Changes to dining plan for 2011

[JWG]

My guess is that when it was first introduced, it was positioned as a money-saving move for the consumer, and Disney's benefit was that the guest didn't leave property (more in-park time means more $$).

I would bet that now they're going to position it more from a "you don't have to worry about carrying money!!" standpoint than a savings standpoint.

I could see Disney almost considering that it's fair to charge a PREMIUM for the dining plan (meaning more than you'd normally spend at a dinner), because of its "ease of use".

I can agree with this other than I do have to carry cash. I have to pay my tip. So, I either need cash, credit or charge to room. So, I'm charged a premium to carry "less" cash.

We didn't do DDP on our last trip and we tracked cost. DDP would have saved us HUGE on our 3-9 year old who pays the kids price because that DDP cost is so low per day. My parents spent about 65-70% what they would have on DDP by splitting lunches at QSR locations. Which considering the size of the chicken fingers, is reasonable to do. My wife and I probably only saved 5-10% on the DDP plan because we don't eat the same things.

Ultimately, removing the dessert doesn't bother me as we didn't need them and ate them out of necessity. We also always end up with too many leftover snacks.

I wish they'd have a lower price point version of the plan with these options that would allow you to add on if you so chose. Something between DDP and DDP Deluxe.

Anyway, we won't likely do it again as we typically have a car and eat off property at times as well.

 

[brucie]

That would suck they should keep the desert and bring back the app and lower the price... anyone think that will happen:ROFLOL:

And this is my 500th post:sohappy::sohappy:

 

[dxwwf3]

Hopefully the evil dining plan of doom is on the way out. Finally.

I hold out hope for a return to traditional dining at the MK. Good quality. Varied menus. Fewer characters.

:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[docandsix]

I'm going cold turkey.

If they drop the dessert, we'll drop the plan, unless the price plummets. It's that simple. I've been looking for excuse to shave our trip budgets anyway. Here's a perfect one. Once we dump the plan, Disney will be out about $1500 every time we visit. If enough people react accordingly, Disney will lose money on this maneuver, and I for one would love to see it happen.

Is it just me, or is all the news coming out of Disney these days the same? Stop calling us guests if we're really just golden geese. Stop welcoming me "home" if you're going to root through the couch for my spare change while I'm still sitting on it.

 

[majortom1981]

hmm

Why not just make a lower cost 1 table service meal a day that includes an app and dessert ?

Thats the part of the dinning plan that save you money.

 

[COProgressFan]

Is it just me, or is all the news coming out of Disney these days the same? Stop calling us guests if we're really just golden geese. Stop welcoming me "home" if you're going to root through the couch for my spare change while I'm still sitting on it.

Certainly feels that way sometimes doesn't it? Disney prices have always been high, but the Disney product was also always high quality. Now, the quality is still pretty high, but not nearly as consistent, and your spare change analogy is spot on.

As far as the dining plan, in 2006 and 2007 or so, the Dining Plan was very popular, because it was easy to maximize value and had the potential to save you a lot of money quite easily. Now due to a variety of reasons, for most guests it's probably not worth the trouble anymore for the possibility of saving a few bucks if you're lucky.

Looking at the big picture, this may be a good thing, as dining locations may actually have to consider appropriate price points and quality when guests are paying cash.

 

[memster]

Too funny:lol:

 

[zweltar]

This move kind of frustrates me. Pretty soon the only thing going for the DDP will be the convenience of being able to budget for sure on how much food costs.
They continue to offer less for a higher price while food quality goes down. Granted, quality seemed to be up a little bit our last visit.
This will force me to debate whether to get the DDP on future visits. Maybe it'll be gone by then????

 

[Treasure Island]

I'm a long time reader but joined today because this thread was actually confusing me. Is it possible that assumptions are being made? I ask becasue I checked out the info listed at the link given (http://www.travelcitydirect.com/disney/) and I see nothing about dessert going away.

2010 dining says this....
"Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per guest per day and 1 refillable resort cup per person (can only be used in hotel where guests are staying, NOT in any theme parks). Gratuities are not included. Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal and 1 snack per guest per day. Gratuities are not included."

2011 dining say this....
"Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per guest per day Gratuities are not included. Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal and 2 snacks per guest per day. Gratuities are not included."

We already know that dessert is included in the 2010 dining. The wording in 2011 didn't change, so I think I'm missing why people are assuming there are no more desserts.

What I see is a positive for the DDP in 2011... an added snack just like QSD already has. Unfortunately, it appears the QSD is losing the refillable cup though.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Maybe they are going to have a scaled back version for the DDP when it is given away for free (promotions). When you purchase the DDP you get the plan as it is offered now. :shrug:

 

[Figment1986]

I'm a long time reader but joined today because this thread was actually confusing me. Is it possible that assumptions are being made? I ask becasue I checked out the info listed at the link given (http://www.travelcitydirect.com/disney/) and I see nothing about dessert going away.

2010 dining says this....
"Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per guest per day and 1 refillable resort cup per person (can only be used in hotel where guests are staying, NOT in any theme parks). Gratuities are not included. Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal and 1 snack per guest per day. Gratuities are not included."

2011 dining say this....
"Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per guest per day Gratuities are not included. Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal and 2 snacks per guest per day. Gratuities are not included."

We already know that dessert is included in the 2010 dining. The wording in 2011 didn't change, so I think I'm missing why people are assuming there are no more desserts.

What I see is a positive for the DDP in 2011... an added snack just like QSD already has. Unfortunately, it appears the QSD is losing the refillable cup though.

the "meal" is not defined as main course with dessert, or just main course... Note how it doesn't say excludes appetizer when we know it does.

Why does the quick service plan say "gratuities not included" when quick service cast members (other than bartenders) don't get tips in the first place :shrug:

 

[Treasure Island]

the "meal" is not defined as main course with dessert, or just main course... Note how it doesn't say excludes appetizer when we know it does.

Why does the quick service plan say "gratuities not included" when quick service cast members (other than bartenders) don't get tips in the first place :shrug:

Exactly my point... same wording as 2010. So am I missing why people are assuming that dessert is not included in 2011 when the wording is the same as 2010?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Why does the quick service plan say "gratuities not included" when quick service cast members (other than bartenders) don't get tips in the first place :shrug:

You can tip CS.

 

[Figment1986]

Exactly my point... same wording as 2010. So am I missing why people are assuming that dessert is not included in 2011 when the wording is the same as 2010?

Can you find the wording for the dining plan when appetizers were offered as part of the dining plan and see if it changed :shrug:

You can tip CS.

but how when a charge slip comes up it has no spot for a tip, unlike at a bar or full service resturant.

 

[Tom]

In the last 10 or so years, everything Disney has implemented has been either the first step, or an improved step, in capturing an audience.

With DME, they have solidly convinced people like me that I don't need a car. They get me at the airport, and take me back when I'm done. They have successfully kept me on property. (Universal has only recently rebutted, by offering round trip transportation to and from your Disney Resort Hotel and Universal for a day-trip).

With the DDP, they made sure that you weren't going to eat off property, even if you DID have transportation. Knowing that I've already paid for all of my meals in advance, I wouldn't dare consider skipping a meal, or wasting hours of drive time going somewhere else to eat.

In the beginning, however, the DDP was an amazing deal. NOBODY can argue that. We used Basic the first year it came out. After adding up all of our receipts at the end of the trip, we made out like bandits by using the DDP. But that was when tips and appetizers were included.

Then they deleted tips and appetizers. Still, when we added up everything we ate on the DDP, we were money ahead. However, we wouldn't normally eat dessert at any meal (we never get it here at "normal" restaurants when we go out to eat). So, if we backed out all of the desserts at both QS and TS meals, it was about a wash.

Now, I imagine that they've gotten a lot of feedback from guests asking them to take desserts out of the plan. They wouldn't just do it otherwise, or there would be a huge uproar about how they're always taking things away, etc, etc. They really DO use those surveys and go with the popular vote when it comes to many things (I know a lot of you won't believe me, but it's true).

I have a deep down feeling that we'll see one of a few things. Either they'll take the desserts away, add the snack and lower the price by a dollar...or maybe they'll take away the desserts, add a snack, and then let you use a snack to buy a dessert if you so choose. #2 would make pretty good sense to me because it would satisfy the people who WANT and who DON'T WANT dessert. If you want it, buy it with your extra snack. If you don't want it, get another popcorn or soda in the parks.

I'm anxious to see what comes of this, but we'll just have to wait until August.

 

[Treasure Island]

Can you find the wording for the dining plan when appetizers were offered as part of the dining plan and see if it changed :shrug:

Yes I understand what you're saying but when the wording is the same as 2010 except we're getting an extra snack for DDP, why is everyone assuming we're losing dessert. I'm just asking if I missed something because I feel like I must have.

 

[Hakunamatata]

but how when a charge slip comes up it has no spot for a tip, unlike at a bar or full service resturant.

Cash.

 

[memster]

That would suck they should keep the desert and bring back the app and lower the price... anyone think that will happen:ROFLOL:

And this is my 500th post:sohappy::sohappy:

NO but it sounds great

 

[tirian]

I wish people would stop saying, "It's okay if I lose all my desserts, as long as I get another snack," because that ignores the loss of VALUE.

A "snack" is generally anything below $4, although some $4.50 items are included. Caramel apples, large bags of candy, and some smoothies do not count as snacks; but you can waste the credit on a 99¢ banana or bag of pretzels. A "dessert" is ANYTHING from the dessert menu; it could be worth $5–$10, and it's still a "dessert."

I've only used the dining plan once or twice for short weekend stays, and I quickly learned it's better to get a dessert "to-go" and spend my snacks on bottled drinks, pastries, or Dole Whips.

The DDP has artificially inflated sit-down menu prices and eroded the margin on high-end steaks and seafood. If Disney really needs to save money, they should stop giving the DDP away and let people swap the dessert for a salad or appetizer. Of course, the best solution would be to drop quick-service menu prices by a dollar or two, and drop table service prices back to reasonable levels; then make the DDP a high-end offer for people who simply don't want to bother with money. Stop advertising the DDP as a "value" and stop giving it away. But that would kill the Destination Disney campaign, and we know they'd never let that happen.

 

[TeriofTerror]

I have always found that sharing one appetizer and entree with my DH to be a much better value than DDP, and we still have plenty of food. It's not like you are going to take your leftovers with you...

If you are still hungry, you have a great excuse to splurge on dessert!