Originally Posted By HokieSkipper According to a poster on the Magical Place, next year the Dining Plan will no longer cover dessert for Table Service meals, which recently also lost the appetizer choice. After this, I don't see many people buying into the dining plan idea save for the free dining periods. I for one, hope the Dining Plan dies a quick, but painful, death for what it's done to most of WDW's offerings. What does the Laughing Place think?
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I've never used the dining plan so excuse my ignorance, but, what has it done to "most WDW's offerings"?
Originally Posted By danyoung It's made the sitdown restaurants way overcrowded with folks who were formerly happy with fast food. And it's made the restuarants simplify their menus, because this new crowd needs to see chicken fingers and burgers on every menu, where the more esoteric items go away. The Coral Reef menu diminished from perhaps 20 menu items to about 9, with only 4 of them seafood. And you have to make your res's 180 days in advance to get the best restaurants at the best times, which is really difficult for most folks to do. All because of the "success" of the Disney Dining Plan. I'd be happy to see it go!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I like the D plan, the times I needed to use it. It really helped with my $$ buget. I didn't have to save any extra for the food. On the other hand, if they keep taking away things, like first the appetizer and tip. To now the dessert too, they might as well get rid of it all together. Or they will just add a new level to the plan that has the apps and desserts. Extra money and all the stuff that goes with it.
Originally Posted By danyoung True, mom. I used it once, when it included appetizer and tip but not dessert. That worked out great for me, cuz I rarely eat dessert but I love me an appetizer. Now the value is going down while I'm sure the price will go up a buck or two. Perhaps they realize that the plan is too popular, and too many people are using it and ruining dining for everyone else.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<Perhaps they realize that the plan is too popular, and too many people are using it and ruining dining for everyone else.>> I doubt they are worried about "ruining dining for everyone else" - as long as they make money on the program, I don't think the current management cares about ruining "other" guest experiences. What is more likely is that the plan really is TOO popular, and they're not making enough profit on dining with everyone using these discount dining plans. Just because they're filling up all those restaurants doesn't mean they're making tons of money off this program - especially if people only eat what they've pre-paid for and don't order any extras.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin Awww, I was looking forward to using it. Doesn't sound as cost-effective now. I wonder when/if the changes will happen. If you have already bought it before the changes, do you still get the old rules?
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<The Coral Reef menu diminished from perhaps 20 menu items to about 9, with only 4 of them seafood. And you have to make your res's 180 days in advance to get the best restaurants at the best times, which is really difficult for most folks to do.>> Dan totally nailed it. Coral Reef used to be one of my favorite WDW restaurants. Not anymore, for the reasons he stated. And the DDP makes it impossible to do walk-ups or same day (let alone same WEEK) reservations now. For folks like me with health concerns, that's a big deal. My itinerary is always based out of necessity on how I'm feeling on a day-to-day basis. If I'm exhausted, I must spend a day of rest at the resort, or only spend one or two hours at one park. But if I'm locked into a specific reservation in a specific park for a specific meal, I'm screwed if I have to stay in my room that day and recoup. I absolutely HATE doing theme park vacations with locked-in itineraries. It takes all the whimsy and serendipitous nature of having multiple parks to choose from. But if I want to eat something other than counter service fast food or my own snacks, I don't have any choice. Therefore, I eat very little during my WDW vacations. The DDP Weight Loss Plan: Don't sign up. Walk the parks. Drop those pounds. Like Magic!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 This, if true, is just yet another example of Disney seeing how far it can push its guests while OD'ing them on pixie dust. It's all about cruise lining WDW dining ... and I definitely have some thoughts on that front as I'm just back from bringing the Magic to Barcelona Another LPer, one who has been exiled from the USA for being a godless, pinko, Commie, told me this rumor when I saw him a few days ago in the UK. I can only wonder if we'll soon see $50 entrees at 'signature' dining locales to make the rubes believe this is still some kind of deal. Only Disney could offer a plan where the only thing you get is an entree and drink and call it a 'dining plan'. Be smart: eat at non-Disney restaurants when you visit WDW. That might give some in TDO a needed wake-up call.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Be smart: eat at non-Disney restaurants when you visit WDW. That might give some in TDO a needed wake-up call.<< That is where Disney gets a majority of tourists, either you rent a car or you eat at Disney, in most cases, the cost of the rental and gas would be more than just sucking up the cost of the dining plan....
Originally Posted By MPierce People will still use it, and talk about how much money they saved. After they eliminated the apetizer, and tip I thought folks would finally see the light. The plan became even more popular. People will continue to say, "Well everything is already paid for, so I don't have to budget for food when I get there.". Mickey loves holding on to your money that you have already committed to spending 6 months from now. He loves having your money, especially if you don't use all your credits. Does anybody out there prepay their grocery bills? Do you give a car dealership money because you plan on buying a car this year? If you love the DDP so much, why don't you at least wait until check-in to put it on your bill? The DDP has ruined dining. May it burn in Hell for all eternity!
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 The DDP has ruined dining. May it burn in Hell for all eternity!<< Hell, it's not Disney's fault that people are stupid....
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^I know it's not. It is however, Disney's fault for making it an option, and cutting back the selection, and quality so drasticly on dining though.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Be smart: eat at non-Disney restaurants when you visit WDW. That might give some in TDO a needed wake-up call.>> Welcome home, Spirit! This is basically what I'm forced to do during my Orlando vacations. I stock up on foodstuffs I can keep in my resort hotel room and take with me into the park in my waist pack, such as gluten-free Kind Bars (Fruit & Nut Delight is my fave). I also eat salads and lighter fare at DtD restaurants and other places nearby. Disney dining with or without the meal plan is now a complete and utter joke. Uni does it MUCH better. <<Great weight loss plan>> Seriously, I always lose weight (at least five pounds and not water) during my Orlando vacations, even when staying at Uni and indulging in meals at Tchoup Chop. 8^) <<Hell, it's not Disney's fault that people are stupid....>> But it is Disney's fault for overloading the reservation system because of DDP. They should set aside a percentage of tables for same day reservations or at least same week reservations. They don't. That sucks.
Originally Posted By MPierce As Spirit stated, look out $50 entrees, here we come. Just look at the money we are saving with the DDP.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Welcome home, Spirit!>> Thanks! I think I need a vacation!!! <<This is basically what I'm forced to do during my Orlando vacations. I stock up on foodstuffs I can keep in my resort hotel room and take with me into the park in my waist pack, such as gluten-free Kind Bars (Fruit & Nut Delight is my fave). I also eat salads and lighter fare at DtD restaurants and other places nearby. >> Me too. There are plenty of non-Disney owned locations now on property or within two miles off in many directions that the idea that 'it's too far' or 'inconvenient' to dine elsewhere is a load of bunk. (first time I've ever used that here) <<Disney dining with or without the meal plan is now a complete and utter joke. Uni does it MUCH better.>> BUT ... to be fair (if slightly off-balanced) Uni has far fewer options and their QSR are even pricier than the Mouse in many cases. Table service is another matter. When you can eat at Mythos for a third or half of the price as Le Cellier and get food that's better, something is out of whack. <<Great weight loss plan>> <<Seriously, I always lose weight (at least five pounds and not water) during my Orlando vacations, even when staying at Uni and indulging in meals at Tchoup Chop. 8^)>> You need to watch a Spirit eat on vacation! Such a whore for food! <<Hell, it's not Disney's fault that people are stupid....>> <<But it is Disney's fault for overloading the reservation system because of DDP. They should set aside a percentage of tables for same day reservations or at least same week reservations. They don't. That sucks.>> They used to. Now, it's all about maximizing profit to the penny. Friends from O-Town that used to go into EPCOT for dinner, for example, have been completely screwed. Usually, they're told 'we have an 8:50 at Marrakesh' or nothing.
