Or the removal of the free picture's from MVMCP? Or the increase in park ticket prices?

While yes it can be argued (and it has been repeatedly) that the DDP is causing some restaurants to become homogenized, there are still clearly excellent dining options available outside of the DDP that have been pointed out. V&A's, BlueZoo, Bistro De Paris and Many DtD restaurants are good examples of these options.

The DDP possibly could be causing a declining level of service (although in my experience, the server's couldn't have been nicer), but for a slightly different reason. There is no debate that wait staff receive a 18% gratuity when a customer uses the DDP. Here is the problem: Tips are supposed to be provided in accordance with the level of service received. If someone knows they are going to get 18% reguardless of whether or not they provide great/good/bad/horrible service, some will probably decide it is not worth the effort to go that extra mile for a better tip.

Also, usually cash tips at restaurants are not reported to the IRS by servers and ends up being untaxed, while all credit card tips (at most places, I can not speak for every restaurant in the world obviously) are usually tallied up and provided to the employee as a paycheck. Server's generally also make $2.00/hr or so, and all tax is witheld from that check. So the DDP is probably causing server's to have to have a substantially larger amount witheld on the part of taxes than they are used to. With that being said however it is still hard to fathom that they are "losing money" by any means since generally, a server will not receive a 18% tip from every customer. Also customer's on the DDP tend to order more expensive meals since they are choosing an appetizer, entree, dessert, drinks, and in some cases alcoholic drinks as well. This will also lead to a much larger tip amount for the wait staff. I have a hard time saying that the DDP is solely causing bad service but it may be a contributing factor.

As for the last part of your tirade... I will only say this: You can not blame people for taking advantage of a program that was implemented by Disney to provide an affordable alternative to paying cash for each meal. Blame Disney, not the people who use the DDP for the program. You should be thankful that you have the CHOICE to be able to say, "I don't think I will support this program and pay cash for my meals." That single mother with 3 kids who is going to WDW for possibly the one chance in 20 years should not be insulted for attempting to make their vacation a little more affordable by trying to save some money on dining. No more on that I don't want the topic to be closed because of me...

There are lots of factors that are causing these issue's and not just the DDP... I mean Year of a Million Dreams (while being a great promotion) has to be costing Disney alot more than the DDP is...