Holiday surchage in effect May 24 - July 11??

[cindyfan]

Well, that's subjective - but the restaurants affected are the buffets and the 'all you care to eats' only - because they have set, single prices and so Disney CAN add a surcharge, easily.

Surely Guests who object to the surcharge can get themselves to 'want' to eat at a la carte restaurants, where there IS no surcharge?

Agree....... And the point is...... the ones that most families want to go to ..... the character meals! are the ones that have the surcharge.
so.... lets stick it to the families once again.
for our trip in June, that means an additional $24 for each of these listed. and right now, on our 10 day trip.... we were planning 4 of these places.... that's $100 less that I can spend on other meals.
So it looks like we will have to cut one of these meals and opt for counter service.
Who loses..... the kids!
How can you tell a 5 year old that he "wants" to go get chicken nuggets at the counter service instead of visiting with Pooh and Tigger!!!!

 

[patsal]

Agree....... And the point is...... the ones that most families want to go to ..... the character meals! are the ones that have the surcharge.
so.... lets stick it to the families once again.
for our trip in June, that means an additional $24 for each of these listed. and right now, on our 10 day trip.... we were planning 4 of these places.... that's $100 less that I can spend on other meals.
So it looks like we will have to cut one of these meals and opt for counter service.
Who loses..... the kids!
How can you tell a 5 year old that he "wants" to go get chicken nuggets at the counter service instead of visiting with Pooh and Tigger!!!!

I guess like all other things we make the things we want to happen happen and the less important not so much. You know ahead of time that there is a surcharge so you cut something else out of your budget to allow for it or skip it. We have done Disney many times on many different budgets. My children have always been grateful for the experiences and when we couldn't afford things we just told the kids the truth--we can't afford to eat with characters this trip so if you want to see them we will go to the meet and greets and we'll eat later in the villa, offsite or at CS. It really isn't that difficult and yes 5 yo do understand when you put it in terms they can comprehend.

 

[DianeV]

I guess i find it interesting how many people just want to conform or accept things that really arent the 'right' thing to do to your guests.

Just find another place...easy to say but why should Disney put people especially those with kids in that position? Its just another way to make more money and lets be honest there really isnt any reason for it except that they can.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disclaimer: I do not work for Disney in any capacity; I do not work for a company that is connected to Disney in any way; I do not own any stock in Disney or any part of any part of the company in any way.

Yes, it is another way to make money. Disney is a business. They exist TO make money. That they do so in part by owning and operating theme parks, restaurants, and hotels, is just part of the business.

Do I support the surcharge? I am 100% neutral. It does not affect me. I do not visit at any time where the surcharge is in effect. I am merely explaining why ANY business might raise all or some prices during certain periods. I've already posted above my opinion of why Disney opted to include all of June in the surcharge period.

 

[TDC Nala]

we are going to jack up the prices and reduce the portions

All the affected restaurants are either buffets or all you can eat prix-fixe family style meals. They can't reduce portions on all you can eat meals. They might be able to reduce selections, but not portions.

It's also not just character meals - it's all buffets and all you can eats, and some of those are not character meals. (Of course, all character meals are either buffets or all you can eat, so it does cover all character meals.)

I am visiting during the surcharge time - I will not be eating at any buffets or all you can eat meals. Of course I couldn't care less about character meals, either.

Realistically, whether or not you think the "surcharge" is fair to you or your children, your only options (should you find yourself at WDW during the affected time) are to accept it and pay the surcharge, reject it and skip the buffets, or go on DDP.

 

[brergnat]

I have to wonder how anyone justifies spending that kind of money on the all you can eat buffets in the first place?

Surely, you do realize that you can see the characters for free in the parks right?

To me, the character meals and all you can eat buffets are just RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, mediocre at best quality food.

Spend your dining dollars elsewhere, or Disney will NEVER get the message.

The Character Dining has gotten out of control, because of people who think they HAVE to do it for their kids.

News flash: Your kids will NOT die if they don't eat at character meals at Disney. You're doing these meals for YOU...admit it, and move on.

 

[summermac]

I have to wonder how anyone justifies spending that kind of money on the all you can eat buffets in the first place?

Surely, you do realize that you can see the characters for free in the parks right?

To me, the character meals and all you can eat buffets are just RIDICULOUSLY overpriced, mediocre at best quality food.

Spend your dining dollars elsewhere, or Disney will NEVER get the message.

The Character Dining has gotten out of control, because of people who think they HAVE to do it for their kids.

News flash: Your kids will NOT die if they don't eat at character meals at Disney. You're doing these meals for YOU...admit it, and move on.

Darn right! I admit it. I have never eaten at a character meal b/c we felt they were "overpriced" and also b/c it's always been adults only and I worried about feeling out of place. Why? I don't know. Plus honestly we've always tended to go offsite for meals to save a few bucks. But thanks to DDP, I'm all over the character meals and they're for ME dammit. MEEE!!! My children would have never known they existed if I hadn't said something to my son. So yeah, I admit it. Darn right.

I still think the holiday charge is a load of crap but since we opted DDP, who cares. And I'll be sure to sneak a cookie in my bag on my way out. HA.