2008 room rates and packages now available

[Sunshine1010]

I'm going in January. I've already made all my reservations. I have already booked my dining plan for this vacation.

I wanted to know if the 'regular' dining plan or the Deluxe dining plan, or paying out of pocket would be best for my family.

This is what I did:

1. I went on several sites and went to all the restaurants I've made reservations for. I looked at their menus and wrote down the prices of what I would get (including dessert and cokes, etc.).

2. I then added up the cost of all the appetizers I WOULD have gotten if they were included on the basic dining planI then added everything up....and I took that money and basically said '''''this is wasted money'''''''

3. I added up all the gratuities (on average) that I would pay.

I am coming out WAAAAAY ahead by using the regular dining plan. Even if I have to pay the tip and not eat an appetizer....I am STILL saving money.

Now.............one may ask the question: Why would I not use the Deluxe Dining Plan. It includes appetizer and dessert for all THREE table services (that you are allowed to have), 2 snacks, and a mug w/refillable drinks.

Well, the answer is simple:
1. If I took advantage of the plan, I would feel as though I NEEDED to eat at 3 TS restaurants a day, AND eat 2 snacks. BUT --- I would be sick.
2. If I didn't use all credits for TS restaurants, and only used them for 1 or 2 TS restaurants a day....I would NOT be saving money. I would almost be 'losing' money. If I didn't lose money, I would be coming out even...almost.
3. If I did use the deluxe dining plan, I would want to use all 3 credits at TS restaurants (to get my $ worth)...but I feel as though it would a waste of food ....AND time in the parks. That would be 5-6 hours a day in restaurants (approximately - depending on the restaurant)

Sooooooooo, the REGULAR dining plan is for me. No, I won't be able to get the delicious appetizers anymore...but that's okay.

To the people who are unsure of what to do: crunch the numbers. Take the time to figure things out....then, do what's best for your family. You may be a family that would be cool with eating 3 table service meals a day and you may not be one of those families.

Here's another thing and what I consider to be a SMART way to use the Deluxe Dining Plan: Someday, I WILL get the Deluxe Dining Plan. Why?......
1. I will use the credits for shows, shows, and more shows that take 2 TS credits each
2. I would go to the fancy restaurants that take 2 credits each (Citricos, Narcossees, Artist Pointe).
This way...I'd be getting the 'expensive' things and at the same time --- not gorging myself completely.

That plan will come in the next year sometime. Maybe next December.

[julie0282]

they also took out Planet Hollywood you were albe to eat there before located in Downtown Disney

[krose78]

The only thing I couldn't find was the fee for the deluxe dining package. I'm sure its in here somewhere and I heard like $70 but what is the fee for kids also?

[BelleBeauty]

Deluxe Dining Plan is $69.99 per night per adult and $19.99 per night per child. Including 3 meals a day and two snacks.

[aurorafan]

I have to admit I'm puzzled at the references to "abusing" the system, and at the fact that that abuse is suggested as one of the possible causes for the changes in the DDP for 2008. If I've already paid for the meals, how can it be abuse if I choose to share an entree with someone? Disney still makes their money, whereas if I were not on the plan they'd actually lose money on the deal. If you go to a regular restaurant you usually share an appetizer anyway, rarely do people each get their own, so how does that constitute abuse? If they had changed it to appetizer OR desert and my husband and I each order one and then share them, how is that different than what we would do at a regular restaurant, and how is Disney losing money from it since I already paid? Again, were we not on the plan we would be doing that or less anyway, so they would definitely lose money then. And it seems to me they'll lose money anyway since less people will see it as a good deal--had they simply raised the price a bit or reduced the price even a few more dollars when they took away aspects it might be different.

Having said that, I can see where the basic 2008 DDP will still be a good deal for my family, just not as convenient--I really like that with the plan this year I don't have to budget anything extra in regards to meals. I'm just confused about how eating as we would in a normal (read non-WDW) restaurant could be seen as abusing the system...

[Tink1]

The abuse to the system was before the segregation of adult and child meals. People would purchase the dining plan for their family of 2 adult and 2 children under 9 . They would then pay out of pocket for the childrens meals and use the children credits for adult meals.

Some justified this by saying that since Disney pooled the meals and did not segregate them as adult and child they had every right to do this.

Nanc

[aurorafan]

The abuse to the system was before the segregation of adult and child meals. People would purchase the dining plan for their family of 2 adult and 2 children under 9 . They would then pay out of pocket for the childrens meals and use the children credits for adult meals.

Some justified this by saying that since Disney pooled the meals and did not segregate them as adult and child they had every right to do this.

Nanc

Ah--got it! That would be obvious abuse and I can see why they'd change it. Thanks for clearing that up

[disney]

I see alot of 2008 dineing plan rates but what are the room only rates?

[BigRedDad]

It is located here.

http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/WDW/2008.htm

["SULLEY "RULES!!]

Thanks Magical Journeys for all the input. My husband and I may plan an October trip for next year. This year we're headed down in November with the standard dining plan that still includes appetizer and gratuity. Come next year, all different. Again, thanks for all the hard work..............Thanks Melissa...

[Mickeylover71]

My wife and I are going next year at the end of September into first week of October. I did that because we were going to go in June but it's about $300 cheaper.

We're staying at the All-Star Movies and i'm really, really, really excited. We got the dining package and 7 day park hopper option

I can't wait

[fwadmin]

This message board is great. Planning first trip to Disney World with wife and two kids in Jan. We ended up with the Deluxe Dining plan mainly because the agent asked and we said sure. As a family we like to sit down and enjoy nice meals so I feel ok about my uninformed decision. So, every day I have reservations for a 1 credit table service lunch and a 2 credit Signature or Character Dining dinner. We are not into breakfast.

I have a question about appetizers for lunch and dinner. Does each person get to pick their own appetizer or is it a single appetizer for the whole table?

[KarenP]

This message board is great. Planning first trip to Disney World with wife and two kids in Jan. We ended up with the Deluxe Dining plan mainly because the agent asked and we said sure. As a family we like to sit down and enjoy nice meals so I feel ok about my uninformed decision. So, every day I have reservations for a 1 credit table service lunch and a 2 credit Signature or Character Dining dinner. We are not into breakfast.

I have a question about appetizers for lunch and dinner. Does each person get to pick their own appetizer or is it a single appetizer for the whole table?

Each person gets an appetizer with the deluxe dining.

[thejens]

I just don't like it. I seem to be a day late and apparently only a dollar less on this deal. It feels like Disney Corporation is just squeezing as hard as it can to see how much money they can get for how little. The tipping thing I understand is a union demand. I hope this benefits the wait staff. It may backfire. But taking away the appetizer for the one sit down meal a day seems greedy and petty to me. Definitely minimizes the magic.

[Laughin' place]

First, thanks for the great info. Cant wait for our May trip (first time with new wife and blended family !!)
I took my two boys in Summer 06 and we LOVED the dining plan. Easy for Dad, a lot less hassle in terms of paying and having to have cash on hand, and we ate VERY well.
In fact, it almost seemed too good to be true....
I understand disappointment that this great deal is no longer no quite so great. But some posters take it a little too far.
IMHO, being expected to tip the waitstaff is not too much to ask. We all hope for excellent service and Disney magic from every cast member, and I am more than willing to reward that. Disney could NEVER be affordable as an "all inclusive" for most people, so tipping is a reality.
Generally, I (and almost everyone Ive discussed this with) find the dining plans a real money saver. The plans have to be profitable, however, to keep them in place. The loss of appetizers and the addition of a dollar or two dont negate the fact that this will save my family money when we go. If it doesnt work as well for others, there are lots of other options. All being said, I dont think Disney deserves some of the criticism here. When in comes down to it, is it so wrong that DIsney asks us to pay for food ??

[Mendelson]

Some people are quite upset about the change in value for the dining plan, but remember that Disney's costs go up every year and visitors DO have to pick that up, as Disney is a for-profit company. Without being rude, it's just as simple as: if you don't like it, don't get it.

I've never gotten the plan because of Disney's rather clever method of tying it to your room stay. With all of the diversions now in Orlando, WDW tries its hardest to keep you for all your vacation days (which is why they have Magical Express...they don't want you to have a rental car). We like to go to Sea World and usually at least one day at IOA. WDW knows that if you're paying for food for a particular day, you're likely going to stay in their park for that very reason. Would I like this to be different? Of course, but I understand how Disney plays and I just don't get the plan.

There are worse things Disney could do to us. And remember, anything new that seems like a great deal is very likely to be scaled back somewhat not long after it's rolled out.

[pdrlkr]

We didn't really care much for the dinning plan anyway. We felt like all we did on our vacation was eat. We were so stuffed that we didn't use the snacks. This is more of a reason to not use it!

[KevGuy]

I think the lack of gratuity is going to backfire on the union unfortunately and they will lose even more money myself. Most people aren't great tippers to begin with, especially considering the extreme expense of Disney as it is, and there will be confusion and people will stil think the tip is still part of the plan. Thus I see a lot of folks not having the money on hand and with less than 6 people they cannot automatically add 18% to the room card or anything. The people will have to write down the tip and with already being mad because they thought the tip was still included, they will give a 15% tip or if the service was not stellar less than that. I think it was silly to remove the tip and the appetizer while reducing the cost a buck. They should have just increased the price to cover the gratuity a few bucks and lost the appetizer while leaving in the tip. More convienient and appealing to the purchaser, while only slightly more expensive and it would have guaranteed 18% every time to the wait staff.

[Hammer]

I think the lack of gratuity is going to backfire on the union unfortunately and they will lose even more money myself. Most people aren't great tippers to begin with, especially considering the extreme expense of Disney as it is, and there will be confusion and people will stil think the tip is still part of the plan. Thus I see a lot of folks not having the money on hand and with less than 6 people they cannot automatically add 18% to the room card or anything. The people will have to write down the tip and with already being mad because they thought the tip was still included, they will give a 15% tip or if the service was not stellar less than that. I think it was silly to remove the tip and the appetizer while reducing the cost a buck. They should have just increased the price to cover the gratuity a few bucks and lost the appetizer while leaving in the tip. More convienient and appealing to the purchaser, while only slightly more expensive and it would have guaranteed 18% every time to the wait staff.

I believe the union did this because most of the non-Disney owned restaurants were not giving their employees the 18% gratuity that they received off the total bill, but were creating a credit value for Dining Plan participants and giving the waitstaff 18% of that number, with the restaurant pocketing the difference. I made a point at Wolfgang Puck and Le Cellier (two restaurants that do this practice) that I added extra tip on my add-on bill (drinks and side dishes) which the worker receive 100%, so they received at least 18%.

I am hoping they will just add the tip line back on to Dining Plan receipts so we can just charge the tip to the room key.