Dining plan ever return?

[TinkB278]

I’m listening to the DVC show and Pete just said there is speculation that the dining plan won’t return? We absolutely love the dining plan and hearing this makes me so sad. Does anyone think there is any truth to this?

 

[Traveling on cc points]

I 100% think that it will return as soon as most of the restaurants reopen. It is too much of a money maker for Disney to abolish it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I mean, there is speculation about everything?

I don't expect it in 2021 because of the contracting. I think it'll come back for 2022.

 

[jeepwreck]

i hope it comes back, we always use it and enjoy it.

 

[disneyeverlasting]

I really hope it comes back as we just like the convenience of it. Yes, we know that it isn't a good deal money wise, but it takes away the stress for us. We like the all inclusive feel. Hopefully it returns sooner rather than later. We are hoping to add it on to our next trip in September of 2021, but are still planning on a backup plan if it isn't available by then.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The challenge is the contracts. They are usually done between October-December for calendar year, effective 1/1. So they either get off revenue cycle by bringing it back early, or do part year-contracts. Given that normally it's a 3-month process, that latter may be burdensome.

 

[sethschroeder]

One can hope it NEVER returns because the food quality will go up likely and value will be in more in the realm of reality.

Flip side if it comes back it will be 2022 which I would expect.

 

[disneyseniors]

My husband and I had our first couples trip in September when the very first dining plan was offered. AT that time, WDW was a ghost town in September, and they were trying to drum up business. Our disney travel agent assured us that it wouldn't be too crowded because that was the first week of school and parents would not be taking their kids out just for a free dining plan.
WRONG! It was very crowded for September. That's how it all started and why it started.
Since then, I have seen the food quality go down hill due to the DP. They needed to standardize all the offerings to make it lower their costs.
Now we have a lower quality food in general.
I would love for the DP to go away. Disney does not need to spur attendance anymore (after covid).
Maybe the chefs could get back to actually creating and making unique and delicious offerings.
Don't flame me, LOL, it is just my opinion, only one of many on here!

 

[TinkB278]

I’m the kind of person that stresses over money so the dining plan is the only way I can truly relax on vacation without ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. Plus I love having the snack credits at festivals. I would never pay out of pocket for the food booths so that would change our entire experience.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The dining plans have no hope of returning until 100% of restaurants are reopen again and more importantly operating at 100% capacity, and even then; hotel reservations must be down as well. There are your bars. Good luck putting a date to it. I think it's far too far off in the future to even think about predicting a date.

 

[gharter]

One can hope it NEVER returns because the food quality will go up likely and value will be in more in the realm of reality.

Flip side if it comes back it will be 2022 which I would expect.

Totally agree! It seems after the DDP, the quality at many Signature restaurants dropped.
We tried it a few times when it was "free". Found it was too much food and the wrong food for us. YMMV.
Wouldn't be sad to see it not return, but expect it back in 2022.
I don't think they will need it in 2021 with the 50th coming up.

 

[RanDIZ]

If it makes Disney money, it’ll return because Diz is all about $$. I will say they did us all a favor and suspended DDP since all restaurants weren’t open. I’ve always saved more money without it anyway and ate at quality restaurants and never left hungry. IMO, the DDP is very schedule oriented to get the most bang for the buck.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I think it will definitely return. I know many people who have been on the fence about going then BAM Free Dining is announced. Well, now they have to go because it's such a great deal! No way Disney will give this up forever.

 

[Novatrix]

I’m the kind of person that stresses over money so the dining plan is the only way I can truly relax on vacation without ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. Plus I love having the snack credits at festivals. I would never pay out of pocket for the food booths so that would change our entire experience.

Isn't it interesting how everyone is different. I hate the dining plan for all the reasons you describe loving it. I was constantly worrying about making the dining plan "worth it" and ordering the most expensive items whether I wanted them or not, ordering expensive specialty drinks when I'd typically prefer water or iced tea and going to restaurants that weren't my first choice to maximize value. I "beat" the dining plan by $22, but a lot of food went to waste and I would've spent far less if I'd actually ordered what I wanted to eat. I never had a more stressful trip than that one!

 

[DebbieB]

They had sold dining plans into fall 2021 for UK. They already cancelled them, so I doubt they will be back in 2021.

One thing about all of this is it gives Disney the chance to “reset”. Dining Plans, Fastpass, Extra Magic Hours, etc. They can bring them back in a new form (or not), easier than suddenly changing them when they existed.

 

[RanDIZ]

I think it will definitely return. I know many people who have been on the fence about going then BAM Free Dining is announced. Well, now they have to go because it's such a great deal! No way Disney will give this up forever.

One thing about the “free dining“ is, it isn’t even free. It’s certain resorts and categories plus you have to upgrade to park hopper. So in reality, it’s a minor discount after taking those into account.

 

[Skywalker3]

Before our kids turned 9, the dining plan was great. We did a LOT of character dining/buffets, and it wasn't so bad cost-wise if doing those types of restaurants. Once those kiddos hit 10, and now you're paying the higher price, that changes everything. Our kids are somewhat picky, but like trying new things. THe issue is they don't eat a lot at one meal. So just not worth it any more. And since you get the plan for everyone in the room, can't take them off of it.
But once upon a time, we really made good use of the DP. I really liked having the meals mostly prepaid.
I dont' see the plan returning until all of the restaurants open. If Disney has to guarantee you meals, then they need to have the ability to provide meals by having more restaurants available. There are still so many places closed, and running at reduced capacity. we just went in Nov, and MK still has a lot of closed places, and the TS places that are opened, either skip every other table, or have removed tables.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

One thing about the “free dining“ is, it isn’t even free. It’s certain resorts and categories plus you have to upgrade to park hopper. So in reality, it’s a minor discount after taking those into account.

Oh I know, especially if you factor in that most people underutilize their plan and leave credits on the table. But it sounds like a great deal and I think it makes Disney a great deal of money.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Before our kids turned 9, the dining plan was great. We did a LOT of character dining/buffets, and it wasn't so bad cost-wise if doing those types of restaurants. Once those kiddos hit 10, and now you're paying the higher price, that changes everything. Our kids are somewhat picky, but like trying new things. THe issue is they don't eat a lot at one meal. So just not worth it any more. And since you get the plan for everyone in the room, can't take them off of it.
But once upon a time, we really made good use of the DP. I really liked having the meals mostly prepaid.
I dont' see the plan returning until all of the restaurants open. If Disney has to guarantee you meals, then they need to have the ability to provide meals by having more restaurants available. There are still so many places closed, and running at reduced capacity. we just went in Nov, and MK still has a lot of closed places, and the TS places that are opened, either skip every other table, or have removed tables.

We've only used it for trips heavy with character meals where it's a fixed cost and you can't split a meal with someone. I sat down before the trip, added everything up and it saved us money in that instance.

 

[mac_tlc]

We have never seen the value on the DP, too much food. I believe it will come back because it makes Disney money.
Lots of folks point to the dining plan and blame it for the decline in WDW food in general. We can argue that one, but why does anyone assume that if the dining plan does not come back that the food quality will magically improve? Disney continues to find the most profitable point for everything it does. From the now-bland theme-free design of most of the DVC rooms, to the room amenities, to its merchandise, to the redesign of its stores. I would not expect that if they stopped a profitable venture such as the DP that they would decide to spend more money on upgrading the food service.

mac_tlc