DVC price for the DDP's in 2011?

[DebbieB]

This is a little OT, but with the price increase on DDP (which makes you wonder if its worth it at all), the price premium on a savannah view, and the possibility of charging for parking (see thread on $15/day to park at GCV)...what is Disney thinking?

I go there accepting that their prices are generally higher than other theme parks, experiences, etc. (but expecting the "Disney" experience), but it seems so un-disney to nickel and dime. What a bummer.

Price premium on a savannah view? I heard that CRO is charging extra for an Arusha Savannah view (not all savannahs), but I didn't hear that it applied to DVC.

 

[quirty30]

I had pretty much decided that we would forego the DDP next year since my youngest will be turning 10 and all 3 of us would be considered adults now. With the increased price, it's a done deal now. No way am I spending $140 a day on the DDP for me and 2 kids. I'm now more curious about TiW - is it purchased for a calendar year or for the term of your AP?

 

[DebbieB]

I had pretty much decided that we would forego the DDP next year since my youngest will be turning 10 and all 3 of us would be considered adults now. With the increased price, it's a done deal now. No way am I spending $140 a day on the DDP for me and 2 kids. I'm now more curious about TiW - is it purchased for a calendar year or for the term of your AP?

A year from your purchase date. They give you a little extra because it always expires at the end of the month.

 

[Tara]

This is a little OT, but with the price increase on DDP (which makes you wonder if its worth it at all), the price premium on a savannah view, and the possibility of charging for parking (see thread on $15/day to park at GCV)...what is Disney thinking?

I go there accepting that their prices are generally higher than other theme parks, experiences, etc. (but expecting the "Disney" experience), but it seems so un-disney to nickel and dime. What a bummer.

I don't understand this, frankly. I don't know any restaurant or entertainment business (like movies) that doesn't raise prices periodically. How is raising package prices by a percentage each year "nickel and diming" people? And why wouldn't a premium view demand a premium price?

 

[quirty30]

A year from your purchase date. They give you a little extra because it always expires at the end of the month.

Ah, ok, so you can buy it at anytime and it's good for a year. We will do the DDP for our August & October trips, but I'll definitely be doing TiW when we go next July (DD turns 10 in May.) Thanks so much Debbie!

 

[lilpooh108]

I don't understand this, frankly. I don't know any restaurant or entertainment business (like movies) that doesn't raise prices periodically. How is raising package prices by a percentage each year "nickel and diming" people? And why wouldn't a premium view demand a premium price?

I disagree. Raising prices to keep pace with inflation is one thing, but raising prices and hiding them by nickel and diming customers is another. You wouldn't be upset if your favorite restaurant started charging you for previously included items, like table bread? Or if the restaurant charged you a premium for a booth with a view?

Disney generally charges higher prices, but they don't (or at least generally have not in the past) nickeled and dimed people---like Universal does with charging for Front of the Line Passes.

What's next for Disney, charging for fastpasses?

My point is, businesses start nickel and diming people when they don't WANT their customers to actually see the bottom line. What looks like a deal may not be a deal after you add it all up (see, e.g., Air Trans charging for carry ons). It's disappointing to see Disney doing the same thing because it's brand is built on customer loyalty and the quality of its product.

 

[Tara]

I disagree. Raising prices to keep pace with inflation is one thing, but raising prices and hiding them by nickel and diming customers is another. You wouldn't be upset if your favorite restaurant started charging you for previously included items, like table bread? Or if the restaurant charged you a premium for a booth with a view?

Disney generally charges higher prices, but they don't (or at least generally have not in the past) nickeled and dimed people---like Universal does with charging for Front of the Line Passes.

What's next for Disney, charging for fastpasses?

My point is, businesses start nickel and diming people when they don't WANT their customers to actually see the bottom line. What looks like a deal may not be a deal after you add it all up (see, e.g., Air Trans charging for carry ons). It's disappointing to see Disney doing the same thing because it's brand is built on customer loyalty and the quality of its product.

You keep using the term "nickel and dime." What in the 2011 plan qualifies at "nickel and diming" guests? They eliminated juice AND another beverage at breakfast. That hardly seems like a big deal to me. I hardly see these changes as "hiding" the bottom line. They raised the prices...again, I do not see anything unusual or, frankly, disappointing about this. People are being charged a price for adding on dining - it isn't like they add it on and then later find out "oh, and you also have to buy X or pay Y." It's all evident up front. They can choose to not add on dining.

And Disney already charges for preferred room locations - water views, theme park views, convenient locations - what makes the addition of a charge for a certain savanna view any different?

Please, explain what price increases are "hidden."

 

[sam_gordon]

This year we were at WDW for 15 nights in June. (OK, so we went to Universal for one night. We won't count that.) To buy the CS dining plan for me, DH, and DS14 it would have cost $1250. As an experiment we loaded a gift card with $1250 and used that to pay for all of our CS meals and snacks. By the end of the trip we had over $600 left on the gift card. The plan would have cost DOUBLE what we actually spent. This way we were able to apply the money from the gift card towards the TS meals we charged to the room.

I'm curious... did that $600 that you paid for the three of you include two CS meals and two snacks a day? If not, it's not a valid comparison.

Here's what I did... I created a spreadsheet and used the menu's for the restaurants available online. The 5 TS meals my family would go to add up to $715. Averaging $2.50/snack x 25 snacks = $62. I did "sample" menu selections for two CS meals (~$50) and used that average for 5 CS meals. $150. So, 5 TS meals (3 buffets), 5 snacks, and 5 CS meals OOP would cost us ~$925. Using the 2011 pricing, the DDP would cost our family $810. That saves us $100. So DDP (even with increased cost) still saves us money.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm curious... did that $600 that you paid for the three of you include two CS meals and two snacks a day? If not, it's not a valid comparison.

Here's what I did... I created a spreadsheet and used the menu's for the restaurants available online. The 5 TS meals my family would go to add up to $715. Averaging $2.50/snack x 25 snacks = $62. I did "sample" menu selections for two CS meals (~$50) and used that average for 5 CS meals. $150. So, 5 TS meals (3 buffets), 5 snacks, and 5 CS meals OOP would cost us ~$925. Using the 2011 pricing, the DDP would cost our family $810. That saves us $100. So DDP (even with increased cost) still saves us money.

It did not include all the food that would have been included with the plan because there is no way we would have consumed that much CS food. I wanted to look at the cost of what we actually consumed vs. what the plan would have cost.

It's a valid comparison in that we got plenty of food for $600 cash that would have cost us $1250 with a plan. We were really just trying to see if we would run out of money on the gift card before the end of the trip, and it wasn't even close. So for us, the CS plan would have been a HUGE waste of money. At $32 per person per day, you essentially HAVE TO spend at least $13 on every CS meal and $3 on every snack just to break even. I am sure there wasn't a single day that we spent $96 on CS meals and snacks.

 

[Sandisw]

It did not include all the food that would have been included with the plan because there is no way we would have consumed that much CS food. I wanted to look at the cost of what we actually consumed vs. what the plan would have cost.

It's a valid comparison in that we got plenty of food for $600 cash that would have cost us $1250 with a plan. We were really just trying to see if we would run out of money on the gift card before the end of the trip, and it wasn't even close. So for us, the CS plan would have been a HUGE waste of money. At $32 per person per day, you essentially HAVE TO spend at least $13 on every CS meal and $3 on every snack just to break even. I am sure there wasn't a single day that we spent $96 on CS meals and snacks.

This is exactly what I think we will be doing next year. This year, we had trouble using up all the credits for our QSDP and realized that I do not want not can eat all that food while at Disney. Last summer, when we used the plan, I ate a lot more and always felt so full. This summer, I tried not to do that and realized that the plan just does not work if we have to buy it for me.

In addition, we do like to do some TS meals so for this last trip, we did DDP three days in a row and then switched to QSDP.

By putting the cost of the plans on a gift card, we figure we can spread our TS meals out, buy the food we want, and see how it goes. I really think in the end, we, like you, will end up with money left.

And, if DVC will be paying the peak rate, it would definitely mean we opt out of the plan. The only thing I did notice is that the peak season rate for the DDP went up on $1 but the regular season rate went up $4, closing the gap between the two.

The only thing we are trying to decide on is whether getting the TIW card makes sense for us. We will get two years of trips out of one card (we go 51 weeks apart) but just not sure.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm curious... did that $600 that you paid for the three of you include two CS meals and two snacks a day? If not, it's not a valid comparison.

Here's what I did... I created a spreadsheet and used the menu's for the restaurants available online. The 5 TS meals my family would go to add up to $715. Averaging $2.50/snack x 25 snacks = $62. I did "sample" menu selections for two CS meals (~$50) and used that average for 5 CS meals. $150. So, 5 TS meals (3 buffets), 5 snacks, and 5 CS meals OOP would cost us ~$925. Using the 2011 pricing, the DDP would cost our family $810. That saves us $100. So DDP (even with increased cost) still saves us money.

I think that you are right in that when you compare what you get with the plan to OOP costs, in most instances will save you money for buying those items.

However, if you end up with food that you are not eating but getting because you have paid for it via the plan, then what you are saving is money you would not have spent in the first place.

For example, on our last day, I still had 8 snack credits left. Not because I tried to save them--I even used a few for water or soda which is not the best value for them--but because we simply did not want to eat snacks as we were so full from the meals. In addition, I threw out 3 desserts that we had brought back to the room with us that were never eaten.

I have always loved the convenience of the dining plans but realized that in order to do some TS meals and some CS meals, and utilize the plans, I know have to group my TS for consecutive days and then have only CS meals on consecutive days. And, after this trip, we realized that we would rather do TS every other day, and most often for lunch and not dinner to work off the full feeling.

 

[Chuck S]

However, if you end up with food that you are not eating but getting because you have paid for it via the plan, then what you are saving is money you would not have spent in the first place. .

Exactly! The only way to tell if any prepaid plan truly saves you any money, vs. money "on paper" is to compare it to what you would normally order and enjoy rather than what Disney wants to feed you.

For instance, we rarely, but occasionally, order dessert or beverages other than water. We usually have a salad for an appetizer, and generally have a table service and counter service meal daily, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending upon what we are in the mood for that day. We have never come close to spending OOP what the DDP would cost us. Some days we spend more, some days less, but overall for our trips we usually spend about $150 to $200 less than the DDP would cost us.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Exactly! The only way to tell if any prepaid plan truly saves you any money, vs. money "on paper" is to compare it to what you would normally order and enjoy rather than what Disney wants to feed you.

For instance, we rarely, but occasionally, order dessert or beverages other than water. We usually have a salad for an appetizer, and generally have a table service and counter service meal daily, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending upon what we are in the mood for that day. We have never come close to spending OOP what the DDP would cost us. Some days we spend more, some days less, but overall for our trips we usually spend about $150 to $200 less than the DDP would cost us.

We never order dessert with our CS lunches. At breakfast we never buy 2 drinks. DH and I always make coffee in the villa, and we buy half gallons of milk in the gift shop because DS drinks so much it works out cheaper than buying it a pint at a time. DH would run down and get food at Mara, then bring it up and we ate in the villa. Some mornings I just had coffee because I was still full from dinner the night before!

The way our reservation was structured we had 2 nights in a pool view room, then 13 nights in a villa. I looked at adding DDP just to one reservation or the other, and still couldn't get it to make financial sense.

We are definitely sticking with cash & TiW card!

 

[DVCBELLE]

Ouch - my oldest is turning 10 next year and we had questioned the value of DDP with her - with the price going up that high - there is no way we will get that value out of the DDP! Since I had 2 under 10 it was a good value for us. We pick the more expensive restaurants b/c of the DDP but we can easily eat at the cheaper buffets and do better than the DDP! We also would never order desserts, or the most expensive items on the menu. That was a benefit for the DDP but not when it will cost us that much more.

We will definitely start paying OOP now.

 

[lilpooh108]

You keep using the term "nickel and dime." What in the 2011 plan qualifies at "nickel and diming" guests? They eliminated juice AND another beverage at breakfast. That hardly seems like a big deal to me. I hardly see these changes as "hiding" the bottom line. They raised the prices...again, I do not see anything unusual or, frankly, disappointing about this. People are being charged a price for adding on dining - it isn't like they add it on and then later find out "oh, and you also have to buy X or pay Y." It's all evident up front. They can choose to not add on dining.

And Disney already charges for preferred room locations - water views, theme park views, convenient locations - what makes the addition of a charge for a certain savanna view any different?

Please, explain what price increases are "hidden."

Friendly discussion...I don't want to argue with you. Obviously we disagree. I'll point out that it's called a dining plan, not an ENTREE plan. It's deteriorated over the years from what it was when first presented.

If you like to throw more money at the mouse, have at it. 5 extra juices per breakfast is another $10 out of my pocket. I'd rather spend that money on overpriced light up toys, glow in the dark bracelets and giant lollipops

Have a "magical" day

 

[Chuck S]

I'll point out that it's called a dining plan, not an ENTREE plan. It's deteriorated over the years from what it was when first presented.

You and I may not see the value in the DDP, especially after the changes. But I would venture to say that it will still be popular as part of cash packages, since folks seem to like "all-inclusive pre-paid" vacationing. And the point of all-inclusives is convenience, not savings.

Gutting popular programs over time until they are evenually no longer popular is normal for Disney. Remember the Food N Fun card anyone?

Eventually, the price will override the convenience even for those cash guests that prefer all pre-paid vacations, and it will be replaced by something else to fill the cash rooms.

DDP was never intended to be a "value" plan for DVCers. DVCers were an afterthought for the DDP, and added because so many DVCers wanted it.

 

[Tiger926]

Friendly discussion...I don't want to argue with you. Obviously we disagree. I'll point out that it's called a dining plan, not an ENTREE plan. It's deteriorated over the years from what it was when first presented.

If you like to throw more money at the mouse, have at it. 5 extra juices per breakfast is another $10 out of my pocket. I'd rather spend that money on overpriced light up toys, glow in the dark bracelets and giant lollipops

Have a "magical" day

Perhaps I've misunderstood, but don't you still get 1 beverage with breakfast? I know before you got 2 - a choice and a juice. This always seemed silly to me, so I'm assuming that most people kept the extra beverage to be consumed later in the day. With the new plan, it's now 1 drink with breakfast, correct? So, why would you spend money on juice for your family? Do you all drink more than 1 beverage with your meals? If that's the case, then that is an extra expense that you now have to incur.

Tiger

 

[Tara]

Friendly discussion...I don't want to argue with you. Obviously we disagree. I'll point out that it's called a dining plan, not an ENTREE plan. It's deteriorated over the years from what it was when first presented.

If you like to throw more money at the mouse, have at it. 5 extra juices per breakfast is another $10 out of my pocket. I'd rather spend that money on overpriced light up toys, glow in the dark bracelets and giant lollipops

Have a "magical" day

^^

If it's a friendly discussion, there's no need for sarcasm.

I disagree with your assessment and was simply trying to understand what I might be missing that would make you feel you were being "nickeled and dimed." I don't think the charging for an extra beverage on top of the one included doesn't qualify (you can still get juice - just not juice and soda or juice and milk), but clearly you think it does.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

If you eat CS lunch or dinner at your resort and have refillable mugs then you wouldn't be buying a drink with those meals, either. All those extra drinks from the DDP would start to pile up in the fridge!

Our entire stay next year is in concierge (unless we have to change dates) so even if we had done a dining plan in the past we probably wouldn't for that trip. We'll grab a light breakfast and afternoon snack in the lounge, a CS lunch and signature dinners most nights.

 

[Brian Noble]

The only way to tell if any prepaid plan truly saves you any money, vs. money "on paper" is to compare it to what you would normally order and enjoy rather than what Disney wants to feed you.

We've never, not once, spent as much out of pocket on food just eating what, where, and when we want as it would have cost to buy the dining plan necessary to cover our meals.