I was wondering if anyone else feels that one of the main reasons the Dining Plan was changed for 2008 (to not include tips or appetizers) was so Disney's out-of-pocket expenses would be less, thus they could offer and promote free Dining even more than they have in the past (which was quite a bit).
Even though it won't include tips, I still think that, of course, free dining is better than paying for each meal (even without the tips, and I know I don't eat appetizers unless they're free...or if I'm eating one as a meal).
The thing is, people who don't get free dining will be purchasing the plan, IMO, based on great word of mouth from friends who tried the plan before the changes went through (i.e. before it became $1 less per day, but no appetizer, or whatever has been cut, and no tip included).
IMO, they are taking advantage of good word of mouth for the "original" DDP (and the free dining promos) to get people to book the new plan (all an average tourist might know is that he or she is getting the dining plan, without realizing how much less he or she might be getting compared to the friends or relatives who recommended it).
I think it's great to buy everything together and not have to hassle with money in restaurants and such, but as another poster mentioned, the parks were dead yet all the table service restaurants were booked up because of DDP...I would rather deal with paying for each meal and have the flexibility to eat where I want when I want...it's so hard to have ADRs for a restaurant every day...everything you do that day revolves around dinner. How do I know I'll be craving Italian food an exact day and time when I'm making ADRs 6 months before I go? Oh well...just my thoughts...(don't mean to offend any people who love the plan!)
Oh, and woo hoo - 100 posts!
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