Guest in uproar this month becasue of changes in DDP

[morgan loves minnie]

I'm sure this is somewhere and I'm just overlooking it, but hopefully someone can help. We are going to be in Disney in April and have the DDP. We used DDP last year too. I am aware of the changes to the 2008 DDP (no appetizers, no gratuity), so at least I won't be one of the people complaining. I have two questions though. I'm assuming if I would like an appetizer that I can still order it and just pay for it separately? I don't see why not if I'm paying for it, but I just want to make sure that this won't cause confusion if I'm using DDP for my meal and dessert, but paying for the appetizer. Also, do they give you a bill for the gratuity and are they automatically charging 20%? or can you choose to tip as you see fit. I almost always tip 20% (or more for exceptional service), but if the service was not great would I be able to choose to tip say 18% instead of 20%?

 

[OrlandoMike]

You can order all the appetizers and drinks you want, but yes, you will be charged on a separate bill.

If your party is 5 or less, there will be no gratuity added.

If your party is 6 or more, gratuity will be added.

As far as the DDP goes, you will be given a reciept/bill showing how much your meal cost, with suggested tip rates. You can put your tip on a credit card or leave cash, its up to you how you compensate your server.

 

[PaulaSue]

Hey! I notice you live in Glen Rock. I'm in Hanover! We're practically neighbors...I don't think we're in a "yellow folder" though!

Stacey

Hi Neighbors!

 

[GrannySandy]

I have visited Disney in the past with no complaints. When I called in the middle of January to make reservations for my family I booked the DDP. I had never used it before and actually didn't know much about it. BUT the operator told me that it included gratitudies and app. I didn't ask, she read that to me in the list of things included in the plan and I wrote as she talked. I found out thru these forums that what I bought does not include grat and app. I am disappointed to say the least that I was told something that was not true. I am paying for my family of 17 to go. Paying tips on 17 meals at some of these places will cost me close to another $100.00. I can't cancel because I have already made reservations and shared the plans with the families. I feel tricked. I emailed Disney with no response. Is there someone else I can complain? I hate being lied to. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When you call Walt Disney World, unless you really know a direct number, you will get one of two offices.

The Disney Reservations Center (DRC) includes Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC), Central Reservations Office (CRO), Disney Dining, and some other lesser known information lines. To the best of my knowledge the DRC locations are in the International Drive area, Tampa, Kansas City and Houston and Salt Lake City. There may be more. Some of the people working at the DRC call centers may never have been to either WDW or DL (or both).

The Main Switchboard (407-824-2222) is also where all calls to Disney Resorts go if you are dialing the phone number on the back of your reservations form. Also that is where calls go if you dial the Operator from your room, and possibly even calls to the Front Desk. The Main Switchboard people will, if asked, also identify themselves as Guest Services. They can put you through to any number on WDW.

At both DRC and MS they have access to a computer which has lots of Guest Information and it is very well organized. Actually, all CMs who have access to a terminal, or who even can access the "Cast Portal" from off-site, have access to this Guest Services information. I will often open an extra window when I am responding to people and go into the Portal for the latest official information.

I would not say that someone you talked to on the phone lied to you, but just they were attempting to answer a question when they really did not have an answer.

 

[Belle0101]

About this list - could it maybe explain why some people, myself included, have never ever received offers via pin, email, postcard, etc?

With 7 trips I have only ever complained 1 time and that was on my 3rd trip. I was pleasant to the CM at MK Guest Services, at least I thought I was, and they called over their supervisor who gave me what amounted to a FastPass the next day for our family. We ended up not even having to using it because the lines were virtually non-existent.

I also wonder if getting the "freebies" for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc is considered mooching? For example, in 2004 when making my resort reservation the CM asked our information and she realized DS would be turning 5 while we were there. Every TS we went to he got lots of special attention. And at check-in they asked if he wanted balloons for his birthday, I asked how much it would be and they said free so I said sure.

I wonder if I'm on that list for being a moocher and a demanding customer? I didn't set out to be demanding or a moocher. Maybe that's why I never get special offers, they think I don't deserve them.

I'd be so humiliated to know I was on a bad list.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The reason you do not get special offers is you go too often.

Seriously, the computer will look at your reservations patterns and decide if, based on your travel patterns, it would take a special incentive to get you back or if you will be back anyway.

 

[krbq]

About this list - could it maybe explain why some people, myself included, have never ever received offers via pin, email, postcard, etc?

With 7 trips I have only ever complained 1 time and that was on my 3rd trip. I was pleasant to the CM at MK Guest Services, at least I thought I was, and they called over their supervisor who gave me what amounted to a FastPass the next day for our family. We ended up not even having to using it because the lines were virtually non-existent.

I also wonder if getting the "freebies" for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc is considered mooching? For example, in 2004 when making my resort reservation the CM asked our information and she realized DS would be turning 5 while we were there. Every TS we went to he got lots of special attention. And at check-in they asked if he wanted balloons for his birthday, I asked how much it would be and they said free so I said sure.

I wonder if I'm on that list for being a moocher and a demanding customer? I didn't set out to be demanding or a moocher. Maybe that's why I never get special offers, they think I don't deserve them.

I'd be so humiliated to know I was on a bad list.

Belle: I sincerely doubt it. Disney does the balloon/cupcake thing for lots and lots of guests, most especially for the little kids. They probably asked YOU if you were celebrating a special occasion, right? From what others on this thread have said, it sounds like it's the people demanding free dinners and hotel rooms that are considered "moochers".

No one seems to have figured out the formula for who gets the PIN codes. DH and I have been many times and registered everywhere yet have never gotten a single offer. My friend who has only gone a few times seems to get one every couple of years, but she only used it once and that was about 10 years ago. That made me think that the less often you go, the more likely you'd be to get an offer, but there are many theories on these boards.

 

[krbq]

The reason you do not get special offers is you go too often.

Seriously, the computer will look at your reservations patterns and decide if, based on your travel patterns, it would take a special incentive to get you back or if you will be back anyway.

I saw this after I posted my response to Belle. Exactly what I thought. Thanks, Cheshire!

 

[Belle0101]

The reason you do not get special offers is you go too often.

Seriously, the computer will look at your reservations patterns and decide if, based on your travel patterns, it would take a special incentive to get you back or if you will be back anyway.

Belle: I sincerely doubt it. Disney does the balloon/cupcake thing for lots and lots of guests, most especially for the little kids. They probably asked YOU if you were celebrating a special occasion, right? From what others on this thread have said, it sounds like it's the people demanding free dinners and hotel rooms that are considered "moochers".

No one seems to have figured out the formula for who gets the PIN codes. DH and I have been many times and registered everywhere yet have never gotten a single offer. My friend who has only gone a few times seems to get one every couple of years, but she only used it once and that was about 10 years ago. That made me think that the less often you go, the more likely you'd be to get an offer, but there are many theories on these boards.

Whew! I was starting to feel like maybe I should have said no to the special birthday treats. I've never asked for free meals or a free room, nothing big. Come to think of it I don't even recall asking for anything when I complained that 1 time. I only remember telling them that I was dissapointed.

Our days of going too often are over so maybe I'll get special offers now. Only we won't be able to use them. How's that for irony?

I guess I just worry too much. I don't want Disney to not like me.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. You may now return to your scheduled topic.

 

[PinCrazed]

The reason you do not get special offers is you go too often.

Seriously, the computer will look at your reservations patterns and decide if, based on your travel patterns, it would take a special incentive to get you back or if you will be back anyway.

In 4 years we have been to Disney 9 times. We have stayed in the park, out of the park and even in a Disney timeshare. We get an offer from Disney about every 2-3 months telling about special deals, packages, cruise line stuff etc. That is in part why we went so often.

I know casino's use those kind of computer programs. I can basically go to Vegas for three days for free Is it a fact Disney does that? I would like to know if that can be confirmed or if that is just something someone heard.

 

[gmboy95]

They must have some kind of info...because as a DVC member, I never receive any special offers for anyhting...i am wondering if others experience the same thing?

 

[tom401]

The reason you do not get special offers is you go too often.

Seriously, the computer will look at your reservations patterns and decide if, based on your travel patterns, it would take a special incentive to get you back or if you will be back anyway.

So much for rewarding your best customers - if I got a couple free nights, I would probably pay for some extra nights on top of it - then spend a bunch of money on other items.