Dissappointed in package prices...

[lisakordes]

I just wanted to voice my displeasure on the number of meals that need to be pre-paid for the holidays(X-mas & New Years) and the Fantasmic & CP packages. All are very pricey for a meal, & no liquor. I will think twice about Disney at Christmas next time.When I added up all the meals that had to be p.p. for packages, I was shocked!
LK

 

[Tiger Fan]

It works well for some and not for others I suppose. We felt the package prices were in line with what we would be paying for a specific meal and by paying them upfront it saved us the worry about paying later. It was nice to have half of our meals already paid for and others we used the Connections Vouchers. It's all a matter of preference.
Lisa

 

[DisneyAlly]

I thought the CP package is worthwhile especially for the higher tier restaurants. In fact, we are doing the CP package twice. I like the idea of paying some of the meals ahead of time so less charges to see on my credit card when I get home .

 

[JulesMom]

We didn't have to prepay for our Christmas meal. They just took a CC# which will be charged a fee if you don't show up.

We feel the CP package is worth it for us. We eat at Garden Grille--a restaurant we eat at every trip anyway. So, for about $5 a person, we don't have to wait in line for CP.

We have never done the Fantasmic Package and we have always gotten a seat.

 

[December99]

I feel the CP is worth it because what I save on the souveniers I purchase with the 15% discount pays for my meal!!!!

 

[JulesMom]

I forgot about the 15% discount

We spent a few hundred dollars at MouseGears last year

 

[lisakordes]

To clarify...We were charged a set price Fantasmic dinner package for a dinner we were able to order off menu last year at a lower price;Christmas Eve we are pre paying for CP at San Angel a higher price than it would if we ordered off menu(Yes the 15% does make that one worth it..) Christmas day-we are pre-paying for dinner at a set price at GF for a meal that could have been ordered off menu at a lower price,but setting a holiday menu ,sets a holiday price,Lastly New Years eve at La Cellier also a set menu w/set price for a dinner we could have ordered off menu.My point,you can't just order off menu,they are setting higher prices at holiday times for a set menu...
LK

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by lisakordes
To clarify...We were charged a set price Fantasmic dinner package for a dinner we were able to order off menu last year at a lower price;Christmas Eve we are pre paying for CP at San Angel a higher price than it would if we ordered off menu(Yes the 15% does make that one worth it..) Christmas day-we are pre-paying for dinner at a set price at GF for a meal that could have been ordered off menu at a lower price,but setting a holiday menu ,sets a holiday price,Lastly New Years eve at La Cellier also a set menu w/set price for a dinner we could have ordered off menu.My point,you can't just order off menu,they are setting higher prices at holiday times for a set menu...
LK

Were you charged for the Christmas meal? I thought they just ask for your CC information to hold the PS. If you don't show up, then they will charge it. Has the policy changed?

I agree with Tiger Fan, I like to have as many meals paid for in advance as possible. I wish WDW would sell the meal vouchers like the ones that are sold at Disneyland.

 

[JulesMom]

We are having lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe on Christmas Day. We weren't charged anything.

I guess some restaurants have different policies.

Last Christmas, we were supposed to have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. We weren't charged anything before we went. After waiting over 45 minutes and still not being seated we went to Epcot and had lunch at Electric Umbrella.

I talked to the CM before I left and she assured me we wouldn't be charged the no-show fee and we weren't

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I have a question about New Years Eve. I made a PS for Rose and Crown and they required a CC# because of the cancellation charge. They did not mention a set menu. Was this something that was done last year or something only at Le Cellier?

Thanks!

 

[Gillian]

The higher prices and a set menu ARE annoying! We have similar holiday menus here at home, but of course, you can avoid them by not going out. When on vacation you're somewhat stuck.

The pre-paying wouldn't bother me. It's kind of nice.

 

[justhat]

Yes, I agree that you are somewhat stuck, but also at WDW you're really not because you can always eat at a food court. I'm not sure if this is everywhere, but in NJ ifyou eat a restaurant on any major holiday, like Christmas or NYE, you more than likely will encounter a set menu with a set price. Yes, you can avoid this by not eating out and staying home, but you've already made that decision not to stay home by planning to go to WDW. Also, there's always the option of the 'home away from home' resorts if you'd rather not eat out at the fixed price and stay home and cook your own holiday meal. Granted, the prices are higher for what you could order off the menu on a regular night, but they are also probably paying workers more to work on a holiday, and it also helps waiters get higher tips for the holidays. I know this may not seem right, but having worked on Christmas Eve in a nice restaurant before I know it was greatly appreciated. Also, the restaurants that are requiring the set price and all that are alsot he nicer restaurants at WDW, where you pay a premium price even not on a holiday. I'll be in WDW then too, so I'm feeling the effects of the set menus, prices, and prepaid packages. We're only doing hte Fantasmic package and ordinarily I wouldn't do that one, but my mom is coming with us and I know there's no way she'd want to wait in line 2 hours to get a seat, then wait another hour or so before the show starts when there's a good chance it will be pretty chilly when we go on 12/29. So even though I've always been ok without the package, in this case it is worth it to me. Also, since it's so crowded that time of year, they have to be able to get a lot of people in to eat each night so with a set menu they don't waste as much time preparing different meals for each table. And the same idea applies to why they charge your credit card if you don't show up or make you pay in advance because if you don't come and they're holding a table for you, they have to turn others away and so they lose money and other hungry families have to keep looking for food. If you know you're paying whether you eat there or not, then you'll most likely make an effort to be there. I'm not saying any of this to be mean or yell at you for complaining, I'm just offering another point of view, from the side of Disney and the CMs.