Holiday surchage in effect May 24 - July 11??

[eeyoreforever]

Well - it looks like I'm going to have to modify my food budget.

I just read the following on the AllEars site:

The holiday surcharge for buffet and character meals around the World is returning, as previously announced. Prices for meals during these dates will be several dollars more per person than at other times of the year. The dates affected are April 5 - April 18, 2009, and May 24 - July 11, 2009. For example, at the Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace, prices will be as follows:

Breakfast: $22.99/Guest (10 and older)--$12.99/Guest (3-9) (regularly $18.99/$10.99)
Lunch: $24.99/Guest (10 and older)--$13.99/Guest (3-9) (regularly $20.99/$11.99)
Dinner: $34.99/Guest (10 and older)--$16.99 Guest (3-9) (regularly $28.99/$13.99

I don't recall them doing this in June in prior years as that is when we always go. We eat several buffet's during our trip (2 weeks) so this will affect several of our meals. I don't even know by how much the other meals will be increased so not sure how to change my plans.

Had anyone else read about this yet and going to have to adjust your budget?

 

[bigbabyblues]

I believe they did it the same way last year, it was a "holiday" of some sort from right around Memorial Day until after the 4th of July.

 

[eeyoreforever]

Oops - just remembered that last year we went in January with the band and didn't get to go in June. So if they did it last summer, we missed it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

The only reason I remember is because we had a trip planned over Memorial Day and that was the reason we were getting the dining plan

 

[bweagle]

If we're going with the DDP package, the "holiday" charge is covered, right?

 

[TJA]

Yup. We also are doing the DDP during Easter purposely because of the surcharge.

 

[m&m's mom]

I never did the DDP either- but I am now.
I called a few days ago and was told the holiday surcharge was going to be back this summer.

 

[java]

This is why we stopped doing the character meals. We are a family of 6 and the ddp doesn't work out $$ wise for us. - 2 of our children would be adults and there is no way they are eating that much food. The surcharge would be an extra $20 a meal. No thanks plus then you have to tip on that ridiculous amount.

I have said before I think this is why Disney is doing it- so everyone gets on the dining plan. Well I WON'T DO IT!! Stomping foot.

If it was appetizers and entree we would but not with dessert- just not out thing. (although don't hold me to that when I do my dining report)

 

[summermac]

I sure wish someone would tell my employer (I work for the county) that there's a holiday from May - July.

I wonder if it's not to help pay for extra CMs to be in the costumes? It's gotta be hot in those bad boys even when in AC. ?

Ugh. We are on DDP anyway but still, annoying.

 

[Pumbaa_]

last year was the first year the holiday season was so extended. It does make the DDP a much better value

 

[MickeyNicki]

Why dont they just say all summer peak season we are going to jack up the prices and reduce the portions forcing all you travellers to buy the dining plan????? That is crazy!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I'm not happy about the holiday surcharges, either. I can understand for maybe the major holidays like Easter, Christmas, Mother's Day, but for 6 solid weeks? That just seems excessive.

We're staying at Shades of Green on our next trip, so we can't get the DDP, so I guess we won't be doing any TS meals. I really wanted to do Tusker House again, and introduce my sister's family to it, but it would cost my family an extra $12 and hers an extra $16. Just not worth it for breakfast, to us.

 

[septbaby]

I really wanted to do Tusker House again, and introduce my sister's family to it, but it would cost my family an extra $12 and hers an extra $16. Just not worth it for breakfast, to us.

Both Crystal Palace and H&V offer character lunch meals. The food is on par with dinner, but still costs less than dinner. Maybe those would seem "worth it" for you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We're staying at Shades of Green on our next trip, so we can't get the DDP, so I guess we won't be doing any TS meals. I really wanted to do Tusker House again, and introduce my sister's family to it, but it would cost my family an extra $12 and hers an extra $16. Just not worth it for breakfast,

But why rule out ALL table service meals, when only buffets are affected by the surcharge?

And, apparently, Disney has successfully created a new holiday which I have dubbed JUNIDAY. It's the only thing that makes sense.

 

[cindyfan]

Okay, I understand from a business stand point the increase over the actual "Holiday". they may have to pay time & half, bla bla.
BUT..... come on! for the entire 7 week period!!!!
that's getting ridiculous!
I thought it was supposed to mirror the resort rate "season" of "holiday".

I guess I need to tell my boss that the "holiday" last 7 weeks and I won't be into work!!!

 

[FSUSammy]

Does this mean I wouldn't be able to use my TIW discount starting May 24th?

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

Does this mean I wouldn't be able to use my TIW discount starting May 24th?

No, the black out dates are the actual holiday, not the whole period. For example. the 4th of July, Christmas, etc.

 

[RMulieri]

This is nothing new.They did it last year and the year before. Lots of places (not just Disney) jack up their rates during what they consider "peak times" of year.You just don't notice it as much because most places don't announce it and include it in the prices on the menu.I eat at place in Manhattan, where depending on the time of year I pay $5 less on my entree than other times of year.This is another reason why the dining plan can be useful at times.

 

[tndisneyfan]

Personally I think this is just wrong. It's bad enough to do the surcharge on actual holidays or holiday weekends, but to say the whole month of June deserves a holiday surcharge is too much. WDW apparently isn't suffering from the economic problems too bad or they wouldn't have the nerve to do this.

 

[RMulieri]

Personally I think this is just wrong. It's bad enough to do the surcharge on actual holidays or holiday weekends, but to say the whole month of June deserves a holiday surcharge is too much. WDW apparently isn't suffering from the economic problems too bad or they wouldn't have the nerve to do this.

They are suffering from the recession...hence all the discounts like the free dining pincode,the 40%, the 4/3 promotion...they don't offer those things to be nice. The surcharge is not new, they did it last year and the year before that.They call it a Holiday surcharge, but in reality it is just a Peak travel time surcharge.Do I agree with it? No. But it doesn't really affect me all that much.I don't travel during those times and I use the dining plan. IF I were to go during those times without the plan, I would avoid eating at those places that charged the surcharge.