Has Free Dining ruined WDW restaurants?

[Pakey]

I believe Disney is catering to the masses who are content with plain, standard, recognizable dishes. The dining there is definitely not what it was a decade ago.

Let's hope the the places on property that are not on the plan don't follow suit.

 

[Bete]

I will agree to a certain degree that choices and quality are not the same as a few years back, but I don't blame it on the dining plan or the dining plan being free. Besides, there are still enough non-dining plan restaurants to satisfy those who do not care for it. If you have a car you even have more options to dine away from Disney.

I feel the free dining plan has made it manageable for families to dine at TS restaurants. I think it adds another dimension to the vacation. I believe there's a high percentage before who would only do quick service that now do table service. We usually upgrade to TS from free QS; because, we stay at value resorts.

I like the dining plan; because, I have a tendency to plan in advance and I do get my choices almost all the time including the Fantasmic package. I make sure to maximize the dining plan, as well. We always do better than what it would cost OOP for the same. We are three adults and we love it. We don't even use all our quick service meals and we are still money ahead, perse. I can't get a room discount with the same value at a value resort and you do have to eat; so, it's a great deal for us.

The dining plan appeals to the masses and that may be what's truly rubbing some folks the wrong way.

There are vacation packages that are all inclusive and I think Disney is striving towards getting some of that business.

In a way I think the Disney free dining plan is saving many restaurants from going under without it. Remember, many of these restaurants (non-Disney owned) don't have to participate, but they choose to participate. I consider it a win-win.

I like the free dining plan!

 

[ElizabethB]

The dining plan, IMO, has made it possible for family groups to gather at Disneyworld as conveniently as they can go on a cruise or to an all-inclusive resort. Our family group, in the past, has always preferred a cruise to WDW because the food is pre-paid, so no difficulties in splitting checks, figuring out who needs to pay for the wine and who doesn't, etc.

I think one of Disney's intended purposes with DDP was to compete with cruises and all-inclusives which, no doubt, market research showed were getting many of the family groups traveling together. "Grand Gatherings", was also part of this marketing push.

Unfortunately, mass market cruise line food has declined precipitously in the past few years. Now, WDW is doing the same. Market research must show that the average traveler doesn't really care about taste or quality, but only convenience and quantity. Some of the chain restaurants bear this out as well. I dined recently at a Red Robin and would not have been able to tell it from an Appleby's. All I will say is I swore off Appleby's years ago, and swore off Red Robin after my one and only visit.

For a time in the 90s, Disney was pushing a marketing angle that it was a great place for adults to visit. They expanded the restaurant offerings, added adventurous dining and wine options, put many sommeliers on staff and really pushed WDW as a grown-up and sophisticated resort. Perhaps it didn't work any better than when Vegas tried to push itself as a family destination. In any event, Disney has done a 180 degree about face. They've now changed the marketing focus to WDW is a place for family groups and average folks. Those who want a sophisticated resort experience are welcome to go elsewhere.

Whatever. We go and we do only what we like. F&W Festival dinners, V&A, a couple of signature restaurants and numerous places that don't take DDP.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I don't think there is much doubt that the dining plan has made dining at WDW much worse. It's horribly consumer unfriendly, as prices are artifically inflated universally to make it look like a better deal. Even lower priced restaurants have to raise their prices so people who buy the dining plan will be fooled into thinking they're getting their money's worth. The dining plan is death to the OOP diner.

 

[Mimi1965]

I can still remember about 5-6 years ago dining for lunch at Liberty tree Tavern in MK (as we always do) and not getting our basket of rolls with honey butter-that was one of the first signs of 'cutting back" i can remember

 

[Dorisk3]

I used to think that there really was no change in the various restaurants because of the dining plan, and then the year round free dining.

That was however in the past.

We just returned from a week at the world, and the TS (although I think I went way too heavy on the character meals and buffets) was disappointing to say the least.

1900 Park Fair was awful, I cannot imagine how anyone could like the cafeteria type food there. Also, for the first time, I thought Crystal Palace dinner was also pretty blah, tasteless meat and ho hum offerings. The saddest for my husband and I was Boma. We always put the kids in Simba's so we can take our time and enjoy. This time the food was dumbed down and boring.

I'm sure the mark up for food is pretty high, but I definetly think Disney's standards are slipping a bit in the dining area.

 

[canopynut66]

Not exactly "ruined', but I am a tad disappointed in menus.

Havent been to WDW in a couple years , since WDW has been really pushing Free Dining to get people to stay at their resorts in these tough economic times.

I just found several menus to be "ho-hum" for my trip next Spring-am I imagining this

agree has not ruined anything other than can no longer just walk up and wait as reservations always helped but years ago could get on the kiosk out front. just think WDW has grown so and these promotions have to be getting the public down there or WDW would stop them. I think food is still fine just wish on the free dining they had left appetizer and tip and not added the Quick service as were not hot dog and hamburger people on vacation at least. there is places can find other things but few with CS would not really want more than one a day so we pay the upgrade to get the MYWD and have TS also. what I do not get is why Quick service and Premium get a free mug and MYWD does not. talk about

Of course we wish WDW still had all the other different kinds of merchandise they used to have thru the gift shops and DTD where you could get a really different type of gift than at other places. Now is all Mickey or the gang stuff and we really have not been buying that as how many T-shirts and hoodies does one need? really miss the very nice things they used to have and each gift shop and each resort had different things. saves me money but hate coming home with money

 

[Planogirl]

I think that most of the food at WDW is at least passable but a lot of it is pretty tasteless and definitely overpriced. Whatever caused it, it's a shame really.

 

[jacksmom]

The food is good! But not as GREAT as it used to be! Also, many choices have been cut!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is not just "free" dining, it is the Basic Disney Dining Plan itself!

Unfortunately, many people on the DDP, whether they pay for it directly or paying a higher rate for their room and getting "free" dining, look to the highest price items on the menu. This is based either on the attitude of "I paid for it and can get whatever I want" or "as long as it's free, let's get the best items".

For example, at Le Cellier there is a $22.50 difference in price between the lowest price adult lunch entree and the highest price dinner entree. Each restaturant receives a fixed dollar amount credit for each meal sold under DDP. Each restaurant has to make a profit.

As food costs go up it takes more money to operate a restaurant.

So as things progress more and more of the higher end cost items will vanish.

The signature restaurants do not have so much of a problem as they get paid double the regular restaurants.

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more high end selections at all the restaurants.

 

[Rip]

I did not know that all of these sophisticated palettes would want to dine at Disney.
Perhaps they should bring in 5 star restaurants for the sophisticate diner.
I like the restaurants, and use the dinning plan every trip. Me and family have a great time at the different places we get to eat. They are better than your average hotel lobby restaurant

Disney used to have the best dining in Orlando, not even close anymore.

 

[Rip]

I don't think there is much doubt that the dining plan has made dining at WDW much worse. It's horribly consumer unfriendly, as prices are artifically inflated universally to make it look like a better deal. Even lower priced restaurants have to raise their prices so people who buy the dining plan will be fooled into thinking they're getting their money's worth. The dining plan is death to the OOP diner.

Don't forget that the resort prices are horribly inflated in part due to the DDP as well.

 

[tony67]

The dining plan is death to the OOP diner.

I agree 100%. I did OOP with my family the last time and I just could not believe the quality compared to price. In the end we only had two sit down meals, and it was a total rip-off.
My wife is not into the fancy high end stuff, but she likes good food and she was very unimpressed as well.
In most places the only fish option was salmon yet it was priced as if it was sea bass.

 

[TDC Nala]

Folks, please don't bring tipping into it - tipping discussion is allowed only on the Tipping Information sticky thread, if you'd like to see the tipping discussion policies for the Restaurant board, please read the first post of that thread. It's at the top of the forum.

I guess what I'm seeing is that you are OK if you do like the high end gourmet stuff. You can get that at a couple of places at Swan/Dolphin, at Victoria & Albert's, even some of the Disney signature restaurants if you know where to look, and you will pay accordingly. You can also easily find the equivalent of chain-restaurant food very easily, and in high quantity. There just isn't a whole lot in between anymore.

 

[TiaMaria]

Not exactly "ruined', but I am a tad disappointed in menus.

Easy answer - YES

ADR's - a must have - and virtually impossible in some circumstances. Don't try planning a trip on short notice if a table service meal is important to you each day.

Food/menus - in most cases (with a few exceptions) very similar, not the same quality, and not the choice cuts (alhtough that may be economy driven also). Many long time favorite items go bye-bye during FD.

Servers - more frazzled and short in many instances. You wouldn't believe the stories a couple of long-term CM's that we are friends with have told us about free dining! They report hearing "But it's supposed to be FREE" all day long. Or the ways that some visitors would try to beat or cheat the system with child versus adult meals, more people than on the room reservation, etc., etc. Seriously. One said she would love to say, "Go offsite and eat at Denny's people. It is really worth all the intrigue just to be able to eat at LeCellier?"

I understand Disney wanting to fill hotel rooms, but just offer more frequent pins and deeper percentages and you will fill those rooms.

I can't count the number of posts I read that say something like "...we couldn't afford to go w/o FD". Well, baloney - yes they could, but they would eat off site more - just like they did before FD was offered.

If Disney trains people to just wait for the FD discounts, they will find themselves in the same trap that the US automakers did when they resorted to offering cash back and 0% financing or Employee Pricing for all those years. People didn't buy cars from them w/o it.

 

[GeorgeG]

I think most veteran visitors to WDW have seen at least some decline in quality, not only in the dining options, but in general.

When we first started going 24 years ago we used the "World Adventure Vacation Plan," a.k.a. "Gold Key" plan which included three meals a day at TS restaurants (dinner shows included). It was not, in any way, "free dining." It was more of a convenience that you paid for and if you didn't know how to use it you actually paid more than you normally would for dining.

I'm sure any current "free" dining plan or any dining plan is not really free. Someone is paying for it either directly or indirectly and in many cases the quality of the food has gone down enough for so many people to notice. We've noticed it, but there are still a lot of good meals to be had in WDW. Realistically, a $12 burger had better be a really good burger or people will find alternate places to eat. Sure, Disney may make some profits for awhile, but they will lose in the long run. I have seen a trend in restaurants no longer serving breakfast, and in some cases, lunch so they don't have to staff for meals that weren't filling the seats.

 

[TinkBride]

My main frustration with the dining changes is now every restaurant has a slightly different variation of the same menu. If you really study the menus - they are all exactly the same just worded differently. You may have a little bit of variation here and there - but I feel like I am eating the same food over and over all week long. I remember when going to each restaurant was a unique experience each time.

It pains me to think that the only way to get a truly unique dinner, you must dine at V&A - and DH and I are just not in the financial position to swing that.......although it is on my bucket list

So - yes OP - it has def. changed things food wise at the world. Maybe not "ruined" - but definitely changed to appeal to the masses.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

I think most veteran visitors to WDW have seen at least some decline in quality, not only in the dining options, but in general.

When we first started going 24 years ago we used the "World Adventure Vacation Plan," a.k.a. "Gold Key" plan which included three meals a day at TS restaurants (dinner shows included). It was not, in any way, "free dining." It was more of a convenience that you paid for and if you didn't know how to use it you actually paid more than you normally would for dining.

I'm sure any current "free" dining plan or any dining plan is not really free. Someone is paying for it either directly or indirectly and in many cases the quality of the food has gone down enough for so many people to notice. We've noticed it, but there are still a lot of good meals to be had in WDW. Realistically, a $12 burger had better be a really good burger or people will find alternate places to eat. Sure, Disney may make some profits for awhile, but they will lose in the long run. I have seen a trend in restaurants no longer serving breakfast, and in some cases, lunch so they don't have to staff for meals that weren't filling the seats.

As a frequent visitor, about 3 times a year, we have seen a major decline in the food and dining expierences since free dining has begun. Also being an OOP diner we get hit hard in the pocket. For those who dont think there is a decline or that a refined palate or 5 star dining options were not available just scroll through the 2003-2007 zagats guides where the number of 5 stars rests. went from 6 to zero the number of 4 star rests. went from 11 to 1. There is not 1 disney eatery in the top 75 in orlando in the 2010 guide where there was 7 in 2006. Prices have gone up and quality has gone down. To us free dining hasnt ruined dining as much as it has ruined the quiet times of year where it is slower and parks are at lower crowd levels where now with free dining there is never a real slow season anymore.

 

[Kay1]

My main frustration with the dining changes is now every restaurant has a slightly different variation of the same menu. If you really study the menus - they are all exactly the same just worded differently. You may have a little bit of variation here and there - but I feel like I am eating the same food over and over all week long. I remember when going to each restaurant was a unique experience each time.

It pains me to think that the only way to get a truly unique dinner, you must dine at V&A - and DH and I are just not in the financial position to swing that.......although it is on my bucket list

So - yes OP - it has def. changed things food wise at the world. Maybe not "ruined" - but definitely changed to appeal to the masses.

I noticed that because I don't eat meat but will eat some kinds of shellfish. If I were on the DDP, I think I'd be eating the same pasta dish I didn't care for at Boatwright's. You can have it meatless or with shrimp or with chicken - and it's everywhere. I attended a wedding on a riverboat and they offered more choices than most Disney menus.

 

[Brygida]

We didnt think so. We just got back last week from a 10 day stay. We enjoyed all of our meals didnt think they were bad quality or anything. I know some restaurants do not have a lot of choices, but we were always able to find something and I dont remember many of these restaurants ever having a ton of choices.

We enjoyed all our meals and will be back again next year to enjoy them again.

I agree. I LOVE the FREE DDP!

I just returned from 10 night trip, where (on regular DDP) I ate at California Grill twice, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Wolfgang Puck Express 5 times, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Boma, Akershus, Chefs de France, and many others. ALL FREE (except for tip ). Plus we had countless snacks. Anytime my 6yo asked for a snack I said sure!!!

Plus, I used the $500 gift card I got from my trip in February to pay down the room!

We maximized our DDP credits and it was great. FREE DDP is great for middle-class people with kids. It is absolutely a money-saver!