First, free dining makes it almost impossible to get a ressie at certain places during those times, unless you are able to book 180 + 10. Second, it causes headaches for the restaurant managers that have to show a profit. Yes, every restaurant now has to show a profit. It used to be that a park would have to. Now every single entity has to. We have talked with several of them, and they have been forced to cut back or eliminate items due to the DDP and free dining. So instead of getting that near prime meat cut, they have to buy select grade cuts to make ends meet. You get a lower quality product because you want to eat for free. Nothing is free.
The DDP has caused all of the restaurant prices to soar over the last few years, as Disney is trying to make it look like a bargain to people. It isn't a bargain, and unless you are ordering the highest priced menu option everywhere, you are losing money. Some here claim that they still save, but I cannot ever make the numbers work. We don't want to eat steak at every meal. Heck, there are times that we will order just a few appetizers and we're good.
Now if Disney had done it right in the first place, and stated that if you are DDP then you can get most items on the menu, but not the filet mignon - except for an upcharge, then it would be a much better deal for everyone. Well, everyone but y'all that think you deserve a $45 steak for free.
I'm sorry that you need this to make your trip possible, but maybe you need to rethink that?? How about saving for an extra few months or going less? I know that this is a bad attitude that I have, but I really think that if you can't afford to go there, pay for everything, then maybe you shouldn't be going there in the first place. Disney is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. My parents never could when I was growing up. I didn't get to go until I moved to Orlando as an adult.
