2008 DDP and DVC

[BCV23]

We have heard from a cast member and read in other places on the web, there is the potential for a major overhaul to the dining plan. I would guess this has something to do with not posting definites about booking ddp.

Any details on this rumor?

But regardless of changes or not, I'd don't think the prices were out this early in the past.

I agree with you, Sora. I've even see people on the DIS justify leaving little or no tip. One person claimed that was the only way her family could enjoy full service restaurants.

 

[JimMIA]

Any details on this rumor?

FWIW...There was a rapidly-locked thread on the DDP board which said both the appetizer and gratuity had been taken out of the TS for 2008. That was post #1 for the OP, so it's hard to know what to make of it -- could be a CM trying to be anonymous, or it could just be a pot-stirrer. Someone else claimed to have similar info from a "reliable source." I think I'll wait for something a little more authoritative before seriously considering DDP for 2008.

I agree with you, Sora. I've even see people on the DIS justify leaving little or no tip. One person claimed that was the only way her family could enjoy full service restaurants.

People can "justify" just about anything these days. "It's all about ME and what I WANT!"

The only part of it I can't understand is why they broadcast their tackiness. They not only stiff the poor server, they blab it all over. Do they think that is something to brag about?

 

[hansel1]

Until disney tells me that the 2008 DDP has changed I won't believe it.

As for tipping, it's just like voting. People are going to have different rationales for the reason they do what they do. Some people are Republican, some people are democrat and some are "insert party name here". Likewise with tipping. Some people tip more than required, some tip less than required and some don't tip at all.

The previous threads were probably locked due to arguments about tipping, so we should probably leave well enough alone.

If the 2008 DDP removes tipping, then an appropriate thread should be posted letting people vent their feelings about that.

 

[JimMIA]

The previous threads were probably locked due to arguments about tipping, so we should probably leave well enough alone.

If the 2008 DDP removes tipping, then an appropriate thread should be posted letting people vent their feelings about that.

No, actually the previous threads were closed because everyone was speculating on Disney policies. On most forums speculating is acceptable (the DIS even has a Rumors board), but on the DDP board it usually leads to unpleasant arguments so the mods have asked everyone to refrain from speculating there.

I don't think tipping per se has ever been an especially hot issue on the DDP board, but speculating about Disney policies and CM interpretations of Disney policies has certainly led to some angry exchanges and lockings. Most of that anger has died out since Disney separated the adult and child TS credits -- which were the source of much heat and very little light.

I agree that if the rumored changes actually occur, a venting thread should be allowed...but of course, that's the mods' call. Hopefully, if the mods do permit such a thread, posters will debate their issues in a civil manner and the threads will remain open.

 

[hansel1]

I stand corrected.

Tipping......anyone have an opinion?

I tip "blondes" better than "brunettes" regardless of their service.

In fact, the better looking the server the larger her tip!

It's OK to not leave a tip if you need your change for cigarettes!

If I get a male server.....no tip for you!

I think it's OK to call your female server: Honey, sugar or sweetcakes!

Nothing tells your female server you enjoyed the meal more than a good ole fashion pat on the butt!

For anyone who continued reading this thread.....I am just kidding! My wife is a server.

 

[Pamjr]

I guess that's the business they are in. Servers get short changed sometimes. I don't do it. They get a 20%+ tip from me everytime. Unless they are a terrible server and then I give them 15%. But I don't ever leave less than that.

There are always going to be people who don't do that though. Some people also drive 45 mph in the left lane on I-95. But you dont' want to get me started on that. Who can figure out people?

 

[DMKEDM]

Having read only pages 1 and 5 of this thread, I apologize if I'm giving info already conveyed...

But I've called both CRO and MS in the last 2 days, and on both conversations discussed DDP...here's what they told me within the last 48 hours:

1. CRO won't even book resort rooms, much less DDP, in 2008 because they do not yet have rates...at least they wouldn't let me book a Jan 2008 trip at any resort. Nor would they discuss DDP, except to say its price hasn't been announced yet. I did ask if it was going to be offered; the reply was "we don't have a price yet."

2. MS is booking for Jan, 2008, but they told me I'd have to call back to add DDP as it isn't priced yet. I again asked if it had been decided that it would be available, and again was told, "we don't have the price yet, please call back to add it."

CRO told me they expect 2008 resort room prices "in July or August; please call back next week."

The reason I called CRO is because I was out of points for a Jan trip (including borrowed points). I've since added on. (Got BCV points within 3 weeks of going on the WaitList...yay...also added a few more at our home resort, SSR...) And booked my Jan trip. We're "butting up" against the Marathon (we will arrive 1/4 and leave 1/11), but people wanting Marathon weekend time should have no trouble booking if they do so "now" since CRO isn't even taking reservations yet...and there was pretty much full availability at all DVC resorts for both studios & one bedroom's...BCV and BWV were full for studios on 1/10, but otherwise everything else was available (as of yesterday, 7/19)...

Anyone else heading out to stand in line to buy Harry Potter at midnight???

Happy weekend...

 

[BCV23]

Anyone else heading out to stand in line to buy Harry Potter at midnight???

Happy weekend...

My husband and daughter are at our town's party right now. I prepaid for our copies and they'll pick them up at our town's local bookstore. Our numbers are in the mid 500s and I was told they'd probably get our books about 12:12.

DS2 went to some of the events this morning early afternoon with his special rec group. DS1 and his wife are planning to pick their copies up at the bookstore in Celebration tonight.

One of my favorite things happening in our town is a collection at Flourish and Blotts (the aforementioned bookstore) for Hermione's House Elf Clothing Drive. Alas I had a crazy day and forgot to send things with them. I'm hoping the store is still collecting tomorrow.

I'm rereading the 6th book and am looking forward to this one. Have to avoid spoilers somehow.

Happy reading!

 

[JimMIA]

Just a quick update on the rumor front.

There are multiple posts on the DDP Board (as well as URLs you can check if you want to see the actual webpages) which report the announcement of the 2008 DDP for UK guests.

The UK tour operators are selling the 2008 DDP which does not include either the gratuity or an appetizer on the TS meal. Obviously the tour operators have something official from Disney to sell. Although Disney has placed additional eligibility requirements on UK purchasers in the past (e.g. park tickets for each day of their stay), it does not seem practical that the PLAN itself would be different.

We'll obviously have to wait for an official announcement in the US to be sure, but this does not look good.

 

[n2mm]

JimMIA, I also read that thread and am watching this closely. All of this will determine whether the DDP is a good deal for our family. Only time will tell how this all plays out. I've glad I'm a DDE card holder too.

 

[BCV23]

JimMIA and n2mm, can you point me to that thread. I just don't see it.

We were talking this over at dinner and agree that for us DDE alone will make more sense next year if those changes are effected. But for folks without APs and DDE, the DDP could still offer nice savings.

I think we will certainly add the DDP to our remaining trips this year as a final hurrah!

 

[JimMIA]

JimMIA and n2mm, can you point me to that thread. I just don't see it.

Here's the link. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19873525#post19873525

The title of the thread doesn't really describe it well, so it's easy to miss. The news of the UK offers pops up from more than one poster, but not at the very start of the thread.

You'll see some extraneous discussion of pricing and all sorts of other comments from folks who either don't understand it or don't want to hear it, but it's pretty clear what the UK plan is. Plus you can look at the posted links to see the actual websites if you want. Whatever the pricing in the UK through commercial travel agents, that's irrelevent to us here in the US.

The relevent items are the terms of the DDP benefits, and those appear clear to me. I think it is extremely unlikely that the benefits included in DDP would be different.

 

[dcibrando]

My wife and I have done the DDP for 3 of the past 4 trips we have taken and absolutely LOVE IT!!! Now... I can see maybe taking the tip out of it and leaving that up to the guests (I can deal with that) BUT, take away the appetizer and the tip and I have to seriously consider whether it is worth it or not.

The appetizer at least for us is usually just a caesar salad but I like it with my meal.

why don't they just up the cost to $40 per adult and not make the 'other' changes

 

[Dean]

When this issue first started, I predicted that the Disney dining plan would go the way of the Food and fun card. The basic essence of that prediction was that prices would go up components would be taken away and that it would quickly evolve to a process that really was not workable for almost anyone.

Given that to the Disney dining plan was already a specialty item worth it for many but not for many others, taking the tip and appetizer away and keeping the program otherwise the same, would absolutely gut the program. It would be little different than increasing the price around 16 to 20 dollars per person. The decision would rapidly shift in favor of the Disney dining experience or simply using the other discounts built into the system either for DVC itself or for pass holders.

 

[angelmav]

Dean, while I suspect you may be right, I think that would be a poor decision on Disneys part. As it stands, it has lead to longer stays, more frequent returns and better occupancy at higher rates and in turn higher overall profits. Such a decision would IMO be seriously shortsighted. Of course that same shortsighted business thinking seems to be the norm these days in corporate america.

 

[Dean]

Dean, while I suspect you may be right, I think that would be a poor decision on Disneys part. As it stands, it has lead to longer stays, more frequent returns and better occupancy at higher rates and in turn higher overall profits. Such a decision would IMO be seriously shortsighted. Of course that same shortsighted business thinking seems to be the norm these days in corporate america.

Disney has a habit of offering special options to get people in the frame of mind to visit. They then start to whittle away at the value eventually taking most or all the value totally away. It's the same approach the military has to high need areas.

 

[snicker-doodle]

Since a lot of people don't bother to read the entire thread, I think it's important to reiterate a point that several posters made earlier in this thread.

The 2008 DDP has not been announced yet, and therefore, none of us actually know the details of the plan yet.

We are all offering opinions based on what we've heard. Some of what we've heard has come from sources who should be reliable...but we're still speculating nonetheless.

If you are planning a trip in January/February, I'd go ahead and make plans and ADRs as if you were using DDP. You can always cancel ADRs if you change your mind due to some change in DDP.

Well said. This is exactly what I plan on doing for our January vacation. When it comes time to call in our ADRs, I am making them as if we will be on the DDP.

Spending time focusing on rumors and "what-ifs" is a lot like worrying to me - it really doesn't get you anywhere but worked up.

For now, the DDP is what it is. If/when it changes, I'll make the necessary adjustments!

 

[BCV23]

JimMIA, thanks for the link.