Sticker Shock!

[MBELSANTI]

Wow it has been almost 3 years since I have been to WDW and I am now planning our June trip looking over menus. I guess I never looked at prices before because we have always had DDP. This time we are going to stay at the Swan, so no DDP and I am just speachless over the prices. Is Chef Mickey Dinner really $59 pp? So for me and 15 yo DS will pay $120 plus tax and tip for buffet dinner? I am just really shocked. I am wondering have others that were not planning to do DDP change their plans to include it so that they can enjoy their favorite TS restaurants? We are planning to eat at Le Cellier, Captains Grille, Kona Cafe, Teppan Edo, Chef Mickey's. Would it behoove us to switch to Pop Century and get the DDP?

 

[sharonabe]

No, Chef Mickey is NOT $59 pp...the price range you see on the buffets is the price range for what you might pay at any buffet and includes dinner shows and seasonal price upcharges.

Check out allearsnet.com for more current pricing. Some of their buffet prices do reflect the seasonal upcharge, but that is about $4 per adult.

 

[NorweJenNY]

Chef Mickey's is around $40 for dinner... a bit pricier than other buffets. We saw that price and still decided it was a "only with DDP" meal.

If you're paying OOP, you can still get decent meals for decent prices. Perhaps try the $24 prix fixe meal at Chefs de France for a complete 3-course lunch. There are some $10-15 meals that are pretty good at lots of places like Liberty Tree, Plaza, Rose & Crown, Sci Fi, Beaches and Cream... even a burger at Le Cellier is just $14.99.

Without a dining plan, just plan a little differently... or save some extra funds if you want to have the same experiences as DDP but with paying OOP.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

You get a lot of dining discounts with your DVC card.
Get a copy of portable perks at the Boardwalk (any dvc resort has them).
You get discounts at a lot of the Dolphin and Swan restaurants with dvc.
also at a lot of the restaurants that are located at dvc resorts like saana at akl, olivia's at okw.
Also 20% off at marrakesh in morocco.
check out the list. There are a lot of discounts to be had with the card you already have as DVC members.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

le cellier, kona, and captain's grille all have 3 course fixed price dinner options that are an excellent value.

 

[Bete]

more important to you than a better resort then I would switch to POP. I've stayed at Swan and Dolphin and I would switch for the money difference and get the dining plan. Theming is more Disneyish at a Disney resort. Also, I don't find it too convenient from a transportation standpoint staying at the Swan/Dolphin.

I never do understand the need for a fancier resort if you are going to be in the parks for the majority of the day. All resorts have a tub/shower and beds. I would enjoy the dining more if I had to make a choice between the two aspects.

Keep in mind the dining plans have gone up in price, too. There's sticker shock there, as well. We tend to go now when free dining is offered and stay at a value and upgrade to the regular dining plan.

I have stayed at a few deluxes at Disney like on my honeymoon and a few anniversaries, but overall I prefer spending my monies on the dining aspect at Disney. I don't have any problems sleeping on the POP beds. I like the setup there, too. We get a preferred room for convenience.

If the resort is more important to you then I would give up most of the TS restaurants except for a few choices and even then I would do lunch; because, it's cheaper.

 

[rdsx28]

I agree with the above poster. I would also switch to Pop and get the dining plan. I myself am trying to decide between Quick service vs Regular plan. prices at the restaurants swayed me to go with DDP. They have gone up so much. I listened to a Disney Podcast the other day and they were also saying how outrageous the food prices were. Good luck I hope all works out for you!

 

[keith-atl]

I don't know if I would switch resorts honestly, I love the location of Swan/Dolphin. Not knocking PoP either I prefer it over all the other values.

Also for the amount you are going to pay at Chef Mickey's you could go to Shula's in the Dolphin which will be 10000000000x better than Chef Mickeys.

Also if you have a car you could go off property as well for some nice meals.

 

[2Tiggies]

I hear where the OP is coming from. I guess we didn't notice it to the same degree as we go every year, but as we do the QSDP and have done since it first came out, we pay OOP for our TS.

Also for the amount you are going to pay at Chef Mickey's you could go to Shula's in the Dolphin which will be 10000000000x better than Chef Mickeys.

Keith, your post reminded me, unless I am mistaken or it has been removed, I am pretty certain that Shulas (and other Swan and Dolphin/ onsite non Disney owned restaurants) have certificates available on Restaurant.com. It may be worth subscribing to their news letter and keeping an eye on the offers.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I hear where the OP is coming from. I guess we didn't notice it to the same degree as we go every year, but as we do the QSDP and have done since it first came out, we pay OOP for our TS.



Keith, your post reminded me, unless I am mistaken or it has been removed, I am pretty certain that Shulas (and other Swan and Dolphin/ onsite non Disney owned restaurants) have certificates available on Restaurant.com. It may be worth subscribing to their news letter and keeping an eye on the offers.

I tried to look on restaurants.com and couldn't find anything. We are not renting a car, so going offsite is out. Would be interested to know if anyone found Swan/Dolphin restaurants on restaurants.com

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Unlike some of the others, I wouldn't move to Pop to get DDP. To me, the difference in resort is worth giving up the dining plan. That's just a personal opinion though. We never purchase DDP, regardless of where we stay. I like having freedom to order what I want & not be restricted by what a plan offers. When paying OOP, you may want to skip buffets. We always pay OOP & they're not a good value, unless you eat a lot. If we do eat at a buffet, it's always for breakfast. Also, S/D has some great restaurants you may want to check out.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Unlike some of the others, I wouldn't move to Pop to get DDP. To me, the difference in resort is worth giving up the dining plan. That's just a personal opinion though. We never purchase DDP, regardless of where we stay. I like having freedom to order what I want & not be restricted by what a plan offers. When paying OOP, you may want to skip buffets. We always pay OOP & they're not a good value, unless you eat a lot. If we do eat at a buffet, it's always for breakfast. Also, S/D has some great restaurants you may want to check out.

Thank you. I decided that I am going to stay at Swan. I am going to use Disney rewards to pay for most of our meals. I think we are going to pass on Chef Mickey's. You are right about it not being a good value, and I am trying to do WW do I don't need to overeat at a buffet!

 

[TDC Nala]

Keith, your post reminded me, unless I am mistaken or it has been removed, I am pretty certain that Shulas (and other Swan and Dolphin/ onsite non Disney owned restaurants) have certificates available on Restaurant.com. It may be worth subscribing to their news letter and keeping an eye on the offers.

Restaurants.com is not currently offering certificates for the Swan/Dolphin restaurants. Doesn't mean they never will again - just that they're not offering them right now.

I just left the Swan and I wouldn't trade it for a value resort just to get the dining plan, but then I am not a fan of the dining plan and I wouldn't buy it anyway. Unless you're a big Magic Kingdom fan I think the transportation differences are dramatic, since the Swan/Dolphin are within walking distance of both DHS and Epcot.

 

[Disney-Kim]

It has been 2 yrs since we were at the world and looking at the menus on Allears...the prices have gone up. HDD is no like $68 pp...not sure what it was 2 yrs ago...but a few yrs ago is was like $54...

in general...Brown Derby for example...Cobb is higher and I noticed entrees were higher.

We used to budget $100 a day for TS food on all our trips...then noticed on the last couple trips it was going higher and higher...
I researched and figured out on our upcoming trip we would spend about $1200 on food...
so the Dlx DDP is a deal for us...was about $1100 to add and we get more food and the snacks...plus my budget only included costs for 1 dessert and sometimes no apps (I was figuring what we woudl really order)

so for us $200 per day is our new budget.

 

[MBELSANTI]

YOu would think after all of the years on the DIS boards I would know how to do a multi quote reply, but I don't!

Anyway, I agree with TDC Nala about the location..that is what drew me to Swan in the first place. I do love MK, and I don't mind taking the buses at all. We usually only do MK and Epcot. This year we are going to spend some time at DHS since it is so close.

Disney-Kim, I saw the outrageous prices for the cobb salad...I was actually looking forward to ordering that..but I guess not!

 

[Zuzu03]

Dolphin and Swan have some great restaurants of their own and if you are a AAA member, you can use your card and get a 10% discount (except at the sig restaurants, I believe). Huh, I didn't know restaurants.com weren't offering the certs for these restos right now. I have one I bought in August last year for Garden Grove (which we adore btw), do you think they'll still honor it? It says no expiration. Hope so!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Dolphin and Swan have some great restaurants of their own and if you are a AAA member, you can use your card and get a 10% discount (except at the sig restaurants, I believe). Huh, I didn't know restaurants.com weren't offering the certs for these restos right now. I have one I bought in August last year for Garden Grove (which we adore btw), do you think they'll still honor it? It says no expiration. Hope so!

Oh excellent, this is good to know! I forget all about my AAA card sometimes even though I used it for the room ressie. Thanks

By the way I love your DIS name Zuzu...does it have anything to do with IAWL?

 

[Zuzu03]

Oh excellent, this is good to know! I forget all about my AAA card sometimes even though I used it for the room ressie. Thanks

By the way I love your DIS name Zuzu...does it have anything to do with IAWL?

Make sure you check out The Fountain in the Dolphin - their food and desserts are fabulous! Oh, and thanks! Zuzu is my kitty's name and I've always loved it from IAWL! We really love the Swolphin, Picabu is one of my fave cs places on property and Garden Grove has excellent food with characters! Bonus! Hope you have a great time!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Make sure you check out The Fountain in the Dolphin - their food and desserts are fabulous! Oh, and thanks! Zuzu is my kitty's name and I've always loved it from IAWL! We really love the Swolphin, Picabu is one of my fave cs places on property and Garden Grove has excellent food with characters! Bonus! Hope you have a great time!

THank you, I will check those places out! So excited!!!