peak season pricing

[DebWills]

We do our best to keep pricing and menu items current. None of us work for Disney so we get our information from calling, visiting the restaurants and from readers. We make every effort to be accurate and dependable. Are we perfect? of course not; but we try our very best. We date every menu when it is updated to help clarify pricing.

Prices and menu items are accurate as of the date we publish the menus, but understand that both the items and prices change on an almost daily basis.

All Ears Net publishes menus to give our readers a feel for the kinds of items offered at each location and the price points of that location. They are not meant to be the absolute "bibles."

Deb Wills

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I also think that if they do raise prices it is because food has become more expensive. When I go grocery shopping my normal bill that was $60 is now $80 or more and I have even cut down on things.

For me, I just did the DDP for the first time and let me tell you, I will ALWAYS take it from now on.

We like to do alot of the character meals when we go and its usually for dinner.

When I saw that for 3 people at 1900 Park Fare (character buffet) for dinner it was $150.00 plus tip. We only had soft drinks, we had lunch earlier that day and that would have cost us $28 or so. Plus we each had our Mickey Ice Cream Bar

But, Disney is a money making machine and while they do care about its Guests, it is about the all mighty dollar and bottom line.

 

[Tiger926]

I also think that if they do raise prices it is because food has become more expensive. When I go grocery shopping my normal bill that was $60 is now $80 or more and I have even cut down on things.

For me, I just did the DDP for the first time and let me tell you, I will ALWAYS take it from now on.

We like to do alot of the character meals when we go and its usually for dinner.

When I saw that for 3 people at 1900 Park Fare (character buffet) for dinner it was $150.00 plus tip. We only had soft drinks, we had lunch earlier that day and that would have cost us $28 or so. Plus we each had our Mickey Ice Cream Bar

But, Disney is a money making machine and while they do care about its Guests, it is about the all mighty dollar and bottom line.

Food being more expensive is not really it...I come from a restaurant family, and the little guys have been dealing with this for years, and they can't hike prices.

Disney wants you to get the DP, and that is why they continually raise prices. They are in charge of this cycle - raise prices to make guests think that the only way to afford to eat on-site, is by buying a Disney dining plan. Brilliant!

All of the character buffets are grossly overinflated, but in fairness, part of that is entertainment and food wastage too, but when a charcter meal is over $50.00, then most people are going to purchase a dining plan that only costs $50.00, as you still get another meal and snack for that price.

Tiger

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We do our best to keep pricing and menu items current. None of us work for Disney so we get our information from calling, visiting the restaurants and from readers. We make every effort to be accurate and dependable. Are we perfect? of course not; but we try our very best. We date every menu when it is updated to help clarify pricing.

Prices and menu items are accurate as of the date we publish the menus, but understand that both the items and prices change on an almost daily basis.

All Ears Net publishes menus to give our readers a feel for the kinds of items offered at each location and the price points of that location. They are not meant to be the absolute "bibles."

Deb Wills

Deb, I think your website is a great resource and I certainly appreciate it,but to eliminate this kind of confusion as well as any thoughts that your site isn't accurate when it comes to the menu prices, is it possible to update the disclaimer below the menu pricing along with the updated menu prices? For example, include a disclaimer specific to the menu price you are showing (e.g, these prices are from July xx or August xx and therefore reflect "peak season" prices). Just a suggestion.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

OP here, I finally called Disney and got the character meal prices for the time that we will be in WDW (end of this month) and the prices thankfully are lower than I thought they were going to be when I started this thread. The peak season pricing for these meals ends tomorrow, which is aligned with the fact that "value" season will begin. I think I should have did this from the beginning (called Disney directly to get the prices). Even though these different Disney fan/trip planning websites are great resources and have helped me tremendously in planning our trip, I think it has become too easy for me to rely on them a little too much, and like a couple other posters I was almost about to ditch my ADRs I still think the character meals are a bit pricey (especially Chef Mickey's) but I understand that it is the experience we are truly paying for. For anyone interested, these were the prices I was quoted by the Disney Dining CM which go into effect tomorrow (these prices include tax but not gratuities). Chef Mickey's breakfast: $30.88 adult, $17.03 child; Crystal Palace breakfast: $24.49 adult, $13.84 child, Tusker House breakfast: $24.49 adult, $13.84 child; Ohana character breakfast: $22.36 adult, $12.77 child.

 

[Tiger926]

Deb, I think your website is a great resource and I certainly appreciate it,but to eliminate this kind of confusion as well as any thoughts that your site isn't accurate when it comes to the menu prices, is it possible to update the disclaimer below the menu pricing along with the updated menu prices? For example, include a disclaimer specific to the menu price you are showing (e.g, these prices are from July xx or August xx and therefore reflect "peak season" prices). Just a suggestion.

OP here, I finally called Disney and got the character meal prices for the time that we will be in WDW (end of this month) and the prices thankfully are lower than I thought they were going to be when I started this thread. The peak season pricing for these meals ends tomorrow, which is aligned with the fact that "value" season will begin. I think I should have did this from the beginning (called Disney directly to get the prices). Even though these different Disney fan/trip planning websites are great resources and have helped me tremendously in planning our trip, I think it has become too easy for me to rely on them a little too much, and like a couple other posters I was almost about to ditch my ADRs I still think the character meals are a bit pricey (especially Chef Mickey's) but I understand that it is the experience we are truly paying for. For anyone interested, these were the prices I was quoted by the Disney Dining CM which go into effect tomorrow (these prices include tax but not gratuities). Chef Mickey's breakfast: $30.88 adult, $17.03 child; Crystal Palace breakfast: $24.49 adult, $13.84 child, Tusker House breakfast: $24.49 adult, $13.84 child; Ohana character breakfast: $22.36 adult, $12.77 child.

Excellent suggestion for All Ears!

Glad you found out the prices - which aligned with my thread.

Wish I could make my thread a sticky, as I honestly feel badly that so many people are led astray from the planning websites not keeping up with their prices. I am just a regular DISer, who being a teacher, wants to make sure that everyone has access to timely info, so not sure why the planning websites don't share that same sentiment?

Happy eating to all! Tiger

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Excellent suggestion for All Ears!

Glad you found out the prices - which aligned with my thread.
Wish I could make my thread a sticky, as I honestly feel badly that so many people are led astray from the planning websites not keeping up with their prices. I am just a regular DISer, who being a teacher, wants to make sure that everyone has access to timely info, so not sure why the planning websites don't share that same sentiment?

Happy eating to all! Tiger

Wish I would have found your thread before I found that All Ears menu That would be nice if your thread could be made into a sticky. I also agree with what you said on another post that Disney wants you to do the ddp and it is certainly a better value than paying OOP for multiple character meals. However, we are set on keeping our qsdp and will just have to consider paying OOP for these few character meals a splurge for this first family trip.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Deb, I think your website is a great resource and I certainly appreciate it,but to eliminate this kind of confusion as well as any thoughts that your site isn't accurate when it comes to the menu prices, is it possible to update the disclaimer below the menu pricing along with the updated menu prices? For example, include a disclaimer specific to the menu price you are showing (e.g, these prices are from July xx or August xx and therefore reflect "peak season" prices). Just a suggestion.

The updated pricing does list when it was last updated (July 2011), so you can infer if it is peak or off peak time.

On the list of menus:

Chef Mickey's - Character Breakfast (8/11)

After clicking to view the menu:

Menu Date: August 2011

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

The updated pricing does list when it was last updated (July 2011), so you can infer if it is peak or off peak time.

On the list of menus:


After clicking to view the menu:

When I checked the menu on All Ears, the date on the menu was "August 2011" so I thought the prices shown were the "regular" meal price since half of August is not peak season.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

When I checked the menu on All Ears, the date on the menu was "August 2011" so I thought the prices shown were the "regular" meal price since half of August is not peak season.

But we are currently still in peak season until Monday I think. Not trying to be argumentative, just logical.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

But we are currently still in peak season until Monday I think. Not trying to be argumentative, just logical.

I see what you are saying, but to me (and several other people) it was misleading in a sense. The menu said August 2011 when I first looked at those prices, so to me that represents the entire month. If the menu said "prices effective until August 14th" then that would be logical to me. But I see what you are saying
I still consider myself new to all this so this was definitely a learning experience for me.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The updated pricing does list when it was last updated (July 2011), so you can infer if it is peak or off peak time.

On the list of menus: 8/11


After clicking to view the menu: August 2011

Very true. It's just as easy to infer that 8/11 refers to the entire month of August. Maybe for the purpose of clarity the date noted could be the exact date the menu was quoted & effective (ie. Menu date: 8/6/2011. Prices & menu items are not guaranteed and are subject to change at any time. Pricing fluctuates with "seasons", travel dates, and holiday surcharges. Be sure to confirm pricing by calling WDW-Dine. Menu & pricing are strictly for generalized informational purposes.) Just an idea.

 

[Tricia1972]

We do our best to keep pricing and menu items current. None of us work for Disney so we get our information from calling, visiting the restaurants and from readers. We make every effort to be accurate and dependable. Are we perfect? of course not; but we try our very best. We date every menu when it is updated to help clarify pricing.

Prices and menu items are accurate as of the date we publish the menus, but understand that both the items and prices change on an almost daily basis.

All Ears Net publishes menus to give our readers a feel for the kinds of items offered at each location and the price points of that location. They are not meant to be the absolute "bibles."

Deb Wills

Thank you for your response Deb. Also, thank you for all that you do on All Ears!

All Ears and WDW Info do their best to keep everything as current as possible and certainly do give an accurate idea of what pricing is. I know that your site and WDW Info have been a valuable resource to me and many others. Both sites cover all aspects of planning a Disney Vacation and I certainly don't envy you keeping that much information up to date when Disney seems to change the rules and pricing on a daily basis.

For those that require to the penny pricing on any given day, then of course they have the option to call Disney directly. (as some of you have done)

I am sorry that you're being asked to come to this site and defend your site, and then being challenged when you do come to explain yourself.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thank you for your response Deb. Also, thank you for all that you do on All Ears!

All Ears and WDW Info do their best to keep everything as current as possible and certainly do give an accurate idea of what pricing is. I know that your site and WDW Info have been a valuable resource to me and many others. Both sites cover all aspects of planning a Disney Vacation and I certainly don't envy you keeping that much information up to date when Disney seems to change the rules and pricing on a daily basis.

For those that require to the penny pricing on any given day, then of course they have the option to call Disney directly. (as some of you have done)

I am sorry that you're being asked to come to this site and defend your site, and then being challenged when you do come to explain yourself.

Really? That happened? That's awful!

Not speaking for anyone else, but my previous posts in this thread were for the purpose of getting people to not have a knee-jerk reaction and cancel difficult to obtain ADRs.

I completely agree that keeping information current on a subject as vast & broad as Disney parks (not just WDW) is a colossal undertaking that I cannot even begin to fathom putting together. It's been my understanding that they accomplish this utilizing volunteers almost exclusively which kicks the whole 'Wow-factor' up a notch. And, like you, I've been an Allears reader for many, many years and have enjoyed their site immensely. I appreciate all the hard work and effort that Deb and all the team members put in over there to keep the info flowing. Allears has always been and continues to be an amazing website that presents their subject matter in an effective, comprehensive way. Kudos to them for their dedication and passion!

What I got from these last few posts is people trying to explain how they misconstrued what they read for the sake of clarity and attempt to be pro-active in finding solutions. Passion for WDW is a common thread I think we all can relate to each other on and willingness to help/communicate can be a positive way to share in that.

I do hope that Deb & the entire team can see that we're here cheerin' for 'em and willing to do what we can to lend a hand.

 

[Pumbaa_]

It is so easy to criticize isn't it? I cannot imagine the amount of work that goes into making all of us Disney fans happy!

Both wdwinfo and Allears do their best to be as up to date as possible with menus as well as the blogs, articles, park hours, special events..phew! makes me tired just thining about it

Thanks for all the great work on our favorite sites!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

It is so easy to criticize isn't it? I cannot imagine the amount of work that goes into making all of us Disney fans happy!

Both wdwinfo and Allears do their best to be as up to date as possible with menus as well as the blogs, articles, park hours, special events..phew! makes me tired just thining about it

Thanks for all the great work on our favorite sites!

I dont think anyone has criticized or bashed wdwinfo or all ears, but have provided feedback on how to present information in a way that is less likely to be misinterpreted. I think many of us that posted on this thread have given All ears a thumbs up and expressed appreciation for the site being a valuable planning resource, but as i said in a previous post it is easy to become too dependant on what we read on these fan sites and to get the exact info we are looking for sometimes we need to go straight to the official source which is to contact disney directly.

 

[Tricia1972]

If there is any confusion reading the thread now, a few posts were removed. So if the 'flow' doesn't make sense anymore, it is probably due to the removal of those posts.

Hope that this helps.

 

[G8r4evr]

I agree with this as well. I certainly didn't start this thread to create dissent against the DDP, I was just trying to say that for my family, paying OOP for the character meals with these price increases is a big sticker shock for us because we chose to do the qsdp over the ddp. Even with the ddp, you still have to pay for gratuities which would also be higher since the meal prices are higher. IMHO, it's pricey for everyone across the board. Even if you are getting free dining, you still have to pay the gratuities for the meals and rack rates for the resort hotel rooms which are also going up. Since this is our first family trip this is going to be a splurge for us so that our kids can have the chance to do these character meals. But these price increases in general are making me rethink how we may do future WDW trips if we choose to go back in the near future.

When are those prices effective? We have never tried the dining plan, but we may need to next time.

We leave 8/25 for 5 days and have 5 character meals planned. OUCH!!

 

[crostorfer]

When are those prices effective? We have never tried the dining plan, but we may need to next time.

We leave 8/25 for 5 days and have 5 character meals planned. OUCH!!

A previous poster has stated that the summer surcharge either ends today or ended yesterday. Jeese people, stop panicking. I think the op should either edit the title or the first post because it has people getting upset over inaccurate info now.

However, if you didn't happen to read the whole thread and you are outraged over price increases and want to give up your 1900 Park Fare dinners or early Tusker House or Crystal Palace breakfasts the last week of September, please let me know.

 

[G8r4evr]

A previous poster has stated that the summer surcharge either ends today or ended yesterday. Jeese people, stop panicking. I think the op should either edit the title or the first post because it has people getting upset over inaccurate info now.

However, if you didn't happen to read the whole thread and you are outraged over price increases and want to give up your 1900 Park Fare dinners or early Tusker House or Crystal Palace breakfasts the lady week of September, please let me know.

I wasnt panicking, I simply said ouch. LOL. But thanks for the info.