Is the dining plan going to change in 2011

[ShellyLynn3630]

I'm surprised they haven't offered the DxDDP for free with Deluxe resorts, especially now that they're only giving QSDP with the Value resorts. I think that would tip the scales (in more ways than one!) for many people.

That will never happen.

 

[TDC Nala]

That will never happen.

I agree, they've never offered DXDDP free to anyone.

 

[MichaelColey]

I'm just saying that it would be nice if they did.

What's the best room-only discount that they offer? Maybe 50%? With Deluxe resorts starting at $240 per night, that's a $120 discount.

 

[Vickis3js]

Well if the changes and the price increase do happen I can say that this will be our last year doing the DDP. Which will mean we will be doing more cooking in our villa and more eating off site. We are DVC and I love staying on site but the DDP has been a pretty good savings for us each time we use it plus I love the prepaying. But I can not justify paying more for less when I cna go elsewhere and get same quality food for cheaper. Oh well I guess we will just wait and see.

 

[squirrel]

I'm just saying that it would be nice if they did.

What's the best room-only discount that they offer? Maybe 50%? With Deluxe resorts starting at $240 per night, that's a $120 discount.

I think 40% for the Deluxe Resorts. I don't know if anyone has received a higher % off of room rates.

 

[2Tiggies]

Well if the changes and the price increase do happen I can say that this will be our last year doing the DDP. Which will mean we will be doing more cooking in our villa and more eating off site. We are DVC and I love staying on site but the DDP has been a pretty good savings for us each time we use it plus I love the prepaying. But I can not justify paying more for less when I cna go elsewhere and get same quality food for cheaper. Oh well I guess we will just wait and see.

I hear you, although I think so many people said that when they took the appy and tip off - yet with price increases it took very little time for folk to find the DDP was still cost effective for them. As you say, it's a case of wait and see.

I think I should add that the rumored price increases for the plan are based on information from UK tour providers. Historically the UK dining plan prices have always increased considerably more than those in the US. Part of this is to do with exchange rates, but it still works out to be quite a hefty upcharge each year. I mention this only to keep things in perspective as the rumored increases are not likely to be a £1 for $1 equivalent.

 

[MichaelColey]

I think so many people said that when they took the appy and tip off - yet with price increases it took very little time for folk to find the DDP was still cost effective for them.

I'm always drawn to the best value, which so far has been doing a 2 week vacation with Free Dining in a Value ($2500 for our family of four). Fortunately, I booked the bounceback last year, so we're in good shape for this year. If this year's bounceback (or next year's offer) is the same as this year (only QSDP for Values), it's nowhere near as good ($3200 after paying the upcharge to DDP) and (for us) the Moderates with free DDP will become the best value ($3500 for our family of four). We'll definitely still go either way. It's still a good value for us.

 

[barrysprot36]

I think 40% for the Deluxe Resorts. I don't know if anyone has received a higher % off of room rates.

I got 45% room only discount Bounce-Back for the De-Luxe villas in December for this month.

I would rather have a good room only discount then free DDP as we find it too much food and like to eat off site as well as on. Coming from the UK we like to try other restaurants.

Caron

 

[TillyMarigold]

I got 45% room only discount Bounce-Back for the De-Luxe villas in December for this month.

I would rather have a good room only discount then free DDP as we find it too much food and like to eat off site as well as on. Coming from the UK we like to try other restaurants.

Caron

Current AP discount is 45% on deluxe and villas for stays of 4 nights or more.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hi all

I emailed Virgin Holiday's Customer Service department and they have just responded with this ..............

'Thank you for your enquiry,

I have checked the brochure and the dining plan is as follows,

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2
selected snacks.

Disney Dining Plan includes 1 Quick service meal, 1 waiter service meal
and 2 selected snacks.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan includes 3 Quick Service or waiter service
meals, 2 selected snacks and 1 refillable resort Mug per person per
stay.

The dining plans have changed from last year.'

They haven't actually haven't said that the dessert has been removed but in the brochure description of the regular dining plan it states that you will recieve an entree and drink for your TS meal and the same for you QS meal (or a combo meal) plus your two snacks. I have gone back to them to ask if they can clarify

All this means to me is, they're confirming that their brochure says what it says. They didn't recheck the information with any official source, e.g. Walt Disney World.

One or two people at this point have posted the official UK/Walt Disney World 2011 Dining Plan information, which belies both the Virgin brochure and the other unofficial site's information posted here. Since UK residents can apparently book their 2011 vacations now, it would seem most reasonable to me that the official site's information would be the accurte information.

Now, whether Virgin CHOOSES to offer a different plan - and somehow can - is a different matter.

For solo travelers, those with only 2 in a room or small kids and those staying in deluxe resorts, a good room code is almost always better than a free dining one.

Hmm... for solo travelers, or parties of two, staying in a Value resort in Value season (September/beginning of October, aka traditional free dining), rooms are $82 weeknights. That's a 51% room discount for a solo traveler, or a 102% room discount for two people traveling together. Can't get much better than that

 

[2Tiggies]

Now, whether Virgin CHOOSES to offer a different plan - and somehow can - is a different matter.

I don't see how they can. It is the Disney system that has to honor the credits for redemption. I think the CMs have enough trouble keeping up with the DDP information and regulations as it is. I would have thought it an unwise move for Disney to allow an alternative unless they are prepared to reprogram their tills and retrain CMs just to accommodate UK guests - who proportionately form a relatively small percentage of the guests at WDW at any given time. Unless of course free dining will offer a different plan, but even then, not everyone is on FD at the same time (DVC, AP holders, etc).

I completely agree with the first part of your post where you suggest that Virgin didn't actually check with an official source but rather confrmed what was already in writing. If you had any idea what those call centres are like ...... you may find there is even MORE truth to your statement than you even suspected!

Hmm... for solo travelers, or parties of two, staying in a Value resort in Value season (September/beginning of October, aka traditional free dining), rooms are $82 weeknights. That's a 51% room discount for a solo traveler, or a 102% room discount for two people traveling together. Can't get much better than that

Can't argue with that!!!

 

[ksumn1]

I found this whole discussion very interesting. I'm in the midst of deciding DDP or not for next May. We can't book for a couple of months so I'm in the beginning stages. The possible price increase and dropping of the dessert option on the regular DDP will possibly be a factor for us. We're not huge dessert eaters but to be charged more, yet lose that option makes me begin to queston the value of adding the DDP. It's not a huge change honestly, but it's more seeing the evolution of the plan over the years that gives me pause. We can never go and take advantage of free dining, due to DH's job so we've always had to pay.

I remember on our first trip we had meal vouchers throught the Disney Club (don't exactly remember the name of the program now) Prepaid for 1 TS and 1QS per day. Don't remember about the snack. And now, no tip no appatizer, no dessert...pretty significant changes.

I guess I'll have to play with the OOP DDP costs to make a final decision but we may very well plan on doing 4 must do TS meals, mainly QS meals rather than the DDP.

I just thought I could represent opinion and athoughts of the average WDW vacationer. Someone who can't afford a trip but every few years that's still a WDW nut, not a DVC owner or the once in a lifetime vacationer.

 

[2Tiggies]

I just thought I could represent opinion and athoughts of the average WDW vacationer. Someone who can't afford a trip but every few years that's still a WDW nut, not a DVC owner or the once in a lifetime vacationer.

I actually think you represent the vast majority of Disney visitors. Even many self-confessed Disey nutters don't manage to go every year. Don't be discouraged yet - this is all rumor and speculation at the moment.

 

[ksumn1]

I understand that at this point, not to believe anything until Disney confirms it. But I won't be surprised to see these changes happen. Because bottom line, WDW is a business and if they can raise the price, get rid of the dessert and STILL have people who purchase the dining plan, they will do it. Guess I'll just watch and see....and for planning purposes, add in an additional increase per person for the plan, assume no desserts and if it doesn't change, then that's great. But if it DOES, then I'll be prepared.

 

[asmit4]

I think if the cost goes up and the dessert is taken away- even with an extra snack added you'll find people skipping the plan. The extra snack is nice but the cost going up by more than$1 per person is really going to upset a lot of people who go to DW year after year. Seems that the cost might actually go up several dollars PP too.
It's not DWs job to make us happy; their job is to make $$$- I totally get that. I just wonder if maybe this will tip the scales for people just enough to make DW lose $$ from people staying/eating offsite.

 

[focusondisney]

Perhaps Disney's way of getting people to buy the Deluxe plan? Get people hooked on that one, then increase price &/or take away features. It right now seems to be a better value. We have used it several times & always use all our meal credits by eating most nights at a signature place. But we usually have several unused snack credits. I could see this as the next thing Disney decides to down grade.

 

[sandym718]

I don't see how they can. It is the Disney system that has to honor the credits for redemption. I think the CMs have enough trouble keeping up with the DDP information and regulations as it is. I would have thought it an unwise move for Disney to allow an alternative unless they are prepared to reprogram their tills and retrain CMs just to accommodate UK guests - who proportionately form a relatively small percentage of the guests at WDW at any given time. Unless of course free dining will offer a different plan, but even then, not everyone is on FD at the same time (DVC, AP holders, etc).

I agree with this. It seems highly unlikely that Virgin would be able to offer a different dining plan than Disney itself offers. The only way I can think of that it would be remotely possible would be if they gave dining coupons or vouchers that are good for TS, QS or snacks. But again, highly unlikely.

Guess we'll know in 3 months or so!

 

[tinacaplan]

Personally, I'd rather an extra snack credit than dessert right after my meal. We were always too full to really enjoy it!

 

[JerseyJanice]

If Disney takes away the desserts from both the counter service meal and table service meal and gives you back one snack, how can they get away with asking more money for it?

OTOH, if Disney keeps the dessert with TS, but takes away the CS dessert, then adds a second snack, it would be an improvement IMO. Really, the CS meals are huge and many of the CS dessert offerings aren't great. If they added back the gratuities for the table service meals, that would make it an even better value, so they could get with charging more.

 

[dynamite100]

Not sure why people are doubting the veracity of this news? Clearly, the British travel companies haven't just taken it upon themselves to announce a different standard for the 2011 Dining Plan, they have obviously got their information from Disney. I personally am very sad that there will be less on the Dining Plan next year, it is the first year that we will be onsite and taking advantage of the free dining. Wish it wasn't true, but there really will be no desserts on the Plan next year.