Is the dining plan going to change in 2011

[MichaelColey]

I got a little bit different of a response. Relevant portion quoted below:

Each year, our Product Development Department reviews all components
offered under each package name. This determines the packages and
components included for the following year. At this time, room rates
and packages for 2011 have not been announced. Please check back in
mid-August 2010 for updated information.

You are welcome to call 407-W-DISNEY and book a room only reservation
until the packages are released for next year. Room only reservations
may be booked up to 499 days in advance, however, the rates would not be
guaranteed.

Please note that we don't have any information at this time as to any
changes to our dinning plans as packages haven't been released here in
the United States.

I specifically asked that it be passed up so that the decision makers would know how people felt, but they conveniently ignored that part.

 

[2Tiggies]

I specifically asked that it be passed up so that the decision makers would know how people felt, but they conveniently ignored that part.

Sadly, generic responses are common place in the corporate world. If you get really lucky, they may edit in one or two sentences to "personalize" it. It is like communicating with governments - noboday claims to know anything, probably because you often find that those dealing with challenging questions from the public are left in the dark - or well skilled in evading the point of the question. It's not unique to Disney, but is nonetheless frustrating. It looks to me like a typical "no comment" response, put very diplomatically to create the illusion that your question has been answered. Of course, that is not to say that your message will not be passed on - it's just that you will never know.

 

[Cafeen]

Please note that we don't have any information at this time as to any
changes to our dinning plans as packages haven't been released here in
the United States.

(bolding mine)

Hmmm. This lends itself to saying that packages have actually been released elsewhere, lending credibility to the UK travel agencies that spawned this thread.

Beyond that, yup, chances are that a generic style of email is the best we can hope for now. Disney is very image-conscious and they are very unlikely to leak this information through official channels. Whether or not it's been passed up the chain, I would doubt that a single email would, but perhaps multiple emails of the same sort would be bunched up before they make the final decision. /shrug, the inner workings of the company both amaze and baffle me.

 

[bytheblood]

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.

When everything was included in the DP, we spent A LOT more money on souvenirs and such.

Each time Disney made a cut-back to what we were getting for the same amount of money, we make a cut-back on what we were putting in Mickey's pockets.

When Disney offers awesome packages (especially/mostly for dining), I give them a lot of money for junk we don't NEED. And we buy most of our Christmas gifts for the kids in our families there too. We don't do that so much anymore.

 

[Luv2Roam]

New -- the hospital plan-- $250 a day and all the jello you can eat.
Something is bound to change, one way or another. And no detail is too small for us to notice.
I generally don't believe anything until it is official.

 

[2Tiggies]

New -- the hospital plan-- $250 a day and all the jello you can eat.

Something is bound to change, one way or another. And no detail is too small for us to notice.

Now that's the truth - especially with DISers!

I generally don't believe anything until it is official.

I am with you on this one - but I do accept that many will fairly accuse us of being in denial .......

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I got a little bit different of a response. Relevant portion quoted below:

I specifically asked that it be passed up so that the decision makers would know how people felt, but they conveniently ignored that part.

Yeah, this sounds like another general response....

 

[angelmav]

I guess the dissapointing thing is that the way they had everything set up before it tied everything into a nice bow for a package plan. Sure you were paying more for a comparable room on site, but it was the only way to get the Dining Plan. Well, why stay on site if the plan is a loser or not a reason to stay on site any longer? I can do much, much better staying offsight both in cost and accomodations if the plan advantage is taken away. Might as well eat off site too. The lure of the all inclusiveness Disney had aquired is what had us hooked. I cant say that getting a free ride on the Magic Express really seals the deal as a reason to go/stay/eat at Disney. May be time to check out the competition or go other places if this actually comes into fruition.

 

[Lewisc]

Did anyone think Disney was going to comment on what's basically an internet rumor? A few comments isn't going to change a decision made based on standardized surveys/analysis.


Wait until the plan is announced. I doubt I'd book the "food plan" described in the UK brochures. Telling Disney why I'm not booking a package is the best response. Telling them I won't be staying onsite is a good response. Disney won't care if enough people book the plan. Sounds like the plan will provide a "regular meal" at buffets and all you care to eat restaurants but will offer a discount (pay part of the cost of dining) in a regular TS restaurant. JMO but a meal generally includes at least soup/salad and dessert.

 

[Tricia1972]

Lewisc said it very well.

Disney is a business. Being as profitable as possible is good business, and that makes it great business to offer less for the same amount (or even more). They make more profit.

Disney will continue to give us less as long as dining plans are sold. Really, we have nobody to blame for this but ourselves*. Disney has been conditioned since 2008 that they take something(s) away and still sell out on the dining plans.

*ourselves as a whole traveling to Disney, not necessarily just us on the DIS.

 

[brunette8706]

I am reading through these pages of posts and a few things occurred to me. What is the primary reason for buying the DDP? Is it value? Or is it convenience? DH and I visit several times a year and we never get the DDP. We've considered it but in the end, didn't feel we could get the value out of it. In fact, we've never spent remotely close to the cost of the plan for our meals. To come to that conclusion, we've looked at all the included items and tried to plan how we could get our monies worth out of the plan but couldn't do it. That said, I am wondering then what would be the key reason for getting it. I can't say how many times we've gone to a restaurant, and seeing parents buying sundaes for their kids, who didn't even touch it.

Here's my suggestion. Instead of getting the DDP, why not ahead of time plan out your meals and purchase a Disney Gift Card in the time leading up to your trip? It's not quite as conveniant as the room key with the DDP, but it's surely close. It would also be paid for ahead of time, each family member would have their own card and at the end of the trip, if the money isn't all spent, it is still there! As I said, i couldn't imagine spending $40.00 a day on food. Maybe we're the odd ones here. What I do know, is it's a challenge to get the value out of the plan and with gift cards, you only have to spend on what you want to buy.

Just a thought.

 

[Alesia]

I am reading through these pages of posts and a few things occurred to me. What is the primary reason for buying the DDP? Is it value? Or is it convenience? DH and I visit several times a year and we never get the DDP. We've considered it but in the end, didn't feel we could get the value out of it. In fact, we've never spent remotely close to the cost of the plan for our meals. To come to that conclusion, we've looked at all the included items and tried to plan how we could get our monies worth out of the plan but couldn't do it. That said, I am wondering then what would be the key reason for getting it. I can't say how many times we've gone to a restaurant, and seeing parents buying sundaes for their kids, who didn't even touch it.

Here's my suggestion. Instead of getting the DDP, why not ahead of time plan out your meals and purchase a Disney Gift Card in the time leading up to your trip? It's not quite as conveniant as the room key with the DDP, but it's surely close. It would also be paid for ahead of time, each family member would have their own card and at the end of the trip, if the money isn't all spent, it is still there! As I said, i couldn't imagine spending $40.00 a day on food. Maybe we're the odd ones here. What I do know, is it's a challenge to get the value out of the plan and with gift cards, you only have to spend on what you want to buy.

Just a thought.

I agree, but I think it's more about perceived value. People on the DDP look at their receipts and think, "Gosh, look how much money we saved." What they don't take into account is that, without the DDP, they wouldn't be buying nearly as much food.

We were there for 9 days without the DDP and ate exactly what we wanted, when we wanted and still spent $600 less than we would have on the DDP.

 

[sandym718]

What they don't take into account is that, without the DDP, they wouldn't be buying nearly as much food.

For SOME people. For us, I can honestly say, YES, we would be buying that much food, with the exception of the CS desserts probably/possibly. When I calculate the value of the plan for us - I've done it withOUT those desserts, to make sure we still save... and we do...hundreds of dollars. The regular DDP - you get 1 QS entree, 1 QS dessert and a beverage. Am I going to buy a lunch with a drink? Yes. The dessert - probably not. You get 1 TS dinner, 1 TS dessert and a beverage. Am I going to buy those things for dinner? Yes. Do we always get dessert when we eat out at home? No. But we like to splurge a bit on our vacations - at Disney OR other places. And you get 1 snack per day. Would we buy this anyways? Yes!

So, for US, the regular DDP - as it CURRENTLY is - almost exactly matches the way we would eat regardless AND it saves us money. So for us it's convenience AND savings. BUT, keep in mind we have 2 kids. The savings on the kids plans can be huge -esp. with character meals (which Yes, we'd do anyways!) I can definitely see how for 2 adults,esp. if they eat differently than we do, the plans may NOT be the way to go. And prepurchasing a gift card is a great idea!!

But for those of you who travel without kids, or with older kids, don't forget that MANY families DO see a huge savings with the plans because the kids' plans are so cheap!

 

[Cafeen]

I am reading through these pages of posts and a few things occurred to me. What is the primary reason for buying the DDP? Is it value? Or is it convenience? DH and I visit several times a year and we never get the DDP. We've considered it but in the end, didn't feel we could get the value out of it. In fact, we've never spent remotely close to the cost of the plan for our meals. To come to that conclusion, we've looked at all the included items and tried to plan how we could get our monies worth out of the plan but couldn't do it. That said, I am wondering then what would be the key reason for getting it. I can't say how many times we've gone to a restaurant, and seeing parents buying sundaes for their kids, who didn't even touch it.

Here's my suggestion. Instead of getting the DDP, why not ahead of time plan out your meals and purchase a Disney Gift Card in the time leading up to your trip? It's not quite as conveniant as the room key with the DDP, but it's surely close. It would also be paid for ahead of time, each family member would have their own card and at the end of the trip, if the money isn't all spent, it is still there! As I said, i couldn't imagine spending $40.00 a day on food. Maybe we're the odd ones here. What I do know, is it's a challenge to get the value out of the plan and with gift cards, you only have to spend on what you want to buy.

Just a thought.

It's all in how you use it. If your plans suggest the same "setup" as the DDP offers (1TS, 1CS per night, desserts with TS, little to no sharing), then it makes sense to delve deeper to see if there's a savings. Usually, if your plans do coincide with the DDP setup, then there will be some sort of savings there, yet.

Alternatively, if you normally wouldn't eat all the offerings, but you want to "splurge" for your vacation, same deal as above. So long as your plans coincide with what's offered, you're typically going to get some savings out of it.

An example of the 2nd one is, well, myself. I'm going on the DxDDP in Sept. I compared what I'd get and where I'd go if I were on DxDDP vs OOP. The difference was right around $240 in favor of OOP (I believe, I'd have to load up the spreadsheet again). However, the better dining and food options that I picked for DxDDP is worth that $240 to me. Comparing identical options on DxDDP vs OOP and I'm saving about $180.

Convenience certainly plays a role for a lot of people as well. This comes into bigger play when it's very close to being the same cost DDP vs OOP. Of course, a Gift Card offers similar convenience, but the DDP offers the chance to splurge a little on a whim as well. For example, if you price it out and think you won't get desserts with many meals and it comes out about even, then the DDP will give you the freedom to pickup a dessert or two extra if you feel like it without changing the cost (well, for this year ).

Now, lastly, if your plans and dining style are not going to match up to the offerings (off plan locations, lots of sharing, no desserts but appetizers, etc), then you're not nearly as likely to reach the point where you're saving money and would be better off paying OOP (or using that gift card idea).

 

[dixonsontour]

hi i'm in the UK and had a brochure sent to me yesterday from Walt Disney travel company (offical Disney UK)

The last page says Are you travelling in 2011?

It gives the dates for UK free dining 2011 (which are longer than 2010)

The small print says

QS plan includes 2 QS meals and 2 snacks per night (no mug)

DDP includes 1 QS meal, 1 TS meal and 1 snack per night

A QS meal includes one single serving entree or combo meal and one single serving non alcoholic beverage.

A TS meal includes a choice of one main course, one dessert (except at breakfast) and one single serve non alcoholic beverage OR 1 full buffet and one single serving non alcoholic beverage.

So UK disney is still advertising a dessert for 2011 unlike the UK tour operators.

It doesn't say anything about deluxe dining plan.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't think some realize how expensive it can be to eat at WDW also. (Which of course eating out anywhere is expensive any more.)
Just this morning we used our counter service credits at that walk up place at CSR. (Rix's Place, or something like that.)
Two quiches, 2 juices, 1 bottle of water, and a small milk would have cost us $25 or so.
Last night we ate at Kona Cafe, and ordered what we wanted. Not the most expensive items. Our pre-tip bill was almost $65.
Although DH and normally would not have bought dessert. I couldn't finish my entree or dessert.
A few weekends ago I went to Back Lots at DHS and bought two Cokes (just in regular paper cups). Over $5.
It adds up fast. And the DDP offers variety without having to look at prices.

 

[Lewisc]

Dinner at Boma is $31 + tax. Dinner at Chef Mickey's is $34 + tax. Most entrees at Tutto Italia are between $25- $35. Assume dessert and a drink is another $10.

A CS meal is probably worth $8-$10, more if you try to "max" it out.

People who either don't share, or dine in restaurants which charge every guest,buffet or all you care to eat will almost always save money.

$40 a day doesn't go very far, given Disney pricing.

I am reading through these pages of posts and a few things occurred to me. What is the primary reason for buying the DDP? Is it value? Or is it convenience? DH and I visit several times a year and we never get the DDP. We've considered it but in the end, didn't feel we could get the value out of it. In fact, we've never spent remotely close to the cost of the plan for our meals. To come to that conclusion, we've looked at all the included items and tried to plan how we could get our monies worth out of the plan but couldn't do it. That said, I am wondering then what would be the key reason for getting it. I can't say how many times we've gone to a restaurant, and seeing parents buying sundaes for their kids, who didn't even touch it.

Here's my suggestion. Instead of getting the DDP, why not ahead of time plan out your meals and purchase a Disney Gift Card in the time leading up to your trip? It's not quite as conveniant as the room key with the DDP, but it's surely close. It would also be paid for ahead of time, each family member would have their own card and at the end of the trip, if the money isn't all spent, it is still there! As I said, i couldn't imagine spending $40.00 a day on food. Maybe we're the odd ones here. What I do know, is it's a challenge to get the value out of the plan and with gift cards, you only have to spend on what you want to buy.

Just a thought.

 

[2Tiggies]

hi i'm in the UK and had a brochure sent to me yesterday from Walt Disney travel company (offical Disney UK)

The last page says Are you travelling in 2011?

It gives the dates for UK free dining 2011 (which are longer than 2010)

The small print says

QS plan includes 2 QS meals and 2 snacks per night (no mug)

DDP includes 1 QS meal, 1 TS meal and 1 snack per night

A QS meal includes one single serving entree or combo meal and one single serving non alcoholic beverage.

A TS meal includes a choice of one main course, one dessert (except at breakfast) and one single serve non alcoholic beverage OR 1 full buffet and one single serving non alcoholic beverage.

So UK disney is still advertising a dessert for 2011 unlike the UK tour operators.

It doesn't say anything about deluxe dining plan.

So it looks like CS meals get no dessert.
TS meals get a dessert.
Nobody on Regular or QSDP get a mug.
Regular DDP still gets 1 snack.

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes exactly - but dessert is definitely there for the TS.

I can see the sense of it , you wouldn't ordinarily order a dessert with a QS and everyone complains about the horrible prepackaged desserts.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes exactly - but dessert is definitely there for the TS.

I can see the sense of it , you wouldn't ordinarily order a dessert with a QS and everyone complains about the horrible prepackaged desserts.

Now many will disagree with me, but on the QSDP, if the price didn't go up, this would be near to perfect. My only gripe would be that I would miss "dessert" in the sense that it gives me an extra bottle of water in its place at many of the locations and if I play the location right, evening dessert in the form of a fruit bowl makes me a perfect breakfast the next day. I would have to seriously consider it because I think the way I use it at the moment it is a break even - only just - but I have really enjoyed having it all paid for so meals don't fall into any budget. I shall see. I'm not going to get upset if it doesn't suit me - I just won't use it.