What was the reason?I’m sure you remember the “reason” they gave for the change, Len…it’s still tops in my all time favorites
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News Disney Dining Plan Returns in 2024
- Thread starter DCBaker
- Start date
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Somebody with a nametag actually said that both the “guests” and the WORKERS didn’t want the tips included in the plan
…yeah…people hate 20% less out of pocket and workers really hate guaranteed tips…
Yeah..
I never thought about this until now but it makes perfect sense. Why pay for a character meal when you an LL most of those options. Now? Do both or stand in line.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Interesting tradeoff , ROI margin of a Fuzzy or face character with associated generic troughs over a good quality Steak or Seafood Entree.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Minimum wage…don’t forget that part
seabreezept813
Well-Known Member
I did do a cold brew at CP breakfast because I can’t stomach alcohol in the morning (no judgement for mimosa people). It was pretty good, but didn’t feel like it should be special.
JD80
Well-Known Member
I can see someone thinking this way, but in practicality I don't think there is much of a conversion there. Typically people are making day-of decisions on meeting a princess no? The meals require ADRs because Akershus and CRT are hard to book for decent times on most days and they are both $60+ per adult.
I don't see many people booking them just because they can't get a M&G LL.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Reservations are wide open…it’s 2025. Especially day before.
And CRT is a one and done for like 99.999% of normal humans. You don’t go there for the food.
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
I recall when it changed to LLMP and character meets weren't included the/a reason provided was that Disney was getting a lot of complaints that the standby line for meets were awful as they just didn't move and were taking a lot longer than the posted times as they focused on the FP+ guests / the meets aren't set up for multiple queues
Like a lot of things I am sure it is more than one reason and that was probably part of it and if it does motivate people who did prioritize FP+ for meets to now more likely pay for character meals then that is an added bonus
Like a lot of things I am sure it is more than one reason and that was probably part of it and if it does motivate people who did prioritize FP+ for meets to now more likely pay for character meals then that is an added bonus
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It’s likely both things are true
There was some "truth" to that statement. Server tips were based on the fixed restaurant reimbursement rate not on the menu price of the items ordered. My memory is there was a union issue that had to addressed.
Guests claimed servers were being paid for bad service. They wanted to tip based on service.I think those Guests were expecting a 15-20% price reduction.
You're not even given a choice of soup or salad. It's not a meal plan; it's a grub plan
Splash4eva
Well-Known Member
Im not saying im the norm but one of main reasons why i would always do breakfast/dinner character was to eliminate any real need to see characters during the day and waste any time waiting. My daughter would get her morning and early evening fix and then if there were shorter lines etc we would catch some in parks. So i easily see people who value time and want to make most of a day riding rides doing this…
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The lie was still crap…but I am
Glad you brought these up
As far as the unions go…I’m
Sure they complained. But they have no power. There really is no Union with optional membership. Cause “Flori” is gonna “Duh”..,
We might have forgotten because Covid threw them a rare advantage…but generally speaking the unions were given only what Disney wants for PR/lack of turmoil purposes.
Glad you brought these up
I heard about that…and I’m sure some would think they’d do better if it wasn’t in. But the reality is tipped positions do better with guaranteed grats in the wash. You win some, you lose some…but you want the steady bank in general.
As far as the unions go…I’m
Sure they complained. But they have no power. There really is no Union with optional membership. Cause “Flori” is gonna “Duh”..,
We might have forgotten because Covid threw them a rare advantage…but generally speaking the unions were given only what Disney wants for PR/lack of turmoil purposes.
Oh no doubt. But then it opens to stiff which happened ALOT. Because people could claim they paid for everything. You gotta be a snake to do it…but it did happen. And of course…try to tip someone less than 20% and they’ll give you the “special sauce”
Well there was always an easy gimmick there…don’t give you an appetizer…when you’re hungry…but give the dessert which I bet a lot of people didn’t bother to order
My memory is union interpretation of the contract requires automatic tip ( paid by Disney) be based on menu pricing. Dropping the tip avoided negotiations or arbitration.
I'm sure complaining guests thought Dropping the tip would lower the cost of DDP.
Similar issue with adult beverages. Some can't legally drink. Some don't drink. Medical religious etc. Some of us don't like drinking in the the heat. Dropping adult
Beverages might reduce the cost by the few dollars Disney pays for wine, beer etc. The reduction will have no relationship to the menu prices
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Not gonna dispute any of that. I’m sure it’s correct. If they put in an artificially low set rate grat…I would see the beef. If it was “comensurate” with the menu…it’s pro waiter.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
What would a “deal” entail? Just curious
I could have sworn earlier this year they had some kind of kids eat free deal but maybe I am misremembering
TheMaxRebo
Well-Known Member
For 2026 they are doing kids get the dining plan free with paying adults - maybe you are thinking of that
It wasn't an outright lie.
Guests on the internet, and presumably on Disney surveys, said the included tip resulted in poor service. I'm sure those Guests were expecting a large price reduction in the DDP.
My memory is Disney was paying servers 15% instead of 18%. The % wasn't applied to the actual menu pricing.
I only remember rounded numbers. The first year the cost for DDP was around $50, I think a little less. A couple of times I was near the register while my bill was being processed. This was at non Disney restaurants. QS at CSR and TS at Chefs de France. A variable discount was applied. TS meal was discounted down to little over $30 and the tip was around $4.50. QS meals were around $10. I don't think I saw the snack. Two snacks around $2 to $3 seemed right. The original snack was a drink, pretzel and.pop corn.