Dining plan prices

[kristinebarboza]

When do the prices for the dining plans usually go up
Do they go up in a certain month

 

[supersnoop]

There's no real rhyme or reason. I believe they usually increase annually, but there was a mid-year price increase last year.

 

[yooperfan]

2016 rates are already posted

 

[sharonabe]

2016 rates are already posted

Yea, but that doesn't mean they'll be good for the entire year. We haven't had an increase since some time in 2014. It's due!

 

[supersnoop]

Yea, but that doesn't mean they'll be good for the entire year. We haven't had an increase since some time in 2014. It's due!

The 2016 prices include an increase, don't they?

 

[sharonabe]

The 2016 prices include an increase, don't they?

Yes, the calculations do show a minimal increase when you dummy book a 2016 package, but I'm wondering if this slight increase will be enough for Disney's bottom line when people start using child credits for adult meals. That along with the changing of a QS into 3 snacks being spelled out in the brochure means there will be fewer credits left on the table. I think people not using all their credits has probably been Disney's biggest money maker on the plans. Once they see how this changes, I bet the prices go up some time mid 2016.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There was a small increase between 2015 and 2016, the biggest increase being on the deluxe dining plan. In 2014 there was a price hike in March. That didn't happen in 2015 though.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

Yes, the calculations do show a minimal increase when you dummy book a 2016 package, but I'm wondering if this slight increase will be enough for Disney's bottom line when people start using child credits for adult meals. That along with the changing of a QS into 3 snacks being spelled out in the brochure means there will be fewer credits left on the table. I think people not using all their credits has probably been Disney's biggest money maker on the plans. Once they see how this changes, I bet the prices go up some time mid 2016.

I haven't seen anything to confirm that child credits are allowed to be used for adult meals anywhere other than locations without children's menus. More people may be aware that the system can be exploited in this manner now that the recent rumors have given it more press, but everything I've seen coming from Disney says children's credits are to be used on children's meals wherever possible. Disney hasn't bothered to fix their system which has been allowing people to break the rules for years; who knows if a few more people in the know taking advantage of that are actually going to affect the bottom line?

Where are you seeing the conversion of a QS into 3 snacks in the brochure? All I see is the ability to swap the dessert and/or beverage for eligible snacks. Which is similar, but not the same thing.

Disney's biggest money maker on the plans IMO is getting people to commit to eating at Disney's restaurants. Getting a family to stay on property all day shopping and eating instead of going off property to eat seems like a huge value in comparison to the cost of a few more snacks which I would guess the majority of park guests often use on relatively low-cost (to Disney anyway) items such as bottles of water and rice krispie treats.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I loved my price this year. Free. If I get the fd bounce back the price it will be right next year. Free.

 

[sharonabe]

Where are you seeing the conversion of a QS into 3 snacks in the brochure? All I see is the ability to swap the dessert and/or beverage for eligible snacks. Which is similar, but not the same thing.

You are correct! I thought I'd seen it on the brochure, but just did a double check and it is not there. My apologies.

As for the children getting adult meals, I knew that wasn't on there, but there have been several reports of people using QS and DxDDP credits that way, so I expect that will become a more generally known. However, since the brochures still state they must get kid's meals, I can see Disney taking that "loop hole" away whenever they decide it is costing them too much.

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

You are correct! I thought I'd seen it on the brochure, but just did a double check and it is not there. My apologies.

As for the children getting adult meals, I knew that wasn't on there, but there have been several reports of people using QS and DxDDP credits that way, so I expect that will become a more generally known. However, since the brochures still state they must get kid's meals, I can see Disney taking that "loop hole" away whenever they decide it is costing them too much.

No problem! I was trying to figure out if I missed something!

And I'm with you on Disney taking away the loophole if they think it's costing them a lot of money. It seems to me like it would be such an easy loophole to close...just split adult and child credits like they already do for TS credits and make sure every QS has a children's menu or program things so meals at places like Yorkshire Co. Fish Shop can be redeemed by either type of credit. But since it has been this way for so long, who knows? Maybe the way their system is set up makes that seemingly simple task a lot harder or maybe Disney has crunched their numbers and determined they're not actually losing money on it (for example, Disney likely makes more money off of some families who purchase the QSDP or DxDP and exploit the system than those who do not purchase a plan and get their food from non-Disney sources).

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's not really a loophole...you just have to be lucky enough to get a CM at the time you order or pay that will allow you to use the children's credits in that manner. It's possible they've been told they can stop being the face of enforcement if they don't want to be, but did they all get the message?

 

[PoohsHunnyBee]

It's not really a loophole...you just have to be lucky enough to get a CM at the time you order or pay that will allow you to use the children's credits in that manner. It's possible they've been told they can stop being the face of enforcement if they don't want to be, but did they all get the message?

It's possible they've been told this. The rumor is that they've been told this. But it's also possible that Disney is preparing to switch their computer system over to not allow the use of children's credits for adult meals. I don't think anyone other than a handful of Disney employees really knows at the moment.

All the brochures say to specify whether meals are for adults or children and "Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children’s menu where available." The system is not set up to enforce that at this moment. Personally, I consider it a loophole.