[faerie dust]

i just read the following on allears. we are going in september so it looks like we are doing this jsut in time. for all the times someone said they didnt know how disney could do the dining plan I quess they just realized they could charge more.


from m a reliable source: There has been lots of internet chatter about changes coming to the 2008 Magic Your Way Dining plans. AllEars® now hears the following is scheduled to be announced in August:

1) Gratuity will be removed from ALL 2008 packages that include dining. Tax will be INCLUDED, but the gratuity will not be.

2) The Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan will no longer include an appetizer in the daily table service meal. The table service option will only include: entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. The price per day per person will decrease by $1, to $37.99 for ages 10 and older; $9.99 for ages 3-9.

3) A new Magic Your Way Plus DELUXE Dining Plan will debut in 2008. This plan will include, per person, per day: three meals, your choice of table service or counter service (appetizer included in the dinner); two snacks; and a resort refillable mug. Signature restaurants will still count as two table service meals. Price, including tax, but NOT gratuity, will be $69.99 for ages 10 and older and $19.99 for ages 3-9.

[mouseof4]

WOW very interesting good that they are going to cater to people who want the meals minus the activites . I think is sounds good at the moment but I have some real weighing of this to see if its a good deal for our family.

[emamasa]

I heard all this awhile back, interesting that its come up again! definetly will change things for some people - I am not sure yet for us, since this is our 1st DDP trip! wonder if they'll offer free dining next year, since the plan is new? or if it bombs, if they'll do it to try to recoup.

[momofaprincess]

I wonder if this will turn alot of people away from the plan....

Personally speaking.... it was quite nice not to have to worry about tipping (unless you had exceptional service then we'd leave a little more)... and getting to try stuff you normally wouldn't...

I'm not sure about my feelings on this yet.....

[PrincessPooh]

I'm a little anxious about this myself. I do like the idea of the deluxe plan, especially since we usually end up paying for 2 or so extra table service meals during each trip anyway, but that is a lot of loot per head!!!

[lovemysons]

I wonder if Disney found that service suffered because of the gratuity being included. I think the changes sound great. :)

[skwak]

I don't know if this will come to be but I think it is always tough to scale back after you have offered something in the past. I think you will find that many people will be upset.

Always better to under-promise and over-deliver.

[Dana]

I personally like the deluxe plan for my next trip. I like that all my meals, snacks and drinks will be paid for in advance and think that $70 is pretty fair per person. The gratuity thing isn't all that bad. Maybe they will work a bit harder for the people on the dining plan. I like the ability to control what I tip. I never really like that they got tipped 18% regardless of the quality or lack there of in service.

[iluvwdw]

I think this royally SUCKS! For those of us who only like to do 1 TS a day, the Deluxe Plan won't be worth it. I definitely won't spend $70 per day per person.

I can't believe they are taking away the appetizer AND the tip! Big whoop...they are lowering the cost by a dollar. I can guarantee it will turn people OFF from purchasing the Dining Plan. Maybe that's the idea... .

There is also some info on a Wine plan...check this out:


NEW for 2008 - Magic Your Way Plus Wine package

-- For $39.99 per night you may order a bottle of wine at your Disney restaurant or from a location on property that sells wine (like resort stores).

-- It can not be purchased separately and may only be an add-on to a Dining Package.

Allearsnet is reporting that "there are still a lot of details to work out on this including if there will be a special wine list to order from or a dollar limit. Sounds like if you are at a Signature Restaurant that takes 2 Table Service credits, you will also be charged 2 Wine credits if on the add-on plan."


It is anticipated that the 2008 packages and dining options will be officially announced in August.

[Val32]

I don't really mind the appetizer being subtracted from the plan, it is ALOT of food but I would rather have the tip included so I dont have to worry about that. I might consider the Deluxe Plan too since I tend to go over the allotted meals anyways on EVERY Trip!!!!!!

This starts in 2008, huh? So that does not affect my Dec 2007 trip, correct?
It woulda been good in a way because I have so many dang meals booked for our Birthday Blow out Celebration!!!!

[skeeternmunka]

great just in time for my 2008 trip

[dznylvr]

Thanks for the information. Boy, does that Deluxe dining package sound like a ton of food, or what? I know the regular dining plan is a lot of food, I can't imagine adding another meal and 2 snacks in there!! I do think the price is fair, though.

[jaljayjar]

I have mixed feelings I guess. I loved the plan now with tip included just for the convenience. It was nice to have the appetizer although it was way too much food. (Maybe they realized alot of food was uneaten by many and this is a way to cut food cost/waste)
I didn't like the tip included just for the reason some of the servers DID NOT deserve the 18% but again...it was nice to not have to worry about it.
As far as the new plan, I want to really see the changes finalized before I say too much but here is some of my opinions...I have mixed views on the tipping not being included...I will miss the convenience but will hope for better service. I don't think I would miss the appetizer on the basic plan just because it would save more room to finish those awesome desserts I think taking the tip out of the plan AND the appetizer is too much to only lower it by $1. I do like the idea of the upgraded package but that is waaaayyyy too much food. I couldn't imagine eating 3 meals AND 2 snacks! 2 meals was too much to take in let alone adding another meal...especially for $30 more...I don't think I would be able to eat that much food and get my money's worth, especially having to pay adult prices for my 10 year old now. He eats less than my 3 year old.
I am curious others opinions and what changes take place after it is finalized. They are making this way too much hassle by changing it every year!

[Dana]

I also agree that the deluxe is tons of food, but I would like to think that I could use more two table places that way making it worth it to me. The losing the appetizer on the regular plan really isn't a big deal to me...who needs all that food anyway in one meal. It was cool to order two and share with my DD, but I found I rarely made it through my entree let alone ate dessert with it. You still make out even without the appetizer and the tip. You are still at worse case scenerio (assuming you don't utilize the plan properly) going to at least break even. The whole concept of having food paid for in advance is what turns me on to the DDP in general....not the amount of food.

[FireAngel]

The dining plan has way to much food.. I totally like this new idea. Mixed feelings about the tip not being included though. Cant wait to see what they decide.