OMG! Here are 2011 peak season character meal prices

[Tiger926]

I just called Disney to inquire about character meal prices for 2011 peak seasons:

February 17-26, 2011
March 11 - April 30, 2011
June 3 - August 13, 2011
December 21-31, 2011


These prices include tax, but do not include tip, so you do the math! Here they are:

Breakfast

1900 Park Fare A - $26.62 C - $14.90

Cape May Cafe, Tusker House & Crystal Palace A - $28.75 C - $15.97

Chef Mickey's A - $35.14 C - 19.16

Akershus A - $39.40 C - $23.42

CRT A - $54. 51 C -$34.61 ** includes mandatory 18% gratuity **

Lunch

Tusker House A - $27.68 C - $14.90 (lunch is less cuz no characters)

Crystal Palace A - $30.87 C - $17.03

Akershus A - $41.53 C - $24.49

Dinner

Chef Mickeys & 1900 PF A - $ 42.59 C - $21.29

Crystal Palace A - $43.65 C - $21.29

Akershus A - $46.85 C - $25.55

Boma A - $39.40 C - $ 19.16

Garden Grill A - $41.52 (wasn't able to get children's price)

These prices are staggering, since once you add tip, some of them will be close to or actually over $50.00! Disney's way of encouraging purchase of the Dining Plan, IMHO.

I hope these prices help some of you who are plannning trips. We will be eating most of our meals in our villa, but wanted to add a few character meals for the kids.

Tiger

 

[wtccheermom]

Do you know if there is holiday pricing for Garden Grill and Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Dinner package?

 

[Tiger926]

Do you know if there is holiday pricing for Garden Grill and Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Dinner package?

Yes, of course there is a holiday surcharge for Garden Grill and Hollywood and Vine. Not sure about Fantasmic, as last time we did it, it was free.

Peak seaon applies to: buffets, all you care to eat and fixed price meals, for both character and non-character (eg. Boma) meals.

Tiger

 

[pigletto]

Some of those actually made me laugh at loud. Ridiculous. I love Disney as much as the next person, I really do. But I draw the line at a 40 dollar breakfast

No thanks.

 

[minnierocks]

So I guess that means that I need to add $16 ($4 times 4 people) to every buffet that we are eating bummer...

 

[Tiger926]

So I guess that means that I need to add $16 ($4 times 4 people) to every buffet that we are eating bummer...

Why? What are prices are you using?

All Ears and WDW Info are frequently incorrect, and in this case, Disney's own website is outdated as well, as they haven't updated their price ranges to reflect 2011 price increases.

I'm curious as to what prices you have, since if you had gone in 2010, prices have increased by a couple of bucks for each meal (a few more than that), but the buffet surcharge has been around for a few years now.

Tiger

 

[MelissathePooh]

Its like some money crazed mad scientist is at the helm of Disney Dining. Just how much can you charge before they quit coming????

Its insane! Especially when the quality is consistently declining.

Its not just table service or buffets - dh noticed that the cost of a corn dog went from $3.49 to $3.99 from Oct to last part of December at AK. The same side card corn dog was $4.25 at MK.

The lack of consistency in pricing from park to park is nuts too. They've lost their minds! They're trying to force people into the dining plan. People who get it "free" feel like they've gotten a HUGE deal given the outrageous prices and for those of us who pay OOP - we just get screwed. Or buy the DDP and think that paying $45.99 per adult is a bargain compared to OOP. Disney is brilliant in making you pay more, but think you've gotten a deal!

 

[Tiger926]

Its like some money crazed mad scientist is at the helm of Disney Dining. Just how much can you charge before they quit coming????

Its insane! Especially when the quality is consistently declining.

Its not just table service or buffets - dh noticed that the cost of a corn dog went from $3.49 to $3.99 from Oct to last part of December at AK. The same side card corn dog was $4.25 at MK.

The lack of consistency in pricing from park to park is nuts too. They've lost their minds! They're trying to force people into the dining plan. People who get it "free" feel like they've gotten a HUGE deal given the outrageous prices and for those of us who pay OOP - we just get screwed. Or buy the DDP and think that paying $45.99 per adult is a bargain compared to OOP. Disney is brilliant in making you pay more, but think you've gotten a deal!

I agree with everything you said. Each year, meals increase by a couple of bucks, but when you add the surcharge on top of that, some meals have increased by 30-50% in the past few years.

Just a few years ago, we paid like $28.99/adult + plus tax for dinner at Chef Mickey's in July, and now, that same dinner is close to $50.00.

Disney has decided that food is to be used as a marketing tool to secure rooms. By doing this, they have to make up shortfalls in the dining area.

It's also a way to secure people purchase the DP, as the OOP prices are absolutely crazy, so purchase of the DP will almost always yield a savings for the guest.

Tiger

 

[minnierocks]

Why? What are prices are you using?

All Ears and WDW Info are frequently correct, and in this case, Disney's own website is outdate as well, as they haven't updated their price ranges to reflect 2011 price increases.

I'm curious as to what prices you have, since if you had gone in 2010, prices have increased by a couple of bucks for each meal (a few more than that), but the buffet surcharge has been around for a few years now.

Tiger

If I am going during the peak dining times, then approximately $4 per person will be my surcharge on buffet prices during my trip. We have gone during Thanksgiving when holiday peak pricing was in effect and this is how it worked out. If the price stated on WDW info was $22.99, then the price for the buffet during peak pricing was $26.99 ($4 more per meal)...it was not a hard and fast rule, but it does give me some idea of what the price might be. It totally stinks and makes it difficult to really budget for the trip.

 

[Tiger926]

If I am going during the peak dining times, then approximately $4 per person will be my surcharge on buffet prices during my trip. We have gone during Thanksgiving when holiday peak pricing was in effect and this is how it worked out. If the price stated on WDW info was $22.99, then the price for the buffet during peak pricing was $26.99 ($4 more per meal)...it was not a hard and fast rule, but it does give me some idea of what the price might be. It totally stinks and makes it difficult to really budget for the trip.

Yes, you are correct that it's $4.00/adult + tax, and $2.00/child + tax. That has not changed. But, you need to call, in order to get an exact price, as Disney just raised prices for 2011, and so chances are, your meal will be more than just a $4.00 buffet increase. Most meals that I ate at in July (less than 6 months ago), have increased by approx. $2-$3.00/adult and approx. $1.00-$1.50/child.

Disney does not publish this info, so the only way to check is by calling Disney Dining. They actually change their signage and menus throughout the year, depending upon the seasons, so they don't itemize or show the surcharge anywhere. They work by always providing the most current price, so whatever Disney dining quotes you as the price (tax is included), this is the price you will pay, at time of travel. This is the price you will see listed at the restaurants in their menus and posted signs.

Incidentally, this is only for buffets, and not regular TS meals.

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[minnierocks]

Its like some money crazed mad scientist is at the helm of Disney Dining. Just how much can you charge before they quit coming????

Its insane! Especially when the quality is consistently declining.

Its not just table service or buffets - dh noticed that the cost of a corn dog went from $3.49 to $3.99 from Oct to last part of December at AK. The same side card corn dog was $4.25 at MK.

The lack of consistency in pricing from park to park is nuts too. They've lost their minds! They're trying to force people into the dining plan. People who get it "free" feel like they've gotten a HUGE deal given the outrageous prices and for those of us who pay OOP - we just get screwed. Or buy the DDP and think that paying $45.99 per adult is a bargain compared to OOP. Disney is brilliant in making you pay more, but think you've gotten a deal!

The reason we didn't do the dining plan this trip was because it broke down to $48.99 per person per day...peak pricing. At almost $200/day for our family for 8 nights...it was just too much. I figured that we are saving at least $400 by not eating a TS every night, utilizing lunch prices for our sit down meals, splitting some meals and planning meals carefully. We really loved the dining plan...but that was just too much for food for the week.

 

[Tiger926]

The reason we didn't do the dining plan this trip was because it broke down to $48.99 per person per day...peak pricing. At almost $200/day for our family for 8 nights...it was just too much. I figured that we are saving at least $400 by not eating a TS every night, utilizing lunch prices for our sit down meals, splitting some meals and planning meals carefully. We really loved the dining plan...but that was just too much for food for the week.

When was your trip? The peak season price for 2011 is $47.99, and I thought it was $1.00 or $2.00 less for 2010. I didn't think it was $48.99...

Tiger

 

[minnierocks]

When was your trip? Tiger

We haven't taken it yet...we are going for spring break. When I looked at the cost of adding the dining plan, it broke down to $48.99 per person per day. It was too much in my opinion...

 

[Tiger926]

We haven't taken it yet...we are going for spring break. When I looked at the cost of adding the dining plan, it broke down to $48.99 per person per day. It was too much in my opinion...

Yeah, there is a discrepancy, as WDW Info has it listed at $47.99, but I've seen it elsewhere for $48.99, as you quoted. Hmmm...?

The thing is, you bring up a great point that every family has to really crunch the numbers, and analyze their eating habits, based on current prices.

If you want to eat at just 1 character meal, you will be almost the cost of the DP, plus you still have a CS and a Snack to use up, so it will probably save most people money, who have that eating pattern.

Have a great trip! We are going in March - eating in our villa the whole week, except for a TS meal at T-Rex.

Eating most of our meals in our villa for our July trip, but may add the DxDP for 1 or 2 nights, as we go for 2 weeks, and kids might have trouble going from eating out 1-2 TS meals per day to 0. So, we might do a few, and we've used TIW the past few years, but OOP prices are just too high for that anymore.

Tiger

 

[bjakmom]

WOW! The Crystal Palace lunch was $24.99 - now $30.98 for our July trip - that's actually a $6 pp increase for me. I am already paying the adult price for 3 10-13 year olds - yikes! - that lunch would now cost me $124. + 18% tip of 22.32 - almost $150! Looks like we'll be eating a LOT of counter service meals!

 

[MelissathePooh]

I don't know what the non DVC pricing is for the 2011 DDP. We bought ours through DVC for a trip this past Sunday - Wednesday. It was $45.99 per adult and $11.99 per child. DVC does not pay the DDP premium for peak times - its flat rate all year. With the premium that Disney charges regular package guests its close to $50 - which is crazy. Again though - when the price of a character buffet is around that amount people feel like they are getting a great deal - especially when its part of the "free dining" promotion.

I mean really what's with the surcharge in the first place? The don't add anything to the food options, they don't suddenly add new seatings that weren't already there, nothing additional is increased that would raise the cost for Disney. Its purely because they can given an assumed increased demand at those times. There is absolutely NOTHING the guest gets for the additional cost.

I really and truly wouldn't have AS much of an issue with it IF the dining was a better experience. While some are better than others, none are quality that deserve the price they charge. So you're left to understand that you're paying for the "experience" of the characters or theming or whatever...well when Eyeore leans in, pats the kid on the shoulder, poses for a picture then waves good - bye - all in under 30 seconds...my experience isn't particularly worth the cost either. They have packed the tables in, reduced the number of characters that make appearances, hard to get seatings - its really frustrating.

I promise I don't mean to sound like a negative nancy, I just have such lament for some of the dining experiences of the past that were so wonderful on a consistent basis. We love WDW and we love to dine at some places at WDW, but it is impossible to ignore the gestault of what the DDP has done and the impact its had. I'm very glad that people enjoy it and have wonderful experiences, but it really has changed our WDW experience not for the better.

 

[Tiger926]

WOW! The Crystal Palace lunch was $24.99 - now $30.98 for our July trip - that's actually a $6 pp increase for me. I am already paying the adult price for 3 10-13 year olds - yikes! - that lunch would now cost me $124. + 18% tip of 22.32 - almost $150! Looks like we'll be eating a LOT of counter service meals!

Actually only an increase of $2.24, as the price was $26.99, so with tax, it was $28.74. This is from my July 5, 2010 receipt.

The prices above, do include tax.

I don't know what the non DVC pricing is for the 2011 DDP. We bought ours through DVC for a trip this past Sunday - Wednesday. It was $45.99 per adult and $11.99 per child. DVC does not pay the DDP premium for peak times - its flat rate all year. With the premium that Disney charges regular package guests its close to $50 - which is crazy. Again though - when the price of a character buffet is around that amount people feel like they are getting a great deal - especially when its part of the "free dining" promotion.

I mean really what's with the surcharge in the first place? The don't add anything to the food options, they don't suddenly add new seatings that weren't already there, nothing additional is increased that would raise the cost for Disney. Its purely because they can given an assumed increased demand at those times. There is absolutely NOTHING the guest gets for the additional cost.

I really and truly wouldn't have AS much of an issue with it IF the dining was a better experience. While some are better than others, none are quality that deserve the price they charge. So you're left to understand that you're paying for the "experience" of the characters or theming or whatever...well when Eyeore leans in, pats the kid on the shoulder, poses for a picture then waves good - bye - all in under 30 seconds...my experience isn't particularly worth the cost either. They have packed the tables in, reduced the number of characters that make appearances, hard to get seatings - its really frustrating.

I promise I don't mean to sound like a negative nancy, I just have such lament for some of the dining experiences of the past that were so wonderful on a consistent basis. We love WDW and we love to dine at some places at WDW, but it is impossible to ignore the gestault of what the DDP has done and the impact its had. I'm very glad that people enjoy it and have wonderful experiences, but it really has changed our WDW experience not for the better.

I agree!

By the way, non-DVC pricing is either $47.99 or $48.99 during peak season. I've seen both prices listed.

Hope this helps, Tiger

 

[Pixiedust34]

Our trip is from 8/8 to 8/18, and we're not on the DDP. We aren't doing character meals, but have 3 buffets we'd like to do. I'm going to try to schedule those on the 14th or after if it's possible with our park schedule or drop one of the buffets. We've already cut back on the number of ts meals we do.

I think if we had access to a car that we would make use of some off-property restaurants on this trip.

Does anyone know if Hoop has increased prices during peak seasons?

 

[Tiger926]

Our trip is from 8/8 to 8/18, and we're not on the DDP. We aren't doing character meals, but have 3 buffets we'd like to do. I'm going to try to schedule those on the 14th or after if it's possible with our park schedule or drop one of the buffets. We've already cut back on the number of ts meals we do.

I think if we had access to a car that we would make use of some off-property restaurants on this trip.

Does anyone know if Hoop has increased prices during peak seasons?

Not sure, as we haven't done that with the kids yet. Remember though, that Hoop includes your tax and tip as well.

I would call, as Disney frequently raises prices, so you have to call in order to get current pricing for when you are going to be there.

Tiger

 

[bangzoom6877]

This is totally crazy! I'm glad that we're at the point that just a couple of character meals on a 10-night trip will be fine for our kids...not going back until summer 2012 though...our boys will be 5 and 7 then. I wonder what the prices will be in July 2012...

On our trip in July 2010, we ate at a lot of the regular a la carte restaurants. We did a few character meals too, plus the buffet at Biergarten, which we won't give up (LOVE German food, and that beer flight is wonderful!). We used the TIW card and found it to be the best option for us. Of course, as a DVC member, the cost for me to upgrade my 7-day park ticket to an AP was $100 less than it would have been for a non-DVC member, which makes a big difference too. We enjoyed the a la carte restaurants, ordered exactly what we wanted, and they cost a lot less than character buffets and had better food. The kids enjoyed these places too, even though they are very young. We take them to restaurants at least once a week at home, so they are accustomed to eating out since they were babies, and they are very well-behaved. We are very lucky for that, that we don't have to rely on the characters to entertain our kids in a restaurant on vacation.

It looks like the signature restaurants are going to start sounding like a much better deal than the buffets and character meals!