Is anyone as frustrated as me, due to no 2008DDP info yet?????

[Teacher03]

I love the dining plan, but if this is true, we won't be using it. We didn't save any money using it, because we are not big eaters...but we loved trying new places and food that we wouldn't if we weren't on the food plan. I hope this isn't the case!

 

[YoHo]

I don't think the dining plan was under-priced as much as Disney didn't anticipate how guests would use/abuse the plan. I doubt Disney anticipated the number of guests who wouldn't "waste" a child credit on an child meal. I don't think Disney anticipated the number of guests who would stretch their credits, thereby reducing restaurant capacity, by sharing meals. I don't think Disney anticipated the extent guests would be looking to "max" out the plan by gravitating to ordering the most expensive menu item and the most expensive restaurants.

I think the dining plan was fairly priced, based on how guest normally order food but not based on the ways guests were able to "game" the plan.



A previous meal plan became something like pay $20 and get $25 worth of food.

Then Disney is dumb.

Under the previous meal plan system and really all versions of the meal plan, people gamed the system in just that way.
People want to get the most for their money. Assuming otherwise is a good way to look foolish. And it appears Disney looks just that way.
I'm sure discussing the quality of the food is a good way to get this topic shut down, but that is a question Disney fans do bring up. Disney's treading a fine line here.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney was either dumb or naive. Some of the previous meal plans included 3 table service meals per day. There wasn't any reason to "bank" child credits since all the meals were covered. The current dining plan had guests paying cash for their kids meals so they could use there credits to treat friends that were staying off site, and in some cases friends that live in the Orlando area.

Disney has dumbed down/ standardized menus but that's a bean counter issue not a DDP issue. Bar menus have been standardized and that has nothing to do with the dining plan. Most of the exotic entrees were dropped from AP before the current dining plan. Tony's has gotten bad reviews long before the current dining plan. Guests have complained about processed food at LTT before the current dining plan.

Then Disney is dumb.

Under the previous meal plan system and really all versions of the meal plan, people gamed the system in just that way.
People want to get the most for their money. Assuming otherwise is a good way to look foolish. And it appears Disney looks just that way.
I'm sure discussing the quality of the food is a good way to get this topic shut down, but that is a question Disney fans do bring up. Disney's treading a fine line here.

 

[YoHo]

What I've heard is that things have accelerated because of the Dining plan.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Well, according to a post on the main restaurant forum, Tips are gone, appetizers are gone and prices are going up. $40 adult, $25 child

Now, if only we were going a week earlier it would still be under a 2007 plan...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1524998

This just seems to be based on the same Virgin info. So we really don't know what price increase there has been. It's possible that the Virgin price includes a markup. As for what is included and what isn't, I'll wait for word from Dinsey and not assume that Virgin has some advanced notice. Virgin is in the business of selling travel packages. While Disney may have changed the plan and given them notice, it's just as likely that Virgin has decided to move forward with selling packages now based on their speculation rather than waiting for official terms from Disney.

If the plan truely increases in price while dropping the appetizer and gratuity I won't be purchasing the plan.

 

[Lewisc]

I think people have it reversed. Disney decided to make the restaurants more profitable and more popular. The dining plan is the result of this philosophy not the cause.

Every time "foodies" talk about the restaurants, prior to the current dining plan,at least one poster talks about the time in which you could be seated as a walk up and the restaurant would only be half full. That may make for a good dining experience but that's not the goal of a restaurant owner.

V&A doesn't participate with the dining plan, Disney could have excluded one or more of the signature restaurants if they thought there were enough customers willing to pay for that kind of dining experience.

I suggested restaurants like blueZoo and one poster said they didn't want to eat there since that restaurant doesn't of a DDE discount. At least some of the posters aren't willing to pay for the kind of dining experience they're looking for.

What I've heard is that things have accelerated because of the Dining plan.

 

[Brian Noble]

Agreed, but there really isn't any reason to pre-pay for the dining plan and possibly pay more for tickets and room if you're not going to do much more then break even.

For some people, yes. Some enjoy the convenience of pre-paid dining, with a fixed known budget, and may still purchase it even only if it is a fair price, rather than a good bargain. Just as some people find charging to their room more convenient than carrying a extra credit card in addition to their KTTW card.

What's more, the vast majority of people on the plan don't seem to have any idea what, if anything, they are saving before they arrive. Remember: the DIS is not at all representative of the average WDW visitor. Heck, the average WDW visitor barely makes ADRs in advance!

Based on the other things Disney is able to sell to its public, I have no doubt that they would be able to successfully market a dining plan that includes paying for part of your meal with "an exciting, back-stage experience! See how our Cast keeps the dishes magically clean!"

 

[lenshanem]

Any thoughts on what will happen to us since we arrive late December, but leave early January???

 

[lenshanem]

Any thoughts on what will happen to us since we arrive late December, but leave early January???


This will do it for us. We go to WDW several times a year and I'm getting tired of paying so much money to eat. We will be eating more in our room (DVC), eating more CS and going off property. I can't keep justifying these prices, especially when the quality of the food has gone down.

 

[Allison]

Any thoughts on what will happen to us since we arrive late December, but leave early January???

I would love to know the answer to this also. We are going Dec 26-Jan 3 and I was seriously considering adding the dining plan. I wouldn't want to deal with a change mid-trip. This would probably tip my decision the other way.

 

[Pumbaa_]

There was a second thread started on the Main Restaurant Board for smae topic. I have moved that thread here to the DDP thread and merged the 2 threads. If posts seem a tad out of order, they might be!

 

[Snow_White]

There was a second thread started on the Main Restaurant Board for smae topic. I have moved that thread here to the DDP thread and merged the 2 threads. If posts seem a tad out of order, they might be!

Maybe you could edit the subject title to let people know that info about the 2008 plan HAS been released. Because at first title glance, that is unclear now.

 

[kristenhh]

I have a question about tips...

We are going with 9 people, hopefully using DDP. If included gratuities are taken out, but 18% is automatically added to large parties, will they divide it for each room? I just don't want to have to compensate for notoriously low tippers that may be in our party.

Thanks!

 

[lenshanem]

Maybe you could edit the subject title to let people know that info about the 2008 plan HAS been released. Because at first title glance, that is unclear now.

Where is this info at? Thanks!

 

[gina2000]

I wonder what % of DDP people will no longer use it. I also wonder what % WDW is trying to lose.

Well, between smaller portions, dumbed down menus, high prices, service issues, etc., etc., they've lost alot of local diners and OOP diners. Now they'll lose some DDP diners.

They used the DDP to get people in who wouldn't normally eat TS. I doubt they will use TS if they don't get a substantial discount.

It could get interesting next year, that's for sure.

 

[DebbieB]

I have a question about tips...

We are going with 9 people, hopefully using DDP. If included gratuities are taken out, but 18% is automatically added to large parties, will they divide it for each room? I just don't want to have to compensate for notoriously low tippers that may be in our party.

Thanks!

I assume you will get a check at the end of the meal and can pay uncovered items either in cash or charge it to your room. I don't know if you can ask for separate checks.

 

[lynninpa]

I have a question about tips...

We are going with 9 people, hopefully using DDP. If included gratuities are taken out, but 18% is automatically added to large parties, will they divide it for each room? I just don't want to have to compensate for notoriously low tippers that may be in our party.

Thanks!

Not sure how you booked. Although the whole trip was "our treat" for everyone (9 people, 3 rooms) we booked each family (each room) seperately. We were able to get 3 seperate checks everywhere we ate. I don't see how it would make a difference whether you were on the DDP or not, and no matter what is or is not included on the DDP. Just how you booked could make a difference. Does this help to answer your question?

 

[Lewisc]

Just tell your server you need separate checks. The automatic gratuity will be added if your total party is 6 or more, even if each check has less then 6 customers and even if your party is seated at different tables.

I have a question about tips...

We are going with 9 people, hopefully using DDP. If included gratuities are taken out, but 18% is automatically added to large parties, will they divide it for each room? I just don't want to have to compensate for notoriously low tippers that may be in our party.

Thanks!

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

Just tell your server you need separate checks. The automatic gratuity will be added if your total party is 6 or more, even if each check has less then 6 customers and even if your party is seated at different tables.

My question is, how does one tip at a buffet? Am I seriously tipping 18 % to a server who may only bring me drinks over the course of a meal? Is that standard for tipping at a buffet?

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

No appetizers, no gratuity and the prices for the plan are going up? $25 per child??

Sorry, that was prob quite misleading! As i'm not entirely sure what the EXACT price Disney are charging if booking direct. Virgin holidays hiked the price up for 2008, in 2006 we paid £11 per child (fair exchange rate - $19), but as I said Virgin are charging a good bit more (they said it was because they weren't sure what the Disney increase would be), and to let you understand if we book the DDP, here in UK, we have to add the tkts and DDP through the tour operator weve booked flights and hotel with.