[alandjen]

I've reviewed the descriptions of the various new Dining Plans for 2008, and I thought I'd toss out my questions here (I'm not sure if I'm not just missing something).

The base "Dining Plan" looks like the traditional Disney Dining Plan that's in effect now, the difference being that appetizers are no longer included, and gratuities are not included (except for CRT).

Has anyone been able to confirm the price on this revised plan? Obviously that would determine whether this is a fair deal or not. Over the course of a typical stay, it might still be a decent deal even at the current price, in the sense that we might still be getting food valued at more than we're actually being charge. But there would be a non-insignificant out-of-pocket expense associated with places like California Grille, Artists Pointe, Flying Fish, etc, where the appetizers and tip alone could still be substantial. Maybe it'll make it easier to get into these places again.

The "Deluxe Dining Plan" lists 3 "meals" and 2 snacks per night. It doesn't seem to distinguish between Counter Service and Table Service. Anyone know if this means you could, theoretically, get 3 Table Service meals every day? Also, any info on the price?

Finally, maybe I'm missing it, but I can't see the difference between the "Deluxe Dining Plan" and the "Premium Dining Plan". I'm sure there is a difference, but I'm just being brain-dead today I guess. Can anyone spell it out for me?

Just when I'd convinced myself that the DDP was a "no-brainer", it seems like it's going to take alot of thought and calculations for next year.

Thanks.

[Soundgod]

The Deluxe Dining plan lets you eat three table service meals each day, but you can chose to downgrade any meal yourself at a quick serve/counter serve location (I wouldn't).
With the removal of the tip and appetizer from the regular plan, it changes my formula entirely. The old way, the sit down dinner pretty much was equal to a day's cost of the dining plan.
The new version has an adult dinner equal to about $31 dollars for just entree, dessert, beverage, and sales tax based on $22 for entree, $6 for dessert, $3 for beverage, and 7% sales tax. For your quick serve meal, there's still plenty of choices out there that will bring your total meal to to around $12 with dessert. The snack is still valued up to $4. DIsney is still claiming that you can see savings of up to 32%, but I don't see it. You should still be taking in about $48 worth of food each day, just you have to pick up that tip at dinner now and no shrimp cocktail.
Not sure what the new prices are, but if they hold the price, which they should be able to due to the cuts in service, you'll still be saving around $9 a day. For a family of 4 with both children over 10, you should still save $36 a day or over $100 for a 3 day stay. Not great, but still good.
There's also a very slight hope that they'll modify the plan before rolling it out and put the tip and/or dessert back in, but don't hold your breath. I do know that guests have been asking for a 3 sit down plan that wasn't tied to the premium and platinum level packages, so, it's wait and see time.

[Jen]

Great explaination, Soundgod.

I still think it's a good deal, especially since the food itself is how I talk Stu into going back to Disney again and again :)

And let's not forget the beauty of having your food budgeted and pre-paid for!! That, in my opinion, is reason enough for me to use the dining plan.

[MickeyMcFizzle]

Where can I find info on these new dining plans? I haven't seen anything yet.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by MickeyMcFizzle

Where can I find info on these new dining plans? I haven't seen anything yet.

Here's some info

http://www.mousebuzz.com/forum/front...-packages.html

[bribren]

I know the price for basic is 37.99 Adult/day. I agree with Soundgod, the slight savings the plan might offer is mitigated by the same restrictions as stated (tip and appetizer).

If you eat at a buffet, a counter service sans desert, or share meals with a friend, then the plan becomes more expensive than a la carte.

Hopefully it will change, there is sure to be a big drop-off.

As far as deluxe for 3 sit-downs at 69.95, I just cant see cutting out 3 hours of your day for dining, everyday.

[cinderbella]

I have to admit..the more I hear about it the more I actually like it.

I did love the appetizer option--but I have to admit after most meals I was TOO STUFFED TO MOVE. And the usually resulted in us going back to the room and going to bed..

I told Dave about the new Deluxe Dining Plan and he got all sorts of excited. To me, even if you double up and do a signature dining every day..it's still so much food!

Plus, I agree with Jen..I love paying for my food beforehand and not having to worry about it.

[DisneyTeacher]

I'm still not sure how I feel about the changes. We were pretty much done with the dining plan after next may anyway so I'm not too worried or upset. My son will not eat any adult meal and he'll be 10 next year os we decided after our May trip we won't be doing the dining plan because we'll lose money with him counted as an adult.

My favorite part of the plan besides having it paid for at the start of the trip was not having to worry about the tip. Now that the tip isn't included it isn't such a good deal to us. We aren't going to save a ton of money when we normally just order entrees and a drink. Most of the places we eat at would make us maybe break even but throw Nate in as an adult and we would never come out ahead.

Since I have an AP I think we'll go with the DDE card and that 20% discount will cover the tip.

[TaraRae82]

For me, the DDP will always be a great deal as long as I break even on costs. The convenience of not having to pay at a meal will take the place of getting less. Although, I will say that having to pay gratuity is not terribly convenient but it will force the CM's to give awesome service when they're not guaranteed a payoff. :)

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by bribren

I know the price for basic is 37.99 Adult/day. I agree with Soundgod, the slight savings the plan might offer is mitigated by the same restrictions as stated (tip and appetizer).
If you eat at a buffet, a counter service sans desert, or share meals with a friend, then the plan becomes more expensive than a la carte.
As far as deluxe for 3 sit-downs at 69.95, I just cant see cutting out 3 hours of your day for dining, everyday.

I could still make the case for the 2008 version of the plan. If you eat entrees that cost more than $22, examples are; any filet mignon, strip steaks and prime rib, some grilled and broiled fresh fish, lobster (if there's any left anywhere).

Three sit downs for $70 isn't bad at all. We're the kind of guest that likes to enjoy three meals a day while we're on vacation. A character buffet comes to about $20 with tax for breakfast. Lunches could run around $30, and dinners on the deluxe plan still come with appetizer, so we're back around $40 for that meal. Throw on the two snacks and, well, at least your meals are pre paid.

Update before hitting post:

I just looked at almost all of the sit down single credit places. The prices seem to all be stabilizing around $20 and less on many menus all around WDW. It's looking more and more like they're trying to make this into a prepaid dining plan with averaged prices to standardize Disney's costs, or rather, you're only going to get roughly the dollar amount of the meal with little benefit. The menus themselves seem to be getting blanded down as well.

[Caseys Corner]

I figured out it aint for me anymore. I will enjoy are last one and then go ala cart.

[Nastory4]

I just cannot see flying 1500 miles to sit down for three meals a day. We go to enjoy the parks and have a one restful meals during the day. That will take up too much time for us. I have been a huge fan of the DP, but no more.

[rshenry]

Does the deluxe plan include gratuity??

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by Nastory4

I just cannot see flying 1500 miles to sit down for three meals a day. We go to enjoy the parks and have a one restful meals during the day. That will take up too much time for us. I have been a huge fan of the DP, but no more.

That's exactly how we feel. We love the resorts, the parks, and the restaurants but no way could we do 3 meals a day. That would be too much food and take up too much of our park time.

We had already decided that once our son turned 10 (next May) we were done with the dining plan. He doesn't come close to eating $40 a day in food. If it weren't for the McDonald's in Epcot we would have a hard time getting $12 a day out of him.

[palmickey]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

Update before hitting post:

I just looked at almost all of the sit down single credit places. The prices seem to all be stabilizing around $20 and less on many menus all around WDW. It's looking more and more like they're trying to make this into a prepaid dining plan with averaged prices to standardize Disney's costs, or rather, you're only going to get roughly the dollar amount of the meal with little benefit. The menus themselves seem to be getting blanded down as well.

I was afraid of that, as much as I love the dining plan I do not know if we will use it again. What I have figured out so far it is no longer a good deal, we really will not be saving anything, in fact it will cost more by the time I add the 18% tip, not a lot but a few dollars. There is no longer a benefit to purchasing the plan for me.

If the menu is now limited and I have to eat meatloaf instead of a steak....

How much of do you think the free dining has to do with this? If Disney is just looking at the profit and loss of the dining plan and they are losing money, is it the free dining? I know that there are a lot of you that got to enjoy that but I have been paying for mine every trip and I really hope that it isn't that I can no longer enjoy the plan because they are losing money on the food from the free dining. Don't get this wrong, if I could have enjoyed the free dining I would have, I just don't want that to be the reason this is happening.