So it looks like Be Our Guest is becoming Prix Fixe Meal and 2TS credits...thoughts?

[tlmadden73]

I'm not an expert on the DDP, but it looks like the Standard plan is 75 dollars a day, which includes:

• one counter-service meal (per night)
• one sit-down meal (per night)
• two snacks (per night)
• a refillable drink mug (per stay)

Value of a counter service meal: around 15 dollars.
Value of a snack: around 5 dollars (times 2, remember).
Value of the mug: highly situational, so let's just remove it for the sake of this conversation.
Value of sit-down meal: let's peg this one at 55, since that is what the BoG meal costs.

So we have 15+10+55=80

So, you get about 80 dollars of value, for the cost of 75, not counting the mug.

Looking at this data, it is clear that, at 2 credits, BoG is not a good value on the DDP.

That's the problem with the dining plan. It's not worth the price you pay for it. You are better off (unless you eat like a king at every meal) just paying cash.

A single TS credit isn't worth $55. Most single TS credit meals will be around $35-40 (even less if you don't do a character meal).

It's probably worth about half the cost of other 2 TS credit meals .. like Spirit of Aloha, CRT, or Hoop-De-Due. (which are around what? $65-75 each) .. so I would value a TS credit on the DDP to be around $35.

Still, your point is well taken. At $55, it doesn't seem worth it at BOG for 2 TS credits (since those are "worth" $75-100)

The difference is that a lot of the 2 TS places you get food and a show (or something extra). Unless they change Be Our Guest to be like CRT (more characters in the dining room), it could be a hard sell to families, but maybe not so hard sell for foodies or those wanting something exotic without leaving to go to Disney Springs or Epcot.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I had the free dining on our last trip, and this was the only time we ever did the dining plan also. It was really nice to have, not to have to worry about food costs, but I would never pay for the DDP. And if I were ever to get the DDP again, I’d just pay OOP for BoG instead of wasting 2 credits on it.

 

[Moliphino]

I had the free dining on our last trip, and this was the only time we ever did the dining plan also. It was really nice to have, not to have to worry about food costs, but I would never pay for the DDP. And if I were ever to get the DDP again, I’d just pay OOP for BoG instead of wasting 2 credits on it.

That's how I feel about the DDP as well. Though I would skip BOG, because the DDP is way too much food and I'd probably explode if I added another meal on top of that.

 

[KaSe]

Since so many people seem to be concerned about the "cupcake" thing, I'm proposing an after hours dessert party with the Beast!

I've always thought it would be great for them to be open between 2:30-4 p.m. or something like that (after lunch but before dinner hours) and ONLY have cupcakes and fountain drinks available. So, it's basically just a snack cart inside a cool castle between meal times. LOL! I'd always be down for stopping in for a Grey Matter cupcake at 3 p.m.!

 

[Planogirl]

I don't care for this type of meal when we are spending the day in a hot, crowded themepark. It just seems too heavy. If lunch stays the same, we might go back to that. It wasn't great but might be worth another chance.

 

[hakunamomtata]

I am seriously upset. I love BOG, I love Beauty and the Beast. I think they needed to rehaul the menu for sure. I do NOT think they needed to go the signature route. They should have stuck to the classic french homecooked meal feel. It's supposed to feel a bit upscale being that it's in a castle...I get it. But I think they missed the mark on this change. Why do all the meals have to be so over the top and exotic? There are PLENTY of options like those throughout WDW. Akershus is an exotic menu, CRT is a signature exotic menu.... why can't there be a princess meal that doesn't serve obscure foods and have to feel so over the top fancy?

I sincerely hope they add Belle to accompany Beast, and that their menu offerings include more options that are less exotic. There is a ton of untapped potential in BOG, but I think the direction they're taking it is totally wrong.

Okay, so exotic was the wrong verb..... lol. I just meant the meals feel very.... gourmet. I wish they'd scale back the fanciness.

 

[jkh36619]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

 

[rteetz]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

I haven't been there but I would have to think Victoria and Alberts would be worth it for quality. It is a five diamond restaurant and one of the highest rated dining experiences in Florida.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Cali Grill, Narcooses, The Wave...

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

"Worth" is highly subjective. While the meal itself may not be worth $55, the other factors (theming, location, meeting the beast) will certainly be worth it to many. I wouldn't leave a park and drive around Orlando for a 5 star meal even if you paid me.

 

[jkh36619]

Cali Grill, Narcooses, The Wave...

No and No. cant speak for the wave.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

Shula's is certainly worth the $$$ that they charge. Of course, they are not a WDW owned restaurant though. ( And yep, we eat offsite...a lot!)

 

[disneydreamer1980]

No and No. cant speak for the wave.

I found the food and atmosphere at CG to be unparalleled. The food at Narcoosees was worth the money spent as well, and I love the buffet at The Wave. I’m sure there are plenty of good places to eat off site, but I guarantee none of them provide the exeptional food and atmosphere that you get at CG.

 

[deakam]

We did BOG lunch in January. I don't care what they change it to I will never eat there again. We waited 45 minutes after ordering only to be served cold greasy grilled ham sandwiches and cold french fries on cardboard dishes for an awful lot of money. I sent the food back and requested a refund. So very disappointing. I loved that sandwich, it was my favorite sandwich in all of Disney World and they ruined it. Lunch is already double the price of any other quick service place. I didn't mind paying it because it was real dishes. The manager said then that they were rehabbing. I think my lunch was cooked on an Easy Bake oven three days prior to my arrival and then was waylaid on it's trip to my table. I just read the new menu---yep not paying $55.00 for Octopus at Disney. Not a single thing on this menu that anyone in my family would eat. And we have eaten there every trip since it opened. Another tradition ruined by "upgrades".

 

[MIAMouseketeer]

I'm still trying to get a reservation for August...I think increasing the cost to 2 DC will allow more people a chance to make dinner reservations. Supply and demand.

Also making it Prix Fixe. No more cupcake reservations.

 

[dlavender]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

But what if I told you that you could buy the DDP, and then spend $90 for the meal? Change your mind any?

 

[HopperFan]

Neither of those two are exotic menus IMO. Especially not CRT. I’ve onky done akershus breakfast and it definitely NOT exotic. Neither was CRT lunch.

Completely agree. I've done all meals at both ... one reason we stopped going to both was the lack of quality interesting food options. NOTHING exotic about it. No location or Princesses are worth the price to eat at these places with the food offered. You can toss all the fancy names you want on those plates but they are nothing special ... just roasted chicken, roast beef, salmon, pork roast ....

If you want just meat and potatoes type meals (some in our family do) there are options at all parks and those items are usually well covered on buffets as well. No reason a French castle shouldn't have some fancier food (if it turns out to be that way and not just fancy words on a menu like so many other places).

I could be wrong...

But if they go to prix fixe for dinner, and that costs $55 per person, but 2 credits for the ddp, where am I wrong? The ddp credits are valued at $45. 2x45 = $90. $90 is more than $55.....

You're not wrong. It's a terrible value on the DDP.

Agree, you are not wrong in this situation and most the 2 credit meals. I do think if you really want to do the CG Brunch, it might be a good use depending on your eating style and if you really want to go there. BUT overall most aren't worth it, but they are locations Disney knows folks will burn two. And Disney banks.

I suspect they figure most DDP'ers won't do the math. Look at all the people who never get their money's worth out of the DDP to begin with. That is the whole business principle behind dining plans (not just at Disney), people on average tend to leave more $$$ "on the table" using dining plans, charge-to-room services, charge-to-magic band, bar tabs, etc. People spend more if they aren't counting out cash for each transaction. Like in a casino, a dollar here and a dollar there adds up to big bucks over time. And this isn't just Disney, the whole push to credit/debit charges, university spending cards for students, etc. all make money off this.

^THIS

And there are even those who admit they won't break even, they just like the convenience.

It's like all inclusive resorts, many won't get their monies worth if they don't do the activities, don't drink much or eat much. Like the cruise lines drink packages, how many do the math to see if it was worth it (we did) or quick drink more each day to break even. These are all about convenience and not thinking about the cost while on vacation - even though you did pay for it all.

 

[jkh36619]

But what if I told you that you could buy the DDP, and then spend $90 for the meal? Change your mind any?

Haha, no sireee bob.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Since everyone is giving their opinion, I'll give mine. There isn't a meal in Disney worth $55, period. I understand the bubble, theme, convenience, etc. But if you have the means, the Orlando area has some fantastic restaurants with much much higher quality food with better service for a cheaper or equivalent price. Not to mention a quiet place to sit and unwind away from the park.

Tiffins, Jiko, Flying Fish, Yachtsman, Calli Grill (especially with view) I think are all worth that. Obviously V&A is worth much more. Actually $55 for a dinner doesn’t seem too expensive to me - I am sure we spend more at local restaurants. $10 app, $30 entree, $10 dessert plus tax and you are there

I mean, it is a lot for just a regular meal but for a special ocassion that isn’t too much - and vacation is a special ocassion to us

 

[jkh36619]

Tiffins, Jiko, Flying Fish, Yachtsman, Calli Grill (especially with view) I think are all worth that. Obviously V&A is worth much more. Actually $55 for a dinner doesn’t seem too expensive to me - I am sure we spend more at local restaurants. $10 app, $30 entree, $10 dessert plus tax and you are there

I mean, it is a lot for just a regular meal but for a special ocassion that isn’t too much - and vacation is a special ocassion to us

So a family of 4, dinner at any of those restaurants, the bill would be $220 plus tip. not including alcohol. Im sorry but the food at any of those restaurants isnt that good.

Dont get me wrong. I love Disney. I'm an AP holder. Disney does a wonderful job at many things, but food isn't one of them. And I'm not saying the food is bad. Anyone in the restaurant business will tell you that you cant do that many tickets a night and maintain a high level of quality or service compared to restaurants outside the gates of Disney.