DDP substitutions-dessert for app?

[MJRmom]

Hi
we are heading to the wonderful WDW in Feb/08 and are using the DDP
I'm not much of a dessert person (gasp!) and wondered if they would allow me to sub a appetizer for my dessert?

 

[kaytieeldr]

No. Period.

 

[MJRmom]

ah well, thanks
I will do dessert!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You know, not many - but a couple/few places have cheese plates for dessert. Yes, I know you want it before the meal, but... I mean, you could ask. If you really want an appetizer, and your meal comes with an accompaniment, again, you could ask to have that brought out separately/first... they'll probably say no, but it's like the (only) time my office closed for a snowstorm and I was - where else - in Disney World. When I found out they all got paid for the day, I asked if I could get a comp day. The CEO said no, which I expected - but he might have said yes, and I'd never have known if I didn't ask

 

[Forevryoung]

Truthfully, the biggest kicker to us is the lack of the appetizer for the 2008 Dining Plan- I can live on mickey bars for dessert or skip dessert entirely but DBF and I love choosing an appetizer or 2 to share.

So, since we usually won't order dessert but we will have to pay OOP for an appetizer, it's approx. $12 less to get the DDP. Forget it, not worth the additional stress!

And unless we eat 3 TS meals a day, I can't figure out how to get ahead in the deluxe DDP and I don't have the time for that!

 

[bicker]

it's approx. $12 less to get the DDP.

I suspect that this will end up being the most important metric for an overwhelming number of people.

 

[Lewisc]

I suspect many, if not most, of the deluxe DDP guests plan on having a two credit meal most days.

And unless we eat 3 TS meals a day, I can't figure out how to get ahead in the deluxe DDP and I don't have the time for that!

 

[bicker]

Yes, and this would probably be the context within which we'd do the Deluxe Dining Plan on our next visit. I'm just not sure about our ability to derive a sufficiently good value from that third TS, given our specific preferences. We never would do TS for breakfast, and timing is tight for a 1TS for lunch and a 2TS for dinner, given that we're early-risers and therefore end up eating dinner early as well.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Two separate issues: First, exactly on-topic. With the appetizer no longer included, it's likely that Guests who do want an app will be more likely to share one between or among the table, than to each order their own (not that this will be the same Fantasmic! Dining Package Guests who complained in 2006 about having to share an appetizer ), which, while costing more, will likely lower the additional cost per-person.

And the side-topic: I agree, unless DxDDP Guests are visiting pretty much JUST for the food, the best usage would be one 1-TS meal and one Signature meal or show per day.

 

[familyS]

I am hoping so many people complain in January that some restaurants will decide to give the option of appetizer or dessert. Well, I can dream, can't I

 

[Pumbaa_]

it is this change that (IMO) will either drive people to the DxDDP or not go with a dining plan at all.

(ok, so it is my hope anyway )

 

[Ilovestitch]

Even with the change, people are booking the DDP for '08 just like they have been for '07. I've explained that appetizer and gratuity isn't included and most people are like "whatever" and book it with the DDP.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Next year should be interesting as people experience the new plan. I know we here on the boards are speculating like mad about how the changes will impact us

 

[bicker]

Even with the change, people are booking the DDP for '08 just like they have been for '07. I've explained that appetizer and gratuity isn't included and most people are like "whatever" and book it with the DDP.

This is a very interesting (though, to me, perhaps not surprising) bit of insight. Anytime you can remove cost and customer in general react little to it, you've had a win.

 

[n2mm]

Even with the change, people are booking the DDP for '08 just like they have been for '07. I've explained that appetizer and gratuity isn't included and most people are like "whatever" and book it with the DDP.

I agree, it doesn't seem to be affecting some folks. We will be there the last week of January and WILL NOT be buying the DDP this trip. We have used it on our last 8 trips and really think it's a good value, but with losing the tip in 2008, it is no longer a value for us. We will be using our DDE card. We will still be dining at some of our favorite places, but won't feel compelled to stuff ourselves. I will be keeping track of our expensives to compare whether we made the right decision or not.

It will be interesting to see other diners first hand reaction to the new rules. I'm sure the servers will have alot to say about it too. It should be an interesting trip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We will be using our DDE card. We will still be dining at some of our favorite places, but won't feel compelled to stuff ourselves

That makes sense… but two things (NOT at all in dispute of what you say; one response, and one thought that just popped into my head, and that happens SO rarely I just have to share it ) First, while yes, there are a lot of repeat visitors, many of whom have used the DDP in the past and will not purchase it again due to the changes, there are also a LOT of first-time Guests, or even repeat Guests, who will just go with “the package” because it’s easy and it includes ‘everything’. The first-timers, especially, won’t know they’re missing out on anything (at least until they overhear a table of DISers lamenting the way things used to be )
And, my thought – it just occurred to me, by removing the appetizer and keeping the dessert, Disney aligned the Counter Service and Table Service ‘courses’ to, ideally, reduce confusion. Now, your CS credit includes one entrée or combo meal, one dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage; your TS credit includes one entrée, one dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage! By George, I think I’ve got it! I’ve solved the mystery of the 2008 DDP!!!!

 

[n2mm]

I agree, the new folks won't know any other way. I would've gladly give up the desert at CS too. That is something we never buy. I just can't wait to be the fly on the wall during my January trip to hear responses about the new ddp in 2008, from the guest and the servers. It should be interesting.

 

[Forevryoung]

We are going in Jan and I've called Disney Dining a few (ok more than a few ) times to adjust ADRs.

They always ask if we are on the DDP and I quickly respond "no". And there have been a few CM's who have started to go into why we should or that by making two TS ADRs in the same day has already proven it's value during our trip.

I actually started getting tired of emphasizing that I had priced it out and that the 2008 was NOT a good deal for our trip- that we enjoy appetizers more than dessert and since what we normally eat would not be included, there was little reason to purchase the DDP. It is not "all inclusive" if you are excluding what the customer is going to purchase anyway!

There have been a few CMs who I have found to be very pushy for the DDP.

 

[lilyv]

We are going in Jan and I've called Disney Dining a few (ok more than a few ) times to adjust ADRs.

They always ask if we are on the DDP and I quickly respond "no". And there have been a few CM's who have started to go into why we should or that by making two TS ADRs in the same day has already proven it's value during our trip.

I actually started getting tired of emphasizing that I had priced it out and that the 2008 was NOT a good deal for our trip- that we enjoy appetizers more than dessert and since what we normally eat would not be included, there was little reason to purchase the DDP. It is not "all inclusive" if you are excluding what the customer is going to purchase anyway!

There have been a few CMs who I have found to be very pushy for the DDP.

I'd much rather carefully shop for a fantastic deal on a rental car, and skip DDP. We still eat TS at Disney here and there, but you can't beat going to the grocery store for good wines at a great price, as well as breakfast items. We even eat a dinner or two off site. (Sometimes it's nice to have TS without the concern about ressies...) We have much more flexibility this way, and it suits our style of eating.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree, the new folks won't know any other way. I would've gladly give up the desert at CS too. That is something we never buy. I just can't wait to be the fly on the wall during my January trip to hear responses about the new ddp in 2008, from the guest and the servers. It should be interesting.

I agree. I can REALLY do fine without dessert. That's where the snack credit comes in handy.

I mean, I'd rather have oh, the heirloom tomato at Artist Point than any one of their excellent desserts. I love the 'real' taste of heirlooms, and without searching hard I can't find them around here. Dessert? Phff. Anywhere. Not to disparage AP - their food is excellent. But dessert in general.

You know, I wonder how many people will pass on dessert even though it's included, because they'll be paying the tip? I mean, if you get a $28 steak at Le Cellier, and the average $12.75 (I think) counter service meal, and figure $3 for a snack, you're already ahead - you only need to tip on the steak and the drink. And a penny saved...

Oh, and if it's not busy? You won't need to be a fly on the wall to hear servers' experiences. Just ask