[mickey]

Walt Disney World has released rates and dates for 2008 Magic Your Way packages this morning. There are two major changes from 2007 packages:

1. Seasons/Dates: Starting in 2008, each night will have it's own nightly rate, so the loophole of the past where everything is based on the night you check in will now be gone. Weekends and holidays appear to be a bit more expensive than weekdays as well, so the price of your trip could vary greatly from one week to the next.

2. Disney Dining Plan. The good news is the current dining plan was reduced in cost about $1 per person per night of your stay, the bad news is that Disney eliminated the appetizer and gratuities from the Table Service meal, essentially increasing the cost about 20%. While the benefits have been reduced, for many people, the dining plan will still be a great value.

Disney has also introduced two new dining plans for 2008:

Deluxe Dining Plan: Guests will receive three meals and two snacks per night of their stay. Guests will be able to choose either Table or Counter service meals for each meal, and all meals will include gratuities, while lunch and dinner will include appetizers. Each guest will also receive a refillable mug to use at their resort during their stay. The price will be $69.99/adult and $19.99/child per night of your stay.

Disney Wine and Dine package: Guests can add the Wine and Dine package to any Magic Your Way package that includes a dining plan already. Guests will receive a bottle of wine at each dinner seating from a select list.

While I like some of the changes, and I understand why Disney is doing many of these, I really wish they would have reduced the cost of the Disney Dining plan a bit more to compensate for the items removed.

[mickaholic4077]

That deluxe plan isn't bad. If I ever stay rack rate,I might try it.

[PrincessPooh]

Honestly, there isn't a trip that we take that we don't do atleast 2-3 more table service meals than what the dining plan offers anyway. We always used our TS credits for dinners, and added a few character meals for breakfasts. I think if you are going to do something like that and/or take advantage of the 2 credit TS meals, the deluxe plan is not so bad.

As far as loosing the loophole for individual nightly rates, it's not a big deal to me. That is how just about every other resort/hotel works anyway.

Thanks for the facts Mickey!

[mickeymotto]

Originally Posted by mickey

Disney has also introduced two new dining plans for 2008:

Deluxe Dining Plan: Guests will receive three meals and two snacks per night of their stay. Guests will be able to choose either Table or Counter service meals for each meal, and all meals will include gratuities, while lunch and dinner will include appetizers. Each guest will also receive a refillable mug to use at their resort during their stay. The price will be $69.99/adult and $19.99/child per night of your stay.

I didn't think the gratuities were included in any of the plans anymore. I read on the Disney site that only Dinner Shows and Character Meals that the gratuities were included in the Deluxe plan, but with TS and Signature dining, gratuities were NOT

It would be nice if they were included on all meals. Then that would be a deal!

[MissDisney]

We haven't ever done the dining plan, so from our perspective, it still looks really inviting even at the new prices. I have felt really bumme dout when I sit down at a restaurant and look at the prices on the menu, only to have the CM cheerfully ask, "Are you on the dining plan?" Every single time, I wish we could have said YES!!!

mickey -- can you talk to somebody about investigating offering a dining program for off-site guests? It makes sense... it would ensure that WDW restaurants get the extra guests, and it would make off-site people happy since so many of them eat at WDW all vacation anyway! See? Everybody wins!

[Dana]

I think the deluxe plan is a good deal as well. I like the idea of having all that paid for in advance. If you add up the cost of three meals and two snacks...plus the resort mug....you really are getting a good value. I think we will go with that.

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by Dana

I think the deluxe plan is a good deal as well. I like the idea of having all that paid for in advance. If you add up the cost of three meals and two snacks...plus the resort mug....you really are getting a good value. I think we will go with that.

It absolutely sounds like a great deal but that is a heck of a lot of food!! I never eat more than a banana, or a yogurt for breakfast. We'd probably stick with the original plan or that "wine and dine" thing sounds really nice.

[tenrsingr]

So, to get this right, what does the WDWMYW packages include. Tickets and Rooms that will both vary depending upon the day now? Does this effect only those packages or are they going to start changing ticketing prices too?

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

It absolutely sounds like a great deal but that is a heck of a lot of food!! I never eat more than a banana, or a yogurt for breakfast. We'd probably stick with the original plan or that "wine and dine" thing sounds really nice.

I agree, we had trouble using 2 credits a day but I like that you can use your credits for any type of meal you want.

[DayDreamer]

Thanks for the info Mickey. I haven't done the dining plan yet but I was seriously thinking about it for 2008.

[jaye580]

I think it stinks that they are cutting the appetizer and tips from the table service meal and I'll bet that the wait staff does too! When you think they were getting a guaranteed percentage of the entire bill, and now most people will not add the appetizer for each person (I know we won't), nor will everyone pay the entire gratuity (especially those from other countries that aren't familiar with it) that is going to be a huge chunk out of the wait staffs pockets. I was happy with the dining plan the way it was. :(

[Caseys Corner]

Im not a fan of the new dinning plan and rates. Ill go pay as I go after this year.

[dans]

This year's (2007) dinning plan includes graturity? Right. 15 days to go

[jsykora]

I am looking into 2008 pricing and I am interested in the Dining Deluxe package. Does the price include three meals a day including the day we arrive and the day we leave? Can I get the Deluxe Dining Plan only for the full days we are there? Last time we arrived after 7:00pm and had to leave by 9:00am. Dining plans for these two days would have been a waste of money so how do I avoid getting the plan for the day we arrive and the day we leave?

[noahsark45331]

When we went in January, we ate about 4 more table service meals than what we had credit for and paid out of pocket. So the Deluxe really sounds good to me. We would like to do some of the dinner shows and since those would take 2 credits, we could do it. And I think we would still come out ahead. I hate that they removed the tip from both plans and the appetizer from the basic plan.