Changes in Dining Plan

[tgrundy]

We went to WDW in 2007 and got the dining plan so we decided to use it again because it was great. I was somewhat disappointed to find out that you now no longer get appetizers for adult table service, but they give them to children 3-9. It still cost the same if not maybe more, not exactly sure, and now you get less. Like I said that was a little disappointing.

[mickey2000]

We went to WDW in 2007 and got the dining plan so we decided to use it again because it was great. I was somewhat disappointed to find out that you now no longer get appetizers for adult table service, but they give them to children 3-9. It still cost the same if not maybe more, not exactly sure, and now you get less. Like I said that was a little disappointing.

You forgot about the tip :lmao:


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[disneyfanUSA]

You forgot about the tip :lmao:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/money.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/DisneyDad.gif

:rotfl2:

[MelanieC]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/money.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/DisneyDad.gif

OMG -:lmao:

That is so funny!! It's still a good deal though - especially with the free dining.

[mickey2000]

Also the tip is NO longer included !

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/DisneyDad.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v372/diz/money.gif

[aubriee]

Appetizers and tips have not been included for well over a year. The DDP is still a good deal, just not the no brainer it was before. It seems to change a little every year. The first year only a few select snacks were allowed from the carts and food courts, but restaurants allowed and even encouraged you to order all the shrimp and lobster add ons. The next year, snacks were basically anything under $4.00 (including gallons of milk, whole boxes of donuts, big jars of dips, and full family size bags of chips) but the add ons had been eliminated. The next year snacks were still basically anything under $4.00, but had to be single serving size (no more gallons of milk or whole boxes of donuts lol) and appetizers and tips were eliminated. This year guests have a choice of three different DDPs: QSDDP, basic DDP, and DXDDP (which includes the appetizer). No plan now includes the tip. Who knows what the changes will be for 2010. Again it's still a good deal and I can't imagine going without it, but you have to watch closely just before your trip, to know what the changes are.

[RMulieri]

The appetizers on the kids menu is really not an appetizer per se. They usually get a sm soup ,fruit or salad. They do not get smaller versions of adult appys

[mbanks21]

You may also notice that milk and bread and gas costs more then it did 2 years ago also. Weird huh

[mickey2000]

You may also notice that milk and bread and gas costs more then it did 2 years ago also. Weird huh

Gas is $1.74 here and I bought a loaf of bread on sale yestersay for $1.59 ....

[tgrundy]

You may also notice that milk and bread and gas costs more then it did 2 years ago also. Weird huh

Than either charge more and give the apps or charge the same and don't. It needs to balance out. Not both!!:rolleyes:

[bonybroad]

I read a lot of comments "back in the day" about people being mad that tips WERE included because "my server was rude" : "my server was inattentive" : "my server didn't obey my every command" etc;)
Of course, it worked out for Disney servers because they got paid. Now they are not included. Be careful what you ask for, I guess.

[MelanieC]

I think it's still a great program considering the things they took away.

[colinsdad]

mickey2000, I love that moving pic in your post of handing MM the $$.

Hilarious! :lmao:

I have to show that to my DW. Thanks for the laugh.

[TDC Nala]

Than either charge more and give the apps or charge the same and don't. It needs to balance out. Not both!!:rolleyes:

They did charge more for the appetizers - by starting the deluxe dining plan. Of course that has more amenities than just appetizers, so it costs a good bit more.

[TDC Nala]

Discussion of tipping rules or customs, how much to tip, what servers are or were getting tipped, whether or not tipping is fair, etc. are not permitted on the main restaurant boards. All tipping discussion must take place on the Tipping Information Thread, stuck to the top of this forum. Several posts have been removed from this thread due to general discussion about tips and the dining plan.

[aubriee]

Than either charge more and give the apps or charge the same and don't. It needs to balance out. Not both!!:rolleyes:

They did the first year the appetizer and tips were eliminated. The price went down a whole $1.00/person/day.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Bete]

as part of a special menu for the basic dining plan. I believe;so far, it's Le Cellier and Chef de France doing it. The idea being for them is to stir you away from the most expensive entrees; because, they are not included in this special menu.

Also, if you get the Fantasmic dinner package, Mama Melrose will still give you an appetizer and they don't restrict the menu.

You can always do buffet which will give you at least a salad and soup for choices of an appetizer, too.

I don't think it's too bad with these choices, if you are desiring an appetizer.

[disneyfan55]

I noticed the lobster is not included on the menu at Captain Jacks anymore either.

[Ladybugsy]

It would be nice if they would give us the choice of either an appetizer or dessert. Sometimes I don't want dessert. But it's rare! :rotfl2:

[kaytieeldr]

Than either charge more and give the apps or charge the same and don't. It needs to balance out. Not both!!:rolleyes:
The Dining Plan isn't mandatory. Guests who don't agree with the current conditions, or who feel the plan as it exist is not cost-effective, can easily opt to not purchase any Dining Plan and instead pay for all food out of pocket.

[dannewi]

The appetizers on the kids menu is really not an appetizer per se. They usually get a sm soup ,fruit or salad. They do not get smaller versions of adult appys

Thanks... I was curious about this. The brochure does not explain what exactly is considered an appetizer. Was not sure if it was an adult appetizer or something different.

Is this automatically included... or do you have to specify? Most menu's I am looking at do not have the appetizer listed.

[DsnyQueen]

I believe that just like any other marketing scheme, there were deep discounts in the first few years to picque interest. Obviously it worked, because while there are some people disappointed with the changes, most continue to use it if they did in the past. Also, they have been traveling the learning curve, thus the additions of the QS & DxDDP plans and the changes to the DDP.

[chloelovesdisney]

Well, we still get the DDP even with the changes, although we are not happy about them. I would really like it if they allowed appetizer or dessert, even if the appetizer choice was limited to a green salad. We do not normally eat dessert, but do almost always have a salad with dinner.

Yes I know we do not need to get the dessert, I'm just saying it's frustrating to have to pay OOP for a salad when you don't plan to order dessert. It's especially odd to me given their promotion for healthy eating.

[kaytieeldr]

Well, but it's not that you don't have to get dessert - it's that, if the Dining Plan doesn't "work" for a given family or dining style, it probably makes more sense to just not purchase it in the first place. Pay out of pocket instead, and order exactly the courses you prefer.