Hi, all. It's been a while. I have just gotten through my WDW withdrawals from my April trip. Why do some of us have a hard time looking at anything Disney once we get back from our trip. It's like a depression. lol.
Anyway, my wife and I had purchased the dining plan each of our last three trips. For this trip, we thought it was ludicrous for us to spend over 800 dollars on the dining plan for ourselves and out 8 year old since we do not spend that much on food in a month at home. We assumed we could eat cheaper and eat less (dining plan offers too much food) if we paid out of pocket. Now, let me say that it had been about 5 years since we did not utilize the dining plan. Let me tell you, prces have gone through the roof. For my wife and I, and my 8 and 2 year old at counter service locations with my wife and I and kids sharing a drink cost, minimum 38 bucks! Unfathomable. Now, let me say, I know I am in a controled environment nd the price will be higher. But, goodness, the quality of most quick service places is horrid. Cosmic Ray's cost us just under 39 dollars for lunch and the quality was on par with a school cafeteria lunch. Now, this was not the worst. We stayed at CBR and one evening, after a day of allowing the kids to play at the pool, we decided we would eat in the food court. So, I ordered my son a pizza kids meal. That was 7.99, after all, it came with a really cool dollar store bucket. Anyway, the pizza, no kidding, was the size of saucer, no more than 4 inches in diameter. For 7.99.
Now, I love WDW as much as anyone, if not more. I have been addicted since I was 6, but this was the first time I could say I was angry at WDW and taken advantage of for the sake of profit. I won't complain about the cost of admission, you get much value for the cost of admission in WDW, in my opinion. I know some of you think park quality has dropped (i don't disagree,) but I reallyfeel I get value for the cost of admission. However, I feel like the cost of food and the ridiculous souvenirs are total rip offs and takes advantage of people.
Now, I have read comments from people on this board who claimed that the drop in quality and pricing was to force everyone to pay upfront for the dining plan and I always thought they were paranoid. Now, I agree. I live in New Orleans, I can dine in a 5 star restaurant with a world renowned chef at the helm and enjoy the finest food in the world and pay between 28 and 40 dollars per entree. But, I can go to WDW and eat in a table restaurant where the food is frozen and of lesser quality and the chef is still in college earning his/her culinary degree and pay, wait for it, 8-40 dollars per entree. Makes me sick. I mean, really is an rip off when you compare the quality and price. So, Yes, next time we go, we will get the dining plan because I spent just as much had I gotten the plan and only ate in table restaurants 3 times. Leson learned.
What do you all think??
Anyway, my wife and I had purchased the dining plan each of our last three trips. For this trip, we thought it was ludicrous for us to spend over 800 dollars on the dining plan for ourselves and out 8 year old since we do not spend that much on food in a month at home. We assumed we could eat cheaper and eat less (dining plan offers too much food) if we paid out of pocket. Now, let me say that it had been about 5 years since we did not utilize the dining plan. Let me tell you, prces have gone through the roof. For my wife and I, and my 8 and 2 year old at counter service locations with my wife and I and kids sharing a drink cost, minimum 38 bucks! Unfathomable. Now, let me say, I know I am in a controled environment nd the price will be higher. But, goodness, the quality of most quick service places is horrid. Cosmic Ray's cost us just under 39 dollars for lunch and the quality was on par with a school cafeteria lunch. Now, this was not the worst. We stayed at CBR and one evening, after a day of allowing the kids to play at the pool, we decided we would eat in the food court. So, I ordered my son a pizza kids meal. That was 7.99, after all, it came with a really cool dollar store bucket. Anyway, the pizza, no kidding, was the size of saucer, no more than 4 inches in diameter. For 7.99.
Now, I love WDW as much as anyone, if not more. I have been addicted since I was 6, but this was the first time I could say I was angry at WDW and taken advantage of for the sake of profit. I won't complain about the cost of admission, you get much value for the cost of admission in WDW, in my opinion. I know some of you think park quality has dropped (i don't disagree,) but I reallyfeel I get value for the cost of admission. However, I feel like the cost of food and the ridiculous souvenirs are total rip offs and takes advantage of people.
Now, I have read comments from people on this board who claimed that the drop in quality and pricing was to force everyone to pay upfront for the dining plan and I always thought they were paranoid. Now, I agree. I live in New Orleans, I can dine in a 5 star restaurant with a world renowned chef at the helm and enjoy the finest food in the world and pay between 28 and 40 dollars per entree. But, I can go to WDW and eat in a table restaurant where the food is frozen and of lesser quality and the chef is still in college earning his/her culinary degree and pay, wait for it, 8-40 dollars per entree. Makes me sick. I mean, really is an rip off when you compare the quality and price. So, Yes, next time we go, we will get the dining plan because I spent just as much had I gotten the plan and only ate in table restaurants 3 times. Leson learned.
What do you all think??
Free dining drives up the crowds and makes you feel guilty about complaining. ROFL
