Buffets now $60!!??

[glvsav37]

I am well known at absolutely hating the dining plans. They have driven the cost so far up, that our TiW now only takes the price back to where it should be. They have raised the prices to make the dining plans look like a good deal, when the truth is, they are not.

I hear ya, I know there is a strong DP good/DP bad camp.

I'll be honest, right now it works for us. We can beat to death why, but not important.

the reason for my little freak out there when you posted it, is that we have been holding off buying the plan a few more weeks—just based on finances. We have all of our ARDs set and as of now, even if the info yesterday was true, it did not effect us as we are mostly book for breakfasts. When I first found out about this yesterday, we made the decision to just buy the package ASAP in case there are more changes, but we have to do it through DVC and they were closed.

So today, i see your note and was like "HFS!!! They beat us by a day!!!" Thankfully (at least at this moment) we are still cool.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I hear ya, I know there is a strong DP good/DP bad camp.

I'll be honest, right now it works for us. We can beat to death why, but not important.

the reason for my little freak out there when you posted it, is that we have been holding off buying the plan a few more weeks—just based on finances. We have all of our ARDs set and as of now, even if the info yesterday was true, it did not effect us as we are mostly book for breakfasts. When I first found out about this yesterday, we made the decision to just buy the package ASAP in case there are more changes, but we have to do it through DVC and they were closed.

So today, i see your note and was like "HFS!!! They beat us by a day!!!" Thankfully (at least at this moment) we are still cool.

Not sure how you think that is saves you money, but OK. The only thing it does for you is prepay for meals. You would save money in the long run if you put the same amount on a gift card, and then actually ate what you wanted, and not just buy the highest priced item on the menu.

 

[glvsav37]

Not sure how you think that is saves you money, but OK. The only thing it does for you is prepay for meals. You would save money in the long run if you put the same amount on a gift card, and then actually ate what you wanted, and not just buy the highest priced item on the menu.

I don't claim that is saves me money. Not everything is about saving the most amount of money to me.

Sanity, yes. Easy, yes. Not counting dollars while I am on vacation, yes.

Granted...if it was a -$400 deficit, then yes, I would not do it. But the Basic dining plan (1TS, 1QS, 1SK) gives the family the freedom to eat what we want at or close to the cost. I don't worry about eating the most expensive thing on the menu, as well as if I paid OOP worrying about NOT eating the most expensive thing on the menu. Its paid off before I go and I'm not worried about a CC bill following me home.

I get to vacation 1x per year...and this year is a catch up b/c of circumstances where we couldn't last year. I don't want to know anything....feed me and let me be on my way. Is that for everyone? No, and I respect that. But for me, I work a second job that most of my Disney fun money comes out of (like this) and for me the cost difference is not that big of a hole that i let it impact me.

now, back on the thread topic, should we start seeing 2 credit meals more and more, then Yes...the dining plan can go take a hike and I'll look at other ways to plan/budget for my meals.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I don't claim that is saves me money. Not everything is about saving the most amount of money to me.

Sanity, yes. Easy, yes. Not counting dollars while I am on vacation, yes.

Granted...if it was a -$400 deficit, then yes, I would not do it. But the Basic dining plan (1TS, 1QS, 1SK) gives the family the freedom to eat what we want at or close to the cost. I don't worry about eating the most expensive thing on the menu, as well as if I paid OOP worrying about NOT eating the most expensive thing on the menu. Its paid off before I go and I'm not worried about a CC bill following me home.

I get to vacation 1x per year...and this year is a catch up b/c of circumstances where we couldn't last year. I don't want to know anything....feed me and let me be on my way. Is that for everyone? No, and I respect that. But for me, I work a second job that most of my Disney fun money comes out of (like this) and for me the cost difference is not that big of a hole that i let it impact me.

now, back on the thread topic, should we start seeing 2 credit meals more and more, then Yes...the dining plan can go take a hike and I'll look at other ways to plan/budget for my meals.

OK, that's cool.

 

[tinkhag6]

Not sure how you think that is saves you money, but OK. The only thing it does for you is prepay for meals. You would save money in the long run if you put the same amount on a gift card, and then actually ate what you wanted, and not just buy the highest priced item on the menu.

It is king of funny that you do not see how it saves some people money. It might not for you, but it does for others. For my family the dining plan cost us $1212.38. Now that is with one sit down meal, one quick service meal, and 1 snack each day. Now our sit down meal is always for the most part character dining since my 3 kids are 6 and under. Looking at receipts from past trips our sit downs, quick, and snacks have total to about 1500. so to me I will take the $300 savings(use on merchandise) and bonus my meals are paid for before I get there. But hey dining plan isn't for everyone. For me I do get great use out of it (and I don't always get the highest priced item). if I don't use all my snacks I go into gift shop and have used them on popcorn, candy etc for ride home. So not really fair that you are being snarky to op and questioning how it saves her money because for some people it does and some people it doesn't. How do you know that op buys most highest priced item. Pretty broad judgement. (I personally order what every I feel like eating at the moment and Hey if that is the highest priced item good for me and if it isn't no bother to me.

 

[glvsav37]

OK, that's cool.

high-five...its all good. everyone does the D differently and its all good vibes brotha!

 

[glvsav37]

It is king of funny that you do not see how it saves so people money. It might not for you, but it does for others. For my family the dining plan cost us $1212.38. Now that is with one sit down meal, one quick service meal, and 1 snack each day. Now our sit down meal is always for the most part character dining since my 3 kids are 6 and under. Looking at receipts from past trips our sit downs, quick, and snacks have total to about 1500. so to me I will take the $300 savings(use on merchandise) and bonus my meals are paid for before I get there. But hey dining plan isn't for everyone. For me I do get great use out of it (and I don't always get the highest priced item). if I don't use all my snacks I go into gift shop and have used them on popcorn, candy etc for ride home. So not really fair that you are being snarky to op and questioning how it saves her money because for some people it does and some people it doesn't. How do you know that op buys most highest priced item. Pretty broad judgement. (I personally order what every I feel like eating at the moment and Hey if that is the highest priced item good for me and if it isn't no bother to me.

@tinkhag6 see my post just below yours. Its all good.

DDP is one of those line in the sand topics that people either love or hate. In the end it is a personal thing and its your (mine, his) money to spend. Who knows, I could be blowing my nose with $100 bills and use the DDP as a convenience and don't care about the money. Others, have to count every cent and that OK too.

my post before yours laid out why its cool with me, but there s a limit. Like what this topic is about, then maybe i won't find the same value in it.

 

[JWG]

If they'd put the tip back into the DDP then it would be truly ease of use. But without it, I still have to have the means to pay the tip, either via credit card, magic band, cash, etc. It doesn't take away the requirement of "cash flow" (yes lessens it significantly) or the process of paying.

We liked it back when it was all inclusive of tip because the lack of real savings (I don't care what Disney says) was offset by true "easy".

 

[glvsav37]

If they'd put the tip back into the DDP then it would be truly ease of use. But without it, I still have to have the means to pay the tip, either via credit card, magic band, cash, etc. It doesn't take away the requirement of "cash flow" (yes lessens it significantly) or the process of paying.

We liked it back when it was all inclusive of tip because the lack of real savings (I don't care what Disney says) was offset by true "easy".

we use our Disney Visa points (gift card) for incidentals like tips and such.

 

[tinkhag6]

@tinkhag6 see my post just below yours. Its all good.

DDP is one of those line in the sand topics that people either love or hate. In the end it is a personal thing and its your (mine, his) money to spend. Who knows, I could be blowing my nose with $100 bills and use the DDP as a convenience and don't care about the money. Others, have to count every cent and that OK too.

my post before yours laid out why its cool with me, but there s a limit. Like what this topic is about, then maybe i won't find the same value in it.

So does anyone know that if Disney is aware of this situation and it is a glitch how come it hasn't been fixed yet. There end is showing still 1 point, but the website is showing 2. Is this something we should expect in the future? Also can they just change the dining plan in the middle of the year.(are dining points subject to change)?

 

[ford91exploder]

+1

Hopefully people will wake up and realize that 1) character dining is a stupid waste of money and 2) the dining plan is a stupid waste of money.


Spoiler alert: It was a bad value even at one credit.

Trouble is Disney keeps shoving Character dining everywhere at Tusker X House try to avoid it yet the buffet is one of the best and most unique on property. LTT same deal neither place needs characters yet they are there

Right now it's probably a narrow majority of WDW TS restuarants which HAVE character dining for at least one service

 

[Master Yoda]

@tinkhag6 see my post just below yours. Its all good.

DDP is one of those line in the sand topics that people either love or hate. In the end it is a personal thing and its your (mine, his) money to spend. Who knows, I could be blowing my nose with $100 bills and use the DDP as a convenience and don't care about the money. Others, have to count every cent and that OK too.

my post before yours laid out why its cool with me, but there s a limit. Like what this topic is about, then maybe i won't find the same value in it.

The thing most of us old timers dislike about the dining plan in its current form is how it has negatively impacted dining in general at WDW.

Not only does it limit what can be put on a menu for a once credit restaurant, but it has artificially inflated the prices across the board (buffets are the most obvious offender) to make the plan "worth it".

 

[ford91exploder]

We can only hope, so that it gets discontinued someday.

Never gonna happen under Iger and the igerbots running the joint think of all that sweet float interest Disney would lose

 

[Gabe1]

EDIT: Looking like a web site glitch...just called ANOTHER CM and they said it must be a mistake b/c they did not hear about it. However, I'm still keeping my eye on it.

this can be moved to the dining area if more appropriate, but this section seems to have the most people in the know

Was just looking at our ADRs and noticed that Tusker House lunch and dinner was now 2 credits. We called and the CM said that most character dining was changing to 2 credits. It didn't effect us bc we only have breakfast, but my in laws have dinner ADRs there.

They called and the CM said the same info however they are not effected bc they booked bf the change.

We poked around and TH right now is the only character meal that is 2 credits.

1) this is pretty fudged up if they are changing it up on people
2) if true and all character meals go 2 credit, then that makes basic character way over priced.
3) is this another cost cutting, price gouging maneuver?

I'm hoping this is just a mistake.

Good catch on both the original sighting and then the removal. I had a flashback to a 'glitch' that posted this years free dining for the fall and then it just as quickly disappeared.

It wouldn't be the first time a 'glitch' shed some light onto future unveilings on accident. Could Disney be working on revisions for the 2017 DP and a 'glitch' caused it to prematurely post? If memory serves me correctly over the years Disney generally alters the dining plan and usually with advance notice with the start of the New Year time frame.

To me Disney would be flirting with Bait and Switch protections if they implemented changes after funds for same had already been collected from guests even if the specific ADRs had not been booked.

I'm also recalling a thread not that long ago about changes to the 2017 dining for UK guests-can't remember if it was all DPs or just the free dining.

 

[ford91exploder]

The thing most of us old timers dislike about the dining plan in its current form is how it has negatively impacted dining in general at WDW.

Not only does it limit what can be put on a menu for a once credit restaurant, but it has artificially inflated the prices across the board (buffets are the most obvious offender) to make the plan "worth it".

It's also sucked all the uniqueness out of restaurant menus. Pretty much every restaurant serves the same menu these days and for the most part it's prepared in a central kitchen. It's a bit disheartening if you order a salad and you can't have the dressing on the side which tells you everything is made up at least in advance and probably at a centra kitchen

 

[DisneyDebRob]

The thing most of us old timers dislike about the dining plan in its current form is how it has negatively impacted dining in general at WDW.

Not only does it limit what can be put on a menu for a once credit restaurant, but it has artificially inflated the prices across the board (buffets are the most obvious offender) to make the plan "worth it".

Don't forget about taking the appetizer away and not including the tip. That was the last time I used the DDP. If it still works for some, that's great.. TIW is the only way I go now. We find ourselves nibbling around the park and trying more things then ever which we love. Saving money isn't bad either.

 

[JenniferS]

OP Here....Mods...we can delete this thread if you want. It appears it was only a glitch and all character dining is still 1 credit.

granted, yes, there is the smoke/fire camp which I can believe. WDW has 'accidentally' released info before. But as for right now it is still 1 credit. Seems multiple people have called and CMs have confirmed.

No, no, please do not delete the thread.
Where else can I go to read about how all of us free-DDP'ers are a pariah, and the number one cause of WDW's state of disrepair and disfunction?

 

[DznyGrlSD]

If they'd put the tip back into the DDP then it would be truly ease of use. But without it, I still have to have the means to pay the tip, either via credit card, magic band, cash, etc. It doesn't take away the requirement of "cash flow" (yes lessens it significantly) or the process of paying.

We liked it back when it was all inclusive of tip because the lack of real savings (I don't care what Disney says) was offset by true "easy".

while we're at it - put the appetizer option back in too. I'd much rather have an appetizer than desert (most of the time)

 

[DznyGrlSD]

The thing most of us old timers dislike about the dining plan in its current form is how it has negatively impacted dining in general at WDW.

Not only does it limit what can be put on a menu for a once credit restaurant, but it has artificially inflated the prices across the board (buffets are the most obvious offender) to make the plan "worth it".

It's also sucked all the uniqueness out of restaurant menus. Pretty much every restaurant serves the same menu these days and for the most part it's prepared in a central kitchen. It's a bit disheartening if you order a salad and you can't have the dressing on the side which tells you everything is made up at least in advance and probably at a centra kitchen

This
This
This
This x infinity (and beyond!)

 

[Andrew C]

No, no, please do not delete the thread.
Where else can I go to read about how all of us free-DDP'ers are a pariah, and the number one cause of WDW's state of disrepair and disfunction?

yep...you're the worst...how dare you!