Rant: The DDP is ruining everything!

[S.Poppins]

Bets are still open!

 

[rcraw45425]

We noticed the portion thing back in April. We always eat one meal at Nine Dragons, it's kind of a given for us. We (family of four, no DDP, AP holders) in the past were able to order the family dinner for two with an extra order of egg rolls. It wasn't a cost thing, it was the fact that there was so much food. Well, this time we almost didn't have enough. Our Sesame chicken only had 12 bites on the plate, which remained the same size. Luckily, we supplimented by having dessert at the French pastry shop . Oh yeah, this dinner still cost us close to $70 with tip, even using the DDE card. Does this mean we won't dine there anymore? No, it jsut means that we will now be forced to order an extra meal, taking us over the $100 mark for chinese. Luckily, I bought the Disney cookbook so we can make the Honey sesame chicken at home now!

 

[disneyfan61]

My family likes buffets. You can get as much as you want. We did the DP in April. It is just way too much food. This coming trip we will not be doing the DP as we bought our park tickets separate before prices went up. We will do CP, Boma & a few others but then do some counter service.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just have to interject here. I tried the DDP for the first time this past August and truthfully it was an insane amount of food. We have decided to do it again for our next trip as it pays for us. Personally- as far as the kids meals go- my kids get sick of eating mac and cheese and chicken nuggets for every meal. They are young and they like to eat the same food we do. I am glad there are more choices. We eat lots of junk on vacation that we wouldn't normally eat but I do like them to at least have a decent meal that is at least somewhat healthy. Some may disagree that kids "LOVE" that junk food and of course they do- but 7 or so days of just that is too much IMO and my kids as well as many who I have spoken to like variety. Just wanted to say that some of us are very happy with the new kids menu choices.

 

[Kay1]

Anyone want to take bets on how long before this thread is locked?

These threads always escalate quickly . There are 2 distinct camps on this issue. The "Oh no, the DDP (short for WDW food stamp program) is ruining Disney world" camp and the "We love the DDP because we like to eat and it saves us money" camp. Both sides of this issue are very passionate, so this makes for an interesting (though redundent) debate.

I am going to be hopeful and say 6 pages.

If what you say is true and their are two camps, maybe there should be two menus. I don't think there will be because I believe Disney uses the DDP to create false demand thus allowing inflated prices. I'm not being a snob. There are people on this thread who admit they wouldn't or couldn't eat at TS restaurants without the DDP.

 

[mrsltg]

The plan has lowered the quality of food. It had to. Disney is not going to loose money on the deal, and if they were, they'd stop doing it. I am using the DDP for the second time when we go in December. It makes financial sense as there aren't two menus - one for DDP, one for everyone else. As long as I am paying I want the perception that I am saving money. I realize it's just that, a perception, though. The food is worth less and I am being charged more.

 

[keishashadow]

quick muffy...bar the door...the free dining/DP guests are @ the gate .

with a few exceptions we don't consider WDW dining to be "a fine dining experience"...we do expect large portions (oink, oink), basic, well-prepared food & gracious service.

We've visited 4 times since the DP has been instituted & have noticed all of the above considerations have suffered, especially the service (due to automatic gratuity).

Interestingly, we have found that servers seem surprised when we pay OOP...few have comented that most guests are on the DP, making it difficult for "locals" to spontaneously enjoy a meal.

We do enjoy the cost savings of the DP, especially since we're DVC & don't have to pay rack rate/even AAA pkg to utilize. Other than the selection on the buffets, the menus do seem to be getting very limited; even the CS have cut back (no rotissere chicken @ Starlight Rays or Bread Bowl for Chowder @ Columbia Harbor).

Small inconveniences but, WDW is know for their attention to detail; disturbing to see it becoming so homogenized.

 

[lillygator]

I am not a fan of DDP either. I used to love dining at the World. Now, not so much. Look at all the threads talking about how to take advantage, get the most for your money, etc. It's really kind of sad.

 

[dizfanz]

Let me preface by saying my wife and I never use DDP. We are foodies and we like going where we want at whatever time and making an ADR 6 months before our trip will never happen. As it has been pointed out in the past, the DDP was started as another incentive to stay at a WDW resort. It replaced resort/ticket discounts essentially. It is another way to get people to stay at a Disney resort. In WDW's mind, the longer someone spends time on property, the more they spend with Disney. You wanna bet that hotel gift shops have seen an increase in profit since DDP has been around. How about arcades, bike/boat rentals, etc...? As long as attendance is up, DDP is unlikely to go away. Sure maybe years down the road it will not be as popular as it once was, and then they move on to the next incentive. But Disney has seen an increase on the bottom line since they implemented it. Now, how do you increase your profits for the stockholders next year? (and stockholders need to see profits go up year-to-year) If attendance does not go up, something must be down to increase profit. Squeeze more out of the program. How? The Walmart effect. Instead of restaurants A and B ordering say salmon at $10/pound(completely hypothetical price for illustration pruposes), you can put it on the menu at 20 restaurants and buy it for $5/pound. Now, imagine that times how many items have been duplicated at how many restaurants per day, 365 days a year! Sure the new kids menu is healthy, but is also identical at every restaurant.

Conclusion: we do not like the DDP, but it seems to be around for a while. Us foodies can gripe all we want, but I think Bob is too busy counting the money to hear us out.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney has standardized the bar menus
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1258248 and the dining plan has nothing to do with that.

The new children's menu is more expensive. That change isn't because of the dining plan.

Some of the changes may be due to the dining plan but standardization of menus isn't just motivated by the dining plan.

The Swan/Dolphin has 2, soon to be 3, nice restaurants for guests looking for a different dining experience.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If what you say is true and their are two camps, maybe there should be two menus. I don't think there will be because I believe Disney uses the DDP to create false demand thus allowing inflated prices. I'm not being a snob. There are people on this thread who admit they wouldn't or couldn't eat at TS restaurants without the DDP.

I don't get this. How can it be 'false' demand when the tables are actually being booked and used, and the food is actually being ordered and eaten? That looks like true demand to me. Now, is Disney using the DDP to create business for its (and its contracted) table service restaurants? Sure.
I think the DDP is great - but I'm not likely to use it again because, as has been indicated here and in other threads, it really is too much food. On the other hand, I plan to eat at some of the same restaurants on upcoming trips and pay out of pocket, that I did while on the DDP. Why? Because now I know I like the food - and the service. Will I have a TS meal every day? Hardly. That's my choice.

 

[Local_Girl]

Hmmmm...these reports are disheartening. As our family stays offsite, I have read with interest various DISer's opinions (especially those who visit WDW often) regarding the impact of the DDP on dining at Disney. We had hoped to try some new TS restaurants on our trip next year, but reports of poor service, declining food quality, and crowded restaurants are making me rethink that plan. If we did stay onsite, we would probably use the DDP for the potential (perceived?) value, but as we stay offsite, we don't have that option. I guess we'll seriously consider some offsite restaurants and having more meals in the condo.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Hmmmm...these reports are disheartening. As our family stays offsite, I have read with interest various DISer's opinions (especially those who visit WDW often) regarding the impact of the DDP on dining at Disney. We had hoped to try some new TS restaurants on our trip next year, but reports of poor service, declining food quality, and crowded restaurants are making me rethink that plan. If we did stay onsite, we would probably use the DDP for the potential (perceived?) value, but as we stay offsite, we don't have that option. I guess we'll seriously consider some offsite restaurants and having more meals in the condo.

Same for us. We are offsite folks (using parents' timeshare weeks), and we do plan on eating meals in the condo, taking our own snacks and water into the parks, and eating light at CS. Yes we do have a few specific ADRs we are making 6 months in advance, but beyond those we are going to avoid TS restaurants. We will have a car and won't spend all day, every day in the parks - we plan to take advantage of some of the interesting Orlando restaurants. And there will be times when we might just bring our own sandwich into a park, if we don't plan to stay during a meal time, or if we know we will be waiting for a while for a show/parade/fireworks - might as well eat our home-made meal while we wait!

 

[Kay1]

I don't get this. How can it be 'false' demand when the tables are actually being booked and used, and the food is actually being ordered and eaten? That looks like true demand to me. Now, is Disney using the DDP to create business for its (and its contracted) table service restaurants? Sure.
I think the DDP is great - but I'm not likely to use it again because, as has been indicated here and in other threads, it really is too much food. On the other hand, I plan to eat at some of the same restaurants on upcoming trips and pay out of pocket, that I did while on the DDP. Why? Because now I know I like the food - and the service. Will I have a TS meal every day? Hardly. That's my choice.

It's false because people (as some here have stated) probably wouldn't line up to pay these prices for the product if they had to open their wallets and fork out cash. I can't prove that the average Joe would balk at paying $20 for their 12-year-old's lunch, but, from talking to others and reading these boards, I think it's true.

IOW, I believe Disney is using the DDP to maintain pricing power in their just as they do with their hotel rooms. The rack rates are high and, like all businesses, they'll do anything to keep from lowering them, so they have Ap discounts, Florida residents discounts, AAA discounts . . .That's what I meant.

Now, because of the nature of the DDP )the need to stay onsite and other requirements) a lot people won't qualify for it, especially locals. If Disney really is abbreviating the menu, reducing portion sizes, cutting back on special touches, and raising prices due to the DDP, these people will suffer. That's why I suggested two menus.

 

[dpic]

We don't do the DDP either. For us it's just isn't cost effective. On our next trip, we stay five nights (or our seven) at a Disney hotel. So, that's $800 for the dining plan (2 adults, 2 kids older than 9). We'll eat at Boma and 'Ohana those will come to about $260--$540 left. Lunch at LeChefs--$90, $450 left. Breakfast at Kona twice--$120 leaving $330 for whatever counter service and snacks during those five days. CS for us runs about $30, and we'll have about 3 of those. Other times we'll eat in our room (we try to crash in our room every mid-day), or hit a snack when we need a boost. So, we'll save around $100 (at least), and we'll eat in some very nice places and have plenty of food.

I think one of the deal breakers for us is that we love breakfast at Kona. I have a hard time using DDP credits for breakfast. I know some just pay OOP for breakfast, but for me that defeats the purpose of the whole thing.

 

[deltachi8]

I love the DDP, its the only reason I have stayed on site the last two visits.

 

[Leota]

It seems to me the point of this thread is not whether you use the DDP or not, it isn't even if the DDP is cost effective for you - The rant of this thread is how the DDP is effecting the Disney Dining Experience, ie. portion size, menu creativity & offerings, service etc....

I think even if you use the DDP & love it, maybe you can see the point that the Disney Dining experience is shifting towards a very homogenized, profit margin inspired experience. Again, this is more apparent to those who have been to WDW & eat at TS on a regular basis. Maybe not so apparent to those who haven't done as much TS / or WDW trips.

I would LOVE to see 2 seperate menus, 1 for OOP & 1 for DDP. It'll never happen, but it would be fair.

 

[Laurafoster]

I disagree with DDP being cost effective. In many cases yes but i for one rarely pay rack rate for a room! DDP is basically a way of forcing people to pay rack rate for a room and to buy a package with Disney tickets at Disney prices! This time for example ive got a 30% discount approx meaning im saving $100 per day. There are only 2 of us so therefore i work it out as the DDP would actually be costing us $90 per day! Now a CS meal is not more that $15pp, meaning i would need to be spending $75 on an evening meal! maybe ok for 1 or 2 days but certainly not for many more.

As for DDP ruining the dining experience i do in part agree. The menus are far less varied than they used to be and apparently more changes are in store. The portion sizes have been reduced and its far far harder to get ADR's for the date, time and location of your choice!

I do however see the business sense in it, as from Disney's perspective they are filling up more restaurant seats therefore more people that are likely to buy extra drinks ie alcohol! and if they reduce the cost of the meals to fall better inline with how much DDP is really costing.

 

[lillygator]

It seems to me the point of this thread is not whether you use the DDP or not, it isn't even if the DDP is cost effective for you - The rant of this thread is how the DDP is effecting the Disney Dining Experience, ie. portion size, menu creativity & offerings, service etc....

I think even if you use the DDP & love it, maybe you can see the point that the Disney Dining experience is shifting towards a very homogenized, profit margin inspired experience. Again, this is more apparent to those who have been to WDW & eat at TS on a regular basis. Maybe not so apparent to those who haven't done as much TS / or WDW trips.

I would LOVE to see 2 seperate menus, 1 for OOP & 1 for DDP. It'll never happen, but it would be fair.

I would love to see 2 seperate menus as well.

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

After years mired in mediocrity, WDW finally became a dining destination. We looked forward to our trips there because of it the innovative menus, unique atmosphere and soliticous service of the signature restaurants. The food was even becoming edible at the MK!

But now, the DDP is dragging everything down the tubes in the name of the almighty buck!

First, you can't do takeout at Olivia's anymore. Now, they are balking even at you taking your leftovers home!

There used to be real variety at the restaurants. Now, they are all taking on similar menus...and many items are THE SAME!

They used to actually like kids at Disney... hence, all the kid-friendly food. Now, in a move couched in "healthy" PR, they've rolled out a kids menu that won't appeal to many kids!


This is making SICK! DDP, please go away, and give us back our QUALITY and CHOICES!

I totally agree with everything you've said and you said it perfectly!!! Finally, Disney World was becomming a dining destination for a "foodie" like me, but they are starting to ruin it and I also blame the dining plan.