2008 DDP discussion, questions, rants and vents

[apostolic4life]

The cheese plate is in France and they also have lots of yummy sounding desserts under $4 . The cheese plate is $5.99 so that is oop, but it looked so delish from the posted pic I have to try it!!

Is that the cheese plate from Chefs de France??

 

[Pumbaa_]

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Thank you,

 

[DonnaL]

Well, for our part...we just got back from VWL on Friday evening. As DVC members who had not used DDP in the past (we have used DDE.....not every year...depends how many trips we have planned for that particular 12 month period) we decided to try DDP this trip...this time there were only three of us so it was fairly easy to keep track of the receipts, etc. We ate at 3 Signature restaurants....Artist Point, Narcoosees, and Yachtsman, and Boatwrights (which came very close to being as good a meal as the Signatures) and a great variety of CS's (Roaring Forks, Captain Cooks, American pavilion at Epcot to name a few). I just finished adding up all the receipts (I have every one of them.....snack credits and all). Our DDP dollar amount was $985.71.....this does include any gratuities or anything we could have purchased OOP such as appetizers or alcohol.......so our savings were about $188.00 since we paid $797.79 for the DDP as DVC members. We did not order appetizers at our TS meals and really didn't feel we needed them since by the time dessert came....if we had appetizers we would have been too full to eat dessert......however, I would like to see the option for either an appetizer or dessert, since at some meals I would have preferred an appetizer to the dessert. The one dessert I thought was absolutely wonderful was the creme brulee at Yachstman.

 

[LarryWCPA]

I am a new comer to the Disney dining Plans. First and foremost I wasted a ton of money not getting on the plan. Water under the bridge, but its probably 2-4 grand over the past 10 years

I am a DVC member. My trip starts tomorrow and I am debating what I should do:

Here are the facts: We have all our dinner reservations made, with the exception of the rain forest cafe, I believe all the restaurants are on the plan. We are eating almost exclusively on Disney Property.

Question 1, not clear the difference between Deluxe or Regular for 2008. I like appetizers more than desserts so a little bummed on that change. Under 2007 plan I would have liked to do one regular and one deluxe. I eat more than my wife. Is it possible to parlay two plans? While I realize sharing is discouraged, we usually order only one may be two appetizers, but rarely more than one dessert.

Question 1A, if we wanted an appetizer (and didn't order off the plan) I assume we could get it if we paid.

Question 2, based on our 2008 travel plans, my computations indicate an annual pass is better than a 10 day no expiration hopper. We are coming to Disney two different times in 2008 (365 day period) 4 days now and 6 days in September. I noticed for $60 ($120 for two) we can save 20%. By my math we would need to spend $600 total. We will probably do on our 4 day trip. The 6 day trip is also interesting because we will bring 2 grandparents with us. Question is the 20% a better deal then the Dining Plans? Can I use the 20% on the whole check if our parents tag along (We have a 16 month old now, and will have a 5 month old come September - we did not factor our kids, but with our 16 month old starting to eat table food it may be worth having 20% off.

One last question on the 20% deal, do I need to pay for that option for my wife and I (i.e. if one person has it is it good for the whole party?)

Question 3, Do I have to book a meal plan or that 20% deal in advanced, or can I do it when I check in tomorrow (later today actually)

Question 4, do my reservations have to state I am on a Disney Meal Plan?



*For what its worth In my opinon I can see why Disney did what they did, but I can say from reading 60 pages of comments they went too far (not as far as my NY Yankees who raised my season ticket prices 50% in 2008 but thats a whole other issue). First and foremost Disney should not have messed with Gratuity. There will be cheapscates who will take their anger out on servers. If they were losing money or not maximizing profits) they should have increased the cost of the plan, not screw it up. The issue about too much food could have been resolved better. Simply charge more for more food options. Markets correct themselves this would have been no different The advantage of a food plan is simplicity. Pay now and your done. We have often paid the same amount for food as alla cart (Sandals) but it was easy so we didn't care. Perhaps the rumors about Disney scrapping the plan are real. Best way to scrap a plan is to make everyone hate it.

Anyway, I am not sure I hate it - hopefully someone can help me out with my questions.

Thanks

LW

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am a DVC member. My trip starts tomorrow and I am debating what I should do:

Here are the facts: We have all our dinner reservations made, with the exception of the rain forest cafe, I believe all the restaurants are on the plan. We are eating almost exclusively on Disney Property.

Question 1, not clear the difference between Deluxe or Regular for 2008. I like appetizers more than desserts so a little bummed on that change. Under 2007 plan I would have liked to do one regular and one deluxe. I eat more than my wife. Is it possible to parlay two plans? While I realize sharing is discouraged, we usually order only one may be two appetizers, but rarely more than one dessert.

Question 1A, if we wanted an appetizer (and didn't order off the plan) I assume we could get it if we paid.

Question 2, based on our 2008 travel plans, my computations indicate an annual pass is better than a 10 day no expiration hopper. We are coming to Disney two different times in 2008 (365 day period) 4 days now and 6 days in September. I noticed for $60 ($120 for two) we can save 20%. By my math we would need to spend $600 total. We will probably do on our 4 day trip. The 6 day trip is also interesting because we will bring 2 grandparents with us. Question is the 20% a better deal then the Dining Plans? Can I use the 20% on the whole check if our parents tag along (We have a 16 month old now, and will have a 5 month old come September - we did not factor our kids, but with our 16 month old starting to eat table food it may be worth having 20% off.

One last question on the 20% deal, do I need to pay for that option for my wife and I (i.e. if one person has it is it good for the whole party?)

Question 3, Do I have to book a meal plan or that 20% deal in advanced, or can I do it when I check in tomorrow (later today actually)

Question 4, do my reservations have to state I am on a Disney Meal Plan?







LW

I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities, but I think it is a moot point. I believe you must request the dining plan a few days before you arrive, even though it isn't paid for until check-in.

1. The deluxe plan includes an appetizer as well as dessert and includes 3 TS credits and 2 snacks per day, per person. It also includes a refillable resort mug per person. The regular plan includes 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 Snack per day. Everyone staying in the room must be on the same package. Yes, you may order an appy and pay for it OOP.

2. I think the annual pass will probably be a good deal for you. Only one person must had the DDE card. Your wife will only need one if you dine separately. I think the second card is $25. The 20% is good for up to 10 guests on one check.

3. I am pretty sure the DDP must be added before your arrival. You can now purchase the DDE card at guest relations, as well as your AP when you arrive.

4. No, your ressies do not have to state you are on the DDP. I made my ADRs before I booked the DxDP.

Good luck and have a "magical" trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Question 1, part 2: No. Everybody on your reservation has to be on the same package.
Question 1A: Yes, you can absolutely order - and pay out of pocket for - any items not included on the DDP.

 

[DJ's Mommy]

When I went on my honeymoon in 2000, you were given 2 "wishes" every day that could include meals, recreation, and certain merchandise. If I am not mistaken, this was the first incarnation of the DDP. When we came home and added up all of our receipts from our 10 day trip, we figured we saved close to $900. I still have the the mechandise (a picture frame, an Epcot "ball" replica and a watch.) We did a behind the scenes tour at MK and ate like there was no tomorrow. Our "bill" at Chefs de France, minus alcohol (I love me a Kir Royale,) was $195 one night.

Do I miss that original structure? Yes.
I have been on DDP previously in 2006. Yes it was for "free" dining. Since our family now includes a little boy, not having to worry about carrying credit cards and/or cash each day was a blessing. It's hard enough most days for me to get over my excitement from my Stitch/Mickey wake up call to remember to pack those things, let alone all of the "extras" my little guy needs. Also it was oh so convenient to pre-pay for what on most vacations ends up being the most expensive thing. With the little guy, my husband and I can't commando the parks like we did on our honeymoon and eat on the run. We have to plan meal times into the day or else there is a very unhappy 5 year old in WDW. Believe me, you don't want to see/hear/be close to that! Since it was free in 2006, I can't tell you what the cost savings would have been - it was free, I didn't keep my receipts. I will say I had booked a 5 day trip originally with the dining plan, when free dining came out I redid my reservation with free dining for 7 nights/ 8 days instead. So that was worth it.

Fast forward to now...I leave in 10 days. The first 5 days I will be at Pop, just me, DS and DH. After that, we switch to Poly for another 5 days with DFIL, DMIL, DBIL, and DSIL. Planning our trip, I was on the fence about to do or not to do the DDP. To say my DFIL is cheap is an understatement. He would do Disney but sleep in his car to save a buck (not really but you get the picture.) The only reason he agreed to Poly was the monorail and his sometimes unhealthy obsession with spending time with his son(DH) and grandson (DS.)I know there are "cheap" ways of doing Disney. I know people pack food in their suitcases and have thins delivered so that they do not have to spend extra money in the parks or resorts. I don't knock them. To me ,vacation, weather it be Disney, the Outerbanks, the jersey shore or a carribean island, means eating whatever I am in the mood for on any given day. My DFIL on the other hand would not spend one red cent over whatever he had delivered. I mean even if he got extremely hungry and needed to leave the park to go eat just as Wishes was getting ready to start he would.
I was on the fence about DDP because of the changes but when I seriously thought about the ease of not having to listen to DFIL crunch numbers at most meals, I was sold. Will the changes make it less of a cost savings? Possibly. There are 7 of us now and appetizers are pretty tempting but the overall stress for me that it reduces far outweighs any negative thoughts I have about the changes.
That being said... I will definitely miss having a bag of chips and dip waiting in my room for me when I get home from a long day at the parks since they are no longer considered a snack. However, as long as Mickey ice cream bars are still covered, I will gladly find a bench on Main Street to sit on and eat one before heading back to my room. That is I will sit on that bench without DFIL. He will be back at the room already and I will be enjoying my few minutes of peace. After all, it is Disney, I am going to be there and no DDP, no gratuity and no loss of an appetizer will take away the fact that for those 10 days I can gaze at Cinderella's Castle pretty much any time I wish.
Hopefully, my optimistic view will not change once I am there and experience the DDP first hand.

 

[tigregk]

Hello there all......
I've really learned a lot sitting back and reading through the posts relating to the DDP.... thanks to all..... I'm heading down in three weeks and will be on the plan, without any true basis of comparison, so good for me i guess...
I have a question regarding the tipping process..... will i be able to have the 18% charged back to my room? (c/o my key to the world), or will i have to carry around the cash? and if it's charged back to my room, will it be clearly defined as "gratuity" with a description of when/where etc.?? we should always be in groups of 6 or more at our sit downs, but will be in four different rooms. do they split the tips up? or can you consolidate them to one room (probably mine.......)

thanks for the help.......

Matt.

 

[pilferk]

Hello there all......
I've really learned a lot sitting back and reading through the posts relating to the DDP.... thanks to all..... I'm heading down in three weeks and will be on the plan, without any true basis of comparison, so good for me i guess...
I have a question regarding the tipping process..... will i be able to have the 18% charged back to my room? (c/o my key to the world), or will i have to carry around the cash? and if it's charged back to my room, will it be clearly defined as "gratuity" with a description of when/where etc.?? we should always be in groups of 6 or more at our sit downs, but will be in four different rooms. do they split the tips up? or can you consolidate them to one room (probably mine.......)

thanks for the help.......

Matt.

YES, you can charge the tips back to your room.

No, it's not clearly labeled as "gratuity"..but it does carry the name of the restaurant, so you can probably "extract" from there.

The thing is...if you're all in different rooms, I think you're going to need seperate checks because your dining plans will all be seperate (by room). But I'm not sure.....that's just my suspicion, based on having to "pay" seperately with credits. If that's the case, they can break out the gratuity for each person's check, I'd think.

 

[pilferk]

One other quick update:

We had discussed, before, whether or not they would apply an automatic gratuity, for DDP users, for any items ordered outside the DDP. They USED to do this when the tip was included. They did NOT do this for our trip. We ordered 2 or 3 things outside the DDP, and no "auto gratuity" was added to them on our checks. I looked high and low, and finally asked the server who said that with the 2008 plan, they will no longer be doing that since the tip is no longer included in the DDP.

 

[Tricia1972]

YES, you can charge the tips back to your room.

No, it's not clearly labeled as "gratuity"..but it does carry the name of the restaurant, so you can probably "extract" from there.

The thing is...if you're all in different rooms, I think you're going to need seperate checks because your dining plans will all be seperate (by room). But I'm not sure.....that's just my suspicion, based on having to "pay" seperately with credits. If that's the case, they can break out the gratuity for each person's check, I'd think.

Yes you are right, they will receive four separate bills and will have to pay with four separate KTTW cards.

 

[tigregk]

wow.... thank you both for your quick responses......

take care.
Matt

 

[Sibahan]

I am leaving in 1 week! YEAH!! I am so confused with the DDP since its the
1st time i am doing it, and its just changed.....

Will a standard 18% be added to Buffet Dinners?
Are all the "meals" included in the price at the restruaunts or is it only specific items at the resturaunt?

Thanks for answering my stupid questions!

 

[englishrose47]

I am leaving in 1 week! YEAH!! I am so confused with the DDP since its the
1st time i am doing it, and its just changed.....

Will a standard 18% be added to Buffet Dinners?
Are all the "meals" included in the price at the restruaunts or is it only specific items at the resturaunt?

Thanks for answering my stupid questions!

No question is stupid! The tip is no longer included on ddp unless you are a large party and then it is 18% but still not included on ddp. You pay tip oop so how much you tip is up to you. If service is great you can tip more if it's bad tip less. If I am wrong I'm sure someone will correct this . But this is how I understand it!!

 

[apostolic4life]

The tip is no longer included on ddp unless you are a large party and then it is 18% but still not included on ddp.

The tip is automatically added, it is not included.....there is a difference. They will add the 18% for groups of six or more, but the DDP does not cover the tip. You still have to pay it OOP. Tips are never "included" with DDP.

I think that is what you were trying to say wasn't it englishrose47?? I just thought it could be confusing the way it was written.

 

[englishrose47]

The tip is automatically added, it is not included.....there is a difference. They will add the 18% for groups of six or more, but the DDP does not cover the tip. You still have to pay it OOP. Tips are never "included" with DDP.

I think that is what you were trying to say wasn't it englishrose47?? I just thought it could be confusing the way it was written.

Now you are mconfusing me I have ddp and when I present my card the cost of my entree, drink( non alcoholic) and dessert will be covered on the ddp right!! Then I choose how much tip I leave. As I am solo I think that's how it works ! A party of 6 + gets 18%added/ included on the bill of course they could add more if they wanted . Now does that sound right or am I stll confused

 

[kaytieeldr]

That sounds perfect (unless you suddenly befriend a party of five or more Disney fanatics, and have all your meals together )

 

[englishrose47]

That sounds perfect (unless you suddenly befriend a party of five or more Disney fanatics, and have all your meals together )

 

[apostolic4life]

Now you are mconfusing me I have ddp and when I present my card the cost of my entree, drink( non alcoholic) and dessert will be covered on the ddp right!! Then I choose how much tip I leave. As I am solo I think that's how it works ! A party of 6 + gets 18%added/ included on the bill of course they could add more if they wanted . Now does that sound right or am I stll confused

In no way shape or form will the DDP cover your tip.......the tip will always be OOP. It has been summarily removed from the plan in all instances.

If your party has 6 or more they automatically charge you 18% for the tip, which you will have to pay cash, credit or room charge for. With large parties you are still paying for the tip OOP, but you will not have the discretion as to the amount.

Hope this helps.

 

[apostolic4life]

englishrose47, here are the 2008 DDP basic inclusions listed on the DIS:


For each night of your package stay you will enjoy:

• 1 Table-Service meal including entrée, dessert or full buffet, non-alcoholic beverage. Gratuity NOT included
• 1 Counter Service meal including entrée, dessert (lunch/dinner) and single serving non-alcoholic beverage or 1 complete combo meal, dessert (lunch dinner), 1 juice with breakfast and single serving non-alcoholic beverage
• 1 Snack choice of a frozen ice cream novelty or fruit bar, or single serve popcorn or single piece of whole fruit or single serve Grab Bag of Frito Lay's Chips, or 20 oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or 24 oz. bottle of Dasani water or medium size fountain drink or apple juice