Should the price of the DDP be raised so that the quality can return?

[bicker]

Just keeping it real... switching the Dining Plan to a "dessert OR appetizer" plan would have little impact on quality. The cost of the food ingredients for more basic options is pretty minimal as compared to how much extra it would cost, both in terms of more expensive food ingredients and the additional labor required for higher-grade options.

Also, I think a lot of people enjoy the experience of being served their meal, rather than having to serve themselves, yet want the ability to try many different things. The way things are now satisfies that need.

I'd make CS and TS interchangable.

I'm utterly mystified about that suggestion. You're just talking about what you'd love to be true -- you're not actually suggesting that it is a change they would actually ever consider. Right?

I think some people may be going to TS because they feel obligated.

I don't think that feeling would be abrogated by your suggestion. We already see a significant number of guests driven to find the most expensive items on the menu, rather than just focusing on what they actually enjoy eating.

 

[Lewisc]

Dining plan customers tend to order appetizers and desserts. As such they tend to spend more time dining. This may contribute to restaurant overcrowding. Changing to soup or salad for appetizer and a dessert sampler may not save much in the cost of food ingrediants but may allow Disney to more efficiently serve dining plan customers.


The more expensive meal plans give guests 3 meals a day. Those plans don't differentiate between table service, quick service,signature or even in room dining. Those plans also includes recreational activities. I guess Disney could do the same thing with a dining plan but the price would go up by at least $26 but would probably double. I think there are some guests that might be interested in a premium meal plan without the other extras.

I wonder if dining plan guests would order differently if they couldn't see a menu with prices.

Just keeping it real... switching the Dining Plan to a "dessert OR appetizer" plan would have little impact on quality. The cost of the food ingredients for more basic options is pretty minimal as compared to how much extra it would cost, both in terms of more expensive food ingredients and the additional labor required for higher-grade options.

Also, I think a lot of people enjoy the experience of being served their meal, rather than having to serve themselves, yet want the ability to try many different things. The way things are now satisfies that need.

I'm utterly mystified about that suggestion. You're just talking about what you'd love to be true -- you're not actually suggesting that it is a change they would actually ever consider. Right?

I don't think that feeling would be abrogated by your suggestion. We already see a significant number of guests driven to find the most expensive items on the menu, rather than just focusing on what they actually enjoy eating.

 

[thirtycats]

I'm utterly mystified about that suggestion. You're just talking about what you'd love to be true -- you're not actually suggesting that it is a change they would actually ever consider. Right?

I could see it not making sense to exchange CS for TS. But how about TS for CS?

But I guess people do get into mindset of having to find the most expensive food.

I'll shamefully admit that when I imagine using the DDP, I start thinking how can I get my money's worth. The sad thing is I'm still thinking this way when I imagine doing the FREE dining plan.

I think for some people the dining plan helps to save money. For most people though...I think it causes food obsession and overeating (which I already have a problem with!!!!)

Maybe what would work is a special pre-set menu at all restaurants for people on the dining plan. We have a great Mexican restaurant in town. There are only two choices of meals. Fajitas or Enchiladas. And each comes with different side dishes and appetizers. Not much of a choice, but the food is delicious. The restaurant is very popular.

People could argue that there wouldn't be enough choices this way. But there would be choices. Different restaurants. Also, if someone really wanted to they could pay cash and order from the regular menu.

Maybe then there'd be less question of what is allowed on DDP and what is not.

I'd also say instead of trading 2 TS for a signature dining or character meal...that each person is entitled to trade ONE ts for a signature dining or character meal. Maybe for every 4 nights on the dining plan, you get one special meal. Any extra meals can be paid with cash.

The other thing that bothers me about the plan is the whole idea of eating one huge meal, one medium meal, and then one non-meal...just a snack.

It's so much healthier to eat 5-6 small meals. Rather than one huge pig-out meal.

Perhaps they could make the TS meals slightly smaller. And issue out more snack credits. Maybe 3 per day. So, it would be 2 medium meals (one TS and one CS) and then 3 small snack/meals. A total of 5 meals.

Not sure about buffets. Would everyone flock to these in order to get more food and variety? Or would they have enough after 1 or 2 and be okay with more reasonable portion sizes?

Trying to imagine what I'd do......

 

[Lewisc]

Disney could drop the dessert from the quick service meal but give guests an extra snack credit. Guests that want dessert with their CS meal would just use a snack credit.

There really isn't any question as to what's allowed on the DDP.

Maybe then there'd be less question of what is allowed on DDP and what is not.

The other thing that bothers me about the plan is the whole idea of eating one huge meal, one medium meal, and then one non-meal...just a snack.

It's so much healthier to eat 5-6 small meals. Rather than one huge pig-out meal.

Perhaps they could make the TS meals slightly smaller. And issue out more snack credits. Maybe 3 per day. So, it would be 2 medium meals (one TS and one CS) and then 3 small snack/meals. A total of 5 meals.

Not sure about buffets. Would everyone flock to these in order to get more food and variety? Or would they have enough after 1 or 2 and be okay with more reasonable portion sizes?

Trying to imagine what I'd do......

 

[thirtycats]

Another idea:

What if they got rid of the dining plan and instead slightly lowered the food prices.

Make them more reasonable.

Maybe keep the fine-dining prices as is...but lower the counter service prices and snack prices.

I see so many posts about people looking for grocery delivery and Staples delivery so they can get water at a lower price. Does Disney really need to do this? What if they had affordable groceries on property. And if they really want to have overpriced water, how about at just the parks?

Also, maybe slightly lower the buffet prices?

Isn't Disney's quest right now to keep people on property? If people could find reasonable prices, maybe they'd be less likely to leave.

I do understand that Disney needs to make a profit. They could still sell some overpriced food items. If they really want to get on the health-bandwagon, how about keeping the super unhealthy food (like Funnel cakes and french fries) at the same price...but lower the price of the healthy foods (water, apples, salads, etc)

They can also get us with all the souvineers......

 

[thirtycats]

Disney could drop the snack from the quick service meal but give guests an extra snack credit. Guests that want dessert with their CS meal would just use a snack credit.

There really isn't any question as to what's allowed on the DDP.

I think that's a great idea!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Dining plan customers tend to order appetizers and desserts.

The more expensive meal plans give guests 3 meals a day. Those plans don't differentiate between table service, quick service,signature or even in room dining. Those plans also includes recreational activities. I guess Disney could do the same thing with a dining plan but the price would go up by at least $26 but would probably double. I think there are some guests that might be interested in a premium meal plan without the other extras.

I wonder if dining plan guests would order differently if they couldn't see a menu with prices.

We like the DDP because we can order the appetizer and the dessert if we choose. We enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day and like the time spent together during dinner, it is part of our vacation.

My family would love a plan that allowed us three meals a day without the worry of counting credits. I would not mind paying more and would not mind if V&A was not part of the plan. My family has a little one in tow so we cannot use the extras included in the premium plans at this point. The convenience of having it all paid in advance would make it worth it to me.

I know that there are those who order according to the price on the menu, but we are not in that crowd. I think the stress that the DDP brings to some is because choosing meals by price rather than by what you like is not fun.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'll shamefully admit that when I imagine using the DDP, I start thinking how can I get my money's worth. The sad thing is I'm still thinking this way when I imagine doing the FREE dining plan.



Maybe what would work is a special pre-set menu at all restaurants for people on the dining plan. We have a great Mexican restaurant in town. There are only two choices of meals. Fajitas or Enchiladas. And each comes with different side dishes and appetizers. Not much of a choice, but the food is delicious. The restaurant is very popular.

People could argue that there wouldn't be enough choices this way. But there would be choices. Different restaurants. Also, if someone really wanted to they could pay cash and order from the regular menu.


I'd also say instead of trading 2 TS for a signature dining or character meal...that each person is entitled to trade ONE ts for a signature dining or character meal. Maybe for every 4 nights on the dining plan, you get one special meal. Any extra meals can be paid with cash.




Perhaps they could make the TS meals slightly smaller. And issue out more snack credits. Maybe 3 per day. So, it would be 2 medium meals (one TS and one CS) and then 3 small snack/meals. A total of 5 meals.

QUOTE]


I think that the DDP is not for everyone. If someone tries to maximise the plan the stress starts because then you eat according to price rather that according to taste.

Now I would not purchase the plan if I had a preset menu becauew I like it because of the choice and convenience. Remove the choice and it won't work for my family. I would pay fpr meals OOP and would probably start to find some restaurants offsite.

I like the plan the way it stands. I don't snack much in the parks, and like a light meal in the afternoon, end our day with a leisurely meal in the evening.
Perhaps a tiered plan like Lewis has suggested would be nice, with a plan for most who like prepaid plans. A light meal plan, the standard DDP and the Premium DDP. I imagine that it might be a nghtmare for the CM's,

 

[thirtycats]

Disney could drop the dessert from the quick service meal but give guests an extra snack credit. Guests that want dessert with their CS meal would just use a snack credit.

There really isn't any question as to what's allowed on the DDP.

I think that's a great idea!!

Or what if the TS meals were also that way. You just get an entree and the appetizer and dessert would be turned into snack credits.

That way people would have (based on nights) one CS meal with no dessert, one TS entree, and 4 snack credits. People could use snack credits for snacks, desserts, appetizers, etc.

This way the plan would be friendly towards a larger variety of eating styles. The family who likes a long leisurely lunch or dinner can use 2 of their snack credits so they can have an entree, appetizer, and dessert.

Other families can break their meals up into little pieces.

 

[bicker]

What if they got rid of the dining plan and instead slightly lowered the food prices. Make them more reasonable.

I don't see how that would benefit Disney. They're really good a pricing things precisely right. So they've probably priced things so that lowering prices will result in lower revenue (because it wouldn't increase the number of purchases enough to overcome the loss in revenue for each purchase) and that raising prices will result in lower revenue (because the increase in revenue for each purchase wouldn't overcome the decrease in the number of purchases).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe what would work is a special pre-set menu at all restaurants for people on the dining plan. We have a great Mexican restaurant in town. There are only two choices of meals. Fajitas or Enchiladas. And each comes with different side dishes and appetizers. Not much of a choice, but the food is delicious. The restaurant is very popular.

Wouldn't work. Look how (relatively) many Guests are displeased with Mama Melrose's Fantasmic! Dining Plan limitations - when in actuality the ONLY differences between that and the restaurants standard menu are restricted appetizers, and one dessert with a surcharge. The entire entree and dessert selections are identical on both menus. Can you imagine a fully restricted menu at ALL restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan? Your example is moot because the Mexican restaurant offers the SAME restricted selection to ALL diners.

I'd also say instead of trading 2 TS for a signature dining or character meal...that each person is entitled to trade ONE ts for a signature dining or character meal. Maybe for every 4 nights on the dining plan, you get one special meal. Any extra meals can be paid with cash.

Again, wouldn't work. Character meals are approximately equal in price to 'standard' TS meals, if not cheaper; plus, they're a big selling feature of Walt Disney World. You can't reasonably limit DDP Guests to a single Character Meal on the plan. Signature restaurants, on the other hand, have menus whose average price range is much higher than 'standard' restaurants. Wouldn't work.
The other thing that bothers me about the plan is the whole idea of eating one huge meal, one medium meal, and then one non-meal...just a snack.

It's so much healthier to eat 5-6 small meals. Rather than one huge pig-out meal.
Perhaps they could make the TS meals slightly smaller

Sure. But the DDP wouldn't work that way plus nobody is FORCED to purchase it. Guests choosing to eat numerous small meals, despite that being the healthy way, are not the ones for whom the DDP is going to work. And Disney doesn't have to make the TS meals smaller (although there are many complaints about portion sizes having been reduced, some to the point where - horrors! - ONE entree serves/satisfies ONE diner, the one who ordered it ); GUESTS are free to opt out of any course or courses, or to not eat every bite, or to order the healthiest choices available...

Or what if the TS meals were also that way. You just get an entree and the appetizer and dessert would be turned into snack credits.

That way people would have (based on nights) one CS meal with no dessert, one TS entree, and 4 snack credits. People could use snack credits for snacks, desserts, appetizers, etc.

Or, what if people displeased with the conditions attached to the Disney Dining Plan simply didn't purchase it, but instead paid out of pocket for whatever they want and can therefore tailor their dining to THEIR needs and desires? Seriously, breaking the DDP into smaller and smaller pieces just won't work. Think it through.

 

[robsmom]

Wouldn't work. Look how (relatively) many Guests are displeased with Mama Melrose's Fantasmic! Dining Plan limitations - when in actuality the ONLY differences between that and the restaurants standard menu are restricted appetizers, and one dessert with a surcharge. The entire entree and dessert selections are identical on both menus. Can you imagine a fully restricted menu at ALL restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan? .

I could imagine it and I think it could work. I think it would have been perfect if that was the initial dining plan offered. Right now people are used to getting a great deal but if presented with a low fix price and a limited menu or full price and a full menu many people probably would take the limited menu. If people don't like the limited menu then the don't get the plan. Why should everyone be brought down to the lowest common denominator and the entire menu cheapened?

 

[thirtycats]

Or, what if people displeased with the conditions attached to the Disney Dining Plan simply didn't purchase it, but instead paid out of pocket for whatever they want and can therefore tailor their dining to THEIR needs and desires? Seriously, breaking the DDP into smaller and smaller pieces just won't work. Think it through.

OR...what if Disney simply gets rid of the dining plan period. That way EVERYONE can pay out of pocket.

We don't have to worry about changes in food quality. Overcrowded restaurants. Stressed out Castmembers, etc.

I really think they should just lower the price of the food slightly.

 

[thirtycats]

Wouldn't work. Look how (relatively) many Guests are displeased with Mama Melrose's Fantasmic! Dining Plan limitations - when in actuality the ONLY differences between that and the restaurants standard menu are restricted appetizers, and one dessert with a surcharge. The entire entree and dessert selections are identical on both menus. Can you imagine a fully restricted menu at ALL restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan? Your example is moot because the Mexican restaurant offers the SAME restricted selection to ALL diners. .

So, it is an issue of DDP people feeling they are second class citizens. But they wouldn't be! They'd be making the choice to get the plan. They have every right to not get the dining plan and pay out of pocket. Each family going to Disney World will have to ask...Do I want to pay out of pocket (a little more money) and eat what I want when I want. Or do I want to pay a little less and have a little less choice.

When we returned from DW last time, we ate at a Indian restaurant near our airport. They had a full menu where you could get a main dish and rice. But they had ONE vegetarian special where you could get the main dish, rice, bread, and some appetizers. I wanted to pig out, so I got the special. That left me with ONE choice of main dish. I didn't complain about this lack of choice. I could have ordered from the regular menu if I wanted to. I made the choice.

It would be a different story all together if Disney randomly chose people and said "You get to order from this menu" and "You people have to order from this different menu."

 

[thirtycats]

I don't see how that would benefit Disney. They're really good a pricing things precisely right. So they've probably priced things so that lowering prices will result in lower revenue (because it wouldn't increase the number of purchases enough to overcome the loss in revenue for each purchase) and that raising prices will result in lower revenue (because the increase in revenue for each purchase wouldn't overcome the decrease in the number of purchases).

In your opinion, how does the current dining plan benefit Disney? I understand how it benefits a certain type of eating style. But in what ways does it benefit the Disney People. Is it attracting a lot more people? Saving on food costs?

And what about free dining? If lowering food prices, results in lowering revenues, wouldn't offering free-dining do the same?

Or does the benefit of filling the resorts outweigh the cost of food?

 

[bicker]

I believe the current Dining Plan benefits Disney because it hits that sweet spot in the price/demand curve, whereby a great number of guests consider it affordable enough that they'll commit themselves to staying at a Disney resort in greater numbers, and commit to dining exclusively with Disney. The point is that raising the price will probably be bad because fewer people will make those commitments, and lowering the price will probably be bad because the number of extra people making those commitments won't represent enough extra profit to make up for the revenue they lose on the set of guests currently making the commitment.

Free dining is nothing more than a replacement for the old 40% and 50% room discounts. I think free dining might even have more guest appeal than such deep discounts, so Disney might even be making out on that exchange.

 

[awatt]

I agree the DP increases resort bookings. Which translates into more tickets, souvenirs etc purchased. Furthermore it is an incentive to stay onsite everyday and not travel to Universal, Seaworld etc.

 

[thirtycats]

I believe the current Dining Plan benefits Disney because it hits that sweet spot in the price/demand curve, whereby a great number of guests consider it affordable enough that they'll commit themselves to staying at a Disney resort in greater numbers, and commit to dining exclusively with Disney. The point is that raising the price will probably be bad because fewer people will make those commitments, and lowering the price will probably be bad because the number of extra people making those commitments won't represent enough extra profit to make up for the revenue they lose on the set of guests currently making the commitment.
.

That makes sense

Thanks for explaining!

 

[honeymo78]

OR...what if Disney simply gets rid of the dining plan period. That way EVERYONE can pay out of pocket.

We don't have to worry about changes in food quality. Overcrowded restaurants. Stressed out Castmembers, etc.

I really think they should just lower the price of the food slightly.

Several people have suggested this and I seriously doubt it will ever happen. I'm sure "this" dining plan won't be around forever but since disney has had tiered dining and recreation plans since the 80's I don't think they'll let it go now. I really can't imagine at least some form of a dining plan being in place. Heck, they even got rid of the platinum package when they switched from dreammaker packages to MYW and apparently got enough complaints about it being gone that they brought it back for 06. I was disappointed that it was gone the year of our honeymoon but I figured enough people just didn't make use of it but I'm glad its back and I can't wait to try it for our 2nd anniversary.

 

[thirtycats]

Several people have suggested this and I seriously doubt it will ever happen. I'm sure "this" dining plan won't be around forever but since disney has had tiered dining and recreation plans since the 80's I don't think they'll let it go now. I really can't imagine at least some form of a dining plan being in place. Heck, they even got rid of the platinum package when they switched from dreammaker packages to MYW and apparently got enough complaints about it being gone that they brought it back for 06. I was disappointed that it was gone the year of our honeymoon but I figured enough people just didn't make use of it but I'm glad its back and I can't wait to try it for our 2nd anniversary.

I am so attracted to the all-inclusive packages. I remember thinking about getting one for our honeymoon. I forgot what it was called. Gold? It was in 1999. We didn't end up getting it. I know in the end, we won't use a lot of stuff. OR I'm the type of person who will have the mindset..."We PAID for it. We're GOING to do it. I don't care if we have to wake up at 4 in the morning and go to sleep at midnight each night!!!!!"

Same thing with the food plan. I'm so attracted to it. Even though it goes completely against my eating style (and self-diagnosed blood sugar issues) and it would probably not save us much money.

The free dining plan is another story though....Although I'm a vegetarian so I won't be searching menus for the most expensive steak and lobster.