The slow decay of the DDP . . .

[artesian]

Well, I for one wish they would never have implemented the DDP! I feel like it has been the total downfall of what used to be one of the things we loved about Disney...the unique table service spots. Now everything is becoming standardized and boring, even at the signature restaurants, and I feel it is the fault of the DDP.

I feel exactly the same way

 

[DieHardJoe]

We've been to Disney many times but have never used the DDP or TIW. I've seen a few posters say that TIW works well for them, so I was hoping that maybe someone could explain why that works better than the DDP. Is it convenience? Dollars and cents? The TIW seems a little pricey, but maybe the savings adds up faster than my brain can calculate! Thanks.

 

[hakepb]

I feel exactly the same way

Personally, I'm mostly glad they implemented the DDP, as getting a discounted DDP back in my CRO days opened me up to many additional Disney Dining experiences I would of never otherwise tried.

I do also think they ruined the DDP by taking out the gratuity, and the appetizer did not help, either. Before that, the DDP felt like being Mickey's VIP guest.

Of course, I now experience dining sans DDP, as OOP or TiW can be a better deal, but I do notice some of the quality cutbacks vs 3 years ago ...

 

[hakepb]

We've been to Disney many times but have never used the DDP or TIW. I've seen a few posters say that TIW works well for them, so I was hoping that maybe someone could explain why that works better than the DDP. Is it convenience? Dollars and cents? The TIW seems a little pricey, but maybe the savings adds up faster than my brain can calculate! Thanks.

When I was on DDP, I felt "locked-in" and never wanted to order any food off the plan, because I was pre-paid. With TIW, I feel better eating off-plan (like a Giordano's pizza delivery or getting a snack from a BWV vendor)

As far as savings, the DDP works well if you would normally get ADR's at expensive dinner options (i.e. LeCellier) Otherwise DDP is simply a pre-paid dining plan (not a discounted dining option)
But You can fairly easily dine for less than DDP cost if you are willing to only do a TS breakfast or Lunch, or stick to ~$20 dinner entrees. a Chef Mickey's breakfast can kill the value you just got on a LeCellier dinner...

TIW savings can quickly add-up if you typically buy alcohol and/or appetizers(included on TiW), and TiW discount can be applied to everyone (up to 10) at your table, nice if you meet with any family or friends

You have to look at what you would pay total OOP. (including appetizer, alcohol). 2 trips ago, it seemed that our total room charges were adding up too fast, then we did the math on DDP + appetizer and realized we came out $100-$200 ahead with TiW..

 

[geffric]

I think the biggest "tweak" to the DDP was when they dropped the appetizer and gratuity while "saving guests money" by dropping the DDP cost by a whole $1.

yep.. that is when we dropped out!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Well, I for one wish they would never have implemented the DDP! I feel like it has been the total downfall of what used to be one of the things we loved about Disney...the unique table service spots. Now everything is becoming standardized and boring, even at the signature restaurants, and I feel it is the fault of the DDP.

IMHO:
1) Yep.
2) I agree that DDP has caused eateries to reduce quality and uniqueness.
3) But, the gullible public got what it wanted.
4) An inexpensive way to pig-out, eve if the quality is less.
5) As long as the pigging-out can continue, you will see few complaints.

 

[stopher1]

Remember the Food N Fun Card? Same thing, started out as a great deal, people got hooked, over a few years price increased and benefits were dropped until it was no longer such a great value...

Oh my golly Chuck, we LOVED the Food N Fun Card. We used that to the max on our honeymoon. Lots of great food & enjoyable recreational activities. In 15 years, we still haven't gone horseback riding or water skiing again at the world simply because of the OOP costs. We still talk about "the good old days of the FNF Card". But of course, those were also the days that you could call from your hotel room and get same day reservations at so many of the restaurants. None of this ridiculous 180 days out planning nonsense. We had such a good meal at the old King Stefan's (man I dislike Cindy's Table) and loved walking away from that table after a $120 or so meal for the 2 of us by just signing the slip charging it to the allowance of that card.

We liked the DDP the first couple of years mainly because of the "requirement" of sitting down for a table service which definitely introduced so nice places to our kids vs. just counter service - but we can definitely eat cheaper in our room & with counter service.

Going to Disney is not cheap by any means, on either coast. Sure it's all just one big business, but there does come a point that they overextend the pricing (in anything, not just food or tickets), diminish the magic completely and just drive away the very demographic that they covet so much - families with young children. Except for the true Disneyphile, who else is going to hand over their hard earned money for all of those annoying plush dolls, princess makeovers and the latest & greatest "gotta have it" toy? By consistently increasing the prices & at the same time cutting the quality, they will only drive that demographic away - and then they'll have to continue to discount in order to bring them back. Even if the economy rebounds to pre-recession levels, they simply have too many regular hotel rooms to fill. People will simply look for good deals elsewhere if Disney doesn't offer them, since the past couple of years now at least they've gotten quite used to them.

I understand that they have lots of costs in order to operate...and as a stockholder myself appreciate their focus on the bottom line, however the aggressive profit growth goals mandated by the Eisner years, and now continued in the Iger years instead of steady growth have certainly had a major impact in why they continue the practice of product rollouts that get people hooked followed by price increases coupled with product or service diminishment in the ensuing years. It is the Disney way, but it doesn't mean that we all have to like it.

 

[Chuck S]

I understand that they have lots of costs in order to operate...and as a stockholder myself appreciate their focus on the bottom line, however the aggressive profit growth goals mandated by the Eisner years, and now continued in the Iger years instead of steady growth have certainly had a major impact in why they continue the practice of product rollouts that get people hooked followed by price increases coupled with product or service diminishment in the ensuing years. It is the Disney way, but it doesn't mean that we all have to like it.

I'm not so sure the CEOs have a lot of choice in the matter these days, the fund managers and brokers demand profit. That is why Eisner received the no confidence votes from those managers, not because he "lost the Disney dream."

 

[stopher1]

I'm not so sure the CEOs have a lot of choice in the matter these days, the fund managers and brokers demand profit. That is why Eisner received the no confidence votes from those managers, not because he "lost the Disney dream."

That very well might be true, these days, but ME did lead the charge with the "Disney Decade" which effectively ramped up the explosive growth at the World. The key really comes in how much profit is being demanded.

 

[6mouselovers]

When I was on DDP, I felt "locked-in" and never wanted to order any food off the plan, because I was pre-paid. With TIW, I feel better eating off-plan (like a Giordano's pizza delivery or getting a snack from a BWV vendor)

As far as savings, the DDP works well if you would normally get ADR's at expensive dinner options (i.e. LeCellier) Otherwise DDP is simply a pre-paid dining plan (not a discounted dining option)
But You can fairly easily dine for less than DDP cost if you are willing to only do a TS breakfast or Lunch, or stick to ~$20 dinner entrees. a Chef Mickey's breakfast can kill the value you just got on a LeCellier dinner...

TIW savings can quickly add-up if you typically buy alcohol and/or appetizers(included on TiW), and TiW discount can be applied to everyone (up to 10) at your table, nice if you meet with any family or friends

You have to look at what you would pay total OOP. (including appetizer, alcohol). 2 trips ago, it seemed that our total room charges were adding up too fast, then we did the math on DDP + appetizer and realized we came out $100-$200 ahead with TiW..

we are a family of 6, and have dinner out every night, nicer restaurants, california grill, jiko, artist's pointe, etc. for us, having the ability to go to any restaurant (we do suppliment with the ap and dvc), and have apps and drinks included has made it worth the $60 annual fee. we average 25 dinners per year and 20% each meal for 6 definately pays for itself. we always eat breakfast in the room (except for 1 -2 character breakfasts per year), and eat lightly during the day, fruits, pickles, etc.

for us, i did many a comparison with our specific eating style in mind, and it always came out tiw.

 

[jekjones1558]

we are a family of 6, and have dinner out every night, nicer restaurants, california grill, jiko, artist's pointe, etc. for us, having the ability to go to any restaurant (we do suppliment with the ap and dvc), and have apps and drinks included has made it worth the $60 annual fee. we average 25 dinners per year and 20% each meal for 6 definately pays for itself. we always eat breakfast in the room (except for 1 -2 character breakfasts per year), and eat lightly during the day, fruits, pickles, etc.

for us, i did many a comparison with our specific eating style in mind, and it always came out tiw.

TIW card is now $100 for Florida residents and $75 for AP holders, I believe.

 

[keishashadow]

While the DP may have dumbed down the offerings on the menus and resulted in more standardized offerings, i don't believe you can place all the blame upon it for the shift in the onsite restaurants. Many non-WDW venues have gone into this sort of prevent-defense during the economic downturn we're experiencing.

WDW will continue to raise the price of the DP as long as it remains profitable (by increasing costs, tinkering with food quality and altering the components included); it is a business afterall.

Many venues do still offer great food, especially the signature restaurants; if this ever changes then we will not purchase it. I'd hope that the bulk of the repeat guests would follow suit, sending an easily discernable message.

I am still happy that DVC decided to offer the DP to members w/o any sort of tix media purchase requirement (even though I have not always purchased it, especially for short trips) and I am surprised that they have stated that the surcharges will be waived...for now

 

[mvc1997]

Well, I for one wish they would never have implemented the DDP! I feel like it has been the total downfall of what used to be one of the things we loved about Disney...the unique table service spots. Now everything is becoming standardized and boring, even at the signature restaurants, and I feel it is the fault of the DDP.

Agreed!!!!

 

[mvc1997]

IMHO:
1) Yep.
2) I agree that DDP has caused eateries to reduce quality and uniqueness.
3) But, the gullible public got what it wanted.
4) An inexpensive way to pig-out, eve if the quality is less.
5) As long as the pigging-out can continue, you will see few complaints.

 

[starbox]

Really, why not increase the price to something like 80$ per person - it's always free dining at Disney these days. Think of all the money people will be saving if they increase the price!

 

[hlyntunstl]

As to the DDP and whether or not it changes, the free DDP offers I believe definitely have had a negative effect on the food quality, not to mention the ability to get ADRs. We call at the 90 day mark and usually get the ADRs we want, but not always at the times we need. I can't imagine what it is like calling at 80 days out.

This is my biggest issue. Remember the days when you could make an ADR for the following day while on vacation? Now, I almost have to plan my park visits 90 (now 180) days in advance. I would rather DDP go away so I can once again enjoy a leisurely vacation that I don't have to schedule 6 months in advance.

I've been thisclose to switching full-time to TIW where I can get 20% off on my entire meal including appetizers and adult beverages (I always enjoy wine on vacay) and I think I may make the move next trip to Disney.

 

[stopher1]

Remember the days when you could make an ADR for the following day while on vacation? Now, I almost have to plan my park visits 90 (now 180) days in advance.

That's excatly how our honeymoon was... we spent 2 weeks at the GF for more than 15 years ago and pretty much decided where we wanted to eat that day THAT DAY or one day in advance... it was wonderful. I can't stand trying to figure out where we want to eat, let alone when we want to eat - so far in advance. I certainly don't mind planning where we'll stay, or even which park we'll be in...but you can't even do that properly since the park hours schedule doesn't match the ADR booking window. At least when they moved the ADR window up to 90 days they mostly matched.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I started saying earlier this year how nice it would be to say I would like to add 4 days of the DDP to my 7 night stay. Wouldn't it be nice to NOT be locked into 7 days worth of the DDP. Or better yet.....mix it up and say...I would like 3 DDP and 2 CS days added to my 7 night trip. Then we could limit ourselves to bad Disney food.

That would be an "enhancement" we all would love!

 

[disneynutz]

Actually - here is part of their 3rd quarter statement....parks profit fell 9%.

Disney 3Q profit falls 26 pct, tough world economy

LOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday its fiscal third-quarter profit fell 26 percent as slower DVD sales pushed its movie studio into the red while the weakening market for TV ads stabilized

Disney has evolved into a typical greedy corporation. Increase prices and cut quality. Make decisions based upon profit not upon the Guest experience. Net income was still $954 million for the 3rd quarter but that's not good enough.

I am sure that Walt would not be happy if he was alive today.

“Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money. -Walt Disney ”

Bill

 

[Dizny Dad]

This is my biggest issue. Remember the days when you could make an ADR for the following day while on vacation? Now, I almost have to plan my park visits 90 (now 180) days in advance. I would rather DDP go away so I can once again enjoy a leisurely vacation that I don't have to schedule 6 months in advance.

I've been thisclose to switching full-time to TIW where I can get 20% off on my entire meal including appetizers and adult beverages (I always enjoy wine on vacay) and I think I may make the move next trip to Disney.

We, too, remember the old days, making ADRs the day before, but, like everything else, change is a constant.

We now plan our vacations at the 11 month window, target our restaurant experiences, make the calls as soon as we are allowed, and cancel the reservations on the day specified if we change our minds, that way we at least have somewhere to sit down if we want to eat a nice dinner.

ADRs are what they are. Switching to TIW doesn't change how we get a chair at the table.