The Dining Plan WAS a good deal but not anymore

[scarpiapiano]

Many of the anti-
On our last trip to WDW, we ate only at counter service restaurants, split meals and ate at one TS restaurant our whole trip. We could have afforded to eat more but with the prices, we just decided to be cheap. The DDP lets us go to the more expensive restaurants and order the most expensive things AND order dessert, giving us a nicer over-all vacation experience. Do we spend more money? Yes.

For us, its the same as staying at Pop Century vs. the Yacht Club. We'll spend more with the DDP, but we'll get a much nicer, much more relaxing & enjoyable trip. There is certainly convenience for us knowing that all of our meals are prepaid and we can order whatever we want without blowing up the food budget.

I agree. We can now afford to eat at nice TS restaurants which we would have bypassed before. We may spend more but I feel but I feel we're getting alot of value out of the program.

 

[scarpiapiano]

but let me give you something to think about. With Disney as masters of making cash, do you think they would have priced the DPP so that the average use spends MORE or LESS than they would have on cash?

-dave

Okay, here's a question for you. If Disney as masters of making cash were making so much additional money on the DDP, why did they remove the more expensive items from the menus after the Dining Plan came out? Those expensive items which you seem to miss so much. I believe the items were removed because it wasn't cost effective to offer them on a dining program. I never said that Disney offered the program altruistically so that peasants would be able to eat with aristocrats.

I maintain that the DDP haters are miffed that restaurants are now more crowded and that the exclusivity of Disney Dining has gone. Imagine, now someone staying at the Pop Century may well be eating next to someone staying at the Grand Floridian. WA!!!

"I used to enjoy the California Grill but during our last visit we were seated right next to Bubba and Buhla from Bueford Creek, Mississippi. They didn't even know what to do with their salad fork."

"Oh no! I tell you the world is coming to the end. Did you here that they're building a Walmart and a Chuck "e" Cheese not three blocks from this neighborhood.

 

[Phonedave]

Okay, here's a question for you. If Disney as masters of making cash were making so much additional money on the DDP, why did they remove the more expensive items from the menus after the Dining Plan came out? Those expensive items which you seem to miss so much. I believe the items were removed because it wasn't cost effective to offer them on a dining program. I never said that Disney offered the program altruistically so that peasants would be able to eat with aristocrats.

It is exactly that they are masters of making cash that they removed those items. They realized that in certain instances people WOULD come out ahead on the plan, so they removed those instances. Please go back and read the title of this thread "The DDP WAS a good deal but not anymore". That is exactly what all of us 'haters' are saying - and now you are too. What side of this debate are you on?

I maintain that the DDP haters are miffed that restaurants are now more crowded and that the exclusivity of Disney Dining has gone. Imagine, now someone staying at the Pop Century may well be eating next to someone staying at the Grand Floridian. WA!!!

]"I used to enjoy the California Grill but during our last visit we were seated right next to Bubba and Buhla from Bueford Creek, Mississippi. They didn't even know what to do with their salad fork."

"Bubba" and (I assume) "Beulah" (Never heard of someone named Buhla) are more than welcome to dine with me. I have no problem with that. It's when I can't get into a semi-passable restaurant without a 180 day reservation that I have problems. However I ALREADY STATED THAT a few posts ago. The majority of people have problems with the crowds, and more specifically with WDWs poor response to them, not with the people themselves. You seem to be the one hung up on this class system and declaring that as the reason people dislike the DDP.

The same goes for the reduction in menu quality. I don't blame the users of the DDP, but Disney itself for setting up a product that removes a level of dining experience. There are many ways to preserve better dining, but Disney has not implemented any of them - that is where my vitriol is directed.

"Oh no! I tell you the world is coming to the end. Did you here that they're building a Walmart and a Chuck "e" Cheese not three blocks from this neighborhood.

Totally unrelated red-herrings that have no bearing on our discussion.

-dave

 

[tomm4004]

Imagine, now someone staying at the Pop Century may well be eating next to someone staying at the Grand Floridian. WA!!!

Actually, the skeptic in me believes that this is partly the point for the widespread marketing of the DDP. When Disney built the string of deluxe resorts in the late 1908s/1990s and then the mods and values, they needed to fill hotel restaurants. So by filling the theme park eateries with DDPers, they push guests staying in the "posh" places toward the "Signature" dining spots. Thus, all the restaurants are full. It's just a theory anyway.

 

[chwilson88]

Actually, the skeptic in me believes that this is partly the point for the widespread marketing of the DDP. When Disney built the string of deluxe resorts in the late 1908s/1990s and then the mods and values, they needed to fill hotel restaurants. So by filling the theme park eateries with DDPers, they push guests staying in the "posh" places toward the "Signature" dining spots. Thus, all the restaurants are full. It's just a theory anyway.

Interesting theory. There may be some truth to that. As a side note, I think the only restaurant left on property where Bubba will not dine with you is at V&A's.

 

[Now Is The Time]

Well it seems I'm to blame for all this madness :ROFLOL:

We just got back from a trip to the Mouse and after doing some calculations it was easy to see that we saved money by not getting the dining plan. There are some key things to keep in mind though, because there are those that make statements about the dining plan that don't really have any merit. For example, saying the DDP is "too much food" isn't enough of an argument when you're trying to compare actual numbers. To those who complain about getting a dessert with their meal plan that they don't want - if you determine you still saved money in the end what difference does it make if you didn't want all those little chocolate cakes? Wasteful yes, but doesn't apply to the cost comparison.

For my cost comparison analysis, I based what we ate solely on the main dining plan which is 1 quick service, 1 table service, and 1 snack per person per day. I cannot comment on the quick service plan or the deluxe plan since we always have 1 table service a day... and we keep it at that.

Since we went during peak season, the dining plan would have been $46.99 per person. My wife and I went together so with sales tax that's a little over $99 a day total. Without even going into detail, just reason this out for a second. $99 dollars for 2 people - that covers say a lunch for two at Pecos Bill, dinner at Ohana, and a couple of bottled waters. However, this is where it gets bad. You need to add tip for that Ohana Meal (at least $15-$17) so that brings the total of what the dining plan actually costs you up into the $115 a day range (for two). If you like to have any breakfast at all, the meal plan did not include that.

Granted, some table restaurants are more expensive than others but even after comparing a number of them, the best I could possibly do was break even when it came to comparing cash to the dining plan.

Lastly, I realize some can still justify it and say it's a good deal. I'm just saying it's a waste of money for us. So just view my statements as a voice in the wind..... :wave:

 

[lebeau]

Well it seems I'm to blame for all this madness :ROFLOL:

We just got back from a trip to the Mouse and after doing some calculations it was easy to see that we saved money by not getting the dining plan. There are some key things to keep in mind though, because there are those that make statements about the dining plan that don't really have any merit. For example, saying the DDP is "too much food" isn't enough of an argument when you're trying to compare actual numbers. To those who complain about getting a dessert with their meal plan that they don't want - if you determine you still saved money in the end what difference does it make if you didn't want all those little chocolate cakes? Wasteful yes, but doesn't apply to the cost comparison.

For my cost comparison analysis, I based what we ate solely on the main dining plan which is 1 quick service, 1 table service, and 1 snack per person per day. I cannot comment on the quick service plan or the deluxe plan since we always have 1 table service a day... and we keep it at that.

Since we went during peak season, the dining plan would have been $46.99 per person. My wife and I went together so with sales tax that's a little over $99 a day total. Without even going into detail, just reason this out for a second. $99 dollars for 2 people - that covers say a lunch for two at Pecos Bill, dinner at Ohana, and a couple of bottled waters. However, this is where it gets bad. You need to add tip for that Ohana Meal (at least $15-$17) so that brings the total of what the dining plan actually costs you up into the $115 a day range (for two). If you like to have any breakfast at all, the meal plan did not include that.

Granted, some table restaurants are more expensive than others but even after comparing a number of them, the best I could possibly do was break even when it came to comparing cash to the dining plan.

Lastly, I realize some can still justify it and say it's a good deal. I'm just saying it's a waste of money for us. So just view my statements as a voice in the wind..... :wave:

Well, of course the "Too Much Food" argument is important! If you wouldn't have ordered the chocolate cake in the first place, then saving a couple bucks off a meal that included a $4 piece of cake is no savings at all! In fact, you're down $2.

 

[WDW 3]

I maintain that the DDP haters are miffed that restaurants are now more crowded and that the exclusivity of Disney Dining has gone. Imagine, now someone staying at the Pop Century may well be eating next to someone staying at the Grand Floridian. WA!!!

I don't know about the "exclusivity" of Disney Dining I never thought of dining being exclusive? I don't like have to tie my family to a reseration made 180 days before we go. We are spontaneous and really liked it back when you could be at MGM and walk up to Sci Fi or any other restaurant and get in after a reasonable wait.

 

[Now Is The Time]

Well, of course the "Too Much Food" argument is important! If you wouldn't have ordered the chocolate cake in the first place, then saving a couple bucks off a meal that included a $4 piece of cake is no savings at all! In fact, you're down $2.

I'm sorry I disagree. Let's assume just for argument's sake that you do save money by getting the meal plan. Let's assume further (for example) you saved $20 on a given day with the meal plan than if you had paid cash. The money you saved is much more than a $4 cake.

In other words, if you can spend $10 for lunch that includes a dessert you don't want or you can spend $12 for the same lunch that does not include dessert. Which one are you gonna buy?

(all of this is moot for me anyway since I actually lose money if I get the meal plan)

 

[Phonedave]

I'm sorry I disagree. Let's assume just for argument's sake that you do save money by getting the meal plan. Let's assume further (for example) you saved $20 on a given day with the meal plan than if you had paid cash. The money you saved is much more than a $4 cake.

In other words, if you can spend $10 for lunch that includes a dessert you don't want or you can spend $12 for the same lunch that does not include dessert. Which one are you gonna buy?

(all of this is moot for me anyway since I actually lose money if I get the meal plan)

Well that is the question.

People look at it like this (made up prices of course)

Entree: $17
Dessert: $5
Drink: $2

Meal Plan: $20

Now, if you would normally order all three items, then yes you do save money - $4 to be exact. However if you would not normally order dessert (not because you can't afford it, jut because you don't want it) then you are loosing money - a 'normal' meal would have been $19 vs. the MP $20

Now however, if the pricing for the meal plan was $18, thats a different story. Even if you take that dessert and throw it in the trash, you still would come out ahead on the plan. However, very often this is not the case.


-dave

 

[tomm4004]

...if you take that dessert and throw it in the trash...

George Costanza will come along and fish it out.

 

[Lucky]

Just this morning I ate a couple cookies my wife had thrown in the trash.

 

[Phonedave]

George Costanza will come along and fish it out.

Well, not really fish, because it would sitting right on the top.


-dave

 

[tomm4004]

Well, not really fish, because it would sitting right on the top.


-dave

Right. In George's defense, the eclair was sitting "on top" so technically not garbage. I bet George would love the DDP while Jerry would be against it.

Anyone else keep getting unsubscribed to this thread?

 

[Lucky]

Right. In George's defense, the eclair was sitting "on top" so technically not garbage. I bet George would love the DDP while Jerry would be against it.

Anyone else keep getting unsubscribed to this thread?

And Kramer would buy the resort mug for unlimited coffee refills.

 

[Now Is The Time]

Well that is the question.

People look at it like this (made up prices of course)

Entree: $17
Dessert: $5
Drink: $2

Meal Plan: $20

Now, if you would normally order all three items, then yes you do save money - $4 to be exact. However if you would not normally order dessert (not because you can't afford it, jut because you don't want it) then you are loosing money - a 'normal' meal would have been $19 vs. the MP $20

Now however, if the pricing for the meal plan was $18, thats a different story. Even if you take that dessert and throw it in the trash, you still would come out ahead on the plan. However, very often this is not the case.


-dave

I understand what you are saying but this comparison doesn't fly. Sure if you are paying cash, you can break it out by item. However, you can't compare this to what you get with the meal plan because it's one flat fee (for multiple meals) per day.

Based on your math above, your example has you getting $24 worth of food. Let's assume this is your counter service meal. Does that automatically mean that the meal plan is going to give you an exact value of $22.99 (what you have left) for your table service and snack? (going by the peak meal plan $46.99 price) Who knows? The only way to do the math is take all your expenditures on food for the entire trip and then compare it to what would be the total cost of the meal plan. Or at the very least, do a comparison based on one full day of meals.

This is how I prove my point. If you (for example) spent $235 on the meal plan for 5 days, kept all your receipts, and then after adding everything up you find you would have spent $280 if you had paid cash... where does this whole concept of "losing money for getting desserts you don't want" come into play???

 

[lebeau]

I understand what you are saying but this comparison doesn't fly. Sure if you are paying cash, you can break it out by item. However, you can't compare this to what you get with the meal plan because it's one flat fee (for multiple meals) per day.

Based on your math above, your example has you getting $24 worth of food. Let's assume this is your counter service meal. Does that automatically mean that the meal plan is going to give you an exact value of $22.99 (what you have left) for your table service and snack? (going by the peak meal plan $46.99 price) Who knows? The only way to do the math is take all your expenditures on food for the entire trip and then compare it to what would be the total cost of the meal plan. Or at the very least, do a comparison based on one full day of meals.

This is how I prove my point. If you (for example) spent $235 on the meal plan for 5 days, kept all your receipts, and then after adding everything up you find you would have spent $280 if you had paid cash... where does this whole concept of "losing money for getting desserts you don't want" come into play???

Really? You didn't get Phone Dave's explanation? I thought it was painfully clear.

Let me take another approach. We'll strip away any ambiguities. We'll talk about "widgets."

Since we're approximating food, these widgets expire. No saving unused widgets for later!

Let's say you want to buy five widgets. Widgets typically cost $10. So, you can expect to pay $50 for five witdgets.

Now lets say the Disney Widget Co offers you 6 widgets for $58. If you want or can make use of that extra widget, this is a good deal. But if you have no use for that extra widget, You just spent an extra $8 for no added benefit.

My experience with the Disney Widget Plan is that the sixth widget always goes to waste. And I usually could have made due with only 3 or 4 widgets if I really wanted to.

Does that make things any clearer?

 

[MagicMegan]

I can't find a link to see what price the DP's are to just buy.. does anyone have one?

 

[MagicMegan]

I think the Dining Plan has impacted on the quality of the food also, last year we had the Dining Plan for the first time ever, we were staying for three weeks at The Poly so we saved a fortune eating out. However we were very disappointed with the meals. We ate at The Yachtsman Steakhouse, Artist Point, California Grill, Le Cellier, Bistro de Paris and Victoria & Alberts and the food was extremely disappointing, so bad that we did not leave a tip at any of these restaurants. On each occasion the manager asked why we were not happy to leave a tip and each time I showed him the bill, they were all in the region of about $200 for the four of us as we had appetizers wine etc. For that amount of money I expect almost perfection on the plate but it was far from that. Steaks were tough, overcooked, food was cold, presentation was poor. We have eaten at all of these restaurants over the years and it was the only disappointment of the holiday.

Um, no offense, but your server did NOT cook your food. Also, your server makes SQUAT for hourly wages. Not tipping because of the quality of food is completely out of the question and repulsive to me. Take your problem up with the manager, even Disney management, but do not take it out of an innocent worker just doing their job.

 

[MagicMegan]

WDW CS have two kinds of pizza - cheese or pepperoni. That's it. I recall more selection in the past. By contrast, Disneyland CS have several choices of pizza. Is this a result of the DDP? Or is it a contract Disney has with Puck and others to stay away from fancy pizza? I'm sure it's all just frozen from a truck so it can't be a big deal to have more variety.

Pizza Planet has either Veggie or Supreme pizza also.