Higher Food Prices in 2008

^ We did that when we went to Disney. I didn't really think it was worth it.

I did it too and it was definatly worth it. The key was making sure you used all your sitdown meals. We made reservations months in advance so we ate at some of the best places: Canada's Steakhouse in Epcot, O'hana at the Polynesian, even got in a character breakfast at the Crystal Palace (youngest member in our party was 18 but we knew from experience that they make the best cinnamon french toast.) Some of those places had prices >$40 a person.

^ See I went with my aunt who didn't even try to get discounts on our tickets. We headed down there, we got to Florida, and she says that she didn't even buy tickets yet. So I had to go online and see what kind of deals we could get. Needless to say, when it came to that she didn't really look for the deals eathier. I just remember going to buffets and that kind of sucked. Next time I will have to do what you did Touchdown.

With Disney, ALWAYS shop beforehand. Waiting until you get down there is like wanting to pick up the soap in prison, you're just asking for it.

We did the dining plan (got it free for our honeymoon, that was nice). Did dinner at Coral Reef one night (very nice along the aquarium and it was the early time slot, so minimal kids running around). Even had the divers swim over to "congratulate" us. We did Donald's Breakfastosaurus one morning too. Can't do Disney (even without kids) without doing a Character Meal. Overall, it was a great deal and I'll probably look at getting it next time, even though I'll have to pay.

I think CP should fit together a dining plan for a cost that allows them to remain profitable.

Add it to the resort card and make it nice and something you can swipe through out the park.

Even if a small number of people even use it unless it costs a lot to implement. In which case just dump the money in to Breakers rooms bathrooms.

I think the dirty little secret about dining plans is that the average cost is actually higher than what people would spend on individual meals. Granted, a lot of us here would get all we could out of it, but I'm not sure everyone would. I did the math on Universal's plan and realized I'd never get my money's worth (not an apples comparison since theirs doesn't include drinks). On the other hand, I think I'd get more than break even on Disney's.

The big thing about the dining plan: we wouldn't have had the sit-down meals we did without it. We would have done maybe 2, not the 4 or 5 that we did do. And even though alcohol isn't included (I'm a sucker for the light-up ice cubes) we still had a great meal at Coral Reef.

JuggaLotus said:
With Disney, ALWAYS shop beforehand. Waiting until you get down there is like wanting to pick up the soap in prison, you're just asking for it.

I know. My aunt said that she was going to disney world with her daughter and son and asked if me and my sis wanted to go. I thought she had everything planned out. She had nothing. Not even hotel reservations. And I was really upset because I had always heard if you go through kissimmi or different things like that you can find A LOT of great deals. My sis had to call around for hotels on our way down there, and I went online looking for tickets. We did do the whole timeshare thing though that knocked a lot off the price.

I've been grumbling about the quality of what you get, the lack of decent (ie relatively healthy) choices, and the overall food prices for at least five seasons.

Now they've seriously crossed a line, given what I've seen with the Subway (which is the only other place I'd even THINK about eating other than Chick-fil-A).

My cooler was usually for major parts of my meals, and I'd supplement occasionally with soft pretzels, ice cream, etc. I'd even occasionally hit Game Day, which was better its first year compared to subsequent ones. I guess I'll be stopping at Tofts outside the park from now on, because I love it, and can divert the money directly into their pockets, not CP's.

I had a question for anyone on here. How much is Chik-Fil-A? Are they pretty reasonable price wise? I'm also thinking about Gameday Grille for tomorrow. What are they like price wise?

I noticed this change at the park today and it made me chuckle. A large Dippin Dots was previously offered for "$7.25" (since the start of the season.) Every cart has now been changed to show a price of "$6.81 + tax". LOL. Are they banking that people are real bad at math or just trying to play psychological mind games?

Yes.