Dining Plan will NOT include tips in 2008 and dining plan may end in 2008

[marivaid]

If they don't include tips anymore, does that mean the DDP rate will go down!

You'd think. But I doubt it!

 

[Disney8704]

Are you kiding? Something in Disney going down in price? I have better chances winning the lottery before that ever happens. If anything it MIGHT stay the same price. But dont count on it.

If they don't include tips anymore, does that mean the DDP rate will go down!

 

[scottishsue]

We have been going to WDW every 2nd year for around 12 years now, and have never used the ADP. I don't think I could get use to having to stick to a plan every day of where I was going to eat. It would spoil my vacation.

I think it would be a good idea to scrap the plan - and make the restaurants, first come....... first served.That way there is no discrimination.

We are going to SSR for our first "home" visit next October, and there's no way I will be eating at Disney every single night. I still want to visit International Drive - there are millions of good restaurants there. (If they are good enough for Tiger Woods, they are good enough for me !!)

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I think it would be a good idea to scrap the plan - and make the restaurants, first come....... first served.That way there is no discrimination.

I would hate that. I like making my ADR and knowing what time I need to be at the restaurant. Usually, I don't have a long wait (more often than not the wait is because I got there too early). The waits would be crazy if it weren't for ADR's.


I have also never been treated poorly because of being on the DDP. I have had wonderful service whether I am paying OOP or not.

 

[Disney8704]

Regarding having to wait a long time without ADRs, you still have to wait even when you DO have ADRs. So whats the difference? They cant seat you until a table is ready for you. That applies to both ADRs and walk-ups. The waiting time wouldnt be any different. Sept 2003, me and DH made ADR for CRT. No lie, we waited for an hour to be seated and we got there 20 mins before our ADR time.

 

[JimMIA]

Regarding having to wait a long time without ADRs, you still have to wait even when you DO have ADRs. So whats the difference?

The difference is eating where you want vs. not eating there. I hope you don't think you could have just walked up to CRT and gotten a table by waiting! They don't do waitlists at all there.

I've seen a number of situations where if you didn't have an ADR, you simply were not eating at a particular restaurant. On an early December trip (not even during the real busy season), we were unable to get an ADR for Le Cellier. When I tried to get on a waitlist, I was told they were so booked with CP packages they were not even keeping a waitlist. Several other Epcot restaurants had the same problem.

On that same trip, we saw signs at Town Hall saying there was zero TS availability anywhere at MK for several entire days and nights. And no waitlists anywhere. Needless to say, there were some unhappy visitors blaming everyone but themselves for their lack of planning.

I can understand people not wanting to use DDP because of the need to schedule meals every day. Many people don't like to be tied to a schedule on vacation.

But that's just the way it is. If you want to eat TS, you either make ADRs, or be satisfied with whatever you can get...which may not be what you want.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Regarding having to wait a long time without ADRs, you still have to wait even when you DO have ADRs. So whats the difference? They cant seat you until a table is ready for you. That applies to both ADRs and walk-ups. The waiting time wouldnt be any different. Sept 2003, me and DH made ADR for CRT. No lie, we waited for an hour to be seated and we got there 20 mins before our ADR time.

I stated previously that I haven't had to wait very long when I have ADR's (unless I arrive too early). I may have to wait 5.

Compare that any local place that doesn't do reservations. The waits can be crazy (1-2 hours). That is just at a local place, imagine what the wait could be like at WDW.

I would imagine the hour wait at CRT was a one time thing. I can't believe that every place would have you waiting that long.

 

[Nancyg56]

The difference is eating where you want vs. not eating there. I hope you don't think you could have just walked up to CRT and gotten a table by waiting! They don't do waitlists at all there.

I've seen a number of situations where if you didn't have an ADR, you simply were not eating at a particular restaurant. On an early December trip (not even during the real busy season), we were unable to get an ADR for Le Cellier. When I tried to get on a waitlist, I was told they were so booked with CP packages they were not even keeping a waitlist. Several other Epcot restaurants had the same problem.

On that same trip, we saw signs at Town Hall saying there was zero TS availability anywhere at MK for several entire days and nights. And no waitlists anywhere. Needless to say, there were some unhappy visitors blaming everyone but themselves for their lack of planning.

I can understand people not wanting to use DDP because of the need to schedule meals every day. Many people don't like to be tied to a schedule on vacation.

But that's just the way it is. If you want to eat TS, you either make ADRs, or be satisfied with whatever you can get...which may not be what you want.

I saw this happen a lot and was thankful that I had made ADR's . My DD told me that her DD's T Ball coach left Thursday and is staying at the WL. She did not make one ADR. I would rather chance a longer wait than I expected once or twice than come back without having had the opportunity to take my little bit to a character meal. That would be the reality without ADR's.

 

[bsmcneil]

I stated previously that I haven't had to wait very long when I have ADR's (unless I arrive too early). I may have to wait 5.

Compare that any local place that doesn't do reservations. The waits can be crazy (1-2 hours). That is just at a local place, imagine what the wait could be like at WDW.

I would imagine the hour wait at CRT was a one time thing. I can't believe that every place would have you waiting that long.

Also, a 60 minute wait, while getting there 20 minutes early, means that to WDW, you only waited 40 minutes. That's still a bit much (I think 10-20 minutes is normal) but considering it's CRT (with the amount of people, pictures, etc) I'm not surprised at all.

 

[marivaid]

Regarding having to wait a long time without ADRs, you still have to wait even when you DO have ADRs. So whats the difference? They cant seat you until a table is ready for you. That applies to both ADRs and walk-ups. The waiting time wouldnt be any different. Sept 2003, me and DH made ADR for CRT. No lie, we waited for an hour to be seated and we got there 20 mins before our ADR time.

We never had to wait for our ADRs more than 10mns but we did schedule them at off times. An hour for CRT??? Geesh. I hope your family enjoyed it once you finally got seated!

 

[pixistix]

Disney probably created the DDP because of the ever increasing demand for an all-inclusive vacation. Also to get more people interested and introduced to table service restaurants in WDW.
I can't imagine they would suddenly drop this very successful plan or even inconvenience vacationers by dropping the tip out of the price.
The DDP also probably helps relieve congestion in the parks during busy season. If those people are dining they're not on rides for about an hour and a half.
They do have their work cut out for them trying to work out the kinks of this program.
My family went to WDW last August and tried free dining for the first time. I said it was great, but too much food. Probably wouldn't pay for it. Well, we're going back next month for 10 days and we added the dining plan! (figuring everyone would get sick of CS after about 4 days!)

 

[Cindy B]

Remember Disney is in business of making money.

If tips are not included, some may not want to partake of the plan. Some international guests (non US residents) are not aware of the United States tipping policies and have been known to not tip waitstaff because it is not the custom.

To eliminate tips and leaving to guest discretion could in fact lessen the tips that the servers already receive.

Its a union tactic-- pure, plain and simple. (Been there, done that with unions and my jobs--tactics are a way of life)

 

[Disney8704]

First off, I was stating what would it be like if there were no ADRs. Not how it is now. Also, those people who were mad because they couldnt get into any place, maybe they didnt know that they had to make ADRs. Maybe Disney or their TA didnt mention it to them. If it wasnt for the DISBoards, I would have never known to make ADRs except for at CRT, cuz I know they dont have a wait list and you have to make an ADR. I have 2 AAA TA working with me, and not one of them have mentioned to me about making ADRs.

The difference is eating where you want vs. not eating there. I hope you don't think you could have just walked up to CRT and gotten a table by waiting! They don't do waitlists at all there.

I've seen a number of situations where if you didn't have an ADR, you simply were not eating at a particular restaurant. On an early December trip (not even during the real busy season), we were unable to get an ADR for Le Cellier. When I tried to get on a waitlist, I was told they were so booked with CP packages they were not even keeping a waitlist. Several other Epcot restaurants had the same problem.

On that same trip, we saw signs at Town Hall saying there was zero TS availability anywhere at MK for several entire days and nights. And no waitlists anywhere. Needless to say, there were some unhappy visitors blaming everyone but themselves for their lack of planning.

I can understand people not wanting to use DDP because of the need to schedule meals every day. Many people don't like to be tied to a schedule on vacation.

But that's just the way it is. If you want to eat TS, you either make ADRs, or be satisfied with whatever you can get...which may not be what you want.

 

[Disney8704]

No. That 20 mins early was 20 mins early. I guess I should have said we waited for an hr and 20 mins. Our ADR was I believe at 6pm and we didnt get seated until almost 7:30pm. I remember cuz we rushed through our meal so we could get good seats for SpectroMagic.

Also, a 60 minute wait, while getting there 20 minutes early, means that to WDW, you only waited 40 minutes. That's still a bit much (I think 10-20 minutes is normal) but considering it's CRT (with the amount of people, pictures, etc) I'm not surprised at all.

 

[marivaid]

If it wasnt for the DISBoards, I would have never known to make ADRs except for at CRT, cuz I know they dont have a wait list and you have to make an ADR. I have 2 AAA TA working with me, and not one of them have mentioned to me about making ADRs.

It stinks that your TAs didn't tell you about ADRs. When I booked on the phone I was told about them. And when you book online you get this message on your "My Vacation" page :

Time to make your dining plans!
There are many wonderful choices to make for your dining plans, from family-style fun to gourmet delights — with specialties from around the globe. It's a good idea to call now and make your Reservations arrangements.
Visit our exclusive Dining Finder to explore all our restaurants, then call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)† to book your reservations today!

 

[JimMIA]

Also, those people who were mad because they couldnt get into any place, maybe they didnt know that they had to make ADRs. Maybe Disney or their TA didnt mention it to them. If it wasnt for the DISBoards, I would have never known to make ADRs except for at CRT, cuz I know they dont have a wait list and you have to make an ADR. I have 2 AAA TA working with me, and not one of them have mentioned to me about making ADRs.

I'm sure you're right about many of the people just not knowing. There is a huge learning curve about WDW, and the more trips you make the better you get at it. Often, even though Disney does everything they can, the guest just doesn't get it. Last year, Disney Dining was calling people on free dining -- telling them to make ADRs or risk not eating -- and many of those people ignored the warnings! Folks have a ton of details to take care of on a Disney trip and they don't necessarily hear everything they're told.

But there are also thousands of people in the parks each day who have made their hotel ressies, gotten airfare and a rental car, and just show up.

It's a shame your travel agents let you down, but that's not an uncommon problem. TAs have a huge learning curve, too, and "pobody's nerfect." I have a good friend whose business is to travel around the US teaching TAs the ins and outs of putting together Hawaiian vacations. Some travel markets are so complex (and Disney is one of those) that the TA really does need specialized knowledge.

Boards like the DIS are obviously great sources of information, and anyone who spends a few hours here will get a lot of good information that may save them considerable inconvenience at WDW.

I've found my best TA is me. If I had to use someone like AAA to get a certain rate, I'd make all of the other arrangements myself to be sure everything was good.

 

[Carol Ann]

I've found my best TA is me. If I had to use someone like AAA to get a certain rate, I'd make all of the other arrangements myself to be sure everything was good.

Amen to that. I used AAA to book a discounted package, and actually I had a very knowledgeable TA who knew about free dining (asked if I could change my dates to save money, sadly I can't), and the packet of information had stuff on making dining reservations. She even as a person in her office who will make reservations for you!!! But, no. For me, I need to do the details myself. I could never do business travel where a central office or secretary coordinated this.

 

[Colleen27]

That was our experience too.
I think a lot depends on the specific circumstances that day. The best server we got, was one night we weren't on the plan. But it was also at 5.30pm in a very empty restaurant. Our "worst" experience was also OOP but it was at 10.30am at a character breafast that closes at 11.

We only had one experience that was bad, and it wasn't terribly bad, just slow and not the sort of service we expect. That was in a very, very crowded restaurant at what is typically the lull between the lunch & dinner crowds, and from bits and pieces of a conversation I heard between the hostess and a server, I gathered that most of the crowd was walk-ups and they weren't expecting that kind of volume that afternoon. We also had 3 very good experiences with servers who advised us on wines (particularly at Boma) and provided excellent service. So of 5 TS meals, 3 were memorably good, one was memorably slow, and one must have been adequate but not impressive since I don't remember how the service was at all. If that is the inferior service that DDP guests get, I'll be *really* impressed with the non-DDP treatment!

 

[Colleen27]

Regarding having to wait a long time without ADRs, you still have to wait even when you DO have ADRs. So whats the difference? They cant seat you until a table is ready for you. That applies to both ADRs and walk-ups. The waiting time wouldnt be any different. Sept 2003, me and DH made ADR for CRT. No lie, we waited for an hour to be seated and we got there 20 mins before our ADR time.

But at restaurants that don't take reservations, the waits are even longer because there is no control on the pacing of arriving guests. ADRs allow Disney to control the inflow of guests to some extent, because they will only make as many ADRs as the venue can handle based on typical meal lengths and customer behaviours. We've never had to wait longer than about 20 minutes after our ADR time, which is a reasonable wait time IMO.

There is a popular local restaurant in our area that doesn't take reservations. It isn't unusual to find a hour or hour and a half waitlist on weeknights and up to 2.5 hours during the dinner rush on weekend nights, and you just have to sit around all that time waiting for your table. It isn't bad there because they have a nice indoor/ourdoor bar area, live music, and a great waterview, which is fine for a leisurely Saturday night, but that's not how I want to spend my Disney time.

 

[CouchFamily1998]

Our friend worked as a chief in the CP and he says the wait staff make more on the DDP. Like someone said before many people from other countries don't know to tip. Plus the times the get stiffed from Americans. Here at home I only tip 15%. That is less than the 18% on the plan. Now before anyone flames me 15% is the norm for my area. If it is really good service than we go up more. DH is a casino dealer and works for tips so we are good about tipping.