Does DDP hurt regular diners?

[JimMIA]

I think it's a lot harder to make ADRs with the Dining Plan in place, especially the free dining.

I made an ADR for Alfredos for 8/20 a full 2 months in advance for 3 people and the best time I could get was 7:45 PM. I called last night (6 weeks in advance) to see if Coral Reef was open that same night so I could switch my CR lunch with Alfredos and then go to dinner at CR. There was no availability at Coral Reef that entire evening!

I feel very sorry for the people who will be at WDW with no ADRs at all!

I had a similar experience last December -- not due to the dining plan, but due to the CP dinner packages. But I realized when I called for ADR's a full 3 months in advance...I was actually spotting the rest of the world a full 3 months, because they are booking at 180+10! And that has nothing to do with the dining plan -- ANYbody can book 180 days out, or 180+10 if you're staying onsite.

For our May trip, and again for our upcoming November trip, I made the ADR's farther in advance. I still had to be a little flexible, but I got everything I wanted. Next time, I'll book at 180+10.

 

[JimMIA]

...and the best time I could get was 7:45 PM.

I don't know if you've ever tried that timing or not, but it's becoming our favorite ADR time...especially at Epcot. It's an easy time to make without compromising other things (except for IllumiNations, which DD4goingon24 is afraid of).

We find the restaurants are winding down, and are not so harried trying to turn tables over. We enjoy a leisurely meal, and finish about 9:45 or so. By that time, only the stragglers from the fireworks are making their way out of Epcot. We take a slow walk to our car, enjoying the background music (which is beautiful) and the quiet evening along the way. It's really a nice way to finish a WDW day for us.

 

[robinb]

For our May trip, and again for our upcoming November trip, I made the ADR's farther in advance. I still had to be a little flexible, but I got everything I wanted. Next time, I'll book at 180+10.

I already booked my NYE dinner at Teppanyaki last week less than a week into the 180 day booking period and couldn't get the time I wanted !

I don't know if you've ever tried that timing or not, but it's becoming our favorite ADR time...especially at Epcot. It's an easy time to make without compromising other things (except for IllumiNations, which DD4goingon24 is afraid of).

But we like IlluniNations and won't be able to see it at 9:00 .

 

[bicker]

Just noting that a typical visitor might get discouraged from dining. Maybe because they thought they were Disney smart about PS's and called 2 months out to learn they are ADRs and nothing available when they wanted.

Well, the only way they could face that is if the restaurants were already full, so clearly there would have still been "enough" guests who were not discouraged from dining.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think the portion size has changed. We've had 5 trips since the DDP stated and I haven't noticed a change. Obviously I haven't been to every restautant in WDW in that time but enough to think overall there hasn't been a change.

To everyone having trouble booking, I would try much closer to your actual date. I've noticed things open up. Maybe try 2 or 3 weeks out and even day of dining.

 

[TDC Nala]

I believe they are definitely standardizing and narrowing the menus to accommodate the increased traffic in the restaurants.

 

[louey]

We will be in Disney over Christmas and had our travel agent make dinner reservations for every night (we will be on the dinner plan). After reading these posts I am glad we did

Oops wanted to ask since gratuity is included to you leave any extra?

 

[NMW]

I don't think the portion size has changed. We've had 5 trips since the DDP stated and I haven't noticed a change. Obviously I haven't been to every restautant in WDW in that time but enough to think overall there hasn't been a change.

To everyone having trouble booking, I would try much closer to your actual date. I've noticed things open up. Maybe try 2 or 3 weeks out and even day of dining.

I was told the same thing by several dining CM's when I couldn't get Le Celliar last Dec. Unfortunatley, it didn't work for me, but it's worth a try!

 

[DaisyD]

I know it has a direct effect on us regular full paying diners. They have made portions smaller. Just last week were were at Prime Time and DD wanted to order that huge Smores dessert for all of us to split. We get it for the four of us and it comes and it is now half the size of the one that used to be. We asked the CM about it and he said it was due to the new DDP. He said it seemed like everyone on the DDP waa getting one for each of them at the table and the waste was huge as the original was for at least 2 people. He said their behavior has led to the demise of the Smores as we know it! So we had to order a second one to cover everyone at our table. I really think they should have certain things that are not available to DDP folks so that we can still pay and enjoy them. Instead they are taking things away. The CM also went on to say that a lot of their dishes have been downsized as are the meals in other WDW restaurants.