Many EPCOT Restaurants Not Included in 2017 DDP

[Donald Duck]

Anyone know why so many EPCOT restaurants which were in the 2016 DDP are not in the 2017 DDP, such as Teppan Edo, Via Napoli, Nine Dragons, Chefs de France, San Angel Inn, Tutto Italia...

[Fangorn]

This is normal. Every year, when the list is initially released, most of the restaurants that are not Disney owned and operated (all on your list above) do not show up. That's because the contracts with the restaurants have not yet been signed and may not be until late December or even into January.

It happens every year. Nothing to get excited about. They will all show up on the list eventually.

Steve

[cer]

This is normal. Every year, when the list is initially released, most of the restaurants that are not Disney owned and operated (all on your list above) do not show up. That's because the contracts with the restaurants have not yet been signed and may not be until late December or even into January.

It happens every year. Nothing to get excited about. They will all show up on the list eventually.

Steve

This.

[Donald Duck]

This is normal. Every year, when the list is initially released, most of the restaurants that are not Disney owned and operated (all on your list above) do not show up. That's because the contracts with the restaurants have not yet been signed and may not be until late December or even into January.

It happens every year. Nothing to get excited about. They will all show up on the list eventually.

Steve

Whew ! Good to know.
Thanks Steve.

[Fangorn]

You're welcome.

The Epcot restaurants in particular are most susceptible to not showing up on the initial list. Likely to do with the fact that ownership, and therefore the contract decisions, are outside of the US.

I think Disney also uses this as a tactic to get the restaurants to hurry up and sign. It's not like everyone doesn't already know Disney will be offering the Dining Plans every year (can you say, "cash cow"?).

Steve

[Polynesian Dweller]

You're welcome.

The Epcot restaurants in particular are most susceptible to not showing up on the initial list. Likely to do with the fact that ownership, and therefore the contract decisions, are outside of the US.

I think Disney also uses this as a tactic to get the restaurants to hurry up and sign. It's not like everyone doesn't already know Disney will be offering the Dining Plans every year (can you say, "cash cow"?).

Steve

You're right about the restaurants not being Disney but it's not likely just a pressure tactic. Outside owned restaurants have to determine how much they think they will need to get per meal to meet costs and desired profits. One of the big unknowns is costs of ingredients and produce and meat prices vary greatly. It's actually prudent to watch pricing trends as long as you can to understand what they may be and then negotiate the fixed price Disney will give you. That's one of the reasons some contracts aren't agreed to until late December or even January.

For Disney owned restaurants it's much easier. Disney just assigns it restaurants what it wants and the money flows back to them anyway.

[Fangorn]

Agreed. I didn't intend to imply that it was * only * a tactic on Disney's part. Just that they know these things can take time and the fine art of negotiation is in play here. Disney wants to nail down these contacts as soon as possible for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that their guests want a complete list. Publishing the list before everyone has actually had a chance to complete negotiations, does, however, put just a bit of pressure on the "stragglers". And even though it happens every year, guests who may not know that, may tend to shy away from booking - not something restaurant operators want to see.

Steve

[Polynesian Dweller]

Agreed. I didn't intend to imply that it was * only * a tactic on Disney's part. Just that they know these things can take time and the fine art of negotiation is in play here. Disney wants to nail down these contacts as soon as possible for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that their guests want a complete list. Publishing the list before everyone has actually had a chance to complete negotiations, does, however, put just a bit of pressure on the "stragglers". And even though it happens every year, guests who may not know that, may tend to shy away from booking - not something restaurant operators want to see.

Steve

True enough. We both agree really. Disney probably would want to push to try and get the lowest possible. But history shows it doesn't work and both sides know it. Due diligence for the restaurant is to wait as long as they can.

Another of the reasons for publishing early is likely that Disney has to have something about the Dining Plan out there about 6 months out so they can sell the DDP and use it as a room incentive when people start booking their packages for 2017.