Rant: The DDP is ruining everything!

[DisMN]

We're going back to eating off-site. I've never been on the DDP and I won't pay OOP prices for dumbed down, homogenized food. People can talk about cost effectiveness and profitability all they want to but I can't eat that and while I own stock, I won't sacrifice quality dining for price.....stock price, entree price or otherwise.

We've found ourselves spending far far less on sit down meals than we ever did and all because of the lowered quality of the foods served over the past few trips. I wonder if Disney notices that people who were willing to pay full dollar are no longer dining in their restaurants?

Going in December and a little nervous about the menu changes as there are some things we realy enjoy having, a nice filet mignon hopefully not a cheaper quality cut of meat now.

Hate to dash your dreams but we've found none of the filet mignons to be as good as they used to be. They are definitely using a cheaper cut of meat........the filet at Teppanyaki was the most disappointing of all. I won't spend the money again. Higher prices for a lower grade of meat? That's just not right.

It's such a drag. Great dining/restaurants were always such a big part of our trips....I guess we'll look at the positive side and figure we won't spend as much on our trips. Spending less is good, right? LOL


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[Laurafoster]

You don't have to pay rack rate in order to book the dining plan.(I'm not speaking about the free dining plan)

You can use a AAA discount or a code rate in order to book the dining plan. During our April 2005 trip, I used a code that was only $5.00 more than the AP rate. The DP was added onto our discounted package.

There's a code out now for Canada residents, that can be used for room only or with the DP.

Im going in December with a discounted room and was told that i could not book DDP UNLESS i paid rack rate for the room. This was not the free dining plan just the normal DDP?!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Okay- I know I stated earlier that I liked the DDP and I do. I also like the new kids menus and so will my kids. BUT- the one thing that gets me so mad is having to make ADRs months in advance. It is completely ridiculous. I don't know what we will feel like eating 6 months from now! I don't even know if my kids are going to want to sit down to a meal or eat a burger on the run! I called last night to book some ADRs for our next trip and couldn't get a whole lot. Now of course my fault that I didn't call 180 days in advance but I don't think I should have to. I remember the good old days when you could call up and have dinner at your choice of places the same night. This is the only real pet peeve I have with the DDP.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Im going in December with a discounted room and was told that i could not book DDP UNLESS i paid rack rate for the room. This was not the free dining plan just the normal DDP?!

There are two discount codes out for December. I believe you have to check in by December 25. One code is for room only. The other code includes the dining plan, park passes and a discounted room rate.

Maybe that offer isn't available to those in the UK.

There are plenty of Americans planning trips for next summer. However, while visitors from the UK can book free dining right now, we can't.

 

[everest]

So What’s Disney to DO?

Revert to the old ways and offer a 2 tier menu so that guest can get in with short notice.

OR

Tinker with the current method that has their restaurant’s reserved months in advance.

Anyone want to guess what Disney Dinning will do?

 

[mrsltg]

So What’s Disney to DO?

Revert to the old ways and offer a 2 tier menu so that guest can get in with short notice.

OR

Tinker with the current method that has their restaurant’s reserved months in advance.

Anyone want to guess what Disney Dinning will do?

Neither. They're going to leave it alone as they have hit on something B-I-G. While us "regulars" may notice a decline, I don't think most people do. If this is your first trip or your first trip in 10 years, are you really going to pay all that much attention? More than likely you'll want the faster service to get back into the park. Plus, as many people have pointed out, there is a lot of food. We Americans are notorious for associating size with quality. Throw a lot of food at someone and they are going to perceive value for the money paid.

 

[keishashadow]

Couple comments:

1) Even though AAA currently receives the room discount on the pkgs; it's always subject to change...WDW does tend to "tinker" with offerings.

2) DVC currently gets the DP w/o tix requirement (probably due to the fact that so many members have APs). However, they label it a "perc".

3) Many return guests expect large portions to stretch the plan among members...think 3 guests sharing 2 DP options, then using the 3rd option for another meal (charactar breakfast, etc.).

4) My biggest complaint is that since June, you are no longer permitted to utilize a CS for a turkey leg

5) Talk to any "seasoned" traveler, generally all inclusive resorts aren't known for their great cuisine...you're a captive audience; look for the fruit & bread-lol.

6) The Fantasmic Pkg requires ordering off a "special" menu (I use the term VERY loosely -yeech), restricting offerings @ Mama Melrose. Wouldn't be too difficult to offer 2 different menus for OOP & DP.

7) The Free Dining Plan offer is a "hook" to get people in the parks during a normal slow period. I believe it was shortened this year, who knows if it will even be offered next year? If you could travel during that time, staying @ a Value, you probably paid about $25 more a night @ rack rate. Just try to feed a family of 4 on that! How could you complain even if they served you hot dogs? Gave lots of people a chance to experience WDW that normally couldn't afford it.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I agree mrsltg, they're not going to mess with success...But when that success falters what will they do? Will they be able to woo back the local and loyal? Will they be able to woo back the top chef's? It's a double edged sword, IMO. They are turning their back on many regular visitors and local guests in favor of the new family and groups vacationing for longer periods. The scary thing that Disney seems to be ignoring is the fact that WDW (like everywhere else) is still just one terror event away from being a ghost town again. I know we don't like to talk that way but strategically it doesn't make sense in this day and age to alienate the one group who will keep coming through thick and thin.

As to the repeated business analogies...We get it that Disney is a business, always has been but should Disney lower their standards just so they can compete with Sandals? If that's true then I guess they probably should have moved into Vegas with a big casino and took their share of that pie (maybe it's not too late). Minnie Mouse, Jessica Rabbit, Belle, Jasmine and Cinderella would look great in skimpy costumes as cocktail waitresses. Tink of the cash flow! And why continue the charade of being 'Disney' in the face of other possible cash cows? Certainly they could enter into the full movie market and make "R" rated flicks and 'slasher' films, after all they're in the movie business and it's all about profit, right?

The really sad thing, and I've said it before is that this homogination of the dining is simply leading us to the inevitable path of chains. Wouldn't Yachtsmans make a lovely Outback? Also, don't forget the cozy relationship that Disney has with Landry's already. I'll bet they'd give Disney a sweet deal...It's not a big stretch to see this. DD at DL has already done it and PI is well on it's way.

 

[disneygirl29]

I am a yearly visitor of the House of Mouse, but our upcoming trip will be the first time I am using the DDP. In the past I did not think it was very cost effective for us, in fact a few months ago a friend of mine travelled during the "free" period and I still wasn't convienced. The DDP seems to be a great way to eat at some nicer resturants that normally the typical family would not (because of price). I think Disney is doing it right, they have to balance between the one time visitor, the the repeats, the families, the couples, etc, and everyone has a different opinion. Personally I think the introduction of the DDP is a good one ... as one person said for what you pay for the DDP a family could not eat for the price, even at just CS, so for those it really is great, regardless of the "quaility". Then again I think it is Disney, how bad can it be!

 

[Jets fan]

My sister and I are DVC members and usually bring our parents with us. We have one child in our party and he is 14. We come to Disney because we love the ambience and more importantly our parents feel totally safe to wander around.

The thing that we look forward to the most is the dining and the variations you can get, all those wonderfully tasty dishes. Food is probably the largest expense on our trips as we love eating at signature retaurants and sampling different dishes.

Looking at the new menues at many of my favourite places, they have changed and lost their individuality and are pretty uninspired on the whole. Cost wise the DDP is great and cannot be beaten, but in my opinion Disney have forgotten that dining used to be an experience, different tastes and time to actually enjoy your meal.

Will I carry on coming to Disney - Yes. Will I eat there all the time - No. Orlando has alot to offer and whilst we have always been happy to eat only in Disney, we will venture out more for the variety that makes our holidays.

I think that the only way to go is to have the most expensive dishes available at a supplement. Other places do it so why not Disney, it would enable restaurants to get back some of their individuality.

Maybe duck would come back to Chefs de France!!!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

There is no balance Disneygirl...You're seeing what's best for you. Locals and repeat visitors are staying away in droves and you miss the point that although you may be eating at a restaurant named Artist Point or California Grill you are not eating the same cuisine or getting the same expericence that earned it it's reputation.

I do agree that ther should be a balance, maybe the two menu approach is it but currently it's one sided and the future path is, IMO, very ugly.

I agree Jets fan.

 

[thirtycats]

Okay- I know I stated earlier that I liked the DDP and I do. I also like the new kids menus and so will my kids. BUT- the one thing that gets me so mad is having to make ADRs months in advance. It is completely ridiculous. I don't know what we will feel like eating 6 months from now! I don't even know if my kids are going to want to sit down to a meal or eat a burger on the run! I called last night to book some ADRs for our next trip and couldn't get a whole lot. Now of course my fault that I didn't call 180 days in advance but I don't think I should have to. I remember the good old days when you could call up and have dinner at your choice of places the same night. This is the only real pet peeve I have with the DDP.

I've been hearing a lot of talk about ADR's so maybe there is a problem. But we haven't it experienced it....yet. (not denying there is a problem, just thinking maybe we were lucky?)

We went in September. During free dining. But I didn't even know about the free dining. We didn't have any ADR (except for a character meal that we canceled). We had no waits at the restaurants. Well, nothing over 5 minutes.

We didn't eat at any super popular restaurants maybe? The ones we ate at are Spoodles (multiple times), Prime Time Cafe, Kona, and Rose and Crown.

One thing we did do is eat at less popular times. 4 or 5 for dinner. 2 or 3 for lunch.

I kept reading about these ADR's and became pretty paranoid. We're going to DW in December and a week ago I called for Boma and Jiko. I thought for sure it would be sold out. But we got in with no problem. It seemed like all the time slots were available.

Knocking on wood here because now that I say this we'll probably encounter major problems.

 

[Praying Colonel]

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.

Please don't be disheartened. We were an offsite family, too, but stayed onsite for our August trip to experience the DDP (we paid for it). You can read my dining reviews below to get a more detailed account, but our experience was uniformly positive. Food was very good to great, depending on the restaurant, and we never had a bad service experience--in fact, at a few places, we had the best service we've ever had at any restaurant anywhere, and they knew we were on the DDP.

Was it crowded? Yeah, kinda--but consistent with what we'd expect when going to WDW at a busy time of year. We don't expect to be able to tour WDW without a plan, or walk on to headliner attractions that time of year--there's no reason we should expect to walk in to a nice TS restaurant, either. We booked our ADR's about 75 days out with no problem--in fact, ended up switching a couple of ADR's about 10 days out and had no problem with that, either.

Everybody's experience is going to be different. Don't assume that a few people's complaints mean that you'll have the same problems. Give it a try--we did and were so pleased, we'll be doing DDP from now on.

(Sorry, those of you who believe we "great unwashed" are ruining your TS gated community. We're going to keep using our "food stamps" and experiencing TS meals, too. We'll see you there! )

 

[Laurafoster]

There are two discount codes out for December. I believe you have to check in by December 25. One code is for room only. The other code includes the dining plan, park passes and a discounted room rate.

Maybe that offer isn't available to those in the UK.

There are plenty of Americans planning trips for next summer. However, while visitors from the UK can book free dining right now, we can't.

The discount we have got is through Disney Fairytale Weddings - we get 30% off any deluxe hotel. Which is why we cannot get DDP. Regardless of whether you can or cannot get packages that include DDP and passes i was merely pointing out that it does not always work out as good value for everybody.

To be honest the free dining offer in the UK is not that good a deal either. We basically ahve 2 awys of booking it, either through a travel agent as a package including flights and tickets.

An example - 2 adults, 7 nights at POP with tickets and free dining = £1975 which is approx $3555 on the current exchange rate. As opposed to when i went in May when i booked the Hotel direct with Disney (POR) and flights directly and purchased tickets from the internet it was $2600 with out DDP so yes we get free DDP but we have to book a package!

Or we can book direct with Disney UK - who do not do AP discounts (not suer why ) and you have to pay the full amount up front!! Which would be fine if i had the money. It usually works out better for us to book via Disney in the US!

 

[dizfanz]

(Sorry, those of you who believe we "great unwashed" are ruining your TS gated community. We're going to keep using our "food stamps" and experiencing TS meals, too. We'll see you there! )

Praying Colonel, please do not turn this into a class issue just because some of us go to Disney to enjoy cuisine instead of Expedition Everest, IASM, etc...
No one looks down on the fact that DDP is some "food stamp" system at Disney that lets in droves of poor people. I for one am happy that those that could not generally stay onsite get to enjoy that aspect of their time there making it a truly Disney vacation. I believe one does not experience that when they stay offsite.

However, many of us are upset at the fact that food quality seems to be on the decline at many(not all) restaurants. The term that is being thrown around often is standardization. Instead of many restaurants being unique, similar(actually identical) menu items are poping up at different themed restaurants. We just want a balance of quality along with the DDP. Those that purchase DDP would not like their choices being restricted. Neither do those that pay cash. I do not believe a 2 menu system would work, but I believe making higher priced items available with a surchage might be a better answer. For example, lobster or a high end steak would be available to someone on the DDP for an extra $5 or $10 or whatever.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Sorry you've seen a decline in TS quality. I've only been to WDW twice so I have no frame of reference on which to base today's TS meals against TS meals from 5 or 10 years ago. But just because there may be a difference in quality does not mean the current quality is low. That's a matter of opinion. I do eat in nice restaurants where I live, and many of the TS meals we experienced in August compare nicely.

My joking comments followed up on many others in this thread. Whenever this subject is debated, many posts come across as quite elitist. Others picked up on that earlier and posted joking comments about "food stamps" and "locking the gates." As if everything was great in Table Service Land until the "poor" folks came along. Maybe some could temper their remarks a little more to sound less exclusionary.

Bicker's right--page 5, time to unsubscribe. I should've known that I wouldn't have much more that could be added on page 7. Sorry to step on your toes.

 

[First timer]

The DDP is ruining the dining experience.
Scooters and strollers are ruining the parks.
The bus system is ruining the ride back to the hotel.
The hot weather is ruining the summah vacation.

Thats it I'm not going to Disney any more. Its ruined.

Yes - I agree! I'm off to cancel my reservations for 8/07. Its simply lost its appeal!

 

[helenm29]

You know the funny thing? when we are at home and go out to dinner or something, everyone wants an appetizer! we just got one of everything that sounded good and everyone had a bite or two of it while we were on the meal plan. I will admit that it saved us OODLES of money in the long run! we had some pretty nice meals on that plan! it's a great deal! I just hate wasting so much food! Helen

 

[kdzgon]

Okay- I know I stated earlier that I liked the DDP and I do. I also like the new kids menus and so will my kids. BUT- the one thing that gets me so mad is having to make ADRs months in advance. It is completely ridiculous. I don't know what we will feel like eating 6 months from now! I don't even know if my kids are going to want to sit down to a meal or eat a burger on the run! I called last night to book some ADRs for our next trip and couldn't get a whole lot. Now of course my fault that I didn't call 180 days in advance but I don't think I should have to. I remember the good old days when you could call up and have dinner at your choice of places the same night. This is the only real pet peeve I have with the DDP.

I think this is due in part because many people seem to make multiple advance reservations and then just decide which ones to use when they are at WDW. This was our first trip with DDP (Sept - free, w/ rack rm rates), and while researching meal options I saw this "tip" many times. I assumed that you needed to cancel if you would not be using those "extra" ressies, but while there I learned this was not the case - many people simply don't show up, period. While this can happen (we missed one of ours as it took much longer than expected to get to MGM from CR), perhaps Disney should impose limits if too many ADRs are made but are "no-shows", at least within the same trip. Really, how difficult is it to make a quick phone call to cancel? I'd think even short notice would help with walk-ups at the restaurants.

I also found that if I called and requested a last minute res (from room or from cell phone in park, etc) I was often told there was no availability but then found if we walked up we were seated within minutes (Chef Mickey's, Concourse Steakhouse, Hollywood & Vine, and O'Hana's).

 

[keishashadow]

My sister and I are DVC members and usually bring our parents with us. We have one child in our party and he is 14. We come to Disney because we love the ambience and more importantly our parents feel totally safe to wander around.

The thing that we look forward to the most is the dining and the variations you can get, all those wonderfully tasty dishes. Food is probably the largest expense on our trips as we love eating at signature retaurants and sampling different dishes.

Looking at the new menues at many of my favourite places, they have changed and lost their individuality and are pretty uninspired on the whole. Cost wise the DDP is great and cannot be beaten, but in my opinion Disney have forgotten that dining used to be an experience, different tastes and time to actually enjoy your meal.

Will I carry on coming to Disney - Yes. Will I eat there all the time - No. Orlando has alot to offer and whilst we have always been happy to eat only in Disney, we will venture out more for the variety that makes our holidays.

I think that the only way to go is to have the most expensive dishes available at a supplement. Other places do it so why not Disney, it would enable restaurants to get back some of their individuality.

Maybe duck would come back to Chefs de France!!!

Eating duck is just so wrong in WDW...

donald is our friend, not food.