Has DDP ruined your dining experience?

[kimberh]

Years ago, when our children were small we could really not afford to eat at the Table service restaurants. Then when the buffets came out and I had teenage boys, I was so thankful. I could fill them up and not go bankrupt. Now that the DDP is out, we are finally getting to eat at some of the places that I used to dream about. Yes, we use to walk up and in, now it takes prior planning and I need to do some for 2 trips. I sure hope I get some of my favorites and I will try some new ones.

 

[The Sweetness]

I am excited to try out the DDP. I am an over planner. Any trips that I am lucky enough to take on short notice, as soon as I knew my dates Id call about ADR. Anything I didnt secure, Id eat CS, or offsite (MAYBE try my luck at a TS the worst that could happen is Id be denied)I always feel blessed to be at WDW whether I have a linen napkin in my lap, or if I am sitting on a bench with a hot dog and popcorn

 

[Luv'sTink]

BlueRoses:

You hit on one of the things that led to ask the initial question. I think that the DIS did us a favor when they created the DDP board.

Another question for everyone:

Do you think that the average Disney visitor knew about PS and / or ADRs prior to the DDP? How about now.... Has the average visitor learned about them? By average visitor, I am not talking about most of the ppl on this board, because most of us anything but the casual visitor.

When we booked it was in our pamphlet and suggested by the person book our trip that ADR's were STRONGLY suggested. So unless someone is not listening or reading the information they received, they should know.

I did find the Dis before out trip and do feel that it helped me to understand how much we needed the ADR's.

 

[dance2874]

Back before I discovered the Dis, I never knew about making a reservation ahead of time for the TS. We always wondered how the people eating there got so lucky

We went last September (during free dining, but we PAID for it because I missed the deadline) and we had no issues. I did all my ADR's about 45-60 days in advance and got everythng I wanted. I was even able to change them about a week before our trip with no issue. I really was thrilled with the DDP and we plan to use it again, and pay for it if it is not offered as free. If they are changing the offerings at the restaurants, so be it I guess. It is sad, but I will still be able to try places I would have not been willing to pay to try before.

 

[thunderbird1]

The DDP has made our WDW vacations so much better. We used to always wing it, which was fun, but I think the planning is even more fun. More work, sure, but I'd rather be planning a vacation than cleaning my toilets, KWIM? Now we actually research the restaurants and decide where we want to eat instead of waiting until we're hungry and then wandering aimlessly or staring a map trying to figure out which nearby restaurants have something that will please everybody in the family.

Since the DDP, we've tried so many new places, and have so many new favorites that we just can't complain about it. And I've been able to try some of those desserts I've drooled over but have always been too full (read: cheap) to order.

 

[heatair]

My bride is a Planner.

Yes, Planner with a capitol 'P.' I am not. No where near. I am very spontaneous.

She was told that she could make the Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days out and she marked it on her calendar. She also is looking at the assorted discussion boards to find out where the Disney Dining Plan allows us to eat.

Has the Plan ruined our dining experience? No. What has ruined it is all the other people out there making their early reservations...

 

[La2kw]

Yes, since it seems the quality has seriously slipped since the plan.

 

[keys2kingdom]

My bride is a Planner.

Yes, Planner with a capitol 'P.' I am not. No where near. I am very spontaneous.

She was told that she could make the Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days out and she marked it on her calendar. She also is looking at the assorted discussion boards to find out where the Disney Dining Plan allows us to eat.

Has the Plan ruined our dining experience? No. What has ruined it is all the other people out there making their early reservations...

Try this http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/07Dining.pdf

it's the 2007 dining brochure, gives you the whole low-down on the plan.

 

[heatair]

Try this http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...agespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/07Dining.pdf

it's the 2007 dining brochure, gives you the whole low-down on the plan.

The bride saw the dining plan flyer long before I found this site and highlighted certain points of the plan as well as the places she wants us to try. That flyer does indeed spell stuff out.

 

[slavike]

We have always planned ahead so nothing has changed since the DDP.

I am sad, however, at the menu changes but I would hate to automatically blame the DDP for that; though the timing lines up right I'd like to just think that WDW is a money making machine that continues to sacrifice quality and uniqueness in the name of money (the list of things that USED to be at WDW that has been done away in the name of money is very long and didn't start with the menu's!). But I'm sure the DDP played a role in that progression.

I completely agree. The menu choices have really been reigned in. The menu quality has changed, but who really nows if DDP is to blame. As far as ADRs, I just think they are a necessity anymore. It stinks because it took some of the spontinanty out of it but at the same time, I like knowing where we are going to eat and not having the discussion "Where do you want to eat? What are you in the mood for?"

Does anyone remember how inconvenient that was?

 

[Stewy]

It hasn't ruined it but I would say that it has unfavorably changed it. I no longer believe the creativity is part of the food planning mix. Most restaurants have moved toward more generic ingredients and preparation. Prices have not gone down to reflect less expensive preparation or less exotic ingredients. So when I look at a menu with an entree priced at $35, I know it's an inflated price compared to the quality of the dish prior to DDP. People think they're getting a deal but all they're getting is a generically prepared dish with an inflated price attached to it.

I'm not so concerned about crowded restaurants. I love hustle and bustle. However, Disney has never been known for leisurely meals and I believe the packed restaurants have sped up the pace. Again, that doesn't bode well for food preparation.

Obviously, I haven't been happy with the changes. We don't want to eat at signature restaurants every evening so it has severely limited our choices. Most of the less expensive restaurants seem to have resorted to a formula type menu. We hate it. So it's either counter service or signature restaurants for us with a couple of new restaurants thrown in that we hope will provide better than so-so food. That or offsite.

Gina2000's comments are exactly what I would write. We have done the DDP and we have the DDE card. Unfortunately with the inflation of price to show DDP value, standardization of menus, changes to the children's menus and lesser quality of food, our value when paying cash has gone way down. We now choose to eat almost all of our sit down meals off site and usually only go to signature restaurants on site and only once per trip now. That is compared to 99% of our meals on site prior to these changes.

 

[mrp4352]

Many of the menus at places we have enjoyed have changed too, mostly in part, I think, because SO many people are using the DDP.

I think you're hitting the nail on the head.

The big problem I have with the DDP is not the DDP itself, but some of the people using it.

We have decided not to go to Le Cellier anymore - because what was once a lovely, relaxing restaurant has been a madhouse the last 3 times we've gone. Restaurants that were formally inaccessable to families (because of the cost factor) are suddenly available. And while I can't fault the parents for wanting a nice meal, I can fault them for not controlling their children or planning more kid-friendly meals (at kid friendly times). I know it's not the kids' fault - but at our last meal (8pm seating), there were kids literally parading in circles around their table. So, we've looked around, and while the steak isn't 'quite' as good at Coral Reef, the atmosphere from the other diners is much more what we're looking for.

After re-reading through this, I think it's neccessary to point out that I do like the DDP and will continue to take advantage of it when possible.

 

[DisOrBust]

It hasn't ruined it but I would say that it has unfavorably changed it. I no longer believe the creativity is part of the food planning mix. Most restaurants have moved toward more generic ingredients and preparation. Prices have not gone down to reflect less expensive preparation or less exotic ingredients. So when I look at a menu with an entree priced at $35, I know it's an inflated price compared to the quality of the dish prior to DDP. People think they're getting a deal but all they're getting is a generically prepared dish with an inflated price attached to it.

This statement sums up the dining experience at WDW a 150%. The DDP is no deal for the food or service it is giving in return. Has it "ruined" our trips no but has limited them. There are other vacation destinations.

 

[The Sweetness]

And while I can't fault the parents for wanting a nice meal, I can fault them for not controlling their children or planning more kid-friendly meals (at kid friendly times).

ITA

 

[DVC Sadie]

I was thinking back to our first visits. We did lots of planning and booked some PS's. When in the parks, we could go up and ask for a seat at a TS w/o a PS and still have a chance to get in fairly quickly

So, as my title suggests..... Has DDP ruined your dining experience? Or just changed the way that you prepare?

Thanks,

Edward

Yes, the DDP has changed the way we choose to dine while at WDW.

Now we eat more room service and off site. It is not only PS's that make it difficult but both the quality of food and the change of menus.

 

[kimberh]

I think you're hitting the nail on the head.

The big problem I have with the DDP is not the DDP itself, but some of the people using it.

We have decided not to go to Le Cellier anymore - because what was once a lovely, relaxing restaurant has been a madhouse the last 3 times we've gone. Restaurants that were formally inaccessable to families (because of the cost factor) are suddenly available. And while I can't fault the parents for wanting a nice meal, I can fault them for not controlling their children or planning more kid-friendly meals (at kid friendly times).

It's not just at Le Cellier, I know the children are at Disney, but OMG mine never acted like that nor do my grands now. We go to Disney by ourselves at times and I set in amazement at the Parents and the lack of control. Just had to vent for a second.... I love the DDP.

 

[aes74]

This is perfect timing, I was just going to post something similar to this and was still sorting my feelings out.

If you live across the country and plan a week or so for sometime in the far future, it's no big deal to get ADRs. But anything sooner than that, and you can forget it. Florida residents, for one, are really suffering. Spontaneity is no longer available. I have taken my kids to Disney in January, a month when there has NEVER been a problem getting a table service restaurant. Now, as soon as you walk into any park, there is a sign at guest services that says all table services are full and there are no reservations open. We went to MK a week ago, all TS were full, and CS closed an hour before the park closed.

When you do get an ADR, the table service is rushed, favorite dishes are being removed, and yes, the kids are terrible. And I'm a mom of two small ones. I don't expect a child to sit perfectly quiet, but I do expect a parent not to allow a child to run around the restaurant. I do not believe my children have the right to ruin everyone else's meal. The quality, in my opinion, is heading down hill.

So...what now? I don't know. I do love the DIS and don't think there is too much information. I mean obviously, I have the opportunity right now to state how I feel...that's sayin' somethin'! My husband is looking forward to going to Le Cellier in March, and I have this nagging feeling it is not going to be what we've waited for.

So what do we do? Is there any answer?

 

[The Sweetness]

My husband is looking forward to going to Le Cellier in March, and I have this nagging feeling it is not going to be what we've waited for.

Maybe this is a screwy way to look at things, but its my opinion anyway. First, I try (REALLY HARD) not to have high expectations, as a general rule. This leads to disapointment IMO Second, Being that this is WDW, I am anticipating children to be the kings and queens of all the castles (Until WDW has an *adults only* location to eat or a resort) I expect it, therefore it wont surprise or disapoint me (my dd2 wont be leaving my table at CS or TS (other than maybe with her sister(15) at 'Ohana, for a parade

 

[PlutoLuvr]

This is perfect timing, I was just going to post something similar to this and was still sorting my feelings out.

If you live across the country and plan a week or so for sometime in the far future, it's no big deal to get ADRs. But anything sooner than that, and you can forget it. Florida residents, for one, are really suffering. Spontaneity is no longer available. I have taken my kids to Disney in January, a month when there has NEVER been a problem getting a table service restaurant. Now, as soon as you walk into any park, there is a sign at guest services that says all table services are full and there are no reservations open. We went to MK a week ago, all TS were full, and CS closed an hour before the park closed.

When you do get an ADR, the table service is rushed, favorite dishes are being removed, and yes, the kids are terrible. And I'm a mom of two small ones. I don't expect a child to sit perfectly quiet, but I do expect a parent not to allow a child to run around the restaurant. I do not believe my children have the right to ruin everyone else's meal. The quality, in my opinion, is heading down hill.

So...what now? I don't know. I do love the DIS and don't think there is too much information. I mean obviously, I have the opportunity right now to state how I feel...that's sayin' somethin'! My husband is looking forward to going to Le Cellier in March, and I have this nagging feeling it is not going to be what we've waited for.

So what do we do? Is there any answer?

As a FL resident, I completely feel the same way. It's a catch-22, tho. As a taxpayer and FL business owner, I'm happy to see tourism back up after 9/11 and folks from all over the country coming back to FL to vacation. That's good

On the down side, I have the same complaints you and others have mentioned on this thread (restaurants being booked so far out, menu changes, inflated prices).

What do we do? I'll tell you what we've done. We've found other dining options in Orlando. We no longer stay on site. We've discovered the "other parks of Orlando" due to this -- and some mighty good dining options at those other parks, too, which, I might add, automatically give AP holders 15 to 20 percent off their meals.

We still love WDW. We go all the time. We've just changed where we stay and where we eat. And we also found out there's some really fun stuff to do in Orlando other than WDW. So what used to be three- or four-day long-weekend trips down to the World have become one-day trips to the World and the other days, we enjoy at the other parks where dining isn't a problem, you get what you pay for, the cocktails are strong and unique, the menu options aren't all the same at every restaurant, and the service is what you'd expect at any restaurant off WDW property.

 

[aes74]

What do we do? I'll tell you what we've done. We've found other dining options in Orlando. We no longer stay on site. We've discovered the "other parks of Orlando" due to this -- and some mighty good dining options at those other parks, too, which, I might add, automatically give AP holders 15 to 20 percent off their meals.

Can you elaborate about this for me? What do you mean about the dining options? Do you mean, for example, Universal's AP and dining discounts?