"Holiday Dining" Price Increases

[msteddom]

I just read on Tour Guide Mike that Disney is implementing a "Holiday Dining" price stucture that inceases the price of dining for the holidays. He didn't have anything specific, but he did say that the price of a dinner could be 5-6 dollars avove normal pricing. He didn't say this, but I suspect this only applies to fixed price meals. The dates of the holiday increase are November 18, 2007 - November 24, 2007 and December 16, 2007 - January 5, 2008.

Melissa

 

[zulaya]

Well, I'll be watching this to see if it proves true. I don't usually travel at those times, but we are contemplating a trip over Thanksgiving or Xmas week at some point in our lives. I'd probably feel a little slightly peeved that menu prices go up over the entire time period and not for the holiday-day itself.

 

[Forevryoung]

Well, I'll be watching this to see if it proves true. I don't usually travel at those times, but we are contemplating a trip over Thanksgiving or Xmas week at some point in our lives. I'd probably feel a little slightly peeved that menu prices go up over the entire time period and not for the holiday-day itself.

Yep, I agree- "value season" starts Jan 2nd... but they are still going to charge extra for food? Might have to change some plans around to avoid the increase!

After tax and tip its $45 for BREAKFAST at the Crystal Palace for TWO of us- I really really wanted to eat there before rope drop but if price goes up over $50, I'm probably going to have to let go of that dream. I can't justify that much for breakfast.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Wow. That would be pitiful! Let's just hope it doesn't happen because I don't think I'll be the only one letting Disney know how very unhappy I'd be about that!

 

[fla4fun]

While I don't think it's fair, I could understand them doing this on the holiday itself, and I could even stretch so far as to see Christmas Eve through New Years Day. But to start in mid-December just seems like they are gouging their guests. Are there going to be increased charges for the dining plan during those times as well, or are they using this as a way to push more people onto the plan?

 

[Cinderelli]

Very interesting. I've been following a similar thread on TourGuideMike, but am surprised to see the very limited response so far. I've been running the numbers to see if we'd be better off going on the Dining Plan (our trip is scheduled 12/26 - 1/4). I'm curious to see if the cost of the DDP goes up over the holiday as well. How can they charge the non-DDP guests more money for their menu choices during the holiday period and leave the DDP the same? Doesn't seem fair to me.

Lissa

 

[GoldiBabi]

We made our reservations two days ago and added the dining plan. We were quoted $38.95pp, so no changes there. Now that I've heard prices are going up, it makes the dining plan an even better deal!

 

[ugadog99]

Good thing we have the DDP for our December trip. They have usually just upped the price on the actual holiday. Let's see what happens. Just one more way for WDW to squeak out some more $$$$.

 

[eliza61]

I just read on Tour Guide Mike that Disney is implementing a "Holiday Dining" price stucture that inceases the price of dining for the holidays. He didn't have anything specific, but he did say that the price of a dinner could be 5-6 dollars avove normal pricing. He didn't say this, but I suspect this only applies to fixed price meals. The dates of the holiday increase are November 18, 2007 - November 24, 2007 and December 16, 2007 - January 5, 2008.

Melissa

Does this surprise you? I'm very surprise disney is just getting around to doing this. I know here on the east coast (NYC & Philly, Washington DC) restaurants do this all the time. Prices go up on NYE, thanksgiving, mother's day, fathers day etc. My family and I usually have a mother's day dinner, the saturday before because restaurants will charge 5-10 bucks extra per entree . I think they do it because they know they have a captive audience.

 

[discruiser]

Any more news on this? We're traveling right around the New Year so I'm interested too.

 

[LilGMom]

Does this surprise you? I'm very surprise disney is just getting around to doing this. I know here on the east coast (NYC & Philly, Washington DC) restaurants do this all the time. Prices go up on NYE, thanksgiving, mother's day, fathers day etc.

I'm also not surprised. I live in a beach community and refuse to go out to the beach or eat at the more popular 'touristy' restaurants during the summer because an entree that costs $15 during the rest of the year will be priced close to $20-22 during the summer.

 

[zulaya]

I don't think people are griping about the price being hiked on the specific holiday (NYE, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, etc.).

I think it's the fact that the entire Peak Season, and some of the days or weeks around it, are being targeted.

Paying special for a special day is expected. Paying special prices for 2-3 continuous weeks...not expected.

Is the peak season becoming too "peak"? Is WDW selling out of rooms, advanced reservations, everything during peak season? Is this a case of where supply and demand is playing a major role? The demand is high, so the prices go higher?

 

[madalex]

Is the peak season becoming too "peak"? Is WDW selling out of rooms, advanced reservations, everything during peak season? Is this a case of where supply and demand is playing a major role? The demand is high, so the prices go higher?

Supply and demand always, always, always play a major role in any price increase (or price decrease for that matter). Disney sees that demand during the periods identified is huge and figures they can raise food prices without losing guests. If they are wrong and too many guests elect not to come during that period, the prices will come back down.

 

[Fionasmommy]

A CM mentioned this to me yesterday when I called to make some ADR's for July 4th. I booked dinner at Chefs de France and she said, "please keep in mind that holiday pricing will be in effect." I told her we had the dining plan for that day, and she said that we should be okay then but if we order anything not covered by the plan it may be more expensive than usual. So apparently you can't use DDE on holidays AND the food is marked up?

 

[hopemax]

What bothers me is the "demand" is being heavily influenced by the DDP participants, however they are the people that are unaffected by any price increases.

 

[zulaya]

Is it the "demand" of the DDP? Or just that time of year specifically?

Think about it...you have to pay a package rate to the get DDP (unless you are DVC staying on points).

Is the general public buying the DDP out of package convenience, even though they are paying rack rate for the room? Maybe.

I think that people who go in Peak Season are people who can ONLY go in Peak Season (ie people who don't want to take kids out of school, teachers, etc). It's called Peak Season for a reason...people are going to go because it's when they can go OR they have it stuck in their head that they want to be in WDW on Christmas.

What sticks in my craw is that the Christmas pricing starts on Dec 16. That's 9 days before Christmas. Do many people come in on Dec. 16 and stay through Christmas, and even Christmas Week? My kids don't even get out of school until Dec. 22 or 23 but I'm in MN so maybe we are different. I know that some people are retired and maybe have more vacation time, but I think the average family going to WDW probably only stays 5-7 days. December 16, last I checked, was still considered Value Season for regular room rates. Is that going to change to Peak Season rates now, as well?

Just thinking out loud here. It just seems inconsistent to charge Peak Season food prices and Value Season room rates.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have a booking for December 15 and 16. I think I'll have the big honking dinner on the 15th.

Use of DDE is blacked out on holidays.

 

[rcraw45425]

Bumping this up since it was the only thread that I could get to come up with the search engine. Disney is charging an additional $4 per person through January 5, 2008. This includes all buffets and 'Ohana, bringing the price per person to $30.99 and $14.99. IMO this is ludicrous. I mean the food you find in the included restaurants is "okay to good" at best, and not worthy of a $31 per person charge, especially since they concider a child of 10 an "adult" . Just venting a bit, my ADRs are made, guess I'm stuck unless we want CS for our 'Ohana and Cape May nights.

 

[mouseclick1]

I have dinner booked the day after Easter at Crystal Palace and was told it would be somewhere in the $32.00 range. The CM told me the exact amount, I just can't remember what it is. I'm not quite sure if I'm going to keep it or cancel it.

 

[rcraw45425]

Probably $30.99, that's what I was told for Jan.2-5, when we'll be there. Looks like they're forcing the DDP in us!