Can you get on the DDP when staying at a DD resort?

[MommyBryn]

Stupid question to most people here, I'm sure. LOL But the DDP was non-existent when we last stayed at a DD resort instead of POR like our last 2 vacations. So I've forgotten what differences there are when staying at a DD resort. We definitely want the DDP again...pretty much made the vacation for tightwads like ourselves. LOL

[shoes99]

Stupid question to most people here, I'm sure. LOL But the DDP was non-existent when we last stayed at a DD resort instead of POR like our last 2 vacations. So I've forgotten what differences there are when staying at a DD resort. We definitely want the DDP again...pretty much made the vacation for tightwads like ourselves. LOL
No, you must stay at a Disney owned hotel to be eligible to purchase the dining plan.

[MommyBryn]

Alrighty, that's what I needed to know! Thanks!!

I just can't ever remember to what extent the DD resorts are considered "Disney" other than just being on the property.

[TDC Nala]

They are on property owned by Disney, but they are not Disney resorts. You cannot get the dining plan there.

I think there's only one of them (the Hilton) that participates in Extra Magic Hours and I'd bet they had to make some sort of deal with Disney to be able to do that. Other than that, you get no Disney resort perks whatsoever for staying there.

The Swan and Dolphin get Disney inter-resort transportation, plus EMH, but they're the only ones that do.

[JimMIA]

Stupid question to most people here, I'm sure. LOL But the DDP was non-existent when we last stayed at a DD resort instead of POR like our last 2 vacations. So I've forgotten what differences there are when staying at a DD resort. We definitely want the DDP again...pretty much made the vacation for tightwads like ourselves. LOL
Just keep in mind that there have been substantial changes in DDP, effective 1/1/08.

If your most recent trip was before that, today's DDP is much different than you are used to. No more appetizers, gratuity now comes out of your pocket instead of the Mouse's, and snacks have been radically reduced.

Check the 2008 DDP FAQ in the sticky at the top of this page. The very first post will give you most of what you need to know, including links to all of the official DDP brochures.

[TDC Nala]

I do not call the snack reduction "radical." The only real difference is that you can no longer use snack credits for anything over a single serving. Last year you could use it for 2 liter bottles of Coke, half gallons of milk or boxes of 8 donuts. You can't this year. But you can still get a wide variety of single serving snacks.

[MommyBryn]

Hmm...I guess that doesn't seem that much different to me (we went in 2/07). We tipped anyway, and we never got over a single serving snack (actually I'm pretty sure we were told we couldn't)...and I don't think we got appetizers anywhere?? So it won't be too different for us, I suppose.

[TDC Nala]

We tipped anyway

In 2007, an 18% tip was included in the cost of the dining plan. If you tipped a like amount on top of that, you were double tipping. Fine if you want to do that, but you'd have to tip more this year since the tipping cost is not included in the cost of the plan.

[MommyBryn]

Well even with tipping no longer included, IMO the cost of tipping is still well worth the plan! :)

[livie1205]

Hmm...I guess that doesn't seem that much different to me (we went in 2/07). We tipped anyway, and we never got over a single serving snack (actually I'm pretty sure we were told we couldn't)...and I don't think we got appetizers anywhere?? So it won't be too different for us, I suppose.

in 2007 the tip was on the ddp so the server got 18% already...wow they must have loved you!