'08 Dining Plan

[stitchlover]

From this weeks allearsnet.com newsletter. I know this newsletter came out Tuesday but I have been so busy i haven't been on the boards to see what anyone thinks. What are the general thoughts and feelings on these probable changes? We have really looked at it and just don't know if we can justify the more expensive plan. Any thoughts on what you will do?

... from a reliable source: There has been lots of internet
chatter about changes coming to the 2008 Magic Your Way Dining
plans. AllEars(R) now hears the following is scheduled to be
announced in August:

1) Gratuity will be removed from ALL 2008 packages that include
dining. Tax will be INCLUDED, but the gratuity will not be.

2) The Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan will no longer include an
appetizer in the daily table service meal. The table service
option will only include: entree, dessert and non-alcoholic
beverage. The price per day per person will decrease by $1, to
$37.99 for ages 10 and older; $9.99 for ages 3-9.

3) A new Magic Your Way Plus DELUXE Dining Plan will debut in
2008. This plan will include, per person, per day: three meals,
your choice of table service or counter service (appetizer
included in the dinner); two snacks; and a resort refillable
mug. Signature restaurants will still count as two table service
meals. Price, including tax, but NOT gratuity, will be $69.99
for ages 10 and older and $19.99 for ages 3-9.

Other additional rumored changes may also be introduced. Again,
this is UNofficial information. Look for Walt Disney World to
officially announce the 2008 packages and dining options in
August.

 

[futreWDI]

We have only ever used DDP when it was free so I can't comment on the price. I wanted to pass along that Kevin Yee, who usually puts the DDP down, gave a review about the new plan in his newest article on www.miceage.com He talks about how serving staff will get jipped because people will not know gratuity isn't included anymore or act like they don't know, etc. He also talks about why he believes the change is taking place (investors want to see an increase quarterly and right now they aren't) . I really suggest for you to read it. He definetly says it is becoming to be less and less worth getting the Dining Plan.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We have only ever used DDP when it was free so I can't comment on the price. I wanted to pass along that Kevin Yee, who usually puts the DDP down, gave a review about the new plan in his newest article on www.miceage.com He talks about how serving staff will get jipped because people will not know gratuity isn't included anymore or act like they don't know, etc. He also talks about why he believes the change is taking place (investors want to see an increase quarterly and right now they aren't) . I really suggest for you to read it. He definetly says it is becoming to be less and less worth getting the Dining Plan.[/QUOTE

I think some servers are spoiled on DDP and will now have to actually earn their tips. The ones who are whining about this are probably the ones most concerned that they will now have to actually work for their tips.

 

[stitchlover]

My husband was shocked that they agreed to no guaranteed tip in the contract negotiation. I have to say I won't be tipping 18% on most buffets and my husband agreed. He said usually we are lucky to get our drinks refilled at the buffets and he agrees that 18% will not be what is tipped at those meals unless they earned it. Plus I have to confess we are a one income family, when dining around town 15% is our norm. Call me cheap, but it is what we can afford.

 

[futreWDI]

Oh, I completely agree that 18% is a little much for a guaranteed tip. I think it should have always been guaranteed like 10% and then if you really though you had good service you could tip more. I've done this on many occasions, like when you have a party of 8 or more and a restaurant automaticallt tacks on a tip but the waiter deserved a little more. I think all Kevin is saying is that people will "forget" to tip at all because they are so used to it being included. He then mentions that they may resort to passing out those little cards with your bill that say "don't forget, gratuity not included" which won't be the servers choice. I know there are people around that may find recieving these cards offensive and then tip the waiter lower because they included the card.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My husband was shocked that they agreed to no guaranteed tip in the contract negotiation. I have to say I won't be tipping 18% on most buffets and my husband agreed. He said usually we are lucky to get our drinks refilled at the buffets and he agrees that 18% will not be what is tipped at those meals unless they earned it. Plus I have to confess we are a one income family, when dining around town 15% is our norm. Call me cheap, but it is what we can afford.

I don't have a problem with the tip being removed from the plan. I’ll just plan/budget accordingly.

I'm also part of a one income family. As a matter of fact, I'm a single mother. However, this isn’t an excuse for me not to tip properly.

I believe the tip is part of the total cost of dining out. If I can't afford the tip, then I can't afford the meal.

 

[rkwells]

We have only ever used DDP when it was free so I can't comment on the price. I wanted to pass along that Kevin Yee, who usually puts the DDP down, gave a review about the new plan in his newest article on www.miceage.com He talks about how serving staff will get jipped because people will not know gratuity isn't included anymore or act like they don't know, etc. He also talks about why he believes the change is taking place (investors want to see an increase quarterly and right now they aren't) . I really suggest for you to read it. He definetly says it is becoming to be less and less worth getting the Dining Plan.

Very interesting article! Thanks...here's a direct link in case anyone in interested..
http://www.miceage.com/kevinyee/ky080207a.htm

 

[stitchlover]

We don't mind tipping...what surprised us is they agreed to not have that built in. You gotta figure they aren't going to be happy with the tips they are receiving once this kicks in. I'm afraid their tips will go down.

 

[wasabi girl]

I'm actually less concerned with the tips not being included than that Disney effectively reduced the value of this plan by some 18% of your dinner price and removed an appetizer and only reduced the cost by $1. I'm not sure it will be a good value anymore. Especially the deluxe one.....I think it is not cost effective....

 

[angelmav]

I don't have a problem with the tip being removed from the plan. I’ll just plan/budget accordingly.

I'm also part of a one income family. As a matter of fact, I'm a single mother. However, this isn’t an excuse for me not to tip properly.

I believe the tip is part of the total cost of dining out. If I can't afford the tip, then I can't afford the meal.

Sorry to offend the tip police, but I never plan to tip 18% or higher, its completely based in the service, and quite frankly feel that 15% is more than adequate most of the time we eat out. Again, wen we tip upwards of 20% we do so as to acknowledge superior sevice, not because we have been shamed into doing so.

 

[rluey29]

I agree totally. I would like to add that from my experience Most people don't tip 18%. I had worked in that business for 10 + years and seen many good wiaters/waitresses get far less than that. I also come from a single income family and we tip well when it is deserved.

 

[Adrienne]

It will also be very difficult for those of us not accostemed to tipping. in fact in Australia if you try to tip someone they are often offended as here the minimum wage for a adult server is 12.00 an hour, and you are implying that they need the money.

I'm sure that the last time i went to WDW the servers hated us, we payed OOP for all TS cause we weren't on the dining plan and tipped no where near what you guys do. The exception was for our server at ohana breakfast cause she was great, and pregnant, (like ready to have the baby any day pregnant)so we felt that she really went above and beyond considering. Mind you other than ohana we only ate at buffets, and at a regular TS i would probably tip a little more than at them. I would never tip more than making up the hourly rate that they should by rights being paid... (liveable wage)