2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[bicker]

It is always easy to sit back and suggest that guests ask for terms and conditions of a package and also to insist on hard copy information prior to purchasing

It isn't really a matter of easy versus hard. Rather, it is a matter of what the reaction by the customer should be if they encounter something about the service that they don't like: If this aspect of the service violates the terms and conditions, then the customer is fully justified being upset at the service provider. If this aspect of the service is in accordance with the terms and conditions, and therefore the customer was disappointed because they didn't read the terms and conditions before making a purchase, then they should be upset with themselves.

So there is no question that the upset is appropriate; it is just a matter of directing it appropriately, and that means taking responsibility for one's own actions.

 

[Nancyg56]

If this aspect of the service is in accordance with the terms and conditions, and therefore the customer was disappointed because they didn't read the terms and conditions before making a purchase, then they should be upset with themselves.

So there is no question that the upset is appropriate; it is just a matter of directing it appropriately, and that means taking responsibility for one's own actions.

I am not going to argue that people should know what they are purchasing, I agree with you. I will say that while consumers need to take responsibility for their own actions when making a purchase there is also the reasonable expectation that an invitation to purchase a package on the back of a package that the customer is in the process of completing, such as the Bounce Back Plan, that the plan will mirror what the customer has just finished.

Will that always be true? Certainly not in this case. The customer would be justified to be at least unhappy when differences in the plan are not pointed out. I know that the company does not need to do this but will say that if or when there is backlash from this kind of customer service the company should at least bear some of the responsibility. The Bounce Back Plan was not offered to everyone and customers had a time limit to purchase to take advantage of the offer. Far different circumstances than a potential customer weighing the advantage of making the purchase while having their calculator and menu prices available. Changes under these circumstances should at least be made obvious to the buyer.

Bicker, I am not opposed to Disney making changes even if those changes do not benefit me. I believe in a market economy, I purchase what works for me and walk away from what does not. I do believe that when offers that require a timed commitment are required and those offers are on the heels of a packaged vacation such as the one the Disney offered and changes should be advertised, not made available only after the customer asks the manager for the T&C in writing. Under those circumstances, do you really think the brochures would have been available to the buyers? My memory is sketchy but I do not think even Disney management knew what the DDP would be at that time, how could they relay that information to their potential customers?

 

[DisneyKidds]

DisneyKidds, I liked your comparisons of the 2007 and 2008 plans, but you left out the added cost of the tips. If you back out your cs's ($120) you have $327.00 in table service meals. If you add a 20% tip for that amount that comes to $65.40. You would then need add the $65.40 to the total cost of the food for a total savings of $77.60. Am I figuring correctly? We'll still do it for the convenience, but the value is not as good as this year.

I thought a bit about this before I posted my comparison. The tip is really not a factor in determining the savings. If I added the tip to the 'total cost of the plan', I'd also have to include the value of that tip in the 'total covered' amount. It's really a savings neutral item. I can either add it to both, or add it to neither, and the 'savings' is the same. That is sort of confirmed when you look at the 'total cost of same exact meals' under both plans. The 2008 plan would cost us $108 more for the same exact meal, including paying for apps and tip. That is the same as the difference in the 'savings' under each plan ($251 - $143).

Am I miffed that I'd be looking at an additional $108 out of may pocket next year? A little. Should I allow that to keep me from saving the $143 I can still save under the new plan? Not really. The key is that the value isn't as good as last year, but depending on circumstances it is still a value....although I think people really do need to look a little closer at the new plan to see if they really save anything because depending on where/what you eat it's possible there might not be any savings. In my analysis we'd be saving $143 under the new plan, but that's with ordering the most expensive items at a couple of the more expensive restaurants. Also, things like the DDE become more prominent now, because you can conceivably now save as much with the DDE than you can under the DDP, and you aren't tied to DDP rules and locations, and all those CS meals if they aren't something you'd otherwise purchase.

When I first heard of the 2008 DDP changes I was ready to dismiss the new plan, but I've realized I shouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water and I'll look at the plan a little closer when the time comes.

 

[Colleen27]

It would a simple matter to either change a few menu boards or just put stickers over the DDP logo next to deleted snacks, until Disney gets a chance to get new menu boards.

There have already been posts on DIS regarding "snacks" that are clearly not single portioned sized no longer being covered. This includes the box of donuts and 1/2 gallon bottle of milk. I don't see Disney cutting back to the half dozen or so snacks listed in the brochure but I don't see "meal replacement snacks", that cost less then $4, continuing to be covered.

But as with most things, that is going to depend on what each visitor considers a meal replacement. The apple turnover from the Main Street Bakery, for example, is under $4 and a single portion size so it is likely to still be considered a snack, but that could *easily* be breakfast by itself. And I can't be the only one who has had a Mickey bar or a Dole Whip for lunch on a hot Florida day.

I agree that we'll see some reduction in the snack offerings, in things like those that you mentioned - items where a single snack credit could be a meal replacement for several people, or a beverage to last several days in the in-room fridge. But I don't think it signals the end of being able to use snack credits for the meal not covered by the standard dining plan, especially given the appetite-suppressant effect of heat and humidity.

 

[Mickey02]

Forgive me

I am sure this has been asked and answered several times on this board but to avoid reading 67 back pages is it ok if I ask it again.

We are leaving for Disney on Christmas day and getting the dining plan for the first time. I know that there have been many changes made to the plan for 2008 here is my question. Since our plan begins December 2007 will we be on the 2007 plan even Jan 1 to the 3 when our trip ends?

 

[bicker]

That is the best guess of many folks in this thread.

 

[llmurphy17]

Subscribing

 

[monkeymaps]

sorry if this is already been answered but is wolfgangs and ranglan road part of the 2008 DDP? I have heard conflicting things as to weither or not they still accept the DDP.

 

[antkim]

sorry if this is already been answered but is wolfgangs and ranglan road part of the 2008 DDP? I have heard conflicting things as to weither or not they still accept the DDP.

Yes, they are both on the 08 dining plan!

 

[dcrouch]

I am completely confused. I thought I was on top of the disney dining plan. But after reading the above link to the official 2008 disney dining package, I see things that I was not aware of. (Update: I can't seem to post the link that I wanted to show... adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/images2003/languagespecific/eng/nontheme/tickets/08Dining.pdf


1.) I thought appetizers are not included, so what does the part about appetizer (age 3-9 only) mean? Does that mean that you can order an app for a child instead of a child meal?????

2.) A link that I looked at last night showed places like Garden Grill at Epcot as a character meal. It had two ** beside it so I assumed those ** meant that it would count as two TS credits. BUT, on the above link the official guide doesn't show a "2 in a circle" which means that you have to use 2 credits.

I am royally confused and to be totally honest, I am completely frustrated with a system that is way to confusing. I hate Disney's website! I have been trying all morning to register my grand gatherings and can't even figure out how to do that. I am registered on the site and it says Welcome Deena but no where does it show a place to register the grand gathering with my grand gathering number. RIDICULOUS!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Each table service restaurant has two or three "set" childrens' menu items which include an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. IF these are not amended then children will be able to get all three courses if they order one of these choices. On the other hand, most menus also have two or three 'a la carte' items for each course. If the child chooses this option, my best guess is that no, the appetizer would cost extra (which is why I think they'll be changing the "set" menu choices as well).

I detest how slowly the Disney site loads on my computer, so - without actually looking at it, I'm going to say that (a) I don't have any idea what the two "**" indicate - but Garden Grill definitely requires only one credit per diner.

 

[desertbloom]

I am in the process of planning our trip. Last year we got the dining plan and it was spectacular. This year, with the changes, we will be saving about 75.00 by going with the plan after you figure in taxes for paying OOP. If we skimped on desserts, since we don't normally eat those at every meal, we would be saving less than 20.00 over getting the plan and having all the desserts. Do you think the milkshakes at WC are still included as a beverage?

 

[DISNEYDUET]

Evening all! Please don't shoot but I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to. With the deluxe ddp are the points pooled like with the basic ddp? Say if you only use 2 credits one day would you have the 3ed credit to use later on?

TIA!

 

[SmallWorld71]

2.) A link that I looked at last night showed places like Garden Grill at Epcot as a character meal. It had two ** beside it so I assumed those ** meant that it would count as two TS credits. BUT, on the above link the official guide doesn't show a "2 in a circle" which means that you have to use 2 credits.

I could be wrong, but I think the 2 ** means character meal. All character meals, except the ones in the castle, are 1 credit.

 

[kritter]

Is the Yak and Yeti on the dining plan?????

 

[kaytieeldr]

Evening all! Please don't shoot but I have a question that I can't seem to find the answer to. With the deluxe ddp are the points pooled like with the basic ddp? Say if you only use 2 credits one day would you have the 3ed credit to use later on?

TIA!

Yes, you would. You will be able to use all your meal credits in any configuration you choose. Three-night stay example: one buffet and four (as filling as possible) snacks one day; three Signature meals the next; two one-credit meals and two snacks the next. Alternative same-stay example: three one-credit meals each day, two snacks each day. Either way, it works out to nine meal credits and six snack credits.

 

[java]

DDP newbie here so I have tons of ?'s. Is there a place that I can see the details of the plan. I have trouble on the disney website as I have a MAC and the info I saw here on the DIS isn't saying anything about the refillable mug option for the deluxe plan that someone mentioned.

So is there a place were I can read about the DETAILS of the plans?
We are a family of 6 kids will be 14,10,5 and 3 when we go. I am trying to figure out if this will be worth it for us. Our 3 year old does normally order a meal off a menu as he can eat. But I don't know if we would be better off doing DDE again(as we have in the past.)

Tipping doesn't matter to me. The concern I have is are your choices limited? I never paid attention in the restaurants but I recall hearing "your plan incudes" kind of talk coming from the waiters to others. Does that mean you can only pick certain items?

We are going concierge this time so should I even bother with deluxe?

I am so confused. I never thought of this as an option for us. But we do do character meals and table service often so maybe I should look at it.
Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kangaand2roos]

Has anyone heard what the official deal is with snack credits is now that we're 3 days into 2008?

Stacey

 

[tomandrobin]

Has anyone heard what the official deal is with snack credits is now that we're 3 days into 2008?

Stacey

Yesterday we were told anything under $4 can be used as a snak credit.

 

[tomandrobin]

Is the Yak and Yeti on the dining plan?????

yes, we were there yesterday and used CS and snack credits outside.