Price Increase-Crystal Palace, $30.99

[rapriebe]

Wow, I was at Crystal Palace last night and was surprised when I received the bill. When I made my reservation 2 weeks ago the price was $27.99 but when we received our bill it was $30.99. Plus it will increase again when the Holiday Surcharge kicks in. I called this morning and they said there was a price increase the first of December. WDWInfo (link to Dining at top of this page) needs to update their site also because it still shows $27.99. Not sure if I'm going to keep my reservation for January because that's pretty expensive for dinner. Yes it's only $3 per person but it adds up especially when I'm not really interested in character dining; just like the food at Crystal Palace. Yes, I also realize that prices are not guaranteed when the reservations are made but I wanted others to be aware of the increase.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We always do the latest sitting for lunch Crystal Palace and this keeps us full through dinner. The price is less ($20.99) and if we want a snack later in the evening (like a dole whip) we are not too full to eat it. We do the same for lunch in Germany ($19.99) in Epcot. This way we have room later in the evening for some pasteries from France. These prices might have gone up also but still less expensive then dinner prices.

Linda

 

[rapriebe]

We always do the latest sitting for lunch Crystal Palace and this keeps us full through dinner. The price is less ($20.99) and if we want a snack later in the evening (like a dole whip) we are not too full to eat it. We do the same for lunch in Germany ($19.99) in Epcot. This way we have room later in the evening for some pasteries from France. These prices might have gone up also but still less expensive then dinner prices.

Linda

That's a good idea but I wonder what they leave out from the dinner meal. Has anyone ate at both sittings (dinner and lunch) to know what is there at dinner that is missing from lunch??

 

[autumnpalm]

Wow, it is getting expensive! I'm wondering if part of the reason they are starting to charge more for CP is because they've eliminated characters from LTT... meaning people will be willing to pay more for a character meal when it is the only choice they have.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I wonder just how high Disney will be able to push the price of these meals up? What will it be with the holiday surcharge added on soon? There is no way I would pay OOP for some of these meals, but then again it can make the DDP look really good!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

That's a good idea but I wonder what they leave out from the dinner meal. Has anyone ate at both sittings (dinner and lunch) to know what is there at dinner that is missing from lunch??

I know they only have the peel and eat shrimp at dinner. That's the only thing I remember as being different.

 

[rillsung]

We always do lunch as well where we can - some places are only open for dinner... I think they'll push prices higher since it encourages people to get the dining plan and think that the dining plan is worthwhile.

 

[Doctor P]

I'm pretty sure that holiday pricing is in effect for MVMCP as well. Last night was a MVMCP night, so I think that also could be an explanation.

 

[rapriebe]

I'm pretty sure that holiday pricing is in effect for MVMCP as well. Last night was a MVMCP night, so I think that also could be an explanation.

I was not there last night, I was there on Wednesday night which was not a party night. Holiday surcharges do not start until December 16 and I have never heard of putting the surcharge in place during the party. I actually wanted to go to CP on a party night since the crowds are lower during the late afternoon in the park but there was nothing available. The CM specifically stated that there was no surcharge until December 16.

 

[ElizabethB]

We were at WDW a month ago and I noted numerous price increases at the Disney restaurants. The salmon at Artist Point is now $34.99. A comparable piece of salmon at Shula's is $27.99.

It seems to me WDW is (i) trying to prove to people on the DDP what a good value the DDP is, and (ii) push the OOP-paying holdouts into the DDP.

Also, I think a strategy is going on pursuant to which Disney is seriously discounting the on-site hotels -- and will continue to do so, but pushing up restaurant prices in the hopes that once people are on site, they'll say, "Oh, what the heck, we're here and we got a good deal on the hotel, so let's not worry about the price of the food." Who knows. Could work. Disney has some of the best marketers in the industry.

For me, I'm as happy having salmon at Shula's as I am having it at Artist Point, so no problem there. I'll just go to Shula's. I'm actually happier at Shula's since the restaurant isn't full of noisy kids.

As for WDW Buffets at $30.99 (or more during holidays). Well, let's just say pigs (or buffet hams!) will fly before I pay that for mediocre buffet food (and no prime rib anymore!).

 

[Bethann23]

Thanks for the information....

 

[Hootch]

prime rib on the buffet Wednesday?

I don't know if CP will be on th our list for this upcoming trip. I might substitute Boma. The kids are getting older and we'll still have a couple of character meals.

 

[jamstew]

I wonder just how high Disney will be able to push the price of these meals up? What will it be with the holiday surcharge added on soon? There is no way I would pay OOP for some of these meals, but then again it can make the DDP look really good!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought the $30.99 that I paid last week was the holiday surcharged price

 

[disneypolybride2008]

the higher prices make the tip you have to give higher too, so too bad the dining plan didnt still pay for that part. $35 for a holiday dinner is a lot, with low fat macaroni and cheese and no prime rib. yikes! where's the pixie dust?

 

[Allison]

the higher prices make the tip you have to give higher too, so too bad the dining plan didnt still pay for that part. $35 for a holiday dinner is a lot, with low fat macaroni and cheese and no prime rib. yikes! where's the pixie dust?

Pixie dust for what?

 

[princesswendy720]

prime rib on the buffet Wednesday?

I don't know if CP will be on th our list for this upcoming trip. I might substitute Boma. The kids are getting older and we'll still have a couple of character meals.

They did away with Prime Rib at ALL WDW buffets recently. There was a thread about it not too long ago.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

:

I thought the $30.99 that I paid last week was the holiday surcharged price

I don't know, I thought the OP said it was'nt. Who knows?

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

Are places Restaurants doing away with prime rib? I thought I saw something some where where some Disney Restaurants are stopping prime rib. I am still not sure where we are going to make our MK Ressies atfor the first day when we go in June and our thinking about CP. Since many people like CP. I haven't taken notice to price changes yet since it doesn't do a think fo us till june. But now I am going to keep an eye on price changes thanks for the information.

 

[rapriebe]

I thought the $30.99 that I paid last week was the holiday surcharged price

Jamie,
Yeah that's what I thought initially when I received the bill. But I knew that it didn't start until the 16th. Rather then ask the server I just called Disney Dining the next morning and they told me about the price increase to $30.99.

 

[GrouchyDwarves]

Too bad-- all these price increases and removal of foods make me sad.