Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[cakebaker]

What it tells us is that they probably make more by not having a dining plan.

Disney makes far more off the dining plan that they do with cash customers. They've dumbed down the menus and jacked the prices to make it seem like the DP is a good deal. The plan forces to you pick the most expensive places to eat just to break even. If Disney made more money by not having it, they would've stopped it long ago. They don't put out these things to lose money, they put them out to make money.

Of course people are packed into restaurants right now. They've upped capacity to normal limits and not yet opened all their dining. Too many people, too few choices. People do have to eat.

Free dining is going to be a thing of the past and I wouldn't be surprised that IF dining plans come back, the prices are going to be considerably higher

Free dining was never free to start with, but I agree the promotion is probably gone or will be drastically cut in some way. When the dining plans come back, you can bet the prices will be higher and you can bet people will still buy them because they're convinced it saves them money. It's been a brilliant marketing strategy from the start. Offer a meal plan that's actually a good value, then slowly reduce quality and cut the plan over the years. People will only remember how much they saved at the start rather than what they're actually getting now.

Disney has said they are definitely bringing dining plans back, but with the limited restaurants they have open it's not feasible at the moment. They don't want to kill the golden goose by putting out a dining plan and people not actually be able to get reservations to use it.

 

[OhBother1984]

What it tells us is that they probably make more by not having a dining plan. The restaurants are full of people willing to pay full price for meals and snacks instead of guests getting any value out of a dining plan. On the AYCTE restaurants alone, Disney is making about $15 more per adult that sits at a table to get a lesser experience than pre-COVID. Free dining is going to be a thing of the past and I wouldn't be surprised that IF dining plans come back, the prices are going to be considerably higher than they were since guests have proven that they are willing to pay top dollar OOP. This doesn't factor in the boost of morale by the wait staff who, rumor has it, were more likely to be tipped poorly or stiffed by people on the dining plans. If demand for TS restaurants starts to decline, then maybe dining plans come back but until then they have no reason to bring them back, from a business standpoint.

Disney makes money on the dining plan, the vast majority don't save money using it and many lose money especially onces they closed the QS credit loophole with kids credits working for adult meals.

 

[preemiemama]

Disney makes far more off the dining plan that they do with cash customers. They've dumbed down the menus and jacked the prices to make it seem like the DP is a good deal. The plan forces to you pick the most expensive places to eat just to break even. If Disney made more money by not having it, they would've stopped it long ago. They don't put out these things to lose money, they put them out to make money.

Of course people are packed into restaurants right now. They've upped capacity to normal limits and not yet opened all their dining. Too many people, too few choices. People do have to eat.



Free dining was never free to start with, but I agree the promotion is probably gone or will be drastically cut in some way. When the dining plans come back, you can bet the prices will be higher and you can bet people will still buy them because they're convinced it saves them money. It's been a brilliant marketing strategy from the start. Offer a meal plan that's actually a good value, then slowly reduce quality and cut the plan over the years. People will only remember how much they saved at the start rather than what they're actually getting now.

Disney has said they are definitely bringing dining plans back, but with the limited restaurants they have open it's not feasible at the moment. They don't want to kill the golden goose by putting out a dining plan and people not actually be able to get reservations to use it.

I agree with all of what you’re saying but restaurants are not open at full capacity yet. I think because they can’t fully staff them, but where we’ve eaten has not been full at all. And they’re definitely losing money on us with food this year vs in the past when we have bought the DDP.

 

[snikki]

I don’t think the dining plan can come back at that cost without more character dining and buffets being open. People aren’t going to pay DDP prices when a family style breakfast is $25. They need the $50 character meals to justify it.

 

[karen4546]

Disney makes money on the dining plan, the vast majority don't save money using it and many lose money especially onces they closed the QS credit loophole with kids credits working for adult meals.

I agree that Disney is the one benefiting from the dining plan. We have purchased it many times in the past but only mostly when we are bringing our grandchildren or people who have never been to WDW-for convenience.

If it is just DH and I then the DDP is not worth it because it is too much food. We like to order a couple of appetizers or charcuterie and split an entree. We normally skip dessert EXCEPT at LTT.

Now, when BOG had the QS lunch and breakfast-the dining plan was a good value vs. paying cash for it - especially if we ordered an alcoholic beverage.

 

[mom2rtk]

What it tells us is that they probably make more by not having a dining plan. The restaurants are full of people willing to pay full price for meals and snacks instead of guests getting any value out of a dining plan. On the AYCTE restaurants alone, Disney is making about $15 more per adult that sits at a table to get a lesser experience than pre-COVID. Free dining is going to be a thing of the past and I wouldn't be surprised that IF dining plans come back, the prices are going to be considerably higher than they were since guests have proven that they are willing to pay top dollar OOP. This doesn't factor in the boost of morale by the wait staff who, rumor has it, were more likely to be tipped poorly or stiffed by people on the dining plans. If demand for TS restaurants starts to decline, then maybe dining plans come back but until then they have no reason to bring them back, from a business standpoint.

They need to have all restaurants back at full capacity operating for a minute before we can make any guesses about the future of the dining plan.

 

[C&Jx2]

What’s today’s rumor regarding FP+ returning? Did I miss it skimming the thread?

 

[easyas123]

What’s today’s rumor regarding FP+ returning? Did I miss it skimming the thread?

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[EmilyGahr]

What’s today’s rumor regarding FP+ returning? Did I miss it skimming the thread?

TylerChange on the "Rumored Reopening Dates for some Disney Perks/Events" said there is a rumor that an announcement could be coming today.

 

[redboat45]

What’s today’s rumor regarding FP+ returning? Did I miss it skimming the thread?

It's in another thread. The rumor is that there will be an announcement about it today for possible return in August. We'll see.

 

[Leigh L]

Of course people are packed into restaurants right now. They've upped capacity to normal limits and not yet opened all their dining. Too many people, too few choices. People do have to eat.

I'm not convinced capacity in restaurants is 100% yet, unless there has been a major change.

The reason why is likely due to staffing, but in the last few days of June, tables in some places were still pretty spread out compared to pre-COVID. I've been in Disney restaurants in August 2020, November, 2021 -January, February, and late June. I also was in them January 2020. They just don't feel as full yet as they did on the Jan 2020 trip.

 

[Farro]

I'm not convinced capacity in restaurants is 100% yet, unless there has been a major change.

The reason why is likely due to staffing, but in the last few days of June, tables in some places were still pretty spread out compared to pre-COVID. I've been in Disney restaurants in August 2020, November, 2021 -January, February, and late June. I also was in them January 2020. They just don't feel as full yet as they did on the Jan 2020 trip.

I did read that some counter-service places are now back to allowing people to order at registers, so I think staffing is finally starting to ramp-up. I'd imagine they would fully staff counter-service first before table service?

 

[Leigh L]

Disney makes money on the dining plan, the vast majority don't save money using it and many lose money especially onces they closed the QS credit loophole with kids credits working for adult meals.

Yes, and they especially make money if you get a foodborne illness from a WDW restaurant (doctor confirmed) and can't physically eat for days....poof those dining credits are gone. (WDW will not extend or do anything for it far as we could tell.)

Sorry, I'm not bitter!! LOL (my poor family trying to eat my share in 2 days lol)
I will never do the dining plan if it ever comes back though - that was my first and last time!

Man, we need some news!! Speaking of restaurants, c'mon Artist Point. AND WDW, how about some entertainment and shows brought back .

 

[Leigh L]

I did read that some counter-service places are now back to allowing people to order at registers, so I think staffing is finally starting to ramp-up. I'd imagine they would fully staff counter-service first before table service?

This is good news!
Mobile is great and super convenient, but sometimes you just wanna pay cash, lol.

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

I have a handful of friends in the DCP and they finished their training and start at their positions THIS weekend so that would align with the return of the Epcot monorail line so HOPEFULLY that is an indication of staffing to open up all the things we've been missing?! MAYBE! Unless Disney is hurting for employees more than they let on but the reports from my friends in the program are that it is HUGE this year.

 

[Garyjames220]

If I had a FP for every time we've been told a big announcement was coming.....

Yeah I feel the same. Getting a joke now

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Nothing on the parks blog during the usual 9AM slot... Doesn't "Bad News" typically get put out in the afternoon?

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

But to be fair these rumors were never started or even hinted at by Disney themselves, just people on the internet we somehow trust because we want it back so badly!

 

[123SA]

Do the college kids take off a semester? My kids go to different colleges but both are back in school by the end of AUgust and both of their schools start comparatively late. It just seems like the kids will only be there fir one month at most.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Shades of Green is getting Early Entry...: Just my opinion, they should get that Deluxe Late Access too. https://blogmickey.com/2021/07/shades-of-green-added-to-early-theme-park-entry-eligible-hotels/