2016 Deluxe Dining -- No Appetizers?

[sullyfam]

Really curious to see what the real story is! We do DxDP and I have to say, we'll seriously reconsider for next time if this is true. More $ for less value? No thanks, we'll just pay OOP.

 

[mlp1933]

Just received the book/pamphlet for my January trip. Appetizers are still included on this literature. I hope its true!

 

[Jing]

Just received the book/pamphlet for my January trip. Appetizers are still included on this literature. I hope its true!

I would think since you have it in writing, they have to give it to you even if they meant to take apps off the plan for 2016.

 

[Three cats]

I agree. Just curious...does that pamphlet say 2016 on it anywhere?

 

[smitch425]

I would think since you have it in writing, they have to give it to you even if they meant to take apps off the plan for 2016.

Nope. Everything is "subject to change". Disney covers themselves with that clause in every aspect.

 

[mlp1933]

I agree. Just curious...does that pamphlet say 2016 on it anywhere?

The first page of the pamphlet includes all the pertinent information for my trip... including the date!

 

[Jing]

Nope. Everything is "subject to change". Disney covers themselves with that clause in every aspect.

I admit I have not memorized the fine print, but there has to be some kind of limit to what can be changed once you have paid for a product. If you have Disney documentation outlining what you paid for and it was an error on Disney's part, I would hope they would contact you ahead of time to offer an alternative rather than at point of sale. Short of accidental over sells in resorts, unexpected construction issues, or natural phenomenon, I believe the subject to change applies to products not yet purchased. Then again, I have heard legend of the forever refillable mug......

 

[12disneybee]

From a legal standpoint, Disney has covered themselves and they are permitted to change anything, "subject to change", BUT, if they decide to do so, after the fact that you paid and are already on your trip, you are entitled to a refund, Disney cannot just take things away from a package after a customer pays and it's in writing without refunding the customer or offering " some type of reimbursement.. you have to be notified of the change via your contact information if this change takes place prior to your trip. (email or phone, which ever you list is your best way of contact) It is Disney's responsibility to notify the customer of the change after the package is paid, the customer does not have to stalk sites and message boards.................be prepared, your best contact number or email you list is their legal way of contacting you so if they email you, they have proof, and you cannot claim, you didn't check your email.....................or your phone messages.

 

[smitch425]

I admit I have not memorized the fine print, but there has to be some kind of limit to what can be changed once you have paid for a product. If you have Disney documentation outlining what you paid for and it was an error on Disney's part, I would hope they would contact you ahead of time to offer an alternative rather than at point of sale. Short of accidental over sells in resorts, unexpected construction issues, or natural phenomenon, I believe the subject to change applies to products not yet purchased. Then again, I have heard legend of the forever refillable mug......

Here is a snippet of the fine print from a resort package...

• Disney, its directors, officers, employees, subcontractors, agents and representatives, shall at no time be liable or responsible in any way whatsoever for any loss, injury, or damage caused or arising in connection with any transportation, hotel or other services or products of third parties provided through Disney, or as a result of acts of God, acts of Government or other authorities, wars, civil disturbances, hijacks, thefts, or any circumstance beyond its control. Disney reserves the right to accept, retain, decline or cancel any reservation or any Guest as a participant in its packages at any time and for any reason. In addition, Disney reserves the right to cancel or modify a reservation, including the price, at any time prior to Guest check-in if the reservation includes or was made as the result of a mistake or error of any kind, including but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the package or package components, or where it appears that a Guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation. If a package is cancelled by Disney, Disney shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid to Disney for the package. The terms and conditions of any transportation services provided by airlines or car rental agencies shall be as represented by those third parties. Terms and conditions are subject to change by Disney without notice. If these Terms and Conditions contain any provisions construed to be unenforceable or unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed modified to conform to applicable law, or if this would cause an unreasonable result, such provision shall be stricken from these Terms and Conditions without affecting the binding force and effect of any of its other provisions.

They can pretty much do anything they want, whenever they want. Lol

 

[Nancyg56]

I admit I have not memorized the fine print, but there has to be some kind of limit to what can be changed once you have paid for a product. If you have Disney documentation outlining what you paid for and it was an error on Disney's part, I would hope they would contact you ahead of time to offer an alternative rather than at point of sale. Short of accidental over sells in resorts, unexpected construction issues, or natural phenomenon, I believe the subject to change applies to products not yet purchased. Then again, I have heard legend of the forever refillable mug......

Disney cannot take back what you paid for. They can choose no tto offer it to those who have not paid for a certain package, but once you have agreed to a package price and made your deposit, you are in a contract. Disney can change a lot, and thye cannot be held to a "request" fo a room etc, but they must give you what you paid for. ''

I have read that people who still have their Forever mug have had their agreement honored.

 

[Nancyg56]

Here is a snippet of the fine print from a resort package...

• Disney, its directors, officers, employees, subcontractors, agents and representatives, shall at no time be liable or responsible in any way whatsoever for any loss, injury, or damage caused or arising in connection with any transportation, hotel or other services or products of third parties provided through Disney, or as a result of acts of God, acts of Government or other authorities, wars, civil disturbances, hijacks, thefts, or any circumstance beyond its control. Disney reserves the right to accept, retain, decline or cancel any reservation or any Guest as a participant in its packages at any time and for any reason. In addition, Disney reserves the right to cancel or modify a reservation, including the price, at any time prior to Guest check-in if the reservation includes or was made as the result of a mistake or error of any kind, including but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the package or package components, or where it appears that a Guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation. If a package is cancelled by Disney, Disney shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of monies paid to Disney for the package. The terms and conditions of any transportation services provided by airlines or car rental agencies shall be as represented by those third parties. Terms and conditions are subject to change by Disney without notice. If these Terms and Conditions contain any provisions construed to be unenforceable or unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed modified to conform to applicable law, or if this would cause an unreasonable result, such provision shall be stricken from these Terms and Conditions without affecting the binding force and effect of any of its other provisions.

They can pretty much do anything they want, whenever they want. Lol

Yes they can insist, but if they did h=this with any regularity there would be issues that no amount of PR could erase. I know that they have fine print to cover them in extenuating circumstances, but if they wer planning on discontinuing th appetizer on th DxDDP you can bet a buck that there would be some sort of discussion when you buy it and when I upgraded there was none. Not one word. This may be something they are planning for next year but if they continue to sell a plan that they have no intention of homoring for this year, they woudl be held accountable.

 

[Three cats]

Whether or not it is a mistake, and whether on not they "reserve the right" to change whatever they want, whenever they want, I think it would be really bad business on their part to deny Mlp1933 an appetizer.

 

[smitch425]

Yes they can insist, but if they did h=this with any regularity there would be issues that no amount of PR could erase. I know that they have fine print to cover them in extenuating circumstances, but if they wer planning on discontinuing th appetizer on th DxDDP you can bet a buck that there would be some sort of discussion when you buy it and when I upgraded there was none. Not one word. This may be something they are planning for next year but if they continue to sell a plan that they have no intention of homoring for this year, they woudl be held accountable.

Oh I agree...my post was purely for an example of how they cover theirselves. The fine print is always worth a read. Lol

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh I agree...my post was purely for an example of how they cover theirselves. The fine print is always worth a read. Lol

Yes, they can cover themselves, but I do think that the print about packages or things pai for but canceled really refers to things they cancel altogether, such as tours or special event type things.

I honestly think that the brouchure is a misprint and was released before it was adequately proofed. Disney seems to be movin towards more flexibility and value on these dining plans, so it makes no sense to remove an item that encourages famiies to make the purchase.

We are experimenting with it this year. Up until now we have done the math and felt we would nto use the credits and the appetize we were paying for, but this time we have booked one oom with and one without. We are all dining together at every meal but one, so it will be easy to determine if the changes we are hearing about are in fact happening, and will also see if we at least break even if the changes n=do not occur, In any case, we always order appetizers so we will have those to share. We only added one meal we had not already booked becasue my DD and her family wanted Rose & Crown for lunch, so I fifure that one will nt cost that much more than we budgeted for if we cannto share credits.

 

[Nancyg56]

Whether or not it is a mistake, and whether on not they "reserve the right" to change whatever they want, whenever they want, I think it would be really bad business on their part to deny Mlp1933 an appetizer.

LOL!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We would NOT do DDDP without the appetizer...that's what pushes it over the edge for us. And if the price also increases...definitely, would not be doing it!

 

[Three cats]

Yes, the price went up $2.20 per person, per day.

 

[jenjersnap]

So, I had sent an email to guest communications just saying I wasn't pleased with the change to the DxDDP. I didn't leave a phone number...I don't really want to discuss it, I just want them to note that I, as a customer, won't be using a dining plan again after this year. We don't like QS so regular DDP doesn't work well for us. I mentioned the brochures in different languages said appetizers were included in my email.

Anyway, I received a message on my voicemail that said appetizers were indeed dropping from the DxDDP and that the brochures were a result of "poor communication".

I still hope she is wrong or they could change their minds based on negative feedback, especially in light of the 2016 brochure actually being mailed out. This had to have been a last minute decision since the brochure was already printed. I want to mention again: please let Disney know this decision makes you re-consider the DxDDP or dining plans, in general. (if you feel that way, of course!)

 

[Sorrel]

I am still hoping it's a mistake too jenjersnap, though that seems pretty emphatic if they are calling you about it.

There is a thread about this on a more British forum I am on, and one guy called them yesterday to ask about it. The person on the phone was unaware of any of it and spoke to a supervisor, who passed on that the DxDP is changing from next year and will indeed only include 2 courses of either an appetiser, or a dessert with a main. US guests would still have the additional option of further upgrading to the Platinum Dining Plan to include all 3 courses, but that won't be available to UK guests. They even had an explanation of sorts, that after reviewing eating habits, it more accurately reflected the trend they were seeing of people just having 2 courses as opposed to 3

This is the first time I have heard mention of the potential to swap apps and desserts!

 

[jenjersnap]

I am still hoping it's a mistake too jenjersnap, though that seems pretty emphatic if they are calling you about it.

There is a thread about this on a more British forum I am on, and one guy called them yesterday to ask about it. The person on the phone was unaware of any of it and spoke to a supervisor, who passed on that the DxDP is changing from next year and will indeed only include 2 courses of either an appetiser, or a dessert with a main. US guests would still have the additional option of further upgrading to the Platinum Dining Plan to include all 3 courses, but that won't be available to UK guests. They even had an explanation of sorts, that after reviewing eating habits, it more accurately reflected the trend they were seeing of people just having 2 courses as opposed to 3

This is the first time I have heard mention of the potential to swap apps and desserts!

Unfortunately - and this was mentioned in my voicemail too - "appetizers" mean a soup or salad only. She said "some" restaurants will offer that as an option...it was mentioned as part of the dining plan changes that started being implemented May 31 for regular DDP guests too.

It is always sad to me when Disney says that guest feedback told them to cut back or eliminate a benefit yet raise or maintain the price - how dumb do they think we are?