Time is running out for Disney to keep yet another promise, blame inflation

[ad_1]

“When is the Disney Dining Plan coming back?” This is probably the most asked question we receive (and the one we often ask ourselves too). We are big fans of the Disney Dining Plan. From its money-saving abilities (with a little effort and know-how, you really can get away with it) to its convenience (a stress-free vacation by having everything prepaid), we love it and miss it as much as you . So when will he be back? Disney is running out of time to fulfill its latest promise.

Credit: Disney

It’s been exactly a year since Disney promised us that the Dining Plan would soon return to Disney World. We would like to pretend to be shocked by this, but unfortunately we are not. We hate to sound cynical, but we’re kind of used to broken promises at this point (trams, anyone?). In December 2021, however, we were very excited as Disney had promised the plan would be back very soon, but they just weren’t ready to make an announcement just yet. “It’s okay,” we said, “at least that’s progress.”

Credit: D23

Everyone in the Disney fan community expected him to be back this year. During September’s D23 event, we really expected an announcement to be made. Disney parks usually get a lot of love and attention during this event. Instead, there was silence. No mention of the restoration plan. They haven’t even hinted at his return, and we think we know why.

1 credit

This year has seen record inflation. The annual inflation rate has gone from a steady 3.2% to a staggering 8.3%. The biggest price increases occurred from March to September, just as Disney was gearing up for its big event.

This was a problem for Disney. Food has been one of the hardest hit victims of rapidly rising prices nationwide. Businesses pass these increased costs on to their consumers (think of the price of a carton of eggs the last time you were in the store compared to a year ago). The Disney Meal Plan is all about predictability. If you purchase your plan 6 months in advance, your costs are locked in. They can’t be adjusted for inflation like paying out of pocket (think how often Disney restaurant prices have gone up recently).

Disney is a company we fans can sometimes forget, but it’s true. Their goal is profit. The meal plan currently poses a considerable risk to the bottom line because, while you can save with the plan, it takes a little effort, and most don’t bother to make sure they maximize their value with it. The Disney Dining Plan exists to make Disney money by relying on the majority who don’t save with it.

With food costs unstable, Disney currently cannot set a price where they can balance the line between customers willing to pay and the company confident it will make a profit. Their choice currently is either to charge a guaranteed amount to make money (but so high that guests won’t pay it) or to set it at an attractive price and risk a further increase in food costs nationwide. which would result in a massive loss for them. During a time of financial turmoil and fan dissatisfaction, neither seems like a bet Disney is willing to take.

So when will the Disney meal plan return? Our assumption is that it will return when inflation is brought under control. That remains to be seen, but we could very well see it happening. Rates fell slightly in October and November. However, two months is not enough to definitively say that there is a trend, so time will tell. Until then, we’ll continue to watch closely for any signs that Disney is delivering on its promise to bring back the beloved meal plans. When something is announced, you can be sure we here at Disney Dining will be shouting it from the rooftops!

[ad_2]