Disney doesn't have the data itself. Other than any registered complaint ... and most people don't complain (at WDW or anywhere) they just don't return.
I'm not making an argument. I'm stating a fact. Many people are mad about the costs of food at WDW. Do you want to start dissecting the word 'many' now?
quote]
I'm may not be mad, but extremly upset at what has been slowly happening to WDW food service. I have also heard people stand and complain to themselves and family members outside of restaurants just looking at the menus. I have heard people complain at tables next to me when they get the bill for dinner and wonder why a meal that is not at the even at same level as a chain TS restaurant and is substantially more. The poeple that I have heard complain are people that have paid for their meals.
Free dinding customers seem to be very happy. Any of us would typically happy if we get a free meal. Even if the meal is lousy and the service is bad it is still free and we feel that there is nothing to complain about since it is free.
I do let guest services know when I am unhappy with something, and even more important I let them know when I am happy or a CM has been magical.
The 'average' guests notices far more than most fanbois want to give them credit for.
Since they don't post as nauseum on fan sites or post trip reports/reviews they are simply assumed to be satisfied customers. That isn't the case ... but since it can't be quantified, those folks are not factored into anything other than the revenue/profit they bring in on any single visit. If they never return, Disney isn't concerned because there's another newbie out there.
~Just Call Me Joe The Plumber~
Absolutely!!
I know it has been a couple of years since my first trip to WDW. Prior to the fanboy years. Like 16 years. I was in my mid 20's going to WDW for the first time with my wife for a 8 night trip. With out the internet you really have no idea of what to expect at WDW for the first time. So we get there on a Mears bus and get dropped off to this magical island in central florida with no way off till that bus comes in 9 days to pick us up again. I can tell you this. We had a wonderful time experiencing all the WDW offered, but the cost of food even back then was shocking. The cost of food was the only thing that detered me from going back for a few years. Thankfully we have the internet to better research today, but understanding my experience I will say that many newcomers see very well some of the price gouging that goes on.
From a business standpoint I applaud them for being able to increase margins, but I think this may in the future become a PR issue. Free dining needs to stop or at least be limited to lower end restaurants. I really enjoy going on vacation and eating high quality food since we just don't eat out at home.
The usual rose tinted bollocks from the Disney can do no wrong crew. As predictable as an august thunderstorm. 
