Dining Plan Speculation

[OKW Lover]

I really think the dining plan will go away. If not it will be substantially altered. Disney knows it has created a monster with the old plan. People spent so much effort maximizing the value of their plan that its not worth it for Disney.

Watch for them to place limits on the entree value or to substantially increase the price of the plan.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I really think the dining plan will go away. If not it will be substantially altered. Disney knows it has created a monster with the old plan. People spent so much effort maximizing the value of their plan that its not worth it for Disney.

Watch for them to place limits on the entree value or to substantially increase the price of the plan.

I think a lot of people on these boards knew how to work the DP to get maximum value, but I'm not sure the average guest did. And it was REALLY hard to break even or save money, even with a lot of thought and effort. For that reason I think it was a huge money maker for Disney and is very likely to return. Just my 2 cents

 

[TinyTGO]

For me the DP was more of a convenience than a savings. It's like a cruise... you pay upfront, and then stop thinking about money the rest of your trip... excluding merch obv.

 

[preemiemama]

For me the DP was more of a convenience than a savings. It's like a cruise... you pay upfront, and then stop thinking about money the rest of your trip... excluding merch obv.

This exactly. I am not relishing the idea of paying meal by meal if that's still the case for us in July.

 

[Katie Little]

For me the DP was more of a convenience than a savings. It's like a cruise... you pay upfront, and then stop thinking about money the rest of your trip... excluding merch obv.

Same!!! Also, it was nice to just order what I wanted. It was rarely the most expensive thing on the menu but I know I’d had been paying in the moment I would have stuck with the cheapest. There is just something so freeing about the dining plan- I can’t wait for it to come back!!

 

[wide awake]

I don't think the DP would have been around as long as it has if it was losing money for Disney. I also think their new offerings such as just counter service or Dining + are a way to maximize usage and profits.

 

[Missingmypooh]

I think a lot of people on these boards knew how to work the DP to get maximum value, but I'm not sure the average guest did. And it was REALLY hard to break even or save money, even with a lot of thought and effort. For that reason I think it was a huge money maker for Disney and is very likely to return. Just my 2 cents

when you see a family with a deluxe plan grabbing just waffles and bacon from the Mara ... no, most people have no idea how to even use the DDP, let alone hack it.

Disney loved having it prepaid. It was like an interest free loan.

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

This is a little off topic but it might fit here. Who thinks that dining reservations are going to go back to being booked at the 180 day mark?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

This is a little off topic but it might fit here. Who thinks that dining reservations are going to go back to being booked at the 180 day mark?

Personally I hope they stay at 60! I hated 180 days.

 

[Katie Little]

This is a little off topic but it might fit here. Who thinks that dining reservations are going to go back to being booked at the 180 day mark?

I think that will happen once there is no longer a need for park pass reservations.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

This exactly. I am not relishing the idea of paying meal by meal if that's still the case for us in July.

It wasn’t so bad during Thanksgiving, tbh. We’re planners anyway, so DW and I made a speculative spreadsheet of meals and snacks, added about 15% overage, and took gift cards for our food budget. Now the MDE accepts GC for MO, it was super easy.

plus, having two DS that are Disney adults, we probably came out ahead of the DDP since they more often than not either shared orate off the kids’ menus

 

[Krandor]

The page to purchase an annual pass does the same thing... does that mean later this spring and summer? One would hope!

Only counts if it is Sven.

 

[Eric Smith]

I really think the dining plan will go away. If not it will be substantially altered. Disney knows it has created a monster with the old plan. People spent so much effort maximizing the value of their plan that its not worth it for Disney.

Watch for them to place limits on the entree value or to substantially increase the price of the plan.

I disagree with that. I think the dining plan is a huge moneymaker for Disney. I think most people who used the dining plan didn’t get monetary value out of it. It also allows Disney to pack most of their restaurants. If people have to pay out of pocket for food, they’re likely going to find cheaper options.

 

[mshanson3121]

For me the DP was more of a convenience than a savings. It's like a cruise... you pay upfront, and then stop thinking about money the rest of your trip... excluding merch obv.

This was it for probably most people. Even my husband said on our next trip he'd like to use it. I told him it was too much money, but he really liked the idea of the convenience of it.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I am completely on the fence regarding the dining plan returning. I do love the convenience, however, I am old enough to remember the days of so much better in the way of WDW dining before the dining plan. I believe the dining plan homogenized and ruined the dining experience across much of the resort.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Return of DPs and APs would get me back to the mouse fast!

 

[AvidDisReader]

For me the DP was more of a convenience than a savings. It's like a cruise... you pay upfront, and then stop thinking about money the rest of your trip... excluding merch obv.

Yes, I agree. Also, I like to pre pay for as much as possible before I go on vacaction. It is a real buzz killer to come back and get a very large charge card bill. Pay for it before I go, and try to bring enough cash so as not to charge anything. It is the only time I carry any cash with me - LOL.

 

[Naglejen]

Yes, I agree. Also, I like to pre pay for as much as possible before I go on vacaction. It is a real buzz killer to come back and get a very large charge card bill. Pay for it before I go, and try to bring enough cash so as not to charge anything. It is the only time I carry any cash with me - LOL.

Same here! Plus it is a huge benefit to me to not have to argue with the kiddos when it is mealtime - they know if mom has paid for it, we are gonna use it!

 

[StarlightStarbright1]

On the UK DisneyWorld website something new has appeared for 2022 bookings. Once you’ve selected your resort and tickets you get a pop-up which says...

Disney Dining Plans Update
At this time, Disney Dining Plans are currently unavailable and cannot be added to reservations. To ensure that you're kept up to date on future dine offerings, please opt-in to receive our special offers and updates when confirming your booking.

This wasn’t there before

 

[dwbrewster]

This speculations has me so excited, our TA was optimistic it would come back since most families are interested in it.

I’m also firmly in the camp that this is a massive moneymaker for Disney since most don’t know how to use it right and are busy buying popcorn. Heck even I know how to use it but make decisions that don’t make the most sense since it was what the wife or kids want and it’s not worth the fight.