Holy $#@!...Did you see the price increases?!

[sweetpee_1993]

Look at the dates on the menus you are checking at AllEars. The places you referenced were updated this month and most likely reflect the $5 ridiculous peak season surcharge. Some of them with odd ending decimals, like Biergarten at 39.40 include tax. So figure that if you don't go during one of Disney's designated peak times, Biergarten for dinner really costs 31.99 which sounds like a more normal price for this meal. Same for Crystal Palace which would then be 21.99 for breakfast as well.

Quick Edit: Steve just posted an updated list that shows when these extra surcharges are in place http://www.wdwmagic.com/holiday-dining-dates.htm

Thanks, Evan. The way I read those menu prices it seemed that was the regular price and holiday pricing was additional to what was stated. I think I'll call WDW Dine to check on that.

Even if the regular prices were $4 less, Chef Mickey's is one we have become turned off to because of the stupid price. $30 for breakfast is just dumb. Buffet or not. D-U-M-B. That's definitely a clear slap in the face..."We can charge it because people will pay it." Guess what? I won't. Someone else can take that one dry. Won't be me.

 

[flynnibus]

Don't get me wrong, I think the price increase is ridiculous but I also think that people could do a better job at not being gluttonous pigs in the lines and then leaving it all on the plate once they realize their eyes were bigger than their stomachs.

People's serving habits has nothing to do with these prices... Disney is already making stupid margin on these meals.

It's a meal that other people make good profit on at less then 1/3 the price and not nearly the constant demand Disney has. This is pure demand -> $$$

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Thanks, Evan. The way I read those menu prices it seemed that was the regular price and holiday pricing was additional to what was stated. I think I'll call WDW Dine to check on that.

Even if the regular prices were $4 less, Chef Mickey's is one we have become turned off to because of the stupid price. $30 for breakfast is just dumb. Buffet or not. D-U-M-B. That's definitely a clear slap in the face..."We can charge it because people will pay it." Guess what? I won't. Someone else can take that one dry. Won't be me.

Yes, it does seem a bit misleading on their site. However, I ate a Biergarten last week and the price was right in line with what is listed on AllEars.

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

So these are all character meal, all you can eat buffets? Maybe providing "all you can eat" is getting more expensive for WDW?

I wonder if the ala carte menus have risen as drastically. IMO, free dining/dining plans have had a negative impact on the experience of those who choose not to use them. And I agree with Yoda - the prices are inflated (sort of like rack rate hotel prices) so you think you're getting a bargain when they offer a deal on them. But only if you participate in the plan. Which seems to be what WDW wants everyone to do. And why not? They get your money up front, and even if you don't feel like eating, you've paid for your meal. A bird in the hand and all that.

This is actually the way many old deluxe resorts worked - meals were included. I may one of the few on here who remembers choosing between EP, or AP, or MAP when making a resort reservation. Continental breakfast vs full breakfast and dinner vs three meals. Like the resort in Dirty Dancing.

I've been taking my vacation dollars elsewhere for the past couple of years due to this sort of thing. I doubt WDW has noticed my absence

I remember 29 years ago we stayed at the Contemporary 14th Floor Castle view, it was $110.00/night and meals were included. I also remember when the Florida A.P was just $100.00 per adult for the full year. Crazy, crazy. :shrug:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

That makes much more sense, Evan. Thank you!!!!

I just got off the phone with a Disney Dining CM. I explained my freak-out and asked her to pretty-please look up 2 prices for me. She looked up Crystal Palace breakfast in the lowest pricing tier which will take effect on 8/14 (in 3 days). The adult price per person is $24.49 which includes tax. So, breakfast for my family of 4 will be $97.96 since my boys are both teenagers. Take off the TiW 20% then add back in the 18% auto-gratuity & my total sits at $96 flat. The other meal I had her quote was 1900 Park Fare for dinner also in the lowest tier. The adult price per person is $38.33 including tax. That makes my family's total for that meal $153.32. Again, take off the TiW 20%, add back the 18% auto-gratuity, & my total sits at $150.26.

The Crystal Palace price has increased a couple dollars since last November, I think. I can live with a couple dollars. Holiday pricing is completely insane.

 

[Plowboy]

Just Disney's way of getting back some of the savings extended via reduced room prices. They get you on property and then charge you higher dining prices to make it up. This is one of the reasons we went to having our sit-down meals at lunch. Lunch menus are very similar to dinner menus and they are somewhat more reasonable $$-wise. It also gives us a chance to walk off the big meal the rest of the day. Then we just snack around in the evening.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I remember 29 years ago we stayed at the Contemporary 14th Floor Castle view, it was $110.00/night and meals were included. I also remember when the Florida A.P was just $100.00 per adult for the full year. Crazy, crazy. :shrug:

My grandparents stayed at the Poly for 5 nights in the mid-80s with 4-day passes to the 2 parks, all meals, and paid about $800. My grandmother raves about it to this day.

The hubby's uncle remembers staying at the Contemporary for about $85/night.

When I was a kid around maybe 1985/86 we had the Florida resident 3-season-salute passes. They were good for the 3 slowest months of the year which I think had to have been September, January or February, and maybe May. Those cost something like $40. We had 5 kids in our household so that was a huge splurge for us.

 

[Yodadudeman]

Until people stop paying, Disney will continue to hike its prices up. Honestly, as a business, you can't blame Disney at all. It is just unfortunate for customers like us who have to endure that ridiculous price shock.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

That makes much more sense, Evan. Thank you!!!!

I just got off the phone with a Disney Dining CM. I explained my freak-out and asked her to pretty-please look up 2 prices for me. She looked up Crystal Palace breakfast in the lowest pricing tier which will take effect on 8/14 (in 3 days). The adult price per person is $24.49 which includes tax. So, breakfast for my family of 4 will be $97.96 since my boys are both teenagers. Take off the TiW 20% then add back in the 18% auto-gratuity & my total sits at $96 flat. The other meal I had her quote was 1900 Park Fare for dinner also in the lowest tier. The adult price per person is $38.33 including tax. That makes my family's total for that meal $153.32. Again, take off the TiW 20%, add back the 18% auto-gratuity, & my total sits at $150.26.

The Crystal Palace price has increased a couple dollars since last November, I think. I can live with a couple dollars. Holiday pricing is completely insane.

I agree that the Holiday Surcharges are a bit insane. It doesn't even seem like they are trying to hide the fact that they are just reaching for more when they have their largest crowds.

Glad that the pricing is better for you now. We had a similar conversation in the Premium Members area the other day and reactions were similar. I knew something didn't sound right with that though. $40 dollars is a very fine line in Dining I think, so Disney might be careful before crossing it.

 

[njDizFan]

I know it's not an exact comparisson, but we stay offsite with a local timeshare and we usually stop before getting to the world at the Ponderosa.

It's $3.99 and kids eat free. It's not the same quality but eggs and bacon are all pretty much the same.

http://www.ponderosa-orlando.com/pages/Menu.htm

So at $30 for a breakfast buffet you are getting a very nice upcharge.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I know it's not an exact comparisson, but we stay offsite with a local timeshare and we usually stop before getting to the world at the Ponderosa.

It's $3.99 and kids eat free. It's not the same quality but eggs and bacon are all pretty much the same.

http://www.ponderosa-orlando.com/pages/Menu.htm

So at $30 for a breakfast buffet you are getting a very nice upcharge.

No one denies the upcharge is significant, but what you listed is incredibly cheap comparatively as well. However, you're paying for location and characters at these meals for the most part. While I don't usually frequent character meals, I understand them. I can go to a relatively cheap meal any time at home, but I can't eat with characters. While I don't have kids yet, I know that just like my parents did, I will spend money on some of these meals for their enjoyment.

 

[jlevis]

I remember 29 years ago we stayed at the Contemporary 14th Floor Castle view, it was $110.00/night and meals were included. I also remember when the Florida A.P was just $100.00 per adult for the full year. Crazy, crazy. :shrug:

I remember 45 years ago paying $2,900 for my Ford Mustang (loaded) and paying $0.18/gal for Shell premium gas. So, what's your point?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I know it's not an exact comparisson, but we stay offsite with a local timeshare and we usually stop before getting to the world at the Ponderosa.

It's $3.99 and kids eat free. It's not the same quality but eggs and bacon are all pretty much the same.

http://www.ponderosa-orlando.com/pages/Menu.htm

So at $30 for a breakfast buffet you are getting a very nice upcharge.

When I was a kid and we were locals we never ever ate in the parks unless it was 2 popcorns for 5 kids to share. On really big splurge days the folks would buy a big soda for us to share. Otherwise, it was water fountains if you were thirsty. We always left and went to the Ponderosa. I'd eat a huge salad from the salad bar then a dozen different soft serve creations. :lol: I think the price then (late 80s) was $1.99.

No one denies the upcharge is significant, but what you listed is incredibly cheap comparatively as well. However, you're paying for location and characters at these meals for the most part. While I don't usually frequent character meals, I understand them. I can go to a relatively cheap meal any time at home, but I can't eat with characters. While I don't have kids yet, I know that just like my parents did, I will spend money on some of these meals for their enjoyment.

I just wish they'd offer breakfast in the parks at non-character locations. How wonderful would it be to eat a nice, basic plated meal at The Plaza at least?

 

[Korfar]

Until people stop paying, Disney will continue to hike its prices up. Honestly, as a business, you can't blame Disney at all. It is just unfortunate for customers like us who have to endure that ridiculous price shock.

Exactly. Any business will keep charging more if people are willing to pay it. It's all about profits. Eventually they will find that price point that is too high and the volume will drop off. Thats when prices will come back down some. Until then up up and away.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I remember 45 years ago paying $2,900 for my Ford Mustang (loaded) and paying $0.18/gal for Shell premium gas. So, what's your point?

 

[njDizFan]

No one denies the upcharge is significant, but what you listed is incredibly cheap comparatively as well. However, you're paying for location and characters at these meals for the most part. While I don't usually frequent character meals, I understand them. I can go to a relatively cheap meal any time at home, but I can't eat with characters. While I don't have kids yet, I know that just like my parents did, I will spend money on some of these meals for their enjoyment.

I agree, I am not comparing a character breakfast at CP to a Ponderosa 5 miles off property in terms of family enjoyment but there is a huge price discrepancy. The convenience,characters,theming,and probably the food are all plusses but is it worth that much more money?

I ususally will do a few character meals per visit but it's nice to save a little money for a few meals per week.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I agree, I am not comparing a character breakfast at CP to a Ponderosa 5 miles off property in terms of family enjoyment but there is a huge price discrepancy. The convenience,characters,theming,and probably the food are all plusses but is it worth that much more money?

I ususally will do a few character meals per visit but it's nice to save a little money for a few meals per week.

I agree. We used to eat off property a lot more when I was younger. Then I guess convenience started to win out for my parents since we has been eating on property more.

 

[Lucky]

It looks like "Holiday Pricing" has been in effect since June 11, and ends after tomorrow (starting up again 11/18 for Thanskgiving).

So school being out for summer is one long "Holiday."

I wonder how the restaurants are selected for Holiday Pricing. Why Boma and Chef Mickey's but not 'Ohana?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It looks like "Holiday Pricing" has been in effect since June 11, and ends after tomorrow (starting up again 11/18 for Thanskgiving).

So school being out for summer is one long "Holiday."

I wonder how the restaurants are selected for Holiday Pricing. Why Boma and Chef Mickey's but not 'Ohana?

Holiday for who??? Not the moms & dads. LOL! I think someone needs to pay ME a holiday surcharge past about the first of July. :lol:

Good point. I wonder how the holiday surcharge locations are chosen. :shrug:

 

[SleepingMonk]

...I can go to a relatively cheap meal any time at home, but I can't eat with characters...

Try your local Waffle House...dirt cheap and plenty of characters.

Sally Streetwalker, Carl Crackhead, etc..