Observation (maybe someone can fill me in)

[rockundergirl]

I'm somewhat new to the boards, and I have noticed something. Or maybe I just got a wrong impression. Is there some sort of "bad feelings" toward the dining plan? Or more specifically toward people who use the plan to budget their dining. I have seem some seemingly extreme responses to questions about the plan. Maybe someone can fill me in on whats going on with that? Or i might just be nuts.. well actually I'm sure I'm nuts.. :-/ ha but I would like to be set straight about this issue.

 

[connie1042]

Everyone has their own opinion. We had never done the dinning plan, actually never even knew about it until a few years ago. We have done it the last two years because it was free. I don't know if we can do without it now. We have been so many times, that dinning is now part of our vacation. I also love the idea, that it is paid for in advance. I think some people get upset, because they do not qualify for the free dinning, or unable to go during that time period. I really do not care what other people think. We like it and will probably use it from now on.There is no rhyme or reason for some of the codes, and who they go to. I think Disney is missing the boat on this .If you have never been on these board, and have know idea of all the discounts and free dinning, and only find out after the fact, it could really make you think twice about going again. I don't know if this helps, but this is how I feel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Everyone has their own opinion. We had never done the dinning plan, actually never even knew about it until a few years ago.

Ah, but that's because this Dining Plan didn't exist until a few years ago. Four, to be specific - it started January 2, 2005

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Yeah, they're just jealous of us cool people who are able to do it free!!!



I guess the one thing that gets people all hepped up is that they claim the food quality and overall dining experience to be lacking lately because of the DDP.

Restaurants are more crowded, food is more expensive, menus are more basic, blah, blah, blah... The food is still good to me so I don't care

 

[rockundergirl]

Yeah, they're just jealous of us cool people who are able to do it free!!!



I guess the one thing that gets people all hepped up is that they claim the food quality and overall dining experience to be lacking lately because of the DDP.

Restaurants are more crowded, food is more expensive, menus are more basic, blah, blah, blah... The food is still good to me so I don't care

Interesting,, that sounds to me like blaming the fact that the parks are crowded on people visiting to much... I assume Disney wanted more people to use the dining plan... hence the free dining promotion.. Assigning blame on people who use the plan seems silly!

 

[brymolmom]

I agree that crowded restaurants are exactly what Disney wants - so the DDP is obviously doing what they set out to accomplish. They are NOT dummies there!

I was just discussing this topic with a fellow Disney-holic and he and his family just bought DVC. He was very unhappy with the DDP and I kept saying, but that's what they WANT. They don't want the restaruants to be unbooked so that walk-ups are easy.

It makes sense to me.

Maybe to make both groups happy - they should take a couple (not a lot) more restaurants OFF of the DDP (but increase the prices there) - to give people who want to stay away from it all a couple more options.

 

[drakes]

Maybe to make both groups happy - they should take a couple (not a lot) more restaurants OFF of the DDP (but increase the prices there) - to give people who want to stay away from it all a couple more options.

Arrrhhhh don't suggest that!

There is definitely opinions on here about those that are for it and those against it. What I noticed (strictly observation) is those that "hate it" get more angry or opinionated about it.

Discounts, Pins - doesn't matter to me what someone else gets, be happy with what you have, "you can't keep up with a million Joneses"

 

[a total tink]

Everyone has their own opinion...it's all good. I love the dining plan!! I find the food delicious and there's such a great variety if you look around and research first.
Disney, I believe, caters very well to those of us travelling with kids by making menus that will please both the plain Janes and the foodies. Yes, it is true that some of the buffets and meals have the same items at every restaurant (eg: sirloin steak or ribs) but by reading the menus first from home you can book some great selections.
As for wether you save money or not, that depends how you book. Some look for and order the most expensive meal on the menu and others choose the meal they think they'll enjoy most even though it is less money. bottom line though is if you are going to want a sit down meal each night you will be saving money, how much, depends on your choices.
I also feel there is that extra "magical" feeling you get from enjoying a great sit down meal with your family, sharing all the highs of the day and at the end just pay your tip and alchohol bill (if you even have one).
Last thing, for those who feel as though food has been compromised...there are many restaurants that offer great meals and arent on the dining plan, eg foultons, Captain Jacks, Yacht club and some in DD. There's something for everyone at Disney!!!

 

[Faldred]

I think there's a subset of folks who aren't "into" the food so much, and think that dining takes away from "park time". Others plan their meals first, and fit in rides and shows around them.

Those two camps aren't going to see eye-to-eye.

As far as DDP folks taking up all the restaurant space, a middle-of-the-road approach might be to leave a certain percentage of capacity available as walk-up only, i.e., maybe only take 80% capacity for ADRs, instead of the current 100% policy (minus some exceptions, like CRT and dinner shows). This allows the planners to book in advance while letting the "wing it" crowd still have a chance. The drawback would be that hard-to-get ADRs would be even harder to get.

 

[summermac]

I think another reason some don't "like" the DDP is because according to them the food quality has suffered as WDW is finding ways to maximize their profit with DDP. Lack of children's menu choices is another fault that some bring up. Others don't like that the tip is no longer included (which IMO shouldn't have been for that price anyway) as it was in the beginning.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't like the dining plan and I don't like what it's done to the restaurants (not really the crowds, but in regard to food quality and diversity), but there still plenty of signature restaurants (which haven't been so affected because they cost 2 dining credits) and restaurants that don't accept the plan.

It's always an option to not use the dining plan, if its parameters don't fit the way your party likes to plan meals.

there are many restaurants that offer great meals and arent on the dining plan, eg foultons, Captain Jacks, Yacht club and some in DD. There's something for everyone at Disney!!!

Cap'n Jack's IS on the dining plan - in fact, it's the only remaining Disney-owned restaurant at Downtown Disney.

 

[Tammy296]

I think you'll find the indifference to the dining plan is due to something not a lot of us think about...

the prices are reflected.

The problem is.. you go on vacation with a Dining plan expecting to be compensated for it at least equally if not more so to make it worth your while. And in any case, you go and find that prices are reflected on every item you order. Thus people are adding it all up and figuring out whats worth it what isnt, etc. It hits on the ENJOYMENT factor immensely. Plus they have all the free dining promotions to compare with.

If Disney took away the prices altogether and just said pay one price, eat as you like (but did as most all inclusives do) it wouldn't be a "thought" about it. People would go and just eat what made them happy. Not compare notes, etc. BUT then Disney would be compared with every all-inclusive and those who go to all-inclusives know what that would mean. (Who has the most restaurants to choose from? The most options?) Afterall people like OPTIONS. Disney Dining Plan just adds to more of the work in planning. Some who like planning plan some who don't, cave. They don't want the added stress on vacation.

So yes it's a touchy subject especially where the DDP has changed in the last year - now people having to pay tips on top of it and taken away the appetizers which were once "there". The DDP has added new "options" and taken away on the "old options". Now if they'd added the new options and not taken away from the old, well probably people would have a different perspective. No one goes to an all inclusive and says "I dont go there anymore because of a, b, c - usually the food is either good or its not". Period.

While the DDP was a brilliant idea to begin with, it hasn't worked very well "in theory" because it's beginning to get a bad rap. It's a love/hate relationship between wanting and not wanting, taking/not taking it. Namely first because prices on everything is apparent and secondly because of the restrictions/changes.

Just my two cents worth not that it really matters. I have my likes and dislikes about the DDP but I think differently about it than I once did for sure.

-T

 

[rockundergirl]

IMO Its amazing to me that somehow we have disney fans blaming disney fans for a promotion that disney as a company ran. The plan was changed by disney, they run the restaurants, set the prices, and control the quality of the food, not the people who eat at the restaurants, dining plan or not. With that said, I can understand why its upsetting to have something you enjoy change (the restaurants). I see nothing wrong with pre-paying for food and making sure you get your moneys worth. Its up to Disney to unsure high quality enjoyable dining, not the people visiting the parks.

 

[Colleen27]

I
Maybe to make both groups happy - they should take a couple (not a lot) more restaurants OFF of the DDP (but increase the prices there) - to give people who want to stay away from it all a couple more options.

It would make more sense to set aside a small percentage of tables for walk-ups/last minute bookings by only accepting ADRs for something like 80% of restaurants' capacity. That way the value of the dining plan is preserved (start removing restaurants and you'll get fewer people using it, and Disney doesn't want that) but there is still something available for the people who don't want to plan months in advance.

 

[Colleen27]

I guess the one thing that gets people all hepped up is that they claim the food quality and overall dining experience to be lacking lately because of the DDP.

And on the other side are the folks that don't think the DDP is to blame for that.

I'm of the opinion that Disney would have made similar menu changes regardless, because they don't want uncrowded restaurants that appeal to foodies. They want to attract the largest number of people possible, which means catering to the tastes of the typical family. You don't fill restaurants in a family destination by offering creative menus with exotic ingredients to impress foodies. You fill restaurants by offering variations on the basic steak/shrimp/chicken choices that appeal to the average tourist. Disney made great strides in dining options and food quality that set them apart from other "theme park" destinations, but they swung the pendulum too far towards the gourmet end of the spectrum and it had to be brought back towards the middle to appeal to a broader segment of visitors. The DDP was part of that (highly successful) attempt to draw more people to Disney's sitdown restaurants, not a cause of the changes IMO.

Or to put it another way, there is a reason Applebees, Chilis and Outback Steakhouses outnumber restaurants like French Laundry and Inn at Little Washington by a margin of thousands to one. It isn't just about prices; it is also about the relatively unsophisticated palatte of the majority of the population.

 

[eagillinois]

I love the dining plan. We have used the DDP twice and are getting ready to use it again on our trip next week.
I think adding the QSDP gave people who didnt want to make ADRs an option to use their plan in a more random fashion (no pre-planning) and have their meals pre-paid also.
I do not check prices, I do not always order dessert. I dont add up receipts after the fact to see if I got the best deal.
I like having 1 sit down meal together every day. I like that I do not have to budget extra cash for meals into my trip because I have already paid for them.
My only complaint is that I wish the free mug were offered for all 3 plans.

 

[jcjohns91107]

I think it depends on your eating habits. We have never purchased it and will be there in June and I doubt I'll purchase it because 1) my wife doesn't eat that much, often just wanting a sald or just a snack for lunch, 2) we don't often order desert when we eat out or if we do we just split a couple between the 4 of us or just the kids order desert, and 3) I want to eat at Jiko at AKL and I'm not interested is using 2 credits to eat there when the menu prices are actually less than Le Cellier. I ran the numbers and we'll probably eat more dinners at 50's diner, Rose and Crown, Ragland Rd, etc. and then just grab things for lunch and if we do that the numbers don't work out. That's us however. If you have a family with big appetites and you have more meals at places like Le Cellier, Chefs de France or Coral Reef than 50's Prime Time Cafe then the numbers will work out.

The only way I could make the numbers work required us to dessert at both lunch and dinner and not eat light and that's just not going to happen every day.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Actually, it seems the guests taking advantage of DDP are the ones sensitive about it. I don't think anyone blames the guest for what they don't like about DDP. At least, I've never taken it that way & I've been here for awhile.

The fact is WDW's food was much better in the past. People who haven't gone for years wouldn't know that. Common sense tells me they couldn't serve the same quality food for what DDP reimburses them. Yes, I do think DDP has negatively affected the restaurants. However, I don't directly relate DDP with a guest using DDP. It's two different things entirely.

 

[rockundergirl]

Actually, it seems the guests taking advantage of DDP are the ones sensitive about it. I don't think anyone blames the guest for what they don't like about DDP. At least, I've never taken it that way & I've been here for awhile.

Well you may be correct, I'm not sure, and I'm very new to the boards(but in no way new to Disney), the observations I made came from how questions got answered. It seems a lot of questions about getting value out of the plan, resulted in comments about restaurants getting " ruined" by people "gaming the system". To be honest I don't understand how its possible to " take advantage" of the system.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I think when DDP first came out there was a lot of people on the boards who looked down on it. IMO, it was looked at as some kind of welfare program so people who normally couldn't afford to eat out at WDW could afford to. Not by all of course, but by some. Personally I don't think there is a lot of that now. I think pretty much everyone has gotten used to it and used to it being around. I like DDP and I like now that there are different forms of it so people can choose whichever is best for their situation.