If you could change one thing about....

[*NikkiBell*]

...Disney dining, what would it be and why?

 

[SaraMc]

You could choose a appetizer with dinner instead of dessert at table service credits.

 

[SA mom]

I would like to see a Pixar character meal because my not-so-girlie girls would really appreciate that. They love characters, but have never enjoyed the princesses as much as other girls do.

 

[Sparkie]

I would like a 2 CS and 1 TS with 2 snacks option (and forget the mug).

Include gratuity (again)

Option to choose appetizer or desert.

Also agree Pixar character meal would be great.

 

[jsrj21]

You could choose a appetizer with dinner instead of dessert at table service credits.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I don't want dessert with all of my meals....trying an appetizer would be awesome!

 

[Mickeefan]

I would also like the option to choose an appetizer or dessert with a TS credit.

The dining option mentioned by a PP also sounds great. 2 CS, 1 TS & no mug per person per night would be a dining plan I could use.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Totally agree about the appetizer / dessert choice. Most of the time, I would much prefer an appetizer over dessert. It's one of the reasons the dining plan doesn't appeal to me. Also agree about getting rid of the refillable mug. Or at least have an option that doesn't include the mug. I would never get the QSP since we all drink water 90% of the time.

For Dining in general though I would change the booking time. I have never understood why it is so far out. 180 days is ridiculous, especially since parks hours can change so much. I think 60 days before your trip is plenty of time.

 

[medicjch]

You could choose a appetizer with dinner instead of dessert at table service credits.

agree!

Include gratuity (again)

This is probably my biggest issue with the dining plan.........if I am pre-paying for my meals, the idea is to make this all inclusive so I don't have to worry about anything. Adding tip when you are on the dining plan just irritates me. I have nothing against tipping, and I'd like to think I tip fairly well, but having a meal paid for in advance and then having to tip out of pocket is just a pain in my opinion. Of course I'm also they guy that has to "do the math" to make sure the dining plan is worth it and typically for my family it really isn't worth the headache.

I would like to see a Pixar character meal because my not-so-girlie girls would really appreciate that. They love characters, but have never enjoyed the princesses as much as other girls do.

very much agree..........the princesses get to be a bit much!

 

[medicjch]

For Dining in general though I would change the booking time. I have never understood why it is so far out. 180 days is ridiculous, especially since parks hours can change so much. I think 60 days before your trip is plenty of time.

I gotta agree with this as well!!

 

[dansyr2514]

agreed! Appetizer or dessert..your choice.

I would also want the website to work correctly and quickly. I would want to input my info only once, so that it doesn't delay trying to make any other reservations.

 

[LilyWDW]

Get rid of the dining plan.

 

[medicjch]

Get rid of the dining plan.

And this is certainly an option.........but if we got rid of it, what would anyone talk about.

Seriously, how much better would things be if it just went away! Would the cost go down since they are not trying to aim for perceived value on the food? Would the quality improve?

While I'd be fine with it just going away, I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[WaltD4Me]

And this is certainly an option.........but if we got rid of it, what would anyone talk about.

Seriously, how much better would things be if it just went away! Would the cost go down since they are not trying to aim for perceived value on the food? Would the quality improve?

While I'd be fine with it just going away, I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

I'm all for this, but I don't see it happening either. I do think prices would go down some, especially at the character meals, and menu selection would improve too.

 

[jsrj21]

Get rid of the dining plan.

I think the dining plan is a good option for some people/families. I respectfully disagree with doing away with it.

Now, another poster mentioned the website working better.....AGREE THERE TOO!!!!!! Let's turn the website over to the Dis and let them handle it. The Dis website is so much better than the Disney one.

 

[sayhello]

Get rid of the dining plan.

THIS! In my opinion, pretty much everything about dining at WDW has declined thanks to the dining plan.

Sayhello

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Yup, get rid of it. But since it's here to stay, I agree with the choice between an app OR a dessert.

As for the tipping, I can see how it would be easier for a guest to manage but I would hate for the waitstaff to be shortchanged. If the tip were included, I would probably tip anyway to be sure that my waitperson is adequately compensated for good service. I always wonder if the waitperson truly gets the service charge when I see it on restaurant bills. I think we all need to make sure we take care of our waitpeople!

 

[WaltD4Me]

THIS! In my opinion, pretty much everything about dining at WDW has declined thanks to the dining plan.

Sayhello

I absolutely agree. I know many people love the DDP, but it isn't what it used to be and with the amount it keeps going up I can't see how it's worth it. However since they aren't going to get rid of it, maybe things would improve if they would stop making it "free." It was one thing when Free Dining was basically just in September, but then when it became practically year round is when things really declined IMHO.

 

[dansyr2514]

I like the dining plan! And let's be serious...have you ever seen Disney lower prices?? They could get rid of the dining plan, but prices would be the same.

 

[wgeo]

Well if we're dreaming, I wish dining at Disney was more affordable. We really wanted to do a character meal with the kids last trip, but are not able to pay almost $140 for a breakfast buffet (after taxes/tip).

I know Disney is expensive and I know we are paying for the destination etc., but I just think Disney is pricing themselves out of the market for middle class families. $140 is what we pay for a weeks worth of groceries at home and we simply can't pay that for one meal - even if it is an awesome meal and even if it is at Disney.

In my opinion, one of the main reasons prices have gotten so high is so that people on the Dining Plan feel like they're getting a good deal .

 

[dansyr2514]

I agree that some of the prices are ridiculous.... But as long as people pay them, they will keep increasing. Honestly, we usually do the dining plan for that reason. Not free dining. We stay dvc so we pay for the plan. When we go as a couple, we could easily spend more than $ 60 a day in food.