Why I Hate the DDP

[DisneyBride'03]

One reason we like DDP...everything is paid for...it reminds us of an all inclusive resort stay...except for the drinkies

 

[KCMiller]

Tavern on the Green and V&A on the same level. Not! V&A is one of the best restaurants in the nation. Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap with some of the highest priced, yet most mediocre, food on the planet. No comparison between the two.

I was kinda scratching my head at that comparison, as well. Although Tavern on the Green is a PRETTY place, to be sure.

KC

 

[LoraJ]

What really baffles me about this thread is that many people feel that the decline of dining at WDW is to be blamed by a program that allows any guest (staying on property of course) the opportunity to dine at restaurants that they may not normally be able to because of money. Who are we to judge where people eat. This has nothing to do with the time that it takes, the confusion on some people's part regarding the plan, etc., but with the feeling that some people are better than other people. I promised myself I would keep my mouth shut about this whole debate, but it bothers me when other people judge other people. I've been judged before and it's horrible.

Everybody goes to WDW to have a good time regardless of their financial situation. Why can't we just be happy about going to WDW instead of feeling that some people on DDP are below us? I guess I'll never understand that.


OK, I'm stepping off my soap box.

Have a Disney Day!

Let's say right now everyone enjoys going to Le Cellier to get the mushroom filet. I pay $28 or whatever for it OOP. The majority of the people in the restaurant are on the DDP. So since not many are paying OOP for it, it isn't cost affective for them. So they either take it off the menu or make the portions much smaller.

It has nothing to do with you being on the plan. It has to do with I am willing to pay for a 10oz filet, but now I can only get a 7oz, and only one type.That's why I wish they would have seperate menus for those paying OOP and those on DDP. So everyone would be happy. DDP wouldn't work for us because we eat TS twice a day sometimes. So if they raise the prices and cut the portions, I am the one paying the price for something that isn't worth it for us to participate in.

I don't think most people hate the purpose of the DDP, just that it's taking away from what we had come to enjoy.

 

[mjkaferle5]

There are so many different ways to "look at" the DDP.

I am finding in this thread that a lot of folks who have a differing opinion than my own, are in a totally different family situation.

There are 6 in my family (4 boys). We love the DDP because it simply makes things easier for us on vacation. It is that simple!!

Now if my wife and I were newlyweds, I would probably have to agree with the majority of the "couples" on this thread.

I think Disney does a good job of trying to meet everyone halfway. There is no way they are going to please everyone, all of the time. Well I suppose they could, but it would cut into the profit margin.

 

[Marion]

Let's say right now everyone enjoys going to Le Cellier to get the mushroom filet. I pay $28 or whatever for it OOP. The majority of the people in the restaurant are on the DDP. So since not many are paying OOP for it, it isn't cost affective for them. So they either take it off the menu or make the portions much smaller.

But... but... when I order the mushroom filet in October whilst on the DDP, all that means is that I paid OOP in May for it! Just because I'm not paying OOP immediately following the meal, doesn't mean it wasn't paid for.

 

[LoraJ]

But... but... when I order the mushroom filet in October whilst on the DDP, all that means is that I paid OOP in May for it! Just because I'm not paying OOP immediately following the meal, doesn't mean it wasn't paid for.

But aren't you getting considerable savings from the DDP? How much is actually being paid towards the restaurant for that filet? You paid for it in May, but if you're paying $38 a day or whatever including tip, that's pretty much the cost alone for your filet, appetizer and maybe dessert, but definitely not the tip. The cost is being cut from somewhere. Because that price doesn't include OOP for your lunch and snack. I wasn't saying it isn't being paid for aty all, but that they aren't making as much as if it were it OOP.

 

[wdwthreethiels]

Let's say right now everyone enjoys going to Le Cellier to get the mushroom filet. I pay $28 or whatever for it OOP. The majority of the people in the restaurant are on the DDP. So since not many are paying OOP for it, it isn't cost affective for them. So they either take it off the menu or make the portions much smaller.

It has nothing to do with you being on the plan. It has to do with I am willing to pay for a 10oz filet, but now I can only get a 7oz, and only one type.That's why I wish they would have seperate menus for those paying OOP and those on DDP. So everyone would be happy. DDP wouldn't work for us because we eat TS twice a day sometimes. So if they raise the prices and cut the portions, I am the one paying the price for something that isn't worth it for us to participate in.

I don't think most people hate the purpose of the DDP, just that it's taking away from what we had come to enjoy.

I totally agree, we always pay OOP, and too often enjoy more than one TS per day. We just returned from a 5 day stay over the Mother's Day weekend and my DD-17 was very surprised at the "shrinking" of the Smores at 50's Prime Time (a dessert she has been ordering since 2000 - so it is tradition), it is no longer a dessert that she can share with her DF & DM (me), although Mom and Dad paid the same for it, we are visiting again over Labor Day, and have Free DDP, which we will most likely not make entire use of due to our style of vacationing. As it has been said, everyone has their own opinion, and I would like to second the opinion/idea of separate menus for OOP and DDP, and let's not forget DDE
Michelle in NY

 

[Marion]

But aren't you getting considerable savings from the DDP? How much is actually being paid towards the restaurant for that filet? You paid for it in May, but if you're paying $38 a day or whatever including tip, that's pretty much the cost alone for your filet, appetizer and maybe dessert, but definitely not the tip. The cost is being cut from somewhere. Because that price doesn't include OOP for your lunch and snack. I wasn't saying it isn't being paid for aty all, but that they aren't making as much as if it were it OOP.

To be honest I think it all evens out in the end. The DDP is being marketed very heavily in the travel industry along with the MYW packages. To the average consumer (non-Diser... I'm sure they do exist ) these packages read as a typical all inclusive resort deal. Now I'm fairly certain a goodly amount of the people that book these packages aren't combing through every scrap of readable material on WDW and memorizing menus and snack bar locations. Sad but true

I'm going to make up my own statistics here, completely wrong I know but I think the premise is sound. For every family that books the DDP and uses it effectively and efficiently and does indeed save the 40% on their meals, there will be 3 other families who do not. They will be going home with TS credits... snack credits.. all unused. They paid for them but didn't get the value from their package. Probably because they didn't truly understand how the plan worked or they were unable to get a TS reservation... whatever. Then there will be couples like my husband and I who booked the DDP for sheer convenience and will probably just break even on the plan. Disney isn't losing any money on this. If they were, or if they were just barely breaking even on their costs vs income, they would have discontinued it last year or the year before. Just my opinion.

 

[gokenin]

I was kinda scratching my head at that comparison, as well. Although Tavern on the Green is a PRETTY place, to be sure.

KC

The idea of the comment was that you need to compare apples to apples are you saying that Tavern of the Green is equal to Applebee's instead? people i was simply using Tavern on the Green for its national name value. would anyone outside of Boston know of Top of the Hub or The White Barn Inn? probably not but I am guessing that most people in the country know of Tavern on the Green sorry if you couldnt guess that I was naming a place known by many across the country. The idea was to compare it to a place that has the same level of dining but instead I guess I will simply have to say that you have to comapre V&A to another five star resturant and if you can find any other rated resturants at Disney to compare them to the same rated stars resturants near you. ok did that settle everyones confusion about something that I thought made sense.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

But by having two seperate menus, that's basically saying that if you're on DDP you're second class. Why shouldn't somebody who paid $39 or whatever it is on the DDP enjoy the same thing that somebody else is enjoying who paid OOP who decided not to do the DDP? Would the OOP people be able to chose from both menus then? I can understand both sides though.

Has anyone (on either side of this topic) thought that maybe Disney decide to decrease the portion size because of their healthy take on food? Instead of serving a 9 oz. steak, maybe they considered that a 7 oz. steak would be just as good. I just thought of that idea.

Whether or not people are on the DDP or not, the DDP must be making Disney money because if it wasn't they wouldn't offer it.

Anyway, that's just my opinion...

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let's say right now everyone enjoys going to Le Cellier to get the mushroom filet. I pay $28 or whatever for it OOP. The majority of the people in the restaurant are on the DDP. So since not many are paying OOP for it, it isn't cost affective for them. So they either take it off the menu or make the portions much smaller.

It has nothing to do with you being on the plan. It has to do with I am willing to pay for a 10oz filet, but now I can only get a 7oz, and only one type.

Okay, at my local butcher shop, filet mignon is $5.99 a pound. Since that’s retail, for the sake of argument let’s say Disney is paying the same price (they’re not, they’re paying wholesale prices due to quantity and, well, that’s how restaurants operate, but…). You get two 7 ounce filets out of one pound. That’s $3.00 per steak. Figure another fifty cents for the side dish – potatos or whatever. HOW is the Disney Dining Plan not cost-effective? Yes, I’m aware my figures don’t include payroll, operating costs, and profit. Disney’s got my money NOW for food I’ll be eating in four months. Disney has the OOP diner’s money… after they’ve eaten.

But aren't you getting considerable savings from the DDP? How much is actually being paid towards the restaurant for that filet?

Every penny. Not necessarily of the menu price, but absolutely every penny of the cost of the meal, plus the CMs’ pay, plus utilities, plus equipment…

I totally agree, we always pay OOP, and too often enjoy more than one TS per day. We just returned from a 5 day stay over the Mother's Day weekend and my DD-17 was very surprised at the "shrinking" of the Smores at 50's Prime Time (a dessert she has been ordering since 2000 - so it is tradition), it is no longer a dessert that she can share with her DF & DM (me),

Despite the portion sizes we’ve come to expect at a wide variety of venues, and all over the country, the intent of any given menu item, unless otherwise indicated on the menu (e.g. “Chateaubriand for two”) is to feed the individual diner only. So, portions have been large enough in the past to share. Now they’re not. In the past, diners at Disney World (and other locations) have been able to save money by sharing courses. That the size of a particular dish has been reduced to feed an individual instead of a family with no corresponding drop in price is disappointing, sure – but that’s what the restaurant chooses to do. In the example quoted, and IMO only, that S’mores dessert was WAY too big.

But by having two seperate menus, that's basically saying that if you're on DDP you're second class. Why shouldn't somebody who paid $39 or whatever it is on the DDP enjoy the same thing that somebody else is enjoying who paid OOP who decided not to do the DDP? Would the OOP people be able to chose from both menus then?

And how would that be fair to someone like me? I rarely use the Counter Service credits. Therefore, aren’t I entitled to a more expensive Table Service selection?

 

[George69]

I am kind of new here..........and scared to say anything after reading many of the comments. I think I will just stay here under my comforter where it is safe....just me......alone with my thoughts.

 

[apostolic4life]

Okay, at my local butcher shop, filet mignon is $5.99 a pound. Since that’s retail, for the sake of argument let’s say Disney is paying the same price (they’re not, they’re paying wholesale prices due to quantity and, well, that’s how restaurants operate, but…). You get two 7 ounce filets out of one pound.

What kind of horse is that butcher cutting his filet from?????

We pay wholesale for whole primal beef cuts and cut our own steaks and our prices wholesale are much more expensive: Ribeye(no roll/lip on) $5.85/lb; Ribeye(prime/lip on) $7.35/lb; Tenderloin(PSMO) $9.74/lb; Striploin(choice) $6.25/lb (these prices were from last weeks invoices). These prices are the per pound cost before cleaning off excess fat, silverskin or trimming of any kind; after trimming away the waste and cutting into steaks the price per pound for retail goes up much higher.
That is why you pay $18 - $20 for a sirloin steak (sirloin being a lower grade cut) and its sides at the big box chain restaurants. I agree, I am sure WDW gets a better price/lb then everyone else based on their purchasing power.

 

[apostolic4life]

....what happened to the dead horse from earlier in this thread!

We need a picture of a dead horse being beaten...

 

[apostolic4life]

The idea of the comment was that you need to compare apples to apples are you saying that Tavern of the Green is equal to Applebee's instead? people i was simply using Tavern on the Green for its national name value. would anyone outside of Boston know of Top of the Hub or The White Barn Inn? probably not but I am guessing that most people in the country know of Tavern on the Green sorry if you couldnt guess that I was naming a place known by many across the country. The idea was to compare it to a place that has the same level of dining but instead I guess I will simply have to say that you have to comapre V&A to another five star resturant and if you can find any other rated resturants at Disney to compare them to the same rated stars resturants near you. ok did that settle everyones confusion about something that I thought made sense.

I understood the analogy gokenin!

 

[apostolic4life]

But by having two seperate menus, that's basically saying that if you're on DDP you're second class. Why shouldn't somebody who paid $39 or whatever it is on the DDP enjoy the same thing that somebody else is enjoying who paid OOP who decided not to do the DDP? Would the OOP people be able to chose from both menus then? I can understand both sides though.

I do not think a separate menu would be the answer but if they had a few things on each menu that had to be paid for OOP or at additional cost for DDP, it would be a fair compromise without alienating any of their guests. Does anyone else think that sounds reasonable???

Has anyone (on either side of this topic) thought that maybe Disney decide to decrease the portion size because of their healthy take on food? Instead of serving a 9 oz. steak, maybe they considered that a 7 oz. steak would be just as good. I just thought of that idea.

I think it is plausible, but my thoughts lean towards a restructuring of their basic restaurant business model/philosophy.

Whether or not people are on the DDP or not, the DDP must be making Disney money because if it wasn't they wouldn't offer it.

Absolutely!!!!!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

....what happened to the dead horse from earlier in this thread! [thumbsup2

LOL!!!!! I nearly choked on my soda when I read that! LOL!

I am kind of new here..........and scared to say anything after reading many of the comments. I think I will just stay here under my comforter where it is safe....just me......alone with my thoughts.

Please don't be afraid to comment on topics that are posted on here. You are a member of the Disboards and have every right to post what you feel, just like the other posters on this board!

 

[apostolic4life]

I am kind of new here..........and scared to say anything after reading many of the comments. I think I will just stay here under my comforter where it is safe....just me......alone with my thoughts.

...just invest in flame retardant underwear.

 

[gokenin]

I understood the analogy gokenin!

well I knew someone would get it but its frustrating when people take a quote as direct statement instead of trying to understand the analogy. George come on in to the water its fun in hear. just remeber the quote from seinfeld i believe "its a dog eat dog world out there and I'm wearing milkbone underwear" and you will fit in here on even the worst fighting topics. have fun everyone and just so you know this board has convinced me to try the DDP this november instead of paying OOP may as well contribute to the "dumbing down of Disney Dining " myself peace out people

 

[Pixie_Dust]

This is the first time I have looked at this thread because it's the first time I've considered doing the dining plan due to a 2-day stay. I wouldn't want it for the longer part of the stay. I was just on the phone with Member Services and she warned me that for a fall trip I had better make my dining ressies NOW, because all the restaurants fill up fast due to the large number of guests on that dining plan.

I have read about the last half dozen pages of this thread and really appreciated the insights. I liked the word "streamlined," because that is how we felt when we had to take the only available restaurant, the French one at Epcot, last October and we treated terribly. I got the distinct impression they had "dumbed down" the menu (many things that were not even "French," or upscale enough for the price!), as had been mentioned here, and they appeared to be treating the customers like tourist cattle, just shoving them in and out as if it were a fast food joint with very rude waiters.

I was also shocked that we could not get into ANY other restaurant, but when we checked into that one half an hour early they shoved us in the door before our enitre party had even gotten back from the restrooms. Clearly the filled-up ressies did not reflect the actual availablility, but just make it harder on everyone. Now I'm thinking the overuse of dining plans must have something to do with that.

Did the French place leave off the crust of the fish en croute (which means in a crust!) for everyone due to cost-cutting (and assume none of us would know French... the waiter should have known better, as I was talking to him!), or just my plate and did not have the courtesy to inform me? They also left the spinach off the plate due to that recall and replaced it with stinky chopped up brussels sprouts and did not inform me of the switch. Because they have no respect for their diners now, perhaps? The French restaurant was never a favorite, but the decline in quality and treatment were so severe I could not believe that Disney would even allow themselves to be associated with it. Shameful. I figured they were cost-cutting, and this thread has given another persepctive on that. Thank you.

Btw, lunch at Akershus used to be the best deal in Epcot, but now they have "dumbed it down" to yet another princess meal. I was very disappointed. And I also noticed the reduction of items in the bakeries that somebody mentioned but did not know why.

What Disney needs to take into account is that we are paying premium prices. Not everyone is on a dining plan. Not everyone lives in FL and has an annual pass. We are paying a fortune for our vacation and deserve a premium experience!!! If we wanted to go to an Outback or other chain restaurant, we would not be paying to go to Disney to do so. They had better shape up before they get the reputation for being some kind of crappy third-rate imitation of what we still cling to as the gold standard of our ideal of Disney.

As for the acrimony on the thread (I am not thinking of or referring to anything specific), remember that our country was founded with the idea that the free interchange of information is absolutely crucial. We really need these forums. Thank you to all who have the courage to speak up even in the face of opposition, and thanks for allowing it, DIS!