Is the dining plan going to change in 2011

[2Tiggies]

I was on the WDW dining reservation website today- a window popped up asking if I would consider adding the Disney Dining Plan with which I might be able to save up to 20%.

I was pretty sure they were advertising 30% not long ago.

It was 30% when I ran a quote last month so it has changed then. Unless it has been temporarily amended to include the dining plan surcharge over the summer

Bottom line is, as people who research, plan, discuss, do the math, replan .... we are in the minority. I suspect a large proportion (and would go so far as to say perhaps the majority) of folk who buy the dining plan do so out of ignorance, by which I mean, they have no idea if it would save them money or even what they get with their meal. There are frequent posts on these boards with quesions about what is included. People will always buy the plan as long as Disney advertises it as "may save you xx %, they will fall for it. Like many of you, I am a fine print reader - so I always spot words like "may" and "up to" etc and then delve a little deeper. Most people don't read sentences fully and pick out what jumps out at them, rather than looking for what is hidden. It is a proven fact. Advertising in any sector of the business world cashes in on that.

 

[sandym718]

I did a cost check eating at Boma for breakfast and then Citricos for dinner. Adult buffet is $18.99 + the most expensive entree at Citricos $46 that equals $64.99 + $7 for two snacks and $5 for beverages the total is $81.99. The DxDp costs $71.99. A $5 savings based on ordering the most expensive and pricey snacks is not enough. I don't want to worry about ordering the most expensive entee to get my money's worth. I would rather pay OOP and have more flexibility. If you missed 1 meal credit you might not break even.

Another example of DxDP entree only. Tusker House $20.99 for lunch then Artist Point for Dinner what I ate last time was Salmon at $36 plus snacks $7 and beverage $5 the total is $68.99 so I would pay disney extra money for using the dining plan.

Definitely doesn't sound like the DxDP would work for you. And it doesn't for us - we use the DDP. But I just wanted to point out 2 things - first, in your calculations, don't forget to figure the tax. that adds just a little bit more value.

Second, I never pay much attention to the Signature restaurants, but I will say I'm shocked that those entree costs are what they are - not much more than some entree or "fixed price" 1 TS costs!! Chef Mickey's dinner during Seasonal pricing is over $38! It seems to get the value of the DxDP you'd probably need to do either 2 TS meals per day (one being a signature) for lunch/dinner (breakfast doesn't seem to give much value) or 1 QS (breakfast) and then 2 (1 credit) TS meals each day.

 

[gilsan]

Definitely doesn't sound like the DxDP would work for you. And it doesn't for us - we use the DDP. But I just wanted to point out 2 things - first, in your calculations, don't forget to figure the tax. that adds just a little bit more value.

Second, I never pay much attention to the Signature restaurants, but I will say I'm shocked that those entree costs are what they are - not much more than some entree or "fixed price" 1 TS costs!! Chef Mickey's dinner during Seasonal pricing is over $38! It seems to get the value of the DxDP you'd probably need to do either 2 TS meals per day (one being a signature) for lunch/dinner (breakfast doesn't seem to give much value) or 1 QS (breakfast) and then 2 (1 credit) TS meals each day.

The DxDp has worked well for us the way it is. If they take away the dessert it would still work but we would save less. If they take both the appetizer and dessert it doesn't work out well unless you just want to pay ahead for your meals. Otherwise you would need to be careful in what you order to make it worthwhile.

I don't want to think I want the fish but since I bought the DxDp I need to order the steak so I can break even.

 

[sandym718]

The DxDp has worked well for us the way it is. If they take away the dessert it would still work but we would save less. If they take both the appetizer and dessert it doesn't work out well unless you just want to pay ahead for your meals. Otherwise you would need to be careful in what you order to make it worthwhile.

I don't want to think I want the fish but since I bought the DxDp I need to order the steak so I can break even.

Sorry -that's what I meant - the way it potentially will be won't work for you. I'm sure for many families it still will work very well as far as a savings. Those who want to do a character buffet breakfast, for example, a QS lunch and then a nice (but 1 credit) TS dinner. Especially if they have kids, that's where a lot of the value can come in. I was shocked when I ran our numbers (for the regular DDP, not the Deluxe), at how much we actually still would SAVE, even with the desserts gone. Dining at Disney is just THAT expensive right now. Of course, if the plan costs go up a LOT...well more numbers to run!

Just as a DxDP example - Chef Mickey's breakfast, Pecos Bill lunch and Kona dinner. For an adult - $28.35 w/tax for CM, 11.27 w/tax and beverage (middle of the road menu choice), 26.28 w/ tax and beverage (again, middle-of-the-road choice). $65.90 for meals plus $7 for snacks, total $72.90, not really a savings. But for a child - CM Breakfast $14.90, Pecos Bill lunch $5.31 and Kona dinner -8.08. $28.29, plus say $6 for snacks, total $34.29. At a DxDP cost of 20.99 for a child - savings of $13.30. That's for ONE child for one Day. For what I think would be a fairly "normal" eating plan for a Family choosing to use the DxDP. One character meal, one QS meal, one other TS meal per day. NOT trying to maximize by choosing certain entrees. If the family has 2 children - savings of $26 for that day. If they save that amount for, say 4 days of a week-long trip, they're saving over $100 by using the plan. Kids will generally be a "deal" each day, so they could potentially save $150 or more, just on the kids. IF they want to eat this way, of course. And IF mom or dad want steaks, etc. - they could see some savings on some days and easily save over $200 by using the plan.

As is ALWAYS the case, the new plans, should they come to be, will be a Savings for Some families depending on composition and meal choices. And they won't be for a lot of families, too.

Sorry to be so long, but I just wanted to point this out again - run the numbers everyone, it's worth it. I, too, will be disappointed if these new plans come to pass, ESPECIALLY if the prices increase. But based on what I know now, my family will still use the DDP, because it will still save us $$.

 

[bytheblood]

Something about the changes that my sister mentioned to me.... if Disney changes the DDP to be a 20% savings instead of a 30% savings, the more expensive & popular restaurants are really going to be much harder to get and will book up fast because people will want to feel they are getting the most out of the dining plan. You don't really get that out of buffets and such, but you will from places like Tutto Italia, Le Cellier, Les Chefs and other restaurants in EPCOT.

Now that we have become DVC members, I think the kitchen in my room will become quite appealing.

 

[sandym718]

You don't really get that out of buffets and such, but you will from places like Tutto Italia, Le Cellier, Les Chefs and other restaurants in EPCOT.

Actually, if the dessert goes away, the buffets/fixed price meals start becoming an even better bang for the "buck". A filet plus beverage at LeCellier is about $37.50. Chef Mickey's during Seasonal pricing is $38.32 and you'll get dessert with that. Crystal Palace and Ohana are also over $30 even during regular pricing and higher during Seasonal. (These are all dinner of course). If the Mama Melrose F! Pkg remains, that's 32.99. I wonder if These places will be even harder to get - folks will get dessert AND feeling like they're maximizing the DDP.
Oh, and add to that the kid's pricing is MUCH more expensive at CM, CP, Ohana than Le Cellier ($15 to $17 vs. 8.99). So, again more bang for the buck with those. (Tutto does look pricey for kids though)

 

[Cafeen]

Something about the changes that my sister mentioned to me.... if Disney changes the DDP to be a 20% savings instead of a 30% savings, the more expensive & popular restaurants are really going to be much harder to get and will book up fast because people will want to feel they are getting the most out of the dining plan. You don't really get that out of buffets and such, but you will from places like Tutto Italia, Le Cellier, Les Chefs and other restaurants in EPCOT.

Now that we have become DVC members, I think the kitchen in my room will become quite appealing.

The change in percentage saved is more a factor of them reducing the amount of entitlements received on the plan coupled with a possible price increase of the plan. The only use of the percentage is as a marketing tool. The fact it's slipping down is a signal to us that they can't officially say that it's 30% anymore, so they drop down to 20% as it's plausible.

But yes, overall the pricier entrée locations and buffets would increase in popularity and be even more difficult to attain an ADR. Le Cellier specifically may not follow the trend though, as there seems to be a strong rumor that it will be changing to signature status sometime this fall or early next year.

 

[gilsan]

Sorry -that's what I meant - the way it potentially will be won't work for you. I'm sure for many families it still will work very well as far as a savings. Those who want to do a character buffet breakfast, for example, a QS lunch and then a nice (but 1 credit) TS dinner. Especially if they have kids, that's where a lot of the value can come in. I was shocked when I ran our numbers (for the regular DDP, not the Deluxe), at how much we actually still would SAVE, even with the desserts gone. Dining at Disney is just THAT expensive right now. Of course, if the plan costs go up a LOT...well more numbers to run!

Just as a DxDP example - Chef Mickey's breakfast, Pecos Bill lunch and Kona dinner. For an adult - $28.35 w/tax for CM, 11.27 w/tax and beverage (middle of the road menu choice), 26.28 w/ tax and beverage (again, middle-of-the-road choice). $65.90 for meals plus $7 for snacks, total $72.90, not really a savings. But for a child - CM Breakfast $14.90, Pecos Bill lunch $5.31 and Kona dinner -8.08. $28.29, plus say $6 for snacks, total $34.29. At a DxDP cost of 20.99 for a child - savings of $13.30. That's for ONE child for one Day. For what I think would be a fairly "normal" eating plan for a Family choosing to use the DxDP. One character meal, one QS meal, one other TS meal per day. NOT trying to maximize by choosing certain entrees. If the family has 2 children - savings of $26 for that day. If they save that amount for, say 4 days of a week-long trip, they're saving over $100 by using the plan. Kids will generally be a "deal" each day, so they could potentially save $150 or more, just on the kids. IF they want to eat this way, of course. And IF mom or dad want steaks, etc. - they could see some savings on some days and easily save over $200 by using the plan.

As is ALWAYS the case, the new plans, should they come to be, will be a Savings for Some families depending on composition and meal choices. And they won't be for a lot of families, too.

Sorry to be so long, but I just wanted to point this out again - run the numbers everyone, it's worth it. I, too, will be disappointed if these new plans come to pass, ESPECIALLY if the prices increase. But based on what I know now, my family will still use the DDP, because it will still save us $$.

I do see what you are saying.

I think that with such a slim savings people might drop the plan. Yes I could save $13/day, but I am tied to using 3 credits if I buy the plan. With the way the system is currently I could not use one or two credits and I would still save money. If they take away the app and dessert. I can't leave any credit if I want to save some money. So IMO I would rather not be tied to a plan and eat what I want where I want. I wouldn't be tied to eating at the higher priced Disney restaurants. $13 a day over a 10 night trip would only be $130. I think most people who run the numbers would feel the same. The savings is only slight and ther is a chance if you were unable to use all your credits that you could spend more on the plan than the cost of what you eat.

I do however think that the cost for the DDp, if it is not to much of a price hike, would still be a savings. DDp has only lost dessert (probably a cost of $12) and gained a snack which IMO would be preferable to a CS dessert. So really would not be as changed as the DxDp.

The last time we did DxDp I saved my receipts the "cost" of the food was $2450, but we paid $1400 for the plan. I will admit we had appetizers and deserts, and a couple meals that we would not have ordered had we not been on the plan, but I still feel we saved about $500.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I came up with an idea....Wouldn't it be great if guests could choose what they want included in the dining plan? (It would kind of tie in with the Magic your way idea - where you get only what you want with your tickets).

What if they offered us a choice...like for the regular dp, start off with entree and beverage only for like $25 a night per person. Then if I wanted an appetizer, it would cost $30 a night per person. If I wanted to add in dessert with each meal, $35, refillable mug $38....They could stick with the 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 Snack per person but you would get to choose what you want in each meal.

and the deluxe dp would come with the 3 meals per day but you would be able to choose what comes with each meal...

This way people wouldn't complain that "its too much food" cause it would be up to you what you want in your meal and then those of us who love desserts can have the option to have it with each meal.

Of course, servers would have to know which plan the guests for each table were on, which might be tough, but it would make everyone happy.

 

[d-r]

well, you can kind of do that now - just don't get the dining plan, and order what you want and pay for it.

 

[Alesia]

I came up with an idea....Wouldn't it be great if guests could choose what they want included in the dining plan? (It would kind of tie in with the Magic your way idea - where you get only what you want with your tickets).

What if they offered us a choice...like for the regular dp, start off with entree and beverage only for like $25 a night per person. Then if I wanted an appetizer, it would cost $30 a night per person. If I wanted to add in dessert with each meal, $35, refillable mug $38....They could stick with the 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 Snack per person but you would get to choose what you want in each meal.

and the deluxe dp would come with the 3 meals per day but you would be able to choose what comes with each meal...

This way people wouldn't complain that "its too much food" cause it would be up to you what you want in your meal and then those of us who love desserts can have the option to have it with each meal.

Of course, servers would have to know which plan the guests for each table were on, which might be tough, but it would make everyone happy.

When we were there on our honeymoon in 1998, they had a plan where you prepaid $30 per person per day and you were credited $40 per person and you could use it however you wanted to.

 

[2Tiggies]

I came up with an idea....Wouldn't it be great if guests could choose what they want included in the dining plan? (It would kind of tie in with the Magic your way idea - where you get only what you want with your tickets).

What if they offered us a choice...like for the regular dp, start off with entree and beverage only for like $25 a night per person. Then if I wanted an appetizer, it would cost $30 a night per person. If I wanted to add in dessert with each meal, $35, refillable mug $38....They could stick with the 1 CS, 1 TS and 1 Snack per person but you would get to choose what you want in each meal.

and the deluxe dp would come with the 3 meals per day but you would be able to choose what comes with each meal...

This way people wouldn't complain that "its too much food" cause it would be up to you what you want in your meal and then those of us who love desserts can have the option to have it with each meal.

Of course, servers would have to know which plan the guests for each table were on, which might be tough, but it would make everyone happy.

It could work with component credits, rather than meal credits I love your idea - although I somehow doubt Disney wants its guest to have that much control over their spending

 

[tinka-belle]

I remember the Silver Plan (and others) from several years back. Prepaid a cetain amount, I think it was $50 per person per night, but got $55 to spend, basically a 10% discount on dining. Could use it anywhere. We liked it and thought it was simple and straightforward, but many of my clients did not. Most ran out of "money" before the end of the trip and were angry or confused when they had to pay for meals for a day or two. Others didn't see it as any big deal to save just 10% so didn't book it. The rest of them did like it since it was flexible and they could tailor it to their needs. These fixed amount plans did NOT get booked or used anywhere near the amount that the current DDP are. % off food just isn't as much of an incentive to people as "included meals" is.

No matter how many meal plans Disney comes up with or how simple they make them there will always be people who are confused by it. The current plans are actually pretty simple, but look at the confusion and questions they generate. Saying that XXX number of meals are included for your stay seems to be easier for most people to understand than saying you have $XYZ to spend on food, especially when they don't really know how the prices run.

There are so many options and things to plan for a WDW vacation that for some people even a simple dining plan can seem overwhelming. Most don't ask questions on the DIS or just make assumptions or get bad advice from people who were there years ago. Some don't realize that asking a CM at the CS or cart or TS location will get them an answer, though maybe a little too late to make dining plans. I don't think Disney can ever make a dining plan that is easy for everyone to use and understand! Or that fits everyone's preference!

 

[Jrpbabe2003]

I just wish the tip was still included. I know it will probably not happen, but I like to have EVERYTHING prepaid. We end up buying more from Disney with the plan, which I am sure is the case for many people. Without the plan, we bring snacks and just eat a nice dinner.

 

[worm761]

I don't think that when people are complaining about the dining plan being too much food, it is a complaint about dessert. I think it is a complaint about the size of the portions. Their portions are huge!

 

[AirGoofy]

I remember last year in 2009, at the start (or end of 2008) of the year, I saved the PDF on the DDP from Disney's website so I could start planning the trip. Later that year, I checked the website again, and the 2009 DDP PDF had changed to include additional restaurants.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I just wish the tip was still included. I know it will probably not happen, but I like to have EVERYTHING prepaid. We end up buying more from Disney with the plan, which I am sure is the case for many people. Without the plan, we bring snacks and just eat a nice dinner.

I like everything included too. Having the tip included was awesome!

 

[worm761]

I got a response to my email to Disney about the changes. It pretty much says nothing either way. It looks like a standard response. Actually, it says that the changes have not been announced:

Dear Angela,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort is constantly working with our "Imagineers"
and evaluating new ideas for further enhancing our attraction and
entertainment offerings in the parks. At this time, no plans relating
to your inquiry have been announced.

Angela, we hope this information is helpful and we thank you for writing
and hope to see you in our parks one day soon.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

(Removed CM Name)
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.

 

[Cafeen]

I remember last year in 2009, at the start (or end of 2008) of the year, I saved the PDF on the DDP from Disney's website so I could start planning the trip. Later that year, I checked the website again, and the 2009 DDP PDF had changed to include additional restaurants.

This is due to the way that the contracts with the non-Disney Owned restaurants are handled. Typically, when the "next year" plan is first introduced, they include only the Disney-Owned and whoever has already signed the contract. The 3rd-party restaurants have until sometime near the beginning of the year to sign them. So between August(ish) and January(ish), the list of restaurants certainly does change. Typically, by the time the deadline is reached, the vast majority of restaurants on the plan for "last year" end up being on the plan for "this year".

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I got a response to my email to Disney about the changes. It pretty much says nothing either way. It looks like a standard response. Actually, it says that the changes have not been announced:

Dear Angela,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort is constantly working with our "Imagineers"
and evaluating new ideas for further enhancing our attraction and
entertainment offerings in the parks. At this time, no plans relating
to your inquiry have been announced.

Angela, we hope this information is helpful and we thank you for writing
and hope to see you in our parks one day soon.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

(Removed CMs Name)
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.

Sounds like they are just trying to avoid giving you a straight up answer.