Disney Dining Plan - Will it come back and when?

[Heather07438]

Are you disappointed DDP is on hiatus? We are.

Our trip was planned back in Dec '19 to visit WDW Jan 2021 where we tried to take advantage of advance planning an 8 day trip. Then 2020 happened and so much has changed. DDP figured high on the list as we have hoppers and a split stay between MK and Epcot resorts. The best laid plans... lol.

I'm wondering if there's any hope that DDP returns? Hopping would be nice too, and of course fireworks We're 90 days out from the trip now and I'm wondering if at this point we should just give up any hope of DDP.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is unlikely to return for 2021.

The big issue is the contracts with eateries, both on-resort and those operated by third parties. They typically are negotiating with the restaurants by now on reimbursement. They aren't doing that right now. No one will be contracted with DDP as of 12/31/20.

Were they to bring it back mid-year they'd be doing half-year contracts to bring it back in alignment with fiscal year and with package rate years. Which is also a ton of effort.

 

[Heather07438]

It is unlikely to return for 2021.

The big issue is the contracts with eateries, both on-resort and those operated by third parties. They typically are negotiating with the restaurants by now on reimbursement. They aren't doing that right now. No one will be contracted with DDP as of 12/31/20.

Were they to bring it back mid-year they'd be doing half-year contracts to bring it back in alignment with fiscal year and with package rate years. Which is also a ton of effort.

Oh yes, thank you for pointing it out that way! Didn't cross my mind to think about it from the contract angle.

In reality not having DDP doesn't really change too much for us. A loose look at the costs under either scenario are very close. What's lost by not being able to take advantage of maxing some credits is gained in flexibilty. Maybe next trip will see DDP again.

 

[HikingFam]

I’m sure it will come back because Disney makes so much money from it, but I have to wonder if some of the menu/food quality improvements lately are made possible by the dining plan hiatus.

 

[Heather07438]

I’m sure it will come back because Disney makes so much money from it, but I have to wonder if some of the menu/food quality improvements lately are made possible by the dining plan hiatus.

That would be great to see food improvements! I noticed over the last 5 years the entree menus became sort of mediocre as higher end items and more creative options were chipped away. Maybe this will be for the best I'm looking forward to visiting the lounges without trying to work them around dining credit use. And being able to eat at any location without considering if it's included or how it fares with DDP.

 

[Heather07438]

The one regret is that we have a split stay with 2 nights at Poly. Were planning to get DxDDP for those 2 nights and enjoy having appetizers included and being able to spread those 6 deluxe TS credits each over 3 days. We were up to the challenge of maximizing that, lol.

 

[HikingFam]

That would be great to see food improvements! I noticed over the last 5 years the entree menus became sort of mediocre as higher end items and more creative options were chipped away. Maybe this will be for the best I'm looking forward to visiting the lounges without trying to work them around dining credit use. And being able to eat at any location without considering if it's included or how it fares with DDP.

If you have APs, you might consider getting Tables in Wonderland (whenever they start selling them again). 20% off almost everywhere. We eat a lot of “nice” food and come out much better with TIW than the dining plan!

 

[Heather07438]

If you have APs, you might consider getting Tables in Wonderland (whenever they start selling them again). 20% off almost everywhere. We eat a lot of “nice” food and come out much better with TIW than the dining plan!

Good idea! We have 8 day tickets, still deciding if AP upgrades could be a good choice for us in 2021. TIW would work great in that case. And that would depend when sales open back up for non-APs. We lapsed ours early 2019.

 

[MarkS2112]

In reality nobody knows when or if it will come back. Same goes with all the other cuts. Disney is bleeding money and the longer the pandemic goes on the longer things are not normal so get used to Disney not being what it was for sometime which means not just this year but likely next year and the year after.

 

[OfCourseTheresAlwaysMyWay]

The Dining Plan is a huge moneymaker. I imagine it’ll return to the Disney-owned restaurants as soon as capacity will allow.

The problem is adding third party restaurants before 2022. There are a lot of them at Epcot in particular. And again that could affect capacity.

I also think all of the signature and character experiences would need to return.

 

[quinacciani]

We've done two trips with DDP and it is a lot of fun to really maximize your savings and not feel bad about ordering that filet at dinner! But if you have a Disney Visa, you get discounts at a decent number of restaurants which certainly helps. We took advantage on our last trip as almost all of our TS meals were at places that offered a Visa discount.

 

[Heather07438]

I also think all of the signature and character experiences would need to return.

The character buffets really helped prop up the perception of DDP's value. You're probably right that they'll need to return first.

 

[tuckymom]

I can't imagine it coming back until September 2021 at the earliest but honestly, ITA about 2022.

The contracts with the restaurants is one issue. I think capacity at restaurants and many restaurants not being open is a big hindrance as well. I'm sure Disney will bring it back as soon as they can with a slightly increased amount per day and probably something nobody likes (like BOG becoming TS for all three meals).