shocked-beware

[tarheelmjfan]

I saw a commercial last night that reminded me of this thread. On the DIS, people are always defending WDW prices by saying the price of food has gone up everywhere. That is true for the grocery stores. At least, it is around here. That's not true for many restaurants. They are practically giving food away. Red Lobster has a 4 course meal for $15. Chili's & Applebees offer a shared appetizer & 2 entrees for $20. Many of the other chains have similar deals. While the grocery stores are definitely raising prices, in our area restaurants aren't. If anything, they've gotten cheaper. Personally, I don't care for chain restaurants, so it doesn't really matter to me what type of deal they have. I just posted this to show that all food isn't going up everywhere.

 

[persimmondeb]

No, restaurants are running "get 'em in the door" promotions. A lot of menu items have gone up, especially beverages, since most people are not going to drink water with those promo meals. They can be a good deal if you like the offered items, but it's not the same as lowering prices.

 

[Donna M]

The food sure is a big part of the vacation budget! We have DVC and make use of the kitchen for the majority of our meals. Since we might only go into the parks once or twice while there for a week we don't have to eat in the restaurants unless we want to. When I priced out the DDP it would be around $700 for the week. The family that's joining us would pay $1134!

That $700 would buy us groceries for about 2 1/2 months!

 

[mama2ella]

I saw a commercial last night that reminded me of this thread. On the DIS, people are always defending WDW prices by saying the price of food has gone up everywhere. That is true for the grocery stores. At least, it is around here. That's not true for many restaurants. They are practically giving food away. Red Lobster has a 4 course meal for $15. Chili's & Applebees offer a shared appetizer & 2 entrees for $20. Many of the other chains have similar deals. While the grocery stores are definitely raising prices, in our area restaurants aren't. If anything, they've gotten cheaper. Personally, I don't care for chain restaurants, so it doesn't really matter to me what type of deal they have. I just posted this to show that all food isn't going up everywhere.

I totally agree!! My husband I were talking last night about how (if you are willing to go to places like Red Lobster/Chili's wherever "deals" are) it is sometimes cheaper eating out then going to the store.

 

[Anthony1971]

No, restaurants are running "get 'em in the door" promotions. A lot of menu items have gone up, especially beverages, since most people are not going to drink water with those promo meals. They can be a good deal if you like the offered items, but it's not the same as lowering prices.

That is exactly right around me soda coffee etc is 3.95 in most places.
give them a free kids meal-- does not include drink that is 3.95..
give them a free dessert don't forget about the 3.95 coffee in addition to the 3.95 soda....
Disney prices are going up on food --not that I agree-- at least they are not trying to hide it.
I eat at a chain they gave me a free dessert... one kids meal and two entrees for lunch -- 10-12 range toatl bill was a little over 60 with tax and tip.. how 2 adult sodas 2 adult coffees 1 child apple juice 19.75 I have the bill

 

[sjs314]

I AM THE ORIGINAL POSTER, I WAS THERE IN AUGUST AND I JUST RETURNED JAN 16TH-22ND, I LIVE IN CT SO IM USE TO HIGH PRICES AND I AM A NURSE SO I CAN AFFORD THE HIGH PRICES, I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH THE PRICES WENT UP SINCE AUGUST, I WENT INTO GHIRADELLIS AND WALKED RIGHT OUT BECAUSE THEIR HOT FUDGE SUNDAE THAT WAS 6 DOLLARS IN AUG IS NOW 9.50. I DID SUCK IT UP AND EAT AT T REX BECAUSE I LOVE THE OMIVORE SALAD, IN AUG I PAID SOMETHING LIKE 13 THIS TRIP IT WAS 1130 IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS 17.99 JUST FOR THE SALAD! YOU CAN STILL GET THE KETTLE CORN ON THE SNACK PLAN I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE CASHIERS AND SHE DIDNT REALIZE HOW MUCH THE PRICES HAVE GONE UP EITHER, EVEN THOUGH SHE DISCOURAGED ME FROM BUYING ONE OF THOSE REFILL CUPS SHE SAID UNLESS YOUR THERE FOR A FULL 3 DAYS THEY ARE NOT WORTH IT AND THEY HAVE GONE UP TO 14.99 OVER 15 DOLLARS WITH THE TAX, I WAS ALMOST THRU WITH MY VACATION WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING THE REFILL CUP

I just read the above post and I have to agree prices here in Conneticut are some of the highest in the country, I was amazed when I lived in Ohio near the KY, WV boarder how much of a difference in prices.
I have been going to WDW since 1989 and while I feel you get a good value from the actual cost of going to the parks since you are not nickle and dimed at every attraction they do make up for it in the cost of food and souvieners.

We have always paid OOP this year we are doing the DP for the first time and I am thinking if the prices went up so much it is a good thing we went with the DP

Your mention of Ghiradellis made me think of something I read yesterday about the gelatos in Italy @ Epcot $9.95 holy cow I thought as I read that, for a sundae but it would seem that is the norm at WDW now

Something I also noticed it use to be you could eat that lunch and save about $10 per entree over the dinner menu but I am seeing more and more places in WDW now have the same menu for lunch an dinner.

It is becoming harder and harder to save on food to make a vacation a little more affordable.

 

[LilyWDW]

I saw a commercial last night that reminded me of this thread. On the DIS, people are always defending WDW prices by saying the price of food has gone up everywhere. That is true for the grocery stores. At least, it is around here. That's not true for many restaurants. They are practically giving food away. Red Lobster has a 4 course meal for $15. Chili's & Applebees offer a shared appetizer & 2 entrees for $20. Many of the other chains have similar deals. While the grocery stores are definitely raising prices, in our area restaurants aren't. If anything, they've gotten cheaper. Personally, I don't care for chain restaurants, so it doesn't really matter to me what type of deal they have. I just posted this to show that all food isn't going up everywhere.

Actually, that is 100% different the general changes in prices. Restaurants are seeing a dip (still) in people eating out. As such, they have to run PROMOTIONS in order to get people into the restaurant to buy food. If you were to look at the regular prices for these items, you would see an increase in prices and costs. On top of that, many of these promotions are run on a limited menu compared to the regular menu. Often it is items that they have a steadier cost on so the loss they are taking isn't as bad.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

No, restaurants are running "get 'em in the door" promotions. A lot of menu items have gone up, especially beverages, since most people are not going to drink water with those promo meals. They can be a good deal if you like the offered items, but it's not the same as lowering prices.

Not to argue, but the point was that prices aren't going up everywhere. Let's say, I go to Red Lobster & refuse to drink water. I have then spent $20 on a 4 course meal & a Diet Coke. It's still pretty cheap, if you like chain restaurants. (At WDW, that will get you an entree at some restaurants, but not all. Let's not forget you're going to have to buy that drink at WDW restaurants too.) The fact that everything on the menu isn't included doesn't mean there isn't cheap options out there. The only way the restaurants would benefit a lot on the "get 'em in the door" promos is if the party drank a lot of alcohol. A few soft drinks aren't going to add up to that much more, unless they started charging $9.99 for a Coke & didn't offer free refills. Yes, they do it to bring people in, but no one is forced to order anything additional. They are selling many people the promo & nothing more. When restaurants raise prices across the board, everyone pays whether they would be willing to choose a cheaper option or not. To me, the fact that everything on one restaurant's menu isn't included for the promo price isn't a defense for another restaurant prices across the board.

As a side note, we look forward to our meals at WDW & eat at signature restaurants pretty much every night. We pay WDW prices & are fine with it. I just don't get why people continue to defend price hikes, by saying prices are going up everywhere. That's simply not the case at many restaurants.

 

[kwelch10377]

Not to argue, but the point was that prices aren't going up everywhere. Let's say, I go to Red Lobster & refuse to drink water. I have then spent $20 on a 4 course meal & a Diet Coke. It's still pretty cheap, if you like chain restaurants. (At WDW, that will get you an entree at some restaurants, but not all. Let's not forget you're going to have to buy that drink at WDW restaurants too.) The fact that everything on the menu isn't included doesn't mean there isn't cheap options out there. The only way the restaurants would benefit a lot on the "get 'em in the door" promos is if the party drank a lot of alcohol. A few soft drinks aren't going to add up to that much more, unless they started charging $9.99 for a Coke & didn't offer free refills. Yes, they do it to bring people in, but no one is forced to order anything additional. They are selling many people the promo & nothing more. When restaurants raise prices across the board, everyone pays whether they would be willing to choose a cheaper option or not. To me, the fact that everything on one restaurant's menu isn't included for the promo price isn't a defense for another restaurant prices across the board.

As a side note, we look forward to our meals at WDW & eat at signature restaurants pretty much every night. We pay WDW prices & are fine with it. I just don't get why people continue to defend price hikes, by saying prices are going up everywhere. That's simply not the case at many restaurants.

No one is forced to buy additonal items, but many do, which allows them to have the promotional pricing. You also need to take into consideration that some places may not have rasied prices, but have reduced the size of the portion which allows for them to not raise prices. Some places may have also started using a lesser quality product to make the food to keep the costs down.

The fact is that food prices have risen (just Google rising food prices) and restaurants have adjusted accordingly, whether it be to raise prices, reduce portion size or use lesser quality products. In this case Disney has chosen to raise the prices.

 

[persimmondeb]

Keep in mind that the profit margin on soda is very high. Even including overhead, that $3.95 soda might cost a tenth of that, at most, depending on how much soda the patron drank. And some people will drink a fair amount of alcohol with their cheap meals, which the restaurant makes money on. And there are often other add-ons available (fancy sides, extra seafood, etc.) which will run a bill up. Plus people may come in for the special, look at the menu and decide they don't really want that. Or half of the table orders the promo, and the other half gets what they usually do. Not ideal for the restaurants, but better than empty tables.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree many restaurants are doing what is needed to bring in customers. My point is you can now eat out cheaper in many places than you once could. It is definitely not more expensive to eat at those places than it once was, if you choose to order what is available with the promo. Disney is one place that it is more expensive. Defend WDW's price increases all you want, just don't use the argument that prices have gone up everywhere. There's many examples to the contrary. The funny thing is I'm used to the prices increases. They don't surprise or upset me in the least. I'm just a realist & can see through commercials & promotions that prices aren't increasing everywhere. I also know that when we go to eat at restaurants around here that don't offer promos it doesn't cost us any more than it did a year ago. I would only believe that prices had increased everywhere, if my only access to the outside world was the DIS.

To me, the true defense to the price increase is that Disney has a captive audience. Therefore, they can raise prices. Restaurants elsewhere don't have that luxury.

As far as portion sizes go, I think all restaurant have ridiculous portion sizes. Cutting back on the amount served is a great way to cut expenses w/o raising prices. Disney could do that themselves.

 

[kappyfamily]

So the question of the day for me is : does it make sense to now do the dining plan since prices have gone up so much? I've tried to calculate the oop costs but I think the prices were older, I basically "broke even" when I calculated it but now who knows. I cant stand the buffet prices listed as (31.99 - 54.99) gee thanks that's helpful!

Any advice?

 

[minniebeth]

So the question of the day for me is : does it make sense to now do the dining plan since prices have gone up so much? I've tried to calculate the oop costs but I think the prices were older, I basically "broke even" when I calculated it but now who knows. I cant stand the buffet prices listed as (31.99 - 54.99) gee thanks that's helpful!

Any advice?

This is just my personal experience~ Dining plans in my opinion are very personal, what works for me may not work for everyone.

My 2 cents about the dining plans: it depends on who is using it and how you are using it. For the regular dining plan, if you plan to eat buffet/family style TS and character meals, where a pre-fixed price per person is charged, and if you are bigger eaters, then it's for you and with the way the prices have gone up, is worth it. If not, then no.
For us, my DS17 eats a lot! CS Dining plan works well for us, you get a lot of food and we pay oop for a TS meal or two here or there when we don't plan on doing many TS meals.
When DDs and I go alone, we do not do the dining plans~ they are smaller eaters and we share most of our meals and snacks and there is more than enough food and we save that way.

We've done regular and CS DDPs many times. I save the receipts for everything...TS meals, CS meals, snacks, etc. I keep a log and tally up at the end. We have never saved with the regular DDP, always have broke DEAD even! We do come out ahead, however, with the CS DDP, with food we might not have necessarily have had otherwise and usually come home with a lot of snacks.

Our trip in January oop for meals had us in sticker shock for individual prices on things but when we added it all up in the end, it wasn't so bad.

 

[Tinkerbellah]

So many good points in this discussion! I have a vacation budget like most people. If they price me out of the restaurants then I guess I'll have to pack lunch. But, since the food is such a beloved part of our family vacations I'd hate to be priced right out of WDW. I doubt my husband would want to eat pb& j on his vacation. We would go to WDW less often. It is what it is. I want X amount of days for X amount of $. I am far from unreasonable on what I will spend. I think, I tend to spend more than the average, as do most loyal WDW vacationers. Dare I say that I have been on some pretty wonderful vacations that had nothing to do w/ mickey mouse & spent less.

 

[roxannex]

We are here now and I was shocked to go to T-Rex tonight and find that salads are 18 dollars and sandwiches 14 with 2 dollars extra for fries instead of chips! I didn't look at the prices before going in because I'd remembered it being slightly high but reasonable. Apparently they just went on the DDP and I wondered if the prices were so high to make it look like a better value.

Honestly, I feel a bit priced out of of Disney. It has all gotten soooo expensive that I don't know if we will return. I really dislike feeling gouged and sort of taken advantage of.

We did not stay on site because my mom was coming and we would have needed two rooms. So it was a better deal to get a condo. But with the cost of food!!!!!

 

[sharonabe]

The counter service meals all went up in Sept 2011.

While there are some kids meals that are $6.99, most of them are $5.49 (a $.50 increase from before).

Soda prices also went up across the board at that time.

Entrees ran the gamut from no change at all to around $1 increase.

With the price of food going up 12%, and the fact Disney had not raised counter service prices in years, I'd say the increases are well below what they could've been and probably do not reflect the increase of DDP prices.

 

[kandb]

Let's not forget all the fast food places that have a dollar menu. We always go to wendy's or burger king and the dollar menu comes in handy. To the people who are always defending disney on whatever they do. Keep in mind, when you say that there food is less then regular amusement park places, most people go to an amusement park for the day. When we stay at disney and especially if you stay on site, you have to eat your 3 meals and snacks at disney run establishments. Many people stay for 7 days and it really adds up to pay for all those meals.

This year when we go, we are staying at the dolphin. One thing we will do is get 3 cases of water and bring it to the parks and I will bring the single service flavorings to add to the water. It will save us all that money we would be buying on sodas.

 

[carrie1626]

Hmmm. . .do you think they raised the prices so drastically to make the dining plan seem like a better deal?

The prices at my local grocery stores are UP and UP some more.
Peanut Butter OUTRAGEOUS

can't say I wasn't warned-this was in the news awhile back about how everything ( food$) was increasing.

 

[LilyWDW]

The prices at my local grocery stores are UP and UP some more.
Peanut Butter OUTRAGEOUS

can't say I wasn't warned-this was in the news awhile back about how everything ( food$) was increasing.

Yep. Meat is insane!

And restaurants around here have increased their prices or reduced portions within the last year or so. Some have done it more then once. It's not just Disney.

 

[kandb]

I haven't seen a drastic increase in food prices where I live (NJ). A gallon of milk is around $3, pasta goes on sale for 59cents a pound often, I saw peanut butter Skippy (regular size) for $2.50 today and ragu sauce (regular size) was on sale for $1 last week. A loaf of brand name bread is around $1.99(on sale). Butter has been on sale for $1.99/pound within the last month. I have noticed an increase in meat prices. 1/2 gallon of ice cream has been 1.99 for a long time but the last 2 weeks it has been $2.77 (brand name turkey hill or friendlys)

What kind of prices is everyone else paying?