Dining Plan dropping food quality??

[wannab@dis]

We get it! YOU don't have a problem with the dining plan! :brick:

Others do.

Count me in with THE MOM! I WANT to pay for a GREAT meal....not have to choose from whatever they want to give everyone else for FREE!

That's what lots of us have always gladly done in the past, and now it's not even an option. Disney set a certain standard for its regular guests and in my opinion, what they are offering us now is most definitely "sub"standard.

WOOHOO for the people who like it! I don't.

We get it! YOU have a problem with the dining plan! :brick:

Other's don't.

And all of these "I WANT" statements seem very similar to my 2yo. :lookaroun

 

[Senderella]

Do yall think that after the free dining is over with, the restaurants will breath a sigh of relief and go back to the better quality?

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Do yall think that after the free dining is over with, the restaurants will breath a sigh of relief and go back to the better quality?

Senderella, I do hope so! Disney always had the best dining experience prior to the dining plan.

PS... I LOVE your little quote about duct taping your to the treadmill.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Senderella]

Senderella, I do hope so! Disney always had the best dining experience prior to the dining plan.

PS... I LOVE your little quote about duct taping your to the treadmill.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here's to hope. Dh & I have been sitting around talking about the restaurants and our favorite dishes/treats. My MIL is going with us this trip and she was leery about it being nothing but "park food". We swore up & down she's not gonna be disappointed. LOL This entire thread has had me worried.

And as for my quote.. :lol: thank you. It's entirely true. I started at half a mile and I've been adding a quarter mile a day so I don't kill myself. I refuse to fall out of bed and hobble to the bathroom every morning at WDW like I always do LOL. My joints can't handle the walking 6-8 miles a day from a cold start ya know? I messed up my knee back in 01 right before my wedding and it still gives me trouble. I'm hoping all of this walking will do me some good and help me get used to it all before Disney.

 

[wannab@dis]

Senderella, I do hope so! Disney always had the best dining experience prior to the dining plan.

PS... I LOVE your little quote about duct taping your to the treadmill.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I went out looking for reports about the dining experiences and I've found that the good reports still outweigh any bad reports -- even for the people that are at WDW right now or have recently returned. I think a select few are blowing this whole thing way out of proportion. If you go into your trip looking for problems, there's a chance you may find an issue. However, if you have an optimistic outlook, I bet you'll enjoy the dining experiences as much or more than the past. I know we did on our last trip using the Dining Plan. :wave:

FYI -- I also used sources other than WDWMagic.

 

[Senderella]

If you go into your trip looking for problems, there's a chance you may find an issue. However, if you have an optimistic outlook, I bet you'll enjoy the dining experiences as much or more than the past. I know we did on our last trip using the Dining Plan. :wave:

FYI -- I also used sources other than WDWMagic.

See that's the thing.. we've never gone with all the bad reviews lurking in our minds..from the reliability of the bus transportation to the food or anything like that. We've only had ONE bad spot at WDW and it wasn't really entirely anyone's fault or THAT THAT bad. We had walked from the Gateway at Epcot to one of the hotels there to catch a bus to DTD. The bus didn't come around for about 45 minutes. There were a lot of people waiting at the stop with us also. Ended up being some sort of dispatch miscommunication or something. No biggie though... we were getting grumpy about waiting but we got to sit & relax for awhile. We've used the dining plan since 05 and never ever had a problem with the service OR the food quality. Dh & I have even coined WDW "the land of perfect bacon". I'm seriously hoping that things are just getting blown out of proportion OR it's because of the free dining. We're excited to go and probably won't notice if things are amiss because we're just excited to finally "be back home" OR entirely too tired to care :lol:

 

[wannab@dis]

See that's the thing.. we've never gone with all the bad reviews lurking in our minds..from the reliability of the bus transportation to the food or anything like that. We've only had ONE bad spot at WDW and it wasn't really entirely anyone's fault or THAT THAT bad. We had walked from the Gateway at Epcot to one of the hotels there to catch a bus to DTD. The bus didn't come around for about 45 minutes. There were a lot of people waiting at the stop with us also. Ended up being some sort of dispatch miscommunication or something. No biggie though... we were getting grumpy about waiting but we got to sit & relax for awhile. We've used the dining plan since 05 and never ever had a problem with the service OR the food quality. Dh & I have even coined WDW "the land of perfect bacon". I'm seriously hoping that things are just getting blown out of proportion OR it's because of the free dining. We're excited to go and probably won't notice if things are amiss because we're just excited to finally "be back home" OR entirely too tired to care :lol:

Good to hear!

Another thing to keep in mind is that for every person who finds something to complain about, there are many who are perfectly happy, but don't take the time to inform others of their positive encounters. Have a great trip! :wave:

 

[The Mom]

We get it! YOU have a problem with the dining plan! :brick:

Other's don't.

And all of these "I WANT" statements seem very similar to my 2yo. :lookaroun

The difference is your 2 year old WANTS something...as long as someone else gives it to him/her. I WANT something that I've gotten in the past, because I've paid quite a bit for it. Now, I can't get it, even if I'm willing to pay for it.

Now, if I said I WANT something that is no longer on the free dining plan, but can't get it, I would consider that to be more like a two year old.

Eh, it's WDW's decision, and I have no choice but to live with it, so I am not planning on eating some of my favorite dishes at my favorite restaurants anytime soon. I can't change it, but I don't have to like it. :kiss:

 

[kennyj29]

Lck123

I really feel awful about the Red Sox, I am a huge Mets fan and my second favorite team is Boston. I would have loved if the Sox and the Mets could have been in the world series together. I of course would root for my beloved Mets but if we did lose, there is no team I would rather lose to. I hope you get back in next year!!! Anyway, We are also going the end of September into October so I guess we will test the food plan at the same time, we'll have to compare notes!!!!

 

[The Mom]

I really feel awful about the Red Sox, I am a huge Mets fan and my second favorite team is Boston. I would have loved if the Sox and the Mets could have been in the world series together. I of course would root for my beloved Mets but if we did lose, there is no team I would rather lose to. I hope you get back in next year!!! Anyway, We are also going the end of September into October so I guess we will test the food plan at the same time, we'll have to compare notes!!!!

:lol:

 

[kennyj29]

I agree about the choices on the menu, what we were offered a couple of years ago on the dining plan (when we paid for it) isn't there any more. As someone who appreciates the free dining plan, I can understand that people are bummed out about some of the differences from a few years ago. I think they should offer two menu's, one for the people who choose to take the free dining plan and another for people who would like to pay for it. Then when you want steak and lobster, you can get it but the person on the free food plan won't be offered that. Offer a nice steak for the free dining plan but offer more for the person who is willing to pay for it.

Wouldn't that solve the problem?

 

[Tara Stone]

dining plans

I am leaving Saturday for DW.....Our family of 5 is on a dining plan and am getting nervous looking at all the posts! All our reservation are made. An itinerary planner set them all up for us. I'm a little confused though because our plan wasn't free.
Anyone used the platinum plan recently?
would appreciate any help/suggestions

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Good to hear!

Another thing to keep in mind is that for every person who finds something to complain about, there are many who are perfectly happy, but don't take the time to inform others of their positive encounters. Have a great trip! :wave:

Its all about standards and levels of expectation. Most of which is based on previous experience.

I eat at table service resturants every trip, this year I opted to pay for the dinning plan, I visited during a time when free dinning was on, the resturants were busy, the menus in many have changed significantly. All of this is fact.

The choice in many resturants was reduced, in some the quality of the dish was not that previously experienced, in some resturants staff were flustered and complaining openly, in a couple of resturants we felt rushed as the bill arrived with desert. All of this is my experience.

I didnt realise this board was the home of fundamentalists who outlawed any questioning of their faith. Now lets talk about bloody awful evening EMH. :drevil:

Oh buy the way you still can find $40 plates at California grill shame that something similar was over $5 less lass year. I would blame oil prces but I thought they grilled the steak rather than fry.

 

[meryll83]

Just out of interest, what dates does free dining span this year?

 

[BRER STITCH]

We get it! YOU have a problem with the dining plan! :brick:

Other's don't.

FINALLY.....a breakthrough!

:brick:

 

[kennyj29]

The date officially ends on September 30th, however, if you booked your trip and the starting date of your trip was September 30th, you could still get the free dining plan for 10 more days after the 30th.

 

[davinakb]

Interesting thread. I had never considered the Dining Plan as something large enough to direct restaurant operations at WDW but am really thinking it is. Just a few facts:

*Never tried the DDP.
*Eaten at WDW for years. Love it.
*The DDP seems very popular; don't think it's just the few times when it's thrown into a package for free.

The greatest impacts I've noticed:

• Priority Seatings are harder to get. In fact, they've recently opened the window for reservations to 180 days from 90; and many places have expanded their hours to accomodate the demand (got that after chatting with a Disney rep on the phone, trying to get something booked for an upcoming trip); best times go quickly. And thusly, walk-up seating waits are even longer.
• Table service places are more crowded; staffing is an even greater issue which I can only hope will be addressed soon. Disney just needs to recognize the higher demand and staff accordingly.
• Menus are more scaled down than before the DDP, but not much. From what I can remember, dining at Bistro de Paris & the Royal Table 5-6 years ago, there was a little more variety on the menus. Today they are all 1 or 2 beef, 1 chicken, 1 pork, 1 pasta, 1 vegetarian, 1 or 2 fish/seafood entrees. The menus also do some seasonal changes (but that too is to be expected), it's just I am seeing fewer options.

Not sure if the DDP is to blame in a quality drop per se, but as more and more people eat at WDW, TPTB may be seeing a need to appeal to a broader audience, thereby changing the food to accomodate the masses. I see this a little bit more in the parks, than at some of the more themed, upscale resort restaurants. YMMV.

I've read rumors online that a few restaurants have opted out of participating in the plan for 2007, perhaps as a backlash to all this (maybe they're not making money, just too many complaints about getting a table, who knows). Another effect of the DDP could be that, if demand continues to remain at current levels (even at the paid for levels) Disney should look into adding additional table service restaurants.

 

[rudilantfury]

Hey I am new here but just wanted to add this information I went ahead and researched with the Disney Dining Plan. I went ahead and took the participating locations list from 2006 and for 2007 and compared them and have a list of the places no longer participating in the program.

Here is the list that I came up with that are not on the DDP for 2007:
Belle Vue Room- Boardwalk Inn
Big River Grille and Brewing Works- Boardwalk Inn
La Tienda- Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill- Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market- Coronado Springs Resort
Siesta's Pool Bar -Coronado Springs Resort
Ale & Compass- Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Cookies of Dublin- Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich- Downtown Disney
FoodQuest- Downtown Disney
Missing Link Sausage Co.- Downtown Disney
Planet Hollywood- Downtown Disney
Raglan Road- Downtown Disney
Wolfgang Puck Cafe- Downtown Disney
Wolfgang Express- Downtown Disney
Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn- Magic Kingdom Park
Boulangerie Patisserie- Epcot
Cantina de San Angel- Epcot
Les Chefs de France- Epcot
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma- Epcot
Lotus Blossom Cafe- Epcot
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki- Epcot
Nine Dragons Restaurant- Epcot
Refreshment Cool Post- Epcot
Refreshment Port at Showcase Plaza- Epcot
Restaurant Marrakesh- Epcot
San Angel Inn- Epcot
Tangerine Cafe- Epcot
Tempura Kiku- Epcot
Yakitori House- Epcot
Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction- MGM Studios
Chikarandi Chicken Shop- Animal Kingdom
Dino Bites- Animal Kingdom

Some of these places could also just no longer exist or been renamed, but I think it's safe to say many of the Epcot places were unhappy with the Disney Dining Plan. If the menus or service at those restaurants return to an exceptional quality in 2007, perhaps the Disney Dining Plan is too blame for the lower quality or reduction of menu choices. We shall see. Also there were a few additions to the list not in 2006, but very minimal and Private Room Dining (Room Service) is allowed in 2007 for 2 Tickets a person at select hotels.

Hope this helps :wave:

 

[wannab@dis]

Here is the list that I came up with that are not on the DDP for 2007:
Belle Vue Room- Boardwalk Inn
Big River Grille and Brewing Works- Boardwalk Inn
La Tienda- Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill- Coronado Springs Resort
Pepper Market- Coronado Springs Resort
Siesta's Pool Bar -Coronado Springs Resort
Ale & Compass- Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Cookies of Dublin- Downtown Disney
Earl of Sandwich- Downtown Disney
FoodQuest- Downtown Disney
Missing Link Sausage Co.- Downtown Disney
Planet Hollywood- Downtown Disney
Raglan Road- Downtown Disney
Wolfgang Puck Cafe- Downtown Disney
Wolfgang Express- Downtown Disney
Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn- Magic Kingdom Park
Boulangerie Patisserie- Epcot
Cantina de San Angel- Epcot
Les Chefs de France- Epcot
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma- Epcot
Lotus Blossom Cafe- Epcot
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki- Epcot
Nine Dragons Restaurant- Epcot
Refreshment Cool Post- Epcot
Refreshment Port at Showcase Plaza- Epcot
Restaurant Marrakesh- Epcot
San Angel Inn- Epcot
Tangerine Cafe- Epcot
Tempura Kiku- Epcot
Yakitori House- Epcot
Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream of Extinction- MGM Studios
Chikarandi Chicken Shop- Animal Kingdom
Dino Bites- Animal Kingdom

Most, if not all, have now been added back to the DDP for 2007. The original documentation was created prior to the completion of negotiations with the different locations.

For up to date information... see this link: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages07a.htm#rest

 

[rudilantfury]

I stand corrected then. I didn't know the list on allears was updated. Thanks I guess the restaurants aren't having problems with the plan then.