Do you see this happening? DP+

[BayouMickey]

With this new plus system hoopla,
My family was discussing the dining plan as is and what could potentially be improved.
One of the solutions was sort of a customize your own DP. (i'll try to explain this the best I can without confusing everyone lol)
example would be:
you want to plan 2 counter services, 3 table, and 5 snacks..
one of the ts is a two credit service.
Now creating a formula based on current pricing, I round up the standard DP to $60 and break it down to set values as follows: ts=30 cs=20 snack=10
So you'd go to the DP+ section of MDE and plan what you'd need.
In our example we'd need 2 cs (20x2)
4 ts ( one is a 2 credit so 30x4)
5 snacks (10x5)
total being $210

Reasoning for this: there's a big gap between the standard and deluxe plans if you want to do a 2 cred ts on the standard you'd miss out on a ts one day, but maybe we don't want 3 full table services everyday of our trip.

I know it's far fetched but, what do ya'll think, could this be feasible?

 

[glassslippergirl]

It's an interesting idea-- kind of like a using a meal plan at a college dining hall. If some savings were involved, it would make me consider a dining plan. I think, however, that Disney depends on making money on a lot of DDPers, not only by giving them a reason to eat on-property, but also through those who don't plan with ADRs and use TS credits for CS, etc. And when used by planners, DDP as it is fills on-site restaurants in a way I'm not sure this points plan would. But I would love to try it.

 

[sharonabe]

You're a little off on your math. 30 + 15 + 5 = 50, not 60. So what do you change to make the math work?

As PP said, it would not be to Disney's advantage to do a custom plan as they would start to lose money. With DDP as is, they make money on the majority of users.

 

[Cherinva]

I don't see Disney doing a custom dining plan.....the idea is nice, but not realisitc.

 

[hakepb]

I would like to further expand the idea and use your points to offer a different TS selection, like the option to have a side salad and entree instead of just entree and dessert.. And have a few value options with a TGIF like appetizer, entree and dessert. And you could have a few premium entree only (no dessert)

And at QS perhaps I could get onion rings at Flamtree instead of a crappy dessert.

But, complexity creates confusion
And more importantly, Disney likes the current plan because overall guests spend more on the DDP than they would OOP

 

[ghtx]

I know it's far fetched but, what do ya'll think, could this be feasible?

They already have this type of dining plan offered, believe it or not.

It's this crazy idea called the "out-of-pocket" dining plan. The way it works is this: you actually pay for the food that you eat when you eat it. You can be as flexible as you want with how many QS vs. TS vs. snacks you can eat in one day.

You don't need a package, either.

 

[BayouMickey]

You're a little off on your math. 30 + 15 + 5 = 50, not 60. So what do you change to make the math work?

As PP said, it would not be to Disney's advantage to do a custom plan as they would start to lose money. With DDP as is, they make money on the majority of users.

duely noted and edited.
initially yes they are making more money, but you have to look at it long term. People *MAY* be more inclined to use the DP more if they had a little more versatility.

 

[BayouMickey]

They already have this type of dining plan offered, believe it or not.

It's this crazy idea called the "out-of-pocket" dining plan. The way it works is this: you actually pay for the food that you eat when you eat it. You can be as flexible as you want with how many QS vs. TS vs. snacks you can eat in one day.

You don't need a package, either.

I get what you are saying. But people do the plan so they don't have to worry what's going oop. our appeal to the dp is that we can go eat and not have to worry about adding up the cost of each course of the meal. just flash the keycard or band and we are good to go.

 

[WillAustin]

I don't think they want the plan to be very flexible. They'd rather have people leaving credits unused at the end of their trips.

 

[ghtx]

I get what you are saying. But people do the plan so they don't have to worry what's going oop. our appeal to the dp is that we can go eat and not have to worry about adding up the cost of each course of the meal. just flash the keycard or band and we are good to go.

But you can also do this by paying OOP, using your key card to charge it to the room (or even your credit card), and not bother worrying about the prices.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well Disneyland has a more customizable dining plan and it's not a savings at all. You are usually better off just putting money on a gift card. So that's what Disney creates when they make a dining plan less rigid.

 

[minnie mum]

I get what you are saying. But people do the plan so they don't have to worry what's going oop. our appeal to the dp is that we can go eat and not have to worry about adding up the cost of each course of the meal. just flash the keycard or band and we are good to go.

And yet when we dine at WDW without the DDP, we just flash the keycard and we are good to go. And don't worry about having to eat too much food in order to get our money's worth out of the plan.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I don't see Disney going that way, but I would love a plan between the regular and deluxe dining plans. I want 2 counter service and 1 table service per day. I don't need apps and desserts for each person. I could take or leave the snacks (I'm going to snack, mind you, but I am just as happy paying out of pocket). I love the convenience of the dining plan, but I want to pay for 3 actual meals a day with only one being a huge table service meal.

 

[ghtx]

I think everyone pretty much agrees that the DP doesn't actually save you any money vs OOP (for most people). The advantage is (as OP mentioned) in not having to worry about paying for every meal during your trip, and instead paying all in advance.

 

[BayouMickey]

Understand, this is probably not the "best" solution, it was just one of the few we came up with to address the gap between DDP and DDXP.
I'm sure there are other solutions, we just thought of this one as one that co-ensides with the current pricings.

 

[BayouMickey]

And yet when we dine at WDW without the DDP, we just flash the keycard and we are good to go. And don't worry about having to eat too much food in order to get our money's worth out of the plan.

fair enough

 

[Thumper_Man]

Now creating a formula based on current pricing, I round up the standard DP to $60 and break it down to set values as follows: ts=30 cs=20 snack=10

You're a little off on your math. 30 + 15 + 5 = 50, not 60. So what do you change to make the math work?

OP stated 30, 20 and 10, which is 60. Don't know where you got 30, 15 and 5.

I would have to agree though, if I could customize a plan like this, I would probably consider buying a dp.

 

[BayouMickey]

OP stated 30, 20 and 10, which is 60. Don't know where you got 30, 15 and 5.

I would have to agree though, if I could customize a plan like this, I would probably consider buying a dp.

my original pricing was off, I've edited it to reflect the correct pricing.. It was my bad math lol

 

[Thumper_Man]

my original pricing was off, I've edited it to reflect the correct pricing.. It was my bad math lol

Got it. My apologies to sharonabe then. That's what happens when you show up late to the party.

 

[Rip]

The easiest thing - and it wouldn't be difficult at all to implement - would be to issue X amount of credits, then assign values for each food item. Wouldn't matter then what you got, or where.

Not gonna happen though.