Dining plan price raised again!!!!

[Mflaherty]

Omg I just saw that the dining plan was raised again. Wow. They raised it last June? It's so sad. When I went to wdw 6 years ago the deluxe dining plan was $85 a night. It's up nearly $25 a night... Nearly a 35% increase in 6 years. Ugh so discouraging. Well, I still love disney. It just takes some of the magic out of it. Some will say then don't get the meal plan. But the truth is if the meal plan prices are increased then so is the price of food on the menus.

 

[supersnoop]

Up 35% in 6 years sounds like a lot, but that's less than 4% annualized.

 

[staceymay00]

But the truth is if the meal plan prices are increased then so is the price of food on the menus.

Not necessarily. We have never used DDP. I don't have old menu prices, but I don't think they have gone up as much as DDP has over the past few years. I think Disney may have reasons for raising the cost of DDP even if menu prices are not being increased at the same rate. One reason might be simply because they can raise the price without impacting numbers using it all that much. Some people are always going to get it even if they could eat for less by paying out of pocket each meal. It's also possible they've decided DDP is not worth selling unless they are making a nice profit from it. I'm no expert, but I don't think DDP increase are always tied to similar increases in menu price.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[dianeschlicht]

I blame the DDP for the reduced quality of food at WDW. We used the DDP ONCE. NEVER again. It's too expensive, and we did some really detailed accounting for the trip with DDP and the following one without. We spent more than $200 LESS going without the DDP. Then subtract out what we saved with the TIW card, and it was an even bigger savings.

I agree that the DDP is convenient, but just not for us.

 

[cvjw]

We used the deluxe dining plan last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was about $400 per night for our family of 4, and for one meal at Narcosse's, our bill was $450. We basically got our $200 meal the next day at Yak and Yeti for free. The deluxe dining plan is worth it for us if you are going to be eating at the signature restaurants anyway and want to enjoy appetizers, entrees and desserts during your meal.

We don't do the deluxe dining plan on every trip, but it is a really nice splurge for special trips!

 

[MouseMomx2]

We never do the dining plan either. We prefer Tables In Wonderland. It allows us to get the 20% discount on exactly what we want, rather than being locked into the entree/dessert/beverage of the dining plan. We also use it at the lounges for the occasional adult beverage which just adds to the savings. We've done the math and the TiW card is always a better value for our family.

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I have never done the dining plan and still budget the same for food as we did back in the '90s. We still take the same amount of food to eat in our DVC and still meet our budget.

 

[jbish]

Well of course this means that I just spent WAY too much time looking into this and seeing if things have finally tipped the scales into the favor of NOT doing DDP for us. But with three kids, and wanting to do character meals/buffets, it really seems like the kids' prices are what still makes the DDP a good deal (again, for us). But since TIW gives discounts on alcohol, I do wonder if it wouldn't be better to go that route (and stock up on gift cards at Target). The kids DDP at $19 per day is still a great deal. *sigh* Either way, it's not cheap eating at Disney.

 

[BestDadEver]

Up 35% in 6 years sounds like a lot, but that's less than 4% annualized.

These lines of increases year to year should be expected . Unless large numbers of people stop going .

 

[brkgnews]

Omg I just saw that the dining plan was raised again. Wow. They raised it last June? It's so sad.

DVC Dining Plan Prices are set for the year, so it shouldn't have changed since they announced the 2014 rates, which should be good all year long. Where did you see the increase you mentioned?

 

[DebbieB]

DVC Dining Plan Prices are set for the year, so it shouldn't have changed since they announced the 2014 rates, which should be good all year long. Where did you see the increase you mentioned?

Last year Disney increased the dining plan around the same time as the ticket increase in June. According to the dining plan board "sticky", dining plan prices were increased 3-12-14, around the same time as the ticket increase. Not sure if DVC is following with the increase or will wait until 2015.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3172886

 

[schrammalot]

We worked the system a bit in October. Used all of our snack credits at F&W, and ate at the most expensive places on property for 1 credit (went to Yachtsman and spent about $180 for 2 people for 2 credits).

For us, it's a toss up. If we didn't go during F&W, I probably wouldn't get it.

 

[sarahk0204]

Well of course this means that I just spent WAY too much time looking into this and seeing if things have finally tipped the scales into the favor of NOT doing DDP for us. But with three kids, and wanting to do character meals/buffets, it really seems like the kids' prices are what still makes the DDP a good deal (again, for us). But since TIW gives discounts on alcohol, I do wonder if it wouldn't be better to go that route (and stock up on gift cards at Target). The kids DDP at $19 per day is still a great deal. *sigh* Either way, it's not cheap eating at Disney.

ITA agree about the kids' prices making the DDP. When the kid price pretty much covers the TS meal, and they are getting the CS and snack for "free", it works. That is why it worked for us in the past.

It quit working for us when DS stopped eating kid's meals (unfortunately this happened before he turned 10). Now that we have 4 Disney adults in our house, the DP isn't as good of a value (for us). Pricing it out for one's own family is still the best plan.

 

[AmyB2006]

Not necessarily. We have never used DDP. I don't have old menu prices, but I don't think they have gone up as much as DDP has over the past few years.

I blame the DDP for the reduced quality of food at WDW.

100% agree with both of the above.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I wonder if the increase in price is more to increase the perceived value in the marketing bundles.

I doubt as many folks buy the dining plans outright as we may think. Most certainly get them in the bundles. It's an easy way to increase perceived value.

Just a thought.

 

[AmyB2006]

I wonder if the increase in price is more to increase the perceived value in the marketing bundles.

I doubt as many folks buy the dining plans outright as we may think. Most certainly get them in the bundles. It's an easy way to increase perceived value.

Just a thought.

Highly likely as well.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wonder if the increase in price is more to increase the perceived value in the marketing bundles.

I doubt as many folks buy the dining plans outright as we may think. Most certainly get them in the bundles. It's an easy way to increase perceived value.

Just a thought.

Only DVC and AP holders can add the dining plan without a package, correct? So anybody else has to do it within a package which I guess would be the majority.

 

[lovin'fl]

We were considering doing a split stay in Aug 2015 and getting deluxe DP for the 1st part of the split...not now. I don't know why but triple digits seems to be my cut off. I never wanted to buy DVC for triple digits and I don't want to get DP for it either.

 

[daisyx3]

I'm pretty sure we are going to try TIW this time. Here are my reasons:
1) I'm dieting right now and doing well. The plan is to keep it up until Disney time. Today I had my first splurge in 4 weeks and got some bacon at a restaurant. It did not sit well. I'm afraid if I try to get the "most out of my DDP" I will be in trouble.
2) Sometimes the appetizer sounds good. We could split one and split a dessert (if DH even wants dessert; usually he just gets vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce).
3) All of our TS meals are on the plan. We can eat less or split for our lunches, and won't have to choke down the desserts. Also I may book the Keys to the Kingdom tour one day and lunch is already provided.

My plan would be to bring the money I would have spent on the three of us for a 7 day dining plan and keep it budgeted for food. If we go over, my bad, should have kept the DDP. I would try to actually find out what DH and DS would order every day and do the math but can't get them to sit still long enough!
Daisyx3