Disney Dining Plan Going Downhill? Your Thoughts???

[Mamu]

We just recently visited and had a dinner at 'Ohana and the food was well below average to say it best. We would attribute the decline in food quality and service to the Disney Dining Plan. It seems as though you are no longer getting what you pay for. Instead, it seems as though they just mass produce the lowest quality food and try to turn the tables over as soon as possible. The meal was over $35 per person and the turney was fatty ( I have never had fatty turkey), the chicken wings were undercooked and fatty, the filet was tough and the service was spoty at best. I have no idea what I paid for, but it was not quality food or service. Of course because we had a party of 8, the assumable 18% gratuity was non-negotiable and automatically included on our bill....how convenient for our sub-standard server. The entertainment (if you wish to call it that), was a guy walking aroung with a guitar, so I would hate to think I had paid for that. It just seems as though all of this was much better years ago and has since gone downhill. We chose to eat offsite for the remainder of our stay. Your thoughts?????

Ohana's has never been one of my favorite restaurants. Wanted to like it because everyone seem to rave about it. Had dinner twice and breakfast once. Dinner was so-so both times. did enjoy breakfast. I will not be returning for dinner any time soon.

We have never done the dining plan, we usually stay concierge when traveling with our Grandchildren and do table serve lunches and a few dinners. Lots of counter serve restaurants. Which I find are very good.

We do an adult trip in March and stay off site, but still eat at Disney. I do enjoy the signature restaurants. And try a few new one's each year. Some I love, some are so-so.

Over the years there are some restaurants I loved and would return year after year, then all of a sudden their food didn't seem up to par. Cross them off my list. A couple of examples: Back in the 90's we love dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, tried it twice in the late 2000 and will not be returning, food went down hill. Another restaurant was Spoodles, loved it was always a must. Last four years it seemed to nose dive also and crossed it of my list. Reopened under new managemant it is now Kouzzine and I love it again.
Another restaurant we hated, but now under new management is Tutto Italia.
It's now a must every trip. Restaurants have their up's and down's.

I don't know if it the dining plan are just the cooks. I do know it's harder to get ressie's at the more popular restaurants since the dining plan has become popular.

 

[MELSMICE]

I just don't think it's particularly helpful to post a detailed budget of your trip to show people what a great value it is to rent a car and eat off-site at chain restaurants, when you are not accurately depicting the prices, taxes and gratuities involved. It really does not matter actually! Just trying to make a point

We have done the DDP since 2005 and have indeed found the food (and merchandise among other things) to have declined, but we don't attribute it to the DDP. We attribute it to the struggling economy, and to people wanting to spend as little as possible on meals. We continue to do the DDP (this time the DxDDP actually!) because it's a great value for us. Everyone's idea of "value" and "vacation" are very different. I find value in the ease and convenience of the DDP. I don't find value in driving off-site on my WDW vacation and eating at places I can eat at every day back home. To each her own!

I'm in WDW right now. My thoughts............I think that those of us not on the dining plan are somewhat subsidizing the cost of the plan for others (don't flame......these are just my thoughts).

The reason being is that 4 out of my family of 5 at counter service at MK Wednesday evening. We are all adults, so full meals. DH & I ate at the Noddle Station, while 2 DD's went to Casey's. We had 4 full meals & only 2 drinks & it was almost $50. Oldest DD arrived Thursday, so last night we went off-site to the Orlando Ale House. Five adults this time, 2 sodas, as 2 of us drank water & 2 beers for DH. With tip the bill was almost $75.

The food was much better than the counter service food we had and we had waiter service instead of finding our own table & cleaning up after ourselves when done. The same sit-down meal in a Disney restaurant would have cost my family at least $150 & the quality of food is just not the same.

I only made 1 DDR at O'Hana for this 10-day trip & I will be cancelling that. I'm not going to pay close to $200 for a meal that is sub-par.

Again...........these are just my thoughts, but I really believe the food prices are rapidly increasing not only because the cost of food is increasing but to also subsidize the DDP.

 

[Tiger926]

I'm in WDW right now. My thoughts............I think that those of us not on the dining plan are somewhat subsidizing the cost of the plan for others (don't flame......these are just my thoughts).

The reason being is that 4 out of my family of 5 at counter service at MK Wednesday evening. We are all adults, so full meals. DH & I ate at the Noddle Station, while 2 DD's went to Casey's. We had 4 full meals & only 2 drinks & it was almost $50. Oldest DD arrived Thursday, so last night we went off-site to the Orlando Ale House. Five adults this time, 2 sodas, as 2 of us drank water & 2 beers for DH. With tip the bill was almost $75.

The food was much better than the counter service food we had and we had waiter service instead of finding our own table & cleaning up after ourselves when done. The same sit-down meal in a Disney restaurant would have cost my family at least $150 & the quality of food is just not the same.

I only made 1 DDR at O'Hana for this 10-day trip & I will be cancelling that. I'm not going to pay close to $200 for a meal that is sub-par.

Again...........these are just my thoughts, but I really believe the food prices are rapidly increasing not only because the cost of food is increasing but to also subsidize the DDP.

What kind of food do they serve at the Orlando Ale House? If it's sandwiches and such, you can get the same type of food at many TS restaurants for almost the same cost. Some of the less expensive TS places such as: ESPN Club, Plaza, etc. are pretty affordable for lunch, not as much for dinner as prices go up as the menus change to include steaks and fish. But, if just sandwiches, you could proabably get away with close to the same cost.

I don't know what kind of food that restaurant serves, so just wondering about that? Of course, most off-site places of the same type of restaurant will be cheaper, as that's the nature of the beast. Most people don't go off-site as it's a pain, so by staying on-site, you pay higher prices.

Most CS places are yucky - we don't care for CS at all, and are very grateful that we can take advantage of the TIW card as we are AP holders. We can eat 2 TS meals per day, for about the same cost as doing the regular DP.

Tiger

 

[MELSMICE]

What kind of food do they serve at the Orlando Ale House? If it's sandwiches and such, you can get the same type of food at many TS restaurants for almost the same cost. Some of the less expensive TS places such as: ESPN Club, Plaza, etc. are pretty affordable for lunch, not as much for dinner as prices go up as the menus change to include steaks and fish. But, if just sandwiches, you could proabably get away with close to the same cost.

I don't know what kind of food that restaurant serves, so just wondering about that? Of course, most off-site places of the same type of restaurant will be cheaper, as that's the nature of the beast. Most people don't go off-site as it's a pain, so by staying on-site, you pay higher prices.

Most CS places are yucky - we don't care for CS at all, and are very grateful that we can take advantage of the TIW card as we are AP holders. We can eat 2 TS meals per day, for about the same cost as doing the regular DP.

Tiger

The Ale House has an extremely extensive menu. You can get a filet, many kinds of fish, sandwiches, salads. It's great food, great selection & reasonable prices.

Last night I had seafood medley, which comes with shrimp, scallops, clams, & crab (imitation); DH had jambalaya, one DD has a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich w/ fries, one had a chicken ceasar salad & the other had zingers (like chicken fingers) with an extra side of fries. She also ordered an extra side of bleu cheese, two 32 oz. sodas & 2 tap beers. Not just sandwiches.

I would much prefer this meal than to what I got 2 nights prior at MK or what we got at The Land the next evening at EPCOT for 4 of us. That meal was almost $60 for us 4!!!

 

[Tiger926]

The Ale House has an extremely extensive menu. You can get a filet, many kinds of fish, sandwiches, salads. It's great food, great selection & reasonable prices.

Last night I had seafood medley, which comes with shrimp, scallops, clams, & crab (imitation); DH had jambalaya, one DD has a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich w/ fries, one had a chicken ceasar salad & the other had zingers (like chicken fingers) with an extra side of fries. She also ordered an extra side of bleu cheese, two 32 oz. sodas & 2 tap beers. Not just sandwiches.

I would much prefer this meal than to what I got 2 nights prior at MK or what we got at The Land the next evening at EPCOT for 4 of us. That meal was almost $60 for us 4!!!

Wow! Thanks for the explanation - that sounds like you can find a meal to suit anyone at that place.

Sounds good and a much better value than many TS restaurants, but again, you have to go off-site for this.

Tiger

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think they might have changed the coffee? We don't really drink coffee, so not sure based on experience, but thought I read here that WDW had slightly improved the coffee?

Tiger

You don't know how much I wish this was true! But I won't get my hopes up.

The problem with WDW's coffee-like beverage is that it is made by mixing hot water with a liquid instant coffee concentrate that Nestle produces. It is not brewed coffee, and IMO, there is a huge difference in the way it tastes versus actual brewed coffee.

What buffets?
We ate dinner at Boma and Crystal Palace in December and there was prime rib at both places. We also ate dinner at CM, but I don't think there was any there.

Every buffet we dined at last August and September served regular roast beef--no prime rib. I had seen it discussed here, but never encountered it until my last trip. Could have been because it was Free Dining season or other cost considerations.

The dinner buffets at 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's, and Cape May did not have prime rib during our last visit.

 

[d-r]

Well, let's just close the thread now then.

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!

I didn't say it couldn't be enjoyed, I said it has went downhill, and I honestly don't believe that there is any doubt about that.

 

[TDC Nala]

I've deleted a couple of posts that say the problem is with Disney's gratuity policies - I should remind readers that all discussion of tipping is limited to the Tipping Information sticky thread. It's at

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2300858

 

[MELSMICE]

I didn't say it couldn't be enjoyed, I said it has went downhill, and I honestly don't believe that there is any doubt about that.

I would agree that the quality of their food is not what is was in the past.....CS or TS.

 

[mhsjax]

All I want is for Disney to bring back the old hotdog and hamburger buns. Then I will be truly happy.

 

[2Tiggies]

All I want is for Disney to bring back the old hotdog and hamburger buns. Then I will be truly happy.

But even if you buy your hamburgers and hotdogs OOP and not on the DDP, you will get the same buns.

 

[kaelarad]

I have enjoyed reading all the thoughts here. DH and I come to disney a couple of times a year and use to live 10 minutes from Disney.

That said I am in the camp that feels the DP has contributed to the decline of food quality and the overall dining experience at Disney.

When we visit for our longest trip at Christmas time, we are there for 12 days we have a car and do not eat a single meal on property. Better restaurants and food quality off property.

We weighed the option of renting a car for next months short visit and budget wise we come out a head having the car and eating off propety.

We remember disney dinning pre DDP and can't stand sub standard food or rude servers. I don't want to feel rushed or ignored because I choose not to buy the dinning plan.

But many love the experience at disney and that is good. There is something for everyone.

 

[christinec68]

All I want is for Disney to bring back the old hotdog and hamburger buns. Then I will be truly happy.

Me too! Why did they have to mess with hamburgers and hot dogs?

But even if you buy your hamburgers and hotdogs OOP and not on the DDP, you will get the same buns.

Of course, there is no distinction in what is served to guests using the dining plans or paying out of pocket. But this is probably another cost cutting measure Disney made to make the DDP and Disney dining more profitable.

 

[creativeamanda]

Disney has made the Dining Plan more profitible by increasing the cost of the plan, IMO. When I started getting the plan it was $35 per day. Now it's $42. A buffet at Disney is about $29, a CS meal usually around $8, and a snack $4. That's $41. Most people get a variation of this per day at Disney and the coming of no appetizers has prompted those who really like them to pay oop. ETA: I make this point because a poster said earlier that the people who pay oop are subsidizing the DIning Plan. At one time that may have been true, but in 2008, Disney changed the dining plan to make it a truly prepurchase thing. If Disney was not making money on the Dining Plan, they would not be continuing it.

In other words, I think the DDP is not losing Disney money. I think we're seeing less than perfect meals and service for the same reasons we're seeing less than perfect service park-wide. Less Castmembers and CMs who aren't as well trained. Until the management is able to train the park castmembers to the level they were once trained before the recession, we're going to continue to see less magic from all parts of Disney Parks.

 

[christinec68]

Disney has made the Dining Plan more profitible by increasing the cost of the plan, IMO. When I started getting the plan it was $35 per day. Now it's $42. A buffet at Disney is about $29, a CS meal usually around $8, and a snack $4. That's $41. Most people get a variation of this per day at Disney and the coming of no appetizers has prompted those who really like them to pay oop.

In other words, I think the DDP is not losing Disney money. I think we're seeing less than perfect meals and service for the same reasons we're seeing less than perfect service park-wide. Less Castmembers and CMs who aren't as well trained. Until the management is able to train the park castmembers to the level they were once trained before the recession, we're going to continue to see less magic from all parts of Disney Parks.

I don't think the DDP is losing Disney money either...on the contrary it's like a cash cow!!!

Without even getting into prices, portions and quality of food...Guests are prepaying their food months in advance. I have seen so many posts where people say they spend more on the plan then they would on food but get the plan anyway for convenience. There are the credits that go unused. And people are still paying OOP for more food then what is offered in the plan - like you mentioned some people still order appetizers, may purchase other snacks and the now the Wishes Dessert Party that's been offered a couple of times. I am sure there are just as many DDP guests as there are OOP guests that attend this event - another prepaid meal!

From a business model perspective, I think it's genius. As a consumer, not so much which is why I take more of my meal dollars off property.

 

[TDC Nala]

The other advantage to prepaid meal plans for Disney is that not everyone is a planner. I'm sure more guests than we realize leave WDW with unused DDP credits. To Disney, that's like having the guests pay for food they never ordered and the restaurants never had to prepare.

Combine that with Magical Express transportation and you've got guests with no cars and no inclination to go off property to eat (or visit competitors).

 

[Melodious]

This discussion has been really interesting to read. We haven't been to Disney in four years and I don't even know if the dining plan was offered then. But for our trip later this year, I was excited when I first read about the dining plans because I thought it would make things easier for us.

We don't normally do a lot of TS restaurants but this time we want to do more. I priced out what we would probably buy and eat, the refillable mugs that we always buy, the breakfasts at the resorts, the snacks, the CS meals, and the TS ADRs that we're hoping that we'll get. And I couldn't find any way that the any of the dining plans would be cost effective for us. I guess we're not doing enough TS restaurants to make either the DDP or the DXDP (which I was more looking into) worth it. But we're doing mostly CS breakfast and lunch so the QSDP isn't worth it because breakfast is the least expensive meal of the day.

Then I started thinking that the dining plan probably wouldn't make my life easier because we'd still have to pay OOP for alcoholic drinks and appetizers on the DDP and tip, and what if my mom wants two appetizers and to share my dessert. It seems complicated, trying to keep in mind what snacks are on it too.

So now I wonder how so many people use it? And now I worry that the food isn't going to be as good for the price if we pay OOP. Great, haha

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We just recently visited and had a dinner at 'Ohana and the food was well below average to say it best. We would attribute the decline in food quality and service to the Disney Dining Plan. It seems as though you are no longer getting what you pay for. Instead, it seems as though they just mass produce the lowest quality food and try to turn the tables over as soon as possible. The meal was over $35 per person and the turney was fatty ( I have never had fatty turkey), the chicken wings were undercooked and fatty, the filet was tough and the service was spoty at best. I have no idea what I paid for, but it was not quality food or service. Of course because we had a party of 8, the assumable 18% gratuity was non-negotiable and automatically included on our bill....how convenient for our sub-standard server. The entertainment (if you wish to call it that), was a guy walking aroung with a guitar, so I would hate to think I had paid for that. It just seems as though all of this was much better years ago and has since gone downhill. We chose to eat offsite for the remainder of our stay. Your thoughts?????

We have been to Ohana each year for the last 5 years and have never had a bad meal there. In fact, I don't think I've ever had a "bad" meal at WDW. Some are better than others, but none are bad, in my opinion.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

i agree about the decline in quality, for instance the ribs at Sci-Fi were amazing in 05 and ever since i've gotten fatty ribs w/ no way near the same taste.. oh and i had the cookie monster in 05 which was a huge dessert w/ big yummy cookies, and a year later they didnt have it and now their desserts are just ok. overall though i still love disney food and it's a huge part of my excitement.

 

[keishashadow]

The other advantage to prepaid meal plans for Disney is that not everyone is a planner. I'm sure more guests than we realize leave WDW with unused DDP credits. To Disney, that's like having the guests pay for food they never ordered and the restaurants never had to prepare.

Combine that with Magical Express transportation and you've got guests with no cars and no inclination to go off property to eat (or visit competitors).

and no money left in the vacation fund, as their meals have been prepaid

they don't them Imagineers for nothing