Disney Dining Plan Going Downhill? Your Thoughts???

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Interesting looking at those old menus on the Web Archive. There definitely seemed to be more options on the menu pre-DDP (eg: more entrees to choose from, more desserts).

Apparently 'Ohana had a proper dessert menu back in the day? Weird!
http://web.archive.org/web/20040605193221/allearsnet.com/menu/menu_oh.htm

I don't remember 'Ohana having a dessert menu back when I first went there in 1996. I just remember the server giving us pineapple to dip in caramel sauce as dessert. That was pretty much standard in subsequent visits until they changed the dessert offering to the bananas foster bread pudding.

But, as for the menu items, I agree that they've been pared down to nothing the way it used to be pre-DDP. One of the biggest casualties to Disney's fine dining reputation took a hit when the Big White Glove slapped the culinary division and told them to remove foie gras from the menus. I can't remember if it was 2007 or 2008, but it was around the beginning of October, just a couple weeks before one of my Food and Wine Festival trips. That has been my bone of contention ever since. ;)
 
There is nothing wrong with liking the food now. All we are saying is that it used to be even better. Even the small touches, like mickey shaped butter, added to the experience. For me, I fondly remember the mid 90s to early 2000s as having better signature experiences. We used to love artist point, narcosees, and citricos. Now the menus just don't offer the same appeal that they used to. Of course we still go and we still eat on property, but we now use tiw and dont have quite as many favorites.
 
1. Add surcharges to the more expensive dishes. No reason anyone should be able to order filet every night for the same low price someone else pays for chicken fingers.


How wood that work?
We are on the DXDP. We need two points to eat at lets say Cali Grill.
So if I order steak or lobster I have to pay a surcharge or just eat chicken fingers?
I think this is a real good idea to make people cause an uproar in the restaurant. :lmao:
 
We did not like the food at Ohan's either. But that's because it was smoked. We don't like smoked food. Service was good though. Do I think the quality has gone down ? Yes but not do to the dinning plan in my opinion. I just think they r cutting down on the quality and charging you more and giving you less to eat . But I'm not only seeing it in Disney. But I am suprised it's happening in Disney cause Disney is not only about the rides it's about the food to.
 

What is wrong with being presented a menu that is comparable to the price that you paid for the DDP? If this truly is about having your meals paid for ahead of time, and not about being able to order the most expensive meal, then what is the problem? Your getting a meal that has been prepaid for and those of us who would like more expensive options on the menu and pay OOP, would be able to get that as well.


So people that book a room with pin or another deal should also get less?
Maybe no fresh towels,no EMH, no access to the pool?
After all those who payed rack rate get "less" than those whit a deal.And last but not least I have seen many people stating they did not use all the points they got so that is 100% profit for Disney.
As for the statement we don't eat that much I must confess that we never had a waiter standing behind us with a gun forcing us to eat all the food.:lmao:
 
your comparison is apples and oranges

ddp is all year round - pin codes are specifically dated. there also to get people into the hotel where as ddp is an option (free ddp is to get you in the door too just like the Gift card when booking 5 nights that we took advantage of - hey $500 gift card for going when we wanted to is a good deal :) )

we never get pin codes, we never get free dining because we're DVC - we also never do ddp anymore since it's just not cost effective for us as we just don't eat that much and share our meals with dd and often share 1 dessert between us

and comparing ts to buffets isn't right either since when you go to a buffet everyone pays the same amount but when you go to ts some choose the cheaper chicken and others the more expensive lobster

there's nothing wrong with having a ddp prix fixe that you choose from - and no one said anyone is "lower class" or cheap just because they get ddp


heck if they came out with a 2ts ddp we'd prob take it because we dont' do quick service much


but why do that have to get rid of the most expensive stuff (we never ordered it - i hate lobster and not a steak person) so that it's cost effective to them when it seems lots of people would pay for it. either prix fixe menus or pay more for that "extra"

people don't have a problem paying extra for the wine thats not included why should a main course be any different.
 
So if I am reading certain posts right (and I'm not saying that I am 100% correct) people who purchase the dining plan should be punished. You want us to have to order from "special" menus and have less options.. And you want us to pay more? Okay, first off I am PAYING for this, it isn't free. We like the dining plan because we want to be virtually stressfree during vacation. I am paying $41.99-47.99 per night for the standard dining plan and you think I should be limited in what I order and that I should have to pay an extra fee? I'm sorry, but that's just ridiculous.

Has the quality of food gone down in the recent years, yes. But it is like that at MOST restaurants these days. Businesses are looking for ways to cut back on the costs and unfortunately quality is usually the first to go. I think it's silly to put the blame on the dining plan especially since most of the people who take advantage of the dining plan are PAYING for it. Remember FREE dining isn't all year round! You want to put the blame on someone - take it up with the people in charge ordering the food and deciding on the menus.

I totally agree with the above statement that MOST restaurants are like this these days and the rising price of food is causing it. Restaurants I used to love my meal (at home here in PA) have seriously gone downhill, as have portion sizes. So, I don't think it's the DDP, I was pretty happy with my food, although i don't have anything to compare to since I just went to Disney on DDP for first time this year
 
There are no $50.00 steaks at 1 TS credit restaurants. You cannot take 1 item and use that as your credit total. You need to take that item, the dessert and beverage that goes with it, and add tax, and as was stated, you can definitely get close to $50.00. You then still have a CS meal (entree, dessert and drink), plus snack, so you will be well over the total cost of $41-$46.99 DP cost. So, for guests who are getting the most expensive items, they are usually always going to be over the daily DP cost. Where do you think Disney makes these margins up? There are many ways, as I mentioned above, but the easiest way is to change food products.

Tiger

Increased Volume is a big plus, but increased volume when you're looking at places that folks considered fine dining is a big trade-off too. The other aspect are nutjobs like me who paid [Disney] for the meals 8 monthes in advance. Now they're not going to be making any real significant gains off that sort of investment, but it is something. And of course, the psychological benefit of having more incidental spending in the parks as a whole.

Very little of that, however, actually benefits the restaurant in question though. Which does kinda suck for the restaurant.

Although here's a silly thought that isn't too accurate of a comparison due to volume scaling working differently. Did MK suffer when they transitioned from individual ride tickets to the All-Inclusive model?
 
How wood that work?
We are on the DXDP. We need two points to eat at lets say Cali Grill.
So if I order steak or lobster I have to pay a surcharge or just eat chicken fingers?
I think this is a real good idea to make people cause an uproar in the restaurant. :lmao:

You'd have a point if the only menu item on the DDP menu was fish cakes and chicken fingers.

You wouldn't have a point if the only menu item with an upcharge is surf and turf. Whole lobster and filet.

Disney has decided to delete the expensive menu options rather then upset DDP guests.




So people that book a room with pin or another deal should also get less?
Maybe no fresh towels,no EMH, no access to the pool?
After all those who payed rack rate get "less" than those whit a deal.And last but not least I have seen many people stating they did not use all the points they got so that is 100% profit for Disney.
As for the statement we don't eat that much I must confess that we never had a waiter standing behind us with a gun forcing us to eat all the food.:lmao:

The suggestion is to provide a something like a price fixed menu to all DDP guests. I agre it wouldn't be fair to only do this to free DDP guests. They were given free DDP instead of a resort discount.

Disney doesn't want DDP guests compaining about upcharges. They made a decision to standardize and reduce the menu to save money and to create some efficiencies.

Those guests who want a fine dining experience have a few options. V&A, Bistro (Epcot) as well as the restaurants in the S/D.
 
there's nothing wrong with having a ddp prix fixe that you choose from - and no one said anyone is "lower class" or cheap just because they get ddp

They do have a pre fixe price called plan. You can choose from five different plans.
And I still think it is smart to take a dining plan it's like an insurance. You pay upfront and get the same "service" as some one who pays oop.
 
Disney in the recent past was focused upon being known for quality table service meals. Their reputation was established, but other issues developed in time.

Running amusement parks is a hard industry and change is an essential component of the business. People want new and fresh things. Prices rise and guest want things that are affordable. Many complain that Disney is too expensive.

Disney Cruise lines also established their market and provide maintstream-centralized food throughout your cruise. Disney exploits their TS market-offerings to draw more people with a savings-affordability spin. At other times they market their food as free dining and the most extensive use of this program was in 2009. All these things have consequences and Disney park/resort food has declined in a variety of ways to keep attendance/occupancy levels high, while reducing cost to maximize returns.

The parks are one of the stronger performers in the Disney empire. Disney appears to continue to centralized food purchases to reduce cost. Even the DDP has changed in an effort to control Disney's expenses. Many of these activities impact menus and themed restaurants start to loose their themed food offerings...making them appear like any other restaurant. We have see the higher menu items disappear from many TS restaurants. Even Disney club offerings have declined too over the last 5 years, try to get a Kona beer in the PR Club like you use to be able to get... Its all about affordability today.
 
Man, people sure do get in an uproar about their dining plan!! No one is saying that those who get free dining are lesser guests than those who don't. No one has said that you shouldn't get the free dining if it is offered or that if you do, you are cheap. Not cheap since you're paying rack rate for your room.

But, on the other hand, there are those of us who are willing to pay for a slightly better dining experience than we are able to get at the moment. When the dining plan was first introduced, it included the tip, an appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage. The food offerings were much more varied than they are now. Then, as the ddp got more popular, Disney started changing it...they took away the tip and appetizer but added to the cost..go figure. Then, they started taking stuff off the various menus.
It's not that the food is 'bad' now, it's just less wonderful than it was.

What would the big deal be if Disney added another option??? Sure, you could get QSDP for free dining, then be able to upgrade to regular dining plan with an extra fee. Then, perhaps, the restaurants could bring back some of the items that they were known for, those special things you could get only at that restaurant, and allow us to pay oop for them since they wouldn't be on the ddp. Disney already has appetizers priced for oop, why not a few higher end entree offerings?

For me, the ddp doesn't work anymore. It would cost me a fortune to use it to pay for all the meals we do...sometimes we do a late TS breakfast (around 10-10:30), then a late TS dinner (after 7ish)...that type eating just doesn't go with the regular ddp, and the deluxe ddp is more money than we are willing to pay, especially since we eat those breakfasts which are not a good use of TS unless they are buffets. It's all about choices.

I really think that we can all live with each other's choices without the thought that anyone is a lesser guest because of their choices. I've used free dining, several times. Sometimes it works out for me, sometimes it doesn't. Depends on the time of year, who is traveling and where I'm planning on staying.
 
The surcharges probably aren't that relevant anymore for the buffets - as Disney has now instituted surcharges for the dining plan itself in peak periods (only for the basic dining plan, but that is by far the most popular plan).
 
I was a server at SciFi back in the 90s and there were always people on some kind of dining plan. There weren't as many hotels then and the plan was attached to the resort. The one I remember was the "Grand Plan" for Grand Floridian guests - it included an app, entree, drinks (no alchohol), and dessert. Tip was included and there was no difference between adult and kid - so kids could order off the regular menu.

For years, my husband and I would say - "One day we will go back and get the Grand Plan!" When we finally were able to travel back, they had the original form of the dining plan (regualr DDP with apps and tips). These plans are all very similar to what they have had in the past, but now with so many hotels it has certainly grown in size.

I think most restaurants are shrinking their menus (except Planet Hollywood - man that menu is 20 pages long!!:scared1:

Just my thoughts!
 
Actually the grand plan and gold key plans from the past as more comparable to the platinum and premium plans now since they included dining and recreation. The old silver plan with vouchers is the closest to the current ddp.
 
Actually the grand plan and gold key plans from the past as more comparable to the platinum and premium plans now since they included dining and recreation. The old silver plan with vouchers is the closest to the current ddp.

My point being, they have had some kind of dining plan for many, many years - I am not sure the connection of declining food because of dining plans is as easily made as some of the other reasons: cost of food, recession, ease of preparation, food suppliers, etc. :flower3:
 
My point being, they have had some kind of dining plan for many, many years - I am not sure the connection of declining food because of dining plans is as easily made as some of the other reasons: cost of food, recession, ease of preparation, food suppliers, etc. :flower3:
BUT....many more people are now using a dining plan vs not nearly as many people 10 years ago.
When the dining plan was instituted originally, the food offerings were just fine. But, as more and more guests used it, the menus were cut back to some extent. Things were taken off the original dining plan. Cost increased. Then, free dining came about. Now, we have a ton more people eating in the restaurants that previously may not have paid for so many table service meals.
How do I know this??? Easy. Went to Coral Reef a few years ago..it was during free dining. The place was an absolute zoo. There were a ton of kids, many babies in car seat carriers. I asked the hostess at the front desk if it was always like this. Her answer? "Only since they offered free dining. Now everyone wants to eat here. We used to be somewhat high end, a place for a quieter meal. Not anymore.'' There were kids running around, yelling, screaming. But, when I returned to Coral Reef at a time that free dining wasn't offered? Much quieter. The crowds in the parks were about the same but the restaurants were much more subdued.

There just seem to be a lot more people eating in the restaurants when free dining is offered. There are always going to be people that will not do table service dining for their families..it is expensive. Even buying the regular dining plan is going to be pricey. But if the dining is free, then all bets are off. Understandable..it's nice to eat at a place you normally wouldn't.
 
goofy4tink,
I agree with you that free dining creates choas - I was there last August during free dining :eek: (DVC member so no free dining for me - we paid for the DDP)

My point is, I am not sure you can blame the dining plan for the loss of quality - I think profit margins for many upscale items (filet/lobster) are not that high, so the price would be so high on the menu, they just chose to take it off. Look at what they are doing with tomatoes! Many other restaurants are doing the same. Look at the recent craziness over tomatoes -in many places you have to ask for tomatoes now even if it is in the explanation of the dish on the menu - it won't be included unless you ask!!! I think profit is the bottom line.

I think they make more than they lose on the dining plans. Sure some (maybe even most) people "get the most out of the plan". But many people on these boards talk about homw many credits they had left over (that is pur profit). Also, they make a lot of money on certain items. Take soda pop for instance. It cost them pennies (like 3 - 5 cents) for a glass of soda - in QS they have to pauy for the cup (costs mor than the soda). These drinks are a big profit maker even at a low price point of $2.50 or so. Think of how many sodas are sold each day! I am sure there are many other instances of items that they make a killing on.

Profit/Loss is the bottom line - they would take the less profitable items off the menu as well as ones that take more "man power" regardless of the existance of the Dining Plans. JMHO!:rolleyes1
 
BTW--I must have horrible taste then, b/c the last few times we've gone I've loved me some downhill in quality food! :thumbsup2
Me too! I've never had a meal that's so bad that I wouldn't return to that restaurant. And the only thing I've ever had that I haven't been able to finish due to poor quality was food court pizza.
 
I agree with Goofy4tink. I think the dining plan has watered down the quality of WDW foods. Now we see many restaurants with the same choices, when, in the past, there used to be huge variety. I haven't ever had "bad" food at Disney, but it's not as special anymore.
 
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