Quick Service Dining plan now $39.99?

[Kitten<3Duck]

I couldn't really find this anywhere after doing a couple searches...
I called Disney today to add quick service dining to my reservation and I was a little surprised by the amount I was quoted since I had come up with something significantly less. I asked the cm to break down the numbers and she said it was now $39.99 per person per night. If this is the case then there is definitely no way to justify the cost of the plan. I already ran through the numbers and $34.99 was just about breaking even... thus my decision to just go with it to eliminate any "money" stress while there.
Has anyone else seen this anywhere? The Disney site is no help and all the major Disney information sites still list $34.99. I'm holding onto the thin thread of hope that maybe she was incorrect (but I doubt it).

 

[Kitten<3Duck]

Called again to speak with another agent and again I was told it is now $39.99. I went on the Disney site and added dining to a dummy reservation and got the same number I was getting using $34.99. I told the agent this, knowing I wasn't really going to get much of a helpful reply, and was just told they don't break it down into component pricing.

 

[tomater59]

Sorry I can't answer this for you, but I've been debating this plan for the past two days. If it is indeed $39.99 I definitely will NOT be choosing the Quick Service Plan as I honestly think after looking at the menus that I can spend less than $15 on two meals a day. I don't need dessert at every meal. I've got a request into my travel agent to see what the difference would be in our plan if we take the DDP off. Just curious to see how much it would be. I know prices have increased since the last time I was there but most days I was able to spend under $40 a day for everything I ate during the day. I think I will drop it and take my chances. I decided to keep track of what I spend on food so if I am lucky enough to get to go again I will have a better idea on what to do.

 

[Kitten<3Duck]

Sorry I can't answer this for you, but I've been debating this plan for the past two days. If it is indeed $39.99 I definitely will NOT be choosing the Quick Service Plan as I honestly think after looking at the menus that I can spend less than $15 on two meals a day. .

I ran through a couple sample days as I know our dining history and I came out with a number that was about even with $35. I just wanted to stress a little less with things and not worry about any numbers on the trip... have things taken care of. We had free quick service dining last trip and actually really loved the dining plan.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Wow, $39.99, that's surprising! I thought they dropped the 2nd Snack credit so they wouldn't raise the price. So now they raise the price as well. I don't see it making financial sense to get the QSDP for $40/day. If you deduct one snack it leaves you with about $18 or so per meal. Most CS meals don't cost that, especially if you don't get dessert. And really, how many of those pre-packaged desserts would you get? Not many, unless it was included.

Of course there are locations that have better desserts, but most of the park locations don't.

Even at $35/day it was still a push for most people. Figuring about $16/CS meal.

I think the first time we got DDP, in Jan. 05, it was $35 or so (no more than $39). And that inc. appetizer, entree, dessert, and tip. I know prices have gone up but that's a big difference in 7 years. Now the reg. DDP is almost $52 (per allears) and no appetizer or tip. Pretty soon they will price themselves right out of the market.

Oh, and I know the refillable mug is included so if you want to factor it for a week long trip figure about $2/day.

Of course, I will always get it for free. As long as they keep offering it.
(and yes I know it's not really free since you have to pay rack rate but with 2 A and one 12 y/o I save about $120/night which is way more than any discount I'll ever see at POP. (more than most nights cost)

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I thought they had different seasons on the DDP just like they do with room rates. Maybe that accounts for the difference in prices?

 

[Kitten<3Duck]

I thought they had different seasons on the DDP just like they do with room rates. Maybe that accounts for the difference in prices?

They told me the price change went into effect January 1st of this year. I'd guess that means for the entire year.

I also took the time to 'dummy' up some reservations on the Disney site for the same time we're going, 9 days/8 nights, add on the dining plan, calculate the difference... yep, ends up being $35 a person per night (pre-tax) every time. I had my boyfriend do it too just to make sure I wasn't doing it wrong or missing something. He got the same results.

I actually did find a thread about this same issue from last year, actually. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2669847

I'm really not sure what conclusion I want to make about the discrepancy.

 

[Albytaps]

Disney is going to shoot themselves in the foot if they keep this up.

 

[POOHsie]

They told me the price change went into effect January 1st of this year. I'd guess that means for the entire year.

I also took the time to 'dummy' up some reservations on the Disney site for the same time we're going, 9 days/8 nights, add on the dining plan, calculate the difference... yep, ends up being $35 a person per night (pre-tax) every time. I had my boyfriend do it too just to make sure I wasn't doing it wrong or missing something. He got the same results.

I actually did find a thread about this same issue from last year, actually. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2669847

I'm really not sure what conclusion I want to make about the discrepancy.

The sticky at the top of the page by TDC Nala, "2012 Dining Plan Prices and Brochure (NEW 11/2/11 BROCHURE: New restaurants added)" explains the costs for 2012 Disney Dining Plans. The 2012 QSDP price is $34.99 all year, no Peak Season up-charge. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2769703

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. When you add the paid dining plan to your reservations, the $34.99 charge/day is not taxed (in your reservation calculations). The taxes applied to your reservation are 12.5% for hotel stay (All Stars - 13%), and 6.5% for tickets.

Your dining plan cost of $34.99 (QSDP) pays the 6.5% tax on actual covered charges at the time of your food purchase. If you were charged tax on your reservation for the dining plan, you would be paying tax twice. That is my understanding.

 

[icc2515]

Called again to speak with another agent and again I was told it is now $39.99. I went on the Disney site and added dining to a dummy reservation and got the same number I was getting using $34.99. I told the agent this, knowing I wasn't really going to get much of a helpful reply, and was just told they don't break it down into component pricing.

I would just book the reservation on the website. Once you finish, as long as your total matches what you think it should they will not charge you more.

I thought I had read on here that they were going to start charging a $5.00 peak season fee.

Edit:
Found it. The fee was only for TS plans and was only about $3.

 

[Kitten<3Duck]

I would just book the reservation on the website. Once you finish, as long as your total matches what you think it should they will not charge you more.

Unfortunately the vacation is booked already. Any changes made to the reservation - in this case adding the dining plan - has to be done over the phone.

UPDATE! Just as I was typing this a rep from Disney called me!

He did the math too and came to the same number I did. I was able to have the dining plan added for the proper amount - $34.99, not $39.99. He said he wasn't sure what the problem was, or how the sales reps were coming up with their totals. Now, I'm guessing it probably *is* known, but I'm not going to worry too much about it at this point.

My advice to anyone is to book the darn plan at the time of the original reservation!!!

 

[Albytaps]

Well that's good.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We did the QSDP when it was new in 2009 and around $30 per person. I thought it was a good deal. But now it's $5 more per night and we lose a snack? The two snacks was the big draw for us. Now my husband won't even consider it. I'm going OOP and I'm nervous!

 

[FloridaFun]

I agree that Disney is pricing themselves way too high with the dining plan now. Especially since I will now have an 11 year old and 10 year old this summer. They both will be adults in the eyes of Disney and both of them can't even finish a kids meal, so dining plan is totally out for my family.