More Dining Info from AllEars

[Shasta]

An Update from Debs site:

UPDATE INFO: 7/31/07
1) The Deluxe Dining plan still does NOT include gratuity. It DOES include the appetizer.
2) No word on DVC member pricing

If true....having the DXDDP include app DOES seem to tip the balance MUCH further in it's favor, from a $$ perspective.

The question is still: Is it too much food.

If that turns out to be in the final DDP, it will put me on the fence instead of off the plan. It's better.

It will be different for each person but for our trip in January, the proposed changes would cost us another $90-100.

If we ate OOP for the whole trip (budget level eating) versus eating at the 2008 DDP (proposed prices), it still makes it less appealing. I feel that, statisicaly speaking, more budget minded people will drop the DDP while people who stay at the Mods and above will enjoy the changes.

We shall see...

 

[Brian Noble]

I think if people really want to get an accurate idea of whether DDP is for them, they need to take a much closer look than most do. Most just listen to the marketing hype and spend a lot more than they would have normally.

This is why we've never bought it, actually. Left to our own devices, we simply don't eat one TS per day, on average on Disney property. I privately suspect the same is true for most visitors who end up buying the plan. Think for example how often we read "I need one more ADR" posts from people who've planned for everything they want, and still have to find one or two more for "filler".

 

[mickey2000]

I totally agree with you! There are many cruises out there that you can get on for $100 a day!!! That's a difference of 30 whole dollars for your lodging, entertainment, and exciting ports of call!!!

 

[NMW]

Well, I don't see what's not to love about the Deluxe plan! I had to call my husband at work to excitedly tell him that for only $70 a day we can get 3 TS meals, 2 snacks and refillable mugs!!! He acted like he was only mildly interested. Then later, called me back to ask if the only things we have to pay cash for are tips and alcohol. When I said "that's right", he said "wow, that is a good plan."

The current DDP would cost our family $1148 for a 7 night trip. We do a TS/character breakfast every morning, and a couple TS lunches that we pay OOP for. We were figuring about $1200 in cash for those extra meals the DDP does not cover, because that is about how much we spent in Oct over and above the current DDP. So for our family, the regular DDP really costs us $2348!!! Plus, we paid cash for Cape May Cafe so we had extra credits for Flying Fish. I didn't even figure that in.

The Deluxe DDP would cost our family $2100 for a 7 night trip and give us 3 meals a day, plus and extra bottle of soda (or snack), plus a refillable mug. That's a savings of $250. Yes, yes I know the tips are not included, so the $250 is a wash.

For our family this plan is perfect! The only thing we have to have cash for now is alcohol and tips. We would actually like to do MORE TS lunches than a couple, but with the CS part of the old DDP, it wasn't worth it. I couldn't figure out how else to use the CS credits up, since we do TS breakfasts. Now with this plan, we can do them every day if we want. Or, we can do a TS breakfast, eat snacks for lunch, and do a signature dinner. Again, what is not to love about this plan? It's fantastic! I can not wait to start planning our May trip!

 

[Cruiser1969]

Now that's what I'm talking about!! Well done . . . I'll take a 7 nighter thank you very much

 

[n2mm]

Not sure about these changes. I can barely eat the food on the regular plan, no way could I do the delux plan. Maybe if the tips were included I might consider, but the tips could add up to about $15-20 a day more per person, depending on the bill and how many TS you do per day. Today is my 180 window and I have not called because I'm just unsure of going with the DDP now, or just sticking to my DDE card (which is the way I'm leaning today). While the 3TS a day for the delux is tempting, we don't do it every day. I could see us doing a TS for breakfast (as we often do OOP) and a Sign. TS at night. The last time we ate at Narcossees my meal came to $80 for just me, so a 20% tip on that is $16. We are doing the ddp for our Aug/Oct/Dec trips, but may not for our Jan trip.

 

[Nancyg56]

That's just what I like about it - it brings the convenience of a cruise type vacation on land. I don't really get the appeal of cruising and would take the craziness of park hopping and running from ride to ride over relaxing poolside every time, but I love the inclusive pricing. I like not having to budget for anything other than tips and alcohol. And with the deluxe plan, we'll have that convenience available on land as well as at sea.

I like an all inclusive as well. I am not going to get my family aboard a cruise ship and we are traveling outside of the country while my DGD is young so this is a good think, I think for us. DD has already been crunching numbers to determine if it will fit in for our vacation style and thinks that we will at least break even when factoring in the tip. We tend to add on meals anyway so our expense goes up, this may be as close to an all inclusive as we need for a while.

 

[honeymo78]

For many of us 3TS a day, even with apps, isn't too much food. I agree, taking time for 3 sit down meals isn't for everyone. But I know plenty of people who love that time as a break. We go at least once a year and have figured out what works best for us. Not hitting every possible ride but enjoying the ones we love (although I really can't remember missing more than a handful of attractions on any trip). It seems like disney has decided to cater to this group now as well. No plan works for everyone and I'm happy to see some variety.

I'm nearly 30 and love seeing characters at breakfast. Does that mean I stuff myself silly, no. Plan or no plan, I'm eating breakfast with Winnie the Pooh. I eat 3 meals a day at home, not as complex as those found at disney but I certainly work up a bigger appetite running all over the world. I don't lick my plate clean at lunch or dinner, but I'm also not about to share with DH. This is vacation, if I want the tomato salad (which he won't eat), I'm getting it and he has whatever he wants. If he wants choc cake (which I don't love) he gets it and I get my dessert. The deluxe plan is a godsend for those people who don't want to pay for unused recreation to get the inclusive food experience. I predict 1 all inclusive dining & recreation trip, along with 1 all inclusive food trip in my future.

 

[Disneyof3]

Still not sure about the DDP? We enjoyed it alot in March and it was worth it for us but that included tips. The deluxe is way tooo much food and I can't stand giving up my park time for sitting down every 4-5 hrs and eat. I will have to ponder over the whole thing once the pricing comes out for the packages in the next couple of weeks. See if this rumour is true and what it really includes. Does the resort mug let you have unlimited drinks at resort and parks?? Are they now pushing the signature dinners like HDDR and Aloha?? I know with the plan now like most the food is too much and also time consuming. I like 1 CS and 1TS a day with a snack, because we combined some TS so we could go to HDDR. So everyday we didn't have to have a sit down. I love food like most but again my vacation is to do the parks with my kids and not eat through the parks and then do the rides!!!!

 

[ntsammy5]

We've done DDP twice now and I was reluctant to do it again, because the trip becomes all about meals and to a lesser extent getting the best deal. There is way too much to eat and if this information turns out to be true, it will be easier to just say no to DDP. Having said that, though, it's still a good deal, just not for us.

 

[dis2cruise]

Deb's Digest
Follow AllEarsNet.com Founder Deb Wills on her journeys near and far via Walt Disney World, the Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney as she shares her planning thoughts and day-by-day details of her trips and various Disney experiences. « Small Ticket Change coming in 2008 | Main

2008 Dining Plan Changes
UPDATE INFO: 7/31/07
1) The Deluxe Dining plan still does NOT include gratuity. It DOES include the appetizer.
2) No word on DVC member pricing.

*************

There has been lots of internet chatter about changes coming to the 2008 Magic Your Way Dining plans. AllEars now hears the following is scheduled to be announced in August:

1) Automatic Gratuity will be removed from all 2008 packages that include dining. Tax will still be INCLUDED, but the gratuity will not.

2) The Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan as we know it today will change for 2008. Gone will be the appetizer from the Table Service meal. The full service option will consist of entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. The price goes down just $1 per person per day to $37.99 for those 10 and older. $9.99 for those 3-9.

3) 2008 will see the introduction of the Magic Your Way Plus DELUXE Dining Plan. This plan will include: 3 meals a day - your choice of table service or counter service; 2 snacks per day per person; a Resort Refillable Mug for each person on the reservation. Signature restaurants will still count as 2 Table Service meals, but now with the additional table service meals, dinner shows and signature restaurants may be more doable. Price will be $69.99 for those 10 and older and $19.99 for those 3-9.

4) The last major change will probably be the addition of a Magic Your Way Plus Wine package. For $39.99 per night you may order a bottle of wine at your Disney restaurant or from a location on property that sells wine (like resort stores). It can not be purchased separately and may only be an add-on to a Dining Package. There are still a lot of details to work out on this including if there will be a special wine list to order from or a dollar limit. Sounds like if you are at a Signature Restaurant that takes 2 Table Service credits, you will also be charged 2 Wine credits if on the add-on plan.

Again, this is UNofficial information. Look for Walt Disney World to officially announce the 2008 packages and dining options in August.

Posted by All Ears on July 31, 2007 8:49 AM | Comment | Permalink
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[DanenRox]

I didn't receive the email but I read it in another post too! I refuse to be all bent out of shape over the likely changes. I think there was an overly generous amount of food on the original plan. We will still opt for the basic meal plan and simply have the appetizers with a couple of cocktails at our DVC before dinner....perfect! Maybe the service will be much improved now that the tips are up to us!! I do think the DVC'ers will have an easier time adjusting due to the amenities in the villas....just my opinion.

 

[dcibrando]

Unfortunately I think this is a bad deal now...

the previous dining plan was just about right and just enough food... now it's either not really enough with the same expense, or too much

I was hoping they would do something to like drop it to $35, remove tip (I'll deal with that) but leave everything else the same. Worst case scenario at least give you the option of an appetizer or desert. My wife and I would probably get 1 appetizer to share and 1 desert to share which would work perfectly... but oh well

because of these changes.....I see A LOT of splitting up reservations now (some days with and some days without the dining plan). This will be more difficult for the front desks and reservation services but I can see it coming

of course now that I'm a DVC member... it would be nice to see a discount there... but I'm not holding my breath

 

[dis2cruise]

this year will be our 1st time on the ddp. i have been reading the menus,
reading the reviews I can't believe eating all of that food anyway it sounds like too much.
We just came back from new hampshier for vacation and we went out to dinner and I was full with just the main coarse and bread they served, i couldn't imagain eating the appy and dessert on top of that .

 

[jenjersnap]

So, with the deluxe plan, the CS and TS credits would be interchangable? Interesting. We are more likely to do this than the basic plan - possibly, gotta number-crunch it!

I still mourn the loss of gratuity though I know its a done deal. With an under 3, we eat lots of buffets and family style so loss of appy isn't a big crimp for us personally.

 

[dcibrando]

Unfortunately I think this is a bad deal now...

the previous dining plan was just about right and just enough food... now it's either not really enough with the same expense, or too much

I was hoping they would do something to like drop it to $35, remove tip (I'll deal with that) but leave everything else the same. Worst case scenario at least give you the option of an appetizer or desert. My wife and I would probably get 1 appetizer to share and 1 desert to share which would work perfectly... but oh well

because of these changes.....I see A LOT of splitting up reservations now (some days with and some days without the dining plan). This will be more difficult for the front desks and reservation services but I can see it coming

of course now that I'm a DVC member... it would be nice to see a discount there... but I'm not holding my breath

 

[Amyrlin]

I've done the sums, with the free DDP this year it is worth taking, the amount saved is more than the discount you could get for a room, but next time, with an AP discount and DDE it is better to miss the DDP, plus it gives us more flexabilty to eat off site for more vareity, as I want to go back to Kobe and a few others

 

[Princessbaby]

I don't think I got that email, but I do remember several months ago getting an email from Disney dining asking me to take a survey and several of the things that OP mentioned were part of the survey. The way the survey was set up was different scenarios and asked me to rate them and would these be options I would be willing to purchase. Thanks for the info!

 

[HaleyB]

Well I guess our December trip will be our last DDP trip.

Too bad, I liked it and I think it is a mistake on Disney's part.

We went from splitting our stays half on/half off site to staying onsite for both weeks.

We went from averaging about $80 a day on food, with maybe 25% of that budget going towards off site eating, to $130 a day on food and eating 100% of our meals on site.

Disney will lose about 40% of our vacation dollars because of this.

We haven't been to Universal since they rolled out the current DDP, so I guess there is a silver lining. Our kids are finally tall/old enough to really enjoy US.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

As long as we break even at least I will probably stick with it. I wished they wouldn't have removed the appetizer. We normally don't order that when we go out to eat so that was a nice treat when we were on the plan but we can live without it. I just like having everything prepaid for. I will just have to now take more money along for tips. We are not going until 2009 so I am sure the plan will change even more by then.