Do You think DISNEY has gone down hlll the last few years?

[BigGreen73]

Yup, DP has gone up, yet again. There seems to be only a $1.00-$2.00 (depends upon what website you use) difference between regular and peak season though, so that's a bit confusing, as it's been $4.00 over the past few years, plus, those of us who pay cash, get charged buffet surcharges of $4.00/pp. All plans went up, with DxDP going up the most $72.00 to $79.00 approx.

Here is the link to prices: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm#prices

By the way, Disney used to advertise save up to 40% with the DP, and like you both noticed, it's now down to 20%.

Tiger

Pretty soon, the DDP won't be worth it for anyone and will most will just pay out of pocket. Which is good and bad for WDW. Good because WDW will get full $$$$ value on meals... Bad because I can see folks doing less TS meals...Right now, IMO, the DDP still good for families and good if your going to have expensive table service meals every day anyway. But as it stands, the 20% saving comes from the $$$ saved on the $4 snacks it seems.

AND, before I left for my Sept trip, someone posted that WDW did cut back on some FW's etc for MNSSHP. As it was my 1st time, I still thought it was great. I loved the party so I bought the CD that had all the party music on it. I was listen to it on the way to work this morning and noticed that the few of the sequences on the CD, were not in the parties I attended and it was obvious....I think WDW needs to update their CD's so they don't make themselves look bad...

 

[rie'smom]

Pretty soon, the DDP won't be worth it for anyone and will most will just pay out of pocket. Which is good and bad for WDW. Good because WDW will get full $$$$ value on meals... Bad because I can see folks doing less TS meals...Right now, IMO, the DDP still good for families and good if your going to have expensive table service meals every day anyway. But as it stands, the 20% saving comes from the $$$ saved on the $4 snacks it seems...

This would be a good thing. The table service restaurants would have to improve the quality of their food to draw people back into their restaurants.

 

[flicx]

Flicx, I usually "DO" Disneyland...and LOVE IT...it's no where as big as WDW...but it's so darn cute and quaint....

We were there this time last year for their version of the Halloween Party...it was held next door at California Adventure...that was a great time....

This year it's moved across the courtyard to Disneyland's Magic Kingdom...

I am super new here so I can't post any pics...but when I Get the GREEN LIGHT to post...I will if you'd like

HH

That sounds great.I truly think our next trip will be to disneyland.Any input would be great.Thanks!

 

[Experiment_626]

Of course I also remember when food was an afterthought at Disney before all the resorts and various restaurants were available. MK CS used to be HORRIBLE when I was a kid!

You said it! I remember eating in Tomorrowland back in probably the very early '80s at what is now Cosmic Ray's -- the burgers were no better than what I got in my elementary school cafeteria (which was also worse then than it is today). Soy burgers

 

[jimmymac]

You said it! I remember eating in Tomorrowland back in probably the very early '80s at what is now Cosmic Ray's -- the burgers were no better than what I got in my elementary school cafeteria (which was also worse then than it is today). Soy burgers

And the Disney spend a lot of time, $ and effort to make WDW a food destination. For a while, they succeeded. WDW was actually known for its food. And then came the various dining plans, homogenization of food we all know the result of that

 

[brunette8706]

Wow, look at the cost comparion for DDP:

2010 Disney Dining Plan prices: Quick Service Dining Plan
Adults
$31.99
Children
$9.99
Basic Dining Plan

Adults
$41.99 (regular season)
$46.99 (peak season*)
Children
$11.99 (regular season)
$12.99 (peak season)
Deluxe Dining Plan

Adults
$71.99
Children
$20.99
Premium Package

Adults
$164.00
Children
$114.00
Platinum Package

Adults
$220.00
Children
$155.00
*Peak Seasons: 2/12/10 - 4/10/10, 6/4/10 - 8/14/10, 12/17/10 - 12/31/10


2011 Disney Dining Plan prices: Quick Service Dining Plan
Adults
$34.99
Children
$11.99
Basic Dining Plan

Adults
$45.99 (regular season)
$47.99 (peak season*)
Children
$11.99 (regular season)
$12.99 (peak season)
Deluxe Dining Plan

Adults
$78.99
Children
$21.99
Premium Package

Adults
$229.00
Children
$119.00
Platinum Package

Adults
$229.00
Children
$160.00
Wine and Dine Plan

$39.99 per night (cost is per reservation, not per person)
*Peak Seasons: 2/17/10 - 2/26/10, 3/11/10 - 4/30/10, 6/3/10 - 8/13/10,12/23/10 - 12/31/10

 

[brunette8706]

***************NEWS ALERT***************​

Disney reservation systems plans outage
by Leah Zanolla
Oct 1, 2010

Disney has announced that their reservation systems will be down for maintenance next week. The enhancement will be taking place from October 12 at 4 pm EST through the morning of October 14.

Room-only and vacation-package reservations will not be able to be processed for the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Aulani, the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, Disney's Vero Beach Resort, and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort by phone or online. This will affect making new reservations, making modifications to existing reservations, checking confirmations and taking payments.

Also affected will be the ability to use online check-in and to make reservations for dining, dinner shows, tours, recreation Cirque du Soleil and children's activity centers.

If you need to make a payment or a modification to an existing reservation, please attempt to do so before October 12, otherwise you will have to wait until after October 14.

 

[Planogirl]

And the Disney spend a lot of time, $ and effort to make WDW a food destination. For a while, they succeeded. WDW was actually known for its food. And then came the various dining plans, homogenization of food we all know the result of that

ITA. Part of the problem though is that they have so many people convinced that their food is still special. It still can be of course but to me it's normally mediocre.

 

[high meadows]

We have inflated expectations. There are always some rude groups whereever you are. (At least they ae not shooting at us here . . . ) Go to Atlantic City, Los Angeles, Six Flags Over Texas: people create problems, some too loud, some too dull. Other resorts give us perspective and appreciation for Disney's unique respect for our servicemen, the disabled and ill.

 

[rie'smom]

We have inflated expectations. There are always some rude groups whereever you are. (At least they ae not shooting at us here . . . ) Go to Atlantic City, Los Angeles, Six Flags Over Texas: people create problems, some too loud, some too dull. Other resorts give us perspective and appreciation for Disney's unique respect for our servicemen, the disabled and ill.

Some might have inflated expectations. I've been going to Disney for 37 years so I think I might be in a position to know how things have slid over the years. It has nothing to do with I expect but rather has to do with a lessening of both quality and standards.

 

[Tiger926]

Some might have inflated expectations. I've been going to Disney for 37 years so I think I might be in a position to know how things have slid over the years. It has nothing to do with I expect but rather has to do with a lessening of both quality and standards.

Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

Stupid question, but with the FY11 DDP increases, when is the cut off for the not so FREE Dining? We may do 4 DDP and 4 nonDDP.

Thanks all!

 

[smidgy]

Some might have inflated expectations. I've been going to Disney for 37 years so I think I might be in a position to know how things have slid over the years. It has nothing to do with I expect but rather has to do with a lessening of both quality and standards.

i may have had expectations, but they were NOT "inflated". they were based on past experience.

also, this is NOT a "complaining" thread. just people who lvoe Disney, sharing observations.

Stupid question, but with the FY11 DDP increases, when is the cut off for the not so FREE Dining? We may do 4 DDP and 4 nonDDP.

Thanks all!

we often do this! If you put the dining package first, buy enough tickets for the whole trip. do a split stay (we like to stay at a dif. resort for the room only portion, but you could stay at the same resort) this way you can use a "room only" code for the 2nd portion of your trip. and you can stretch out the Dining plan. (use a TS credit for the 1st night at the new resort. we usually don't do a park on transfer day, and eat at the new resort, or at another resort , not a park). siance the ddp is a lot of food, we also save a CS credit for the new resort. buy a counter service meal "to go" and put in in our fridge. now, our 2nd day at the new resort, we have a meal! sometimes we buy a sandwhich, like a turky ciabalta , (or whatever they call it). sometimes we buy a meal, and bring it back to the microwave at the food court the next day..
you can even use snack credits to buy bags of chips or sweet rolls to save for the 2nd portion of the trip!

 

[Donut23]

ITA. Part of the problem though is that they have so many people convinced that their food is still special. It still can be of course but to me it's normally mediocre.

absolutely right.

 

[bonnaroomama]

OP, this will be my 10th trip; we went in 1980, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 08, and 09; in my experience, there were many things that weren't perfect back then, too, but our minds like to color the past as "the good old days."

What's up with the whole Brazilian thing? I am thinking there are probably rude people in any tour group of that size. But teens? Teenagers generally tend to be nutso, especially en masse.

 

[smidgy]

bonna:
we endured teen cheerleaders, teen band members, EVEN pop warner (which I thought nothingcould be worse)
nothing could compare to the brazilain tour groups.

let me preface this post by stating that my house was THE house for all the teens in my small town to hang around in.
I LOVE teens! now that my sons are ages 28 aND 31, I STILL know a lot of their friends, they all spent many a night in my basement, shooting pool playing loudmusic, DRIVING me nutz! .. and I wouldn't change a thing. I now know their wives, babies, etc.
I also went to many a hotel with my sons when they played in soccer tournaments,as teens and preteens, and I'm sure we were a BANE to the other people at that hotel.

that being said.. I have NEVER in my life met more RUDE, INCONSIDERATE, LOUD, (ok, I'll stop "capping" now) rule breaking, etc etc, than the brazilain tour groups we encountered at WDW this last July.(and, I'm talking about the chaperones!!!

when we checked in (weren't told that this group had taken up most of the rooms in our section). as hubby and I were trying to take our luggage to our room, they were blocking the walkway. now, my son's team would have helped them with their luggage. this group gave us dirty looks and sweared at us.
the whole time, they yelled, screamed, chanted, on the bus SO lud our eardrums were bursting!! one kid would be in line and they would try to bring 20 in with them.
the sign said "quiet time after 10 pm" they were screaming yelling, playing soccer RIGHT outside our room until 2 AM. bouncing csoccer balls against our window.
one of the chaperones physically butted against my husband and called me a dirty name in Portuguese, becasue we were smoking in the DSA near where they were playing soccer.
when we got off our loungers to swim or go to the DSA, the boys REMOVED our towels, books, everything, and "took over" our spots by the pool.
when we complianed, we were told by a "haughty" CM the "july is "latin month at WDW, and they are "our" guests, as if, "MY" guests. like,
"WE" should mke "them" feel welcome, "they" are "our" guests. what am I , chopped chicken liver?
we finaly, at 2 am, had a manager come to our room (we had to get up early the next am, and apologize and comp us one room night.
NEVER again will I stay at a value resort in July if a Brazilian tour group is there. NOT racial. just stating the facts.

 

[brunette8706]

i may have had expectations, but they were NOT "inflated". they were based on past experience.

also, this is NOT a "complaining" thread. just people who lvoe Disney, sharing observations.


we often do this! If you put the dining package first, buy enough tickets for the whole trip. do a split stay (we like to stay at a dif. resort for the room only portion, but you could stay at the same resort) this way you can use a "room only" code for the 2nd portion of your trip. and you can stretch out the Dining plan. (use a TS credit for the 1st night at the new resort. we usually don't do a park on transfer day, and eat at the new resort, or at another resort , not a park). siance the ddp is a lot of food, we also save a CS credit for the new resort. buy a counter service meal "to go" and put in in our fridge. now, our 2nd day at the new resort, we have a meal! sometimes we buy a sandwhich, like a turky ciabalta , (or whatever they call it). sometimes we buy a meal, and bring it back to the microwave at the food court the next day..
you can even use snack credits to buy bags of chips or sweet rolls to save for the 2nd portion of the trip!

*
Thanks Smidgey. Also, thanks about mentioning that this is not a COMPLAINT thread. What a great idea about the DDP, I may have to try that!

Brunette

 

[Planogirl]

Some of the so-called upbeat people really can be nasty can't they? Oh well, to each their own I guess. I personally find WDW too interesting overall not to look at all aspects of it.

 

[KellyNY]

Some of the so-called upbeat people really can be nasty can't they?

Yep, proven many times.

 

[Art 1]

OP, this will be my 10th trip; we went in 1980, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 08, and 09; in my experience, there were many things that weren't perfect back then, too, but our minds like to color the past as "the good old days."

What's up with the whole Brazilian thing? I am thinking there are probably rude people in any tour group of that size. But teens? Teenagers generally tend to be nutso, especially en masse.

The Brazilians are a whole different ball game. Go into a store after a large group of them have been in there. The place will be torn apart.