Originally Posted By MPierce I know how you feel Duck. I use to love dining at WDW, and especially Epcot. I think the DDP is responsible for the decline of quality that you now receive. They keep packing the folks in, but I have to believe the Chefs there can't be happy with what some one them have to dish out now.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Plus the menus are VERY limited. What I saw on allears.net & what was on the menu 6 months after bobbelee9 made our ressies were 2 completely different things. We totally blew off diner at Sci-Fi for this reason.
Originally Posted By juicer Is there a web site that breaks it down in detail in regards to the DDP and how much money is would really save? I heard there was one - I can't find it.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^^tofu burgers. Never existed at drive-ins when I was a kid. << Kids of our generation would spit on tofu. Heck any normal kid of this generation probably would spit on it too.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Is there a web site that breaks it down in detail in regards to the DDP and how much money is would really save? I heard there was one - I can't find it. << I don't know of any web site, however I am always willing to offer my opinion, even when it's not asked for. I think the Disney Dining Plan has caused the quality, and the selection of food choices to go down at WDW. Value can only be judged according to your preference in food. How much you eat a day. The options avaiable to you. The quality of food you receive. I think it should be left up to each individual to make up his or her mind based on their own experience.
Originally Posted By dshyates I like the Churros, Popcorn and Mickey Ice Cream Bars. That to me is Disney Dining these days.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I like the Churros, Popcorn and Mickey Ice Cream Bars. That to me is Disney Dining these days. << I know I'm coming off as mean, and bitter, but I couldn't fully enjoy my churro or dole whip this trip. I'm not kidding the Mouse's greed smacked me in the face this time.
Originally Posted By dshyates I know what you mean. Last time I was there, I had to walk out of the WoD store. I just couldn't take it any more. I was very uncomfortable in a hard to describe way. I just set down my arm load of stuff, and walked out. I wasn't angry or anything, just very "uncomfortable". I really think Disney is on shaky ground in the way they operate the place. But if people walk away, they will just pay some consultants to tell them the market just won't support their high end product. They will feel good about their management decisions take their ridiculous bonuses and let the place die.
Originally Posted By dshyates I know what you mean. Last time I was there, I had to walk out of the WoD store. I just couldn't take it any more. I was very uncomfortable in a hard to describe way. I just set down my arm load of stuff, and walked out. I wasn't angry or anything, just very "uncomfortable". I really think Disney is on shaky ground in the way they operate the place. But if people walk away, they will just pay some consultants to tell them the market just won't support their high end product. They will feel good about their management decisions take their ridiculous bonuses and let the place die.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I really think Disney is on shaky ground in the way they operate the place. But if people walk away, they will just pay some consultants to tell them the market just won't support their high end product. They will feel good about their management decisions take their ridiculous bonuses and let the place die. << I'm sad to say I feel the same way. I just don't see the passion it takes to deliver a long term family friendly Disney experience. All I can see now is unmitigated greed, without respect for tradition. The CM's still have the Disney feeling I think, but I feel to many in the upper echelons of management have lost their way. That is if they ever had it to begin with.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<Is there a web site that breaks it down in detail in regards to the DDP and how much money is would really save?>> <<I think the Disney Dining Plan has caused the quality, and the selection of food choices to go down at WDW.>> I don't think it would have had this effect if they didn't keep giving the DDP away for free in promos. It crowds the restaurants with guests eating for free so that paying customers can't get a seat. If they would just administer it the way it was designed it would be profitable and they wouldn't have to cut costs everywhere. Also, since they give it away so much, I don't even consider it bacause I know it will be so hard to make reservations at the restaurants. I would love to be able to walk up to the restaurants without having to make reservations months in advance.
Originally Posted By dshyates First I should preface this with the fact that Disney give a hoot about park attendance figures, all they care about is hotel occupancy rates. And I think they have been seeing sliding occupancy rates for quite sometime. I believe that the drop in occupancy was why the free dining plan was started. Since then we have only seen more and more freebies thrown in. Now they are throwing in free rooms, park tickets and gift cards. But heaven forbid they actually lower prices.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Now they are throwing in free rooms, park tickets and gift cards. But heaven forbid they actually lower prices. << Instant gradification in the hopes that the good old days return, and they can continue down the same old merry paths.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << First I should preface this with the fact that Disney give a hoot about park attendance figures, all they care about is hotel occupancy rates. And I think they have been seeing sliding occupancy rates for quite sometime. >> Fortunately, Disney reports occupancy rates of the east and west coast resorts in their annual report so that you can see the actual facts. While I'm sure occupancy rates are sliding in the current economy, I'm not sure that constitutes "for quite sometime." At least the figures in the annual reports for the past several years don't reflect that at all.
Originally Posted By MPierce Are the annual reports released to all shareholders or do you have to cry, and beg for them like every other company forces you to do.
