Poll regarding speculative dining plan changes

[Lewisc]

There is a thread/poll asking what guests think of removing the tip from the dining plan. Presumably Disney is trying to increase the profititability of the dining plan. Assume Disney wants to improve the profitability of the meal plan. What changes would you prefer?

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

I voted for adding $4-5 to the plan per day because of the fact that I like the all encompassing nature of the DDP. I know that some of the waiters at Disney think they would get better tips if it was no longer added into the meal plan cost but for some reason I feel that that would just cause confusion and wouldn't not be the case. My DW and I tip extra based on service anyways.

As for the other options; I like my desert and I like my snacks so please don't take them away. I'm being honest. Disney is my one place to carb load...

--Mr. DB

 

[Nancyg56]

I voted to raise the price a few dollars, but I would not mind if they got rid of the dessert at the CS meals. I would not like the TS to change.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Too late to add a choice to the poll, huh? My first choice would be, include either an appetizer or a dessert with the Table Service meal - not both.

 

[gonemousin']

Too late to add a choice to the poll, huh? My first choice would be, include either an appetizer or a dessert with the Table Service meal - not both.

Hadn't thought of that, but I really like that idea. As much as I like sampling the different selections, I'm simply too stuffed to eat it all. I can see this working well.

 

[Lewisc]

Too late to add a choice to the poll, huh? My first choice would be, include either an appetizer or a dessert with the Table Service meal - not both.

If I could figure out how to edit a poll I'd fix my typos.

I didn't want to give too many options. I was also thinking of just offering soup or salad instead of an appetizer. I thought changing to an appetizer and dessert sampler for the table would probably reduce the cost, to Disney, by at least as much as offering only appetizer or dessert. A sampler platter would streamline the serving process and probably increase restaurant capacity. It's likely some guests at the table would be ordering appetizers and some would be ordering dessert. The time at the guests spend at the table would probably stay the same.


I was thinking of adding an option to include a continental breakfast. Change the plan to include three meals a day.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I voted to remove the dessert from the CS meal, because this is the part of the DDP that's the most unnecessary to me personally. I rarely eat dessert with lunch and personally don't see the need for it if there's a snack option for mid-afternoon.

But overall, I hope they avoid anything that removes the all-inclusiveness from the DDP and also avoid creating a different tiered menu for DDP users (e.g., 1 dessert option for DDP users but an entire dessert menu available for non-DDP users).

 

[mom2my3kids]

I would change it to only one app per table of 3 and then add one on for every additional 3 people. I think a app, entree plus desert is to much for one person.

 

[Praying Colonel]

^ I agree if we're talking about things like spinach & artichoke dip. But if a bowl of cheese soup at LeCellier counts as an appetizer, I'm not sure that would work. It's not really intended to be shared among several people.

 

[danalee]

I vote for no snack with CS. Those are for the most part nasty, we throw most of them away what ashame
There are soooooo many good things to snack on in WDW that I would never miss the CS dessert going away.

 

[Lord Fantasius]

Voted for changing the appetizer/dessert to a sampler since that was the closest to katieeldr's idea of choosing an appetizer or dessert w/ the TS meal which I really like.

Inevitably, the cost of the plan is going to go up regardless, whether next year, or the year after that. There's no way to keep paring the plan down every year so it remains at a constant $38/adult over the next ten years. Ergo, I'd rather create a plan that I like and is close to the way I/we eat even on vacation and then haggle over cost each year than start with an arbitrary cost and try to fit the components into the cost. I guess just the way I think.

Also, would Disney, Inc. be satisfied with just an extra $4-$5 increase for next year if they are wanting to boost profit on the Plan significantly in one year? Most people's TS meals I imagine are probably valued around $60, which makes an 18% tip over $10, more than twice the proposed increase. If Disney, Inc., were trying to squeeze more profit directly out of the plan, their accountants would probably not see this as a significant net gain for the Company considering $1 - $2 of the increase would be eaten up (pun intended) by the rate of inflation.

Also, even though it's really nice for each person to be able to get an appetizer and dessert, it really does waste alot of food; or makes us gluttons trying to finish it.

The only other option I see is if they reduce the no. of TS credits to be equal to half the nights paid for plus one (and rounded up), e.g., a 5 and 6-night stay would have 4 TS credits, while an 8 or 9-night stay would have 6 TS credits, with an offsetting increase in CS meals to cover the remaining meals.

-R

Edited to add, I'd really like the option to trade-in two (or three) CS-credits for a TS credit if I preferred. Actually, I'd really like the flexibility to just have so many points, say 10 points a day, with a list that says pretty much any food item under $5/$4 is 1 pt, certain CS restaurants are 3 points per meal, std TS restuarants are 6 pts per meal, deluxe TS restuarants are 10 pts, etc. You wouldn't have to worry about the specific price of a meal and how much money to bring, but it would definitely give a flexibility to those who don't like to be boxed into the one CS and on TS meal a day routine. Admit it would be a slight headache to those running the Plan initially, but in the long term would help Disney, Inc., control plan usage and costs a little more.

 

[HopperFan]

Take that CS dessert off.... Last Sept I thought the desserts offered were extremely limited and we ended up not eating half of them. Timing was such with CS that we were not that hungry. Noticed in April that the desserts at many places had been improved somewhat, but I still could go without it. When I am sitting for a nice TS meal, I like it included, I am eating slower and enjoying the event. I just don't need three desserts a day, if I make my snack a dessert. My elastic will only go so far !

As I said on another post, I suggest they re-evaluate the gratuity if they want to increase their profits. While I normally leave 18-20% for full table service. I think 18% on a buffet is way too much. I am doing most the work, why are they still getting the tip a full service server is getting. I'm actually starting to avoid the buffets, I'm tired of serving myself and being expected to tip the same.

 

[Lewisc]

Most character meals cost around $30, hence the $4-$5 figure. I doubt the average TS meal is valued at $60. I wouldn't be surprised, depending on the union negotiations, to see Disney follow the non-Disney restaurants and cap the tip at the restaurant reimbursement rate.

The point system make some logical sense but the current plan is simple. Disney could always go back to the way the former plan worked. Each "point" is worth a dollar. Guests paid something like $20 per day in exchange for $25 worth of food.

Also, would Disney, Inc. be satisfied with just an extra $4-$5 increase for next year if they are wanting to boost profit on the Plan significantly in one year? Most people's TS meals I imagine are probably valued around $60, which makes an 18% tip over $10, more than twice the proposed increase. If Disney, Inc., were trying to squeeze more profit directly out of the plan, their accountants would probably not see this as a significant net gain for the Company considering $1 - $2 of the increase would be eaten up (pun intended) by the rate of inflation.

Also, even though it's really nice for each person to be able to get an appetizer and dessert, it really does waste alot of food; or makes us gluttons trying to finish it.

The only other option I see is if they reduce the no. of TS credits to be equal to half the nights paid for plus one (and rounded up), e.g., a 5 and 6-night stay would have 4 TS credits, while an 8 or 9-night stay would have 6 TS credits, with an offsetting increase in CS meals to cover the remaining meals.

-R

Edited to add, I'd really like the option to trade-in two (or three) CS-credits for a TS credit if I preferred. Actually, I'd really like the flexibility to just have so many points, say 10 points a day, with a list that says pretty much any food item under $5/$4 is 1 pt, certain CS restaurants are 3 points per meal, std TS restuarants are 6 pts per meal, deluxe TS restuarants are 10 pts, etc. You wouldn't have to worry about the specific price of a meal and how much money to bring, but it would definitely give a flexibility to those who don't like to be boxed into the one CS and on TS meal a day routine. Admit it would be a slight headache to those running the Plan initially, but in the long term would help Disney, Inc., control plan usage and costs a little more.

 

[Katiebell]

Too late to add a choice to the poll, huh? My first choice would be, include either an appetizer or a dessert with the Table Service meal - not both.

I also think that's an excellent idea, and have suggested this as well. It definitely fits the way my husband and I eat at restaurants, sharing an appetizer, and sharing dessert -- he could order the appetizer with his meal, and I'd order dessert with mine.

If I could figure out how to edit a poll I'd fix my typos.

I didn't want to give too many options. I was also thinking of just offering soup or salad instead of an appetizer. I thought changing to an appetizer and dessert sampler for the table would probably reduce the cost, to Disney, by at least as much as offering only appetizer or dessert. A sampler platter would streamline the serving process and probably increase restaurant capacity. It's likely some guests at the table would be ordering appetizers and some would be ordering dessert. The time at the guests spend at the table would probably stay the same.

A sampler platter could be problematic depending on the number of guests at the table, and an appetizer like soup or salad is more difficult to share than say...bruchetta or spinach dip, or some other finger food that is already in individual bite sized pieces. But I also voted for that option only because it is closest to what kaytieeldr suggested.

If Disney does move to cap the tip to the Disney designated reimbursement rate, then for the first time, I'd agree that the DDP may adversely affect service -- because theoretically, a party of 5 could each order $50 worth of food (a $250 tab) and the server would only be tipped based on $25 worth of food per person (a $125 tab). That's not fair, and I don't think many guests would necessarily think to or want to or feel they should have to pay for an additional tip OOP. So, I could see the servers inwardly groaning when they find out a large, demanding party is on the DDP, because they will certainly get shorted on the tip.

 

[Disneyof3]

I voted for removing the dessert with the CS. The meals are big enough and the kids and adults (at least in our family) don't need or get dessert at lunch time. We let the kids get dessert at dinner but not every night. This March we kept the CS dessert for the next day as a snack during the day. I know if my DH was doing this pole he would choose the gratitude. He feels the tip reflects the service. The service sucks no tip, the service is great you will get a big one from us. I know the dining plan will increase (that's how life goes), but depending on how high it goes will reflect on alot of people willing to take it again or not. If it is just worth it then the price goes up some will opt not to do the dining plan and then disney will be out. I know we don't need while on vacation to eat alot of food and all sit down meals. Don't get me wrong I love TS meals but before the dining plan we only ate 3 TS in 6-7 days. Rest were CS and the kids were happy and not deprived. The TS that we did do were character meals too.

 

[fla4fun]

Maybe they need to add another level to the dining plan. They already have the premium with three TS meals, then the standard plan. Maybe increase the standard plan the $4-5, and then offer a "light" plan for the current price. Maybe the light plan would be just the CS meal and TS meal, but no snack. Or maybe it would be three CS meals, but no TS. Since so many people have raised concerns about the amount of food either eaten or wasted, I think a light option might appeal to them. It would also add more budgeting flexibility for trips, so if you were on a really tight budget, you could stay value, get base tickets, and get the light dining plan.

 

[Colleen27]

I really like the plan as is, and would happily pay more for it. It would still be worth it to us at $5 more, and even at $10 more I'd consider it. I wouldn't like changes to the TS set up - we like being able to order both appetizers and desserts, and making it either/or would make it too much like what we do when we're concerned with our spending. I wouldn't mind them dropping the CS desserts, because frankly most of the CS dessert offerings suck anyway and we don't bother with them, but I don't think that would be much of a difference in terms of profitability.

 

[Nancyg56]

Maybe they need to add another level to the dining plan. They already have the premium with three TS meals, then the standard plan.

I wish that this would happen. We would have liked an "all inclusive" meal plan but were not interested in all of the tours and extras that came with the Premium Plan. I would pay more in order to eat where I wanted any meal I wanted.

I really think that there plan works well for my family and would pay more to leave it the way it stands or to remove a CS dessert. I imagine that if Disney changes the plan too much or if the OOP expenses go up the incentive to purchase it will go down. I believe that the DDP is a carrot used to encourage guests to stay onsite and capture as much of their vacation dollar as possible. I believe that it has been effective but it is effective because the benefit provided to families is greater than the deficit. Once people factor gratuities into their meal budget they may decide to forgo the DDP and eat off site. They may then decide to stay off site as well.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I voted to increase the price.

I wouldn't want them to change the offerings. I agree many CS desserts are that great. However, just because they are included, doesn't mean you HAVE to take them.

I feel the same way about TS appetizers and desserts. We only order them if we know we're going to get them. If we're full after eating the entree, we pass on dessert.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who love having a dessert with their CS meal. We may skip the CS dessert in the parks, but always use it for ice cream at the water parks.

As for one appetizer or dessert per table, that would never work for my son and I. We don't share meals because we can never agree on what to order.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Maybe they need to add another level to the dining plan. They already have the premium with three TS meals, then the standard plan. Maybe increase the standard plan the $4-5, and then offer a "light" plan for the current price. Maybe the light plan would be just the CS meal and TS meal, but no snack. Or maybe it would be three CS meals, but no TS. Since so many people have raised concerns about the amount of food either eaten or wasted, I think a light option might appeal to them. It would also add more budgeting flexibility for trips, so if you were on a really tight budget, you could stay value, get base tickets, and get the light dining plan.

I really like this idea. When I am on vacation, I LIKE TO EAT!!! That is part of the fun of the whole thing for me. (Probably because on vacation, I forget that food leads to large hineyrumpus. But it's VACATION!) But, from the posts I see that not everyone likes to stuff themselves silly and a light plan would be great for them! But, I think it would have to include some TS meals, because I think that one of the reasons for the DDP was to increase capacity in the TS restaurants.
So, I voted for the price increase, just because I really don't want to see anything change! I love the all inclusiveness in the plan and I am really excited to try it next August when we are in the world! Even the gross CS snacks so I can come back on the boards and complain!!!