2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[Nancyg56]

Therefore, I plan to try the deluxe dining plan for 2008. With this plan, I won't have to worry about if I'm choosing the right restaurant for my family because now I can go to all of them and try many of the signature restaurants as well.

The food amount does seem like a lot of food and we are not huge eaters but I love to be spoiled on vacation and there are so many places I wanted to try last trip that I wasn't able to because we only had 8 TS credits.

The deluxe plan is pricey, but since we don't spend much time in Pop century and we usually get a standard room without park hoppers, we might be able to afford it. For a 7 night, 8 day stay, it will cost under $2500 for us. It's still way more that what I paid for last trip, but I'm hoping we'll be happy with the plan.

I think you are planning the way I would have. My DH wanted a full breakfast on several of the days and we ended paying for some meals OOP because we like a TS every evening and went to several 2 TS during our stay. On this plan, while pricey upfront, we may actually save money.

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

While never having used the prior plans, I still think that my family is going to benefit from using the DDP in 2008.

For example, this is my DFi and DS4 and DS5 first trip. I've been several times.

For our trip, the DDP 2008 is going to be 767 bucks. For each of the meals where we 'spend' a hundred bucks on a meal, we'll end up paying a tip of 20 bucks. 8 meals for 20 bucks is 160 bucks. So all in all, we are paying about 920 bucks for our ddp.

If we were not going to go with the ddp, that doesn't mean we aren't going to go to resturants... I'm pretty creative in making meals with household items, but there is only so much I can do with a curling iron, a toothpick, a stick of chewing gum, and aluminum foil.

I'm not macguyver.

So we'll probably eat out at least 5-6 times. Figure 100 bucks a pop each time we eat out, and that's 5-600 bucks right there. that's just for 6 good eat out meals during our 9 night stay. From there, add in a 7-8 counter service meals, and that's probably another 100 bucks, so 700 bucks. Add in the cost of grocieres once we get to florida, that's at least 800. Then the cost of the rental car, which is probably going to be around another 200.

The way I see it, we do the DDP, eat where we want (minus sushi... DFi said if I don't take her to sushi, she is not letting me come home, so that's coming oop), only worry about maybe 1-2 meals OOP, and those will be counter service, and it's all good.

It's nice to complain about loosing something, but coming in with a fresh perspective, then it's not a bad deal at all....

-Mike

 

[jfinke]

(minus sushi... DFi said if I don't take her to sushi, she is not letting me come home, so that's coming oop)
-Mike

Go to Kimono's. Very nice sushi. Much better than the California Grill.

Back on topic.

What did everyone do before DDP? We have never used it, because it does not work out very well for us (even last year).

We have always stayed onsite (convenience and now DVC) and just eaten at the TS we wanted and gone with the flow with CS.

 

[Diznut84]

We're on pg 47 with this, and there is one thing I still don't understand - where, exactly is/are the "heated discussion(s)" or "outrage" or "incredibly upset" people referred to in several posts? Perhaps I have missed the posts, but pretty much the only "shouting" I have seen has been from people commenting on OPs' thought processes with a bit of name-calling, but even that has been minimal. Seems to me a lot of people have opinions on the change, and many of the opinions are quite specific. However, having a strong opinion does not equate to "outrage" nor does it qualify as whining, etc. I think the discussion has been pretty straight forward and amazingly on subject, considering the length. JMHO, YMMV.

OK, I'll give it a crack!

We have gone to WDW 2-3 times per year for the past 10+ years. For the past several years, we have enjoyed DDP perhaps more than any other aspect of WDW. Our family (my DW, DD12, and DD10) likened being on the DDP to having a "cruise on land".

When Disney made the changes to the plan I was outraged. The loss in benefits was over 30% (20% tip, appetizer, offset by $1 in price) for the price. The Mouse had again been consumed by greed!

Believe it or not, my family has lost virtually all interest in going to WDW as a result of this change. We cancelled our upcoming trip this Christmas, and are selling one of our DVC contracts early next month. While we booked a trip in June on points, I seriously doubt we will go. The fun has been taken out of the trips by a combination of the loss of the DDP combined with the overbearing greed of the mouse.

Am I upset? You're darn right!!! Way to go, Disney! You just lost a family that annually spent more than $12,000 on Disney trips!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

OK, I'll give it a crack!

We have gone to WDW 2-3 times per year for the past 10+ years. For the past several years, we have enjoyed DDP perhaps more than any other aspect of WDW. Our family (my DW, DD12, and DD10) likened being on the DDP to having a "cruise on land".

When Disney made the changes to the plan I was outraged. The loss in benefits was over 30% (20% tip, appetizer, offset by $1 in price) for the price. The Mouse had again been consumed by greed!

Believe it or not, my family has lost virtually all interest in going to WDW as a result of this change. We cancelled our upcoming trip this Christmas, and are selling one of our DVC contracts early next month. While we booked a trip in June on points, I seriously doubt we will go. The fun has been taken out of the trips by a combination of the loss of the DDP combined with the overbearing greed of the mouse.

Am I upset? You're darn right!!! Way to go, Disney! You just lost a family that annually spent more than $12,000 on Disney trips!

Wow!! All this over some changes to DDP. You are not required to purchase DDP in order enter or to enjoy DisneyWorld. Sorry you feel this way, but there is a bright side for the rest of us - less people at the parks and in the restaurants. So, if you are that upset over DDP changes, maybe you should just stay home and save your $12,000, or go elsewhere to vacation. I bet you will miss the magic!!!

 

[Just(donald)Ducky]

OK, I'll give it a crack!

We have gone to WDW 2-3 times per year for the past 10+ years. For the past several years, we have enjoyed DDP perhaps more than any other aspect of WDW. Our family (my DW, DD12, and DD10) likened being on the DDP to having a "cruise on land".

When Disney made the changes to the plan I was outraged. The loss in benefits was over 30% (20% tip, appetizer, offset by $1 in price) for the price. The Mouse had again been consumed by greed!

Believe it or not, my family has lost virtually all interest in going to WDW as a result of this change. We cancelled our upcoming trip this Christmas, and are selling one of our DVC contracts early next month. While we booked a trip in June on points, I seriously doubt we will go. The fun has been taken out of the trips by a combination of the loss of the DDP combined with the overbearing greed of the mouse.

Am I upset? You're darn right!!! Way to go, Disney! You just lost a family that annually spent more than $12,000 on Disney trips!

Not going to disney world because of the changes in the DDP is kind of absurd.... You've spent all this money on the DVC, all the yearly dues, etc. etc. etc. You've obviously had a good time there, or you wouldn't have spent so much money.

But if food is seriously that big of a deal, I suggest going to germany during oktoberfest. It has great sausage, I'm sure.

 

[honeymo78]

I too don't understand people swearing off disney b/c of a package change. We love dining at disney and will dine at disney whether we prepay for a portion of it in a package or pay OOP for it while we are there. Of course I would be sad/upset that it might cost more to do it this year than last year but as long as I can still afford to do it, I'm not going to stop.

 

[DizzDoll]

We only used the DDP when it was free in August these past 2 years. It was a good way to get my son to try different things which he didn't enjoy, anyway. Next year when we go (did I actually say that???) we're not buying the DDP but rather eating CS the entire trip. As far as I'm concerned, and I'm only speaking for myself, it doesn't matter to us either way, because while my daughter has an improved palette my son is still definitely a burger and pizza kind of guy.

 

[pilferk]

Not going to disney world because of the changes in the DDP is kind of absurd.... You've spent all this money on the DVC, all the yearly dues, etc. etc. etc. You've obviously had a good time there, or you wouldn't have spent so much money.

But if food is seriously that big of a deal, I suggest going to germany during oktoberfest. It has great sausage, I'm sure.

Far be it from me to tell ANYONE how to vacation, or spend their money, but I basically agree with you...ESPECIALLY when it comes to the DDP with DVC.

We don't have to prepay (we pay for the DDP on arrival, not at booking).

We don't have to forgo room discounts (though we don't get free dining, at all) to get free dining.

Even with the increased cost, it still represents a discount.

We would have saved, under the 2007 plan, about 40% over the cost OOP. With the changes, we'll save about 15%....still a decent sized discount for something we'd pay for anyway. Granted, we only eat on site so YMMV depending on your vacation or eating habits. But for us, while the plan isn't the value it once was, it's STILL a value.

If it's NOT a value for you anymore (as in, you're not going to save money using the 2008 version at ALL)....then don't buy it. DDP has only existed for, what, 3 years ('05, '06, '07). You're not any worse off than you were prior to the DDP's inception, and it's not like they're FORCING you to pay more for your food, or to buy the DDP at all.

Anyway, that's MHO.

 

[tomandrobin]

Far be it from me to tell ANYONE how to vacation, or spend their money, but I basically agree with you...ESPECIALLY when it comes to the DDP with DVC.

With the changes, we'll save about 15%....still a decent sized discount for something we'd pay for anyway. But for us, while the plan isn't the value it once was, it's STILL a value.

If it's NOT a value for you anymore (as in, you're not going to save money using the 2008 version at ALL)....then don't buy it. You're not any worse off than you were prior to the DDP's inception, and it's not like they're FORCING you to pay more for your food, or to buy the DDP at all.

I agree. We love our DVC and look at the DDP as a perk. If they too it away, not a problem, that's not why we bought into DVC. Now we do love, love, love the DDP. It gives us that all inclusive feel. As long as we save 5-10% overall, then its still a value to us. Funny how people will go out of thier way to save 3 cents per gallon for gas, to get the savings. 20 gallons = 60 cents, but 10% of one week on DDP for a family of 4 = $100 ish. I just don't get it.

 

[jtnsami]

I've been lirking around this thread since it started, and can't believe some of the posts I've seen about the DDP. Yes, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and it's good to see so many.

As for me and my family, I like the plan. We did it in '06, and we're doing it again in '08. Yes, there are differences, but that's okay in my book. Disney is our dream vacation, and we would go regardless of the plan or not. It's a splurge for me to be able to take my kids, and if meals are included that's even better. The OOP expense for tipping is fine with me. I like tipping for the degree of service I receive.

Bottom line, I would take my family to Disney with or without any kind of dining plan. No dining plan just means I have to budget a little more.

 

[YesMickey]

I was just on the Disney website after not being able to get on it due to "High Traffic". I have noticed in the past when I got this response changes/updates were being made to the site. So the first place I went to was the DDP page to see if any changes were made. The only thing I noticed was that childres TS meals come with a appetizer. Was this always there? Maybe I never noticed it. If so, doesn't this shoot the old, get people off the tables quicker because of no appetizer, notion I have seen on the boards.

 

[Becky2005]

I The only thing I noticed was that childres TS meals come with a appetizer. Was this always there? Maybe I never noticed it. If so, doesn't this shoot the old, get people off the tables quicker because of no appetizer, notion I have seen on the boards.

I don't know but I was wondering how that worked because didn't they change the Children's menu to incorporate the old plan, so it was an appetizer, meal, dessert for all one set price?

I was wondering how they were then going to work with no appetizer for the children.

We went in 2005 though when the DDP was very first introduced and before the kid's menus changed, so I don't really know all the details. I vaguely remember seeing menus that seemed like it was "here's the kid's meal for $X", not really done as an ala carte type thing.

 

[Tricia1972]

I believe that it has always included a children's appetizer. The reason for this is to ensure the healthy eating that they are promoting for kids.

We haven't been there with a child on the plan yet, but I have heard that the kids meals come out on a Mickey plate with several courses served all at once. Is that just at CS locations that they do the plate like that?

ETA Picture from allearsnet that shows kids menu. It looks like multiple courses are still served at once at TS locations...

from www.allearsnet.com

 

[YesMickey]

We went twice in '06 and every chance my DD had to get shrimp cocktail she did. It just depended on the waiter. Some said she could not and would get carrots and ranch dressing of something similar.

 

[JenSop]

We're going next year ('08) and will still get the dining plan, but are quite disappointed with the changes. We only used the current plan once - it was on our anniversary trip last year - and we LOVED it. On our honeymoon, we had lots of wedding cash to do the TS restaurants, so it was no big deal. Imagine our delight when we found out about the DDP before last year's trip.

For us, Disney is all about the rides and food. That's what we love. (Yes, there are TONS of other things we also love, duh, but these are the TOP TWO reasons for our trips - since we don't have kids yet.) I'll miss the all-inclusive feel that we had on last year's trip.

But like I said, we'll still get the DDP, but probably gripe and complain to ourselves a bunch of times about it.

On another note, any one hear anything about more Epcot restaurants being added? I know all the restaurants won't be finalized until November, but I'm just a wee bit impatient! (Really waiting to hear about Chef de France and San Angel.)

 

[luvmills]

When I saw the 2008 Dining plan dropped the appetizers and gratutity I was upset. But then I started thinking that it makes sense to drop the gratutity - I'll tip my own amount according to the service provided...

I just took another look at the restaurants we have reservations at and I think most will have the appetizers included:
-Liberty Tree Tavern - family style meal
-Hoop Dee Doo Review - family style meal
-Teppan Edo - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Mama Melrose Fantasmic package dinner - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Ohana - family style meal
-The Crystal Palace - buffet

If anyone has any appetizer info on these restaurants, let me know...

 

[Tricia1972]

When I saw the 2008 Dining plan dropped the appetizers and gratutity I was upset. But then I started thinking that it makes sense to drop the gratutity - I'll tip my own amount according to the service provided...

I just took another look at the restaurants we have reservations at and I think most will have the appetizers included:
-Liberty Tree Tavern - family style meal
-Hoop Dee Doo Review - family style meal
-Teppan Edo - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Mama Melrose Fantasmic package dinner - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Ohana - family style meal
-The Crystal Palace - buffet

If anyone has any appetizer info on these restaurants, let me know...

I don't think anyone will know about Teppan Endo until they open.

Mama Melrose will be interesting to find out about. They used to have a set menu that you could pick from for the Fantasmic Dining package. Within the last year though they have changed it and you can order anything you want off of the menu for the F! Dining package price. I could argue the point either way whether they'll include an appetizer still with the F! dining package.

 

[DizzDoll]

I hadn't planned on buying the ddp for our trip next August but I ended up doing some preliminary math and it looks like I will, in fact, get the plan. Just the prelims saved me approx. $150 so I'm eating some crow. But I'm still waffling about the hopper passes.

 

[pepperw23]

When I saw the 2008 Dining plan dropped the appetizers and gratutity I was upset. But then I started thinking that it makes sense to drop the gratutity - I'll tip my own amount according to the service provided...

I just took another look at the restaurants we have reservations at and I think most will have the appetizers included:
-Liberty Tree Tavern - family style meal
-Hoop Dee Doo Review - family style meal
-Teppan Edo - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Mama Melrose Fantasmic package dinner - I would imagine that the app. is included in the meal (could be wrong though...)
-Ohana - family style meal
-The Crystal Palace - buffet

If anyone has any appetizer info on these restaurants, let me know...

We end up tipping OOP anyway usually just because DH is convinced the wait staff "will never see it", so that is no biggie. What I am wondering though is do they automatically add 18% to your check still?