Subsonic Radio

Hello!
One of the most frequent complaints a here about Disney World is that the food is too expensive. A lot of you probably know for part of the month of August and the month of September, Disney is throwing in the Disney Magic Dining Plan if you stay in one of their hotels with a Disney Magic Package. The Disney World website appears to only offer 5 night packages, but in reality you can get up to 10. I've got my reservation already! I really wasn't thinking of going back so quickly after our last trip (January, 06), but the free dining plan sold me! Anybody else taking advantage of this terrific deal?

Regards,
Delray

"Properly warned ye be, says I!"

Do people really think the food is overly expensive? I'm not say its cheap but its comparable in price with all other theme parks...and its GOOD. I don't mind paying a higher price as long as its good. I have never been to WDW and had a bad meal anywhere, including the self-serv, fast food places. Nothing is worse they paying more for food and having it taste like crap.

Rich

I do think that Disney food is generally expensive compared to fast food restaurants, but as rdeacon mentioned- it's good food. There's a lot of variety as well. Quick service places such as Flame Tree BBQ and Pecos Bills have tasty food that's worth the price. I haven't been to another kind of theme park for a long time, so I can't compare.

Yeah, what are you guys referring to? THe food is more expensive than McDonald's, but you pay more for popcorn at a movie theatre. The quick food service in the parks is actually a decent price. Most meals are on average around $5-$6. What kills you is the Full Service dining. Most of these restaurants are $5-$15 more expensive than regular restaurants. But you're in FREAKIN DISNEY! You always pay more for food when you're on vacation...no matter where you go. So just be glad they've put together something to limit the prices like this new program. Its the most magical place on Earth, and the prices are not meant to ruin your visit.

It's no higher than any other tourist attraction. If you don't like it, use the picnic area....

See, I think the fast service is a bad deal when compared to a lot of the sit down restaurants. The sit down are more expensive than sitdowns outside of the park but not by much, and not much more expensive than the fast service places but with much better food.

Mr.ToadWildRider wrote:See, I think the fast service is a bad deal when compared to a lot of the sit down restaurants. The sit down are more expensive than sitdowns outside of the park but not by much, and not much more expensive than the fast service places but with much better food.

I would agree that they sit downs are probably the better value, but sometimes you just want a cheeseburger with all the fixings from Pecos Bill Café!

Rich

We go to a couple of local places (Kings Island and Wyandot Lake) and they both cost more for drinks. Food is pretty close to the same. It does add up quickly though.

We mostly do sit down meals and we use the Disney Disney Experience which I purchased as an AP holder - the savings really add up! DDE isn't available for counter service but there are a few spots we like, too. The free dining is a good promo, but crunch the numbers before you book this plan as you actually get a ton of food and if you price the package out ala carte you might find you would spend less.

AKLRULZ wrote:We mostly do sit down meals and we use the Disney Disney Experience which I purchased as an AP holder - the savings really add up! DDE isn't available for counter service but there are a few spots we like, too. The free dining is a good promo, but crunch the numbers before you book this plan as you actually get a ton of food and if you price the package out ala carte you might find you would spend less.

The DDE card is a wonderful thing. I just wish they would select some counter service places for you to use it (Other than your Hotel and Flame Tree) although it's still an awesome savings.
The first week of the Free Dining it's actually cheaper for a week to book the free dining package at All Star Sports and buy a one day pass to the parks than it is to just book the room. (I think they are giving you the free dining and they changed the room to the Value price)

I think most people's feelings about the cost of the food at Disney depends on their personal experience. For example, living in Fairfield County, Connecticut, the food at Disney is equally priced or less expensive than food in comparable restaurants here. Conversely, people who live in parts of the country where the cost of living is lower will find the prices at Disney to be inflated compared to their local establishments. If you dine in areas surrounding Orlando, you'll find that Disney is slightly more expensive. However, what everyone in this forum has been saying is absolutely true: with very few exceptions, the quality of the food at Disney is excellent.

A little off topic, but speaking of food at WDW:

Jiko – The Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge was recognized for "Best Independent Operator Menu" in the 2006 Nation's Restaurant News MenuMasters Awards.

Yum, yum! Guess I'm not the only one who thinks Jiko is delicious!