News Round Up 2016

[lockedoutlogic]

Do people actually pay for the dining plan? I was under the impression it existed solely to run Free Dining promos.

Right...I forgot...now back to the thread.

Any new Dooney and Burke patterns today?

(Hint: I'm not ACTUALLY looking for new Dooney and Burke patterns...for the sarcastically challenged)

 

[skier_pete]

Jeez, Pete...the comment was competely sarcastic/tongue in cheek.

And the dining plan is not a "good value"...it's prepaid retail for those that Largely can't trust themselves or don't want to think about it.

...too real?
......too soon?

Ok...now back to the thread

Not to get into an argument - you KNOW I don't support the DDP anymore since they've jacked the price so high - but I would say that there are still ways in which it is well worth it. If you have kids under 9 and are eating at multiple character meals, it can be a good value. For most people, however, they will be lucky to break even with it or just save a few bucks. However, with the restrictions that it entails, I wouldn't recommend it myself...is it really worth saving $10 a day to have to eat on the requirements of a DDP? For some maybe it is - as I've said elsewhere, our last trip we spent less on food than we would have if we'd eaten on the DDP - by a LOT, perhaps $400 we saved. Now we only ate 6 TS meals across a 10 day trip, but we enjoyed it. Our next trip we are being very Food and Wine centered, so I think we only have 4 or 5 TS reservations - again I bet we will spend less than if we were on the DDP - even spending $200 a day at Food and Wine - but we would've run through our snack credits in 1 day and be spending a pile OOP anyways.

The DDP is one of the great examples of Pavlovian conditioning at Disney. Disney trained consumers (and particularly travel agents) with a DDP that was a great bargain. Then they slowly took away the bargain, leaving people with only the memories of it. I bet there's not a Travel Agent in the US that wouldn't recommend getting it nowadays when it is no longer the value it once was.

 

[skier_pete]

News

Superdry is now open at Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/superdry/gallery/04jul2016-superdry-overview.htm

I guess I'm a little confused by Disney Springs - is it now primarily a shopping mall? It seems to me this is just a plain old clothing store. Do people come to Disney to do their regular clothes shopping?

 

[SureAsLiz]

I guess I'm a little confused by Disney Springs - is it now primarily a shopping mall? It seems to me this is just a plain old clothing store. Do people come to Disney to do their regular clothes shopping?

The new additions are designed to keep tourists (and to draw in locals) on property rather than having them leave to visit the area outlet malls. There are many stores that are unique to DS, or offer unique items. Then there's the dining opportunities that are at least somewhat unique to the Springs, and the still-Disney half of the area. When you add in the street entertainment and performances, it becomes more of a destination compared to a regular mall and allows guests to have some non-Disney experiences without having to actually leave the bubble.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Not to get into an argument - you KNOW I don't support the DDP anymore since they've jacked the price so high - but I would say that there are still ways in which it is well worth it. If you have kids under 9 and are eating at multiple character meals, it can be a good value. For most people, however, they will be lucky to break even with it or just save a few bucks. However, with the restrictions that it entails, I wouldn't recommend it myself...is it really worth saving $10 a day to have to eat on the requirements of a DDP? For some maybe it is - as I've said elsewhere, our last trip we spent less on food than we would have if we'd eaten on the DDP - by a LOT, perhaps $400 we saved. Now we only ate 6 TS meals across a 10 day trip, but we enjoyed it. Our next trip we are being very Food and Wine centered, so I think we only have 4 or 5 TS reservations - again I bet we will spend less than if we were on the DDP - even spending $200 a day at Food and Wine - but we would've run through our snack credits in 1 day and be spending a pile OOP anyways.

The DDP is one of the great examples of Pavlovian conditioning at Disney. Disney trained consumers (and particularly travel agents) with a DDP that was a great bargain. Then they slowly took away the bargain, leaving people with only the memories of it. I bet there's not a Travel Agent in the US that wouldn't recommend getting it nowadays when it is no longer the value it once was.

...am I supposed to disagree with any of this?

It's what I have been harping on since 2006.

 

[Tigger's ally]

..it's prepaid retail for those that Largely can't trust themselves or don't want to think about it.

...too real?
......too soon?

Ok...now back to the thread

This is where I lift my hand, and I don't apologize for it either. When we go, we get the Deluxe plan because of a couple reasons. Mainly, it is the "all inclusive" vacation that allows me not to worry about anything. I work hard, coach baseball, and use Disney as a get away. When I get there, I put my wallet in the safe and head to signature restaurants every single night. I try new appetizers and deserts just for the heck of it because I get one. My wife does too. My trip is paid for up front, and I don't buy souvenirs and very little clothing (although I am now a grandpa and the granddaughter may need a few things) so the only money I need on my trip is my alcohol bill (except when I do hoop de doo...can you say Yuengling pitcher please).

Could I save money not getting the Deluxe Dining Plan? Yes
Would the money I save be worth it? Not to me.

Yeah, I can't trust myself. So none of you better trust me either! ARGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[mikepizzo]

Could I save money not getting the Deluxe Dining Plan? Yes
Would the money I save be worth it? Not to me.

I think this is the biggest thing. The first trip I took as an adult to Disney, I was pretty naive about all things Disney. I planned, but not as intensely as I do now. Also, the trip was six months after my cousin passed away and 2 months after my grandmother passed away. I ended up getting a package through Southwest. It was the flight, room, deluxe dining plan, and parkhoppers. The package was $2,000 per person. My then girlfriend, now fiancee, went with me. That is an outrageous price and, to a certain extent, current me wants to slap past me for pulling the trigger on it, but I can't say with confidence that if I had to do it over again I would do it any other way.

With all the pain and stress that was in my family at that time, I just had to get away. I had to detach from the real world. I know I could have done that vacation for much cheaper, but similarly to Tigger's ally, for that vacation, I wanted to worry about nothing. I left my cell phone in the room; I didn't even want to have my wallet on me. I wanted to have my magic band and a smile, and forget about everything else.

Back then, where my mind, body, and soul was at the time, the deluxe dining plan was worth it to me. That premium of being able to literally go to the park witht he clothes on my back was worth it.

Now that I've done the research and I'm in a way better place all around, I can't imagine spending that money; times are different now.

I get it though, I totally get it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The new additions are designed to keep tourists (and to draw in locals) on property rather than having them leave to visit the area outlet malls. There are many stores that are unique to DS, or offer unique items. Then there's the dining opportunities that are at least somewhat unique to the Springs, and the still-Disney half of the area. When you add in the street entertainment and performances, it becomes more of a destination compared to a regular mall and allows guests to have some non-Disney experiences without having to actually leave the bubble.

That's the plan...at least.

I think it's a gamble/Hail Mary...but they had few realistic options. Not if you want to reduce costs and get money for relatively nothing.

 

[rteetz]

I guess I'm a little confused by Disney Springs - is it now primarily a shopping mall? It seems to me this is just a plain old clothing store. Do people come to Disney to do their regular clothes shopping?

I'm guessing these things are geared at foreign travelers.

 

[skier_pete]

The new additions are designed to keep tourists (and to draw in locals) on property rather than having them leave to visit the area outlet malls.

I'm guessing these things are geared at foreign travelers.

Well - DS or even DTD were never geared at me. I am not a good American consumer that just buys, buys, buys. DTD used to be geared to me in that I loved Pleasure Island. Now I spend nothing there. Oh well, they don't really care as an individual as long as it works for enough people.

...am I supposed to disagree with any of this?

It's what I have been harping on since 2006.

I think you and I are pretty in sync on our opinions of the DDP. The only difference is I once saw merit in it, and maybe you never did.

Could I save money not getting the Deluxe Dining Plan? Yes
Would the money I save be worth it? Not to me.

Don't need to justify to me. Everyone makes their choices. I bought into DVC (resale) which many would argue is stupid.

My point though really is as conceived it was a way for you to have that "pre-pay" benefit while also getting a discount on your meals. They've essentially taken away the second half of the benefit.
Example: In 2010 - you would've paid $76.67 for the Deluxe DDP
This year - $115.08 That's a 50% increase in the cost of the plan in 6 years.
Meanwhile, Disney restaurant prices have gone up 20-25% in the same 6 years.
You may still find value in it anyways - I admit I felt the same way when it first came out, enjoyed the luxury of not having to worry about what I spent. But I feel a lot of people just aren't aware of what they (Disney) are doing here.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think you and I are pretty in sync on our opinions of the DDP. The only difference is I once saw merit in it, and maybe you never did.



Don't need to justify to me. Everyone makes their choices. I bought into DVC (resale) which many would argue is stupid.

My point though really is as conceived it was a way for you to have that "pre-pay" benefit while also getting a discount on your meals. They've essentially taken away the second half of the benefit.
Example: In 2010 - you would've paid $76.67 for the Deluxe DDP
This year - $115.08 That's a 50% increase in the cost of the plan in 6 years.
Meanwhile, Disney restaurant prices have gone up 20-25% in the same 6 years.
You may still find value in it anyways - I admit I felt the same way when it first came out, enjoyed the luxury of not having to worry about what I spent. But I feel a lot of people just aren't aware of what they (Disney) are doing here.

I thought it was a great deal in 2006...but never had any illusions that it wasnt an "all good things" prospect from rollout.

1. Great product...but meant to "train" the masses...as you say.
2. Huge, crushing out of pocket price increases rolled out on the paying public - in this case the sitdown, core patrons (the usual suspects ) shielded from the general public by the dining plan
3. The whittling away of the benefits under the plan...rolled out over time
4. The turning of the screws on the plan on pricing and the coupon requirements...to the point where they are likely making out on the surfaced to many - instead of the usual behind the scenes on accounting...

It's such a perfectly executed plan...like on a battlefield...that it should have a term attached to it...

Like "double envelopment" or something French that nobody can pronounce. Like "Le euro dees-a-ne'"

Strategically planned and tactically executed perfectly.
Mass casualties resulting.

Have to admire the precision of it all.

 

[AnnaKat]

Still 2 credits on the dining plan...I don't see it as a big draw for us.

Whoa!!-- 2 TS credits for a $28 lunch?!
AND for 2 credits, you probably ONLY get a 2-bite piece of the fish, appetizer-type entree, whatever!!

Yep, tapa-sized fixed price entree for 2 credits!
A win-win for the bean counters!

 

[skier_pete]

OK @lockedoutlogic - we agree. Again. And I'm only mildly disturbed by that.

Now let this thread get back to it's regularly scheduled news feed.

 

[rlbates13]

A quick off-topic comment from a mostly long-time lurker.... @lockedoutlogic - I often come here just for your snarky, cynical commentary and I want to thank you for the painful truths you speak to. Normally I'm not a big fan of negativity (obviously I'm rare in today's world) but just like a baseball umpire..... you call em as you see em..... and for those of us who really want to love and trust Disney....that is painful to hear sometimes.

@skier-pete......love you too. Always good comments...especially when you and lockedout butt heads. And finally, @rteetz.....thanks for the great daily updates. You guys are why I stop by here everyday.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Ummm...thanks! ...

...I think ?

 

[Tigger's ally]

A quick off-topic comment from a mostly long-time lurker.... @lockedoutlogic - I often come here just for your snarky, cynical commentary and I want to thank you for the painful truths you speak to. Normally I'm not a big fan of negativity (obviously I'm rare in today's world) but just like a baseball umpire..... you call em as you see em..... and for those of us who really want to love and trust Disney....that is painful to hear sometimes.

@skier-pete......love you too. Always good comments...especially when you and lockedout butt heads. And finally, @rteetz.....thanks for the great daily updates. You guys are why I stop by here everyday.

I agree with all this, and I already know most of it, but the thing that I keep stressing is most of us are not the same visitor as either of them. Yeah, if I went multiple times each year, I might have the same views. If I were a DVC member I might have the same views. It is not their fault, and not my fault. I think sometimes they both need to "put thereselves in our shoes". The majority of Dis visitors just come every so often. That is why I pipe up every so often. By the way, have you noticed I pipe up more on the food/drink thingy! Whoooohooo.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Video

VIDEO - Epcot's Fourth of July fireworks 'Heartbeat of Freedom'

Teetz, I really think this floated through pretty much unnoticed. I really recommend everyone watch this. That battle hymn of the republic music with the US pavillion in the distance really makes my day!

Great, wonderful version of Illuminations! Wish I would have been there!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I agree with all this, and I already know most of it, but the thing that I keep stressing is most of us are not the same visitor as either of them. Yeah, if I went multiple times each year, I might have the same views. If I were a DVC member I might have the same views. It is not their fault, and not my fault. I think sometimes they both need to "put thereselves in our shoes". The majority of Dis visitors just come every so often. That is why I pipe up every so often. By the way, have you noticed I pipe up more on the food/drink thingy! Whoooohooo.

Yeah...but the casual people aren't here...so the reality of many things shouldn't fall on deaf ear in this here county

 

[Tigger's ally]

Yeah...but the casual people aren't here...so the reality of many things shouldn't fall on deaf ear in this here county

Yeah, but so sorry to inform you but, I am a "casual people" and I am here (as are many like me)

By the way, What County you in?

 

[afan]

Yeah, but so sorry to inform you but, I am a "casual people" and I am here (as are many like me)

By the way, What County you in?

I don't think anyone that frequents a message board based off a vacation destination is casual. My last trip was May 2014, my next trip is in November, I found the dis when planning the first trip and have stayed and became more involved in chatting after my first trip, which I'm pretty sure my join date reflects. The boards keep us more informed than a casual traveler to disney, I would call it infrequent in my case. But I could bust out a trip plan for someone tomorrow with everything I've learned the past 2 plus years.

Compare it to a casual sports fan, they may check the scores online, probably catch the highlights on the news if they are watching anyway, maybe go to a game and watch it on tv once in awhile. Then there's the those on the disboards, we watch a lot of games, read the articles, maybe catch sportscenter (blech) and go to the games, some with season tickets and some once a season. It's the bandwagoners you have to watch out for