2017 Dining Plan Changes: Is the QS now officially overpriced?

[Coaster Lover]

If you order the most expensive item on the menu at every restaurant you eat at and always get the most expensive snacks and appetizers you can find, you will most certainly come out on top. My problem, when using the dining plan last time, was that I found I was always hunting out the most expensive options because I knew in the back of my head that I wanted to be sure I was getting my money's worth, but often ended up choosing a more expensive option over a less expensive option that often had slightly more appeal. Additionally, I was getting deserts and appetizers when I really wasn't hungry for one (usually, after a long day at an amusement park, I'm much more thirsty than hungry) and so I found I was getting more food than I might have gotten without the pass. The drink mug held little value to us as we spend so little time at the hotel (would have been of much more value if you could have used the mugs in the parks). I'm sure some people can get value from the dining pass, but based on my eating habits at the parks, my concern is that I would have to actively try just to break even.

 

[po1998]

All these years later, the DDP, and ADR's still annoy me. The concept of planning your day around where you are eating that day is mind boggling. Then you pile on FP+, and the thought of getting up and "winging it", is in the distant pass.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

All these years later, the DDP, and ADR's still annoy me. The concept of planning your day around where you are eating that day is mind boggling. Then you pile on FP+, and the thought of getting up and "winging it", is in the distant pass.

ESPECIALLY 180 + 10 days in advance...it's stupid. I love my trips to Disneyland even more as of late.

 

[lostpro9het]

ESPECIALLY 180 + 10 days in advance...it's stupid. I love my trips to Disneyland even more as of late.

Its even more stupid when you consider that Disney isn't even considerate enough to put the actual hours of operation for their parks that far out in advanced.

 

[Tay]

You are off.

Two meals, one snack, one mug. You better max out those credits though, or else you come out well behind. For example.....

Lunch at Columbia Harbour House....$9.99 for the Tuna Sandwich w/chips
Dinner at Cosmic Rays...$9.49 for Chicken Nuggets and fries
Snack Gastons....$4.49 for a Cinnamon Roll

So you just paid $44 for $24 worth of food. Yikes.

Well that sucks ! At least they could do is include a drink with each meal. I read somewhere they and other theme parks get them free. The mug is still worth it to me. I drink a lot of soda(bad I know) and I'll probably share it with someone. I still come under -$2 if both my meals are $9.49.

 

[sxeensweet]

Its even more stupid when you consider that Disney isn't even considerate enough to put the actual hours of operation for their parks that far out in advanced.

They do have the hours out by then! I have never not had the hours available when I did my 180+10 on my 180th day the last 10 years almost every year give or take. So that complaint is not even relevant.

 

[lostpro9het]

They do have the hours out by then! I have never not had the hours available when I did my 180+10 on my 180th day the last 10 years almost every year give or take. So that complaint is not even relevant.

Yes, hours are posted but not the actual hours. Are you going to sit there and tell me that AKL will close EVERY day at 5:00 during the week of Christmas? I don't think so. I swear you make it very hard to take your posts serious sometimes.

 

[xdan0920]

They do have the hours out by then! I have never not had the hours available when I did my 180+10 on my 180th day the last 10 years almost every year give or take. So that complaint is not even relevant.

The park hours are put out for 190 days. However, they are subject to change and aren't firmed up till 45-60 days out.

 

[sxeensweet]

Yes, hours are posted but not the actual hours. Are you going to sit there and tell me that AKL will close EVERY day at 5:00 during the week of Christmas? I don't think so. I swear you make it very hard to take your posts serious sometimes.

You said they were not available you did not say they were not fully finalized. I NEVER said they were final but they are out! So sorry I have never been bothered by that and I have always been able to adjust my plans later if need be. Nothing worth complaining or worrying about. Guess I just go with the flow too much for some even as OCD as I am. Oh well at least I'm happier that way. Nice smiley's by the way. Haha!

 

[sxeensweet]

The park hours are put out for 190 days. However, they are subject to change and aren't firmed up till 45-60 days out.

Yes I'm well aware of that but he said they were not out didn't say not finalized. And even a month or so out they aren't always final. They have changed literally the day of when we have been there as recent as last October that happened to us for MK. They adjust as need be for crowds. Also AK they are still waiting to see when ROL will be out to totally finalize the hours so I expect to wait until closer to for those.

 

[lostpro9het]

You said they were not available you did not say they were not fully finalized. I NEVER said they were final but they are out! So sorry I have never been bothered by that and I have always been able to adjust my plans later if need be. Nothing worth complaining or worrying about. Guess I just go with the flow too much for some even as OCD as I am. Oh well at least I'm happier that way. Nice smiley's by the way. Haha!

OMG, go back and actually READ my post this time, here I'll help you:

Its even more stupid when you consider that Disney isn't even considerate enough to put the actual hours of operation for their parks that far out in advanced.

I put "actual hours" and never said "not available". And I didn't even have to go back and edit my original post to make it right like some folks that go with the flow....

 

[lostpro9het]

Yes I'm well aware of that but he said they were not out didn't say not finalized. And even a month or so out they aren't always final. They have changed literally the day of when we have been there as recent as last October that happened to us for MK. They adjust as need be for crowds. Also AK they are still waiting to see when ROL will be out to totally finalize the hours so I expect to wait until closer to for those.

Keep reaching even though you are wrong again.

EDIT:

 

[sxeensweet]

OMG, go back and actually READ my post this time, here I'll help you:


I put "actual hours" and never said "not available". And I didn't even have to go back and edit my original post to make it right like some folks that go with the flow....

I said you said they were not out oh wait let me be specific you said actual hours. Same difference and I did read that. And again I edit a lot for spelling and grammar errors and getting out the best way to say what I was needing to get across. Sheesh. What is it with y'all that like to argue about nothing. I just clarified your pose for those that may be reading that the "tentative" hours are out when making 180+10 reservations. Sue me! Haha! Hope you are having a lovely day I am.

 

[lostpro9het]

I NEVER SAID YOU SAID NOT AVAILABLE!

Wow, do you ever read your own fallacies!?!?!

You said they were not available

Yes I'm well aware of that but he said they were not out

That's ok, keep on saying what you didn't say and keep on making up "what you meant" after the fact.

 

[sxeensweet]

Keep reaching even though you are wrong again.

EDIT:

How am I wrong? I really don't care either way but everything in my response is true and correct. I guess y'all live in your own world. I have had hours get extended while I was on my trips even the same day/morning so how is that wrong or about ROL wrong. Sheesh. Y'all woke upon the wrong side of the bed today. Haha! Guess y'all didn't get your daily pixie dust dose. Haha!

 

[George]

We used Excel's Solver add-in to figure out the average value of each component of the 2017 dining plans, for 3- to 6-day trips. Here's what we came up with as ballparks:

A quick service meal is worth about $19.42
A table service meal is worth about $40.41
A snack is worth about $3.02
The mug is worth about $5.64​

The value of the mug depends on how many days you'll use it, and that (slightly) affects the cost of the other components.

Again, these are ballparks. Here's a link to the spreadsheet, if you want to copy and run your own numbers. Let me know what you come up with.

I love your spreadsheets. Many moons ago you did me a favor just cuz I asked (we conversed via e-mail, I'm sure you have no idea) and I've always liked and admired you since.

Anyway, my kids are at an age where I won't do the dining plan because the cut off at 9 (last year of childhood)/10 (ready to go out on your own in the cold, cold world) for the adult price that is strictly enforced on the DDP is nuts. No way does my 11 year old daughter who on some days can survive on 3 cracker crumbs and air molecules eat any amount of food that makes the adult dining plan at any tier worth it. My son is 13. Sometimes he gets an adult meal, sometimes he gets a child's meal. If they brought back that old junior pricing (essentially 10-15 years old with the current setup) where a junior paid (adult+child)/2, it would be much more reasonable. We have to avoid buffets too. My daughter isn't eating 40+ dollars of food by any metric and they will sometimes let her eat at the child's rate but lately it has involved a discussion that has bordered on a Parliamentarian debate about tax rates. Not worth it. However, without the shackles of the DDP anyone (including grandma and grandpa) who wants to get a kids meal at any sit down restaurant can. One final note - junior pricing for tickets and things at WDW is really old school and I date myself for even remembering it.

 

[sxeensweet]

Wow, do you ever read your own fallacies!?!?!



That's ok, keep on saying what you didn't say and keep on making up "what you meant" after the fact.

Yes I know what I meant though when I said that I didn't mean you LITERALLY SAID THEY ATE NOT AVAILABLE others will read what you said "actual" hours and see you may mean they aren't available. Sorry I took it the wrong way and pointed it out. Geez Lol

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

Quick Question: i've heard rumorsif you have remaining snack credits at the end of your vacation you are no longer able to use them for candy, etc like we used to be able in the 2017 changes.

Anyone know if that's true? Sorry if I'm the only one who doesn't know this

 

[MinnieWaffles]

So much salt over theme park food LOL!

IDK, I don't mind Disney QS food. TS food is kind of meh though. Oh well. I don't go to theme parks for fine dining.

 

[Jon81uk]

Quick Question: i've heard rumorsif you have remaining snack credits at the end of your vacation you are no longer able to use them for candy, etc like we used to be able in the 2017 changes.

Anyone know if that's true? Sorry if I'm the only one who doesn't know this

All dining plan credits expire at 11:59pm on your check out day. Snacks are any item with the purple DDP logo next to it on signage.
As long as you follow both those things you can get what you like. This will not change, as long as you have snacks available and the item is marked as a snack, you can get it.
We bought several bags of Goofys candy and rice krispie treats to use up our snack credits.
Some examples of items that have the purple logo are in this photo

Currently you can also swap a quick service credit for three snacks, as long as they are all bought in the same transaction. This can be a poor use of the credit, that as Len said is worth around $19, so you need three $6.50 snacks to get ahead. But it can help use credits up. However, this is not mentioned in the official brochure so may be withdrawn. Also in 2017 a quick service credit no longer includes dessert (you get a seperate addditional snack per day), so expect them to only be worth two snacks in 2017.

This might help too https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...-ons/dining-plans/2017-disney-dining-plan.pdf