Disney Dining Plan Going Downhill? Your Thoughts???

[brunette8706]

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.

**
Hi! Oh they put the prime rib back out on the buffet? Are you sure it was prime rib and not some other type of steak? Last time we were there (December 09) they had, I think sirloin, kind of dry. And believe in me it wasn't half as good as the prime rib.

 

[livie1205]

WOW! Such harsh words here! It's not up to you to decide what DW does with the DDP or just how much food those on the DDP 'deserve' to get. Or what's 'fair'. The DDP IS available to you and your family. If you don't like paying $30 for a steak at LeCellier- then get the DDP for your family.

These are business decisions that are left to DW to decide- not for you or me or anyone else. We make our DW financial decisions based on what DW offers... your post above almost makes it sound like those on the DDP are stealing food. DW makes the rules here, not those on the DDP. We are just playing by those rules.

 

[SarahKate]

Interesting thread and very interesting opinions. I totally agree with asmit's post about it being Disney's decision on what to do - it's not the decision of those of us who use the DDP or those of us who don't!!!

As for our personal situation, we've done it on all three of our trips. We're getting ready to leave on 4/30 and actually did ran some numbers to see if we could SAVE money by not doing the plan. We calculated based upon not getting desserts every single meal, not getting soda every meal, and getting entrees based on what we thought we'd WANT to eat not what was the most expensive dish. After all that, we realized that we really wouldn't come out far ahead if we decided to skip the plan.

So while it's not a "steal", it's still a great deal for us and we're also in the group that is not going to try to maximize it and always order the most expensive thing or get soda/dessert each time just because it's included. Also, having our meals paid for NOW is a great thing.

 

[brunette8706]

Hey All!

Question-

Is the PRIME RIB still on the BOMA buffet? Does anyone know?

Thanks much!
Brunette

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Creative Amanda and TDC Nala, I totally agree. I was horrified at some things I saw CM's doing. I am a former CM and my old manager would have read us the riot act if we did any of that!(sitting down, hugging, talking to other CM's while guests were waiting for help!) It is not just dining that has seen cuts. Nala, I agree, we just stick to signature places and our fave CS (Flame Tree, Yorkshire Fish) but wish things would get better at some of our old favorites! But people like me are to blame (and probably lots of us) because we don't take our $$ off property, so Disney has no motivation to improve!

 

[Kurby]

But people like me are to blame (and probably lots of us) because we don't take our $$ off property, so Disney has no motivation to improve!

because for the most part you're a captive audience. we drive so have a car and could go but what a waste of time it is (for us) to have to leave the park wait for the tram or walk to our car leave to get something to eat then come back walk or wait for the tram and enter the park again. it's a pain just to change parks let alone do anything else.

i can't even imagine how someone who flew in would get to an off-site restaurant

 

[honeydiane1953]

Interesting thread and very interesting opinions. I totally agree with asmit's post about it being Disney's decision on what to do - it's not the decision of those of us who use the DDP or those of us who don't!!!

As for our personal situation, we've done it on all three of our trips. We're getting ready to leave on 4/30 and actually did ran some numbers to see if we could SAVE money by not doing the plan. We calculated based upon not getting desserts every single meal, not getting soda every meal, and getting entrees based on what we thought we'd WANT to eat not what was the most expensive dish. After all that, we realized that we really wouldn't come out far ahead if we decided to skip the plan.

So while it's not a "steal", it's still a great deal for us and we're also in the group that is not going to try to maximize it and always order the most expensive thing or get soda/dessert each time just because it's included. Also, having our meals paid for NOW is a great thing.

Last yr we went two weeks earlier than this year. I thought the food was very good. We just got back this past Sun. and my daughter noticed I wasn't enjoying much of anything. I told her imo Disney had dumbed down the food. She even admitted some type of wine in France wasn't as good as in previous yrs. so even with our small group we noticed each in our on way changes. I can IMAGINE what ten of thousands will/have noticed. Thqt being said the Grand Marnier orange thingy was OUT OF THE WORLD. THANK YOU SAMANTHA BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

**
Hi! Oh they put the prime rib back out on the buffet? Are you sure it was prime rib and not some other type of steak? Last time we were there (December 09) they had, I think sirloin, kind of dry. And believe in me it wasn't half as good as the prime rib.

I have absolutely no reason to believe the prime rib will be on the buffets again. Not when Disney's food vendors have been giving us those disintegrating burger and hot dog buns!

 

[2Tiggies]

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



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.

I don't think the buns are to do with cost cutting as much as to create the impression that they are offering healthy choices. But that is a bit of a joke in itself because, with all due respect, someone ordering a hot dog is probably not looking for a healthy meal - and let's face it, on vacation even the "healthiest" people are entitled to indulge as much as they please.

 

[mickey2000]

Di$ney is counting on NEW guests who have nothing to comare with from years ago ! This is nothing new. They have been dumbing down the menus for years. Soon they will all have the same deserts
Or find 100 was odf serving chicken that they pay $.50 a pound for in bulk!

 

[Lewisc]

Restaurants like Outback and Olive Garden appeal to famlies more then re$taurant$ like Shula's and Il Mulino.

Prior to DDP restaurants (excluding CRT and a couple of others) were empty. Many cases ADRs could be obtained the same day.

The restaurants were changed to make them more popular for famlies. Just my opinion but the DDP was the result of the change, not the cause.

People willing to pay for a better dining experience still have V&A, Bistro, Shula's, Il Mulino and blueZoo. Instead of complaining about the DDP and the current status of Disney restaurants posters should "vote with their feet".

I agree with PP regarding menu standardization. People staying for a week are now basically getting the same menu, but in different restaurants.

I think at least some people would be better off skipping the DDP (or getting the QS plan) and having their special meals in non-DDP restaurants.

 

[danielle.st]

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.

I don't think the ddp is being subsidized by OOP. I think they raise the prices high for OOP in order to influence people to purchase a DDP. It makes the DDP look like a better value.
And also, let's be real here. Theme park food is always pricier than that outside of theme parks. Location, location, location.

 

[bakenatj]

Restaurants like Outback and Olive Garden appeal to famlies more then re$taurant$ like Shula's and Il Mulino.

Prior to DDP restaurants (excluding CRT and a couple of others) were empty. Many cases ADRs could be obtained the same day.

The restaurants were changed to make them more popular for famlies. Just my opinion but the DDP was the result of the change, not the cause.

People willing to pay for a better dining experience still have V&A, Bistro, Shula's, Il Mulino and blueZoo. Instead of complaining about the DDP and the current status of Disney restaurants posters should "vote with their feet".

I agree with PP regarding menu standardization. People staying for a week are now basically getting the same menu, but in different restaurants.

I think at least some people would be better off skipping the DDP (or getting the QS plan) and having their special meals in non-DDP restaurants.

Interesting read this thread, but I tend to agree with this post. Most guest prior to Disney putting out the DDP did not visit TS restaurants. This was Disney's way of getting people to eat a sit down style meal.

We can all sit here and give our suggestions on how to make it better but it all comes down to the bottom line. We all want our trips to be magical and perfect but just like any other business if you aren't making a profit that makes the boss (board of shareholders in this case) unhappy, then you must find ways to increase profits.

While I have never had a disgusting meal or unenjoyable meal at Disney, I don't go there expecting to eat like I do when I visit Manny's Steakhouse. Service IMOP has to do with the work ethics of today's generation. (I'm 32 so I'm not old.)

Without really looking at the situation from the inside we can't really have any good solutions for improving the restaurants at Disney.

I have been to the World many times and will continue (DVC Member) and I have used the DDP, for the money think it is suitable. Just my thoughts.

 

[tinacaplan]

This is an interesting thread for a number of reasons. My husband and I did the DxDDP this past February and I'm still not sure if it was "worth it." I know that we broke even, but we didn't really eat the way we would have otherwise. I would have been quite satisfied with smaller, quicker meals wherever I happened to be for lunch and one really outstanding dinner at night. I didn't know this before I went, though.

I also know that we shelled out a lot more on tips and alchoholic beverages than we ever would have otherwise.

The only restaraunt that was truly terrible was Chefs de France. Really, truly horrible. We ate at a lot of signatures and I think it was all sort of OK. Loved Cali Grill, though.

If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now, I probably would do things differently.

Now we're planning our next trip and I know we'll stay on-site. Don't know if we'll get a dining plan, but I'm inclined to think I probably will as we're returning with our three year-old son and buffets will work out well for us and the average buffet is about thirty dollars per adult!

Not sure that answers the original question, but these are just my thoughts.

 

[mkacar24]

Hey All!

Question-

Is the PRIME RIB still on the BOMA buffet? Does anyone know?

Thanks much!
Brunette

I ate the prime rib off of Boma's wonderful buffet this past friday.

As for this discussion our family has done the deluxe plan the last two years and have no complaints. Only one bad meal out of all those table service places and we love the stress free vacation that prepaid meals offer. And we only order what we want, I skipped dessert many times.

 

[Tiger926]

Just a thought for those who are on the DxDP and not seeing any issues:

We have done the DxDP as well -the reason? Because we eat 2-3 TS meals per day. We had eaten at pretty much most of those restaurants before and had paid cash or regular DP for them (except a few Signatures, which we don't think are really worth 2TS credits anyway, except Citricos and Yachtsmen).

It wasn't because we couldn't normally afford these meals, and were trying them for the first time, or, because we thought we were going to save a huge amount of money on the DxDP. We did save money, and so after doing both plans many times (we would never do QS DP as we don't like CS meals at all), DxDP does offer the best financial savings for the guest.

I think it all has to do with value - DxDP guests are paying a lot of money per day to eat. They have the choice of 3 TS meals with appetizers, multiple snacks and a mug, and so it forces them to see a huge value, regardless of whether the food or service is good. When you have 2 more TS credits to use that day, I would venture to guess you might not be as picky. I have heard it in person, and read it on these boards.

For us, we have eaten pretty much everywhere, multiple times, and so we have lots to compare to since we've vacationed exclusively to WDW for the past 10 years. When we did the DP, we still put thought into our ADRs, regarding price, etc., but I see so many times on these boards, that people are ok with subpar service and food as they are on the DP. And, I see this attitude even more with guests on the DxDP.

For us, it shouldn't matter how one pays for their meals - if the food and service need tweaking, that is relevant, regardless of how we are paying.

We no longer do any DPs as we don't like the restrictions, wastage of food, etc. We are back to using TIW and love that! But, we are still the same now, that we were then when using the DP - if it's bad service/food, we don't return for awhile, and usually always speak to people about the concerns we had.

Just a thought about what I see after being on these boards for so long, Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

I ate the prime rib off of Boma's wonderful buffet this past friday.

As for this discussion our family has done the deluxe plan the last two years and have no complaints. Only one bad meal out of all those table service places and we love the stress free vacation that prepaid meals offer. And we only order what we want, I skipped dessert many times.

*********

Coolio! Thanks so much for your quick reply!

 

[ssledoux]

I don't think anything you get at Disney for "free" is really free. I'm quite sure any free dining is more than compensated for via hotel rooms, souveniers, tea parties, and the like. They offer the DP to draw in business during slow times, and because they can afford to do it.

I remember when the food at Disney was HORRIBLE!!! Back when I was young and we went every year, there was nothing to eat that tasted worth a flip. In fact, I noticed a remarkable improvement between my 2001 and 2008 visits.

In 2008 I chose the dining plan because it was offered free at the time of our visit. I wouldn't pay for the dining plan because I wouldn't eat sit-down meals every day as a rule. I would rarely, if ever, order a dessert (and we didn't order all the desserts we could've on our free plan, nor did we eat all the snacks). In fact, we are not big eaters and would normally just eat an appetizer as a meal, or share an entree between 2 of us.

When we were on the DDP, I actually ate an appetizer as my meal at one of the TS restaurants so I certainly wasn't out to "get the most I could for the money" as mentioned in the thread.

We are going in 11 days and we are not on any dining plan. We have 2 TS meals scheduled (one being BOMA) and are actually excited about trying more of the counter service places and just paying OOP so we can share different items if we'd like to. I am much more content saving 40% on my room!

 

[Tribe0701]

I like the posts.

 

[ppony]

I haven't read all of the pages, but all I can say is no matter the cause, this is the very first time I'm not enthused about making any ADRs (except V&As). I'm less than 2 weeks to my window and I don't have a single one figured out yet. We'll be eating in our villa for most if not all breakfasts, grabbing lunch on the go and dining off site for some of our dinners. I'm tired of paying premium for meals (we don't do dining plans) that are poor at best. If I'm going to pay $150+++ for a dinner for my family of 4, I'm going to LIKE it, or at the very least not leave still hungry. Is that too much to ask? My biggest beef (pardon the pun) is the quality. It's just SO not worth the price tag, even for the convenience of eating on-site. And yes we fly in and rent a car.