Dining Plan Increases Punish Educators?

[timmac]

I think when Disney says "guest demand" they mean it in terms of popularity... like there is greater demand. So they raise the prices. I don't think they are suggesting that guests have requested higher prices.

This is a good point, though the choice of words has a clear dual-meaning which makes for an amusing statement

To the OP, I just wanted to point out that the DxDP hasn't changed price from 2009 to 2010. If the standard DDP had only increased by $2, I think most of these discussions would be irrelevant... it's that whole seasonal thing that is pretty foolish.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Someone made the comment about getting more for their dollar during Peak times. Elaine or someone? I couldn't agree with you less.

We go every year to Disney during what they consider Peak season - March Spring Break - so we pay more for our rooms and now we are expected to pay more for the dining plan. Your thoughts on this were more Spectromagic, more Fantasmic, later hours, etc. Well I have news for you this past March we were there for 10 days. We went days with no Spectromagic, two Fantasmic shows the entire time we were there and the parks were closed by 9pm most evenings. Why exactly am I expected to pay a premium for my room, and now my DDP, during this?

We are going to go this March 2010 and we will be staying at AKL because that is what we have promised our daughter. We are seriously considering dropping the DDP and getting Tables in Wonderland as John suggested. We also will probably plan to go to Disney in March 2011 but will seriously consider a stay at the Swan hotel instead. If I'm not participating in DDP why am I staying at a Disney property?

I don't wear blinders about Disney being a business and not my family but at some point they have pushed you too far. Our daughter has spent Springbreak at Disney every year since 4th grade and it is time together that we cherish as my husband comes of his busy time at work. If I could talk her into going somewhere else I would because I am at a breaking point. I think we will start considering offsite more in the future. Hopefully someone will realize how screwed up this all is and fix it and we can go back to our regularly scheduled vacations!

Yes, it was me who made the comments you refer to. I'm sorry to hear that your experience this year was less than a "value" for the price you paid. I can only go by my experiences over the past several visits during February vacation and Christmas week....the parks have always been open late every night, with multiple showings of the events I mentioned. During these 5 vacations, I felt that I had more offered to me during those 5-8 day trips than I could stay awake for. Just my experience. Maybe this Christmas week will be different....

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This is a good point, though the choice of words has a clear dual-meaning which makes for an amusing statement

To the OP, I just wanted to point out that the DxDP hasn't changed price from 2009 to 2010. If the standard DDP had only increased by $2, I think most of these discussions would be irrelevant... it's that whole seasonal thing that is pretty foolish.

The Deluxe was $69.99 year round. It will be $71.99 for nonpeak and more for peak. How is that not a change?

 

[elaine and the boys]

A little perspective, from my personal experience, if I may:

I have lived on Cape Cod for the last 11 years. Every summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day, the population of my town triples. And every summer, the prices in my grocery stores rise. Talk about seasonal price hikes!! And this is where I live and shop for the groceries I need to sustain my family. It's supply and demand. I stopped complaining about it a long time ago. I make more careful choices, or I decide to pay more during the summer months. It's not really worth the gas money to drive an hour off-Cape to get uninflated priced groceries.

Disney is a luxury. It's a vacation. None of us NEEDS to go to Disney. We WANT to. I NEED to feed my family on a daily basis....even in the summer months. Let's keep it in perspective. Is an extra $20-$30 per day for the dining plan for an average family ($100-$150 for a 5 night stay) really going to break the "vacation bank". If so, perhaps the dining plan is a poor choice for that family. I always felt it was....even before the price increase.

 

[timmac]

The Deluxe was $69.99 year round. It will be $71.99 for nonpeak and more for peak. How is that not a change?

Those were the 2008 prices. 2009 prices are 71.99, and didn't go up for 2010. For DxDP, price is same year round.

 

[lugnut33]

Elaine, I don't understand the concept of being happy with rising prices, especially when they effect something you really like to do.

When your taxes are raised will you be equally content?

What if your city raised it's property taxes so high you couldn't afford to live there anymore, wouldn't that upset you, or would you just say it's OK?

 

[spaddy]

The Deluxe was $69.99 year round. It will be $71.99 for nonpeak and more for peak. How is that not a change?

Those were the 2008 prices. 2009 prices are 71.99, and didn't go up for 2010. For DxDP, price is same year round.

I was interested by this so I looked online to figure out these prices. I checked the last week in July 2010.

DDP $46.99/ person
Deluxe $71.99/person

So there is only a $4 premium on the regular dining plan and not on the deluxe.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Elaine, I don't understand the concept of being happy with rising prices, especially when they effect something you really like to do.

When your taxes are raised will you be equally content?

What if your city raised it's property taxes so high you couldn't afford to live there anymore, wouldn't that upset you, or would you just say it's OK?

I don't recall ever saying that I was happy with price increases of any kind. I just choose to be content with life in general. "Adapt, migrate, or die" was a saying my older brother taught me years ago. If my taxes increased so much that I needed to move, I'd be upset, but I'd move and be happy in my new home (and my summer groceries would probably cost less!) I also have a bit of perspective tax-wise, as my husband and I are paid with tax dollars.

My family and our health and happiness is what's important....not where we live or where we vacation!

 

[DaParkers]

Yes, it was me who made the comments you refer to. I'm sorry to hear that your experience this year was less than a "value" for the price you paid. I can only go by my experiences over the past several visits during February vacation and Christmas week....the parks have always been open late every night, with multiple showings of the events I mentioned. During these 5 vacations, I felt that I had more offered to me during those 5-8 day trips than I could stay awake for. Just my experience. Maybe this Christmas week will be different....

The amount of people there offset the later nights and more parades/shows. They have to do those things because there are more people there. If the crowds were the same and they still offered more, then the price increase could be justified. It's like cooking 20 burgers for 20 people and charging $2 per burger, and then cooking 100 burgers for 100 people and charging $3.50 per burger. I don't see how more people equates to a more expensive burger. When Hurricanes hit, some gas stations gouge their customers because demand is so high. This is the same thing, Disney is gouging it's fans.

 

[patsal]

While I do not consider the price increase a punishment for Teachers or for responsible parents, it is just another way to extract more money from those of us who are a captive audience during those times.

I guess I have always planned that I will pay more as a result of my career choice--I do not have the ability to be creative with my personal time--can't be taken in succession and even if it could be there are only 3 days per year. I could call in sick, but I would be lying and I will not do that. I have entertained taking time off with no pay--for our anniversary--but I carry the family insurance so to do that would be tricky and expensive. I have paid the $400 plus per ticket when the market I live in warrants that it should be about $150 any other time of the year. I pay more for my cruises because they are peak time. I think the extra for the meals and meal plan are not fair to those who are already paying a premium. I will refrain from purchasing any meal plan and I can say that I didn't notice any of the TS places we went to as busy (June 29-July11th and July 18th-20)--lots of tables everywhere. We will be eating off site more and buying more groceries for the villa. I am not subsidizing vacations for those who are willing to take their kids out of school or can travel when ever they want to.

One day at Seaworkd was a budget breaker (for those that are entertaining going to those places)--family of 4 all over 10--4 tickets (adult pay child's price). 1 TS meal, no snacks, 1 drink each during the rest of the day, stay from open to close, 1 beach towel, all the things that cost extra--dolphin feeds, etc., parking-- $500.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

A little perspective, from my personal experience, if I may:

I have lived on Cape Cod for the last 11 years. Every summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day, the population of my town triples. And every summer, the prices in my grocery stores rise. Talk about seasonal price hikes!! And this is where I live and shop for the groceries I need to sustain my family. It's supply and demand. I stopped complaining about it a long time ago. I make more careful choices, or I decide to pay more during the summer months. It's not really worth the gas money to drive an hour off-Cape to get uninflated priced groceries.

Disney is a luxury. It's a vacation. None of us NEEDS to go to Disney. We WANT to. I NEED to feed my family on a daily basis....even in the summer months. Let's keep it in perspective. Is an extra $20-$30 per day for the dining plan for an average family ($100-$150 for a 5 night stay) really going to break the "vacation bank". If so, perhaps the dining plan is a poor choice for that family. I always felt it was....even before the price increase.

Seems that only a few of us have the same mentality. i'm listening to the podcast right now and the rant and honestly? I dont see anything wrong with the price hikes. YES, the majority of people affected will be people with children/teachers, etc. The tourism industry as a whole is cyclical. Not just Disney. Try going to Atlantis resort during peak times and you won't find a room for less than $499 a night. That same room right now is being advertised on tv for $299 a night. Are people complaining that they shouldn't pay 499 when others are paying 299?

I'm not a Disney worshiper in terms of agreeing with EVERYTHING they do. I know it's not all pixie dust and fairies. Was it the right thing to do to up the prices considering the economy? No, not at all. But I don't see anything wrong with the concept. Airfare is higher during peak times, hotels are higher, food is higher. That's all there is to it.

Disney is a privilege. If you don't like it go somewhere else. Six Flags is much cheaper, that's always an option.

 

[willis37862]

A little perspective, from my personal experience, if I may:

I have lived on Cape Cod for the last 11 years. Every summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day, the population of my town triples. And every summer, the prices in my grocery stores rise. Talk about seasonal price hikes!! And this is where I live and shop for the groceries I need to sustain my family. It's supply and demand. I stopped complaining about it a long time ago. I make more careful choices, or I decide to pay more during the summer months. It's not really worth the gas money to drive an hour off-Cape to get uninflated priced groceries.

Disney is a luxury. It's a vacation. None of us NEEDS to go to Disney. We WANT to. I NEED to feed my family on a daily basis....even in the summer months. Let's keep it in perspective. Is an extra $20-$30 per day for the dining plan for an average family ($100-$150 for a 5 night stay) really going to break the "vacation bank". If so, perhaps the dining plan is a poor choice for that family. I always felt it was....even before the price increase.

I can relate , living in a tourist town can get expensive during peak times. Our groceries are higher, our gas and even our fast food restaurants are higher! But I digress....

I could not agree more that WDW is a luxury and not ( no matter how badly you want to go!!! ) a necessity so if the prices get too high you don't go. And maybe WDW will get the message and prices will drop or more likely they will offer more and more discounts and incentives.

I would love to have gone back ( last trip was 2006) but it hasn't been in the budget. Yes it stinks when they raise prices but most of the time if your budget is so close that $100 is keeping you from going you might do better not to go anyway.

Just my 2 cents and they aren't even worth that

Elaine, I don't understand the concept of being happy with rising prices, especially when they effect something you really like to do.

When your taxes are raised will you be equally content?

What if your city raised it's property taxes so high you couldn't afford to live there anymore, wouldn't that upset you, or would you just say it's OK?

Taxes and WDW are two very different things. You don't have to go to WDW , you do on the other hand need a place for your family to live and if you want to own that comes with taxes. I just can't see that the two are the same.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I was interested by this so I looked online to figure out these prices. I checked the last week in July 2010.

DDP $46.99/ person
Deluxe $71.99/person

So there is only a $4 premium on the regular dining plan and not on the deluxe.

But what will it cost during holidays and other "peak" times of the year?

 

[deide71]

I think we are probably not that far apart in opinions. We all think the price increases stink, some of us have hit the point where Disney will now see less of our money while we stay and dine offsite. Others still believe that disney lodging and dining are integral to their vacation and provide value to them and they will continue to vacation as before.

I think I made the classic mistake of projecting my feelings onto others and assuming if I thought the dining plan prices were ridiculous at 48/day, that others would as well. Obviously that is not the case, and if Disney has continued success with selling the plan at the increased price then more power to them. Heck, we thought there would be mass revolt when the dining plan dropped the appetizer and tip (and when you think of it that was a much greater loss of value) but it continued to be as popular as ever.

So those of us who have had enough with the price increases...we vote with our dollars. Those of you who think this is just good business practice and are happy with the value of the dining plan...you will do the same. Disney is betting there are more of the latter than the former...and they are probably right.

 

[spaddy]

But what will it cost during holidays and other "peak" times of the year?

July was "peak" for regular dining plan and it was still $71.99 for deluxe. I was trying to look for the week of Christmas and I couldn't get it to come up with a price.

Who knows what Disney considers "peak" times for the deluxe dining plan? I couldn't seem to find any time that was more than the $72 for adults.

 

[Colleen27]

I would be interested to know the percentage of people that:

- go once in a lifetime
- go only if they can get a good deal (code, free dining)
- go because they love Disney so much and they'd do anything to go.

We're somewhere between 2 & 3. We'd go back eventually no matter what, but it has been the deals that turned us into an almost-every-year family and got us hooked on staying on site rather than at a relative's vacation condo. If Disney continues on the path of higher prices for less service, eventually the perks of staying/eating on site will no longer outweigh the savings we would get by staying/eating offsite. Where precisely that tipping point lies, however, remains to be seen.

 

[lugnut33]

Taxes and WDW are two very different things. You don't have to go to WDW , you do on the other hand need a place for your family to live and if you want to own that comes with taxes. I just can't see that the two are the same.

If you don't like the taxes where you live you can move.

My point is the same people who will complain about taxes increasing are OK with Disney raising their prices.

Call me Robin Hood or a moron, but it I don't like it when ordinary people have to pay more to the government or Disney. I do not like the fact that Disney is getting beyond the reach of normal people and the day they institute a caste system to fast passes will be sad indeed (it's coming, all in the name of shareholder value, and Bob Iger's bonus).

 

[BriarRosie]

I agree with Elaine. I don't agree with Lugnut.

While nobody can say they are happy about the increases, some of us can understand the motivation behind it. If the public votes with their dollars and doesn't buy into the DDP, so be it.

Disney will adjust accordingly. I am not going to waste my energy complaining about it when I have alternatives. I have never, since 2005, used the DDP. I probably never will.

If people were truly concerned about the price of Disney food, they could all stay in vacation home rentals for less money than Disney resorts, and buy their weekly food at Publix for a fraction of the Disney prices. Then they'd only have to complain about the ticket price increases and the fact they have no EMH or Magical Express perks.

Sorry if my facetious reply offends anyone's sensibilities, but I'm starting to feel that this whole thing is getting blown out of proportion.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Oh my goodness, the hilarious thing about this thread is that I just saw the spoof of Disneyland on The Tonight Show with Conan o'Brian. I'm only on page 2 right now, so I'll have to come back.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have never used the DDP, too much rigamarole for me, figuring credits and all that, so what I'm wondering is, now at $47 a day, during peak times, is there any value to it other than conveniance? Originally the meals I think came with an appetizer, now it doesn't, originally it included the tip, now it doesn't, so is it really now just a pre-paid meal plan? Is there any savings left to it at all versus just paying out of your pocket? I'm asking because I really don't know, I usually budget $50 a day for food for myself, but I usually don't spend that much every day on food, so at $47 a day, for me it'd just be something else I could pay ahead of time, but wouldn't be saving me any money.