New Dining Plan option

[Roxy217]

Hi everyone!
Just heard that January 11, 2009 Disney will be offering another Dining Plan. Here you will get 2 counter service meals plus a snack per night and a refillable mug with unlimited refills (non-alcohol). I'm not sure what the price is yet but it seems like a good option for people who don't want to be shackled to dinner reservations. Disney will probably make a fortune on this!

 

[mitros]

Hi everyone!
Just heard that January 11, 2009 Disney will be offering another Dining Plan. Here you will get 2 counter service meals plus a snack per night and a refillable mug with unlimited refills (non-alcohol). I'm not sure what the price is yet but it seems like a good option for people who don't want to be shackled to dinner reservations. Disney will probably make a fortune on this!

And these "dining plans" have caused the quality and quantity {menu selection} to deteriorate, and reservations extremely difficult to make for those of us not using the plan.......

 

[Roxy217]

I agree the quality & quantity at some restaurants have suffered but it is getting better. I like the dining plan. It is just one less thing I have to worry about.

 

[mitros]

I agree the quality & quantity at some restaurants have suffered but it is getting better. I like the dining plan. It is just one less thing I have to worry about.

To each is own, I guess. We actually enjoy making dining reservations. It's sort of an extra "adventure" for us.
PS: Where are you from in Jersey? We moved from Toms River To Roselle Park to Woodbridge, then to Florida 11 years ago.

 

[Roxy217]

I like making the reservations also but the paying part is what I like not worrying about

We are from Dumont. It is North Jersey about 20 min. from NY border. Have a few friends in Toms River. How do you like living in Florida? We always say we want to make the move but the kids are still too young. We visit Sarasota often also - the In-laws have a condo there.

 

[mitros]

I like making the reservations also but the paying part is what I like not worrying about

We are from Dumont. It is North Jersey about 20 min. from NY border. Have a few friends in Toms River. How do you like living in Florida? We always say we want to make the move but the kids are still too young. We visit Sarasota often also - the In-laws have a condo there.

Florida is pretty decent. Low low taxes where we are. And the big plus, is we are only 86 miles from WDW. Always a plus.

 

[sandym718]

And these "dining plans" have caused the quality and quantity {menu selection} to deteriorate, and reservations extremely difficult to make for those of us not using the plan.......

Well, one would think that THIS new plan might make it EASIER to get reservations - this is a counter service only plan - no TS meals. So if people who would otherwise eat some TS meals choose this plan and decide not to go TS....


I also can't understand why folks (and I've seen it often, so not just pointing at you) say that it makes reservations more difficult for those "not using the plan". Everyone can make reservations, whether on the plan or not, at the same time. So those not on the plan have the exact same chances of getting ressies as those using it. I don't get this statement. Something to the effect of - "those of us who live locally and want to decide only a week or so in advance where to eat" - that I understand (still disagree, b/c it's just first-come, first-served for ADR's, I akin it to concert tickets - you don't always have the option of waiting till a few days before to purchase), but at least I understand this statement. Not trying to be argumentative, but I just don't understand when folks say that!

 

[DC7800]

So those not on the plan have the exact same chances of getting ressies as those using it. I don't get this statement

Persons on the dining plan are prompted to make their reservations well in advance of their vacation, up to 180 days or whatever the limit is. They know already they are going to have X number of table service meals coming and know they need to reserve that number of tables. The cash paying customer, however, doesn't know that in advance, because they don't have a pre-determined number of meals to account for. They may not decide whether to dine at a counter or table service place until the same day (and maybe not even until they are actually ready to eat - walk up customers), perhaps making a few reservations in advance for particular restaurants, but probably not for everything they plan to do.

Sure, everyone can make reservations in advance and have an equal chance, but not everyone is on the same schedule. Those prompted (or choosing) to plan in advance thus have a distinct advantage when it comes to dinner reservations over those who don't need to do that.

While it is a matter of first-come first-served, there should be sufficient capacity (which is the real problem) in table-service eateries to accommodate most guests somewhere. The dining plan puts more people in table service restaurants than would eat there otherwise. Cash customers - and maybe some on the dining plan - who wait until the last minute to schedule a meal shouldn't be 'shut-out' everywhere because of it. When (practically or completely) every restaurant in the theme parks and every Disney resort is booked solid and cannot accept same-day priority seatings, it's past time to add capacity (or reduce demand, I suppose).

 

[CanadianGuy]

When (practically or completely) every restaurant in the theme parks and every Disney resort is booked solid and cannot accept same-day priority seatings, it's past time to add capacity (or reduce demand, I suppose).

Thank GOODNESS Disney saw their way fit to gut Pleasure Island to create new dining and shopping opportunities

Knox

 

[mitros]

Persons on the dining plan are prompted to make their reservations well in advance of their vacation, up to 180 days or whatever the limit is. They know already they are going to have X number of table service meals coming and know they need to reserve that number of tables. The cash paying customer, however, doesn't know that in advance, because they don't have a pre-determined number of meals to account for. They may not decide whether to dine at a counter or table service place until the same day (and maybe not even until they are actually ready to eat - walk up customers), perhaps making a few reservations in advance for particular restaurants, but probably not for everything they plan to do.

Sure, everyone can make reservations in advance and have an equal chance, but not everyone is on the same schedule. Those prompted (or choosing) to plan in advance thus have a distinct advantage when it comes to dinner reservations over those who don't need to do that.

While it is a matter of first-come first-served, there should be sufficient capacity (which is the real problem) in table-service eateries to accommodate most guests somewhere. The dining plan puts more people in table service restaurants than would eat there otherwise. Cash customers - and maybe some on the dining plan - who wait until the last minute to schedule a meal shouldn't be 'shut-out' everywhere because of it. When (practically or completely) every restaurant in the theme parks and every Disney resort is booked solid and cannot accept same-day priority seatings, it's past time to add capacity (or reduce demand, I suppose).

Thanks for telling it like it is. You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[RandFamily]

I think the issue is whether one enjoys planning or not - it has nothing to do with the dining plan. For 20 years I've gone to WDW without the Dining Plan and I always made my reservations well in advance so we could go to the restaurants we really wanted. The dining plan is not the issue - it's planning - and if there's one thing I've learned is that Disney is not the place for people who like to be spontaneous.

 

[KYMickey]

I think the issue is whether one enjoys planning or not - it has nothing to do with the dining plan. For 20 years I've gone to WDW without the Dining Plan and I always made my reservations well in advance so we could go to the restaurants we really wanted. The dining plan is not the issue - it's planning - and if there's one thing I've learned is that Disney is not the place for people who like to be spontaneous.

Disney used to be a place where you could be spontaneous! Remember back when the only way to make reservations for a world showcase restaurant was to go to the video screens on the backside of the space AT&T pavilion? You could only make them for that day beginning when the park opened. That made dining truly spontaneous. In addition many people just walked up to the restaurants when they want to eat and were able to get in. In my opinion Disney was much more enjoyable back then!

 

[twooley2]

So how do Dining reservations work for those that choose to make reservations but are not on the dining plan? Is there a deposit or a fee to hold a reservation? Is there a required timeframe?

 

[sandym718]

I think the issue is whether one enjoys planning or not - it has nothing to do with the dining plan. For 20 years I've gone to WDW without the Dining Plan and I always made my reservations well in advance so we could go to the restaurants we really wanted. The dining plan is not the issue - it's planning - and if there's one thing I've learned is that Disney is not the place for people who like to be spontaneous.

That's what I think too- not the dining plan, it's planning preferences. Still a problem for those who can't/don't want to plan far in advance, but to me it's not a dining plan issue, specifically.

So how do Dining reservations work for those that choose to make reservations but are not on the dining plan? Is there a deposit or a fee to hold a reservation? Is there a required timeframe?

It works exactly the same, other than for a few places (CRT, shows, etc.) If not on the plan, you are charged in full at the time of ressie. If on the DDP, they take a CC# as a guarantee for no-show, but you're not actually charged unless you don't show. Everything else is the same - no fees or deposits except at those few places. Timeframe is the same for everyone - usually (but not right now) 180 days, and if you stay onsite 180+10.

]

 

[Max Rebo]

Does anyone know (or care to speculate) if guests on the CS-only meal plan will be able to use their meal credits at TS restaurants, paying the difference out-of-pocket?

We're CS people at Disney, so this new dining plan looks intriguing. But we also like to splurge on a TS meal, maybe once per trip. If we could use our CS meal credits to pay for a portion of a TS meal, the plan would be even more lucrative.

 

[ThurlFan]

That's what I think too- not the dining plan, it's planning preferences. Still a problem for those who can't/don't want to plan far in advance, but to me it's not a dining plan issue, specifically.

I disagree. The problem is that the management has rolled out 'free dining' over and over again to boost resort occupancy. What they have not done, is to manage DDP based on the capacity of the TS establishments.

They've increased 'demand' for these places to the point that people are being turned away. Think of all the people who wouldn't ordinarily dine at TS (and certainly not every day), but are there because it's 'free' - taking up seats that could be used by someone who really wanted to be there. It's annoying in the same way as airlines overbooking flights, and retailers who advertise low prices but when you get there they've run out because they didn't have enough inventory to meet demand.

Nobody is saying there should always be room for anyone who wants in at a given restaurant. We're just asking that people who book their trip less than six months in advance have a fighting chance at dining at their favorite spot. Keep the dining plan, just don't oversell it.

 

[Condorman]

Does anyone know (or care to speculate) if guests on the CS-only meal plan will be able to use their meal credits at TS restaurants, paying the difference out-of-pocket?

We're CS people at Disney, so this new dining plan looks intriguing. But we also like to splurge on a TS meal, maybe once per trip. If we could use our CS meal credits to pay for a portion of a TS meal, the plan would be even more lucrative.

They will not/would not allow you to do this. If they did, it would have been stated in the brochure and would have been announced on these boards. The whole point of Disney coming out with this particular plan was for those who didn't want anything to do with TS locations.

As for the complaint that Disney should accommodate those who do not plan ahead, and that TS locations should have tables set aside for walk-ins, I don't buy it. Would you say the same for airlines; say you want to go somewhere at the last minute, there are no seats are available, but the airline should have a plane standing by on the off-chance you want to fly, and on top of that, have a type of plane (i.e. TS with the cuisine of your choice) fully fueled and ready to go at the most opportune time for you? You may argue a plane is completely different from a restaurant but it's not. Disney restaurants have employees, and the number of reservations directly impacts how many they schedule during certain seasons. They would rather book solid every seating on every day and know that some people won't show up, thereby allowing walk-ins to have a table, versus leaving 20% of the tables un-reservable and "taking their chances." What they do now is exactly what they should be doing. No one is forced to make reservations, but if you know what you want, and what you want to do in advance, you have the opportunity to lock in your choices. There's nothing wrong with that.

My complaints are the rising prices, the homogenization of all menus and the dwindling portions/quality/value. There are no excuses for these changes, not even the economy. It's just bad business.

 

[ThurlFan]

Would you say the same for airlines; say you want to go somewhere at the last minute, there are no seats are available, but the airline should have a plane standing by on the off-chance you want to fly, and on top of that, have a type of plane (i.e. TS with the cuisine of your choice) fully fueled and ready to go at the most opportune time for you?

Not the analagy I was making, tho perhaps you are referring to an earlier post. We all know that if/when possible advance planning increases your opportunity of eating where you want.

The contention is that with proper planning (as you suggest management would like to do), Disney could curtail the number of DDP plans it sells/includes just a bit, and still remain at or near capacity in your eateries - while still accomodating a certain amount of walk-in traffic.

Don't oversell the plane is all folks are asking.

 

[Condorman]

Disney oversells everything, whether it's the DDP or MVMCP tix. About the only thing they don't oversell are the park tix - I'm sure they would love to do 110% capacity on those. With the exception of 7/4, 12/25 & 12/31, I don't think the parks are ever as full as Disney would like them to be.

I think any frustration about the DDP and the ability to obtain ADRs stems from the Free Dining promotion. People got in on that deal later than some, and it's about to begin shortly, and are now scrambling to find ADRs only to find there are none left. That seems to be the concensus on the Dining Boards. The rest of the year I have never found it difficult to find a table at most TS locations as walk-in. The more popular ones are always going to be a chore, but there are some hidden gems, particularly in the resorts, that make the Dining Plans well worth the obvious savings. The whole point of the DDP is to keep guests from leaving the property at meal times. That is also why they instituted the Magical Express - to keep people from renting cars. We only eat TS and rarely CS, so we save on the plan and also make ADRs in advance. For us, some of the TS sites are as much of an attraction as Soarin' or Tomorrowland.

 

[sandym718]

Well, I definitely agree about overselling - for anything, planes, restaurants, hotels - I can't stand it and think it should be illegal. On our first night in Orlando last year, before checking in on-property, we were given a hotel room with bed space for 3 (handicap-accessible) when we had a party of 4. The hotel was oversold for Grad Nights. Luckily my kids were young and small, but I was peeved. So, I definitely agree with this!!

I have never gone at Free Dining, so I haven't experienced those problems. That makes total sense to me, though, when you specify FREE Dining as opposed to just the DDP in general.