Quality and DDP? What do you think?

[asmit4]

I have been reading here and there about the DDP "changing dining"....that the restaurants aren't as good, that they are overpriced, the quality has gone down etc etc.

Do you think this is true or do you think that maybe some people just don't like the DDP taking up space. (for instance, locals that could get seats the week of, now have to book months out for a table due to the DDP.)

Have the menu's changed? What has changed? I thought they have had a version of the DDP for years so I don't get how things could have changed that much.

Anyone wanna shed some light?

 

[raidermatt]

The selection has definitely decreased. There are fewer unique dishes around. My opinion is that overall quality has taken a hit, but of course I can't prove something like that.

Yes, there have been various types of dining plans available before, but nothing so comprehensive as the current version.

 

[momomonster]

My impression is that the DDP made counter service less efficient because of all the questions both servers and register clerks had to answer about what was and what was not included with the plan.

The DDP affects table service due to all the reservations needed ahead of time, thus limiting the availablity and flexibility. I do not know how it affects service.

 

[raidermatt]

Good point about slowing down service, I forgot about that. On our last trip, there was one time where I waited several minutes for somebody in front of me to buy a bottle of soda using their credits.

 

[averill94]

I have been to WDW without the pland and with DDP-
I am definitely for the DDP- the only thing I feel has changed is the ADR and almost a necessity to have one.
The trips we went on without - the food always killed us- the plan helps us budget. Last trip we had wonderful servers for every meal except CP- he was kind of snippy ( I was shocked!)

As for the counter service- I always thought it was slow as molasses in the parks- and indeed it still is really slow- unless you go to Judy at the ABC Commissary- she really knows her stoff!@! They should use her as the model for CS cashiers!

 

[momomonster]

IMO, it was not the Disney staff than made the counter service slow. It was all the questions from those on DDP that made things slow as molasses. First they asked what was included, then they had to ask how much they would be paying OOP for this or that item. Last, it took time for them to decide if they wanted to pay OOP, etc. It really slowed things down.

 

[asmit4]

Why do people buy the DDP and then not know ahead of time what is and what is not included or how it works? How people plan a disney vacation without truly planning it is beyond me. sigh.....

I haven't ever done the DDP but we are doing it this time. I have had my lists of what snacks are included at each place printed for weeks. I have a list of all restaurants including CS and snack places that are on the DDP. I have maps with all the places on them. I have my list of top CS places for food that I want. I know that anything above 3.00 is most likely a deal on the DDP for a snack- and to try and only use credits for things closer to 4.00.

This isn't about "disney novices". I'm a novice- I haven't been since I was 21 and this is the first "adult" trip at disney for me. I'm not going into it blind. I'm planning it, figuring out the best times for things, how the FP's work...

 

[Tortuga Joy]

Both times we've been to Disney (yes, I know, I've only been twice! ) but we had the dining plan and it worked well for us. I did not have to worry about the boys, ages 16 & 14, having money on them to eat. They were able to pick most places for cs they wanted and then we met up sometimes for dinner.

The only downside was having to plan ahead but it was kind of fun planning. Getting back to the op's question though , yes, I've noticed the quality has taken somewhat of a nose dive as has quantity. Not that I want a huge plate of food but when you look at some of the pics of food here on the thread's....come on, if this were in Atlanta, Boston or any other city, the quantity not to mention food presentation for the price that is charged would be much better .

I just think that Disney is appealing to the masses . We pay the money to go to Disney and eat there and they are doing their job, sometimes minimal, in presentation, quality & quantity. Buy hey, I'd still do the DDP as it probably washes about even as to what we would spend. So I'm not complaining about the DDP just saying that I've noticed a decline in taste, quantity & presentation but honestly, I expected it to happen.

I mean, haven't you noticed all the desserts look the same ? Like they've all been molded in a pyrex cup ?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . The selection has definitely decreased. There are fewer unique dishes around. My opinion is that overall quality has taken a hit . . .

1) Sadly, but I agree !
2) Now, we eat at only five table service eateries in WDW.
3) And, three of those are not Disney-owned.

 

[inaminute]

I have been reading here and there about the DDP "changing dining"....that the restaurants aren't as good, that they are overpriced, the quality has gone down etc etc.

The table service restaurants aren't as good. The food is only mediocre, the prices are ridiculous for what you get, there are fewer choices, and the service is only so-so.

We won't use the DDP again. It wasn't worth it to have to plan our entire vacation around where we were going to eat and then have the meal be disappointing.

We're going later this month. I have one ADR at Raglan Road. We're not planning to eat at any other Disney restaurant (well, maybe ESPN over by Boardwalk, but that's it). We'll do counter service or snacks at WDW, then eat our table service meals off site.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Why do people buy the DDP and then not know ahead of time what is and what is not included or how it works? How people plan a disney vacation without truly planning it is beyond me. sigh.....

I haven't ever done the DDP but we are doing it this time. I have had my lists of what snacks are included at each place printed for weeks. I have a list of all restaurants including CS and snack places that are on the DDP. I have maps with all the places on them. I have my list of top CS places for food that I want. I know that anything above 3.00 is most likely a deal on the DDP for a snack- and to try and only use credits for things closer to 4.00.

This isn't about "disney novices". I'm a novice- I haven't been since I was 21 and this is the first "adult" trip at disney for me. I'm not going into it blind. I'm planning it, figuring out the best times for things, how the FP's work...

Not everyone is a disboarder. To me disboards has been the thing that has allowed me to become informed about WDW/DL and become the obsessive planner I am. Frankly, if Disney were to really give the full story on the DDP by saying something like: "Make your reservations 180 days if you want to eat at our most popular places, expect long waits, go on allearsnet and find out what's included and expect at times to be confused or around others who are confused" would anybody buy that? They sell it as a meal plan, advise you to make ADR's, give you some general information and then their duty is done. If you are a disboarder, know a Disney addict who can help you, use a TA or stumble on this website or another such as allears, you are in luck. Otherwise you are going in thinking you have done all you can, pre purcahsed yoru tickets, meals, and room and probably think you are very prepared. People can only make use of the information they know how to get.

Not everyone has the time or inclination to research their vacations and many of them still have a wonderful time! Last minute ADR's do exist, you don't need to call 180 days out to get the vast majority of ADR's and since the Disney Dining number is given to you when you book a pkg., most probably know to call at some point. In the end, for the most, part everyone I see appears to be having a marvelous time and who knows how much planning they put into that. I don't find the waits at the cs places much worse than they used to be, and frankly I have no problem if my wait is maybe 5-10 minutes longer. The DDP is a fact of life, I have used it, not used it, gone before and after its inception and my overall feeling is that WDW is still a great place to vacation and eat.

I think the DDP is one factor in the way things are around WDW now. But to me the bigger picture is the rise in park attendance in general. I find very much the same atmospher at the Disneyland restaurants, you can't be as last minute anymore and DL doesn't have a DDP. They have a meal plan that practially nobody purchases. And DL is way more crowded too. Disney and the travel industry in general are hopping right now. The DDP is just one of the things Disney has come up with to market their product.

I like the DDP, but my kids are only 10 and 12 and paying that much for that much food is not great for us. I do think some of the menu's have changed a bit, WCC comes to mind but the buffets haven't changed in my experience. I do feel sorry for the locals who can't get the last minute ADR's they used to, but again, the parks are more crowded with DDP'ers and non DDP guests. So who knows? I think in the end, if you find the DDP really cramps your WDW vacation style, you should just find somewhere else to spend your money or do what one of the posters on this thread is doing: go to WDW but eat many meals offsite.

 

[abolanwoski]

Frankly, if Disney were to really give the full story on the DDP by saying something like: "Make your reservations 180 days if you want to eat at our most popular places, expect long waits, go on allearsnet and find out what's included and expect at times to be confused or around others who are confused" would anybody buy that? They sell it as a meal plan, advise you to make ADR's, give you some general information and then their duty is done.

In addition, Disney doesn't do anything to be nice - this is a huge money-maker for them. Just think, people think they are getting a great deal when they get free dining, even thought they pay rack rate for a room (maybe works out if you're a family of 4 in a value, certainly not a good deal for a couple in a Deluxe) and they get higher occupancy rates during "low" season. Then, everyone makes ADRs to ensure they can use their credits, increasing restaurant occ rates, and making it easier for WDW to plan. Also, those who don't know to make ADRs lose credits bacause you can't walk-in to TS anymore (money in Dsiney pockets) And now Disney ups their prices and dumbs down the menu, since so many are using DDP, only a minority will notice and those on DDP will think they're getting an EVEN BETTER deal. Now they change the DDP to exclude appie and tip, but don't decrease the price or improve food quality. Again, great for them, not so great for us. As with all fringe benefits, this one is just about due to implode. I don't care so much about the ridiculous prices, but I really miss the quality of the food that used to be served at Disney. I don't want to have to go to V&A everytime I want a decent meal.

 

[Amy&Dan]

In addition, Disney doesn't do anything to be nice - this is a huge money-maker for them. Just think, people think they are getting a great deal when they get free dining, even thought they pay rack rate for a room (maybe works out if you're a family of 4 in a value, certainly not a good deal for a couple in a Deluxe) and they get higher occupancy rates during "low" season. Then, everyone makes ADRs to ensure they can use their credits, increasing restaurant occ rates, and making it easier for WDW to plan. Also, those who don't know to make ADRs lose credits bacause you can't walk-in to TS anymore (money in Dsiney pockets) And now Disney ups their prices and dumbs down the menu, since so many are using DDP, only a minority will notice and those on DDP will think they're getting an EVEN BETTER deal. Now they change the DDP to exclude appie and tip, but don't decrease the price or improve food quality. Again, great for them, not so great for us. As with all fringe benefits, this one is just about due to implode. I don't care so much about the ridiculous prices, but I really miss the quality of the food that used to be served at Disney. I don't want to have to go to V&A everytime I want a decent meal.

I see what you are saying, but honestly, I find there are some great meals still available at WDW. I have no problem with Disney making their money. In the end, nobody is forcing anyone to spend their money and thus line Disney's pocket. I do agree that "Free" Dining is not free but man oh man, try telling that to somebody who is convinced it is! I once had a poster tell me Disney was paying them to come and eat.

I just again want to say, that imho, the DDP with its pluses and minuses is one part of the fact that there is higher park attendance. I don't like the new way its being presented, so I won't be buying it. My family can eat cheaper by ordering what we can eat, sharing some meals and eating offsite occasionally. That works for us. For others, the DDP is a wonderful convenience and money saving and budget tool. I can't help but wonder if Disney will still have as many takers for the DDP with the new changes.

 

[simonkodousek]

The 2007 DDP was excellent. It included 1 TS (appitizer, entree, dessert, beverage + tip), 1 CS (entree, dessert, or combo meal), and 1 snack per person per night. However, the current dining plan eliminates the appitizer and tip, plus the portions are smaller and there isn't as big of a selection. So, in 2008 the DDP is practically worthless.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The 2007 DDP was excellent. It included 1 TS (appitizer, entree, dessert, beverage + tip), 1 CS (entree, dessert, or combo meal), and 1 snack per person per night. However, the current dining plan eliminates the appitizer and tip, plus the portions are smaller and there isn't as big of a selection. So, in 2008 the DDP is practically worthless.

I completely agree with that! I have been a big defender of the DDP up to the 2008 version. I think that the menus were reduced because the parks were full, so there was less incentive to feed people whopping portions from unique menus, they were coming in droves anyway, so why bother and I do concede the DDP made dining at WDW so popular that again, they felt comfortable slowly but surely reducing some of the menus and portions. But with the 2008 plan, to me, the only thing that makes it worthwhile is the convenience and ability to pay for your meals in advance. I still will vacation at WDW 1-2 times per year, but I won't be purchasing the DDP anymore.

 

[gina2000]

As an OOP diner, I can tell you how the DDP changed the face of menus. First off, menus have become less original and more homoginized. Preparations have become streamlined and exotic ingredients have been eliminated from dishes. Portions have been greatly reduced and the overall quality has taken a hit.

The DDP represents value if you plan to eat onsite and do not have a car or if you don't want to try non-participating WDW restaurants. We have the capability of eating offsite or eating at non-WDW restaurants so we do so. If you compare the quality of food at 1 credit WDW restaurants verses offsite, WDW restaurants are okay, not great but okay. But when you compare the OOP prices, you'll see a huge difference. WDW prices have skyrocketed with the quality plunging. And here's another problem. WDW portions were always large. I could go into a restaurant, share an appetizer with my family, order an entree and skip dessert. Once WDW started reducing portion sizes, we could no longer eat that way. OOP prices not only went up but sharing capability went down. So as OOP diners, we got socked on both ends.

I love busy restaurants. I come from a busy area and to me, the hustle and bustle are atmospheric. I also am a planner and don't mind making ADRs in advance. If I don't feel like having a meal, I skip an ADR. But if you're on the DDP and skip a meal, it's money lost. And if the restaurants are pretty well filled, you're wasting a lot of time figuring out last minute which restaurants have openings where. People here always say there are usually openings at some restaurants at WDW....and then name hotel restaurants.....usually not the hotel you're staying at and not one close to a park. So that's more time wasted.

When it's all said and done, the DDP works for WDW and for a segment of the visiting patrons. It doesn't work for me. I don't know how many others it doesn't work for but with the change in the pricing structure and the overall dissatisfaction with the food, I wouldn't be surprised if it's much easier to get a last minute ADR at WDW next year.

 

[barndweller]

Very well said, Gina. We don't use the plan because it makes no sense for 2 older adults who would rarely use snack or CS credits. We choose to stay onsite & do without a car. The unique TS dining used to be a major reason we chose WDW for a vacation.

Although I wouldn't say that all the blame for the deterioration of the dining at Disney can be put on DDP, I feel sure it has been a major factor. WDW has lost much of the appeal for us as a vacation destination. Since we are being forced to rent a car to find great dining choices off-site now, we may as well stay off-site as well. Since we also have to fly across the country, I think our vacation dollars will be taking us to other destinations from now on.