I'm really disappointed with 1 less snack from QSDP!

[djm99]

I am VERY disappointed to learn TODAY, that the Quick Service Dining Plan dropped a snack (I didn't realize 2012 packages released in June). I know it sounds silly, but this is the last straw with me. Every year it seems that as prices go up (QSDP is up $5 for adults and up $2 for children), I get less and less from Disney. How can they justify giving us less but charging us more? This amount is a little of nothing I'll admit that, BUT for the first time in many years (6 to be exact) I don't WANT to stay onsite. That is crazy for me. I am a STRONG onsite advocate. The dining plan has been my MAIN strong arm with my family to stay onsite - who would much prefer to rent a house with a private pool and space to spread out (and come out less expensive). I was disappointed a few years back when Disney imposed the taxes on the DP too so I switched to their more relaxed QSDP. I'm STRONGLY considering staying offsite.

p.s. I'm just venting and a little frustrated, I guess its vrbo.com for me all morning searching for a rental.

 

[TDC Nala]

They appear to have decided to remove the snack rather than raise the price on the QSDP (the price for 2012 is the same as the 2011 price). Prices on all the other dining plans have gone up at least $6 per night. The deluxe dining plan in peak season costs more than $10 more per night than the deluxe plan in 2011.

 

[smitch425]

I am VERY disappointed to learn TODAY, that the Quick Service Dining Plan dropped a snack (I didn't realize 2012 packages released in June). I know it sounds silly, but this is the last straw with me. Every year it seems that as prices go up (QSDP is up $5 for adults and up $2 for children), I get less and less from Disney. How can they justify giving us less but charging us more? This amount is a little of nothing I'll admit that, BUT for the first time in many years (6 to be exact) I don't WANT to stay onsite. That is crazy for me. I am a STRONG onsite advocate. The dining plan has been my MAIN strong arm with my family to stay onsite - who would much prefer to rent a house with a private pool and space to spread out (and come out less expensive). I was disappointed a few years back when Disney imposed the taxes on the DP too so I switched to their more relaxed QSDP. I'm STRONGLY considering staying offsite.

p.s. I'm just venting and a little frustrated, I guess its vrbo.com for me all morning searching for a rental.

Where are you seeing the price increase info for QSDP? When the 2012 prices were first released, there was NO price increase for QSDP. It remained at 34.99. If it is the same as last year's price, then we actually are better off becase they could have raised it by $5 and kept both snacks, but they just took away a $3-4 snack so we come out ahead by $1-2 a day. If you have a link to the pricing, I'd love to see it.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's the regular dining plan that is up $5 (more like $6) per night for adults and $2 for children, not the quick service plan. And tax was always included in the dining plan prices, it's the tip that was removed in 2008.

 

[djm99]

In 2009 & 2010 the QSDP was $31.99 (I was off a few dollars) in 2011 it's $34.99 in 2012 it's 34.99 w/o one snack. I'm just tired of the "nickeling & diming". I realize that I'm talking about a few $ here but you multiply those nickels & dimes x a family of 4 x 8 days and we are talking $100 - $125 easy. It's one thing to raise prices (I get that) but to charge MORE for LESS is absurd.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're talking about price increases across the board and not just year to year, the prices of all three dining plans have been increasing steadily. No, they're not anywhere near the deal they used to be. I quit using them in 2008 (except for one night on the QSDP in 2009).

 

[smitch425]

It's one thing to raise prices (I get that) but to charge MORE for LESS is absurd.

If you are comparing 2012 to 2011, they are not charging you more for less. They are charging you the same for less. Like I said before, if they would have raised the price THIS year like they did for the other plans you would be paying $5-6 more to keep your second $3-4 snack.

 

[djm99]

If you are comparing 2012 to 2011, they are not charging you more for less. They are charging you the same for less. Like I said before, if they would have raised the price THIS year like they did for the other plans you would be paying $5-6 more to keep your second $3-4 snack.

No argument. I'm just stating that the prices are increasing YET we are getting less. It's one thing to raise the prices and another to raise them & take stuff away. IMO, the snack take away is a price increase. Now I have to buy a "snack" out of packet. And yes some snacks are $3-$4 but many are $5 - $6 - depending on where you go. That adds up over a week with a family of 4.

 

[havoc315]

Here is really the point now -- with the changes, there really is no value in the qsdp unless you drink gallons of soda with your refillable mug.

Qs breakfast is only about $9. Qs dinners run about $15-17. And a snack is $3-4.
So under those values, it's about $29 oop versus $35 for the plan.

If you did $16 qs lunch and $16 Qs dinner, with $3 snack, you'd merely be breaking even.

They really drained any savings out of the qsdp. And the ddp is quickly headed in that direction.

 

[Dean]

Here is really the point now -- with the changes, there really is no value in the qsdp unless you drink gallons of soda with your refillable mug.

Qs breakfast is only about $9. Qs dinners run about $15-17. And a snack is $3-4.
So under those values, it's about $29 oop versus $35 for the plan.

If you did $16 qs lunch and $16 Qs dinner, with $3 snack, you'd merely be breaking even.

They really drained any savings out of the qsdp. And the ddp is quickly headed in that direction.

It depends on how you use it. IMO, all dining plan options have always been specialty items, good for some, not for others. Every neg change certainly takes some people out of the mix for it being worthwhile. However, there are certainly items where one can easily get a good value if you plan. A meal at WPE, Pepper market or the combo at Cosmic rays can easily be $20-25 inc tax per meal. One just needs to look at their own situation and decide what fits. It is my opinion that the risk of doing any DP includes that of losing credits through illness or injury so I believe one generally needs a 20% savings as a min to justify doing any DP.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I am VERY disappointed to learn TODAY, that the Quick Service Dining Plan dropped a snack (I didn't realize 2012 packages released in June). I know it sounds silly, but this is the last straw with me. Every year it seems that as prices go up (QSDP is up $5 for adults and up $2 for children), I get less and less from Disney. How can they justify giving us less but charging us more? This amount is a little of nothing I'll admit that, BUT for the first time in many years (6 to be exact) I don't WANT to stay onsite. That is crazy for me. I am a STRONG onsite advocate. The dining plan has been my MAIN strong arm with my family to stay onsite - who would much prefer to rent a house with a private pool and space to spread out (and come out less expensive). I was disappointed a few years back when Disney imposed the taxes on the DP too so I switched to their more relaxed QSDP. I'm STRONGLY considering staying offsite.

p.s. I'm just venting and a little frustrated, I guess its vrbo.com for me all morning searching for a rental.

I searched vacation rental homes for our upcoming trip and I found VRBO homes to be on the high side. Villa Direct has houses in the very same subdivisions but a lot less money per night.

 

[havoc315]

It depends on how you use it. IMO, all dining plan options have always been specialty items, good for some, not for others. Every neg change certainly takes some people out of the mix for it being worthwhile. However, there are certainly items where one can easily get a good value if you plan. A meal at WPE, Pepper market or the combo at Cosmic rays can easily be $20-25 inc tax per meal. One just needs to look at their own situation and decide what fits. It is my opinion that the risk of doing any DP includes that of losing credits through illness or injury so I believe one generally needs a 20% savings as a min to justify doing any DP.

Of thousands of possible Qs meals at Disney, you just mentioned the 2 or 3 that still bring value on the qsdp. And how many times can a family eat at WPE during a trip?

20% savings is becoming difficult outside of the deluxe plan. Still possible under the ddp but far from automatic.

 

[Dean]

Of thousands of possible Qs meals at Disney, you just mentioned the 2 or 3 that still bring value on the qsdp. And how many times can a family eat at WPE during a trip?

20% savings is becoming difficult outside of the deluxe plan. Still possible under the ddp but far from automatic.

As I noted, it's a specialty item but I don't believe it's as one sided as your post would suggest. Any meal that's around $10 plus appropriate dessert and drink should be roughly break even. 10+4+2+tax times 2 times 2 plus 1 snack should be around break even. There are more meals than 2 or 3 and more locations that will exceed that value but there are certainly many that won't. When you see me talk about DP options and numbers, you'll see 2 lines of thinking. One is cost/savings and the other value. Savings will be compared to what you would have spent without the DP and value to the potential cost of what one actually gets. My opinion is that all DP options work best for shorter stays, those with kids 3-9, heavy eaters, planners and those that arrive early day 1 and stay later the day of departure. YMMV.

 

[havoc315]

As I noted, it's a specialty item but I don't believe it's as one sided as your post would suggest. Any meal that's around $10 plus appropriate dessert and drink should be roughly break even. 10+4+2+tax times 2 times 2 plus 1 snack should be around break even. There are more meals than 2 or 3 and more locations that will exceed that value but there are certainly many that won't. When you see me talk about DP options and numbers, you'll see 2 lines of thinking. One is cost/savings and the other value. Savings will be compared to what you would have spent without the DP and value to the potential cost of what one actually gets. My opinion is that all DP options work best for shorter stays, those with kids 3-9, heavy eaters, planners and those that arrive early day 1 and stay later the day of departure. YMMV.

All true. But I am not exaggerating to say that 90% of Qs entrees are under $10, and 90% of eligible snacks are under $4.

So 90% of the time, your best case scenario is breaking even, or perhaps saving sales tax. Even Disney promotional literature only suggests savings "up to 5%"

I wouldn't want to lay out money, just for a best case scenario of saving 5%, and possibly losing 20-30%.

 

[newdeal]

agreed, even the regular dining plan isn't saving much anymore. Luckily we only stay onsite when the dining plan is free so it doesn't much matter to us, if I had to pay for it I would probably stay offsite and just buy food

 

[Dean]

All true. But I am not exaggerating to say that 90% of Qs entrees are under $10, and 90% of eligible snacks are under $4.

So 90% of the time, your best case scenario is breaking even, or perhaps saving sales tax. Even Disney promotional literature only suggests savings "up to 5%"

I wouldn't want to lay out money, just for a best case scenario of saving 5%, and possibly losing 20-30%.

While I agree with you in principle, I think you are exaggerating to make a point. Technically it's more likely 95% of items are under the cutoff's you quote but a significant number of meals are just under ($9.49-9.99). However, I think most reasonable people who do any investigation, and are likely to be getting the cheaper options, will take themselves out of the mix beforehand and not seriously consider the QS DP. Thus the implication to your post that 90% of people will break even at best, is a flawed one. I'm not saying it's a great deal for most people, I don't think it is, but I do feel that reasonable people who look at the facts can often get a 20-30% savings or vote with their feet. The 3-9 group will get a roughly 40-50% savings ($20-22), those who plan for the more expensive options, like those I referenced above, will also see a larger savings. Two other groups that can get a larger value are DVC members (don't pay any surcharges) and those with cars because they can more easily get to the places with improved values. One just needs to look at their own situation. I think we're really saying essentially the same thing from different sides.

I'm reminded of a friend who got a hearing test. The Audiologist told him he had to get hearing aids because he'd miss high pitched sounds like ladies voices. When he saw the ENT, he was told he didn't need hearing aids because all he'd miss was ladies voices.

 

[havoc315]

While I agree with you in principle, I think you are exaggerating to make a point. Technically it's more likely 95% of items are under the cutoff's you quote but a significant number of meals are just under ($9.49-9.99). However, I think most reasonable people who do any investigation, and are likely to be getting the cheaper options, will take themselves out of the mix beforehand and not seriously consider the QS DP. Thus the implication to your post that 90% of people will break even at best, is a flawed one. I'm not saying it's a great deal for most people, I don't think it is, but I do feel that reasonable people who look at the facts can often get a 20-30% savings or vote with their feet. The 3-9 group will get a roughly 40-50% savings ($20-22), those who plan for the more expensive options, like those I referenced above, will also see a larger savings. Two other groups that can get a larger value are DVC members (don't pay any surcharges) and those with cars because they can more easily get to the places with improved values. One just needs to look at their own situation. I think we're really saying essentially the same thing from different sides.

I'm reminded of a friend who got a hearing test. The Audiologist told him he had to get hearing aids because he'd miss high pitched sounds like ladies voices. When he saw the ENT, he was told he didn't need hearing aids because all he'd miss was ladies voices.

As children's meals are about $5 on QSDP, I don't see them saving much money either. And there are no peak surcharges on the QSDP, whether DVC or regular guest.

Yes, many meals are right at the cut-off -- meaning it's not hard to break even. But realizing savings beyond a couple percentage points is quite difficult. There are only a handful of possible meals that could translate to 20% savings -- how many times during a trip, is every member of the family going to eat at WPE or get the CR combo meal?

 

[Dean]

As children's meals are about $5 on QSDP, I don't see them saving much money either. And there are no peak surcharges on the QSDP, whether DVC or regular guest.

Yes, many meals are right at the cut-off -- meaning it's not hard to break even. But realizing savings beyond a couple percentage points is quite difficult. There are only a handful of possible meals that could translate to 20% savings -- how many times during a trip, is every member of the family going to eat at WPE or get the CR combo meal?

Most kids meals are $5, some are more or don't have kids meals, plus 2 snacks and tax is a good potential savings. That will change next year but the prices likely will also. As I said, I think we're pretty close in philosophy, however, if one sticks to the principles I've stated, it's not difficult to get to 20% or more with planning and I'd agree one shouldn't get it unless you're around that level of savings. The following options should offer meals choices at or above your cutoff of $10 for an entree.

• Flame Tree - AK
• Y & Y, several at $9.99, nothing over - AK
• nothing for the Studios other than 2 locations without kids meals
• Epcot - Seasons, La Cantina, Tangeirine cafe plus Summerfest doesn't have kids meals.
• Yorkshire won't get you over $10 but will get you a an adult meal at a kids price if you have kids.
• MK - Cosmic Rays
• Casey's corner, again no kids meals so adult meal at kids price.
• Resorts, I think the only 2 that'll get you over the $10 mark are Pepper Market and Pop century IIRC
• DD area - 2 locations of WPE and Cookes of Dublin

Plus some locations will allow you to get other meals instead of the kids meals or use a dessert for an appy type option but it's up to the CM and can't be counted on. Just extra value if it happens. It's been fun arguing whether blue-green is green or blue, have a great weekend.

 

[havoc315]

Most kids meals are $5, some are more or don't have kids meals, plus 2 snacks and tax is a good potential savings. That will change next year but the prices likely will also. As I said, I think we're pretty close in philosophy, however, if one sticks to the principles I've stated, it's not difficult to get to 20% or more with planning and I'd agree one shouldn't get it unless you're around that level of savings.

As suggested by the title of this thread...
We are talking about 2012, where they have eliminated 1 of the snacks. With 2 $9.99 entrees, and just 1 snack, impossible to save 20% or anything close to that.
Same with kids, 2 $5 meals, and 1 snack. Well.. I guess technically, a $2 savings for a child is 20%. Woohoo... $2

I realize we aren't in any serious disagreement here. I am just pointing out that realistically, under the 2012 qsdp, it is very very difficult to really save money.
Best case scenario, you are saving on the sales tax and getting "free mugs."

 

[tinker&belle]

There is also the aspect of the dining plan that I don't have to worry about prices when I am on it. If we are paying out of pocket it is hard to suck up a $140 buffet, especially if my toddler takes two bites and won't touch another thing. That makes it much less stressful for me.