Looks like the CS Dining Plan is going to happen!

[TenThousandVolts]

Oh if only you could mix and match days - some days the Counter service plan, other days the basic plan... That would be awesome- don't worry- I know that isn't going to happen.

 

[ADP]

Is $26 for 2 CS and 2 snacks really a bargain? I would think that an average CS meal was more like $10 pp and the snacks about $3 each. Maybe with a dessert the CS would come in at $12 pp, but I can't recall ever getting a CS dessert. This just seems like so much food.

Of course, we probably aren't the target market for this, as we bought DVC so we could use the kitchen for breakfast and sometimes for quick light dinners as well. And when we eat CS, my DH and I often split a meal. -- Suzanne

Don't forget about the $12 mug you get with the plan. Although you'd have to spread that cost over the number of nights of your stay.

 

[HayGan]

IMO, even $30 per day for 2 CS meals is no bargain.

I agree! That is barely breakeven if you ask me.

I have no interest in a CS only plan. It should be interesting to see what the new plans and pricing are. We are still on the fence with what we should do next year.

 

[HayGan]

Is $26 for 2 CS and 2 snacks really a bargain? I would think that an average CS meal was more like $10 pp and the snacks about $3 each. Maybe with a dessert the CS would come in at $12 pp, but I can't recall ever getting a CS dessert. This just seems like so much food.

Do people who aren't on the DDP really buy that cake in a cup? It isn't bad (especially the peanut butter one) but I can't see myself or my family ordering a CS dessert except for baklava at Tangerine Cafe if we aren't on the DDP.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I really think Disney is shifting towards marketing their dining plans as a convenience more than a budgeting tool. I think they've discovered that a large percentage of people like vacation packages they can reserve months in advance...have a total of what everything is going to cost...and then spread the payments out until it's paid in full. So, I don't see any of the plans as a great bargain, because Disney doesn't need them to be.

 

[ransom]

I really think Disney is shifting towards marketing their dining plans as a convenience more than a budgeting tool. I think they've discovered that a large percentage of people like vacation packages they can reserve months in advance...have a total of what everything is going to cost...and then spread the payments out until it's paid in full. So, I don't see any of the plans as a great bargain, because Disney doesn't need them to be.

I think your insightful comment is right on the mark. Eventually, they'll get everything tuned up -- plan pricing & product mix, as well as menu items & pricing. Then it'll just be a pay-me-now or pay-me-later choice for guests.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I would be really interested in the CS meal plan for my solo trips. That would work out really well for my touring and eating style. I'm not sure it would be a bargin at $30, but $26 may not be a bad price point!

 

[Telcogirl]

Do people who aren't on the DDP really buy that cake in a cup? It isn't bad (especially the peanut butter one) but I can't see myself or my family ordering a CS dessert except for baklava at Tangerine Cafe if we aren't on the DDP.

Have you ever dined with 2 18 year old boys? We did last week.

Their CS lunch at the Artists's Pallette consisted of flatbread Pizza, bottled water and a browie. I know that the pizza was about $7.69 and the brownie was about $3.00. Estimate the water at $2.00 and that totals out to be about $12.69, plus tax.

Two of those type meals a day, along with 2 snacks, plus the refillable mug is a great convenience that we think is worth the money.

But, that is what we love about Disney. You can do everything or nothing at all. There is something for everyone!

 

[Liljam]

I love the idea of 2 CS and 2 snack DDP because that's pretty much our style of dining when we're in WDW. I would love to be an organized person who makes tons of ADRs and then sticks to my guns about them, but I'm not. I loved the flatbreads and cookies at SSR, and I'm always up for a burger or pizza (I'm not a healthy eater!) The reason I don't do the DDP as it is now is because we would waste too many TS credits! The only option I would love is to be able to trade 2 credits of CS for 1 TS like the 2 TS credits for a CDM. Other than HOB, I rarely care to do TS dining! At $26 a day per person, I think it would be great. We spent roughly $10 a day at SSR on the flatbreads or the Chicken Cordon Bleu (good stuff I tell ya!) and then we would buy cookies because we love sweets and another CS for dinner unless we had leftovers in the fridge!

 

[spaddy]

I am very interested by this plan. I do believe it is priced just a little bit too high, but I might try it on our next trip. I figure this plan with 1 or 2 character breakfast thrown in would be good. I just looked and Universal's 2 park 1 day is $25/day and the refillable cup is $9.

Now if you got a refillable cup you could refill in the park I would be there in a heart beat. (I know that is not going to happen)

I have to say I like many of the desserts at the CS. You can't beat Zebra Domes at AKL. Most of the in park CS desserts do leave a lot to be desired.

 

[JCW]

I really think Disney is shifting towards marketing their dining plans as a convenience more than a budgeting tool. I think they've discovered that a large percentage of people like vacation packages they can reserve months in advance...have a total of what everything is going to cost...and then spread the payments out until it's paid in full. So, I don't see any of the plans as a great bargain, because Disney doesn't need them to be.

I agree, and here's a perfect example why...

my cousin was taking her family to WDW and asked me to go over the DP with her, so she could figure out her budget-get the plan, don't get the plan etc. We broke it down and found, for how they eat, that she would save money without the plan. However, since their money is so tight, she decided to go with the plan, so that a) it was paid for ahead of time b) they wouldn't be worrying about $ while there ..."sorry little Timmy, Mommy can't buy you the ice cream because we spent it all for the day". So for them, spending more up front made for a more relaxed, stress free vacation in the end.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

It's about time! Disney has gone above and beyond to treat the Little Princesses to a magical experience at WDW. However, the Little Pirates have been mostly left out. I'd imagine many "wee" Pirate lads absolutely being thrilled with those rooms. I'm sure a good number of "wee" Pirate lasses would enjoy the theming as well. It will also be a nice boost to bookings at CBR.

Nice move Disney.

 

[abeyst]

It's about time! Disney has gone above and beyond to treat the Little Princesses to a magical experience at WDW. However, the Little Pirates have been mostly left out. I'd imagine many "wee" Pirate lads absolutely being thrilled with those rooms. I'm sure a good number of "wee" Pirate lasses would enjoy the theming as well. It will also be a nice boost to bookings at CBR.

Nice move Disney.

My DD is NOT a princess lover and she would be over the moon to stay in a pirate room! (If you ask her she will tell you she HATES them She couldn't stand being called "Princess" all the time at Disney last month.)

 

[photobob]

IMO, even $30 per day for 2 CS meals is no bargain.

I agree. I'm thinking a combo meal with drink is about $10 or so? I know i took the five in my party to a cs meal and it was $48 and we all had the combo meals.

 

[stopher1]

I would be really interested in the CS meal plan for my solo trips. That would work out really well for my touring and eating style. I'm not sure it would be a bargin at $30, but $26 may not be a bad price point!

Me too. But even so, it might not be so bad on a family trip either... at least on a split stay. We love the ts restaurants, but don't want to always eat in them simply for the time they consume. When on the plan we always maximize the selection per person to make sure we're making out "ahead"...but I'm not 100% sold on the estimated price point in the article... we'll definitely have to wait and see - but I DO like the refillable mug aspect. Not having to buy new ones would be a nice perk for us - we use and use and use those things.

 

[dddisrunner]

It's about time! Disney has gone above and beyond to treat the Little Princesses to a magical experience at WDW. However, the Little Pirates have been mostly left out. I'd imagine many "wee" Pirate lads absolutely being thrilled with those rooms. I'm sure a good number of "wee" Pirate lasses would enjoy the theming as well. It will also be a nice boost to bookings at CBR.

Nice move Disney.

I totally agree with you BUT why the heck to we have to pay a nights stay just to get a little boy action going on there Can they not have a Toy Story meal? How about a Pirate meal? The year round Jedi training was a good addition but there needs to be more

 

[LIFERBABE]

We always eat at the pool, and the resorts offer much better desserts for CS than the parks.

A package of strawberries and whipped cream cost $3.69 and counts as a dessert, so its not only the cake cups.

At SSR a pizza is $8 and a drink is $2. Close to $14 for a CS meal.

So I would say the CS is worth approx. $12 each. The mug $2 a day. And the snacks are worth $3 each (love the funnel cakes at MK) So I have a total of $32 a day per adult. If that price it around $25, I would buy it.

We would buy the mugs anyway and now that the boys are older, they eat full meals. They also like their snacks and normally like the more expensive snack items, they dont really choose Mickey Bars.

They dont particularly like any TS meals except CM so that money is wasted on them. I would rather pay OOP for our TS because of this. They seem to find appetizers they like more than the entrees.

I would use this plan in addition to TS discounted meals and some meals in the villa.

We use CS as the quick bites while we are out.

Plus, we are almost 4 Disney Adults so another reason I like this less expensive plan because they dont have adult tastes.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

I totally agree with you BUT why the heck to we have to pay a nights stay just to get a little boy action going on there Can they not have a Toy Story meal? How about a Pirate meal? The year round Jedi training was a good addition but there needs to be more

Absolutely! However, it's a step in the right direction.

I still think that a Gaston's Hunting Lodge venue & character meal would be the absolute best. Of course, it would have to be mugs of root beer being sloshed around, but what fun for everyone!

 

[abeyst]

With Gaston comes a princess, though. Yuk!

 

[Par8hed]

I'd have zero interest in the CS plan. How many cheeseburger/fry meals can one eat. Too much fat, cholesterol, deep fried junk for my taste. I normally do a CS for lunch to save time, but there is no way I'm not sitting down for some "real" food at dinner. You know, something that may include a vegetable and cutlery.