Who else hates the Dining Plan

[missmun52]

I hate it because I think it really encourages gluttony. I am not a health nut, excersize fiend etc... Just an average mom with average kids and I can't tell you the number of times during our last trip I saw families struggling through dessert "becasue they paid for it already" - its crazy. How many posts do we see with people figuring out ways to stock up on rice krispy treats becasue they
have snack credits!!

I planned my vacation in Jan. this year. I did not really know too much about the dining plan then and i figured that i would have just about broke even with my AAA discounts for my room and paying for food out of pocket. When i looked at the menu for a resturant i wanted to eat at and what i would most likely get i figured that the cost of the dining plan would be about the amount i would end up spending on dinner alone. Some resturants would of course be less but when you add a counter service meal if you dont gain you just break even....you do not lose. So if your like me the dining plan is great. I like to eat out, and on vacation i will eat at a ts at least once a day.
As far as stuffing yourself thats what people chose to do because they have a feeling they are going to waste. It is a certain mindframe some just have. you cant hate the plan because of that. Just like some will still get desert even if they pay oop just because they want to try it, i have done that at resturants and i am average person. AS far as stocking up, why not? I dont see a problem with someone wanting to utilize all that the plan comes with as long as THEY dont feel inconvienced by it.
I am also a planner and have no problem making my reservations for where I want to eat. For those of you who would rather pay more to have the option of walking up to a resturant good for you but if planning will save me 30-50 bucks then i will by all means plan

 

[Kitka]

This is just way too much fun....I love it when we have discussions and have a little fun..

OK.. you planning Capricorns, I am not a planning Capricorn. I agree that life is way too short, but I hate the planning thing. Must be the other signs that come into play with my Capricorn side......they want to be spontaneous.

I haven't always been a planner. In fact, other areas of my life are much more spontaneous than my vacations. But man, vacations? I'm a planner to the max. Don't know why. Planning this last trip with the DDP was like a drug to me. I've tapped into my planning self and expelled the spontaneous demons. LOL

 

[Kitka]

More reasons I hate the Dining Plan (besides the gluttony thing...)

1. The menus are being dumbed down in the good TS restaurants

2. The first question that comes out of your servers mouth is - Are you on the dining plan?

3. Standing behind people in line at CS restaurants trying to max out their credits and arguing with the poor kids behind the counter that they were charged for a snack when its really just their desert!!

4. Watching people eat soup for an appetizer when its 95 degrees in the shade just becasue its on the plan. And its not gazpacho!!

We always made a point of making a reservation at the Flying Fish and California Grill - not this year. We are headed to Blue Zoo and Normans (Blue Zoo isn't on the DP and Normans is 10 miles away)

Re: the 'gluttony thing', that's no fault of the DDP. Then offering the option of a dessert with your meal doesn't mean they're requiring you to take it. I am very health conscious and just lost 32 pounds right before going to WDW on the dining plan. I only ordered dessert when I wanted it, and never felt the need to order something because it was 'included'. I still saved over $300.

Also, the snacks including water meant that we always had plenty of water at the parks, which of course means staying healthier. I can't imagine having leftover snack credits - we drank them all!

I just can't get worked up over servers asking a quick question along with all the others at the beginning of the meal. And, who says you can't eat soup on hot days?!? Geez.

 

[LuckyJC]

Another factor not to be on DP, only 3 of Disney's restaurants made the top 10 list at tripadvisor, V&A, Artist Point, & Boma. Four more ranked from #16 to #20.

Of the top 20 list, V&A is the most expensive, most of the non-Disney restaurants are cheaper than Disney's, and a few that are the same price.

This brings us back to the point of why dining inside Disney's at all! I would eat lunch inside Disney because it is physically impossible not to do so. But I can have dinner elsewhere and still go back to the park for evening entertainment.

DP is just a marketing strategy for Disney to increase its hotel occupancy while decreasing the enjoyment of relaxed dining experience, it is not a good thing for consumers in general for both those on DP and not on DP. Those on DP must eat inside Disney because it is already paid for and it really doesn't make sense to spend money to eat elsewhere, and they also must make ADR far in advance and rush to their reservation regardles of what they are doing at the time or else risks having nothing to eat. Those not on DP find themselves facing packed, solid-booked restaurants with no chance of a walk-ins, and even with ADR's, face lower quality food and service.

I am more and more against DP, I would only take it if it truly free, i.e., not paying full hotel rack-rate, and be able to book a TS restaurant on the same day.

 

[NJOGRE]

I think you are right. It is absolutely crazy to have to make your dinning pleasures 180 days out. I am going in November and have made my plans already. However when I get to WDW 1/2 of my ADR will not be used. I always book more becauseou never know when something is going to happen and you can't make an early ADR so you have to have a back up and have a late ADR. Its absolutely nuts. I remember going in Feb 2002 and waking up and making my dinner plans that morning that was great. What ever I felt like I got into. I went in April this year and made 26 ADR for a 4 day trip, just to make sure I was covered for all times. I didn't cancel tghe ADR's that I didn't use either. I wonder how many other people do this, and I think that the policy just makes it harder to get into the places you want to go.

They should chnage the policy to walk ups only. Give out the pagers and make sure the pagers work in the whole park.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Now let's keep this thread going nicely...

I will say here that if I do make a reservation and cannot keep it, I do call and cancel it.. Just the way I am, I think that someone else might be able to use that reservation if I cannot.

Disney does not say you have to call and cancel if you are not going to make it, but what I am afraid of is that they will start requiring credit cards with ADR's and if you do not show, they will charge your card. I would hate to see them put that into effect, but if the dining continues to go the way it has with jam packed restaurants, it may become a reality. They do it for certain restaurants and shows, I know.

 

[LuckyJC]

But making redundant ADRs is the only solution when you have to make them 180 days in advance. How would you know which park you will be and when your kids will be done with rides and hungry? You probably wouldn't know until that afternoon for your dinner.

The only ADR I will be making are the ones I know I will attend for sure, the Candlelight Professional, and Christmas day dinner off-site when I know I will be off-park. Other nights, I will not bother making ADRs, too much hassle, I rather make my own simple dinner back at my beautiful 5-star 2 bdrm timeshare, which only cost me $499 for the week, and enjoy a relaxed and healthy homecook meal. I will return to park for evening entertainment only. I see no need whatsoever to eat at Disney's ts restaurant. I might reserve Boma, just because its menu looks really interesting, but that decision is based solely on the restaurant, not because it is a Disney's restaurant or it is part of DP. When I return to Orlando in the future without my kids, I will also try V&A for the same reason as above.

 

[TDC Nala]

Personally when I go to WDW it's to indulge in my two favorite deadly sins, sloth and gluttony.

I'm trying the dining plan in September because they'll let DVC members buy it. Otherwise I wouldn't be eligible. It's only a 4 night trip and I'm using two TS credits for California Grill so I won't have to have a full dinner every night. The other two are going for Raglan Road and Marrakesh.

I'm going to split up a lot of the CS credits. I most likely won't use them the first day at all. I'm staying at Old Key West and will probably use them for Earl of Sandwich on the last day before departure. In between I think they will go for breakfasts or lunches but not for both if I can help it.

 

[Iggipolka]

A few comments.


On gluttony. I do see the premium plan as encouraging gluttony; you almost need to have three TS meals a day to make it worth the cost.

We did the Premium Plan in March and while it's true that you do get 3 meals per day, they can be either TS or CS. Also included in the plan is unlimited recreation, selected tours and Cirque. So, if you are deciding if the Premium Plan is worth the cost, you need to include those factors as well.

We absolutely loved the Premium plan and usually had 2 TS meals per day, breakfast and dinner, and a CS lunch. For us, it was well worth it.

 

[traviesojmt]

I am all for the dining plan. It did not change the way that I plan our vacation at all. Even before the dining plan, I would have all of our restaurants picked and ADRs made as early as possible. I realize that it probably wasn't intended , but the "dumbing" down of the menu comments really bother me. I personally think that it is great that Disney has found a way to allow all people to enjoy their restaurants. We have always eaten one TS per day, but I know many who couldn't afford it before the Dining (especially Free Dining) Plan. I understand those who argue that they don't like planning that far ahead or those who argue that it is just too crowded. I do not understand the arguement that the menu had to be "dumbed" down to accommodate those now using the plan.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We decided when we were planning our June vacation not to do the DDP because No.1 the amount of food aspect. We would feel that we should eat what ever they were offering so we could get our money's worth. I hope that dosen't sound awful. No. 2, even though we do make plenty of ressies for dinner, we do like a little flexibilty. Plus for this trip we were going to add 3 breakfasts that we would have had to pay for so we wouldn't lose our credits for our TS on those days. So it would have wound up costing us more money in the long run. We opted to get the DDE card instead which we have had in the past(we are AP holders) and that saved us quite a bit. We went over everything we spent for meals and snacks for our last trip and it came out to be just about the same. I think it just comes down to an individuals preferance on what is good for them.

Michele

 

[Praying Colonel]

Dining is a huge part of my experience but I don't want to have to plan it 6 months in advance. If I cannot get into the restaurants I want within a REASONABLE time frame (and I think 90 days is reasonable) then I may have to rethink future trips.

2 weeks ago I made reservations for our August trip, around 90 days out at that time. I had no problem getting ADR's at Le Cellier and our other choices, at good times.

And I appreciate the concern from many of you that we can't control ourselves. The thing is, my Mom taught me that I didn't have to eat every single bite, so I plan on being able to eat some from each course without being a pig. And since I'll be walking 8 miles/day or so, I think I probably won't wreck my health eating on the DP for a week.

We've never stayed onsite before, and we've only eaten one TS meal at WDW before. This plan opens up things for us and gives us a chance to experience things we'd never experience otherwise. And the crowded nature of the restaurants indicates it's working out well for Disney, too. Looks like a win for everyone except the folks who are used to having it to themselves. How 'bout including in the rest of us "great unwashed"?

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

Hope you don't mind if I add my thoughts as well.

We had the DDP last year in Sept and LOVED IT!! Granted it was free. We had booked our trip already and were talking about ways to cut down the cost of eating each day so we did not blow a bunch on money on food. That is just not something we wanted to do. We did want to eat good and enjoy our meal but we would hate to come home thinking we just tossed out hundreds on dollars on eating. So, we would have been eating as cheap as possible, meaing most likely pizza at night and maybe a burger during the day. Not really buying any snacks or anything. We just wanted to spend the extra money on things we could bring home with us. So anyways, after booking we found out free dining was offered again so we passed up our discount rate and changed to rack rate with the free dining. It was so much fun for us b/c we got to try places we would not have spent that much on without the plan. We loved all the food we got. We never felt like we had to eat it all. We gave to others while there and would just pass up desert all together if we were too full. However I did at least try it most nights b/c I am a sweets person. Anyways, the dining really added to our experience overall. We had a great time getting to go in after a long day and sit down to something good to eat. It was so nice!

So now we booked again this year for the free dining as well. So of coarse I think getting dining for free is a good deal!! Who could not??

Now if we had to pay for the dining plan I do not know that we would unless we got a good rate on the room or something. DH is very big on only doing things he feels we are getting a great deal on. We LOVE Disney and wanted to be able to get to go as much as possible and take the kids as much as possible to enjoy it. However going and paying rack rate for a room then buying the dining plan just does not sit well with him..lol So I would be a little torn there.

I do not agree that the dining plan means you HAVE to eat that much. It just gives you the options to have more some days or less. You can use it as you see fit. For those who just go home with credits left on your plan, why not give them to people and make their day. I have a couple 2 snack credits last year before we left and would pass along our deserts for CS meals almost everyday and had so many people really appreciate that. It is always nice to help somebody out. Spread the magic around a little bit.

As for how it used to be..I would not know. Last year was our first trip since we are a fairly young family. We love anything Disney and even decorate a lot in it..hehe Our son loves Disney so much so we wanted to be able to take him and were so excited to get to finally go. It has been great having the dining offered free again this year so we can afford to go again and enjoy those wonderful meals without worrying about going over budget and saying, can we eat here or there, etc..

I LOVE planning and making adr's. It is a wonderful thing for us b/c we sit here together talking about all the places to go, looking them up, picking what parks we want to go to, getting opinions, writting it all down and making the ressies. That is something we really enjoy doing together and kinda makes the trip more real. I have always sat here wondering why so many hate making adr's when I sit here and enjoy picking out where we want to go and knowing it is booked and ready for us. I am not one to go and dot he parks comando style and run around like a chicken with its head cut off. I want to wake up, take my time getting the kids ready, go have some lunch some place and then enjoy the park the rest of the day at my own pace and know that at dinner time I have some place to go sit down and enjoy a meal.

So anyways, just some of my thoughts. i really enjoy it and would possibly get it on a future trip paying for it too if we were to get a good room rate or something b/c it really does add to the experience and we truely loved it. I think everyone makes of it what they will. Some don't like to plan, I love to plan b/c it makes it more real and gives me something to do to pass the time. Some say it promotes bad eating. I say you are your own person, you choose what to eat. Don't stuff yoruself silly. Also on that note, this is a vacation. I hate when people go on vacation and are so worried about what they eat. I mean this is your VACATION!! Enjoy it and enjoy eating all you want to eat. Go back to your diet or normal eating when you come back home.

JMO's!

 

[La2kw]

I haven't experienced Disney yet since the dining plan came into effect, so I can't say whether or not I hate it. I know I won't be using it. For 12 nights the plan would cost us more than what we spent for food on our 16 night trip last year. There's no way we could eat that much food every day. We plan on sticking with the DDE and not changing our dining patterns to fit Disney's latest marketing scheme.

 

[LVSWL]

We have always planned our days and our meals in advance, but with so many more people using the dining plan there is no room for any change in plans at all once you arrive. We used to be able to call the morning of and get a "priority seating" for pretty much anywhere close to our desired time. I can't imagine eating an appetizer and an entree and a dessert at a meal. We looked at the menus and tried to make a realistic decision about how much we would eat. A better way for us to go was the DDE.

 

[Kitster]

.......we will be able to just order dinner (no app/dessert) if we want to and not think we are losing money if we don't.

I can agree with everything you mentioned, mostly. But since the DP is going to be free for us, I won't worry about 'losing' money, since we aren't paying anything in the first place.

There will be plenty of times my DH and I will be sharing a meal, just so that we won't be eating way too much food. This will allow us to eat at HDDR (4) and Yachtman's Steakhouse (4), go to Mama Melrose's for the Fantasmic dinner package (2), have lunch at Nine Dragon's (2), and do Crystal Palace for the 1st MNSSHP (2). We're checking in on 9/9 and leaving on 9/17, so that gives us a total of 16 TS credits. As you can see, we've already planned to use 14 of the 16 credits, while only accounting for 5 days of TS. We'll fill out the other days with 2 shared TS meals and CS for lunch and dinner.

 

[swimmom]

Re: the 'gluttony thing', that's no fault of the DDP. Then offering the option of a dessert with your meal doesn't mean they're requiring you to take it. I am very health conscious and just lost 32 pounds right before going to WDW on the dining plan. I only ordered dessert when I wanted it, and never felt the need to order something because it was 'included'. I still saved over $300.

Also, the snacks including water meant that we always had plenty of water at the parks, which of course means staying healthier. I can't imagine having leftover snack credits - we drank them all!

I just can't get worked up over servers asking a quick question along with all the others at the beginning of the meal. And, who says you can't eat soup on hot days?!? Geez.

No gluttony isn't the fault of the DDP - what I did say is that it encourages gluttony and I stand by my words. People are predisposed to take full value of the plan they paid for and order everything they are entitled to - who can blame them, they have paid for it. People who have never ordered brownies with their burger at the Pecos Bill cafe are now doing so, and a few hours later grabbing an ice cream with their snack credit. I think it is changing peoples normal eating habits and not in a positive way.

 

[swimmom]

I am all for the dining plan. It did not change the way that I plan our vacation at all. Even before the dining plan, I would have all of our restaurants picked and ADRs made as early as possible. I realize that it probably wasn't intended , but the "dumbing" down of the menu comments really bother me. I personally think that it is great that Disney has found a way to allow all people to enjoy their restaurants. We have always eaten one TS per day, but I know many who couldn't afford it before the Dining (especially Free Dining) Plan. I understand those who argue that they don't like planning that far ahead or those who argue that it is just too crowded. I do not understand the arguement that the menu had to be "dumbed" down to accommodate those now using the plan.

I don't think the menu was dumbed down to acomodate those using the plan. (Based upon on your comment I am assuming that you believe those using the plan are not "foodies" and therefore not familiar with more complex flavors, presentations etc..- I make no assumption about who does and does not use the plan) I think that Disney's motivation was purely financial. Take the harder to prepare properly and more complicated presentations off the menu (the grilled tuna at Spoodles is a perfect example). Give diners fewer choices therefore making it easier to manage our spoilage etc.. Its all cost related.

 

[amaubie]

Hi all,

We are actually at Disney now (OKW) and have the DDP - I wanted to share a few thoughts that we have about it. First, it is a lot of food. However, what we have done...we usually eat breakfast in the room (cereal or breakfast bar), have the CS in the park and are using the TS meals to try lots of places we never would go without the plan. Sunday, we ate at CRT - this took 2 credits. So, we have shared several TS meals since then. Sharing lets us try lots of food without feeling like we've overeaten. You do have to plan for this - because (obviously) at a buffet style restuarant - you cannot share. We went to Spoodles last night (AWESOME!!) and shared our meal and had plenty of food. We have a 2 y.o. (free) and a 6 y.o. - so, we only pay $10.99 for the kids. Not sure the plan would be worth it if you had kids over 10 who are picky or have very small appetites. Also, we have skipped the desserts(at lunch) as well. We feel like we are already saving so much $ - that's not a big deal. Also, many places offer fruit cups as the desserts (w/grapes, melons etc) and our DDs will eat those well. We use the snacks for drinks and other treats here and there.

Just how we're using it and what's working for us.

~~
Anne

 

[TDC Nala]

I think it is changing peoples normal eating habits and not in a positive way.

Maybe...but I can't get too excited about it changing people's normal eating habits on a week long vacation. If they go home and keep eating like they're on the dining plan, then, yeah.