Starting the buying process some dining questions:

[cometdad2010]

They negotiate one year contracts, generally starting in October. No negotiations for 2021 have been undertaken.

While yes, they could do it on the fly mid year, it would be a pain and then either get them off cycle, or needing to do it again in October anyway.

My money is on nothing until 2022. The contracting is too big a fuss for a part-year thing, and they don't want DDP pricing off cycle to resort rack rate/package releases.

I didn't realize that. Naive me thought that since the DDP covers table and quick service in and around the parks, they were Disney-owned (I'm slowly learning, though, everything is a separate subsidiary) and there were no contract negotiations involved. That makes sense.

Next question -- we're planning an Oct 2021 trip. Assuming the DDP isn't available, and TIW is still suspended... what are the odds that more eateries are open, and dining is generally more back-to-normal? Not that it would keep us from going, but the various dining options are part of the draw for our family.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

[

I didn't realize that. Naive me thought that since the DDP covers table and quick service in and around the parks, they were Disney-owned (I'm slowly learning, though, everything is a separate subsidiary) and there were no contract negotiations involved. That makes sense.

Both a divisional thing, but also many restaurants are operated by third parties. Yak & Yeti is an example, a bunch of Epcot, and then there is DS, which is more third party than not.

Next question -- we're planning an Oct 2021 trip. Assuming the DDP isn't available, and TIW is still suspended... what are the odds that more eateries are open, and dining is generally more back-to-normal? Not that it would keep us from going, but the various dining options a

I would say pretty good. It is going to be a matter of sustained demand. Disney are not reopening places and calling back staff unless they think they can keep them open. Still a lot of on site resorts shut down, and tourism is still way down. But I would expect to see some more options by next October.

 

[RoseGold]

Next question -- we're planning an Oct 2021 trip. Assuming the DDP isn't available, and TIW is still suspended... what are the odds that more eateries are open, and dining is generally more back-to-normal? Not that it would keep us from going, but the various dining options are part of the draw for our family.

I don't think anyone will be able to answer this for months. But I think this should be pretty clear this summer, which should give you time to consider your options.

 

[crisi]

I think no one should make assumptions on what Disney will be like post-pandemic. They have been hemorrhaging money. There may be significant cash discounts in order to entice people to the parks. Alternatively, there may be huge raises in prices and pent up demand to travel hits. They will certainly use this opportunity to reevaluate offerings - the dining plan, TIW, its possible none of it will come back - its possible it will come back better or worse.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Both of my DD are HUGE Disney fans. The moonlight magic, the lounges, really matter to them (they are adults and will possibly be co-owners)

IF they aren't co-owners, they would have to be with you to enjoy these "extras". Just know that several Moonlight Magics were already cancelled and who knows if they will happen again. There is one lounge at Epcot, but you limited in the number of people you can bring up. With TOTWL, it's closed right now and who knows if it will reopen anytime soon. It was also closed to non-paying owners on July4 and NYE. So it was a pay to play. Once your daughters hit 18, they need to be with you to get any benefits. Perqs come and go all the time and have disappeared overnight a time or two.

 

[Halle]

We have had the TIW card for as long as I can remember, we use it for the first 10 members of our party and then use the Blue card discount for the remaining. We always have the CM apply the TIW to the adults first.

 

[crisi]

IF they aren't co-owners, they would have to be with you to enjoy these "extras". Just know that several Moonlight Magics were already cancelled and who knows if they will happen again. There is one lounge at Epcot, but you limited in the number of people you can bring up. With TOTWL, it's closed right now and who knows if it will reopen anytime soon. It was also closed to non-paying owners on July4 and NYE. So it was a pay to play. Once your daughters hit 18, they need to be with you to get any benefits. Perqs come and go all the time and have disappeared overnight a time or two.

The Lounge and MM are two things that cost money with no direct impact to revenue. (Indirectly they sell more direct DVC points). Until Disney moves back onto firm financial footing - which will take a few years while they rebuild their balance sheet - those are exactly the sorts of expenses that Disney will not want to staff with their reduced cast - they'll need to spread their cast thin to get through this. And are the sorts of things that they are likely to "reinvent" if they bring them back at all. (Top of the World probably pays for itself in $15 martinis, but if it doesn't expect it to not reappear either)

 

[havoc315]

They negotiate one year contracts, generally starting in October. No negotiations for 2021 have been undertaken.

While yes, they could do it on the fly mid year, it would be a pain and then either get them off cycle, or needing to do it again in October anyway.

My money is on nothing until 2022. The contracting is too big a fuss for a part-year thing, and they don't want DDP pricing off cycle to resort rack rate/package releases.

Good analysis. But on the other hand, dining plans are highly profitable for Disney. They don't have to tie the contract into the calendar year. They could also negotiation an 18-month contract, and then go back to 1-year contracts.
It's not coming back very soon, but I really do expect them to try to bring it back sometime in 2021, likely by the summer.

 

[DVCsloth]

Been using the DVC or Season Pass discount lately. We used to always do the dining plan. I think we tend to save a little more just paying as we go and usually get 10% off. With the dining plan we usually use the snack credits for Joffrey's, popcorn or bottled water.
Some of the Extras would be automatic extended OKW contract, being able to stay at future resorts, a lot easier buying process being able to use a CC and splitting the payment over a few months. I have already used some of my home resort points at the Riviera. I think DVC will likely add more direct benefits rather than eliminate them to encourage direct sales.

 

[gisele2]

The dining plan made sense when we had children under nine. Because the portions at the quick service could be shared between 2 people. Now we find that paying offers more flexibility and is cheaper. For us the lounge are hidden gems.

 

[Matty B13]

The dining plan made sense when we had children under nine. Because the portions at the quick service could be shared between 2 people.

Now you can't even do that, they don't let you use a child quick service to buy any quick service, you have to use it for a child's meal. Really takes away the value of the dinning plan now.

 

[gisele2]

Now you can't even do that, they don't let you use a child quick service to buy any quick service, you have to use it for a child's meal. Really takes away the value of the dinning plan now.

I agree with you. At 78$ per night per person there is no way for us to eat all the food and save money. I prefer choosing what I want to eat (sometimes two appetizers instead of an entree and skip dessert at the restaurant to have something else in the parks ).