2016 Deluxe Dining -- No Appetizers?

[Sorrel]

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?

So really the whole thing has been misrepresented to the person on the phone. It was made to sound as if it was about the appetisers on the menu.

I agree...if it was about people only eating 2 courses, then just carry on letting them eat 2 courses, not take one away and raise the price. By the way, the people I booked my package through still have not heard anything at all from Disney about any of this, and so are advising all is the same (as they would).

 

[Avery&Todd]

I just had a "chat" with Suri in a chat box, and here is her answer to our question of Appetizer vs. No appetizer on DxDP but I asked it with regards to the Premium package b/c the wording on the page you get to when you are booking a package shows one of the benefits of Premium is "all the benefits of Deluxe Dining" and then goes on to say you DO get an appetizer with Premium...and since our family would NOT be interested in the extra entertainment features of Premium the added $1,300 cost to our package is not worth it!

Thank you for contacting Disney. Please hold while we route your chat to a Disney Cast Member who will help you with your question.

******************
Welcome to Disney! My name is Suri. How may I help you today?

you: I wanted to get clarification on the Deluxe Dining Plan vs. the Premium plans...
you: The Premium says "its the same as the Deluxe but with added entertainment" but the Deluxe does NOT show an appetizer with a meal but the Premium DOES show an appetizer

Suri: Ask away!

you: so then there are MORE changes with the Deluxe vs. the Premium other than entertainment - you also get an appetizer on the Premium but not the Deluxe?
you: this is for the 2016 travel time frame -we're looking at coming in June 2016

Suri: Give me one moment to verify on the appetizer. However, with the premium you get unlimited select recreations and tours and admission to Cirque du Soleil®.

you: yes, but I'm MOST concerned about the Deluxe dining plan NOT having appetizers - this is our 4th trip and we only get the Deluxe plan and appetizers is a HUGE reason why vs. a lower dining plan.

Suri: Ok it looks like in 2016 the deluxe dining plan will no longer include the appetizer.

you: so I'm losing the appetizer but yet the price per person is going UP by $2?
you: and that also means that the wording on the Premium dining package is incorrect? That being where it says "All the benefits of the Disney Deluxe Dining PLan" - when in fact the Deluxe does NOT include the appetizer but the Premium DOES?

Suri: The only part of the deluxe dining that includes an appetizer is the private in room dining.

you: and that also means that the wording on the Premium dining package is incorrect? That being where it says "All the benefits of the Disney Deluxe Dining PLan" - when in fact the Deluxe does NOT include the appetizer but the Premium DOES?

Suri: Give me one moment to verify with our reservations department.

you: ok

Suri: Thank you for waiting. I'll be with you in just a moment.

you: ok

Suri: I'm having someone verify the information right now.

you: thank you

Suri: Thank you for holding. I'll be right with you.

you: ok

Suri: Where did you see that it is saying the premium offers everything that the deluxe dining offers? Are you in the under the things to do tab where is says dining plans?

you: I'm on the screen where I would be to book a package - and I've selected my dates, and room and tickets and now I can select dining... and it lists all the dining opions and their prices for my trip packages - I'll copy/paste the words

you: hhmmm not letting me copy/paste...

Suri: Ok so I verified with a leader that the 2016 deluxe dining is suppose to include appetizers. I will get someone to change the wording on the website thanks.

you: here it is:

you: Disney Premium Plan Enjoy dining, entertainment and recreation! Includes: * All the benefits of the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan * Unlimited use of select recreation activities, including golf * One admission per person to the Cirque du Soleil show, /La Nouba/ * Preferred fireworks viewing * Unlimited admissions to select theme park tours * Unlimited admissions to Children's Activity Centers $9,518.68

you: thank you!

Suri: You're welcome! Is there anything else I can assist you with?

you: and just for the record, there are LOTS of different answers swirling around out there - that the appetizers are On or OFF - and when people call Disney, they get different answers from different Cast members..

Suri: I will let the appropriate people know so that everyone can be updated and I'm sorry for the confusion.

you: thanks again!

 

[jenjersnap]

So @Avery&Todd, she was originally just reading the brochure and then changed her answer after checking with a supervisor?

I am wondering if she misspoke when she said this and meant to say premium plan: : Suri: Ok so I verified with a leader that the 2016 deluxe dining is suppose to include appetizers. I will get someone to change the wording on the website thanks.

Thanks for posting this!

 

[Three cats]

Wow, all of these different answers. It's ridiculous! I did notice that both Touring Plans and Mousesavers now point out that there is no longer an appetizer on the deluxe plan come 2016.

Thank you for posting your chat Avery&Todd

 

[Avery&Todd]

Wow, all of these different answers. It's ridiculous! I did notice that both Touring Plans and Mousesavers now point out that there is no longer an appetizer on the deluxe plan come 2016.

Thank you for posting your chat Avery&Todd

You're welcome! now, I'm sure "Suri" didnt have a clue, and who knows who she actually talked to who came back with the answer (I wanted to hear) - and I LOVE the part where she said she'd have them change the website from the "error" I found - which I find funny..

BUT, I'm still holding out that the DxDP will include an appetizer...I guess I'll have to wait like everyone else until we have official word from WDW - however, I still feel that things will change between now and June 2016..

so crazy!!

 

[Avery&Todd]

So @Avery&Todd, she was originally just reading the brochure and then changed her answer after checking with a supervisor?

I am wondering if she misspoke when she said this and meant to say premium plan: : Suri: Ok so I verified with a leader that the 2016 deluxe dining is suppose to include appetizers. I will get someone to change the wording on the website thanks.

Thanks for posting this!

Yes, I'm thinking she was just reading the brochure too!! and who knows what kind of a "leader" knew that 2016 is supposed to include an appetizer...

 

[jenjersnap]

Did y'all see the posting in the stickied thread re: dining changes up above? The appetizer is back on the official brochure! http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...altDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2016DeluxeDining.pdf

At this point, I wish they would just get their stories straight, LOL! But I am glad it seems like it has turned around for us DxDDP fans.

 

[Three cats]

That is GREAT news!!! Good find Jenjersnap!

 

[lwc]

Phew!

 

[Sorrel]

Hurrah!!

 

[mom2cgj]

Awesome!

 

[Avery&Todd]

Did y'all see the posting in the stickied thread re: dining changes up above? The appetizer is back on the official brochure! http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/me...altDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/2016DeluxeDining.pdf

At this point, I wish they would just get their stories straight, LOL! But I am glad it seems like it has turned around for us DxDDP fans.

Here is the wording on the website now:

Table-Service Meals & Locations
At Table-Service restaurants, Guests are escorted to their table and waited on
by a server. There are a wide variety of Table-Service restaurants at the Walt
Disney World® Resort from family casual to character dining and dinner shows to
the unparalleled cuisine at the more upscale Signature Restaurants.
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner = Buffet Locations
Each meal from a Table-Service location includes one (1) single-serving:
For Breakfast
• Entrée
• Non-Alcoholic Beverage
- or -
• One (1) Full Buffet**
For Lunch/Dinner
• Appetizer
• Entrée
• Dessert
• Non-Alcoholic Beverage
- or -
• One (1) Full Buffet**
**If available, buffet excludes Specialty Beverages that are sold separately.

at the same time I was "chatting" with Suri the other day I was writing an email to WDW customer service and got a call back last night (which I totally missed and it went to voice mail) and I'm trying to call back "Penelope" because she "wanted to speak to me about my question"...so hopefully she just confirms that the appetizers are HERE TO STAY!!

 

[jenjersnap]

@Avery&Todd, I guess Suri actually did have the pull to get the website changed. Sorry we doubted you. Suri. LOL

 

[Avery&Todd]

@Avery&Todd, I guess Suri actually did have the pull to get the website changed. Sorry we doubted you. Suri. LOL

HA! Yes, I guess Suri is more powerful that I first thought - that's what I get for doubting the great and powerful Suri!!

 

[Baklava]

@Avery&Todd, I guess Suri actually did have the pull to get the website changed. Sorry we doubted you. Suri. LOL

Hooray for Suri, Defender of Appetizers! All hail Suri!

 

[Avery&Todd]

at the same time I was "chatting" with Suri the other day I was writing an email to WDW customer service and got a call back last night (which I totally missed and it went to voice mail) and I'm trying to call back "Penelope" because she "wanted to speak to me about my question"...so hopefully she just confirms that the appetizers are HERE TO STAY!!

I did talk with Penelope over the phone this morning and she also confirmed that appetizers ARE included in the 2016 DxDP!!

PHEW!!

 

[englanddg]

Much ado about nothing, as it turns out. <grin>

 

[Baklava]

Much ado about nothing, as it turns out. <grin>

Hey man, scotch eggs and naan are SRS BZNS.

 

[englanddg]

Hey man, scotch eggs and naan are SRS BZNS.

I quite agree, and if it hadn't popped up eventually, I certainly would have been there pitchfork and torch in hand!

But, I was fairly certain it was a mistake. Note, they changed the layout of the pdf for the first time in years this go around. I suspect some intern somewhere just forgot to proof it before posting.

That said, all sorts of little goofs happen on the pdfs this early out.

Glad it's been resolved though!

 

[babesboo99]

My family got the DDP last year for the first time and we loved it we are going next year and I was hoping that the appetizers were not taking off so this is good to know since we are upgrading to the DDxP..